Are Birkenstocks worth the hype? In this hands-on review, we’ll cover what you need to know about the iconic Birkenstock brand’s sandals.

Birkenstock is an extremely popular brand, but you may be wondering if their products are actually worth the price.

In this review, we’ll take a look at their Lugano sandal to help you decide if you should add a pair of Birkenstocks to your footwear collection.

Table of Contents

Their origins actually go back to the year 1774 in Germany. Check out the Birkenstock website for their full story.

Why are Birkenstocks so popular? In my opinion, it’s because they’re stylish and extremely sturdy sandals that look cool and rugged and last a long time.

Review of the Birkenstock Lugano

Here are my thoughts on the Birkenstock Lugano, a great-looking leather sandal that sports the classic Birkenstock cork footbed.

Breaking In

Birkenstocks are notorious for having a rough break-in process, and for good reason.

I’ve honestly never experienced so much discomfort from any other pair of footwear. But don’t let that scare you away. After you break them in, you’ll have a very comfortable sandal that conforms to your foot.

The break-in process is painful and will probably give you blisters, but it’s kind of a “no pain, no gain” situation. It’s worth the discomfort. Just wear them a little bit each day for a couple weeks and they’ll be ready for comfortable, regular wear.

Also, a pro tip is to wear socks during the break-in process to ease to burden. As you’ll read later in this article, Birkenstocks look surprisingly good with socks.

Fit and Comfort

After you break in a pair of Birkenstocks, they’re super comfortable and supportive. Not in a “fluffy, walking on a cloud” kind of way, but in a sturdy way. The cork footbed will conform to your unique foot shape and the outsole, made with EVA, make for a sandal that provides ample support.