I do NOT need a new pair of sandals but you all may have convinced me. I am a die-hard, dedicated Keen wear-er for…everything, but especially for biking. They make sense with their closed toe and the fact that you can toss them in the washer on the delicate cycle. But for other things, I might try your Birks!
On Thursday, June 11, 2026 at 12:26:03 PM UTC-4 [email protected] wrote: > Love this conversation! And I agree, Damien: there's nothing like the > feeling of a pair of well worn Birkenstocks :) > > I worked at a Birkenstock store for 10 years (late high school/college) so > I'll add this to the ongoing conversation: like a good, traditional steel > frame bike, Birkenstocks are pretty repairable. At the shop I worked at, we > - replaced soles (easy!) > - resealed the cork footbeds and punched new holes in the straps (also > easy!) > - did cork repair and replaced the footbed liner (tougher but possible!). > > Our local birk store doesn't offer these repairs any more (and local shoe > repair places charge a lot for them, I think) but it's very possible to > repair your own beloved, rugged looking, old birks. Happy riding! > > On Thu, Jun 11, 2026 at 11:10 AM Damien <[email protected]> wrote: > >> I love my Birkenstocks. I joke with my wife that they are a lifestyle >> upgrade if you've never had them before. I have both Arizona sandals and >> the Bostons, but much prefer the Arizona. I'm a size 9-9.5 US usually, and >> have the Arizona in both 42 regular width and 43 Narrow (both work fine, >> but fit in different ways). I'd say my foot is kinda average, except for >> the fact that I have a torn ankle ACL (or something) from a skateboarding >> injury over 20 years ago (just diagnosed last year - and it's >> degenerative!). This has resulted in my toe area (don't ask me how that >> works) getting inflamed/swollen from time to time. When this happens, the >> Birkenstocks are a godsend. >> >> I use them for cycling all the time, and find that the Arizona stays on >> quite well. I do worry about exposed toes when cycling, but I've not really >> ever felt that unsafe in these. I've used them with SimWorks Bubbly pedals, >> which work very well for me. They're not as grippy as MTB pedals, but offer >> enough grip. I will note, as someone above has already, that you may get >> some little holes in the outsole from MTB pedals, but it doesn't actually >> affect the shoe or the grip at all, in my experience. >> >> On another note - there is nothing better than sliding into worn-in Birks >> after a long hike or a round of golf. Needs to be experienced. >> >> On Thursday, 11 June 2026 at 10:17:51 UTC-4 [email protected] wrote: >> >>> Forgot - I also have a pair of their Bend style, which look like classic >>> suede sneakers. >>> >>> On Thursday, June 11, 2026 at 10:15:48 AM UTC-4 Andrew Scherer wrote: >>> >>>> Another long-term Birk wearer, 45+ years back when they were seen at >>>> Grateful Dead concerts more than anywhere else. I have long, narrow, >>>> low-volume feet with little padding and a tendency for plantar fascitis. I >>>> wear size 46 narrow Arizonas and Bostons at home and around town, and I've >>>> been hoarding a few pairs of a discontinued model, Gary, for office wear. >>>> I've also got a few par of Arizonas in whatever the synthetic rubbery >>>> material is for home and beach. Very comfy. I've never tried them riding, >>>> I >>>> grew up with cleats and 95% of the time I ride with clip-ins. FWIW they >>>> also sell insoles, my wife uses them successfully in place of her >>>> orthotics. >>>> >>>> On Thursday, June 11, 2026 at 9:59:05 AM UTC-4 SallyG wrote: >>>> >>>>> I agree. Best shoes in the world, at least for me! >>>>> >>>>> I have narrow foot, high-ish arch and wear either 37N, 37wide, or 38N >>>>> depending on the style. Usually wear Arizona suede (37N) and Boston >>>>> shearling clog (38N) at home. Also have Florida leather (37wide) and >>>>> Buckley shearling (38N) that I wear on errands. Milano for occasional >>>>> biking but I usually wear Hokas for this. I used to wear the closed toe >>>>> clog/backstrap when I worked in the O.R. and would think they would be >>>>> best >>>>> for biking. (You can probably tell that I have lots of Birkenstocks! They >>>>> really last and you can replace the sole.) Would definitely recommend >>>>> getting someone knowledgeable to fit them for you if you get a pair. >>>>> (Long-time eccentric store owner Luke in Laguna Beach was always my gold >>>>> standard.) >>>>> >>>>> >>>>> >>>>> On Wed, Jun 10, 2026 at 6:56 PM Ted Durant <[email protected]> wrote: >>>>> >>>>>> On Wednesday, June 10, 2026 at 8:48:17 PM UTC-5 Tony Lockhart wrote: >>>>>> >>>>>> Ted, these are the best shoes in the world. I remember seeing a photo >>>>>> of Mark from Riv wearing Super Birkis....probably 2010ish....and I >>>>>> decided >>>>>> to look into them. >>>>>> >>>>>> >>>>>> If I wear Super Birkis on my bikes I'd have to change my saddle >>>>>> height. That's a lot of stack! >>>>>> >>>>>> Ted Durant >>>>>> Milwaukee, WI USA >>>>>> >>>>>> -- >>>>>> >>>>> You received this message because you are subscribed to the Google >>>>>> Groups "RBW Owners Bunch" group. >>>>>> To unsubscribe from this group and stop receiving emails from it, >>>>>> send an email to [email protected]. >>>>>> >>>>> To view this discussion visit >>>>>> https://groups.google.com/d/msgid/rbw-owners-bunch/766270d3-7eb4-4e5b-bc0c-1639812f0cbdn%40googlegroups.com >>>>>> >>>>>> <https://groups.google.com/d/msgid/rbw-owners-bunch/766270d3-7eb4-4e5b-bc0c-1639812f0cbdn%40googlegroups.com?utm_medium=email&utm_source=footer> >>>>>> . >>>>>> >>>>> -- >> You received this message because you are subscribed to the Google Groups >> "RBW Owners Bunch" group. >> To unsubscribe from this group and stop receiving emails from it, send an >> email to [email protected]. >> > To view this discussion visit >> https://groups.google.com/d/msgid/rbw-owners-bunch/77579ae7-b426-422d-b025-e30aaa3c873dn%40googlegroups.com >> >> <https://groups.google.com/d/msgid/rbw-owners-bunch/77579ae7-b426-422d-b025-e30aaa3c873dn%40googlegroups.com?utm_medium=email&utm_source=footer> >> . >> > > > -- > Rob McEntarffer, Phd - [email protected] - he/him - Currently reading*: > The Wayfinder, *A. Johnson , *The Teacher Gap, *Allen and Sims *Blog: > **https://robmcentarffer.net/ > <https://robmcentarffer.net/>* > > -- You received this message because you are subscribed to the Google Groups "RBW Owners Bunch" group. To unsubscribe from this group and stop receiving emails from it, send an email to [email protected]. To view this discussion visit https://groups.google.com/d/msgid/rbw-owners-bunch/906a80d9-d788-4450-9f0e-a172410d52cfn%40googlegroups.com.
