Customer Reviews Birkenstock Gary

I've been wearing these for over 4 months now. I have both the black and the tan and I've found the black go with everything. The suede makes them classic looking and the contrast of the outsole makes them unique. I wear them with long dresses, shorts, and leggings. I wear them barefoot. My feet did sweat in them when it was hot out, but they do not smell, even after all day walking New York streets as tourist, or an hour running errands around home. I tried both the narrow and the regular (from a local shoe store), and honestly there wasn't that big a difference in the toe box - where I need it, it was more in the actual width, so if you have a truly all over wide foot, you'd probably won't like the narrow ones as much. I kept them both widths, just tie the regular ones tighter. They don't look frumpy at all. Nothing rubs on my ankles - the leather is very soft. When my feet were very sweaty from walking all day in summer, the black did rub color on to my toes, but it came right off. I put some cork sealer on when I got them, and suede protector spray as well. I wear a 39 in all Birkenstocks, but in certain closed toe styles, my toes may hit the end, but not in these. The 40s are always too big. They are gorgeous shoes, I hope they last a long time.

Foot bed was traditional Birki but somehow these are uncomfortable on the top of the foot when I walked - feels like a tough breakin for me so unfortunately they will go back. FYI my normal 38 fit well (usually a 7 or 7.5 in shoes, plantar fasciitis, high rigid arches)

I wear a 37 Regular in the sandals. I couldn't get my fit into the 37 narrow. I managed to get my foot into the 38 narrow and the fit was ok. 39 Narrow is a great fit. Very comfortable shoe. The toe box is roomy, but doesn't look like a clown shoe like the Birkenstock Maine. I have swollen ankles and the material doesn't cut into my ankles like one reviewer stated.

I usually order the Arizona in a 36 which fits me perfectly. When ordering a full shoe though, the 36 was too small. Just fyi. This shoe is beautiful and well made and I really wanted to order the next size up but I agree with the person who said it's too high on the side and digs into the ankle bone. It will not be comfortable even in the bigger size and I have to return them.

Yay I love these! They were comfortable right out of the box, and the rose color is subtle enough to go with lots of things but pink enough to be different. The sides are a little higher than some similar styles in other brands I have, but unlike some other reviewers I didn’t have any chafing or rubbing (I wore without socks). I am pretty consistently an 8.5, medium to wide feet. I buy 38 in the Birk sandals but I followed advice and got a 39 in these - they’re perfect. Officially they’re “narrow” but I take that to mean they’re more narrow than many Birk styles. They’re not narrow compared to most other shoes, though. I can never wear a narrow in any other brand. I’m excited to wear these into the spring!

I love this new Birkenstock sneaker! It has a typical Birkenstock footbed, which provides good support and plenty of room for toes. The leather is flexible, so I was able to wear the shoes all day (including two miles of walking) with no break in period. I wear a size 40 in other Birkenstock lace-up shoes (and a size 39 in the Arizona sandal), and the size 40 fit well. This shoe is a bit looser in the heel than my other Birkenstock sneakers, but even with my narrow heels, there was minimal slipping. I would definitely buy these again!

Not enough support. Wish they had the overall support of original Birks

The Birkenstock Gary is an extremely well made shoe and very attractive. However, the design is flawed, compromising the fit and comfort. The actual width, as though measuring your footprint at its widest point, is fine but the problem is with the VOLUME of the shoe. It is very shallow with not enough volume between the sole and instep so it's like squeezing your foot into a half closed clam. Once or IF you get your foot into the shoe, there is amble room in the toebox for your toes to wiggle, but the rest of you foot is in a vice. I have been wearing Birkenstocks for many years and always a size 39 but I could hardly squeeze into the Gary in a 39 - and that's without a sock! I did try the shoes with very thin socks to see if the smoothness of the sock would reduce friction, allowing my foot to slip in more easily but to no avail. They were excruciatingly painful. I loved the style so much that I was hoping they'd work but sadly must now return them. If your feet are both narrow and low volume in the instep region, the Gary will work for you. It's a good shoe but the cut is simply not on target, which surprised me being Birkenstock is known for their smart design with a focus on comfort. They missed the mark on this one.

Love these shoes. They are both comfortable and quirky stylish. My normal Arizona Birk size is 39, but 40 in Gary is a better fit for me. These will likely be my daily go-tos until Mayari weather arrives in New England.

These were too high at the ankle and because of that they dug into the ball of my ankle. The collapsable heel was also uncomfortable to step on. The blue color was pretty though. If they made Boston's in the same blue suede I would immediately purchase.

I really wanted to love these. I have narrow flat feet so I love birkenstocks because nothing beats how good they are for your feet and how comfortable they are. They mold to your feet! But these are just so unattractive. I mean I tried really hard to see if I could pull these off but they just look pretty masculine and not in a cute way. The toe box is big and very birkenstocky and there’s just nothing sleek or attractive about this shoe. If you don’t care about style or how you look and just want comfort I guess this will work for you. I just couldn’t see myself comfortably putting these together with even jeans a t shirt. I’m pretty hippie boho and still, these are big and floppy. I wish Birkenstock could consider style more in their shoes.

Normally I wear a 38 in Birkenstocks, although my USA size is a 7 1/2 or 8. For some reason I ordered the 39, and they are a little big. However, I've kept them because I think I'll be wearing socks with the shoes, and they'll be perfect. Even without socks, the shoes are super comfortable, and I love the style.

I bought these navy suede shoes in a women's 37 narrow, 1 size larger than usual because I'll always be wearing with handknit socks & I wanted a little more room in the heel. I tried them on with a pair of my slightly heavier winter socks & they were a tad harder to get on than I expected. Once I got them on, the length was fine for me. Width wasn't a problem due to suppleness of the upper & lacing adjustment.

Love the color and leather (midnight suede), the fit, and the comfort. These are super cute while being good for the feet. (Birky makes sensible, foot-shaped footwear that's narrower in the heel than the toe and contoured in front to follow the angle of the toes - just like feet, or at least most feet!) The only slightly odd thing about these is the white sole...why make the part that's in contact with the ground white???

I like Birkenstock sandals so was eager to try these shoes. They don't disappoint! The fit is the same as the sandals, comfortable and with arch support, and I love how handsome they look.

Like others, I have found that the closed toe Birkenstocks in the narrow width option tend to run a size smaller. I had to return the 39s for the 40s which fit fine. I didn't have the ankle issue others have had. I found these to be comfortable and supportive.

Bought the washed metallic silver (reads like sparkly dark gray) after loving the bright silver for a couple weeks. Color is great: interesting but not as in-your-face as the silver. I have VERY difficult feet (always get blisters and narrow but needing wide toe box) and these are amazing. Comfortable with no socks (soft, soft, soft), right out of the box, walking long distances. Amazing! Consistent with sizing for other Birks. I have big feet and and these make them look smaller. For my taste, the Gary looks cool with a crop pant or short flared leggings; a little dowdy with long pants or skirts. The only pair of Birks (other than Daloa when its sweltering) I feel comfortable style-wise wearing to office job.

These are amazing shoes. I wear a Birkenstock 37 regular width in sandals, as well as in the Birkenstock Arran, so I ordered several sizes of these and was prepared for them to be too narrow. They're perfect! They seem wider than normal, but it could be that the leather is buttery soft and flexible. Lightweight, comfortable, attractive. Not too frumpy, like other old school Birk shoes. The silver leather is bright and wonderful and cheerful. These are my new favorite shoes!

In consideration of previous reviews, I originally ordered this up a size, which was a mistake, they were far too large. Returned and exchanged for my normal Birkenstock size and the fit was good but they were not comfortable around the ankles. Too bad, they are such great shoes!

I love these straight out if the box! I am glad I got the last pair. I think I have to get another color now. They truly are terrific. As always, incredible Zappos service.

I loved these shoes, but they had like no arch support - strange for Birks. So, I have to return, as arch support is a breaking point for my fee.

I am so pleased that there is a lace-up Birk. I have worn Birkenstocks for years and am pleased to have some I can wear for exercising. I bought the silver ones which have been great conversation starters in my silver sneakers classes. They feel great, too.

I wanted a pair of casual lace up shoes for fall and winter, and I am a fan of Birkenstock. The last few pairs of Birkenstock sandals I've ordered have been a 40 in regular width with the soft footbed (a sign of my advancing age). I read the review recommendations and tried the Gary in three size options: 41 narrow, 40 regular and 41 regular. (You have to shop men's to get regular width.) The 41 narrow fit fairly well; the arch was in the right place, shoe felt secure, but I have a little concern about the outside edge of my foot (widens out like a duck foot) rubbing against the edge of the sole and pushing against the upper. The men's 41 (regular) felt huge. The 40 regular felt better across my duck foot, but overall too loose and the arch felt like it was in the wrong place. My heels are narrow and I'm wide across the toes, and I have a long arch, so finding shoes is a real booger. I've tried at least a dozen different shoe styles and the Gary is the best , so I'm going to go with the 41 narrows and hope for the best. (My second choice was the Keen Presidio in 9.5, but these are cuter and felt softer.)

LOVED these shoes but they are a true Birkenstock narrow. Wish they came in regular width. Had to return.

I wear a 37 Regular in the sandals, but the 39 narrow is the proper fit for me in this style shoe. This shoe is very sturdy and much cuter on your feet.