I’ve worn Birkenstocks for over 35 years–sandals, shoes and clogs–back when most people had never heard of them. I started wearing them for the comfort since nothing else has ever fit me so well. Some styles don’t fit my feet as well as others–the Zurich model sandals have a strap buckle that hits the top of my toes and raises a sore spot. Some styles I’ve learned to love dearly–like the Arizona and Milano. The Boston is one of the styles that I’ve really loved since the beginning. Homely, clunky and lacking in stylishness, it’s incredibly comfortable and practical. Like all traditional Birkenstock styles, it’s made with a leather covered cork footbed that does require some breaking in for maximum comfort. After a few days of wear, the hard footbed begins to soften a bit and it will take on the shape of your foot while providing excellent support. One thing I have noticed about Birkenstock’s clogs and shoes, it’s usually best to order a size up from what you wear in Birkenstock sandals. My reasoning is that you will then be better able to wear socks with the clogs and utilize them as regular shoes. With sandals, you can always loosen the straps to accommodate socks but the enclosed foot nature of clogs limits this practice. Also, for some reason my feet perspire more with clogs so I prefer to wear socks except for just puttering around the house.Bostons, like all Birkenstocks, wear well. The cork should occasionally be resealed with Cork Life or Kelly’s Cork Renew. If the cork becomes damaged but remains in otherwise decent shape, Cork Life or Cork Renew can be used to fill in the damaged area. If the outsoles begin to come unglued, Barge Cement will repair it perfectly. Same for the suede footbed liner. If you don’t feel comfortable doing the work yourself, do an online search for places that specialize in Birkenstock repair and resoles. This might be the best option for clogs since the enclosed nature of the shoe means some parts are not readily accessible without disassembling the whole thing. Mainly, just know Birkenstocks can be repaired and can last a very long time with care and maintenance. I have a couple of pair from the early 80s that still wear well.I’m sold on Birkenstocks. I’ve recommended them to a lot of people and those who try them have never said they were disappointed. The prices have increased substantially over the years but the quality remains excellent.
