Birkenstocks - Arizona, Madrid or Gizeh? - YouLookFab Forum

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Birkenstocks - Arizona, Madrid or Gizeh?

Sal

Veteran

Hi helpful forum friends

I am thinking of adding a pair of birkenstocks back into my wardrobe. I have had Arizona (sandals with a back strap) and Madrid in the past and they worked well on my feet.

The finds represent my casual spring/summer shoe collection (aside from a pair of havaianas and a pair of more supportive flip flops (worn as pool and house shoes)).

The birks won't be house shoes but to wear in weekends and over summer with dressses, shorts, pants, jeans etc.. I will wear them for a reasonable amount of walking but not "exercise walks".

I am leaning towards white leather - either Madrid or Arizona? I don't think Gizeh but am open to ideas on colour or style. I won't have all the range easily available but black, white, silver, light suede etc are easily available (plus a few more colours)

Which is your favourite Birkenstock style (and why)?
Do you agree with white for me?

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Eileen Fisher Eileen Fisher Sport Sandal (Women) | Nordstrom

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34 replies

Latest reply was from Sal

Jaime

(website)

Veteran

I have had all three over the years. All comfortable even though I don't generally like straps between my toes. My very subjective opinion: if you like chunky shoes and want them to contrast with feminine looks go with Arizona, if you something more delicate Madrid. The most elegant I think is actually Gizeh, I will stop - who knew I had so many opinions about Birks?

Bijou

Veteran

Sal I have had Arizona's for years and they are a great wear with anything style - white would be FAB, I have a very old black pair and would much prefer a lighter colour. To add a different Birkenstock, I bought these Boston's in a rose suede and really like how the pretty colour offsets the heavy look of Birks.

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Sal

Veteran

Haha Shevia!! Opinions are welcome. I agree with your take on things - I don't mind some "chunk" to my shoes. Arizona seem to be the trendiest of the styles but I slightly lean to Madrid.

Sal

Veteran

Thanks Bijou!! Those are a pretty shade. For me a lighter colour will be easier to wear in summer. My last Madrid style were white with flowers on - I adored them but wore them out eventually.

Brooklyn

Veteran

Sally, could you post pics of the styles you are considering? I’m only familiar with Arizona. I tried them a few years back but they didn’t work for me, I can’t remember why (I returned them) but I’m also thinking of trying them again.

I like white or a metallic for you.

I’ve also ordered some Dr Martens sandals, which have a similar vibe. I might post about them because I’m in 2 minds about keeping them.

Sal

Veteran

Here are the styles

Gizeh
Madrid
Arizona

Brooklyn - thanks, interested in seeing the Doc Martin sandals. Birks are definitely not comfortable for everyone - the footbed does not suit some people. I think the two strap Arizona would be the most supportive - but it has been a while since I owned any of that style.

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kellygirl

Veteran

I've always liked the look of Gizeh but have never owned them. I agree they are slightly more refined than the Arizona in terms of style. I like the trendy look of the Arizona and have them in silver. I find they work almost like a white and go with everything in my wardrobe and aren't as high contrast as a stark white. Mine also have a dark sole so they bookend a little bit more than the white soles on the white ones that you show. I don't think the Madria single strap would stay on my feet--they don't seem like high mileage shoes. That being said, I like the Arizona for you. I think they are the trendiest and look the sportiest--they would suit your style.

Adela

Birkenstocks in general work for me, and I own all three styles. I wear Arizona at home as slippers, because they seem a bit frumpy on me, I have a pair of silver Madrid but Gizeh is my favourite. I have them in three colours and spend every summer in them. They are quite stylish for my eye and very comfy (though I generally can't wear straps between my toes, but Gizeh is different). I read a blogger Bridgette Raes raving about them a few years ago, I bought my first pair and never looked back.

Minaminu

Veteran

In my opinion, both the Arizona and the Gizeh model are fab for long narrow feet, the Madrid is quite forgiving for wide feet and can look quite feminine. I like the Birkis in a metallic colour, they don't get easily dirty

Sal

Veteran

Interesting - thanks Kelly, Minaminu and Adela. My feet are standard width. I can definitely get the Arizona style locally in a couple of stores - the other styles might be online from the Birk Shop in Auckland. Silver could be fun - I wear more gold but I don't think that would matter too much!

Brooklyn

Veteran

I like the Arizona best, but that’s just my personal preference. I don’t think the Gizeh would be great for walking, but I could see them at a BBQ, beach, pool, around the house.

Silver would be great. If you wanted to go warmer, I’m pretty sure I’ve seen rose gold. That’s the colour I’m thinking about

Astrid

Veteran

If you say Arizona with a back strap, do you mean the Milano?

I personally find the Gizeh really uncomfortable, but I don't like to have anything between my toes no matter the brand. I do like the look of the Madrid (it's the style one of my friends always wears in summer), but personally they don't work for me because they don't stay on my feet. I always feel like my toes are cramping up to keep the shoes on my feet. The Arizonas would be my choice when we're talking comfort...

I personally wouldn't pick white, but that's because with white Birks my first association is "nurse".

Anonymous

I like the Gizeh's most and never found the toe thong problematic. I've worn similar of various brands for hiking for at least the last 20 years. The only trouble is they don't work with socks (comes in handy when camping if nothing else).
These are the ones I have now- the Siena Hex, though not sure if they have white. They work well for my narrow feet, and look more streamlined than the Arizonas and more secure than the Madrid. They do require tightening every so often though.

Birkenstock Siena Hex Slide Sandal

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UmmLila (Lisa)

Veteran

I love how Gizehs look, but the toe bar (or whatever you call that thing) is very hard and inflexible compared to say, rubber flipflops of the Havaianas type.

Arizonas seem the most trendy but they are also comfy - I have gone on a 4 mile mountain hike in the plastic ones, with no issue.

Angie

(website)

Fashion Stylist

Arizona. That's by far the fave with my clientele and on the street around here. There is a vegan version too.

I like white, tan, or a warm metal for you, Sal.

Birkenstock Birkenstock

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Anonymous

I'm highly opinionated re: Birkenstocks. I've worn the Gizeh, and they were ok, but they look best on perfect feet with no bunions or other issues . I have a bunion on one foot so feel "entitled" to make that kind of remark The Arizonas are it for me - classic, "cool", and authentic in style. And yes to white or a metallic.

Aquamarine

Veteran

I have the Boston and Arizona styles and love them, but for walking around a lot (vacation sightseeing, shopping, NOT exercise) I prefer the Mayari.

anchie

Veteran

I was never into Birkenstocks, had some negative association with them, but good friend of mine is a fan, she wears mostly Madrid and Mayari models. In an attempt to convert me, she has gifted me a piar of silver Madrid for my birthday this summer. Well, she succeeded. I wore them a lot casually over the summer. I had a strange issue with them - every time I put them on, I had slight discomfort for about first 100 steps. But after that, it would magically disappear and I will be able to walk in them for kilometers. I just ordered pair of light blue Amsterdam to wear as house slippers this winter, hope they work out. So this is my very limited experience with them. If you already had Madrid and they work for you, why not. Or if you want a change Arizona is classic style, but I never tried them on. Not sure if a strap that high will be comfortable. White or metallic is best for summer.

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Firecracker (Sharan)

Veteran

I like the classic Birkie look of the Arizona. I can picture you wearing this style so well! I also love the look of the Giza on a pretty foot. It has a more feminine appeal to me.

When I bought my Birkenstocks, I couldn't bring myself to go for the full clunky look, so I went with Mayari. Now I think I could wear the Arizona, but I don't need a second pair.

Birkenstock Mayari

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bella

(website)

Veteran

I've only worn the Gizehs. I've had them for a few years, and in this Corona summer, they were the only shoes I wore. I did not go anywhere other than the park, light walks in forests, the beach. etc., and the Gizehs were perfect for all those activities. Madrids look like house slippers to my eye.

Gaylene

Veteran

I’ve worn all three styles—the Arizona, the Gizeh, and the Madrid—for years, along with the occasional Mayari. Like Shevia says, all are comfortable if your foot likes the Birks footbed, so it really depends on your subjective feelings about each style.

Currently, white Gizehs are my classic summer footwear because they go so well with flowy summer skirts and pants. My black Arizonas provide a clean, architectural look to bookend my sleeker, more minimalist looks. My former red Mayari sandals seemed to fit boho looks, while my latest silver, big buckle Madrids are the most versatile but not as good as the others if I’m going to be walking on uneven surfaces for a considerable distance. Both the Arizona, Mayari, and Gizeh work well on my foot for considerable walking since the toe piece isn’t an issue if the footbed is the right size.

Anonymous

I haven't worn the Madrid, they look very nice and the only reason I haven't tried them is because I often have trouble keeping mule type shoes on my feet.

Between the Arizona and the Gizeh, the latter is a little prettier but can be hard to fit online because of the strap between the toes, which I found was either "fine" or unbearable.

I've worn them for decades and for an all around semi perfect walking sandal, if the Arizona is a good fit it's hard to top.

Sal

Veteran

Yes Astrid - the ones I had were the Milano. I understand the nurse association.

Brooklyn - thanks - rose gold could be good for you.

Suntiger - those are nice and a bit more refined.

Ummila - good to have the comfort report on the Arizona!

Thanks Angie - I agree with your assessment. Warm metals are a bit harder to get here - I am leaning to white given my Rollies ripped this morning (after two years of fairly hard wear including lots in Italy on cobbles etc)

Thanks Lisa -I agree!

Anchie - I do love the Madrid - they are just a bit more refined. Silver is perfect for you.

Firecracker - that is a nice style too. But I am leaning to the Arizona after the feedback and I want to be able to city and trail walk in them on occasions.

bella - the Gizeh are a perfect home summer shoe. I added some supportive flip flops this summer (they are supportive and comfortable but not trendy at all)

Gaylene - thanks for the comfort report. I think a more supportive style could be the way to go as I want to do more incidental walking.

Phoebe - thanks - we are in sync!

I think I will go down the Arizona route - they are available locally so I can try different sizes, and the shops that stock them are good local retailers that I would like to support.. Good for walking and probably a bit more trans seasonal than the others.

And if I get really trendy I can wear them with socks........

nemosmom

Veteran

The Arizona's are what I have and love the most. I have a suede pair of the Softbed ones (they started as taupe; I dyed them rusty brown) and a burnished gold pair with the traditional sole that are really great. I had to add buckle holes to make them tighter on my feet, but otherwise they have been maintenance-free.

I like the idea of white for you. Especially if you can find them with the natural/cork/carmel-colored sole!

Birkenstock 'Arizona' Soft Footbed Suede Sandal

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Birkenstock Arizona

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Joy

Veteran

Be sure the footbed fits your foot. I had Arizona’s and the salesman said they would adapt to your feet. That never happened. Also be aware that you need to push with your toes with every step to keep them on. It can be great exercise for the feet or draining . My biggest problem was that mine were quite heavy and too much to wear very long.

Sal

Veteran

Thanks NemosMom - I think white would work for me as I find white footwear easy to wear spring and summer. I will look at the soles - I hadn't paid much attention to those so worth a look.

Thanks Joy - I have worn two pairs before and found them great but I am older now. At the moment my feet are straight forward - but I know that could change.

Echo

Veteran

The Arizona, from my experience, are the most comfortable and versatile. They might not be intended as high-mileage shoes, but they CAN go the distance. You can wear them into fall with wool socks. They can be dressed up or down. My faves, and the most comfortable for me, are the suede Arizonas with the soft sole.

I can't wear the Madrid because I can't keep them on my feet! But I do find the Florida or Mayari to be more refined looking. My fave for comfort and looks, though is the Granada - like a delicate Arizona. The Gizeh are either perfect or painful, depending on whether the toe bar falls in the right place for you, so they're a gamble.

The Milano, IMO, is for the hard-core Birkie wearer. I've had them. They are your wear everywhere and well into the winter shoes, but they look a lot chunkier than standard Arizonas.

Photos are the Mayari, Granada and Florida.

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notsaf

Veteran

(Hi all, it's been a while!)

I have a high arch, so don't like straps over the bridge of my foot. I'm on my second pair of these Birkis white-on-white Madrids (bought first in about 2016 and again this summer) and adore them!

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Style Fan

Veteran

I have the Arizona and the Gizeh Birks. I love both styles. I don't have problems with the toe part in the Gizeh but I do wear flip flops a lot.

Birkenstock Women's Mules

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Birkenstock Essentials - Arizona Slide Sandal

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Birkenstock Gizeh Birko-Flor

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Birkenstock Unisex Arizona 2-Strap Cork Footbed Sandals

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