Connie Park/NYT WirecutterTop pickIcons of style and comfort since 1973, these classic double-buckle sandals have the approval of A-listers and podiatrists alike. Just be warned that the famous cork footbeds require some breaking in.The Birkenstock Arizona sandals made their debut in 1973 — and these casual, comfortable shoes have been racking up fans ever since. (Among the well-dressed celebs who have been spotted in them over the years: Kate Moss and Tracee Ellis Ross.) Our top pick is a classic suede pair with a cork-latex footbed. Yet these sandals come in many iterations (which we’ve also tested and generally love), from oiled leather slides to lightweight EVA foam sandals (another Wirecutter fave).Birkenstock Arizona Suede Leather sandals (pictured in taupe, size 39/US 8) have contoured cork-and-latex footbeds that elevate the foot about 2 cm off the ground. Connie Park/NYT WirecutterBirkenstock Arizona sandals have graced fashionable feet for over 50 years. Their wide double straps and prominent metal buckles are unmistakable (and these shoes have spawned countless imitators, both high and low). The Arizona sandals are not only perennially cool but also long-lasting: With proper care, a pair of Birks can hold up for decades. One Wirecutter staffer has been wearing her pair since 2014.The support is phenomenal. Their contoured cork-and-latex footbed is beloved by foot doctors: It was specifically designed to support a healthy posture and gait. “This style is always on my recommended list,” said Washington, DC–area podiatrist Saylee Tulpule, DPM. “It has a deep heel cup [and] really nice arch support. Cork is great for shock absorption, and it has a firm yet supportive sole.” Plus, the adjustable straps allow you to customize the fit. (The Arizonas also come in two width options.)But it can take some getting used to. Traditional (cork-footbed) Birks have a break-in period of about two to three weeks, during which time the shoes mold to the unique shape of your feet. If you’re unaccustomed to wearing more-supportive shoes, the Arizona’s arch-hugging curvature can come as a surprise. I have especially low arches, and when I wore my first pair, I spent about three days in aching agony as my feet (and, heck, my entire musculoskeletal system) got acquainted with the marvels of German engineering. But once the footbeds and I got used to each other, I was happy that I’d stuck it out. Plus, after about a year since I first tested these, they’ve become my most-worn sandals.Flaws but not dealbreakersThere’s a break-in period. It takes about two to three weeks for the Birkenstock Arizonas’ cork-and-latex footbeds to mold to your feet. If you’d prefer to avoid this particular rite of passage, the Arizona Soft Footbed (which we’ve tried on) features an extra layer of foam cushioning for a somewhat-softer landing; the all-foam Arizona Essentials EVA also has a shorter (and, for some people, nonexistent) break-in period.Maintenance can be a chore. Keeping these sandals in tip-top shape requires a bit of TLC; the footbeds in particular can get grody over time. (Yes, we have advice on how to spiff up suede and baby your Birks.)They don’t play well with water. A little water isn’t the end of the world, but if these Birks get seriously soaked, the suede can stretch, the footbeds can turn to sludge, and the cork can degrade and pull away from the footbed. (The Arizona EVA slides, on the other hand, are built for getting wet.)Key specsSizes: US women’s 4 to 12½ (in regular and narrow widths); US men’s 6 to 17½ (in regular and narrow widths)Sizing notes: These sandals run true to size.Materials: suede upper, suede insole, cork-and-latex footbed, EVA outsoleColors: dozens of colors and material variations, including suede, oiled leather, nubuck leather, Birko-Flor, Birkibuc, EVA, and Soft Footbed
Source link