Blog
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New Season, New Shoes!
As we head into the warmer seasons (yay!) it’s time to update the shoe-robe! Let’s be honest, even if we didn’t need any more shoes, we’d buy some anyway!
Whether you’re looking for a pair of shoes for an event, to wear down the beach, or to take travelling, we’ve got you sorted.
DRESS TO IMPRESS
You’ve been invited to an event, and you want to look stylish, but still be super comfortable at the same time, right? Well ladies, look no further than FRANKiE4’s Cate. You’re probably looking at her 8cm heel and thinking, “Surely they wouldn’t be comfortable!” Well guess what, she is! Not only does she look amazing with almost any outfit, but she’s Podiatrist and Physiotherapist designed, and has a built-in triple density functional footbed with heel support, arch support and ‘sweet spot’ forefoot cushioning, so your feet will be thanking you by the end of the day!
Men, we haven’t forgot about you don’t worry! You can’t go past NAOT’s Chief.
Stylish, comfortable and classy, CHIEF is everything you want in a dress shoe! Made from fine Italian leather, you know these bad boys are of the highest quality, and they’re versatile enough to be paired with both corporate and casual wear.
HOT SUMMER’S DAY
From t-shirts and shorts, to flowy dresses, Summer isn’t Summer without sunshine & Birkenstocks.
In recent years, they’ve gone from just a comfort shoe to a worldwide fashion trend. I mean, why wouldn’t they? They’re made with the highest quality materials to ensure an optimum level of comfort and durability, and there are loads of different styles and colours available.
Not sure which style to get? Don’t worry, there’s plenty to choose from. Arizona, Mayari and Gizeh are a few of our favourites! Fancy a pair in patent leather? What about a shiny metallic pair? The choices are endless!
Here, we explain how to fit your new Birkenstocks.
ORTHOTIC SUPPORT, IN STYLE!
Whoever said style is sacrificed for comfort has never tried FRANKiE4! Once you step into a pair of ELLiE’s, you’ll know what we mean! Not only are they super stylish, they’re comfy too – with hidden heel support, arch support and forefoot cushioning, so you’ll feel like you’re wearing slippers. Literally. They also come with a fit-pack, which includes an option of a full-length footbed, half-length footbed, and forefoot cushions, to cater for narrow, regular, wide and extra wide feet.
ECCO’s Soft 7 Men tick all the boxes for having both style and comfort. The ECCO Comfort Fibre System keeps feet feeling fresh all day long, and the soft, durable leather means lasting comfort. Orthotic friendly footwear that supports following the wife around the shopping centre!
CAUGHT THE TRAVEL BUG?
Having the right footwear when you travel really makes a difference! If you’re going somewhere hot and humid, you don’t always want to have to lug around a chunky hiking boot. So why not go for a travel sandal instead?
The KEEN Whisper is waterproof, has washable polyester webbing upper for odour control, quick dry mesh lining, and patented toe protection, making it breathable, and sturdy enough to take you from bush to beach. It has a quick draw elastic cord lacing system which adjusts for a comfortable and secure fit, and a non-marking rubber sole for steady grip on a variety of surfaces and to combat a range of activities, including hiking and water sports.
Photo credit: @shaysshoes
For men, the KEEN Newport sandal is a winner. It’s versatile and comfy, and has hydrophobic mesh lining that dries quickly, which is perfect if you’re on a boat or kayaking and constantly getting your feet wet. They also have KEEN.PROTECT toe guards, and a non-marking rubber sole for ultimate grip, so it doesn’t matter what you’re doing, you’ll have enough traction to tackle any terrain.
Check out our full range of shoes here.
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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.
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Caring For Your Feet
Don’t you think your feet deserve a little more credit? After all, they carry your entire body weight during your day to day ventures. Being aware of your feet throughout the day can help prevent many associated pains of unsupported or un-cared for feet. No matter what time of the day it is, there is always something you can do to help improve your overall foot health. From the time your alarm goes off in the morning to the time you set it at night, here’s what your feet endure on a daily basis.
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Caring For Your Shoes
Grundy’s Shoes stock a wide variety of brands, all sourced and crafted from premium materials so that exceptional comfort, support & style is translated from our shelf to your feet but the biggest mistake you can make is to neglect caring for your shoes after your take them home.
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How To Travel With Healthy Feet
Whether you’re hiking in the Himalayas or to the peaks of The Alps, the right outdoor footwear should always be at the very top of your list when thinking about going on your next adventure.
