Anonymous wrote:Mothers love them, girls hate them. They are dubbed "birth control for guys" for a reason. While they are comfortable, they are old guy shoesand not particularly fashionable for young guys in their teens and twenties (like the old married dad look) .

Yes!!! I detest the look of Birks on teen guys/early 20s! It’s like trying too hard to be granola or something.

Mothers love them, girls hate them. They are dubbed "birth control for guys" for a reason. While they are comfortable, they are old guy shoesand not particularly fashionable for young guys in their teens and twenties (like the old married dad look) .

PP here. Do take into account which material you buy. My son has the mocha brown Birko-flor ones, and they do occasionally cause some blisters on the side of his foot. I’ve heard the tan suede ones might be better, or even the classic leather ones — though the leather ones don’t seem to be as popular with teenage boys.

Anonymous wrote:Birks aren’t even that comfortable. I got sucked into the rage a few years ago and even though they are broken in, they just aren’t that comfortable.

Which style did you get? Some are more comfortable than others.

My 15 year old practically lives in his Birks. Alternates them with Adidas slides. Wears both with socks. Drives me nuts.

Anonymous wrote:Birks aren’t even that comfortable. I got sucked into the rage a few years ago and even though they are broken in, they just aren’t that comfortable.

They are actually comfortable for some people. I have plantar fasciitis and they one of the few sandals I can wear without murdering my feet. With a closet full of clogs and other granny shoes, I have long given up on wearing stylish shoes. I am kind of amused by the revival of birks because I never stopped wearing them.

Anonymous wrote:They are very common for boys to wear at our public high school in Bethesda.

I just got back from France. In both the Riviera and Paris it was the most common form of footwear worn by men and women locals.

+1 they are huge in Europe for teen boys.

Yep. I couldn’t believe it myself but Birkenstock are trendy among teen boys. Mine plays lacrosse and basketball and they are slightly more prevalent among the lacrosse boys. The ballers seem to prefer crocs and socks.

Presumably all the ick about exposed toes magically evaporates in a beach/pool setting?

https://www.google.com/search?client=safari&sca_esv=01bfd36583663989&hl=en-us&q=reef+mens+sandals&udm=2&fbs=AEQNm0Aa4sjWe7Rqy32pFwRj0UkWxyMMuf0D-HOMEpzq2zertRy7G-dme1ONMLTCBvZzSlj-0hGAS7XSrVk66jt0cCVaHfJXAJgv6UvybKnGvrXPql8RfMYR_9LQkxphkdVE7qHB34maYfqzEsZbf6HRRj1A0gK3kAda0GmUuXKRXOwIN-Z7L2hwPrZ9Bwnpd0M91ibI_F_QAUB1IP6rnRXpdvlXurS_EA&sa=X&ved=2ahUKEwiQnsyXhbOHAxUs38kDHSu7D8gQtKgLegQIDhAB&biw=1151&bih=1341&dpr=2

Ick that evaporates so easily seems imaginary to me.

They are very common for boys to wear at our public high school in Bethesda.

I just got back from France. In both the Riviera and Paris it was the most common form of footwear worn by men and women locals.

My rising sophomore just asked for some. I think the Arizona ones. He will most likely get them for his Birthday in Sept if he still wants them

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I wore them in college, back when they were actually fashionable, and they stank very badly.

You’d be surprised, but it’s not illegal to clean and wash your shoes.

A) take it up with my college self

B) any moisture - rain, beer, etc made them really gross

C) how do you clean disgusting leather sandals? Really only option for a shoe like that is a sock filled with deodorizing kitty litter

Anonymous wrote:I would steer him towards Birkenstock Milanos. My ortho recommended them when I broke my toe. Those are healthier for your feet than the backless kind.

But really shouldn't he be picking them out? Shoes are kind of personal. Keep the receipt and make sure they are returnable.

Stick with the Arizonas. The only birks that I’ve seen teen boys wear are the Arizonas, and for some, the Boston clogs.

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Birks aren’t even that comfortable. I got sucked into the rage a few years ago and even though they are broken in, they just aren’t that comfortable.

+1000

I have some Bostons because I felt the need to jump on the bandwagon and they don't work with my feet at all.

I love mine now that they’re broken in, but mostly for around the house, maybe running to pick up the kids. I just can’t walk very fast or very far without accidentally walking right out of them. And stepping on the edge of a Birkenstock sole is second only to stepping on a Lego in terms of pain. I’m a fast walker, and I feel like Birks just slow me down.

But my shearling-lined suede clogs are the best slippers I’ve ever bought. They don’t make my feet sweat, my back and knees feel better when I’m working in the kitchen, and they’re super-warm in winter in our drafty old house.

Anonymous wrote:I wore them in college, back when they were actually fashionable, and they stank very badly.

You’d be surprised, but it’s not illegal to clean and wash your shoes.