Traveling with Birkenstocks

Traveling with Birkenstocks | Comfort, Style & Packing Tips

Why Packing Light Matters When Traveling with Kids

When it comes to traveling, I believe in traveling light.  Traveling without excessive baggage when you have kids is a difficult task.  Yet, it can be done. I recently took a trip to Southern California.  It was my first vacation not having to pack baby gear in years.  I was determined to pack light and carry my luggage on the plane.

I needed to select our attire wisely in order to take the bare minimum.  We were going to be by the beach and be taking the kids to amusement parks.  We would be getting sandy, dirty, and wet.  After I selected clothing for me and the kids, I had to figure out what shoes to pack.  For the kids, the choice was easy; Keens and Crocs.  For me, that choice was a little more difficult.

Choosing the Right Shoes for Travel: Birkenstocks vs. Water Shoes

I really wanted to bring two pairs of Birkenstocks because I knew that we would be on our feet most days.  I was confident that Birkenstocks would provide me with all the support required for this trip.  However, we would be getting wet at the beach and on some amusement park rides.  For those of us Birk wearers, we know that Birkenstocks and water don’t mesh.  When the Birkenstock footbed gets wet it gets slimy.  In addition, getting Birkenstocks wet frequently can ruin the shoes.

Birkenstock EVA Sandals: The Waterproof Solution for Travelers

I did not want to take a chance of ruining any of my beloved Birkenstocks by getting them wet.  Fortunately, Birkenstock now makes a waterproof sandal in EVA material.

Birkenstock EVA Arizona Sandals for Travel

My husband wore his Birkenstock EVA Arizonas all week in Southern California—waterproof, lightweight, and supportive for long days on his feet.

I found a pair of Birkenstock EVA’s for my husband, but I was unable to locate a pair for myself that fit.  This is because Birkenstock EVA shoes are only sold in narrow width for women in the US.  

The Narrow Width Problem: Why Regular Width EVA Birkenstocks Are Hard to Find in the U.S.

Since I could not find the Birkenstock EVA shoe in a regular width, I tried a pair on in narrow width. 

Birkenstock EVA Madrid Sandals in Narrow Width

Tried the EVA Madrid in narrow width, but my feet were too wide—highlighting the limited sizing options for U.S. women.

As I suspected, my foot was too chubby for the narrow footbed.  I am disappointed that Birkenstock is only offering this shoe in a narrow width in the US.  I have a friend in Europe that recommended an online site that sells authentic Birkenstocks and ships them internationally from Germany.  On this website, I found a pair of EVA material Gizeh’s, in regular width, and ordered them.  Unfortunately, they did not arrive before my departure date and I had to pack a non Birkenstock pair of water shoes.

Alternatives to Birkenstocks: My Experience with Olukai Sandals

I decided to bring my Olukai Ohana’s as my waterproof sandals for this trip.  My Birkenstock shoe of choice were my Mayari’s.  I have worn my Mayari’s power walking up to 4+ miles at a time.  I knew these would keep my feet feeling great.  I was a little uncertain how the Olukai’s would treat my feet.

Olukai Ohana Sandals: Birkenstock Alternative?

I packed my Olukai Ohana sandals as a waterproof backup, but after long days walking, they just couldn’t match Birkenstock support.

My trusty Mayaris carried me comfortably through Southern California, proving again why Birkenstocks are my go-to travel shoes.

Why Birkenstock Mayari Sandals Are Perfect for All-Day Walking

I wear the Olukai’s around the house and they provide me decent arch support for short periods of time.  I was not sure how my feet would feel after spending hours walking in these shoes.  Although the Olukai’s provided me arch support, they did not offer me metatarsal support.  After the second full day on my feet in the Olukai’s, I started having foot pain.  My feet yearned for the raised toe bar and the contoured footbed of my Birkenstocks.  

I wore my Birkenstock Mayari’s for the remainder of my trip and avoided getting them wet.  The Olukai’s worked out well for taking short walks on the beach or wearing around the house as a slipper.  Yet, for a full day of walking, the Olukai’s were just not supportive enough for my needs. 

Jump ahead to 2024 ​Paradise Vibes in My Olukai Ohanas in Kauai and still rocking the Olukais when traveling light

Kicking back in my Olukai Ohana sandals with tropical views and teal toes to match the island sky. Whether I’m exploring or relaxing, these flips deliver comfort worthy of any paradise day on the island of Kauai.

EVA Arizonas: How My Husband Stayed Pain-Free All Week

Had I been able to locate a pair of regular width Birkenstock EVA’s before my vacation, I would have had happy feet all week long.  My husband wore his EVA’s throughout our entire trip.  Not once did he complain about foot pain, even after all the walking we did.

Birkenstock EVA Arizonas in San Diego, California

My husband’s EVA Arizonas never failed him—no pain, no complaints, just comfort every single day of our trip.

Birkenstock EVA Gizehs (Regular Width): My New Travel Essential

When I arrived home, my Birkenstock EVA Gizeh’s, in a regular width, had arrived. 

Birkenstock EVA Gizeh: Regular Width, Perfect Fit

When I returned home, my regular width EVA Gizehs finally arrived—no break-in required, ready for the beach and beyond.

I slipped them on my feet and they were amazing.  No break in period was required.  These will be prefect for my next beach adventure.  (And for the next Giant’s game I attend!)  

I like Olukai’s.  I Love Birkenstocks!

Final Verdict: Birkenstocks vs. Other Brands for Vacation Travel

For future vacations, I plan to pack light again.  However, I intend to pack heavy with Birkenstocks.  I will avoid packing non Birkenstock shoes, in lieu of equipping myself with two pairs of Birks.  This will ensure that my feet get all the support that they desire and make for an extra pleasurable vacation.  Proof that this tradition conditions with the picture below of my Basel clogs taken in November 2019 when traveling to South East Texas.

Black Oiled Leather Big Buckle Basels Packed for Fall Travel

Even in the colder months, my Birkenstocks always make the trip. These black oiled leather Big Buckle Basels were the perfect pair to tuck into my carry-on backpack for fall travel—proof that comfort and style never take a vacation.

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Related Reads: More Birkenstock (and Travel-Friendly) Tips  

If you’re planning your next getaway, don’t miss some of my other Birkenstock blogs that will help you travel smarter and more comfortably. In Stepping Into Your First Pair, I break down EU sizing and widths so you’ll never second-guess fit while walking miles abroad. My Original Footbed vs. Soft Footbed guide compares cushioning and support—key factors when you’re on your feet all day sightseeing.

If you’re packing new sandals, How to Break-In Your Birkenstocks is a must-read before you hit the road.  Travel can be rough on shoes, so check out How to Care for Your Birkenstocks, plus cleaning hacks like How to Clean White Sole Birkenstocks and How to Clean Nubuck Uppers to keep your pairs looking fresh trip after trip.  For beach and poolside adventures, explore Birkenstock EVA Sandals—the waterproof option every Birk lover should own.   If you’re a hands-on learner, visit my Videos page where I demonstrate DIY Birkenstock maintenance and style hacks that keep your sandals looking and feeling their best.

Another lightweight winner for travel is the Gizeh. In Issues with Birkenstock Gizeh Toe Post, I explain how to avoid the common toe-post discomfort by focusing on proper fit, strap adjustment, and gradual break-in.  With the right setup, Gizehs are one of the most secure, stylish, and easy-to-pack Birkenstocks you can rely on for walking tours and vacations.  And here’s a twist: when my Birks couldn’t carry me through heel pain, I Love Hoka shares how Hoka sneakers became my travel lifesaver—logging 20,000+ steps a day in Italy without pain.  Though I’ll always stay loyal to Birks, Hoka earned a permanent spot in my travel rotation, along with Boston clogs for recovery.   

For style inspiration, my posts on The Magic of the Madrid and the full Birkenstock Styles Overview highlight versatile pairs that work from casual sightseeing to evening dinners.  If you’re curious about how Birks fit into everyday life, don’t miss Young & Old Love to Wear Birkenstocks or Wearing Birkenstocks Does Not Make Me a Hippie—reminders that these shoes truly are for everyone, everywhere.

Pop on over and say hello to me on Instagram!

Stepping into San Diego in my navy Birkenstock Gizehs □ Want more Birk style inspo, fit tips, and authentic reviews? Follow me on Instagram □ @ilovebirkenstocks

Join My Undisclosed Birkenstock Community on Facebook

Rocking my fire red Birkenstock Gold Big Buckle Arizona sandals. Want more style inspo, care tips, and authentic Birk talk? Join my private I Love Birkenstocks Facebook group today—link in bio!

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