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How To Fit My New Birkenstocks
Over the past few years, Birkenstock have gone from just a comfort shoe, to a global fashion trend - and we aren't complaining! Combining comfort with style are two of our favourite things here at Grundy's Shoes, so we're all for it!
Birkenstocks are made in Germany, using only the best products and materials, and their tradition of quality craftsmanship goes back more than 225 years.
Birkenstocks also have their own unique contoured footbed, shock-absorbing soles, and specially designed buckles for ultimate comfort and durability.
Here, we're going to explain the different Birkenstock sizings, and give you all the advice on how to fit your Birkenstocks perfectly!
BIRKENSTOCK WIDTH SIZING
While we all know that the length of a shoe is essential to knowing if it fits or not, the width of a shoe doesn’t get as much attention. But it should!
You see, if your shoe is too tight in the area around the balls of your feet, it presses against your metatarsophalangeal joints - which isn’t just painful, but over time could lead to misalignments too. Ouch! But on the other hand, if the shoes are too loose, your heel will lift up from the shoe, your foot will slide forward and your toes will push against the front of the shoe. Not good!
Everyone’s feet are different, and while most shoe manufacturers only offer a standard width, Birkenstock offer their footbed in two separate widths – regular and narrow.
This makes it a whole lot easier to ensure you have the correct shoe size in both length and width, so that your foot is held in place at its widest point, without constricting it. As foot size changes over the course of the day as a result of pressure (true fact!) it’s also important to make sure you have enough room on the sides when trying them on!
Look for these symbols when choosing your shoes.
Birkenstock uppers are also adapted to each deep footbed width, and because the straps are fully adjustable, your shoe will be tailored perfectly to your feet.
AM I A REGULAR OR NARROW FIT?
It’s important to measure your foot properly, to ensure you have the right size shoe.
To work out the size and width you’ll need, follow these steps:
Measure the length of your foot by standing on a flat surface with your full weight on your foot, then measure the distance from the back of your heel to the tip of your longest toe.
Add 10mm to your foot length to allow your foot room to move. This will give you the footbed length you need to find your size.
Measure the width of your foot across the widest point.
Compare your foot width measurement to the footbed length below, to see if you will need a narrow or regular width.
Example: Julie's foot measures 240mm long and 95mm wide. Julie adds 10mm to her foot's length to find she will fit comfortably into a Size 39 (250mm Footbed Length). At that size, the Regular Width footbed of 97mm will fit her foot properly.
REGULAR WIDTH SIZING
NARROW WIDTH SIZING
For more sizing info, visit www.birkenstock.com.au/sizing
ADJUSTING YOUR BIRKENSTOCKS
When you buy your Birkenstocks, make sure there’s a few millimetres of space in the heel and toe areas – you’ll need this space for a natural rolling motion of the foot.
Here’s how to adjust your Birkenstock model.
1. Undo all of the straps and place your foot inside the footbed, making sure your heels are all the way back in the heel cups, with a few millimetres of space at the front. Your feet should be nestled in the footbed – not resting on the inside or outside of the footbed edge.
2. Close the straps so they are snug, but don’t sit too tightly on the feet. You should leave a little extra space for your toes and about 5mm on each side of your feet, so your feet aren’t constricted when you walk. If you can wiggle one finger between the strap and your foot – you’ve got it!
3. After adjusting your Birkenstocks, take a few steps. If your feet can move freely when you walk, and don’t push against the edge of the footbed, they are the correct size and width for you. Yay! When you start walking, the contours of the footbed should correspond to your own arches, and the toe bar should fit comfortably beneath your toes.
TIP - If your Birkenstocks are a bit stiff at first, gently flex them with your hands, or on the floor, to soften them up.
And that's it! Enjoy your Birkenstocks! We have an instructional video available on our YouTube Channel, click here to watch.
To view our range of Birkenstocks, click here.