I still need to catch up on some threads including Patrick’s Metatarsalgia discussion but as a longtime Birkenstock wearer I can offer the following:
I have long and narrow feet. Wear size 16 in most sneakers but 15 in other brands (such as Timberland) if they run large or as is often the case 15 may just be largest available size. I ‘think’ my arch is average but honestly not sure.
Unfortunately, my size requirements limit Birkenstock availability as well but I usually have a pair of Arizona sandals and/or Boston clogs. I’ve worn both 15 and 16 US sizes in both models but preferred 15Narrow. I hadn’t been able to get 15Narrow replacements after wearing out my last so now have 15 regular.
I’ve biked in both but prefer the closed toe of the Boston. The soft outsole grips my flat pedals well but shreds up quite easily if using spiked pedals. I have grip kings, VP-001, and some older cage pedals. Grip Kings grip my Birks the least of all my pedals and I may drill/tap them for set screw spikes someday but haven’t bothered yet.
I think the biggest downside is just getting dirt/gravel/debris in the sandals during rides. I may get less in the Boston clogs but then it can’t work itself out as well as with the open sandals. With the Arizona I felt my foot move around more in a less desirable way, especially once sweat soaked, so prefer the Boston which just felt a bit more secure with foot placement. I have not tried any Birks with heel strap, though I’ve wanted to try some London clog/shoe. Budgeting and a minimalist desire has prevented purchasing any more until I wear existing shoes out. Now they have a much greater variety of footbeds and soles but at my size I’m still limited in selection so never veered from the standard Arizona and Boston styles. I’ve never actually had a pair or Birkenstocks serviced or re-soled, despite best intentions, as there seemed to always be a lack of ‘official’ or ‘authorized’ local service centers whenever I looked and I’ve instead usually upcycled many of my old leather straps vs finding a local cobbler to do a re-sole.
I’ll also ride in sneakers or my vans, both laced and slip on, but trashed my slip ons last year after they finally fell apart and have not yet replaced. I must say my personal preferred riding shoe at the moment is an old pair of Timberland earthkeepers side zipper black boots (old discontinued city type boot) I’d replaced the laces with thick leather lace with a permanent knot with short tag ends so leave them tied and specifically use the side zippers. They just fit great with a thin pair of wool hiking socks and grip the pedals almost similar to the Birkenstocks but they are wearing thin and double as my ‘nice’ black shoes so I’ve limited riding in them lately to extend their longevity as much as possible and expect this summer will see more vans and Birkenstocks in my rides.
In short, I do really like riding in Birkenstocks for short casual rides with most flat pedals with a preference for clog over open sandals but as someone who sweats heavily once they get saturated my foot begins to slip around a bit more than I’d like so for longer and more aggressive rides I still prefer socks and a full shoe/sneaker.
One last note, with one single speed bike equipped with holdfast foot straps and VP-001 pedals I’ve also successfully used my Boston clogs on these but have gotten them stuck before when I lazily chose not to re-adjust the straps from prior rides with my narrower toed Timberland boots so had a barefoot stop on a few occasions with clog still attached to the pedal. Usually with a standard flat pedal this has not been an issue for me with open back sandals or clog falling off but it does occur to me why a heel strap may certainly be beneficial either way!
Brian Cole
Lawrence NJ
On Wednesday, June 10, 2026, Ted Durant <
[email protected]> wrote:
Hi all -
Patrick's thread on Metatarsalgia prompted a few people to recommend Birkenstocks, and I'm Birkenstock curious, so thought it might be worth its own thread.
What are your feet like? (length, width, volume, arch height, any specific. issues)
What Birkenstock model(s) have you tried and how have you liked them?
What models have you biked in, how has that been, and on what pedals?
Thanks!
Ted Durant
Milwaukee WI USA
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