I have be a loyal birkenstock owner for year . as a kid grow up in Portland , Ore. , Birkenstocks be the only way to go ! this be my third pair of Arizona soft-footbed sandal ... it be not so much that they wear out as that , live in warm , humid Florida , I find they get funky and grimy over time , and need to be resurface or retire . for the soft-footbed pair , resurfacing be almost as expensive as a new pair , so I just buy new . if you have never own a pair of Birkenstocks : they feel great as soon as you put they on and the cork begin to conform to you foot within a matter of day . within a week or two , you will not want to wear anything else . the toe bar help keep you toe in position , and the cup for you arch be comfortable even for someone almost completely flat-footed like I . they 'll slip around on you foot a hair while you be walk , but if you find that it be more than a little bit , you may want to get a narrower pair . if you be wonder about the soft footbed vs. the regular footbed : I find that the soft-footbed be , obviously , more comfortable . they be better suit to wear barefoot , where the classic footbed may be for oregonian and german who like to wear they with sock . : - -rrb- on the other hand , the soft footbed get funky and need to be clean a lot sooner . my only complaint about the Arizonas be that the strap over my right foot be a little too loose , and can not be make any tighter . I take they to the cobbler and have he punch a new , higher hole in the leather . these be wonderful sandal . I would not buy anything else .