Customer Reviews Birkenstock Maine

First off, I'm a seasoned Birkenstock owner. I've purchased Birkenstock shoes and sandals personally many times from the factory in Germany so I feel well qualified to comment on this purchase. The fit was great except in one area, the toe ridge. Although I have Birkenstock shoes of the same size, the toe ridge felt too far forward and hit beyond the toes. I tried to like them but knew they wouldn't work and was disappointed when I made the decision to return them. A smaller size wouldn't work either as shoes typically require more length than sandals due to the enclosed toe box. Anyway, I think it's a great shoe that needs just a bit more development.

These are much cuter and more comfortable than I expected them to be! My doctor recommended them to allow my feet to heal from plantar fasciitis. I got a full size smaller than I wear in other brands -- perfect. These are every bit as good as the traditional Birks, plus warm for winter. Suede is soft but holds its shape. At the recommendation of the doc, I am breaking them in without socks for proper fit. I am impressed with these shoes and wish they came in lots of fun colors! Only downside is price. Ouch. But worth it!

I have owned numerous pairs of Birkenstocks over the years and I have never been dissatisfied. These did seem to take a little more time to break in than some, but the end result is a wonderful shoe! The only caution I would have would be to warn others that have never broken in a pair of Birks. At first, they feel like wearing a block of inflexible wood under your feet. You will wonder how they could ever feel comfortable. Follow the recommended break in procedure and you will be rewarded. It takes time for the cork insole to mold to your foot, but once it does, these are so comfortable! The only comparison I can think of is slipping on a worn baseball glove...ahhh! Excellent arch support and amazing durability!

This was my third pair of Birkenstocks in one year. I fell in love with my first pair of sandals and bought the London style soon afterward. I saw the new Maine style, decided these were much better looking than the Londons (even though the Londons are still good) and talked myself into buying them. Initially, I encountered some odd problems with the Maines, primarily that they felt way too narrow and it was extremely difficult to get my feet inside. Strange since they were the same size I always bought. Also, there was a flap of leather on the interior of the shoe that tended to rub painfully against the sides of my feet. I contemplated sending them back for a bigger size but decided to wait and see how they broke in. Fortunately, after a week's worth of wear, the Maines loosened up and the discomfort from those flaps disappeared. (I read another review complaining of the same thing and that customer sent his back. He should have just allowed for adequate break-in time.) These shoes are now the most comfortable that I own. I also find them to be quite stylish and have gotten a few complements (even though my sister laughs and calls them "hobo shoes").

I love these shoes - you will too! These are great shoes, plenty of room in toe box, cool looking, etc. But keep in mind that Birkenstock figures widths differently than most of us, so if you have a B-C width, get the Narrow. Their 'Regular' width is very wide.

The small pieces of leather at the joint of the front and back halves of the shoe, mentioned by many reviewers could certainly be an issue. I would be happier if they weren't there, but I can live with them. Overall I like the shoes very much. I can wear them all day and my feet and my knees (bothered by some shoes) feel fine. I like the looks much more than I was expecting.

I tried these on in a store but they didn't have my size. I checked on Zappos and they not only had them in my size, but also on sale. I have plantar fasciitis in both feet making finding a comfortable pair of shoes nearly impossible. These are about as close as I've been able to come. They have awesome support across the middle of the arch and I like the toe ridge. They look nice dressed up or down. My foot is normal width and I opted for the narrow based on another review here. They fit great.

I bought my first Birkenstock sandals last year and loved them. Just got these, my first Birkenstock shoes, and love them just as much. Make sure you get the size that fits, as they definitely run large.

I absolutely love this shoe. I wear a 10.5 WW in other brands and the fit and support in the 40 R are great -- true to size for Birkenstock. The materials are high quality, typical for Birkenstock, and the laces are thick, giving the shoe a cool look. The taupe suede is really nice, but I wish Birkenstock would offer this style and the Dundee chukka boot style in smooth leather so I could wear them in any weather.

I am quite poor and I do not buy anything that I do not absolutely need, but I also have plantar fasciitis and Birkenstocks are the only shoes that I can wear without experiencing serious pain. I have tried just about every shoe and insole that is out there, but Birkenstocks are the only shoes that do not leave me hurting. When it got cold, I started drooling over these shoes and eventually dipped into my savings to buy them. That was such a great decision! They are like heaven on my feet and are so cozy warm (even without socks). They are perfect for winter and great for us folks with plantar fasciitis. My only guff with them is that they are a bit wide and felt like clown shoes when I first bought them. I have gotten used to the style, though, and now I like the look of them. In fact, I get compliments on them quite regularly.

These shoes provide great arch support with a simple style. I ended up buying another pair in a different color.

Very comfortable, feet didn't get hot, wicks away moisture. I'm normally a Birkenstock sandal girl, but I do wear these at least 3 days a week.

Love, love, love these shoe! Another Birkenstock winner! Ordered one afternoon - got them the next day! Thanks Zappos!

Love these shoes. I have problems with my arch and ankle and was able to wear Birkenstocks all summer without my orthotics. I was thrilled to find closed shoe Birkenstocks that give me the same reliable support as my sandals did. The blue suede goes well with my jeans. Would love them in other colors because they are so comfortable.

This is about my 7th pair of Birks. I have been wearing them for over 35 years. I got the Maine on advise to help my plantar fasciitis. They were the best I could hope for. It was a feels-so-good-pain for my foot to wear these the first few days! Really! Better arch support than any other Birks I've owned. They really stretched my arch to the heel. After 2 weeks my foot plantar fasciitis didn't hurt anymore. I still wear them every day at work, which I am on my feet at least 9+ hours. I am very happy with them. I ordered my regular size 8 . The toe box is rather large, I wonder if the narrow would be as comfortable? I wish I would have ordered a narrow also to try. I have no problem with the toe ridge as another reviewer mentioned. I also had no problem breaking them in with socks. I got the denim blue suede. Great color. I highly recommend. They are pricey but worth having my feet feel better & no more plantar fasciitis! I have worn Earth shoes, Converse, & Merrell, along with my Burkes. Sorry Converse, you are out...for now.

I LOVE THESE SHOES. They are so incredibly comfortable and sturdy. I need high quality shoes with arch support, otherwise my feet and knees will hurt, and these shoes are doing a great job. I also have wide feet and these shoes accommodate them. There is a place by the grommets where the leather sticks out a little bit inside, but doesn't bother me at all when I wear socks. I think they are cute and have gotten a few compliments on them, but the style certainly isn't for everyone. For reference, I wear a 7.5 or 8 wide (American sizing) and have these in 37.

I ordered my regular size in Birkenstocks, 39, but these were way too big. I did like the style and hated that they didn't fit.

These shoes are excellent and the shipping was very fast! I'm on my feet all day and over the years I've preferred Birkenstock shoes for their comfort, agility, minimal design and light weight. I find the narrow sizes fit me more snug. After three work shifts of wearing these they were broken in perfectly and are a dream to wear. Also, Zappos was very accommodating in my returning another pair of shoes I ordered along with these that didn't fit as well. Thank you!

I purchased this shoe for my son as a birthday present. He loved it! Great fit. I did order two sizes as I wasn't sure of the fit. Easy return for the one he didn't keep! He loved the comfort and style of the shoe-of course he's a big Birkenstock fan-has worn them for years.

This is my first pair of Birkenstocks. When I received them they were flawless, beautiful shoes although some people think they look a little quirky. That is because of the functionality of the widened toe area. When I first tried them on they were surprisingly stiff. It took about three weeks to break them in. The cork footbed has to shape itself to your foot. Also, at first the middle toe rubbed on the edge of the cork bed in front of the shoe. Once they started to break in, they are the best fitting shoes and I feel they are attractive too. But, as I stated, some others think they are clunky. Not me. I love them!

Great replacement for my old Birkenstock Alabamas. I wasn't crazy about the darkness of the brown, or the lighter soles of the beige leather, but after wearing these for a while the worn look has made the brown look a little lighter. These shoes do take a bit to break in (as do most Birkentocks), but once you do, they are VERY comfortable. My Alabamas (the predecessor to this style) lasted me 7 years as my main shoe. I expect these will do the same. Worth the high price tag in my opinion.

Having worn the Birkenstock Alabama, the Maine predecessor, for over six years I was happy to see that Birkenstock came out with a similarly designed shoe. They are pricey but it's worth it for a comfortable, quality shoe. I'm sure this pair will last me for just as long at the Alabamas I bought in '05.

If you wear Birks and need a real closed-heel shoe, you'll love this shoe. I need a very wide toe bed due to bunions and I have neuropathy and you can tie it as narrow as needed through the laces. I usually wear a 41 but it was way too long and a 40 is perfect. It is very comfortable and no time getting use to it. Yes, it cost a little more, but it is so rich looking, not heavy and a classic. It looks awesome with my Christmas socks!

A unique style of Birckenstocks (I usually wear clogs). These offer the same comfort and quality. They remind me of my "earth shoes" from the 70's. I wear nothing but Birckenstocks due to their construction and comfort...another pair that will last for YEARS!