Customer Reviews Birkenstock Boston - Oiled Leather (Unisex)

I am not going to comment on the aesthetics of Birkenstock: you like 'em or you don't. However, they are, in my humble opinion, the most comfortable shoes that exist. And I would argue: they can be stylish. It's a matter of execution. But back to comfort: there is a reason that many people buy a pair of Birks and then refuse to wear anything else. I developed a horrible case of plantar fasciitis from running, and nothing I did would make it go away. Not foot exercises, orthotics, barefoot...out of desperation I tried it all. But Birkenstocks gave me immediate relief. The shoes look clunky, but they're like walking barefoot on soft earth, and after a period of time they become an extension of one's foot (in the best possible way). The Boston's are my favorite because they, to my mind, are the most versatile (they go with practically anything clothing-wise). They can be worn in winter, too, with thicker socks. Birkenstocks also last longer than almost any shoe, making the investment much less than it appears. I recommend these with great enthusiasm. They are phenomenal shoes.

These shoes have a big toe box and fit like Birks always fit under the foot. I laughed at one of the reviews where the reviewer said he/she didn't like them - felt like walking on rolled coins. Well, they do take some getting used to but they are great if you have a high arch and wide feet like I do. I wear a 7.5 M in normal shoes and a 38 in the Birks. Also, if you ever have foot surgery, these shoes will be your best friend after the "boot".

This was my first pair of clogs, but I have worn Birkenstock sandals for years, they are my favorite casual warm weather shoes. Lately, after wearing Dansko shoes to work for years (criminal prosecutor) I started developing leg pains, which does not occur with Birk sandals. As I could not wear my sandals to work I decided to try the Birk clogs. In sandals I am a 40, but went with 41 for the clogs. They fit and work great, and although not the best work shoes, I pass them off as therapeutic. I was surprised, happily, at how much like the sandals they are constructed, but are actually even easier to walk in. Same Birk break in period, but that is just part of the process and not a problem. They are a great shoe, and I only wish I had started wearing them sooner. And, I do not miss the occasional Dansko ankle twist. Odd look to wear to court, but I will go with comfort any day as I get older.

These do not fit like the London's, or the Arizona styles. The strap is too far up to hold the shoe in place without coming off with every step. The London shoe is closer to the ankle like it should be for a secure fit. Also, I can appreciate that Zappos needs to send out tons of returned shoes, but I hate it when I get a pair with worn buckle straps. I'm still paying full price for them. Zappos has great shipping and returns and I have bought hundreds of shoes from them, and I can spot previous return in seconds, and I usually return them myself then. So, sorry to the next person who's gonna get them.

I stand all day at work and my feet were in agony wearing my flats, and even running shoes. So, I bought these on the advice of my dad who swears by Birks for support and comfort. They take a bit of getting used to because of the hard, thick soles, and they're a bit heavy, but they really make a difference. My feet no longer hurt even after 7 hours of standing. The only downside is that it took about three weeks before they stopped staining my feet and socks black. Even though they're not the most stylish shoes in the world, they are very supportive and comfortable even if you have wide feet (I got the wide width style). Just wear black socks for the first month and you'll be good to go!

I can't say enough about Birkenstock. If you have any problems with legs, hips, plantar fascia, ligaments, tendons, you get the picture, do yourself a big favor and start wearing Birkenstocks. Each style has a slightly different cut, so be aware of that. This particular model, the Boston, is so comfortable you'll want to sleep in them. They do require some breaking in, but once they're fitted to your foot, you'll be a Birkenstock convert just like I was. Also, if you have a high arch and wide feet, these shoes are a Godsend. Is that one word or two? Take care of them and they'll last for years.

I love these shoes because I was finally able to find the correct size. They are expensive, but now I look at them as an investment. I teach middle school. I have a wide foot, short toes, a decent amount of arch, and my feet are somewhat thick. I measure exactly 9 1/2 wide on a shoe measure. I usually buy a size 9 1/2 w or 10. I ordered 4 pairs of the Boston oiled leather to find the perfect fit. (39 R and 40 R -each in the original and in the soft foot bed) I only considered trying a 39 because of the reviews others gave on how large this shoes runs. My findings-----Material: the oiled leather is beautiful, thick, soft and the color shade unique for each pair. It is not shiny and perfect if that is your preference. I love the look and find it to be of good quality. Fit: I put on the 40 soft foot bed and thought they just might work......... but wait............after trying all of them and walking around the house with much scrutiny I came to this conclusion. The size 40 is slightly too long causing the arch support to hurt unless I constantly move my foot to the very back of heel cup. There is just enough space for the toe grip not to function correctly, and when I walk it is work to keep the shoes in a comfortable position. The 39, which I would have sworn would be too short, is perfect. The toe bar and arch support line up with my foot correctly. The tiny amount of difference in length makes the shoe work like it is supposed to. My foot sits as far back in the heel cup as it will go - cradled without going over. My toes can wiggle and aren't pushed against the end of the shoe. Walking feels natural and secure. It would be so easy to think these shoes just aren't going to work. I would have never believed going smaller would give me the perfect fit. I realize there is a break in period and will follow the recommendations to allow the foot bed to completely mold to my foot before I wear them to work. ---As for soft foot bed vs. original ---both fit the same in length. The soft feels the best when initially put on, but when walking, tend to work their way forward making me pause to wiggle my foot back in. The original foot bed stays perfectly seated on my foot and allows me to walk effortlessly. I can't feel the toe bar at all in the correct size, it felt annoying in the pair that was to long. The original gives a bit more depth to the shoe and accommodates the thickness of my foot better too. Both fit and feel good when sitting, but walking securely is better for me in the original. There you have it, a good investment worth the time to find the correct size. The Birkenstock shoe box has a sizer stamped inside the lid to place your foot on to find the perfect size and width, it is spot on. I put my foot on it and it read 250 mm regular width with is a 39 regular (US 8-8 1/2 wide) keep in mind if I go by the size chart for Birkenstock I would be in a 40 or 41. Don't forget-Birkenstock narrow is a regular width, and Birkenstock regular is a wide. It is worth printing the chart out and putting your foot on it in person! I'm appreciative to those who gave reviews to help me, or I would have never spent this much time finding a good fit and would have passed on the shoe altogether. Oh,and these are the ugliest, cutest shoes I have ever seen. They are like Old English Bulldogs, so ugly they're cute! You just can't stop looking at them and loving them for what they are! Get some cool socks and enjoy!

I love these clogs. I got them for work as I really needed something with more support. My podiatrist said the Birkenstock footbed is made from the same material as the custom orthotic inserts he prescribes that cost $600-$700. I wear a US women’s size 9. I ordered these in 39 and 40 but ended up keeping the 39. I love the contoured footbed and they provide amazing support, especially for sufferers of plantar fasciitis. The tobacco oiled leather is very beautiful. Some may not think the look of the Boston clog is very fashionable but, hey, they are classics for a reason. I can’t wait to buy these in more colors.

I was diagnosed with a Morton's neuroma in one foot several years ago, but thought it was cured. After a summer of going barefoot, the darned thing reared its ugly head once again. I put on a pair of my summer Birks, and the pain immediately disappeared, so I ordered these Bostons, and they are doing the trick. I also love that they slip on and off, which makes them so easy to wear. The fact that they don't have a heal also leads to less abrasion on my hand-knit woolen socks. They're not stylish, but I think they're pretty cool!

I bought the Boston in regular width Habana Oiled Leather from a brick and mortar store only because I was too impatient for my desired color to be back in stock in my size on Zappos. I have only good things to say about Zappos and will order from here in the future! The second reason I bought in person was to make sure of my size, as I haven't worn Birks in years. These run true to European sizes; I wear a 38 in Dansko and all other brands...same in Birkenstock. When I tried these on, I gasped at the instant comfort. Hello, old friends, I can't believe I waited so long to come back to you. My job requires long periods of standing and my several pairs of Danskos exacerbated my chronic foot and knee pain. I have high arches, a wide toe box, and Morton's Neuroma issues in both feet. ALL of my foot and knee pain vanishes when wearing these. If you aren't familiar with this foot bed, after a few weeks the sole will conform perfectly to your and only your feet, which is why I don't recommend trying on a friend's broken-in pair for fit. Brand new the fit especially the ridge under the toes can feel a little odd; I do also notice that wearing these without socks, the tops of my toes get a little chafed as the leather breaks in. These shoes literally get more comfortable with age. I bought this style mainly to wear with socks, but I wouldn't recommend sizing down if you anticipate wearing without socks, as the foot bed, especially the heel, will be a vastly different fit in a smaller size. I can't speak to the narrow fit, as my duck feet will never be a narrow in any brand. As far as style, Birks seem to be a love-hate shoe...I personally think they are darling, and have thought so since I was a teen (now in my forties) when the Arizona sandal with wool socks was the "in" thing where I grew up. I recently noticed a woman wearing shiny black Bostons that I thought looked fantastic with a business-casual outfit. Birkenstock sandals are equally comfortable (and offer some fun strappy styles) and I highly recommend them for summer. The only downfall is that cork and water don't mix, so these shoes shouldn't get wet regularly. Even my husband and one of my tween daughters now want a pair, after watching me float around on my Birkenstock cloud. Goodbye Danskos, it's been real. I'm going back to my first love.

Perfection!! They were just delivered 5 minutes ago and on they went! Love them! This is my second pair. My first purchase was the Gizeh style and I was totally hooked! Needed a closed style for winter that can also be worn with socks. The color: Habana Oiled is even nicer than what is shown in pictures. I am super happy I got them!

I've worn Birkenstocks before, but that some 40 years ago. I can remember how I first loved these shoes. They were all the rage back in the 70s, so it was hip to be part of the in-group and wear these shoes with my 501 Levi jeans. I wore my first pair out, and always wanted a second pair, but never could fork over the $$ to get one. Over the years, I have tried every kind of shoe I could find and afford, even the cheaper knock-off Birkies, but had no luck easing my back, hip, knee, and foot pain. This past summer, in desperation, I found a pair on sale at one of my local shoe warehouses. I bought size 36 Arizona's and after the acceptable two-week break-in period, I found that my pain was diminished to the point of only occasional twinges. My feet were very happy campers in my Birkenstock sandals. Now with the weather changing, I decided to give the Boston style a try. I have only had these shoes for two days, but so far so good. I didn't have nearly the break-in issues that I did with my first pair, but I think that was because I have retrained my foot muscles and gotten used to the Birkie style footbed. I was out shopping today, and after about an hour or so, my feet feel pretty good (not perfect yet in these shoes, but definitely not uncomfortable). I would say that the fit is not as good as in my Arizona's. I have a narrow foot, and even with socks, the shoe fits wide. Still, the shoe seems to be a good choice, and I feel pretty confident that after a couple weeks of wear, they will feel just as good as my sandals do. Overall, very satisfied. This is my first purchase at Zappos.com, and my order was delivered as expected, on time, and without any issues. I will definitely be purchasing more items through this site.

As a gen-xer born to hippies Birks were among the last shoes I'd consider until I started looking for shoes to wear after a double bunionectomy. I have other high-quality wide shoes with roomy toeboxes but to this day these are the most comfortable shoes I own and were literally the only shoes I could get my feet into and walk around in for weeks once my feet got unwrapped after my surgery. The break in period was easy for me because I had limited movement of my feet anyway, so I think they broke in gradually as my flexibility increased. These were my first, but will not be my last pair of Birkenstocks... I have another pair on their way now and look forward to keeping my newly improved feet comfortable and strong for many years ahead!

Love these shoes; they make my plantar fascia go away. Zappos told me my last pair was purchased a year ago and I realized they were still in great shape so I decided to get a pair in black, too!

Best clog there is! I tried 4 different clog type shoes before going back to the old classic. If you've never worn a pair, it's worth a try. The 'narrow' size is actually like a 'D' from most other shoe makers. The 'normal' width is very wide. The oiled leather scuffs up easily...gives a rustic look if that's what you like.

I usually wear an 8-8.5 but they were way to big. I ordered the next size down and they fit great. I did try to wear them to long at first and my right foot hurt. But, once I broke them in the way they recommended too, they are very comfy.

Love Birkenstocks and got a pair for work. I was shocked when they arrived to see the drastic variance in color from what is shown online to what I received. Initially I was certain that I was sent the wrong pair. Alas, they are exactly what I ordered. I’m opting to keep them as I don’t want to wait for an exchange and I anticipate they’ll distress pretty quickly. As someone else stated- they’d be better described as a sand or stone color.

I suffer from plantar fasciitis and these are the only shoes that bring me relief. In the beginning I wasn't so sure as they felt extremely uncomfortable but after working my way up to longer and longer time that I wore them they are molded to my feet and the most comfortable shoes I have. I am not crazy about the style because my generation thought of them as 'hippy shoes' but my teenage niece has deemed me 'cool' so I'm guessing I am in style wearing these shoes.

I love these! I have worn the Gizeh flip-flop for 30 years (I am on my third pair now) and in Florida winters with toe socks, to my children's horror and the Birkenstock 39 footbed fits me perfectly, my back and hips and knees are happier with this brand than any other. I thought to try a 40 in the clog because of winter socks but it did not work, the molded supports just did not fit right. So after debating to spend the money on a clog (now in Tennessee, winter still not too awful) that I will be in daily on my feet (I teach middle school) I am happy that I chose them. I expect they will give me as much service as I have become accustomed to from Birkenstock. Of course, with a wool sock, leggings and skirt, I look like an old Ukrainian woman but I do not care, I am comfortable!

These are the great Birkenstock shoes that I've have always loved. I really took a liking to the color online, and ordered a pair. But when they came and I opened the box- I did a double take. They looked black. Only when you take them out in the light can you actually see the green color come through. I'm sure with some wear the color would have worn through even more. But I returned them and reverted back to my favorite saddle brown.

Purchased this pair of oiled Boston clogs in size 39 back in October 2020. Here are my thoughts after about 8 months of wear. Overall these are pretty good shoes. Are these shoes the most comfortable? No. I developed identical bunions on both of my second toes during the break in period. I have flat narrow feet, ordered regular width and had no issues with my feet slipping out of the shoes while walking. The break in period lasted for about three months and was pretty uncomfortable to wear during that time. The shoe would rub on the tops of my toes, (causing the bunions on the toes as shown in the photo), and the right shoe would rub against the top of the foot causing discomfort in the area. The arch also felt quite hard, (which makes sense as my feet are flat). Once broken in, these issues subsided and the shoes have now conformed for the most part to my feet. I’ve worn the shoes through just about all four seasons in NYC now with no issues. During the cooler months I paired the shoes with socks and my feet stayed surprisingly warm. This style is pretty versatile and pairs really well with most of my wardrobe. These shoes can be dressed up or down and are great for kicking on to walk the dog, run errands and even to wear during extended walks around the city. I’ve worn these shoes almost daily since purchasing and would purchase again. My one wish would be a bit more flexibility in the leather to prevent toes from rubbing up against it and maybe a bit more grip on the insole to allow toes some friction to stay more anchored.

Button popped off after 4 hours of wear.... defective

The regular in Birks are too wide for me but I was hoping they would work with winter socks. But no. However, another reason I am returning these is because both shoes have marks on them, very noticeable. Why would I want a brand new pair of shoes that are flawed? I wouldn’t want these even if they were 50% off. The marks on the Habana leather are bad but the suede pair I ordered were also marked. Very disappointed Zappos.

As someone who suffers from PF and AT I decided to give these a try based on all the positive reviews. Initially I wasn't sure about them, but I stuck with them wearing a little more each day, and once they molded to my feet I never want to take them off. Can't believe I found shoes I like more than Dansko (which I've sworn by for years!)Going to buy a pair of sandals for the warm weather.

I love Birks and wear them every day - Boston clogs on work days in the office, and Arizona sandals through the weekend. Arch support is unlike any other shoe I've found. I rotate 5 pairs of these throughout the week. Takes just a few days to break them in; they can be stiff at first but before long, they seem to mold to your foot. Very consistent - once you find your size, every pair fits just like a glove. I have a wide foot and the "regular" width fits perfectly, i.e., they run a little wide.