Why Did I Stop Wearing Birkenstocks? And What Finally Brought Me Back!

Why Did You Stop Wearing Birkenstocks? 

Why I Stopped Wearing Birkenstocks (and What Brought Me Back)
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In the past, I have mentioned a gap between when I first wore Birkenstocks and when I rekindled my love with these great shoes.  A friend of mine asked, “Gina Mama, why did you stop wearing Birkenstocks?”  Good question.

My First Pair of Birkenstocks in the 1990s

I got my first pair of Birkenstocks in the early 90s and those shoes lasted me a decade.  One day they were beyond repair.  It was so hard for me to part with those Birks, that I asked my mom to properly dispose of them.  It was my way of repressing the grief that I felt for losing my favorite pair of shoes.  If the internet had been as prevalent in 2000, as it is in 2016, a simple Google search would have shown me that my shoes were fully repairable.

Worn Birkenstock Boston Clogs with exposed cork ready for repair and resole

These well-loved black suede Birkenstock Bostons may look worn out, but they’re fully resolable and repairable—proof that Birkenstocks are built to last.

Exposed cork doesn’t mean it’s the end—these Birkenstock soles can be repaired and brought back to life with a professional recraft.

After I said good-bye to my beloved Arizona’s, I did not replace them.  Why?  I’m not quite sure.  I think there were many reasons contributing to this 15 year Birkenstock-less gap in my life.

Style Pressures and Financial Constraints in My 20s
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For starters, my boyfriend at the time considered Birkenstocks a man repeller.   He suggested that I opt for a more feminine  shoe.  I liked this guy a lot and he influenced my style choices at the time.  I was in my early 20s and, even though I was a feminist at heart, I was still young and impressionable. 

Another reason that I may not have bought a replacement pair of Birkenstocks was because of financial constraints.  When my original Birks fell apart, I was working part-time and a graduate student.  Birkenstocks are an investment piece to one’s wardrobe.  At the time, I had to opt for a less expensive pair of sandals.

Moreover, in the early 2000s, I was about to enter the working world.  I felt obligated to dress a certain way to fit into a business environment.  Wearing Birkenstocks did not seem like a wise choice.  Back then, Birkenstock did not have fancy uppers.  These days, Birkenstocks are much less granola looking.  They make shoes with shiny and glittery uppers.  One can easily dress up or dress down the shoes for work or for play.

Heels, Foot Pain, and Hard Lessons Learned

The shoes I wore for work usually had a heel.  Thankfully, I was never the type of girl to wear shoes with ultra high, super thin heels.  The heels of my shoes tended to be chunky.  Chunky heels provide better foot support compared to thin heels.   

I realize now that even though wider heels are less problematic on one’s feet, they can still cause foot discomfort and other ailments.  These issues compound over time.  One typically does not notice them until the damage has already been done.  Thus, I spent most of my 20s in heeled shoes and it was not until I approached mid 30’s that I started having issues with foot discomfort.  I can only imagine how much worse my feet and back issues would have been if I had I worn high, thin heels.

One of the primary reasons that I stopped wearing heeled shoes is because of what I have learned about chronic conditions at work.  I work in the health care field.  Years ago, I had a 90 year old patient with rheumatoid arthritis in her hands and feet.  In addition to the arthritis, she had bunions on each foot from wearing narrow, high heeled shoes most of her life.  I met with her one day after she had fallen in her home.  She wished that she would had worn more supportive shoes when she was younger.  She explained that ill fitting shoes caused her to have abnormal feet.  This lead her to have an unsteady gait in old age and, hence, made her a fall risk.

From Danskos to Keens – Searching for Comfort

The aforementioned interaction has stuck with me for 15 years.  Soon after my conversation with this patient, I stopped wearing heeled shoes.  I transitioned into my Dansko years.  I wore Dansko shoes from my mid 20s to early 30s.  Compared to my previous work shoes, Danskos provided me with a wide width shoe and offered me arch support.

Dansko Clogs – My Work Shoe Years

Chunky Dansko clogs carried me through my work years but came with foot pain and ankle risks.

After several years of wearing Danskos, I started noticing problems.  I was slipping and often twisting my ankle while wearing Dansko clogs.  I also began having excruciating pain on the balls of my feet.  That’s when the arthritis in my big toes emerged.

The pain in my toes worsened when I became pregnant and started carrying extra baby weight.  No longer would I wear a shoe that was not slip resistant.  One of my co-workers sprained her ankle while wearing Danskos.  I was not going to chance a sprained ankle while carrying a child.  

Keens were my shoe of choice for the next few years.  I gave up style, in lieu of comfort.  After having kids, I no longer cared what people thought about my style.  The only thing I cared about was getting enough sleep to make it through my work day.

Keens were comfortable and practical, but I sacrificed style for convenience in early motherhood.

Keens were practical and comfortable, yet in no way were they “cute” or “stylish”.  I remember ordering a pair of slip-on Keens when I was too pregnant to bend over and buckle/tie a shoe.  I was very nauseous the day I purchased those Keens.  I remained nauseous the duration of my pregnancy while I wore those slip-on shoes.  One day after giving birth, I pulled those Keens out of the closet and I was hit with a wave of  nausea.  I now associated Keens with nausea.  It was time to find a new brand that made me not want to puke.

I wanted a cute, supportive shoe that was not going to create a fall risk.  I tried a number of different styles of shoes before one day coming across a Zappos ad for Birkenstocks.  I saw the ad and felt warm fuzzies inside.  The sight of Birkenstocks brought back great memories of my youth.  I clicked the link.

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The Pair That Rekindled My Birkenstock Love in 2015

After 15 years, I finally slipped back into Birkenstocks and felt instant relief.

Re-Discovering Birkenstocks in 2015
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In 2015, Birkenstocks re-entered my life.  The Birkenstocks immediately provided arch support and metatarsal support that my feet desired.  I no longer needed to continue my search for the perfect shoe, I had re-discovered it.  Birkenstocks came back into my life like an old friend.  We were happy to see each other and started our reunion right where we left off.

Why Birkenstocks Are the Best Shoes for Long-Term Foot Health

Birkenstock now offers so many varieties of uppers that I felt stylish and feminine again.  I did not feel this way while wearing Keens.  More importantly, I was not at risk for twisting an ankle, like when I wore Danskos.  Also, my feet were no longer being destroyed in narrow, heeled dress shoes.  Birkenstocks allowed my feet to rest in their natural position.

Wide Footbeds vs. Narrow Shoes | Busting the Sasquatch Myth

Critics argue that Birkenstocks make one’s foot “splay” because the footbed is wide.  Per the Meriam Webster dictionary, to splay is “to cause to spread outward”.  What parts of the body splay and grow abnormally when confined?  None.  When your foot is removed from a shoe from which it has to conform,  your foot will be free to move toward its normal form.  People who wear non-binding footwear do not grow sasquatch feet, they grow normal feet.

Birkenstocks Don’t Cause Sasquatch Feet – Myth Busted

Birkenstocks allow feet to rest naturally—they don’t make them grow abnormally wide.

​Birkenstocks Don’t Cause Bigfoot or Sasquatch Feet

Contrary to the myth, wearing Birkenstocks won’t give you Sasquatch feet—the wide footbed simply supports your natural shape for comfort and healthy alignment.

Happy Feet, Happy Life – Why Birkenstocks Are Here to Stay

Incorporating Birkenstocks back into my life has made my feet feel normal again.  No longer am I attempting to conform my foot into shoes that do not fit.  With Birkenstocks, my feet are placed into shoes that feel as if they were custom made for me.  When I wear my Birks, I feel like I am walking on supportive clouds.  My feet are happy, therefore I am happy.  I have found a balance between what feels good and what looks good.   

Birkenstocks allow the muscles in my feet and tendons to stretch correctly.   I no longer have discomfort in my feet and back.  I am counting on my feet to hold me upright as I age gracefully.  

I plan to thrive well into old age alongside my boyfriend from 2000.  That guy who disliked Birkenstocks so much is my husband.  His view on Birkenstocks has changed over the years.  (He now even owns a couple pairs -- thanks to me).  These days, my husband encourages me to wear shoes that work best for my needs.  

Too bad it took me 15 years to realize that my feet needed the support offered by Birkenstock shoes.  I feel like I lost a decade and a half of having truly comfy shoes.  The good news is that Birkenstocks are now back in my life and my feet are happy. 

Happy feet = Happy Gina Mama. 

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About Gina Mama & I Love Birkenstocks | Authentic Reviews, Style Tips & Care Guides

Jump ahead and check out some of my newest blogs! If you’re curious about how I balance my love of Birks with other footwear, read I Love Hoka, where I share how Hoka sneakers rescued me from heel pain and became my go-to shoes for travel and long days on my feet.  For longtime fans wondering if Birkenstock still delivers that magic touch, When Magic Happens celebrates the brand’s return to quality materials, regular widths, and thoughtful details that remind us why we fell in love with them in the first place.  If you’ve ever doubted what you’ve heard online, don’t miss 10 Birkenstock Myths That Influencers Keep Getting Wrong, where I debunk the biggest misconceptions floating around social media with facts, experience, and plenty of Birkenstock wisdom.  And for a milestone worth celebrating, 100 Reasons Why I Love Birkenstocks is my ultimate love letter to the sandals that shaped my style, supported my health, and connected me with an entire community of Birkenstock lovers.


Beyond the written blogs, don’t forget to explore my Videos page, where I share Birkenstock reviews, recrafting projects, and quirky lifestyle clips. My goal is to help you keep your sandals looking fresh, feeling comfortable, and lasting for years.  Dive in to discover how to care for your Birkenstocks, explore new styles, and celebrate all things Birk with me.


Of course, being a true fan also means holding the brand accountable.  In blogs like Houston, We Have A Problem and Do Better Birkenstock, I’ve spoken out about quality-control issues, from wrinkled straps and exposed glue to declining craftsmanship on pricey “exclusive” styles.  In Narrow Minded U.S. and Chubby Shaming, I called out Birkenstock for excluding women with regular or wide feet by releasing so many designs only in narrow widths.  And in White Sole Birkenstocks and Don’t Chance the Last Chance, I highlighted style missteps of ugly white soles and risky return policies that leave loyal customers frustrated.  These honest critiques are part of my mission to keep Birkenstock at its best—because when the brand delivers, there’s nothing like it.  At the end of the day, my passion remains the same: I Love Birkenstocks, and I’ll keep celebrating everything that makes them iconic while pushing for the comfort, quality, and timeless style fans deserve.

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When a Pebble in Your Birkenstocks Feels Like the End of the World as illustrated by Brian Crane in January 6, 2017.  Follow me on Instagram  @ilovebirkenstocks for all the cool Birk jokes.

Every Birkenstock lover knows the struggle of a tiny pebble sneaking underfoot—it can throw off your whole day. Just like that little rock, life’s discomforts once led me to stop wearing Birkenstocks altogether. Curious why I took a 15-year break from my favorite sandals (and what brought me back)? Read my blog Why Did You Stop Wearing Birkenstocks? for the full story.

Birkenstock Secrets: My 2015 Arizonas & my Exclusive Facebook Group

True Birkenstock fans know it’s all about the stories behind the sandals. Secret #1: Back in 2015, I bought and kept two pairs of Arizonas—the bold red pair on the left and the timeless brown Amalfi leather pair on the right. I still own (and love!) both to this day. Secret #2: I run a private Facebook group where I share all the behind-the-scenes Birkenstock tips, stories, and insider finds that never make it to the blog. Click to join and be part of the ultimate Birkenstock community.

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