It’s estimated that around 87% of people will experience foot pain at some point. The foot comprises 26 bones and over 120 muscles and ligaments that can be sore.

Your podiatrist may have recommended Birkenstock sandals to reduce foot pain. These sandals are great for foot issues and provide plenty of foot comfort.

Although, you have to break in Birkenstocks before they are comfortable. Like any shoes, they will start off feeling stiff and rigid.

Keep reading to find out how to break in Birkenstocks without much pain.

Why Do You Need to Break in Birkenstocks?

The natural process of wearing your new Birkenstocks will break them in. Because of this, you don’t have to go out of your way to break them in.

But it is always recommended that you break into new shoes. This helps them to develop the foot impression and become laxer.

These qualities help shoes be more comfortable to wear. New shoes are factory-made and arrive at your door very stiff and uncomfortable.

Some people brave through this pain, but it can cause damage to your feet. You may find that blisters and sores develop right away from wearing Birkenstocks.

It is better to break in Birkenstocks over a longer period. This will reduce their pain so that you can enjoy wearing them in the future.

How Long Does it Take to Break in Birkenstocks?

If you just got your new Birkenstocks, you may wonder how long it will take to wear them. Birkenstocks don’t take much longer than any other new pair of shoes.

In most cases, it will take about a week to break in these sandals. This only qualifies if you are working to break them in each day.

Going slow is the best option since it prevents the most pain. You don’t want to slip on your new sandals and head straight to work the following day.

It may take up to two weeks for your Birkenstocks to feel comfortable. They must withstand some wear and tear to reach this point.

The good news is that once your Birkenstocks are broken in, they will last very long. Some people can keep the sandals for up to 10 years.

That is why it is well worth the investment and the time to break them in.

How to Wear Your New Birkenstocks

When you get your new Birkenstock sandals, you should begin to break them in. Breaking them in is using your walking pattern to make them more flexible.

You could even take the sandals in your hands and bend them back and forth. Be careful; you don’t want to damage the shoes.

It is better to set aside a week to break in Birkenstocks instead of wearing them immediately. After a week, you should be able to wear them all day without significant pain.

This will reduce your risk of sore feet or blisters. Remember that you may still experience some rawness on your feet at first.

A minor soreness is to be felt when trying new shoes out.

Wear Them at Home

It would help if you always started by wearing new shoes at home. Wear them around your house for a few hours daily or until they hurt.

It is even better if your home has carpeted floors, as this provides a soft surface. The smoother the surface you walk on, the less pain you will feel.

As the week progresses, wear the Birkenstocks longer and longer. By the seventh day of doing this, you should be able to wear them for most of the day.

This is a gentle way of breaking them in without hurting your feet. If necessary, you could also wear your Birkenstocks to work for a portion of the day.

Wear Socks

If your new Birkenstocks are causing you pain, you could wear socks. However, this is not ideal since socks can stretch out shoes.

If you have to do this, it is best to wear thin socks. These will provide a thin layer of protection against the Birkenstocks and your skin.

Avoid doing this the entire week since you don’t want to damage the shoe size. But this is a good option for breaking them in on the first or second day.

Go for a Walk

You could take a walk after the first few days of breaking in your Birkenstocks. This is a great way to further break in the shoes and give the sole some grip.

By this time, walking in Birkenstocks should be significantly easier. Go for a 10 to 20-minute walk and see how they feel.

You can begin to do this for the rest of the week to break into the shoes further. It is also a great time to exercise and enjoy nature!

Use Bandaids

If your Birkenstocks are hurting your feet, you could always apply Band-Aids. Try attaching Band-Aids to the areas where the Birkenstocks are rubbing against your skin.

This is a great way to reduce pain and avoid blisters and sores. You can do this between the first and third day of breaking into your shoes.

Using Band-Aids is especially useful for seniors with delicate skin. You could also try gauze wrap or other kinds of bandages.

This is one way to shield your foot from rubbing that could cause sores.

Are Birkenstocks Comfortable?

The Birkenstocks at Feet For Life are considered to be exceptionally comfortable. These sandals have a natural cork footbed, making them softer on your foot.

This allows your foot to bend more freely and with less pain. It also creates a softer foundation for those with chronic foot issues.

They are perfect for those who suffer from bunions. They don’t restrict your foot and allow the majority of your foot to be free and in the air.

Anyone with foot issues like plantar fasciitis would benefit from this footwear option. Even those without foot issues will find the sandals one of the best shoewear options.

What to Do if Your Birkenstocks Hurt

It is very typical to experience pain when you break into Birkenstocks. This is the same issue you will share with any new pair of shoes you buy.

They will be very stiff at first, making it difficult for your foot to relax. A slight wear and tear will usually soften the shoes and reduce any pain you are feeling.

In some instances, the pain may not go away; for example, you may have ordered the wrong size of Birkenstock sandals.

This is very common since every shoe style is made a bit differently. Finding the right size may take trial and error if you have never worn Birkenstocks before.

Wearing Birkenstocks that are too small or too big can cause pain. For the best fit, they should fit snuggly with some wiggle room.

This is why it is recommended that you buy 2 to 3 different sizes. This will allow you to try them all to determine which size is right.

Birkenstock Care

If this is your first pair of Birkenstock sandals, you may not know how to care for them. These sandals can last for many years, but they require maintenance.

You will need it to keep them away from extreme heat since the cork can dry out and crack. You should also buy Birkenstock cork sealer to keep the cork sealed.

The seal will wear away as you wear them, and the cork can start to crack otherwise. You should also clean them at least once a month to prevent any unpleasant odors.

Special cleaners are available to help you do this regularly. Although they can get wet sometimes for short amounts of time, they shouldn’t become soaked.

If it is raining outside, you may want to wear a different pair of shoes. Always leave them to dry in a warm place if they get wet.

The Complete Guide on How to Break in Birkenstocks

If you have ordered a new pair of Birkenstocks, they may initially be uncomfortable. When you break into Birkenstocks, you must start slowly by wearing them indoors.

Over a week, I will start wearing them more and more. This will help break them in and make them more flexible.

Are you looking for high-quality Birkenstock sandals? Visit Feet For Life today to see our collection.