Customer Reviews Birkenstock Arizona High Arch (Unisex)

I bought this after hearing, by and large, positive things about Birkenstocks from people who have plantar fasciitis, which I struggle with. I went to an orthopedic shoe store and was sized appropriately. The salesman kind of raised his eyebrows when he saw my arches. Apparently, they are quite high. However, that store did not carry the high arch support Birks so I ordered them here at Zappos. They arrived quickly and in good condition. They were not as ugly on my feet as I had feared. Actually, in their way, they were kind of cute. It was a new experience to wear a contoured foot bed. The arch support extended the entire length of my arch, rather than a little lump near the front or back of my foot. The first days my feet were achy and swollen before the foot bed conformed to my foot. Now, my feet are in happy harmony with the Birks. I got back from a trade show in San Francisco this week. I wore Mephisto Helens during the day and they did quite well for me, but at night when we walked all over town to eat and take in the sights, my feet felt great in my Birks. The straps did not rub anywhere and it almost felt like I did not have plantar fasciitis at all. Amazing product. I drank the Kool-Aid. I am going to wear Birks wherever and whenever I can get away with it from now on.

My comments are directed to those with plantar fasciitis: This is a great shoe. Both the longitudinal arch and the metatarsal arch are larger than almost any other shoe but not as large as I would like them (I've never worn a shoe with too much arch support). The heel cup feels better (smaller) and there is greater pronation control than with my other Arizona Soft Sole Birkenstocks. The floppy uppers are comfortable on your skin but collapse when your foot is out of the shoe. I think that I would prefer traditional leather uppers which are not available on the high arch version. I had to make an additional hole in the straps with a hammer and nail around 2 cm more medial than the most medial hole (size 13). I find it hard to believe that many have feet large enough to use the lateral holes in the strap. For plantar fasciitis, buy these: HTP heel seats and Orthaheel sandals (flip flops). I will also try the Vasyli medical sandal which is a variation on the Orthaheel sandal. I am still evaluating but have high hopes for the Alzner orthotic from Ebay. Read about the theory of this orthotic which is designed as a form to which your foot should conform. I tried the Moszkito Archy flip flops which are supposed to be "archy" and the Sole flip flops but they do not have the support that the Orthaheels have. I try to buy all of my shoes from Zappos because the return policy is about as good as it can get and I like the shoe reviews.

Without a doubt the most comfortable Birkenstocks I've ever worn. This is my second pair of the high arch model bought from Zappos. Be sure to order narrow if you usually wear the medium width, as the high arch medium seems to be floppy compared to medium in the regular arch models. Zappos' service is legendary; I just wish they carried a wider selection of high arch Birks.

These sandals are amazing. Bought these at the recommendation of podiatrist. I have very high arches and with age the muscles and tendons have stretched and I have become flat footed. Ankles are rolling in big time and it was causing pain in knees, hips and feet. \r\n\r\nNormally I wear an 8.5 Medium width so I ordered a 39 regular, I did have to exchange that pair for a 38 narrow because the 39 regular was huge on me in both width and length. Strap adjustment was initially a nuisance and now that they are adjusted they are perfect. Pain is improving and these are very comfy. No pinching, rubbing or slipping. They are not the most attractive sandal but for comfort, I will live with that. Will certainly purchase other Birkenstocks.

My podiatrist recommended that I get high-arch support Birkenstocks for my plantar fasciitis. My foot is very narrow and this shoe - in narrow - is still big and floppy for me. And ugly for my taste - very, very ugly. But my, oh my are they comfortable. I wear them as house shoes and get immediate relief for my heel pain. I would defintely buy these hideous, expensive, too-wide-despite-their-sizing shoes again. Thanks, Zappos, for carrying them!

Try them on first - Great shoes (I'm on my second pair), but the sizing is a bit tough. They don't come in American half sizes and the sizing itself is often a bit inaccurate. For example I normally wear an American 8 or 8.5. My pair of Birkenstocks is a European 38 and they're still a bit too big. More than other shoes the sizing is important since to wear comfortably your heel needs to sit at the back of the heel cup with the toe bar under the joint of your toes. I strongly suggest trying them on in a store first or ordering three or four sizes and returning the ones that don't fit perfectly. Properly resoled these will last you a very long time.

I like these shoes, but I hate the color and that it is only available in suede. The suede stretches far too quickly. I have been wearing these just for a month and already have to punch more holes to keep them snug. The arch support is great!

First time wearer - Very comfortable shoes! I took a size smaller than usual. Nice arch support and wide width. I'll probably order another pair.

The higher arch and narrow width have resulted in greatly reduced back pain. So glad they were available at Zappos.

I wore them all over NYC during a hot August weekend and my feet felt great. Debating on buying another pair.

Great sandals, 2nd pair I've owned. I ordered the smaller size which fits perfectly.

Comfort & Support - Birkenstock's offer REAL arch support and comfort. They are a quality made product with the added opportunity of extending the life of the shoe with minimal care. Say good-bye to foot and leg pain.

I have a pair of Arizonas in the same size, but not high-arch. I wanted more arch support, so I ordered these - they do have more arch support, but they're a little wider and longer than the pair I have...bummer because I love my Birks, but these are a little too big. Love Zappos service!

Love the high arch design, which is helping my developing bunion. Wish they had this footbed in more than two styles. Zappos service was great.

I LOVE these shoes!!! I have a very high arch and short wide feet. These are the most comfortable shoes I have ever owned. I usually wear a 6.5 in other shoes. But since these actually fit my feet I wear a 35 in this shoe which is like a 5 or 5.5 in other shoes. Thanks to Zappos for the excellent and fast service to get me the right size. They did take a couple of days to break in, but they are now my favorites! I just wish they had more styles with the high arch, I would love to find some that I could wear to work.

I was desperately in need of shoes with good arch support and these were the answer. I had to order them from a different retailer because Zappos didn't have my size, but I plan to get the other high arch Birkies from here when the weather cools off IF they have my size. Had to punch extra holes in the straps to get them tight enough, but not a big deal. I'm very pleased to find shoes that deliver on their promise of good arch support.

The product is wonderful as always with Birkenstock. Your site, the ordering process, shipping, notificaton was tops and so appreciated by this 85 year old young lady!

This is my fourth pair of Birks; I purchased two different styles in the "High Arch" and have found them to be more comfortable than the regular arch. I have plantar fasciitis in my right heel and the regular arched footbed always made my right foot smart after several hours of wear. These "High Arch" shoes are very comfortable, the leather straps so soft, I only wish they came in the soft footbed, never been crazy about the hard footbed. I am so glad I ordered the narrow width, the wide would have looked ridiculous. I still love high heels and wear these Birks when my feet need a break. I also recommend Kenkoh shoes for massaging foot pain away.

I have a high arch and plantar fasciitis. I got these while waiting for my orthotics to arrive. The shoes are very comfortable and the best support I could find for my high arches. Wish they were available in other colors and styles, but thankful that these are available. I have a narrow foot (AA) and bought the narrow size. They fit well with socks, but I really need an extra hole punched for wearing without socks. Overall, I am very happy with this shoe.

The most comfortable shoe I have ever tried. If you have high arches, these are so supportive. Wish came in more colors. I'm using this pair for in home. Will slip on hard wood floors but the comfort is worth it.

I love these shoes. I wish the high arch came in more styles. I've worn out two pair of these sandals. I have a very high instep and arch, and these are so comfortable. I also ordered a narrow, even though I normally wear an M. It fits so much better than the regular width.

I have been wearing Birks for at least 25 years, and a while ago a discovered the high arch version of the Arizonas. Wow! I have high arches, and these shoes are so comfortable. I got my new pair a few weeks ago, and walking is just easy. I use these for hiking in the open space, as they provide support without constriction.

This shoe worked a miracle for me. I have struggled with plantar fasciitis for well over a year, have seen three doctors, and bought two different sets of orthotics. This shoe may have cured the condition. I bought a pair just before traveling to Italy on vacation, hoping the high arch would help my feet while I slowly made a transition to a new orthotic. I never bothered with the orthotic. I wore these sandals all day every day (also stretching my feet as my doctor recommended in the mornings), and I actually felt better after sightseeing all day for two weeks than before I went. I have worn them every day for the rest of the summer and most days now my feet don\'t hurt at all. Truly a miracle. I recommend them highly and just wish they came in more styles. Order a size narrow if your foot is a regular width, as they run very wide.

Nothing wears like a Birkenstock. You don't have to be from the granola eating crew to like what feels good on your feet. I only have 2 feet, like the rest of you, and I treat them to the best. The helped me cure Plantar Fasciitis.

These Birkenstocks are so soft. I wasn’t sure about the high arch at first, but they are working out fine. I do need to add an extra hole on the left shoe, but otherwise they are very comfortable.