Celebrating One Year of I Love Birkenstocks — A Journey of Comfort, Community & Authentic Style

happy 1st birthday to "i love birkenstocks'

Celebrating One Year of Blogging

May 2017 marks the one-year anniversary of I Love Birkenstocks!  From my first pair of Arizonas to exploring styles like the Mayari, Gizeh, Boston, and shearling-lined boots, this blog has become a place to share my passion for the Birkenstock brand.  Over the past year, I’ve written about everything from breaking in stiff leather straps to spotting counterfeit sandals—and along the way, I’ve met so many other comfort footwear fans who love Birks as much as I do.​

Celebrating One Year of I Love Birkenstocks | Green Birkenstock Gizeh Sandals Anniversary Post

Happy 1st Birthday to my I Love Birkenstocks blog! From my very first pair to building an entire community of comfort footwear fans, it’s been an incredible journey. I’m stepping into year two in my bright green Birkenstock Gizehs—because nothing says celebration like color, comfort, and cork footbeds. Thank you for following along, sharing stories, and keeping the Birkenstock love alive with me!

What This Blog Is Really About

While I do enjoy talking Birks with other enthusiasts, I do not enjoy the unsolicited emails, photos, comments and messages from people with foot fetishes.  That is not what this blog is about.  My blog is about all things that I love about the Birkenstock Brand. 

Let me be clear: this blog is about Birkenstock craftsmanship, comfort, and style—not about my feet.  Here, we celebrate cork footbeds, leather uppers, the difference between the original and soft footbed, and all the details that make Birkenstocks timeless and worth the investment.

Birkenstock Accessories | Branded Keychain and Nail Polish for True Fans

My blog isn’t just about sandals—it’s about all things Birkenstock (and sometimes others things)! From iconic cork footbeds to fun extras like this Birkenstock keychain and branded nail polish, the brand proves it’s more than footwear—it’s a lifestyle. Whether you’re rocking Arizonas, Bostons, or Gizehs, these little details remind us why Birkenstock love runs deeper than just our feet.

Social Media Challenges

While I appreciate social media making it easy for me to block people with fetishes from my account, I do not like there is no firewall to prevent it from happening in the first place.  I am not getting paid to blog and I do not have to put up with offensive and degrading remarks from social media trolls.  

I blog because I want to connect with other good people who like Birkenstocks.  Not because I am fishing for foot compliments or for likes.   

I have been using Instagram and Facebook to promote my blog.  But, I have been getting so much unwanted communication from non Birkenstock wearers with foot fetishes, that I have decided to take a social media break.  I temporarily disabled my Instagram account and am considering doing the same for Facebook.

No More Instagram | Gina Mama’s Birkenstock Blog Update & Community News

Sometimes I take social media breaks, but the Birkenstock love keeps going strong! While my Instagram account was temporarily disabled, in 2017 it is now active again. You can always find me here on the I Love Birkenstocks blog and in my private Facebook group. Whether I’m styling gold Birkenstock Gizehs, sharing care tips, or writing personal stories, this community continues to grow. Stay connected, stay comfortable, and keep walking with me whether in Birkenstocks, Docs, or Hoka. I am always down for comfort.

Looking Ahead

​My focus remains clear: this blog is about the Birkenstock brand I love—its craftsmanship, styles, and comfort—not about my feet.  Even without Instagram, the Birkenstock love keeps going strong.  Google continues to connect new readers to my blog every day—whether they’re searching for how to clean white sole Birkenstocks, how to spot fakes, or which footbed is right for them.  If you’d like to stay updated on new posts, the best way is to sign up for my newsletter. That way, you won’t miss out on style spotlights, care tips, or the latest Birkenstock news.

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Birkenstock Blog Archives 2016 | Fit Guides, Care Tips & Style Stories

Love notes from my 2016 archive: that’s the year I mapped out everything a Birkenstock fan—new or seasoned—could ever want to know. I started with my origin story in Birkenstocks and Me , then dove into practical fit tips in Stepping Into Your First Pair , covering EU sizing, narrow vs. regular width, and why it’s best to shop through authorized retailers.  I tackled the comfort showdown in Original Footbed vs. Soft Footbed  and even dove a little deeper into the different type of footbeds explaining to readers that choosing between Birkenstock’s original and soft footbeds is purely personal—like preferring plain vs. peanut M&Ms. 

I compared uppers from leather, suede, and Birko-Flor in Uppers, Downers, All Arounds , and shared strategies for easing stiff straps in How to Break-In Your Birkenstocks  and How to Break In Leather Straps . If you care about sandal maintenance, don’t miss How to Clean White Sole Birkenstocks  or How to Clean Nubuck Uppers —quick routines to protect cork, suede, and leather so your shoes last for years.  Don't forget How to Care For Your Birkenstocks where I teach you a few easy steps like avoiding extreme heat, sealing cork with Kelly’s Cork Renew, and cleaning footbeds with dish soap (or Borax for odors), you can keep your sandals fresh and comfortable.  In Shiny Metallic Leather, I share my frustration with Birkenstock sandals featuring smooth metallic leather uppers, which—despite looking gorgeous and feminine—scratch and scuff so easily that they quickly appear worn and unsightly. I explain how the finish blemishes with minimal wear, even from buckles or shipping, and unlike oiled leather, these marks can’t be rubbed out.

For smart shopping, I wrote my counterfeit playbook Spotting Fake Birkenstocks  (plus why Birkenstock Quit Amazon ) and explained why Knock-Off Birkenstocks  are never worth it.  The Logo Color Change post explains Birkenstock’s cosmetic update to the Original Footbed logo—from yellow ink to black—and why it caused confusion for shoppers who fear they’ve received fakes.  Style lovers will find plenty here too: an overview of Birkenstock Styles , the timeless Magic of the Madrid , troubleshooting Arizona strap pressure , and solving Gizeh toe-post issues .  

If cozy is your vibe, you’ll appreciate Birkenstock Shearling Lined Shoes ; if sustainability is your priority, see how to renew old favorites with Birkenstock Recrafting .  I also had fun busting stereotypes in Wearing Birkenstocks Does Not Make Me a Hippie , arguing why Birks are really the Ferrari of Shoes.  In Birkenstock Exquisite Leather, I explore Birkenstock’s limited-edition exquisite leather collection—sandals fully wrapped in premium leather, including the footbed, for a sleek, upscale look.  I tried to settle the socks-and-sandals debate in Socks & Stocks , and writing lifestyle stories like Traveling with Birkenstocks , Trekking up Mt. Tam , and Young & Old Love to Wear Birkenstocks . 

I even had a little fun with a tequila flight in Birkenstock & Tequila explaining the similarities and differences between the Birkenstock and Papillio brands.  I celebrated brand history with the Iconic Birkenstock Building  and my Birkenstock USA Tour , and converted skeptics—from my dad in I Got My Dad to Wear Birkenstocks—Finally!  to Wonder Woman in Birkenstocks for Halloween .   The Birkenstock & Men guide challenges the outdated stereotype that sandals are “effeminate” by showing how men wear them for style, comfort, and health benefits. Birkenstocks are unisex, with models like the Arizona, Milano, Gizeh, Ramses, and Madrid offering options for different foot shapes, wide feet, or issues like bone spurs.

In Gina Mama's Frequently Asked Questions post, I explain that Birkenstocks aren’t just shoes—they’re an investment in quality, comfort, and happiness, and my blog fills the gap for anyone researching how to choose, style, and care for them.  In my blog Why Did you Stop Wearing Birkenstocks, I talk about how I went 15 years without them due to a mix of style pressures, finances, work dress codes.  I had some fun writing Gina Mama's Shoe Choice for the Apocalypse, where I blend my love for The Walking Dead with my passion for Birkenstocks, humorously debating what footwear would be best in a zombie apocalypse.   I skirted answering the questions of How Many Birkenstocks Do I Own by explaining that Birkenstocks aren’t about quantity but about comfort, durability, and joy—they always fit, never go out of style, and can be repaired and reworn.  I explain how I each pair serves different purposes, from walking and lounging to work and seasonal wear, and how each pair gets regular use thanks to the Bay Area’s shifting weather.  My piece titled Gina Mama "You Should Try..." details my devotion to Birkenstocks, rejecting well-meaning but unsolicited advice to try other shoe brands.

If you’re here to choose the best Birkenstock style, get the right fit, care for your sandals, or avoid counterfeits, this 2016 collection is your complete roadmap—packed with buying guides, cleaning tutorials, style spotlights, sustainability tips, and personal reviews to help you step confidently into authentic, supportive, German-made comfort footwear.

From celebrating my blog’s first birthday to celebrating my own milestone in Tahoe, Birks have been there every step of the way.  Relive the laughter, bears, and BFF moments in Bears, Birks, & BFFs

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It's funny how time changes things.  I am currently back on Instagram, follow me @ilovebirkenstocks  . ​Red Patent Birkenstock Gizeh Sandals Styled with Colorful Carnations | Fun Birkenstock Fashion

Fresh flowers meet iconic sandals —my red patent Birkenstock Gizehs get a playful upgrade with carnations tucked into the straps. Proof that Birkenstocks aren’t just about comfort—they’re a canvas for creativity, color, and personal style. Original IG post 2/14/2017

Come say hello to me via my secret Facebook group!

Hello, Birkenstock lovers! I’m rocking my holographic Birkenstock Arizona sandals and want to invite YOU to my secret Facebook group. It’s where the true Birkenstock community gathers—sharing tips, spotting fakes, swapping stories, and celebrating every pair. Come say hello and join us for exclusive comfort, style, and fun!

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