This time of year my Birkenstocks call to me. Today I answered, pulled them out of my closet, and put them on. The weather was an amazing 60+ degrees and I practically strutted as I walked my dog Henry. Nothing much better than having my favorite shoes on and not wearing a coat in the brilliant sunshine.
My Birkenstocks are exactly like the ones in the photo. Nothing fancy, basic black. They must be 20 years old. I had them completely rebuilt a couple summers ago. The leather was still like new and the size is perfect so I just had the bottoms replaced. Good as new.
My feet and body feel fantastic in these shoes. Seem to help my posture and my feet never get tired. Unless it is pouring rain or winter, they are on my feet. I did wear a pair of socks today to start toughening up my feet. But boy, it felt great. Soon I’ll be sporting Birkenstock tan lines and you’ll know life is good.
Karen Vigmostad 
Birkenstock tan lines … just strikes me as funny. I have zebra feet, too, though mine are Mephisto stripes. Can you believe I’ve never even tried on a Birkie? I’ll have to do that; so many people love theirs.
I put my Birkenstocks on early spring and reluctantly take them off when the snow starts to fly. Don’t seem as comfortable when you first buy them, but I find they give me the support I need and “force” my toes to exercise with each step. But Mephisto’s are wonderful, too, I understand. If you get to Ann Arbor, there is a Birkenstock store right in town where I had these rebuilt.