Birkenstock Madrid, Unisex-Adults' Mules

As a female with vey long toes and foot width between B and D I often wear men's / unisex UVA BirkenstocksI have been wearing khaki and navy versions this year and subjecting them to heavy wear. I like to walk on rugged country paths and on the beach and these are perfect for the job as I can wash them after wearing for muddy walks, get them wet with sea water and if I wear more expensive leather sandals to the beach they get ruined quickly by salt exposure.They are also way more comfortable than leather Birkenstocks for long walks. They are wonderfully supportive with great arch support and just the right amount of cushioningI have found that the lighter coloured Birkenstock EVA sandals become stained when even lightly scuffed so I prefer to stick to the darker colours.I have also encountered occasional pairs that make an embarrassing squelchy farting sound when worn, which is obviously not desirableI have bought many pairs direct from Birkenstock and discovered that there is a significant difference in sizes, both length and width between sizes. I would strongly advise potential buyers to try the shoes on soon after purchase so you can return them promptly if they don't fitI bought these in black men's size and they fit me perfectly and are a little shorter and narrower then the khaki and navy pairs I bought from Birkenstock. The pink pair which I bought from Birkenstock are much larger than my other Birkenstocks and scuffed leaving a dark stain the first time I wore them. I now avoid the lighter colours for this reason.These black ones fit me perfectly and I would be happy to buy them again.So to conclude;Be careful about sizing and weird farting sounds but once you find a pair that fits they are the best sandals ever for flat footed, hypermobile people looking to exercise in costal paths and beaches

(If sizing is a concern, please see my note at the end of this review.)I needed a pair of Birkos I could wear outside when it was drizzling, or take on the occasional road trip. These were my choice, and here's why:(1) My pair (size EU42/UK8) weighs just 241 grams! You won't notice that in a suitcase.(2) They seem to be as well built as the standard product, although as the material (including buckles) is plastic I doubt they will last for many years. Depends on how frequently you use them, of course.(3) They have the usual Birkenstock supportive/shaped footbed, so you can win the poolside sprint next vacation, throw your towel over the best lounger, and give the Germans a surprise :-)(4) If you are worried about standing on a spiny sea creature at the seaside, these may be worth considering - although that's not my area of expertise.Negatives? Well, they are likely to get clammy because the EVA* does not breathe. Just as well, actually, as otherwise they would not be waterproof! If you can live with that, they are 5 stars.Birkenstock sizing - solved!Here is a link to what appears to be the Birkenstock UK website page about sizing. All Birkos come in two widths (narrow and standard) and one range of EU sizes. Just choose the width and EU size that are right for you and your gender. As Birkenstock puts it on the website: "In the UK men and women's sizing is different, while European sizes are unisex." All made clear on the website, with charts!www.birkenstock.co.uk/Article/View/articleCode/Sizing/In case Amazon deletes the above URL, here it is in a different format. To use, replace [dot] with . and delete all spaces:www [dot] birkenstock [dot] co [dot] uk /Article /View /articleCode /Sizing/*EVA? It's a plastic - very interesting article about it on Wikipedia if you're interested. Here's part of the Wikipedia article: "The material has good clarity and gloss, low-temperature toughness, stress-crack resistance, hot-melt adhesive waterproof properties, and resistance to UV radiation." Sounds perfect for summer. Apparently it is also used as a cold flow improver for diesel fuel. Funny stuff.

I'm not generally a huge fan of 'plastic' shoes of any kind, but these were recommended to me, and I have to say, I'm really pleased with them. I have very 'difficult' feet, but after a short 'breaking in' period these are very comfortable. Being totally washable, they're very easy to keep looking respectable, too.I order size 8/42 for my size 8 and the sizing is spot on.At this price ... what's to argue with? Recommended.

Good fit....well made....nice colour.....fairly comfortable....great for holidays on or off the beach.....good investment and light as a feather to wearent. A little rubbing...but that's to be expected. Nothing too unmanageable. Would recommend for the price.