Birkenstock Arizona Review – Still Worth It or Not?

Birkenstock is not new to the footwear game. In fact, they’ve been around since 1896 when Konrad Birkenstock had the idea to make the first flexible insole footbed in Germany. They’ve become a thing ever since and people have worn the Arizona style in particular all over the world. This review is for you if you’re still kind of over the fence about buying your first pair, or perhaps, you’ve just ditched your old pair and are unsure whether to still invest in them. Whichever case, this article is tailored to help you draw your own conclusion.

For reference, I’m 6ft and I wear a UK size 8.

Let’s get into it.

The Arizona comes in different styles, colours, and straps but having looked at so many reviews online, I decided to opt for the Two-Strap style. Not only are they more popular, but they’re more stylish in my opinion.

They also come in different leather types, including suede and oiled leather. However, I went for the natural leather in a dark mocha colour.

I personally like them for 4 reasons

One. Their timelessness; they are classic, iconic and have been around for ages.

Two. Their construction, especially their soles and footbeds; is very stylish and uniquely made with Cork latex, Jute fabric, and soft Suede Leather finishing. The shaped Heel-cup supports and stabilises your feet upon hitting the ground while the Toe-grip supports the gripping motion of your toes as you move around in them.

Additionally, their footbed edges protect your toes and foot enabling an evenly distributed body weight across your entire foot.



Three. their versatility; I’m able to team them with shorts, chinos, jeans and even smart pants and still look smashing.

The Fourth is their country of origin; Germany is known for making high-quality products and the Birkenstock brand is no exception.



The only negative thing I worry about is their break-in period; they are never truly comfortable walking in. And it’s not just this pair but every type I have owned.

I’ve read that a three to four-week period of regular use (depending on your foot width) usually breaks them in. However, this hasn’t been my experience. Summer is always an exciting time to rock these bad boys. However, my feet hurt and sometimes develop blisters each time I wear them, especially for walking long distances.

I’ve also read that wearing them with thick socks helps to widen their footbeds and shortens the break-in period, however this hasn’t worked for me either. 🤷🏽‍♂️

Regardless though, I still like and prefer them as my go-to summer sandals.

Price, Shipping and Delivery

At the time of buying, the mocha colour cost me £75. I also paid an extra £5.50 for the shipping making a total of £80.50.

The delivery period took about nine working days for me. However, their website currently states 2 to 5 working days. So I'm guessing 10 working days is probably the max.

Where to buy authentic Birkenstock Arizona

Their official website or physical stores remain one of the best places to buy a pair. These links should help:

Choosing the right size of Birkenstock

Lengthwise? I’d say they’re true to size. The brand also offers narrow and regular width sizes for people with narrow feet and vice versa. If you’re a guy, I’d recommend the regular width. That's what I went for.

Alright, we’ve covered a lot; features, pros and cons, as well as their price, shipping and where to buy an authentic pair.

Are they still worth it?

Should you still buy a pair of Birkenstock Arizona sandals?

The truth? Yes. But only If style is your main focus. As mentioned, they are timeless, versatile and highly constructed with quality natural leather. They also have a decent price tag. However, if 100% comfort is what you’re looking for, then they are not the ideal sandals.

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