Birki''s Women''s Moorea Softbed Sandal

***Please see my Comment at the bottom of this review for a guide to sizing a Birkenstock shoe*****

Positives: comfortable right out of the box; attractive; oiled leather version has quality materials and construction very similar to original Birkenstock

Negatives: provides less arch support than the Soft Footbed used in the original Birkenstock name brand

This is the first shoe I have bought from the Birki''s sub-brand of the Birkenstock family. I researched the different sub-brands carefully (Birki''s, Tatami, Betula, etc) and came to the conclusion that a leather Birki should be comparable or identical to a Birkenstock proper. Well, this shoe (Moorea--Soft Foodbed) is NOT a substitute for a Birkenstock Soft Footbed.

First, here''s a little primer on the differences among the various footbeds used in the Birkenstock family of sub-brands:

ARCH SUPPORT & FOOTBED. As of now, you have three options: Moderate arch support (as seen in the newer Soft Footbed); Pronounced arch support (the classic/original footbed); and High Arch support ("our highest, most aggressive arch support"). Reach down and feel that soft squishy part on the inside bottom of your foot, the part that curves in most people (less so in flatfooted people). That''s your arch, and most shoes do not provide a high platform for your arch to rest on (which is healthier for balance and walking and back pain). Birks do. But, some people found the classic footbed too hard (probably because they''re used to normal low-arched shoes), so Birks came out a while ago with the Soft Footbed, which is not arched as high and thus is easier to get acclimated to right off the bat. The soft footbed also has a layer of foam sandwiched (hidden) within the footbed, so it''s more cushioned.

MOOREA (Birki''s) SOFT FOOTBED v. any BIRKENSTOCK SOFT FOOTBED. I recently purchased both this Birki''s Soft Footbed shoe and a Birkenstock Soft Footbed shoe (the Bali--see my review on Amazon). Even though the companies claim that they use the same footbeds across the sub-brands, there is a marked difference between the Birki''s and the Birkenstock Soft. The Birkenstock Soft Footbed fits the description offered above; the top layer is soft, the shoerequires no break-in at all, and you can feel the presence of "moderate" arch support--that is, arch support that is down a notch from the Original footbed but that is still recognizable as a Birkenstock.

Not so with the Birki''s Moorea Soft Footbed. This is a comfortable sandal, don''t get me wrong. But it feels like "any comfortable sandal," not like a Birkenstock. The arch support is markedly less than that provided by the Birkenstock that uses the "same" Soft Footbed. They are not the same footbed. I even compared them visually, and the Birkenstock one has a slightly steeper hill and valley in the curve that supports your arch. It''s very disappointing to walk in the Birki''s Soft and feel your feet lying almost flat against (parallel to) the footbed; that''s not what I go to Birkenstock for, and not what I pay Birkenstock PRICES for!

I will be keeping this sandal because it is pretty comfortable and because I paid a very reduced price for it. But, because this Moorea Soft is lacking in arch support (and because my Bali Soft has other design flaws), I now have to go out and buy a new pair of Soft Birkenstocks---stamped with the Birkenstock name brand---in order to get the level of arch support I''m seeking. I would *not* pay full retail price for this pair of Birki''s, and I am hesistant to purchase any Birki''s at all in the future.

These shoes are adorable, and the footbed is extremely comfortable.But what I wish someone had told me before I had to spend the money to return them for a different size is that the width designation of "Narrow" is actually what an American expects a shoe of width "Medium" to be, and that their "Medium" width is absurdly wide (almost wide enough for both of my feet to fit in one shoe, which I agree would be a great way to save money, but a little impractical and hard to walk).I didn''t even notice that narrow was an option, and I wouldn''t have ordered that anyway, because in every other shoe I''ve ever worn, a medium width is just fine.But if you''re in the same boat (and I don''t mean the boat-sized shoe), I''d advise going for the Narrow.The leather will stretch a little anyway, and you''ll have a shoe that actually cradles your foot and lets you take advantage of the soft parts of the footbed.

Buy Birki''s Women''s Moorea Softbed Sandal Now

Birki''s have improved over the years in style and even more comfort. Not as clumsy or nerdy looking as in the past. Softbed is indeed a softbed. These sandels run very wide so be careful. I felt as though I''d trip until I broke them in. If you wear medium width, try narrow.Love these sandels!

Read Best Reviews of Birki''s Women''s Moorea Softbed Sandal Here

i have these shoes, (birkis softbed sandals) and they have the same sole as the birkenstock softbed shoes. they are just a bit more updated looking sandals then birkenstocks.they have a little more design, colors to them,but the make of the shoes is the same. they are all i wear.since they came out with the softbed, they are even better.sooooo please dont judge these beautiful shoes on a review such as what was writen with poor ratings.i wouldnt hesitate for one second to buy any birkis, softbed, regular, whatever.they all have the same darn sole.happy walking in your birkis.

Want Birki''s Women''s Moorea Softbed Sandal Discount?

This is the third pair of birkenstock/birkies I have. This is my favorite pair because of the softbed. It gives the sandals a layer of cushion that made the sandals feel molded to my feet almost immediately. I have worn these sandals to work and they also work as casual sandals. I also love the Amazon price! I recently saw these sandals on a home shopping web page for twice the price-and that''s before adding shipping and tax. Yay Amazon!