Customer Reviews Birkenstock Milano - Leather Soft Footbed (Unisex)

The is my second pair of the Birkenstock Milanos. The first pair I bought this spring in Germany while on vacation. The weather had turned warmer and my feet were too hot in the shoes that I had brought with me. So I walked into a Birkenstock store and purchased the Milano (but in the faux leather) and walked out wearing them and carrying my old shoes. From that day on there was no turning back - I wore those sandals the rest of vacation and we were averaging 7+ miles a day. Once I got home I seemed to never take them off, they very easily became my go-to shoe. In Germany, I tried both the narrow and the regular widths. Both fit, but the wider version definitely feel more comfortable in the store, and since then I have been really glad I purchased the regular width. After much deliberation and 4 months of wear, I decided to splurge on the real leather Milanos with the soft footbed. Here are my observations. The real leather is definitely worth the additional cost. The non-leather ones were a bit stiff and rough. They seemed like they would give me a blister or some pain before I broke them in and they did not, BUT the real leather ones were definitely more comfortable and pliant immediately and you can tell the higher quality. Now the price difference is not insignificant, but I would say that if you can pay the difference, do, it is worth it. The leather also have a nicer look to it - they have a soft sheen and deep color that is above the non-leather ones. As to the soft footbed, this one is a wash for me. The additional cost was minimal (maybe $10) but honestly I can't tell that much of a difference. I think they feel a bit thicker and maybe a tiny bit softer, but honestly the non-soft footbed ones are just as comfortable. I say if you want to save a little money don't get the soft footbed. Again, it may just be personal preference. Last thought. I always thought Birkenstocks to be a bit ugly. I didn't get people who wee fanatics. I TOTALLY get it now. I used to be someone that as soon as I walked into the house I kicked off my shoes. I genuinely forget that I have these on and because I have a tile floor in my kitchen I sometimes leave them on because the floor is cold. My toes are not squished like in most shoes, the arch support feels comfortable and firm, and despite being leather they are not too hot even on the hottest of summer days. I am sure I am not going to want to take them off this winter and I am going to end up being one of those crazy sandal-with-sock-wearing people. Oh well. The joy of being older is that you don't give a flying hoot. My feet are happy and that makes me happy.

When I first got these sandals, I would have easily given them 5 stars. I normally wear a US 10.5-11 and I ordered a size 43. I opened the box when they got here and it was like they were made for my feet. They are, hands down, the most comfortable shoes that I've ever owned. That said, 6 months later, I would give them a 1 or 2 star review. As far as durability goes, they are terrible. The sole has worn down on the heel almost to the cork and the cork is deteriorating all around the heel cup and the front of the sandal. I have had another popular brand of sport sandals in the past, for like 2/3's of the price of the Birkenstocks, that have lasted me for years. For the premium price, I expect a product that will last me for a long time. Even Zappos customer service said that they think that Birks were meant to last a "lifetime". I am very disappointed with the overall quality of the sandals (long term) and I will never purchase a pair of Birkenstocks again. Zappos is great! They got my order to me super fast and free shipping. When I had an issue with the shoes, their customer service team handled it to more than my satisfaction. I will definitely be buying from Zappos.com again.

I ordered this style because I wanted sandals with a strap around the heel. They are comfortable, however the leather is quite stiff so I wasn't able to wear them for long periods of time right out of the box. I've been wearing them with socks this winter and hoping that they will soften up by spring. I do like them with socks. The other downside is all the buckles. I guess I'm in denial about my age. A few years ago it wouldn't have bothered me at all, but now I find myself annoyed by all the buckling required. Perhaps I should have chosen the slip-ons.

Milano sandals are available with a choice of four or five types of both real leather straps and also with fake leather straps. The Almalfi leather is a very hard leather that does not soften much over the years. If all three straps are kept loose, as recommended, Amalfi leather is very comfortable. If the straps are too tight, walking will be painful. To center the arch support as intended, there must be at least 1/3 inch of open space in front of the big toe and behind the heel. Many women choose narrow width Birks and go one size down to make their feet look more petite...and then they complain about pain. In reality, most men and many women need the wider regular width for proper fit, plus they need the 1/3 inch of open space. If you already wear Birks, new Milanos will conform to your feet for great comfort after the first week. If you are new to Birks, wear them an hour a day the first week and two hours a day the second week. Your feet must adjust to good arch support after a lifetime of shoes with little or no arch support. In a month, your feet will be adjusted and you will love your Milanos. To avoid refastening the strap each day, leave the rear strap loose. Slide your foot in and pull the rear strap up over your heel. Your Milanos can last ten, fifteen, or twenty years. Just replace the sole whenever needed.

Let me start by saying that I have an auto-immune disease that has caused sudden and severe cartilage loss in my feet. I deal with foot pain and sometimes debilitating swelling when I'm in the middle of a big flare. Finding shoes that support my feet, decrease stress on the joints, and provide maximum comfort for my heel is a must! I've finally found them in Birkenstock. Plus, I feel like they have very good arch support. Been wearing them for two weeks and I've already noticed a massive difference for the better. I also think they're retraining me how to walk more correctly. I wish I had forked over the money ages ago....

I am recovering from extensive foot surgery of both feet and it seems that the only shoes I can wear are either extra wide athletic shoes with the Birkenstock Blue arch supports or this soft footbed sandal with the back strap. The Arizona sandals don't work because it's too much work to hold them on my feet without the strap (my toes are still real sore & not very flexible). I'm not sure what the secret is-maybe the great arch support and metatarsal support, but Birkenstock to the rescue! I ordered a size down. Even though I ordered the "regular" footbed, I still had to have a shoemaker drill an extra hole in both of the front straps due to fact that my feet are still swollen, but it works! I thought the leather would be tough to break in, and really rough on all those incisions, but it was not a problem. I did get a nail file and "rough up" the edges of the underside of the leather where I thought it would rub my toes & that did the trick (that's always been one of my secrets to breaking in the leather & nubuck on new Birkenstocks! It works like a charm!).

I have never purchased Birkenstocks before because most styles I liked were slip-on and didn't have a backstrap. I have some foot issues (hallux rigidus) that require that I don't use my toes to grip to hold sandals on, so no flip-flops, slides etc. I got these yesterday and they were comfortable right out of the box. I wore them around the house all day just to be sure, but no rubbing or discomfort of any kind. I really like the funky (not orthopedic) look. Highly recommend!

This shoe deserves a review, especially to help others knows the pros and cons. I wear a women's 8M in all street shoes, a 39 in the Birk Arizona, and a 38 in Birk Yara. I wear a 39 Reg in this shoe, and it does leave me with plenty of room. This shoe works best if you allow extra room, and also if you don't make the straps too tight. Easy does it best with the Milano. Some reviews complain of stiff leather, difficult buckles, and shiny leather. Yes, the leather is stiff, but not in a pain causing way, at all. The inside feels very soft and comfortable. Because the leather is stiff, it does make buckling more difficult. My solution: buckle them more loosely than tight, and leave them there. The leather does have shine, not dull, but it is not at all like patent leather that looks like it was wiped with Vaseline. The back strap keeps this shoe stable and secure, which I really like. But, I'd prefer to slip it on each time, as opposed to buckling. So, true confession, I never undo the buckles, but I squish my foot as far forward as I can and then pull the strap up behind my heel. This isn't always easy, and sometimes I sweat and curse, but the comfort of the shoe makes it worthwhile to me. Mostly, do not make any of the straps too tight. Looser is actually better with this shoe. They aren't going anywhere. I bought the Amalfi Brown, and the craftsmanship is excellent. The buckles appear to have copper plating, for a more subdued look, as opposed to bright and shiny. The brown is very dark, like a french roast coffee bean, but certainly not black. I am surprised how these have become my go-to shoe for comfort, considering they aren't overly cushioned, etc. I do like the soft insole and the feel is very nice. When I look down at the shoes while wearing, they look a bit oversized, but when I look in a full length mirror, they just look perfect. I hope this review helps if you might be on the fence. If you're on the fence, try them.

I have wide feet (size 11, width 4E) and have been experiencing plantar fasciitis (arch pain). I have been fitted for custom orthotics, but even the custom orthotics aren't right for me: they feel like I have an egg under my right foot--even after a second adjustment. I tried virtually all of the Superfeet insoles, and none of them is quite right. I have settled on a Sole heat-moldable insole as the best for me so far. Right now, I'm wearing Mephistos with the Sole insoles for casual shoes, Allen Edmonds for dress shoes, and Brooks for running shoes. Suffice it to say that I am very picky about the comfort of my shoes. When it comes to sandals, I originally wore Ecco's, which worked for me until I started experiencing the fasciitis. Then I moved over to Keen's. Arch support was definitely lacking, so I tried the soft footbed Birkenstock Milanos. I was a bit worried at first. When I first tried them on, it felt like I had an egg under my right foot--just like with the custom insoles. But I decided to stick with them any way. It took about 20 hours of wearing to break in the soles so that they are now almost perfectly molded to my feet. My only real complaint initially was that because my feet are so fat, I needed to add an extra hole to the straps. The leather was just too stiff to wear them comfortably at first. But then I started to feel a little rubbing on my little toe, so after the initial break-in, I tightened the straps again to the original last hole. Now they are perfect--no rubbing, and a super comfortable insole. Allen Edmonds dress shoes also have a cork insole, and they are relatively comfortable--albeit slightly too narrow for me. The Birkenstocks are just the right width for me. The cork insole molded to my foot so that the arch support is perfect--no pain at all. The soft sole provides a little bit of padding, making them even more comfortable. I'm now thinking about buying a pair of soft bed Arizonas to wear around the house, since the Milanos worked out so well for me.

I've been wearing this model sandal for at least 20 years, after owning a few pairs of Arizonas. Obviously I like them; but what differentiates the Milano model is the heel strap. One can actually run a bit in them; they won't fall or flip off. I'm looking forward to trying the soft footbed, which my others did not have. The heels do wear but can be repaired, and with a more durable material if one wants. Eventually, the cork will start to fail between one's toes and metatarsals: a reminder that you need new ones. On balance, then, I highly recommend this shoe.

The Milano soft footbed has an added foam layer that provides both added comfort right out of the box and a more snug fit in the regular width. My other Milanos are regular width with the original firm footbed and they fit me a bit wider than ideal. My Arizona sandals are great around the house but tend to slip off my feet on my morning two mile walk. I hoped that Milanos would provide a more secure fit. I first made the mistake of keeping the toe strap, ankle strap and heel strap snug. That provided a VERY uncomfortable walking experience. A Zappos reviewer said he keeps his straps looser for a comfortable fit. So, I tried keeping the toe strap semi-loose, the ankle strap moderately loose and the heel strap VERY loose. The Milanos are now very comfortable on long walks. Surprisingly, even with the heel strap loose, they remain securely on my feet. As a bonus, the loose heel and ankle straps enable me to slip on my Milanos without unbuckling and re-buckling a strap...bending down to reach my feet is not as easy as it was 70 years ago.

This is my 5th pair of Birkenstock sandals. I love them and they do so many good things for my feet. I purchased this style after seeing someone out and about in them and figured I would get a pair for myself! The soft footbed is very comfortable and soft; it also adds nice arch support for my very high-arched feet. I especially like the added strap and buckle near the heel - it keeps the sandal from sliding off your foot. As with Birkenstock I have to size down. Instead of my usual size EU37/US6-6.5 I have to order EU36/US5-5.5 which fit perfectly. One thing about the leather straps is that I need to break them in more...they are a bit stiff and are digging into my toes a bit. But, I know that will pass as did with my other sandals. Overall, a really nice addition to my ever growing collection of Birkenstock.

I've always loved the Birkenstocks. I've had many pairs over the years. Sorry to say that this purchase of Milano's is a huge disappointment. I could hardly get my feet into them with the upper and lower straps on the largest opening. I looked at the reviews to see if anyone else had experienced the same problem and the answer is yes. Another individual had reviewed them with one star and had experienced the exact same issue. I too, did the same experiment by holding the soles together with a pair of Arizona's purchased just seven months ago, bottom to bottom, and yes it's true, the soles on the new Milano's are a good 1/4 to 3/8 inch narrower. The footbed is much narrower. Have a look at the photo I've attached. Is this a manufacturing error or is Birkenstock downsizing these formerly comfortable sandals? If this is a downsizing effort to economize, it's quite the foolhardy one. I believe we all purchase the Birkies for comfort. As more individuals discover this narrow, uncomfortable footbed they will be forced to look elsewhere for comfortable sandals. If you too have experienced this, I urge you to make your voice heard. It may be the only way to see the Birkenstock's returned to their former comfortable quality.

After college I strayed away from Birks. 20 years later, I’m back and it feels so good. For me the “soft footbed” is a must. The arch support initially feels less than, say, Chacos (which I love). But after a few weeks of wear the footbed molds to your own feet, providing a customized cushioned chariot for your tootsies. I also prefer the more rigid leather to the super soft soft suede upper, but both have their own advantages. I once had the classic “Arizona” but now prefer the heel strap on the Milano. I can pop them on without undoing the buckles. The dark brown is the perfect neutral without being as severe as black. Love them.

For a size 8.5, I originally ordered a 39. 40 is the PERFECT FIT! Love these!!!

I wore Birkenstocks in the '60s and loved them. Now I'm way older, have a bunion, painful feet and am always looking for a comfortable walking sandal for traveling where I will walk all day long. I tried three other Birks and they were so painful and would not stay on my feet. The Milano has a back strap which makes them much more stable. The soft footbed made them comfortable right away. I think the tops in that strange leather are ugly. I wish these were in oiled leather, but comfort wins out. Birkenstock has made fine shoes for decades. When are they going to make some that are pretty!

They fit my wives foot length wise, but there was not enough holes in the traps to make larger. My wife is a very petite lady and thin. I don't understand who can wear these. I shouldn't have to make holes in the straps. Also came in a generic box and looked like they had been tried on too many times. Maybe these are defective.

I'm a hardcore Birkenstock fan with 4 pairs of Footprints shoes and 2 pairs of Milanos. I've had the Milanos for several years now and the soles on both are worn out. One was the smooth leather, called Hunter in the past, and the other was the oiled leather. Between the two I much prefer the smooth leather which is apparently now called Amalfi. However the Amalfi leather is only available with the soft footbed which I've never had before. Ordered a 44 regular as before and all sounded good but when I got them in I could barely get my feet in, even with the buckles in the last hole. I held them up sole to sole to my old Milanos and they were 1/4" to 3/8" narrower. They are clearly marked regular width but something just ain't right. The padded insole could be raising the footbed a bit also and therefore making the straps tighter than the unpadded insoles. Still doesn't account for the narrower outsole. Anyway, I'm extremely disappointed. I was kinda looking forward to trying the padded insoles. I'm still a bit puzzled by the majority of reviewers saying the width is true. Maybe I just got a fluke pair or something but I'm afraid if I reorder I'll just get another of the same. Maybe if I go up a size the width will be slightly wider.

I order the same size 38 regular in the unisex Milano as I do in the women's Birkenstocks. My podiatrist recommended that I wear these with the back strap instead of the Florida or Arizona as the Milano provides a lot more stability which it important for plantar fasciitis. The leather softens and once the straps are adjusted where you like it is easy to slip them on and off without having to unbuckle them. This shoe is a winner and a classic style.

I love Birkenstocks but I ordered these twice thinking I just kept getting the wrong ones shipped to me, but like some other reviews I am seeing, they do not look oiled or worn at all! They are very shiny and almost look like patent leather. The product I’ve received (twice) looks nothing like the photo!

I paid $135 for the brown amalfi leather Birkenstock Milanos. What I got was either nubuck fake leather or birko-flor fake leather. The color is completely different, and the material is obviously synthetic. Nice bait and switch. Not going to work on me though. Going straight back in the mail tomorrow.

AFter shopping the BIrk Milano for a few weeks (a reward to myself for an accomplishment--so I need to get it RIGHT), i was torn. LOVE the soft footbed but it is only available in the Amalfi Leather which is shiny--and not in the Oiled leather. After a couple of weeks of deliberation (and consultation with family), I decided the Oiled leather with the regular footbed will wear better over the years without showing the scratches, etc of the Amalfi--and the footbed will settle in just fine. I have a few other pairs of Birkes without the soft footbed, so no reason to doubt this. Bought my 'regular' size in Birkenstock which is one size smaller than 'recommended'. I did get the 'recommended' size once and have decided it it just too big (clown feet...) Zappos has been SO patient with me and of course the speedy service has been awesome.

These have helped me immensely. I suffer from plantar fasciitis and Achilles' tendinitis. I wear them primarily around the house because I can't walk barefoot and slip-ons exacerbate my tendinitis.

I love these shoes so, so, so much. They look great with everything. The leather is amazing -- while Birki-Flor is terrific, the leather is an upgrade. The soft footbed is a step up in comfort without sacrificing arch support. The ankle strap keeps my foot more supported and comfortable. And as is the case with all Birkenstock sandals I've tried, they have the same benefit for my feet as my custom orthotics (my feet developed terrible bunions after my second pregnancy), but I like the look much better than orthotic shoes and sandals. These shoes were a bit of a splurge for me, but so far, I can feel the benefit of the investment in every step. I hope they last and last, as my other Birkenstock sandals have. And finally, Zappos customer service can't be beat. They have a loyal customer in me. I got a size 40, which I always wear in Birkenstocks and many other shoes with European sizing. However, I see in various charts that size 40 is equivalent to US size 9, and I'm usually more of a 9.5. Finally, I have very narrow feet with high arches, and both the regular- and narrow-width Birkenstock shoes fit very well, depending on what's available.

I love the soft foot bed, molding well after three days of breaking in. Excited for the leather to break in over time. Great arch support. I didn’t notice a minor flaw in the leather today, I might order directly from Birkenstock next time just because Of the price investment it’s a bummer to see a flaw. But I’m not too picky so overall they are a great pick for comfy shoes.