Customer Reviews Birkenstock Rio

I was looking for a pair of Birks with a strap on them because I planned on backpacking and walking around all summer. I originally wanted the Milano style, but they were out of stock, so I purchased the Rio style instead. I am so glad I did! I own several pairs of Birks and this was my fourth pair, so I knew what size and fit to get. These fit traditionally like every other pair I have and provide excellent support. I walked around my campus, St. Louis, Toronto, and Boston for weeks and the only part of me that didn't hurt was my feet! I walked over eight miles on the Freedom Trail in Boston in these shoes and didn't have one issue with them. The straps are flexible and very easy to break in, as is the bed. Besides my Arizona's (I own Florida and Mayari as well), these are my favorite Birks to date. Highly recommend to anyone looking to walk long distances or to be on their feet for extended lengths of time.

Like all Birk's, a bit larger than the size chart says, but that's fine because the break-in effectively makes it smaller but deeper. Also: they are not kidding when they say a Birk Regular width is a US "Wide" but that's part of why I buy Birk's: no need to upsize for my fat feet. I was initially concerned that the ankle strap would be a chore to get on and off, but they wisely put a hinge on the inside rear that makes it possible to slip them off and on without undoing the buckle. An excellent sandal for activity that needs better foot stability than most Birk's.

I wear a 7 and ordered the 37. The shoes fit great and are very comfy. I am 41 and decided to embrace the Birk. I am glad I did. They are wearing well in the AZ heat!

I love Birkenstocks! I have had plantar fasciitis, and use Birkenstock inserts in all of my shoes to help support my high arches. I have several pair of Arizona, but wanted a somewhat dressier version with an ankle strap. These are fantastic. Although I sometimes buy a wide in other shoes, I bought both the regular and narrow widths to try with this style. The narrow was perfect. So these do run wide. I've read some reviews that say this style can be unsnapped from behind so you don't have to buckle the ankle strap every time you put on the shoes. Not so with my pair. But the buckle is very easy to work with. Love these sandals. Wore for hours walking around right out of the box!

I love Birks, but I gotta have an ankle strap and there can't be anything between my toes -- this has limited my selection to the Milanos. While I own and love the Milanos, they are very casual/hippy looking and don't wear so well for work. The Rio is a bit cuter and dressier. Just as comfortable, but they wear well with business casual. Actually, I find them more comfortable than my Milanos for walking long distances.

After many failed attempts trying to replace my favorite most beloved Birks (over 10 years old), finally success with the Rio. I have tried different Birkenstock brands (Betula, Papillio, etc.) and styles and materials and lengths and widths and foot beds, and was starting to think that maybe I would never find other Birkenstock sandals that would work for me. Too long, too short, too narrow, too wide. The Rio worked for my just about size 9 duck feet (wide across the toes, narrow heels) in a 39 regular (not narrow - despite the fact that all my other Birkenstocks are have been narrows). I wore them right out of the box on a Disney World trip with no regret, no blisters, nothing but happy feet. I wanted a more feminine style and the Rio are nicely styled and flattering. Absolutely satisfied. Would order another color if one was offered. Also worth noting: this is my fifth pair made with Birko-Flor and it is great wears well and feel soft.

Fits perfectly but that is because I have other Birkenstocks and this pair are the same size 39 N. They are very light and comfortable for wearing in warm climates (which is where I'm going) and for long walks, etc. which I plan to do. Right now I'm not wearing them because it's 15 degrees outside and a little warmer inside but they will be my daily shoe in the summer. Perfect for vacation soon. Zappos is so prompt with mailing and so good with returns that I never hesitate to order there.

I have been searching endlessly for a shoe (boot, sandal, sneaker -- any shoe!) with excellent arch support. And here we are: the very best I have found so far. It's not the most beautiful shoe, but I need a backstrap on my shoes. Regardless of style, this receives 5 stars because of the support.

These have served me well so far. Walked all over Israel with these on, no sore feet or blisters. Now I am hoping the soles hold up like my Birkenstocks of the past and not wear out quickly like my more recent purchases. Time will tell.

This is my third pair of Birkenstock sandals - (the other two were retired after long, well-traveled lives). The Rio style is simple but flattering, and I like having the ankle strap for extra support. They work as well with jeans as they do with summer dresses. You simply cannot beat Birkenstocks for fit, comfort, and quality workmanship. Love them!

I have been wearing these everyday for weeks, and no longer am experiencing the foot or knee issues that I was earlier in the summer. They look great with dresses and feel good on hikes up a grassy mountainside. The most practical, versatile shoe I have had for awhile. I wish I would have tried one size smaller, because my toe sort of slips behind the toe indentation on my left foot, but this doesn't bother me now that they are broken in.

This has been a wonderful sandal for my son. He has a lot of problems with his toes and this sandal allows plenty of air to get to his feet while holding his foot securely. These kinds of styles are harder to find for guys so I was very happy that the Rio comes in black because that's a great color for him. It's also a very durable sandal. He wore it all last summer and it is still is in great shape. I will keep ordering this shoe for him so please continue carrying it. Thank you.

If you know your regular footbed Birkenstock size, then you know your Birkenstock Rio size. I’ve been looking at these for a few summers, but already have the Milano’s & am really trying to “capsule” my shoe wardrobe, so didn’t click “purchase” til this summer. I’m so glad I did! The Milano’s look cute on my feet, but the Rio’s are so much more feminine that it really shows just how truly unisex the Milano’s are comparatively. The only thing that would take this shoe from a 9 to a 10 would be if the decorative river on the back strap were an actual snap. That would make them a shoe I could put on while standing. As-is, I have to sit to buckle them on which is a bit of a PITA. Still love them though, for comfort & style :)

I won't wear shoes without a back strap, which eliminates most Birkenstock sandals for me. These are very comfortable and have Birkenstock's trademark excellent arch support, which is a necessity for me to avoid a flare-up of plantar fasciitis. I find them more attractive than most Birks, and like that the straps are not leather. Zappos recommended size 40 for me, based on my order history, but based on other reviews I ordered 39, which was the correct size. I wear an 8.5-9. My new go-to casual summer sandal!

I bought these because of arch issues (turns out I had plantar fasciitis) and they've been great for my feet.

AHhhhhhhhhhhhhhhh...................... :-) Need I say more? :-) Opened the Rio - adjusted the buckles and what a relief!! Great sandal! Love the fact that it comes in the Women's Narrow --- (it just fits my foot better than the Unisex Narrow). Has that feminine look with the more narrow straps - nice to have a back strap for a change when you know you just need that extra bit of stability (walking hills, etc). Very flexible footbed. Try these ---- I think you will really like them. I am excited for the warmer weather for sure! I have been having issues with my right instep and have tried so many shoes (Thank you Zappos!) - the Birks just fill the bill for me. I actually placed an order for the Sarnia so I have a boot also until Spring arrives for sure.

These sandals are cute! They are also very comfortable! They are not real leather, which was what I wanted. They do run big. I always always wear a 7.5 in all shoes; however, with these a 37 worked for me which is indicated to be 6/6.5.

This is my first experience with Birkenstock. I've got some plantar fasciitis issues and love my Haflinger cork slippers, so I took the Birkenstock plunge. Meh, they're ok. Not particularly comfortable out of the box, but not uncomfortable. About a quarter size too big, but I believe that's normal for Birks. I bought this particular style because I need some sort of ankle strap and these fit the bill. The only thing that I'd change is to make the straps velcro instead of buckles so it would be a truly customized fit. Typical fabulous service and delivery from Zappos.

I am a longtime Birkenstock wearer. I normally go for leather or suede, so I docked these 1 star because I wish they came in leather and not Birko-Flor. In search of Birks with an ankle strap that were not the ugly wide-strap ones and didn't have a toe loop, these came out the winner. They sort of look like saltwater sandals and are extremely comfortable right out of the box. They stay securely on my feet and don't flap around when I walk, and they have fantastic arch support. I'd love them to be offered in other color options because I think they could be really cute in a bright or metallic. Regardless of the color, these 36-year-old feet with plantar fasciitis are happy to be in a comfy shoe. My mom (57) also bought the same ones on her own—great minds think alike. In terms of fit, I normally wear a 9.5 regular width in normal shoes (10.5 in athletic shoes), and I got the 40 regular width. I tried the narrows and they were too pinchy at the side of the toes.

While these are described as narrow, they seem comfortable to my regular width feet. The back strap is well designed for comfort and Birkenstock fans already know how wonderful the shoe feels as the cork conform to your foot. You can't go wrong with Birkenstocks.

I love birkenstock --- they have lots of styles to choose from and more importantly they have wonderful arch support. For someone with plantar faciitis, arch support is a must and these sandals do not disappoint. I especially love the straps since I was looking for shoes that I could easily run in....you never know if you will be late for a flight and you have to run through the terminal :)

Great sandals which have lasted my daughter a couple years and are still in great shape minus the bottoms are wearing down.

They fit and were comfortable right out of the box.

I was very excited to receive these stylish Birks. I ordered them based on the comments of others who are Birk lovers too. UNFORTUNATELY and totally MY fault I procrastinated breaking them in for our trip to Italy. Yes I tried them on upon their arrival 2 months before we were scheduled to leave and they fit perfectly like a charm-same as all my other pairs of Birks without an ankle straps. I set them aside in my closet not realizing I would need to GRADUALLY break them in because my feet had never "experienced" this style. I gave the style 4 stars because you may have the sense to break them in! Thankfully I ordered 2 pairs of SAS (Sorrento style) sandals with great support for sufferers of plantar fasciitis. They have a different strap system. Word to the wise DON'T WAIT to break in this style. They are great sandals but need extra break in time! I should have started the break in process immediately. AS an aside-I think Birkenstock (or Zappos ) should include in the box a HOW TO info booklet about breaking in every NEW pair of your even if you are a seasoned Birk customer. That would have made a big difference to me - I would have heeded the advice.

I liked them but decided to return to for a different color.