Customer Reviews Birkenstock Franca Soft Footbed - Nubuck Leather

I ordered these Francas in 39 regular soft footbed but they fit like a 40 narrow and the footbed is not as comfortable as my older BIrks. They are visibly narrower than my older Birks of which I have at least 50 pairs. Since 2003 I have worn Birks almost exclusively and 39 regular soft footbed has always fit me perfectly and been very comfortable - until a few years ago when I started having a problem with regular width Birks being way too narrow and much narrower than in the past. Has Birkenstock changed their sizing? I love the look of these Francas and would have ordered them in every color, but as it is I will have to send these back because they are so narrow and very uncomfortable. I have returned several other pairs in the last few years for the same reason. I have a regular width foot (size 81/2 B), not extra wide. The picture shows the visible difference in width in the new Francas and my old Mooreas.

Excellent! All three straps are adjustable, so one can obtain the perfect fit. With the strap over the arch, one can make the shoe as snug or as loose as desired. I don't prefer the "flap flap flap" so common in shoes without a back strap. Not a problem - the arch strap keeps the shoes firmly on my feet. I am particularly pleased with the placement of the straps on the inside of my foot. I have an arthritic great toe, and I'm able to adjust the straps so they don't press on the swollen joint. Also, I can adjust the strap during the day to give more room as the joint swells. Overshare, I know. But it's what a really like about the shoes.

I've worn a certain size in Birkenstock for more than 30 years, but as I get older, my feet seem to be spreading out and my big toes are bumping the front edge of my old Birks. I ordered a size larger than I have been wearing – they are perfect and very, very comfortable. I love the soft aqua color of this Franca. I'm not sure I can tell a difference between the regular footbed and the soft footbed of this Franca, but they are just as comfortable as the regular footbed I'm used to. Zappos shipping is lightning fast, as usual. Great shopping experience and wonderful shoes.

This color! It’s beautiful…..almost a gray undertone so it feels almost like a neutral but has the hint of aqua. Love this Birk!

The Franca is a prettier, more feminine change from my usual Arizonas, with the same type of fit: they stay on my foot without slapping like a flip-flop when I walk. Love the soft footbed, medium width and beautiful color. (aqua blue) These Birks were a want, not a need -- but I'm glad I got them!

I've been a Birki's size 38 forever, and these fit exactly as expected, comfortable right out of the box. This is my first time buying the Soft Footbed, and to be honest, my first impression was underwhelming, especially since I paid a full $40 more over the standard Birkenstock footbed - it didn't feel nearly as squishy as I had expected. I guess when I read 'soft', I expected something overtly cushiony. These are not that. However, having worn the Franca Soft Footbed over the course of several days, I can say without reservation that my feet feel MUCH BETTER with the Soft Footbed - not at all achy, no fatigue or sensation of heaviness in my feet. Going forward, I will happily pay up for the Soft footbed whenever it is available! I bought these in the Sandcastle nubuck, which is a nice neutral that goes with everything. I kind of wish the buckles were less gold, but whatever - at least it's a muted brassy color instead of highly polished. I put off buying these all last summer and am so glad I finally pulled the trigger!

I bought these sandals for the color. The faded aqua is awesome, just enough color to make me happy but still reads like a neutral. The support is outstanding, hugs my arch as if it were part of my foot. I love that the toe end is slightly wider than other brands of sandals I have. The fit is very comfortable and none of that snapping of the heal.

I really like that the straps on these are shorter and narrower than the Arizona style. Previously, (with the Arizona) I had to add holes for the buckles right out of the box, but these are sized just right. The soft sole is very comfortable and supports my high arches very well.

The fit was good. However, please note that the right shoe of that pair had a huge stain inside on the footbed. Should not have been sent out. This, unfortunately, is the pair I would have kept as it felt the best. I reordered another pair like it and hope it is as good fitting as this one. Thanks, Zappos, for letting us try on several pairs with free shipping. Your policies are much appreciated.

Even though the company states that if you normally wear a medium-width shoe you should order the narrow Birk, I will have to disagree. The regular width is much more forgiving and comfortable. This color is very versatile. Love it.

I was hesitant to purchase this style, but I was happily surprised at how comfortable they feel. Love the look as well!

I love Birks but wanted something a bit more feminine & needed the softer footbed. The Franca fits the bill! I cannot wait for late spring/summer to start wearing them here in New England. These will definitely get alot of use. I got the sand color. Great neutral that will go with everything!

Just got these love them so far! Got approval from both hubby and teen daughter, so they must be cute :) Soft footbed really does make a difference, I don't think I'll go back!

did not like the color

Really good color blue, fit was great, looked cute BUT.....the strap close to the ankle rubbed and hurt my skin. It is just set a little too far back on the foot. Sadly, I sent them back.

THESE ARE NOT SOFT FOOTBED AS ADVERTISED! I have many soft footbed Birkenstocks and regular Borkenstocks. I was either sent the wrong item or the product is mis represented.

I love the comfort of Birkenstocks but these I had to return because ZAPPOS sent a pair that were WORN & unusable for me. The shoes arrived without a box, just the shoes sealed in a plastic mailing bag, complete with footprints and stretched out straps! I highly recommend the Birkenstock Franca shoe... just check your purchases carefully if you intend to purchase from Zappos.

Amazing shoe with Zappos great customer service.

I have fairly narrow feet and the regular width Birkenstocks are just too wide. I have the Arizona style in narrow, which fit great. While not officially a narrow, these are more slim and I like the fit and I don’t feel like they are an inch to wide like many of the others. They are really cute too, love the color and smaller straps. They look less clunky than many of the others.

Lovely shoe in all respects. I like the soft footbeds, I need the Regular width. I do like the Franca [Although the Sydney is my all time favorite Birkenstock style, but infrequently made these days] I do prefer the Nubuck Leather . It is a bit softer than the oiled Leather [and I don't care for the "distressed" look of many of the oiled leathers]. The Nubuck is more substantial than the Suede [the suede also tends to stretch]. Birkenstock recommends: Apply Water & Stain Repellent regularly to protect upper Leather, Suede and Nubuck from water and dirt. Brush uppers with a Nubuck/Suede brush to pull up dirt and dust and restore the nap.

I bought these in size 38 and 39. With these being regular width I thought the 38 might fit better. The 38 definitely was a snugger fit, but my foot just fit in them. The 39 was a little loose, but I could tighten the straps to make them fit better. I’m keeping the 39’s and sending back the 38’s. For reference I’m usually a 39 narrow in Birkenstocks.

I love my new Birkenstock sandals. The aqua is lovely

I love the color of these sandals! I don't usually wear a wide shoe, but due to limited availability I bought these in size 41 regular/wide. These seem to run pretty narrow, as they fit very comfortably and I can't really tell the difference between them and my medium/narrow width Birkenstock Arizonas. Highly recommended.

I've worn the florida style Birkenstock for years, and I noticed the Franco was similar - but different. It looks a bit more dressy than other birkenstocks and I like the colors.

I got the blue, which is a lovely, understated color. They fit very nicely. They are not technically narrow, but they fit my B width feet better than my older, wider berks. So far so good. I'm looking forward to warmer weather so I can wear them more often, but my few test drives have gone very well.