Are Birkenstocks Good for Hiking? [Let’s Get Right Into The Guide]

When hiking in hot summer weather, your hiking boots are bound to give you some trouble. Your feet will get too warm and sweaty, and you will want to take the boots off as soon as possible. I cannot say the same for hiking sandals – they are the best alternative to hiking boots in summer.

Whenever I think of light summer shoes and sandals, the first thing that comes to mind is Birkenstocks. All the options Birkenstocks offer are great: leather sandals or shoes with comfortable soles and a timeless design. Still, you should remember that these sandals are not quite suitable for hiking.

I will dedicate this guide to Birkenstocks and tell you where you can use them, where you should never use them, and which ones you should get. I hope that by the time you reach the end of this guide, you will know if any Birkenstock models are good for hiking or not. So, let’s get right into the guide and discuss everything about these sandals!

Are Birkenstocks Sandals Good For Hiking?

 So, are Birkenstocks good for hiking? As mentioned in the introduction of this guide, the Birkenstock sandals are not the best option for hiking. There are several reasons for this, so let's discuss them in greater detail:

Comfort

First, the Birkenstocks are comfortable sandals only when walking on smooth terrain and on day hikes. They are not the best for long hiking trips on uneven terrain. If taken on too long trips, they will make your feet tired and will cause quite a bit of discomfort.

I recommend that you take the Birkenstocks as an alternative option on backpacking or camping trips. That way, while taking a break or enjoying the campsite, you can leave the heavy hiking boots behind and put your Birkenstocks on. After a long trip, they are the best thing you can throw on.

Protection

Second, the Birkenstocks do not offer much protection. This goes for the toes, the arch of the foot, as well as the ankles. With Birkenstocks, your feet will be free and will slide around easily. This can be good if you walk on regular cobblestone streets, but it will not be the best when hiking or backpacking.

When hiking, you will need to have your foot in one position, limit all movement in the shoe, and eliminate slippage. It would help if you had shoes with good arch support to make your feet more comfortable. At the same time, having ankle support is also important because you do not want to hurt your ankle on the trip.

You risk injury if you do not have footwear that has a tight fit around your ankle and foot. If you injure yourself during a hiking trip, you will need to call the mountain rescue services and have them help you. Instead of going through all this trouble and pain, consider getting shoes that are suitable for hiking trails.

Water-resistance

Birkenstocks are also not water-resistant – their designs are quite open, so your feet can get wet quickly. They are suitable when you need to walk into streams, but they are not that great for the time after that.

This is because the footbed can be slippery when wet, lowering the comfort and support you get from the sandals. All that slipping around will hurt your feet and make them tired, while you might also find some blisters on the feet.

As for the soles of the sandals, they can also slip when wet or used on rocks or uneven terrain. You will need to get footwear with a better grip and much better traction than the Birkenstocks. So, consider this when on the market for a pair of hiking shoes or sandals.

Are Birkenstocks Good for Walking Long Distances?

Birkenstocks are suitable for walking long distances, but only if you walk on regular streets or smooth terrains. These sandals are unsuitable for long hiking or trekking trips, so I do not recommend using them in such situations. They are better for regular walks, short trips, leisure, or even office-work environments.

There are different types of hiking sandals that this company offers. Some are made with oiled nubuck leather, others are vegan sandals, and you can choose from many other types of sandals. If you want to get a pair of sandals to walk long distances with, make sure they have good arch support, ankle support, as much traction as possible, and they come with good, secure straps.

Aside from the sandals, you can also check out the other types of shoes this company offers. They have hiking boots, sneakers, and regular shoes for men, women, and children. I do not doubt you will find a pair you will love wearing, but whatever type of shoe you go for, make sure it is the best fit for you.

Finding footwear that best fits your feet is important, as the footwear should not be any larger or smaller. If you choose shoes that are the wrong size, you will have blisters all over them, while your feet will also feet quite uncomfortable.

So, are Birkenstocks good for hiking? If you did not know the answer before, I hope you do now. All sandals and shoes from this company can be great if you know when and where to use them!

Wrap-Up

Thank you for reading my guide on all things Birkenstock. I hope that you learned a lot of valuable information about the company’s shoes. Remember that while the sandals are not quite suitable for hiking, you can always go with a pair of sneakers or boots from Birkenstocks.

Have you ever owned a pair of Birkenstock sandals? How did you like them, and would you recommend that others get that pair or another one? Let me know your experience and thoughts on the topic by sharing a comment in the comment below!