Customer Reviews Birkenstock Boston Soft Footbed - Suede (Unisex)

If you wear only one style of Birkenstocks, the Boston soft footbed is a great choice. After a week for your feet and the Boston's to adjust to each other, they are comfortable, even for a 16 hour day. Because the footbed requires precise placement of your heel, arch and toes to be effective, correct sizing is essential. If a Birkenstock store is within driving distance (there are four of them within 70 miles of my home) you should get your first pair from them after an expert fitting. The Birkenstock store can arrange repairs also (new heels for $25, new soles for $45). Key to fit: Match the Boston size to the largest size shoe in your collection. So, if your largest shoe is a men's 10, you wear a size 43 Boston. The Boston regular width is for average to wide feet, for people with bunions, and for people who wear thick socks. The Boston narrow width fits most women with average width feet and is great for men with narrow feet. The narrow width fits people with average width feet who never wear socks. The "hard" leather versions stretch slightly in width with a few weeks of wear so should be slightly snug when new. Because hard leather does not stretch much, folks with bunions or swollen toe knuckles should select a soft suede model instead. The suede, wool and felt models stretch a LOT over time so should fit quite snuggly when new. Many people with average width feet will need to select the narrow size to get a snug fit. Use cork sealer monthly to protect the cork. Avoid getting the cork wet. Keep your Boston's away from heat, such as keeping in a parked car. Replace the heels and soles before any cork is exposed. Your Boston's can last five, ten, even twenty years with proper care.

I have seen these shoes for decades and wondered if they're as great as their aficionados claim. I had a pair of Birks fisherman sandals years ago, but found the footbed fatiguing for serious walking. This softer one conformed quickly and feels more forgiving. While they aren't serious walking shoes, they are very comfortable, and I haven't wanted to take them off. I particularly love traveling (which I do a lot) with them, I love that they are equally comfortable with socks and bare feet, and I think they look cute with either long pants or cropped. I normally wear an 8 1/2 and consulted with the company to be sure about the size. Definitely order a narrow unless you have very wide feet. As for length, a 39 which I tried on in a store was much too big; the 38 which I ordered is just barely the right size. My heel sits in the cup, but with no length to spare, so I don't wear thick socks with them. However, the company told me it's fine as long as my heel doesn't strike the edge. My toes are also at the end of the front with no extra space, but because the toe box is so wide, the suede so slipper-soft, and my foot hits all the right supports in the footbed, they feel great.

OK, I'm now an expert in the sizing of these shoes. At first, I ordered them in my usual Birk size (39 regular, I usually wear a woman's US 9) from a different place and they sent me a narrow even though that's not what I ordered (teaches me to not stray from Zappos!). I didn't notice at first that they were narrow, and thought they didn't fit because they were soft footbed. So I ended up ordering a size up (40) in both narrow and regular from Zappos. Then I figured out that the first pair I had were narrow, so I reordered from Zappos my normal size (39 reg). Now I had 39 narrow and regular, then 40 narrow and regular. Of course, the 39 regular were perfect. So turns out after all this, I'm the same size in the soft footbed Bostons as I am in all other Birks (including the regular footbed Bostons). However, I read here that some found them smaller. If that's the case and you need to order up, definitely order up in the narrow. If you order up in a regular it will be huge (unless you have majorly wide feet). I also found that the narrow versions of my 39s weren't just narrower, they were a lot shorter. The soft footbeds are lovely, they add a hint of extra comfort to the shoe, and there is a lot shorter break in time. However, if you're looking for these to be super cushioned, they aren't. I love Zappos, fast free shipping and returns makes them ideal. If it weren't for them I would have had to go through a lot more expense returning these shoes when looking for my size, since no place around me carries soft footbed Bostons in store. I love you Zappos!

I am a long time Birkenstock fan. I have considered these clogs for a few years and finally sprung for them. The soft footbed was a new adventure, but based on the reviews, I gave them a try. Pure heaven! Soft, supportive and totally dorky! If you are going to wear Birks, you have to decide to overlook the style issue and just stomp out there with pride. I actually had several people compliment them. They do run wide and big; my regular shoe size is 7 1/2 or 8 B and I always get Birkenstocks in 38 Narrow and there is still room for winter socks. I love them!

I wear Birkenstock almost exclusively. I vastly prefer the original footbed to the soft but with fewer and fewer styles being offered with the original decided I would try the soft footbed. I ordered the mocha suede and the mink suede, both in 45, my tried and true size. The mocha felt at least one size larger and when physically compared to the mink and an older pair of boston 45's were visibly longer. I was tripping over them. The mink on the other hand felt more narrow the the "regular" footbed should. I just bought a pair of original Arizonas and the difference was clear. Very disappointed with the lack of consistency in sizing. Additionally, the soft footbed just does not provide the same excellent arch support and heel cupping stability that the original provides. These are both going back.

Different dye lots . I just purchased these Birkenstocks and I was wearing them outside today for the first time and noticed they’re different shades of black Suede. When I rub them so they’re in the same direction they’re still different colors dye lots.

These are the 10th pair of Birks in my closet (seven styles: boots, shoes, clogs, sandals). I'd been curious about the soft footbed, so decided on Bostons (my go-to style, even ahead of Arizonas). No break-in necessary, comfortable right out of the box. I wear these for work, as well as evenings out. Happy to have added these to the mix.

I followed the advice of several and ordered the narrow and a size down from my regular size (8-8.5, for the record and I feel I have a normal width foot). The narrow arrived and I could barely get my foot in and there was zero room for socks. I returned those and ordered the size 38 in a regular width and a 39 in regular width. What I discovered, oddly, was that both shoes seemed to be identical in fit. The regular width in the 38 added more room to the back of the shoe, as well as, more room overall, as compared to the narrow 38. I plan to wear these in the winter in the Midwest so I will have socks, and thick ones at that. I wore them to work today for the first time and I didn’t feel they needed the usual break-in period. They were plenty comfortable. So my advice is order the narrow if you do not plan to wear socks and a size down. I returned the 39, obviously. I’m hoping to have happy feet again and some relief from plantar fasciitis.

My feet love Birkenstocks. I wear the most amusing socks I can find with Betula's and I have my Eric Carle Hungry Caterpillar socks on today. Happy Autumnal Equinox. It's sock season!

I wondered why this particular style/color was on sale for more than 30% off and the rest were not. In the back of my mind I knew something was probably wrong. I LOVE Birkenstock and own several pairs. This order was by far the biggest disappointment. I'm attaching two pictures...yes, I was dumb enough to order the same shoe twice hoping that the first pair was a fluke. First picture is the first pair I ordered...made from two completely different pieces of suede. One shoe was smooth, the other was so "nubby" that it looked like it had been worn for years. The second picture is of the second pair...if you can, zoom in on the picture. The tops of both shoes have HUGE light-colored smudges. Terrible quality for a $100 shoe (on sale). Zappos and Birkenstock, you both should be ashamed. Buyers, beware, both pair are a size 38, black suede. We all deserve better. I'm a long-standing, frequent Zappos shopper, and this experience will weigh heavy when choosing to buy something on sale.

I really like the Soft Footbed shoes. I wear these in the house as slippers since I need a more supportive shoe than slippers can provide. I tried the regular Birkenstocks, but since I had foot surgery my super sensitive feet can just not do the breaking in they require. The Soft Footbeds fit the bill. They are really supportive and require no breaking in.

(Updating an earlier review.) I was concerned about the material at the arch -- it was so soft it kept catching under my foot as I walked. I wore light socks to keep it from doing that for a week or so. After that it was fine, even with bare feet. So don't worry if that happens to you! Perfect shoe!

I wanted to write for those who are unsure which size to get. I intended on wearing mine with socks inside the house because I’m starting to have metatarsal issues. I wear a 7 in sandles and heels but get my running shoes in an 8 or 8.5 for toe and swelling room. I was unsure if I should size up because socks could create a tightness issue. I ordered a 38 narrow and they feel great even with thin ankle socks. I left the socks on for the pic...foot fits perfectly!

I’ve worn these for the past ten years, often daily and always consistently—but they finally needed to be replaced. Rather than reinvent the wheel, as I’m always anxious to try new things, I stayed with the IDENTICAL Birks. I debated this, but Here is my reasoning: Couldn’t ask for a better shoe. It held up well. Super convenient. Super comfortable. Great air travel shoe—or just all around shoe. It’s my house slippers. My casual Shoes. I’ve hiked in them, I’ve kayaked in them. You can dress them up or down. Great with a nice pair of khakis and Oxford short. Great with jeans and a nice sweater. Great with a pair of shorts and t-shirt. The black Suede goes with everything so as much as i wanted to try a different color, I really thought it best to stick with the same color. They wear well. The more you wear them and break them in, the better they look. After ten years, I was still wearing them to church. Still wearing them to appointments. I probably only “cleaned” the suede once or twice. Brushed it out once or twice. That’s it. I just wiped them down when needed dirt/mud/etc. with a soft microfiber rag and they always looked good. I wear these in all seasons too. Thick wool socks and my birks are essential in the fall and winter. Did i mention for a long flight too? Okay, you have to avoid snow for the most part, but you can get through it if you have to. Four seasons shoes. Haha Lastly, the style. Maybe I’m getting so old i don’t know what’s cool anymore—-but I still get compliments on these when they should be considered last decade. Does anyone still wear Eastlands? doc martins? Those ar egrets examples of casual all around FAD-shoes that have all but disappeared. Strangely, these Birkenstock’s seems to endure the trends. Buy a pair and you won’t be disappointed.

Absolutely love these Birkenstock slippers. I have hardwood floors in my apartment and use these indoors only. I bring them with me if I'm visiting my folks' house as they have hardwood too. I can wear these all day and my feet are comfortable - they don't feel fatigued. Totally recommend for indoors AND outdoors.

Can’t take them off, they have become my everyday wears.

Great for plantar fasciitis - These shoes have been great for my aching heel (from plantar fasciitis). I couldn't believe the difference they made--this shoe really does cradle and support that heel, with excellent arch support to further promote healing. I wear my Boston’s to work, and have a pair of Arizona sandals that I slip into at home. I prefer the sandals because I can tighten both straps for a more secure feel, but the Boston clogs are great for fall/winter wear.

I have been eyeing these shoes for so long but couldn't justify buying them since I already have the Arizona Birkenstock. But I decided to buy them for myself for Christmas and I am so happy with them. It was almost impossible to find my size since they were all virtually sold out everywhere, but they had it here in my size in the narrow version and they fit like a glove. They are so comfortable and so stylish. I haven't been able to wear it much since it's been super icy and snowing lately, but I am so excited to wear them out more once the weather warms up! I would say that unless you have incredibly wide feet, the narrow fit just like normal!

Very comfortable shoe. I’ve been a fan of Birkenstock’s for over a decade. I love the Arizona sandals and these Bostons. Because I have a large bunion on my left toe, this is one of the few shoes that doesn’t press against it. Highly recommended. Great customer service from Zappos, as always. Love this Mink Suede color too.

I have to have a very wide toe box because I’ve worn sandals and been barefoot most of my life, so restricted shoes are not an option for me. The Boston’s have literally the widest toe box I have ever seen. Even without a “wide” width, these sandals are absolutely the widest toe box, with plenty of room for my yogi toes! The soft foot bed is softer than the traditional Birkenstock cork footbed, but it is certainly NOT a Clark’s or anything super cushioned. There is just a very thin layer of cushioning in the footbed. If you are not a typical Berkie and are coming from a very cushioned/orthotic shoe, you will certainly feel a little break-in period, especially if you are on your feet all day. The style is unisex... there’s not much to be said about it. You either like them or you don’t! I think these look best paired with jeans or tie-dye pants. They are perfect for everyday slip-on and run out the door shoes! I certainly wouldn’t wear them for long walks, hikes, days at the theme park, or a 12 hour shift at the hospital. But for kicking around the house, and going out for errands, etc, they are spot on.

I have wide feet, high arches and Morton's Neuroma (in both feet) so I purchased these Birks knowing I'd get the arch support I need, and that they'd be wide enough. Wow! These have become my favorite shoes. They are so comfortable (love the softbed), have terrific arch support and totally relieve the affects of Morton's Neuroma. Yes, they are dorky looking, but who cares when you have happy feet! I love the purple and figured what the heck, if I was buying shoes for total comfort, might as well get one of my favorite colors! This is not the first time I've bought Birks. I live in Birk sandals in the summer and fall. Think I'll order another pair of these softbeds. They are so comfy.

It’s the second time ordering the black suede and this was a replacement pair and it had the same problem with the top of the shoes worn and damaged. This is getting to be ridiculous Zappos...

This style and size are a perfect fit. They’re roomy in the toes and snug enough not to slip around or fall off. VERY comfortable and I can wear them all day long walking around anywhere. Love these shoes!

I wear US size 9.5 Medium. After reading reviews, I purchased 40 Narrow. They are a perfect fit and I love them! Wow, I'm so glad I tried these because I'm so tired of enjoying a great shoe that has been discontinued or revised. The main reason for even considering this was because this style has been around for years and after reading the reviews, I thought if it works, I can keep purchasing more replacements and even additional colors. Well, that's exactly what I'm going to do! Thanks Zappos

I just received my Birkenstocks today and I already love them! I wear a size 8 shoe in most cases so I ordered the size 39 (8-8.5US) in narrow and they fit wonderfully! Reviews said to order the narrow if you don't have wide feet because the regular size was wide, so I did. Just right! I had a knock-off cheaper pair of clogs and they don't even come close to the comfort of my real ones! I tried them on with regular socks and also some thicker socks and they still fit wonderfully. I'll be wearing them all of the time! The Barn Red color is so cool and can be worn with nearly anything! I'd recommend these to anybody!