If you are newer to Birkenstocks and you stumble across this video, the standard footbed is the way to go with pretty much anyone. The soft footbed was made to capitalize on people buying them for the fashion aspect. However the soft footbed is actually worse as the foam doesn't allow the shoe to break in and contour to your foot as easily. Yes the standard might be painful at first due to the stiff fit when you first wear them, just use them for a bit at a time until they become uncomfortable then take them off. You keep at this for the first week and it will be smooth sailing from there. The soft footbed is really only decent for those with low arches, if you have normal to high arches (hell even uncollapsed low arches) then absolutely stick with the standard. As someone who first used a soft footbed ages ago when I first got a pair, the standard is much much better and lasts longer. Think of it like buying good boots or dress shoes, well made items don't use foam. They use cork and leathers and break in to the mold of your foot. Once they fit right they will not only be the most comfortable thing you own, but will over time readjust your foot so it is healthier.
Thanks, this is really helpful I have almost flat feet so I would have tried the soft but now I'll go standard. Birks are very popular but I was unsure.
I purchased my first Birks Gizeh soft footbed and i must say i'm lovin it, cause i do get blisters easily and they said on regular footbed you need time to break in and you can get blisters with it. I hate it to happen on me so i decided to get sa SFB one and i wore it straight out of the box and viola! Super comfortable 😍
I owned two,mayari regular and florida soft bed. Regular was very stiff in the beginning and the softbed very comfortable as soon as I started wearing it.
The huge advantage of the Zermatt and Andermatt slippers is the exchangeable foot bed, however I'm more concerned about the build quality of the materials that form the rest of the slippers.
Depends on the person wearing them. The original Birkenstocks were all hard foot beds. The soft foot beds seem to hold the popular vote now days since it's a whole new generation of customers.
If you are referring to the arch support lumps, they will mold to your feet the more you wear them. There isn't any method to remove them without damaging or changing the overall form of the Birkenstock. We wouldn't suggest it.
@@BodellsShoes I bought Birkenstock standard insoles for my New Balance 860v9 and my feet were cozy after the break in period. It's been three years and I recently threw my old worn shoes in the trash. How long do Birkenstock insoles last with everyday wear?
I have Morton's toe(second toe is longer than the rest of my toes) but I love the look of the Arizona and Gizah sandal. Is there ANY way to sand the shoe down so that my toe doesn't rub or overhang the shoe?
I bought the Haflinger slippers and after two months, my plantar fasciitis in my right heel does feel much better. I need your opinion. Do you think I should buy a new pair of Birkenstock blue standard insoles, since my original pairs are three years old already? I am not sure if my Birkenstock standard insoles are still giving me the support and comfort they did before. I've read that Birkenstock insoles last ten years and more. Also, what slip resistant women's work shoes do you recommend for my plantar fasciitis?
Ignore the last reply. Birkenstock inserts are okay. Yet you will receive more relief with Finn Comfort style Ikebukuro. Superior construction and great arch. Instant relief for plantar fasciitis. As to work, try the New Balance 857 in black.
Heel spurs can be alleviated with high profile arched shoes. So, yes Birkenstocks are a good choice. In addition, Finn Comfort, another German brand is excellent.
You really do feel a difference. The only problem is that the heel cup isn’t as deep on the soft footbed, so you don’t get as much arch support. It’s still good, but more support in the original.
We would suggest the soft footbed. It has a little more cushion for the foot so it'll be a little more comfortable. That is if you never had a pair before.
@@BodellsShoes I can attest that a soft footbed works better for my flat foot. No matter how I tried, the regular footbed is too hard for my feet which are flat as pancakes.
I've been wearing Birkenstock leather and cork sandals for over 40 years. Don't know how many pairs I've had but they were all the same style like the arizona. Never knew they needed to be broken in. Jesus wore them too back in the day. That's why they're also called " Lord Boards." On another note, if you feel the need to break in sandals, don't even think about buying quality leather boots.They'll probably kill you.
check out the following: Finn Comfort Huelva, Samuel Hubbard shoes, New Balance 928, 990, 1540, Haflinger slippers. All have stability and motion control.
If you are newer to Birkenstocks and you stumble across this video, the standard footbed is the way to go with pretty much anyone. The soft footbed was made to capitalize on people buying them for the fashion aspect. However the soft footbed is actually worse as the foam doesn't allow the shoe to break in and contour to your foot as easily. Yes the standard might be painful at first due to the stiff fit when you first wear them, just use them for a bit at a time until they become uncomfortable then take them off. You keep at this for the first week and it will be smooth sailing from there. The soft footbed is really only decent for those with low arches, if you have normal to high arches (hell even uncollapsed low arches) then absolutely stick with the standard.
As someone who first used a soft footbed ages ago when I first got a pair, the standard is much much better and lasts longer. Think of it like buying good boots or dress shoes, well made items don't use foam. They use cork and leathers and break in to the mold of your foot. Once they fit right they will not only be the most comfortable thing you own, but will over time readjust your foot so it is healthier.
Many who have been wearing Birks for decades disagree.
*but how do i tell them apart from each other in the store?*
@@FruitschannelMagnumIlirikum their is writing in the heel, says “softbed” if that is what it is.
Thanks, this is really helpful I have almost flat feet so I would have tried the soft but now I'll go standard. Birks are very popular but I was unsure.
@@winstonian88 💯
I purchased my first Birks Gizeh soft footbed and i must say i'm lovin it, cause i do get blisters easily and they said on regular footbed you need time to break in and you can get blisters with it. I hate it to happen on me so i decided to get sa SFB one and i wore it straight out of the box and viola! Super comfortable 😍
Glad to hear it!
I buy my shoes there, everytime I visits California. Best shoes Store ever !!!
Always a pleasure to hear from those who moved or live out of state when they come visit! Thank You, look forward to seeing you again!
I owned two,mayari regular and florida soft bed. Regular was very stiff in the beginning and the softbed very comfortable as soon as I started wearing it.
The soft footbed has 1/4" latex between the suede liner and cork. Yes, the break-in period is faster and less painful.
For flat feet would you recommend soft bed or regular?? TY..
The huge advantage of the Zermatt and Andermatt slippers is the exchangeable foot bed, however I'm more concerned about the build quality of the materials that form the rest of the slippers.
How about giving a recommendation on which you think is better and why ? That would be helpful
Depends on the person wearing them. The original Birkenstocks were all hard foot beds. The soft foot beds seem to hold the popular vote now days since it's a whole new generation of customers.
I just got some Birkenstock shoes, and feel like I am trying to balance on two round lumps. Is this what everyone is talking about will go away?
If you are referring to the arch support lumps, they will mold to your feet the more you wear them. There isn't any method to remove them without damaging or changing the overall form of the Birkenstock. We wouldn't suggest it.
Normal
@@BodellsShoes I bought Birkenstock standard insoles for my New Balance 860v9 and my feet were cozy after the break in period. It's been three years and I recently threw my old worn shoes in the trash. How long do Birkenstock insoles last with everyday wear?
i prefer hard rather than soft bed, because hard bed had better support arch rather than soft bed, in soft bed i felt less benefit in arch support
I have Morton's toe(second toe is longer than the rest of my toes) but I love the look of the Arizona and Gizah sandal. Is there ANY way to sand the shoe down so that my toe doesn't rub or overhang the shoe?
Didn’t know there was a name for this longer second toe. I have it too.
I bought the Haflinger slippers and after two months, my plantar fasciitis in my right heel does feel much better. I need your opinion. Do you think I should buy a new pair of Birkenstock blue standard insoles, since my original pairs are three years old already? I am not sure if my Birkenstock standard insoles are still giving me the support and comfort they did before. I've read that Birkenstock insoles last ten years and more. Also, what slip resistant women's work shoes do you recommend for my plantar fasciitis?
Be patient, the footbed will conform.
Ignore the last reply. Birkenstock inserts are okay. Yet you will receive more relief with Finn Comfort style Ikebukuro. Superior construction and great arch. Instant relief for plantar fasciitis. As to work, try the New Balance 857 in black.
They're both nice! I don't feel much difference tbh.
thank you but a close up shot of each would have been helpful.
Could you recommend Birkenstock to someone who has heel spurs?
Heel spurs can be alleviated with high profile arched shoes. So, yes Birkenstocks are a good choice. In addition, Finn Comfort, another German brand is excellent.
Great vid! Which of the 2 can you recommend for someone with severe case of bunions?
Skate the bunions off. Griptape thumb.
The softer footbed will have a little more cushion for the bunions.
super helpful, thank you!!!
So glad!
Seems too thin to make a significant difference. Can anyone who owns the soft bed version confirm or deny?
You really do feel a difference.
The only problem is that the heel cup isn’t as deep on the soft footbed, so you don’t get as much arch support. It’s still good, but more support in the original.
Which one would help be the most comfortable for a flat foot, a soft or regular footbed?
We would suggest the soft footbed. It has a little more cushion for the foot so it'll be a little more comfortable. That is if you never had a pair before.
@@BodellsShoes thank you for your response!
@@BodellsShoes I can attest that a soft footbed works better for my flat foot. No matter how I tried, the regular footbed is too hard for my feet which are flat as pancakes.
@@la7018 same here, but after months of constant use, the cork turns soft... they feel amazing....
@Roberto G. Yes and that's why most of the store assistants recommended the standard footbed.
Is it ok to get wet in the rain in Birkenstock?
Yes, use waterproof product.
@@BodellsShoes what waterproof product ?
Which one last longer?
They will last about the same amount of time.
Thank you
Welcome!
I've been wearing Birkenstock leather and cork sandals for over 40 years. Don't know how many pairs I've had but they were all the same style like the arizona. Never knew they needed to be broken in. Jesus wore them too back in the day. That's why they're also called " Lord Boards." On another note, if you feel the need to break in sandals, don't even think about buying quality leather boots.They'll probably kill you.
Lmao "lord boards"
I call mine The Jerusalem Cruisers
Three months ago I bought Iron Rangers. I should be okay.😋 Regardless, my arch is fine and I'm not too wide. Should I go hard or soft?
"Christ kickers!"
*but how do i tell them apart from each other in the store?*
Compress the footbed. You will know the difference.
I was told I need to go down a size
They do fit full. meaning if you measure a 10/10.5 you would probably fit the 9/9.5 fairly well. Not always though.
@@BodellsShoes I’m a woman’s 10 and use 41
Interesting
nice
Thanks
That’s it….
I just "broke" a pair of Iron Rangers. Which would you recommend for a "sturdy"(for lack of a better word) foot?
check out the following: Finn Comfort Huelva, Samuel Hubbard shoes, New Balance 928, 990, 1540, Haflinger slippers. All have stability and motion control.