A Guide to BIRKENSTOCK Footwear
BIRKENSTOCK is a timeless brand that truly offers a style for everyone to enjoy. Whether you’re looking for go-to lake or travel sandals, supportive slippers to wear around the house, or clogs for fall days, BIRKENSTOCK has the right look for you. With the popularity of BIRKENSTOCK footwear, many people wonder how BIRKENSTOCK shoes should fit, which size they should wear, and even if they’re waterproof. Our Footwear Experts cover everything you need to know about BIRKENSTOCK before you buy your first pair!
BIRKENSTOCK Size Guide
BIRKENSTOCK footwear is made in European sizing, so knowing which size of shoe you should try can be a little tricky. You can use a simple math formula to figure out your European shoe size:
- For Women: Add 31 to your women’s shoe size. For example, if you’re a size 7 in US sizing, you’ll be a 38 in European sizing (7 + 31 = 38).
- For Men: Add 33 to your men’s shoe size. For example, if you’re a size 10 in US sizing, you’ll be a 43 in European sizing (10 + 33 = 43).
You can also use the following charts to get a general idea of which size to try first.
Women’s BIRKENSTOCK Size Chart
| EUR Size | US Size |
|---|---|
| 35 | 4—4.5 |
| 36 | 5—5.5 |
| 37 | 6—6.5 |
| 38 | 7—7.5 |
| 39 | 8—8.5 |
| 40 | 9—9.5 |
| 41 | 10—10.5 |
| 42 | 11—11.5 |
| 43 | 12—12.5 |
Men’s BIRKENSTOCK Size Chart
| EUR Size | US Size |
|---|---|
| 39 | 6—6.5 |
| 40 | 7—7.5 |
| 41 | 8—8.5 |
| 42 | 9—9.5 |
| 43 | 10—10.5 |
| 44 | 11—11.5 |
| 45 | 12—12.5 |
| 46 | 13—13.5 |
| 47 | 14—14.5 |
| 48 | 15—15.5 |
| 49 | 16—16.5 |
| 50 | 17—17.5 |
Kids’ BIRKENSTOCK Size Chart
| EUR Size | US Size |
|---|---|
| 24 | 6—6.5 |
| 25 | 7—7.5 |
| 26 | 8—8.5 |
| 27 | 9—9.5 |
| 28 | 10—10.5 |
| 29 | 11—11.5 |
| 30 | 12—12.5 |
| 31 | 13—13.5 |
| 32 | 1—1.5 |
| 33 | 2—2.5 |
| 34 | 3—3.5 |
| 35 | 4—4.5 |
| 36 | 5—5.5 |
| 37 | 6—6.5 |
| 38 | 7—7.5 |
| 39 | 8—8.5 |
BIRKENSTOCK Narrow vs. Regular
You’ll also want to know the width of the shoe that works best for you. BIRKENSTOCK footwear comes in narrow and regular sizes. This is indicated by a little foot on the footbed of the shoe. If it’s filled in, that’s a narrow width, while an outline of the foot means it’s a traditional-width shoe. With BIRKENSTOCK, narrow fits more like you would expect an average-width shoe to fit, while a regular fits more like a wide shoe.
- Narrow Width: A/B for women and B/C width for men
- Regular Width: C/D for women and D-EE width for men
BIRKENSTOCK Soft Footbed vs. Regular
BIRKENSTOCK has built its brand around its footbeds because once broken in, you’ll enjoy comfort and support with each step. When shopping for your next pair, you’ll notice two types of footbeds—regular and soft. Which option you choose really comes down to your personal preferences.
Regular Footbed
This is the iconic footbed people know when they hear BIRKENSTOCK. Blending together cork and suede, you’ll enjoy incredible durability for long-lasting use and incredible comfort. This footbed will take time to mold to your feet, so it’s important to break them in by wearing them for a few hours each day for the first week or two to gently break them in and prevent your feet from getting sore.
Soft Footbed
With a soft footbed, there’s a layer of foam between the cork footbed and the lining. This gives the shoe a little extra cushion and helps it to form to your foot quicker for greater comfort right out of the box. Plus, they are easy to clean off and come at a great price point!
Top BIRKENSTOCK Styles
If you’re looking for your first or next pair of BIRKENSTOCK sandals, clogs, or slippers, start with some of these top styles picked by our Experts.
Arizona Sandals
When you think of BIRKENSTOCK, this is probably the style that comes to mind. Arizonas feature two straps with large buckles for adjusting. Their versatility makes these sandals easy to dress up or down depending on the occasion. Arizona BIRKENSTOCK sandals come in a variety of styles including EVA, Birko-Flor uppers, soft footbed, and sizing for the whole family.
Madrid Sandals
The Madrid sandal features a single strap across the forefoot with a large buckle on it. Ali, SCHEELS Style Expert, shares, “I love this style because it has more of an elevated look. You can throw it on with a dress or shorts, and it just gives you a little bit more of a put-together, elevated look.”
Gizeh Sandals
The flip-flop style for BIRKENSTOCK is the Gizeh. This style features a single adjustable strap with buckle for a secure fit. This style also comes in an EVA version for wearing to the lake!
Mayari Sandals
The Mayari is a traditional yet very popular style for BIRKENSTOCK. With a toe detail and thinner straps, this sandal feels very feminine and delicate. Plus, you can find this style in both regular and soft footbeds.
Boston Clogs
Featuring a suede upper and slip-on style clog, these BIRKENSTOCK shoes are a great choice for cooler days. Plus, there’s even a style with shearling interior for additional warmth.
Zermatt Slippers
When you’re needing a pair of supportive house shoes, turn to BIRKENSTOCK Zermatt slippers. Featuring the same great cork footbed, you’ll enjoy plenty of support to prevent any aches and pains, while the cozy interior keeps your feet warm.
Looking for more inspiration? Ali and Kimmy highlight the features of many of these styles in the Style Series: BIRKENSTOCK Styles for Everyone. Watch Now >
Can BIRKENSTOCK Sandals Get Wet?
Most BIRKENSTOCK sandals are not waterproof, so you’ll want to avoid wearing them in the lake. However, if you’re looking for a waterproof BIRKENSTOCK sandal to wear to the pool or at the lake, choose the BIRKENSTOCK EVA option. These are designed to be worn in and out of water.
With every pair of BIRKENSTOCK shoes, it’s important to take good care of the leather, cork, and footbed for long-lasting wear. From their iconic sandals to the more elevated options, there is a style for everyone to enjoy. Plus, with high-quality footbeds and a variety of widths, you can trust your shoes will feel comfortable. If you have additional questions, stop into your local SCHEELS to speak with a Footwear Expert today!