How To Break-In Your Birkenstocks

New Mayari's need to be broken-in

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The one word I would use to describe the Birkenstock break-in process would be: commitment.  Breaking in a new pair of Birkenstocks requires your commitment. 
 
Elite athletes are committed to their sport.  When athletes train for a marathron, they train slow to race fast.  Runners do this so that they can run a lot and prevent burnout.   When you get a new pair of Birkenstocks you have to break them in slowly so that, in time, you can wear them for hours without getting achy feet.
 
The break-in process for Birkenstocks can take 2-3 weeks.  That’s why you need to commit to this process because it is time consuming.   Your hard work and patience will be rewarded because your shoes will conform to your feet.  Your shoes will feel like they have been custom made for you.  They will become so comfortable that you will be able to walk miles in them and forget that you even have the shoes on. 

Open all the straps, then adjust to your foot

You might be asking, “Gina Mama, how do I break-in my new Birkenstocks?”
 
Here are the steps I take whenever I get a new pair of Birks:
 

1. Make sure you have the correct size and width of shoe.
2. Take them out of the box and unhook all the straps.
3.  Bend and flex the shoes a few times to begin loosening up the cork.
4.  Put your foot on top of the footbed with your heel in the cup.
5.  Close the straps comfortably, leaving enough space to allow your    feet freedom of movement.  There should be enough space between the strap and your foot to wiggle one finger. 
6. Take a walk around the house to make sure that your feet do not hit the edge of the footbed, if they do you may have to get a different size and/or width.
7.  Make sure your feet are able to move freely while walking.  You do not want your feet to feel constricted or that would defeat the purpose of the Birkenstock shoes.
8.  Wear your shoes for about 30-45 minutes the first day and take them off.  If your feet start hurting before 30 minutes take them off.
9.  Wear your shoes the next day for 1-2 hours and take them off.
10.  On the 3rd day wear them a little longer than you did the previous day.  Do this over the course of 2-3 weeks or until the Birkenstocks feel comfortable. 

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After the break-in period the shoes will feel custom made, you won’t even realize you are wearing them.  You can wear them for hours on end without your feet getting tired.  To get to the finish line of the break-in period, you have to commit to the process.  Do not give up.

New Birkenstocks, minimal impression on footbed, still not broken it

You will see the impression of your feet on the footbed once your Birkenstocks are completely broken-in

You might now be asking, “Gina Mama, why does it take so long to break-in Birkenstocks?” 
 
It takes time because you need to allow your feet and body to gradually adjust to the support, straps, and buckles.  In addition, the cork footbed needs to soften over time.  Your body weight and repeated bending of the shoes from normal wear is how the footbed will mold to the natural shape of your feet.  This allows you to enjoy an unprecedented sense of support and comfort.  Birkenstocks get more comfortable over time.  The longer you wear them the more comfortable they will become.  As I said before, you have to commit to the process to experience this level of comfort.
 
During the Birkenstock break-in process your might feel:
 

1. Achy feet.
2. Sore calves.
3. Sore legs.
4. Tender areas where the footbed and straps might be rubbing.
   

How to reduce the aforementioned issues:

1. Take the shoes off the minute they start hurting.
2. Wear the shoes for a shorter period of time if you are experiencing soreness.
3. Apply bandaids, mole skin, or white fabric tape to hot spot areas to prevent blisters.
   
4. Use socks the first few times you wear your Birkenstocks to help stretch the shoe and avoid hot spots.
   
5. Adjust the straps.  Sometimes if you are getting a hotspot you need to tighten the strap instead of loosening it. 
   
6. Add extra holes to the straps, if needed (to tighten or loosen). 
   
7. Use a hammer to soften areas of the footbed that might be causing hotspots.  For example, the toe bar is an issue for some people.  If there is a spot on the toe bar causing a problem, use a hammer to softly loosen up the cork in that area.
   
8. If you have leather straps and are experiencing  hot spots on the top or side of your foot, use sandpaper and slightly sand down the problem area.
   

As you can see, breaking in a new pair of Birkenstock takes a lot of effort.  After having read this article, you might still be on the fence and unsure if you want to commit to this process.  You might be asking, “Gina Mama, is it worth my time breaking in a new pair of Birkenstocks?”  Absolutely!  Ask anyone you see wearing a pair and I bet you would get the same answer.
 
Remember Birkenstocks are not comfortable right out of the box – for anybody.  Don’t buy a pair of Birkenstocks for your vacation and plan to wear them for the first time the day of your departure.  If you do, you are going to be in for a miserable trip.  If you take the time to break them well before you leave, your feet – and you -- will have the best vacation ever.

Each time I welcome a new pair of Birkenstocks into my life, I take my time breaking them in.  This helps me avoid hotspots and foot soreness.  I have found that with each new pair of Birkenstocks, it takes far less time for my feet to get accustomed to the new shoes.  I know it might be hard to believe if you have never broken in a pair or it has been decades since your last new pair.  I assure you that it is worth your time and effort to give Birkenstocks a chance to change your life for the better.
 
I know my life has changed for the better since incorporating Birkenstocks into my shoe rotation.  I am an avid walker and generally had to purchase new walking shoes every 2-3 months.  I walked marathon miles in my shoes every week and wore each pair out quickly.  I found that my feet, knees, and back would start aching when the shoes stopped providing me the support I needed.  About a year ago my joints were hurting so much that I threw my tennis shoes in the closet and pulled out my well broken in Birkenstocks.  I walked my dog 2.5 miles that day and I felt amazing.  No feet, knee, or back issues.  It was a miracle!  My Birkenstocks are now my reliable walking shoes and I have not had to replace them yet. 

I walked Sunny 2.5 miles with my Birkenstock Arizona's

My Birkenstocks are my reliable walking shoes because they have conformed to my feet perfectly.  If you get a pair, you too can experience such bliss.  We all have different shaped feet, yet compliments of Birkenstocks, we all have an opportunity to own a pair of shoes that feel like they are have been custom made.
 
To get that custom made feeling, take your time breaking in your Birkenstocks.  Do not give up.  Once your feet make an impression on the footbed, you know your Birkenstocks are broken in.  At that point, you can walk a marathon in them without your feet ever feeling burned out.  Remember, slow and steady wins the race.  Break your Birkenstocks in slowly and thank me later.  I promise that if you commit to the process, your Birkenstocks will be the most comfortable shoes you have ever worn.
 
I Love Birkenstocks and I hope you will too.

NOTE: For suggestions on how to speed up the break-in process with Birkenstock Leather Straps, please read this blog.