BIRKENSTOCK Arizona - I was WRONG!

Today I'm reviewing a product that I've done a complete 180 on. BIRKENSTOCKS.
It took some convincing, but I'm now officially a fan, especially during quarantine.
Take a look as to why!
Birkenstock Arizona - amzn.to/3hKofAi
Check out my store: markcollective.co
My podcast! apple.co/2XM7VbE

[@Frisbeegrl11]

My Arizona Birks are now 21yrs old. My Nana, who passed away in 2012, bought them for me back in 2002. I’ve replaced the soles twice and they are still the most comfortable sandals I’ve ever owned. LOVE THEM!

[@XHPBT1]

Sadly they don’t last that long anymore..

[@thanGacao]

I liked this vid, most people buy these just because of fashion but they are actually quality footwear, you can even get them resoled once they wear out.. I wear these all day errday during the summers in South-Korea.

[@MarkKwak]

Couldn't agree more! Ahh my homeland :)

[@1004katherine]

I just got rid of a pair I had, they were about 15 years old. They were just "done." Birkenstocks start getting expensive when you venture into different styles, etc. It's heaven!

[@zumbapartywithdenise]

Bought a black pair (my first pair) of Arizona soft foot bed. 3 weeks later I bought the camo print Arizona (regular footbed). I’m now hooked. Gave away all of my other sandals and would never get any other brand.

[@jenniferms3605]

Couldn’t choose between the mocha/brown Arizona’s or black Arizona’s, but I went with the black!

[@heatherwhite2788]

Right there with you on Birkenstocks being perfect for this time! I have 3 pair of Mayaris, classic footbed, and I don’t wear much else right now.

[@daryll7898]

My gf got me into birkenstocks. I used to think they are overpriced and ugly but as soon as I bought to match my gf's birk, I was hooked. I've been wearing one everyday for a year now.

[@Sonex92ZH]

arent they smelly 😝?

[@otherryan]

I definitely agree with you on needing easy and comfortable footwear during quarantine! For the past few months, I've worn my Rainbow Sandals more than any other shoe, but have always wanted to give Birkenstocks a try. Thanks for sharing your thoughts -- I might have to go pick up a pair!

[@MarkKwak]

Love Rainbows as well, but you definitely gotta try a pair of Birks!

[@suzannetaylor6285]

When you throw those away because they have worn out in a few months.. get these, in the long run, you save money

[@anibalbabilonia1867]

I just got mine from journey’s, and I had to get almost two size smaller! Also mine are tan scuff leather, so far I’m wearing them every day, and they’re starting to break in and mold nicely on my foot. Love them! Great review man!👌😎👍✌️

[@geslinam9703]

I just got the Arizona softbed…and even though they say you don’t need to break the softbed version in, it still took a week for them to feel comfy.

[@delasantos]

Really well reasoned video. Thanks! Will get some...

[@cirimpufka]

I got myself a pair yesterday, the most classic colour imaginable - fire red, oiled leather, real deal, Arizona, they're amazing. I have another pair, those are silver, a bit different model. I've had them for ten years.

[@flyguy22190]

Great! You've convinced me to get black leather. Looks like a dress sandal

[@8bitflea]

I been avoiding because I didn’t like the look but I just caved and ordered a pair because my wide foot keeps me in pain since most shoes are narrow, hopefully they fit

[@benitohernandez7585]

I still have and wear my first pair I bought about 20 years ago. Still in good condition. Definitely money we’ll spent. Actually just ordered a 4th pair today!

[@RajGheevarghese]

Good, honest and sensible review, Shot mate!

[@FruitschannelMagnumIlirikum]

*Should I get some rubber glued on the outsole heel when I buy them?*

[@amartine01]

Quick question about fit. Do your smaller fingers touch the borders? My big toe has ample room but the smaller (larger in my case) fingers ot the side touch a bit the border and feels odd. Going a size bigger is too much though. Was wondering if they stretch with time and this becomes more comfortable. Thanks for the vid

[@MarkKwak]

Just tried them on to see, and yes they do, maybe that's just the design? Still comfortable though!

[@suzannetaylor6285]

Totally agree.. they are my everything shoe.. I wore them in March around my house In New England and haven’t taken them off yet!

[@MarkKwak]

Game changer huh? :)

[@mrcoolorhot8595]

Are the whites color of Arizona is a preference aside from the black?

[@AussieDownUnder]

Haha I love the honesty of this review. I too think they are ugly and built more for older people. But I'm 32 now, so I am an older person and I now also own a pair of the tan burks. Yet to break mine in though so they are a bit tough on the feet. Cant wait till I fall in love with them though

[@oneeyedjack2254]

" older person " at 32....just wait till your 62 😔😎

[@sarahfleming8799]

Best review so far simple and to the point thank you.

[@ingridkincaid1187]

Are these the almalfi black or whatever it’s called?

[@grubbintv6090]

Love these!

[@dogwalk3]

been rocking birkenstocks for 22 years now! funny to see them go in & out of fashion, but i'll always have a pair of Bostons in my wardrobe. I want a pair of the London, but the colors don't do it for me.

[@shauncorney5944]

I love my Birks! I have the ones you have too the clog in habana oiled leather! 🧡😀

[@MarkKwak]

great minds...

[@Ontheroadtourism]

I have just bought my first pair of Birkenstocks, different to the pair in the video. Mine have the thong for your toes and they are torture. I've worn them once for a couple of hours and I am not sure whether I will ever wear them again.

[@sometimesismile]

I have become obsessed with Birkenstock since quarantine.

[@MarkKwak]

That makes two of us

[@oneeyedjack2254]

Does the smooth leather need to be treated often to prevent cracking? I was really close to getting the oiled leather version,but the faded, scuffed, and scratched look is not for me. I like to keep it simple and smooth. I guess I'd better order the smooth/ soft bed version (in black ) asap, while I can...and while they're still in stock

[@dogwalk3]

they don't need to be treated often. ive had pairs for 12 years & while i take care of them, ive never had the leather "crack." i dig patina though. the suede ones are my favorite.

[@mendoza19751]

I always thought they were soooo ugly now I have 6 pairs I love them, funny how you change your mind about shoes.

[@Jersey1971]

Wear them with cotton socks and walk around the house for at least 1-2 hrs a day that has always helped me break them in without causing foot damage after a week I can wear them barefooted

[@caseyzaft6734]

What size did you get man?

[@monikabrachetti8585]

I started to wear them in the 90ties 😉. At that time in the south of France you could distinguish German from French by looking at their feet 🤣, Germans in Birkenstocks and French not. Everyone not German found them really ugly. Times change 😉

[@zeinaakkouche7661]

Just bought my first pair which I’ve been dying to try honestly 🥰🥰🥰🥰🥰 And yes I have many many expensive shoes that always hurt my feet 🤦🏻‍♀️🇦🇺♥️

[@joanaguanta5368]

is that the oiled leather? but smhow it looks like the smooth leather. did you put some polish on those uppers?

[@archangel323118]

Yes I was about to ask, which model is this?

[@daizyduke12]

I think it’s amalfi leather. It’s more shiny

[@mackjenkins7721]

Man I love my Birkenstocks. My very first pair I bought back in 1991. At the time my foot was a size 13 EEE wide with my toes a lil big. In two years out grew two pairs of Birkenstocks. In 1993 my foot was a sz15 6 EEEEEE with very fat wide toe that is equally straight across making it for a very very wide foot. My foot is 6 1/2 inches wide my big toe to my little toe. I wish my toes were at a 45 degree angle instead of being straight across so my foot would not be so wide. There's no shoe , sock , or boot that's wide enough to fit my foot. I bought another pair of black suede soft bed Arizona , and a pair of black leather Milano's. And today I'm still wearing both pairs. The only problem I have is just a little narrow for me but that's not Birkenstocks it's because of my foot being so wide. Both of my little toes hang off the footbed of the sandals and that's because of my toes being equally straight across instead of being at a 45 degree angle where they will fit perfectly. I have the same problem with my flip-flops. Because there is no shoe or sock that will fit my foot I tried to switch out between my Birkenstocks and flip flops cuz these two sandals are the only Footwear that will fit hey size 15 6 EEEEEE with very fat wide toe. It is very embarrassing to have feet this big and wide because they cause so much problems for me.

[@MarkKwak]

Hey man, we all gotta find what works for us and I'm glad Birks work for your feet. Feel for you on shopping being more difficult for you than the average Joe, keep in there and keep finding the right stuff for you!

[@mackjenkins7721]

@@MarkKwak yes you do definitely got to find what fits for you when you're in a situation like me. I am glad to that Birkenstock's and flip-flops are working for me. And yes it is very very very difficult for me to find any shoe. I even have trouble trying to find a pair of flip-flops that work. Sometimes I even do things barefooted 👣. What's really frustrating is my boss he is a size 16 EEE wide and he can find shoes , socks , boots flip flops and all with no problem I'm a size 15 6 EEEEEE I can't find nothing. But for one my boss don't have fat wide toes like I do and #2. His toes are at a 45 degree angle instead of straight across. My boss think it's because of me having fat wide toes is why I can't find a shoe that will fit even though my toes are equal to straight across. He said he knows somebody who has toes that are equally straight across like mine and he wear shoes with no problem. Like I said in the winter time it definitely embarrassing when I have to wear sandals barefooted 👣 in 20 - 30 degree temperatures. I see people all the time taking a second look at my feet because they so fat and wide and my little toe is hanging off of the sandals. I appreciate you giving me some positive energy. You your family have a Merry Christmas can I apologize for being so long.

[@FWild-eb1rd]

Great Review! Which upper Option do you have oiled leather or the nubuck leather Version? And is it the soft footbed?

[@lazayvion]

These are the Smooth Leather, I made a mistake going with the Oiled Leather because I wanted the shiny look as in the video.

[@FWild-eb1rd]

@@lazayvion thanks. Yes they Look really shiny and tought it's the oiled one. But there isnt ia big difference or?

[@lazayvion]

@@FWild-eb1rd not really, oiled leather shows imperfections more easily than the smooth. Seems like the smooth only comes with the soft footbed.

[@FWild-eb1rd]

@@lazayvion oh ok. Regular footbed has two options shiny oiled leather and nubuk the last one looks like the soft footbed one

[@kennethadrian]

quality video! surprised to see less than a thousand subs

[@MarkKwak]

Hopefully that'll change one day!

[@kennethadrian]

I helped by subbing! I actually just got a pair, this video convinced me.

[@enriquesaez1996]

Thanks. Your review is what I needed.

[@joshuaortega3290]

can i ask what is your foot lenght (CM)? mine is 260CM should i get size 40 or 41?

[@monikabrachetti8585]

Mesure the length of your feet in mm and put 10mm plus, a shoe of 270 mm. For me my feet are 240mm, I am wearing 39 which is 250mm long. You can find the length of the shoes printed under the size on the shoe. But for this you have to try them in a store. You can find a size finder also on the Birkenstock webside. One advice - don’t buy them too small. You need 5 mm space in front and in the back. And their sizes can be different depending on the style.

[@GarrettWease]

Definitely into the look (I'm getting more hippie-ish as I age into my mid-twenties anyway). I think I may get the rubbery ones to try out and see if the fit and feel is for me, despite my preference for this version aesthetically.

[@MarkKwak]

That makes two of us brother, haha hopefully they’re awesome for you!

[@heatherwhite2788]

To understand the fit though, you need the cork rather than plastic. Be sure to try them on to find out your size... I wear smaller than normal.

[@SkywalkerPaul]

I just ordered this exact same model after watching this video ✌️

[@macbookpromidtwelve]

Hi what is your foot size in US?

[@miketorre16]

nice review, and nice rolex too

[@galaapple5855]

I am dying to buy the cork birks but it won't last frequent washing or disinfecting.

[@double07r21]

Did you buy your regular size ? Or size up ,down?

[@MarkKwak]

Ended up buying my normal size, though someone did tell me it looked large on me. Doesn't feel that way though!

[@double07r21]

@@MarkKwak just got mine today .I sized down 1 size and it fits perfect like a glove .got it on sale from an English shoppe

[@eileahfrye-edmonds413]

Thank you for this video! I’ve been looking into Birkenstock’s and I think I’m gonna get some. They seem like a great investment!

[@MarkKwak]

Yes definitely do it!

[@matttherrien9608]

less than $15 new at the thrift shop.

[@cliffordpalmer3751]

I bought the same model. It's been two days, the foot bed is very hard. After 20 mins of continuous walking, I get a little pain in my foot. Why is that?

[@MarkKwak]

I don't think I had the same experience, but this sounds somewhat normal with any leather or cork footbed. Also make sure you have the right size for your feet, and also that the buckles are tied in the right position.

[@cliffordpalmer3751]

Does the foot bed used to be this hard in Arizona model?

[@alexsnell1046]

@@cliffordpalmer3751 I'm guessing they're better now, but that's very normal, just give it time.

[@mandywaynick8725]

Also depends if you have the standard footed or the soft

[@drummer1416]

Great video!

[@ronsamson4829]

I love my birks but they do not last 8-10 years unless you barely wear them. I wore a pair out in 8 months

[@Striker50_]

replace the sole and dont use them in water

[@justsaying182]

They look too big for you, What's the deal with sizing?

[@DudeEM]

Just a correction. If you are going to wear your Birks to tear, as long as it doesn’t get wet, it can last up to 15 years. It would look nasty but still wearable.

[@seiji-kun9488]

Does the narrow and regular have big differences?

[@candicepena579]

For me yes, I went into a shoe store to find my size and fit. When I tried the regular the shoe it was way too big. So finding out if your reg or narrow makes a big difference.

[@christiancruz6996]

hi can i ask your shoe size? thnx

[@FitBabe]

Just bought my first two pairs!

[@MarkKwak]

Hopefully you're enjoying them - they're still my go-to

[@cybillones4399]

love the rolex sub tho

[@omkargoud1712]

Price

[@kevinwild424]

What size would you recommend a size 8 in male?

[@MarkKwak]

If dress shoes size 8, I would just go size 8

[@drob517]

I don’t think you would be wearing Birkenstock sandals in the forest. 😂😂😂

[@gandangpinay2158]

I hated Birkenstock before because it looks so ugly for me until the EVA version came, i bought the Gizeh EVA and i’m loving it so i decided to buy the cork version (i bought the Gizeh sfb nubuck leather in sandcastle color) and again i feel inlove with it so i convinced my self to puchased another pair, i get the Arizona sfb nubuck in black color. It will arrived in few days i hope i’ll get inlove with it like my Gizeh EVA and cork version.

[@MarkKwak]

Looks like the bug got you like it got me ;)

[@gandangpinay2158]

@@MarkKwak 😅 yeah, i think so

[@brodenmacarthur3955]

25 years ago. I called these ugly shoes lord boards. We all did. Because we had young feet. Any shoe would work. Now 25 years later I have 7 pairs. 2 slippers. 3 bends, 2 Arizona. My feet love them. I no longer care however the bend sneakers are nice. I wear these to and from airport I do not wear any other shoes anymore. It’s not worth the agony.

[@henriquemagalhaes3062]

Like others first you hate them because they look ugly until they start to grow on you and you decide to give them a try. Once you do you know why everybody else who use them don´t change for any other shoes especially during summer times. I bought them recently i fell in love with them. My wife hates tehm (and I forgive her) I was like her. One day she´ll wear a pair too i just know it.

[@rafael-rossi]

Great content. Just subscribed. =)

[@pacchan6997]

a size down would probably fit better for you

[@gaylecheung3087]

Plantar fascia drove me to buy Birkenstocks, love them….. Got the thong ones - $130 CDN here in Toronto before taxes. When to come to casual shoes, I don’t really any other than a pair of NIKE running shoes with my custom made orthopaedic insoles. All my other shoes are either cowboy boots or Frye boots, It’s summertime 2021 and will plan to patient Nanas I want to be able to breathe the feet wise to, lol 😂

[@felixromano3091]

I want to get these but scared my family will go “what are those” lol 😂

[@MarkKwak]

Hah you should trail blaze

[@timhenson889]

Lol, I felt the same way. Then I bought a pair about six months ago. Then I bought 4 more pairs (boots, clogs, etc). Never going back.

[@user-gy4il7qg4j]

Clean footbed with sandpaper

[@MissValdostaFeedAndGrain]

Dang, he is cuuuute!!💕💕🙏🏼👀

[@rca6576]

I want to love these but, lower back and joint pain does not welcome standing on a shoe that is hard as a brick.

[@benitohernandez7585]

I bought my first pair BECAUSE I worked retailed and was going to be standing on my feet for hours a day. They’ve always worked well for me.

[@rca6576]

@@benitohernandez7585 I am really glad to hear they worked for you. I have joint damage and they are too hard for me and cause more joint pain.