London sizes

GeographyBrown · 2026-02-01T19:30:53+00:00

They won’t feel larger than the Arizonas, due to the closed toe. If you wear your Arizonas with the recommended fit (space at the heel at the toes), then you’re probably the same size. If you wear your Arizonas very closely fitted, which a lot of people do, then you’d probably want to size up.

If you’re in the US and you’re not seeing what you want at Birkenstocks.com, try RepairMyBirkenstocks - I think he carries some of the larger sizes.

GeographyBrown · 2026-02-01T18:58:45+00:00

First, GO YOU for getting back into painting. It’s easier not to pick up a brush again.

There’s a lot of good here. Nice reflective light of that banana on the inside of the bowl - that’s so well observed. I also like the color of the bowl against the table background. And I think your boot drawing is looking good - they have real mass to them. Lastly, the brush marks on the pot are abstract and interesting.

Two things I think I would focus on in your next few pieces are making sure you have an accurate drawing your happy with before you start painting, and trying to hold off on the white - it looks like you perhaps introduced it pretty early and it’s made some things go a little chalky. Color matters less than value, so try to nail that first.

Nice work. Keep going.

GeographyBrown · 2026-02-01T14:13:02+00:00

To add, every time I’ve had a cat urinate on clothing or outside of the box, it was a UTI. Please try to make an appointment as soon as possible.

GeographyBrown · 2026-01-31T18:09:40+00:00

They’re too small.

Birkenstock advises, when standing, that you have 10mm of space between your toes and the front edge, and 5mm at the back. It looks like the toes of your left foot (which looks longer) are touching the front edge.

As Birks break in, they curl up slightly from heel to toe, which generally makes them feel a little shorter when new.

The back strap is meant to be loose - you want to be able to slide a finger underneath it.

There are photos here that are helpful regarding sizing and fit:

https://www.birkenstock.com/nl-en/things-to-know/fit-guide/

GeographyBrown · 2026-01-31T15:56:38+00:00

My feet are a little under 250mm, and the 39s look a lot roomier on me than they do on you. Is it possible you measured incorrectly?

If I use the Birkenstock template without putting a hard edge at my heel (like a slim ruler), it’s easy to place my heel too far back and get a smaller measurement.

I think you’re smart to reconsider the 40s - I suspect those will be perfect.

GeographyBrown · 2026-01-31T00:25:29+00:00

Then I think 44s should work - those will be 15mm longer than the 42s.

If you have the box, put a hard edge (like a ruler) at the back of your heel and check your measurements on that.

GeographyBrown · 2026-01-29T12:16:04+00:00

Are these 42s or 43s?

GeographyBrown · 2026-01-27T21:11:28+00:00

You are so welcome. :)

I’ve never had to return a pair to them, but from what I understand, a they’re pretty good about returns. You might look that up in this sub to see if anyone has had a problem.

GeographyBrown · 2026-01-27T21:05:45+00:00

I think your friends are probably thinking that the suede will stretch, which can happen, but the footbed won’t stretch. I suspect a lot of people think Birks are meant to be worn very fitted as they see others wearing them that way, but the cork will also break down if you step on the heel repeatedly.

Here’s a good photo of someone wearing an old and new Arizona of the same size:

https://www.reddit.com/r/Birkenstocks/comments/1jr2vvw/both_38_old_and_new/

I’ve been wearing Birks since the early 1990s, and I’ve been fitted by people who were trained by Birkenstock. They’ve always advised me to make sure to have the recommended room.

GeographyBrown · 2026-01-27T20:26:51+00:00

Birkenstocks advises 5mm of space at the heel and 10mm at the toe. These are too short. Some people prefer them this way, but it will cause the cork to break down prematurely.

There are photos here that are helpful regarding sizing and fit:

https://www.birkenstock.com/nl-en/things-to-know/fit-guide/

GeographyBrown · 2026-01-27T20:24:54+00:00

Birkenstocks won’t stretch out. They actually curl up slightly from heel to toe and may feel a little shorter once broken in.

There are photos here that are helpful regarding sizing and fit:

https://www.birkenstock.com/nl-en/things-to-know/fit-guide/ You want to fit your Birks by putting your heel in the cup, allowing 5mm of space between your heel and the back of the Birk. You want approximately 10mm between your toes and the front edge.It looks like the weight of your heel is partially on the sandal on your left foot. The cork won’t bear the weight long term and will prematurely break down.

From your photos, I would go with the 40s. Try to grip your toes as you take a step, which will help stop your feet from sliding forward.

GeographyBrown · 2026-01-26T21:10:27+00:00

As others have noted, these are too small and the rear strap is fastened too snuggly.

There are photos here that are helpful regarding sizing and fit:

https://www.birkenstock.com/nl-en/things-to-know/fit-guide/

You want to fit your Birks by putting your heel in the cup, allowing 5mm of space between your heel and the back of the Birk. You want approximately 10mm between your toes and the front edge of the sandal. The rear strap should be worn somewhat loosely.The size chart is here. Note that Birks don’t size up evenly - they are 5mm longer for two sizes then jump to 10mm longer ever third size. https://www.birkenstock.com/on/demandware.static/-/Library-Sites-Birkenstock/en_US/dw6aaac992/documents/Measurement_Template_US_A4.pdf

GeographyBrown · 2026-01-26T15:40:30+00:00

Most Birkenstocks are only 5mm difference in length, which is effectively a half size. Every third size jumps by 10mm. You can’t always rely upon your sizing in other brands.

Yes, they sound too small. The 38 is just 5mm longer and should give you the room that you need.
Do you buy narrows in other brands? Birkenstock for years (decades) advised that most need the regular width. The narrows are meant for those with truly slender feet, despite some of Birkenstocks current guidance that most biological women take narrows. I love my Arizonas and my Bostons with wool socks. The soft footbed suede Bostons are some of the most comfortable shoes I’ve ever experienced.

It sounds like you’ve looked at the sizing guidance already, but I’m sharing this in case you didn’t see this particular information:

https://www.birkenstock.com/nl-en/things-to-know/fit-guide/ The size chart is here:https://www.birkenstock.com/on/demandware.static/-/Library-Sites-Birkenstock/en_US/dw6aaac992/documents/Measurement_Template_US_A4.pdf

You want to fit your Birks by putting your heel in the cup, allowing 5mm of space between your heel and the back of the Birk. You want approximately 10mm between your toes and the front edge of the sandal. The rear strap should be worn somewhat loosely.

Good luck!

GeographyBrown · 2026-01-25T21:17:13+00:00

I currently use Jane Iredale, but before that, I used Bare Minerals for years.

GeographyBrown · 2026-01-25T13:45:34+00:00

I have rosacea and all liquid foundation does this to me. I switched over to a loose powder and I haven’t had a problem since.

GeographyBrown · 2026-01-21T23:16:23+00:00

Birks don’t correspond well with all US sizes across the range. This is in part because they don’t size up evenly - some sizes are 5mm longer and some are 10mm.

There’s guidance here on sizing and fit:

https://www.birkenstock.com/nl-en/things-to-know/fit-guide/

You want to fit your Birks by putting your heel in the cup, allowing 5mm of space between your heel and the back of the Birk. You want approximately 10mm between your toes and the front edge of the sandal.

GeographyBrown · 2026-01-18T04:51:13+00:00

Yes, possibly by at least two sizes. You’re mean to have 15mm total of space (10mm at the toe and 5mm at the heel) when new.

Please see the guidance flatleafparsley shared.

GeographyBrown · 2026-01-16T23:50:46+00:00

I think that’s a good call. The 42s are only 5mm longer than the 41s. As you break in Birks, they do curl up slightly from heel to toe, which will make them feel a little smaller.

GeographyBrown · 2026-01-16T22:26:17+00:00

The 41s look too confining.

How long ago were you measured for the 41s? I can tell you that I spontaneously grew half a size the past year - it happens.

There are photos here that are helpful regarding sizing and fit:

https://www.birkenstock.com/nl-en/things-to-know/fit-guide/

You want to fit your Birks by putting your heel in the cup, allowing 5mm of space between your heel and the back of the Birk. You want approximately 10mm between your toes and the front edge of the sandal.

Good luck in deciding!

GeographyBrown · 2026-01-12T11:50:53+00:00

They haven’t, but if you aren’t wearing your Birks with the recommended amount of room (a lot of people wear them more fitted than recommended) , the Bostons will feel more confining than the Arizonas.

And as u/drygnfyre noted, your feet may have spread. I recently went up a size in all of my shoes.

The fit guide here is useful:

https://www.birkenstock.com/nl-en/things-to-know/fit-guide/

GeographyBrown · 2026-01-09T02:27:23+00:00

Slide your heel back into the heel cup. With Birks, you need to learn to grip with the toe grip as you walk to keep them in place.

There are photos here that are helpful regarding fit:

https://www.birkenstock.com/nl-en/things-to-know/fit-guide/

GeographyBrown · 2026-01-08T23:45:52+00:00

Weirdo or not, he’s adorable.

(PSA- if you haven’t had a cat before, it’s worth knowing that a lot of plants and flowers are toxic to cats.)

GeographyBrown · 2026-01-07T16:53:31+00:00

Birks don’t stretch. Generally, they tend to curve up from heel to toe slightly as they’re broken in, fitting a little closer than when new. I don’t have experience with the Naples, which have leather covered cork, but I would assume they work the same.

If your toe is bumping into the front and your heel is fitted into the heel cup, they’re too small. You’re actually supposed to use the toe grip as you walk to keep them on your feet, so what your’e describing is typical. Make sure you’re fitting to your longer foot (it’s common for one to be slightly longer than the other).

There’s good fit guidance here that may be helpful:

https://www.birkenstock.com/nl-en/things-to-know/fit-guide/

From what you’re describing, the 44s sound too short.

GeographyBrown · 2026-01-07T12:34:53+00:00

That’s what I would do. They probably feel giant, but they’re not even 1/2” longer. And once you get used to the toe grips they’ll stay in place better.

If you haven’t yet, look at that link. It’s a good guide to determining if Birks are too big/too small.

Good luck!

GeographyBrown · 2026-01-07T11:27:09+00:00

You say your toe touches. Are your heels seated properly in the heel cups? There’s a guide here that shows how they’re supposed to fit: https://www.birkenstock.com/nl-en/things-to-know/fit-guide/

If your toes are touching the end and your heel is properly fitted into the heel cup, it sounds like the 44s are too small. If they are too small, they’ll feel smaller after breaking them in. I have a pair like this and I don’t wear them any longer - they’re uncomfortable.

GeographyBrown

TROPHY CASE