I've enjoyed this thread. I wear my birks regularly, most particularly I have a pair that I wear around the house as slippers which are especially good for feet/legs/back health. Also, a shout out to Rob Mc who mentioned working at a Birkenstock store back in the day. He got me a job at the same store during my college days (thanks, Rob!).
My contribution to the discussion as someone who has worn and sold birks: There are "regular" width models and "narrow" models, and many people when first trying them balk a bit at how wide Birkenstocks look on their feet. My experience, and the original owner of the Birkenstock store trained me, that something like 90% of people need the regular because the human foot naturally spreads out and it is far healthier to go with the regular width to get the full benefits of the support. Don't be misled by aesthetics thinking that you can cram your foot into the narrow width version to make your foot look skinnier than it is. Very, very, few people need the narrow width in my experience. My two cents.... I can't really speak to biking with them and I personally probably wouldn't do it unless I had a model with some sort of back strap/containment at the heel but that's just me. Unless maybe I was just hopping on a bike to ride a couple blocks to the store to get something on an errand. Addison Tirana, Albania On Fri, Jun 12, 2026 at 11:03 PM Leah Peterson <[email protected]> wrote: > > This seals the deal. We have to get Birkenstocks, all of us. And then we’ll > take cute pics and post them here. We’re doing this, right? > > On Jun 12, 2026, at 4:31 PM, Chris Halasz <[email protected]> wrote: > > Why there's even a Birkenstock page dedicated to Lael Wilcox > > https://www.birkenstock.com/us/journal/people/lael-wilcox/ > > On Friday, June 12, 2026 at 12:59:21 PM UTC-7 Coal Bee Rye Anne wrote: >> >> I also do NOT need a new pair of sandals but this thread had me curious what >> Birkenstock is even currently stocking in my size so popped over to check >> after not checking for awhile. Of course, they had a greater selection than >> I expected (insert happy and sad face simultaneously, lol.) I was tempted >> by a black pair of Maines that were on a deep discount with only few >> remaining, having never tried their lace-ups. Someone beat me to 'em as >> they vanished from the cart while still browsing (hope you enjoy them if >> anyone here happened to grab them!) I've definitely wondered about blisters >> with more material vs. the minimal styles I'm used to and appreciate the >> additional comparison on their lace-ups. I usually can't find Montanas or >> similar styles in my size anyway but usually keep an eye out. Hadn't seen >> Alabamas before, nor the Maine until today, but will await another >> opportunity to try them. I resisted the temptation to stock up on known >> styles or try the London yet, despite several colors available, but did >> eventually end up ordering a Lutry Suede clog with flippable back strap that >> will likely serve as my new indoor clog/slipper and replace some cheapo >> slippers that have seen better days. This will let me test a back strap >> optional style while I keep wearing my current Arizona and Bostons. >> >> I should also amend my comment on 'easily shredded' soles with spiked >> pedals. Others are correct that it is a hard wearing rubber outsole and >> will not disintegrate. As already clarified, spikes will puncture the sole >> but this just adds to the grip and does not really present any issue unless >> your sole is already worn thin. I guess that is what I recall with my last >> pair where they were already thin and frequent riding and multiple punctures >> eventually combined to wear some chunks away but not until they were already >> nearing the end. >> >> On Thursday, June 11, 2026 at 11:46:52 AM UTC-4 S. Greco wrote: >>> >>> >>> I highly recommend Montanas or Alabamas for riding. They are like a Boston, >>> but with a back and laces. Unlike a London, the back edge is rolled over, >>> and unlike a Maine the sides don't overlap so there are fewer areas that >>> can cause blisters. They come in crazy two tone color options if you look >>> hard enough or are readily available in black or brown. >>> On Thursday, June 11, 2026 at 10:17:51 AM UTC-4 Andrew Scherer 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. > > -- > You received this message because you are subscribed to a topic in the Google > Groups "RBW Owners Bunch" group. > To unsubscribe from this topic, visit > https://groups.google.com/d/topic/rbw-owners-bunch/qH3023i_bOs/unsubscribe. > To unsubscribe from this group and all its topics, send an email to > [email protected]. > To view this discussion visit > https://groups.google.com/d/msgid/rbw-owners-bunch/afbfb7da-266e-47b0-9af9-7c2590520aefn%40googlegroups.com. > > -- > 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/92338302-3409-4B65-845A-CA556C8B1C79%40gmail.com. -- You received this message because you are subscribed to the Google Groups "RBW Owners Bunch" group. 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