My Favorite Sandals - The Arizona by Birkenstock®
The Birkenstock Arizona is a classic sandal with a cult following like Pulp Fiction. Someone who has never tried Birkenstock may wonder what the big deal is with these sandals. I've been wearing Birkenstocks, the Arizona in particular, for over a decade so I'll fill you in on why they are so great.
Some people wear nothing but Birkenstock all day, everyday. I am not one of these people. I think that my Arizona sandals are the most comfortable sandals that I have but I will readily admit that their style does not lend itself to all occassions. I have worn my Birks for 30 days straight while backpacking through Europe, I have worn them to dozens of concerts through the Summers, and I'm wearing them right now as I relax at this computer and type. Simply put, they are awesome... but why?
Support
The first thing that you may notice when you slide on your first pair of Arizona sandals from Birkenstock is the immense amount of arch support. The arch is a molded out of the leather lined, contoured footbed. This may take some getting used to for the uninitiated but once you break in the sandals you will wonder how you ever lived without the support. Also, I want to point out that the leather lining of the footbed feels great next to the skin. You most definetly do not need socks with these sandals.
Rugged Design
I mentioned above that I hiked through much of Europe wearing no other footwear except one pair of Birkenstock Arizona sandals. A few of my friends from this journey wore less dependable sandals and ended up having to find replacement footwear (not to mention their blisters). The Arizona sandal is built on a simple design that will not break down and will remain comfortable until you finally wear through the cork sole. The shoes are based on a cork sole, with a rubber tread. The footbed is lined with supple leather for a nice feel to the bare foot. The upper comes in a variety of oiled leathers and suedes. This simple design is what has made the Arizona an enduring icon in the footwear world for so many years.
Custom Fit
My personal favorite thing about the Arizona sandal, and Birkenstocks in general, is that they get considerably more comfortable over time. They do take a bit of breaking in but once you have worn your new pair a few times you will notice that the footbed beginning to take the shape of your foot. This amazing feature makes for a truly custom fitting sandal that in unmatched in the comfort department.
In conclusion, I highly reccomend that you try the Arizona sandal. Keep in mind that this style takes a few days to break in but once you get your first pair you will be back for more Birkenstock styles. I hope this has been helpful. Enjoy!
The Arizona is available for men and women. Click here to shop Birkenstock at ShoeStores.com
