Are Birkenstocks Good For Hiking?

Most Birkenstocks are truly slip-ons, with only a few exceptions that feature a back strap, so this is something to keep in mind. As a result, we don’t think they’d be ideal for trekking because of the lack of ankle support they provide.

However, they are the best sandals for trekking purposes. Birkenstocks can also be worn in the water and even while swimming. Dread the thought of all those sea creatures and algae touching your skin when you’re wearing this.

We’re going to show you some great sandals, but before we do, let’s speak about what sets Birkenstock distinct from their competitors — their footbeds. They may not be the most fashionable sandals on the market, but they’re definitely the most comfy. Because of this, people keep purchasing them.

Its Speciality: The Birkenstock Footbed (Mold)

It is the primary reason why Birkenstock sandals are so distinct from those of other brands. For each sandal they manufacture, they use a moulded footbed that’s both orthopaedic and incredibly comfy. In addition, the footbed is constructed mostly of two types of materials: leather and synthetic materials.

EVA footbeds are commonplace in water-friendly sandals (Ethylene Vinyl Acetate). Excellent cushioning is provided by this stretchy material. They employ a cork footbed in place of a synthetic one in their leather sandals (from the bark of the cork oak). Cork-footbed sandals, on the other hand, aren’t meant to be worn in water.

What makes the original Birkenstock footbed so unique?

For starters, it provides support for both the longitudinal and transverse arch. To ensure that your feet are cupped each time you take a step, the former runs down the footbed’s sides and provides stability on any surface. Helps ensure that your sandals are properly aligned and that you have a firm base.

And that’s not all. Your feet’s natural gripping motion is mirrored by the elevated toe bar on this shoe. This has the added benefit of increasing blood flow to your feet. In addition, your toes have more room to move freely, which improves your overall stability.

Lastly, there’s the heel of the shoe to take care of! The deep heel cup is designed to support your heel and improve your stability while you walk. In addition, it acts as a cushioning layer directly beneath the heel bone, ensuring your comfort at all times.

This is everything you need to know about the Birkenstock footbed’s original design: These sandals have a great footbed, and we highly recommend them.

Is Birkenstock footwear appropriate for outdoor use?

Off-Road Edition of the Outdoor Collection provides the comfort and support of our cork footbed to your favourite trail-based excursions with improved durability, grip, and weather resistance.

Do Birkenstocks get ruined in the rain?

Birkenstocks do get wet from time to time, but with good care, they can survive for many years. The majority of our customers incorrectly believe that their Birkenstocks would be destroyed if they get wet once or twice in the rain, although this is often not the case.

Are Birkenstocks suitable for lengthy walks?

For extended walks around the city or the countryside, the cork footbed provides cushioning and sturdy arch support for your feet, making them more comfortable. Birkenstocks have the following additional advantages when travelling: Walking is a dream here.

Why do Birkenstocks cost so much money?

Neutral-colored Birkenstocks tend to be gender-neutral. They appear to be appropriate for both sexes. As a result, its demand exceeds its supply by a wide margin. The price of Birkenstocks has been raised somewhat in accordance with the rules of supply and demand in order to bring the market to a state of equilibrium.

Are Birkenstocks made of leather waterproof?

They have EVA-based designs that can be worn in the water. Over-saturation of sealant ingredients can undermine the integrity of most types, thus they should not be submerged in water. Styles with hydrophobic properties are water-resistant, but they should not be submerged.

Is It Appropriate To Wear Birkenstocks With Socks?

When it comes to wearing socks with sandals, there seems to be a lot of debate. Over the past two decades, people have been debating the merits of Birkenstocks and socks. Socks or no socks with Birkenstocks?

Socks with Birkenstocks are a classic combination. According to Birkenstock USA Chairman in GQ’s June 2003 issue, wearing Birkenstocks with socks is entirely okay. Many high-end designers and fashion brands started wearing socks and sandals together on the runway in 2010.

What Are The Drawbacks Of Wearing Birkenstock While Hiking?

The following are some drawbacks of donning Birkenstocks:

• There is a lack of support on the ankles
• There is no substantial support for the arches.
• In tough terrain, they are not long-lasting.
• After it’s been soaked in water, the leather becomes heavy and stiff.
• Short to medium-length hikes are doable for some travellers, but anything longer than that requires hiking shoes.

Where To Buy Birkenstocks From? Birkenstocks Pricing & Discounts

You can purchase Birkenstocks here on Amazon.

Top 3 Birkenstock Alternatives For Hiking

Below are 3 birkenstock alternatives you could try for hiking.

1. Merrell Moab 2 Hiking Shoes

The original Merrell Moab has become a legend, and the new “2” continues the legacy. This isn’t the most athletic shoe, but the Moab is comfy and breathable and one of the best values for $100. In the upcoming sections, we outline our thoughts on the Moab 2.

Comfort

Slipping into the Merrell Moab 2 reminds you why these shoes are so popular. Cushioned collar and tongue, supportive footbed and enough flexibility to hit the terrain right away. The new Moab shoe has a streamlined insole. The sculpted heel cup keeps you in position and provides adequate arch support. Extra padding in the heel provides remarkable trail isolation and underfoot protection. After a few kilometres, the extra padding feels personalised and certainly adds to the excellent comfort on lengthy trail days.

Design & Durability

Even after a few months of use, the Moab will hold up really well in terms of durability. However, we haven’t seen any symptoms of tears in the mesh on the upper layer. The current Moab 2 appears to have the same high-quality construction as the prior model, making it an excellent hiking shoe.

Pros:

• The product is well-built and should last a long time.
• Adequate traction on a variety of terrains and slick surfaces.
• Waterproof and non-waterproof boots and shoes are available in a variety of styles.
• The new Moab stays true to the original’s strengths: minimal weight, superb comfort, and a good bargain.
• The Ventilator model is an excellent shoe for the warmer months because of its open-toe design.

Cons:

• Traction in rock and mud is only moderate.
• Heavy loads or challenging trails may be too much for this model’s suppleness.
• To say the least, this isn’t a speedy or light shoe. Rather than focusing on speed, the Moab focuses on comfort.

Where to purchase Merrell Moab 2 Hiking Shoes?

You can purchase Merrell Moab 2 Hiking Shoes here on Amazon.

2. La Sportiva Spire GTX Hiking Shoes

A hiking shoe with running-style comfort and agility that doesn’t compromise on hiking performance.

As soon as you put them on, the La Sportiva Spire GTX will become one of your favourite pairs of hiking shoes. It’s made like a running shoe, but with the stability and low-cut design of a hiking boot. For long-distance fastpackers who don’t want to sacrifice water resistance or comfort for weight savings, go no further than this shoe. Vibram’s XS-Trek compound provides excellent traction in these shoes.

Although the significant use of lightweight synthetic materials means they aren’t as durable as other models, we were quite happy with the Spire GTX and would recommend it to anyone looking for a top-of-the-line shoe that can handle it all.

Weight:

A size 11 pair of boots weighed in at 2.06 pounds, which was the average weight for our review. When it comes to long-distance hikes that call for a combination of light weight and support, this model is ideal for long-distance hikers.

Comfort:

The outsole of the Spire GTX is made of Vibram XS Trek rubber. As a result, these shoes performed well in both wet and dry rock scrambling, but in steeper areas when smearing was required, these shoes performed less well than those with smoother soles and slightly stickier rubber.

Sole-wise, this shoe has the most severe lug pattern in this review. Rather than clogging up on the bottom, the deep, widely spread lugs rapidly and easily cut through muck and soft dirt. This shoe’s sole features an Impact Braking System, which slows you down on steep descents.

If you’ve ever struggled to find a shoe that excels at everything from day hiking to trail running to light backpacking, then look no further. As a multitasker, the Spire GTX is equipped with one of the best waterproof liners on the market and can accomplish anything you ask of them.

Pros:

• Superior comfort
• Waterproof
• Lasting durability in a lightweight, low-cut design
• Stable and solid grip on a variety of terrains, from mud to moss-covered bridges

Cons:

• Expensive
• On particularly bumpy trails, the thick midsole may feel tippy

Where to purchase La Sportiva Spire GTX Hiking Shoes?

You can purchase La Sportiva Spire GTX Hiking Shoes here on Amazon.

3. Salomon X Ultra Mid 4 GTX Hiking Boots

As with previous Salomon X Ultra Mid 4 GTX models, we didn’t see much room for improvement with the X Ultra Mid 4 GTX. But it definitely outperformed our expectations. Newer models of the X Ultra 4 Mid are even better and lighter than their predecessors.

The Active Support straps, which lock the foot into position when the laces are tied, make this a more stable shoe when trekking in off-trail circumstances. This boot is a great alternative to our low-cut trail runners because it is both lighter and more supportive than the latter.

Salomon X Ultra Mid 4 GTX are so light that they practically float out of the package. These hiking shoes are among the lightest we’ve seen, weighing in at just under two pounds. We’ve started recommending the X Ultra 4 Mid GTX over the prior X Ultra 3 Mid GTX model because they’re faster and lighter.

Pros:

• Extremely light
• Comfortable
• Exceptional grip
• Excellent ankle support
• Midsole support

Cons:

• Not as durable as more robust models
• Thin sole

Where to purchase Salomon X Ultra Mid 4 GTX Hiking Boots?

You can purchase Salomon X Ultra Mid 4 GTX Hiking Boots here on Amazon.

Conclusion: Final Thoughts!

Due to its multiple benefits, hiking in Birkenstocks has become a popular choice for several hikers. Try any of the three Birkenstocks we’ve listed above and you won’t be disappointed.

These shoes are so comfortable that you can wear them to the beach or just about town with no trouble. Regardless of your age, Birkenstocks are a fashionable choice. As a bonus, these shoes can be paired with any summer attire in your closet.