Flat foot is a major problem faced by almost more than 20 percent of the people in the world. However, that doesn’t mean that this deformity is unavoidable or without any potential preventions. So are Birkenstocks good for flat feet? Well, yes, they are! Birkenstocks are specifically built to ease flat feet conditions and are even recommended by most specialists.
But what exactly makes these boots for flat feet so special and well-demanded? Well, there are plenty of reasons that make these Birkenstocks so special for people with this deformity. And that is what we are here for today.
Summary:
- Generally, flat feet refer to a certain foot’s deformation caused by an absent arch along the heel.
- Flat feet are caused by a variety of conditions, including injuries, obesity, and arthritis.
- Birkenstocks are an excellent deterrent for patients with flat foot deformity.
- People can walk long miles with Birkenstocks under their feet.
- Not only do Birkenstocks offer protection against pressure, but they also allow the regulation of moisture while walking.
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Why Do People Have Flat Feet?
For a person to walk under standard conditions, their feet must be rough and uneven. Only then would they have enough friction and stability under their feet that allow them to walk.
Flat feet refer to a certain foot deformity where your feet don’t have the right amount of roughness, including the arch formed by the heels. As such, this condition causes the feet not to have enough stability.
Additionally, the feet might have to face a lot of pain if the person under question does extensive work and labor. Flat feet are generally a genetic disorder that causes the feet of the patient to show a certain degree of deformation.
In the case of children, flat feet can develop due to a certain genetical disorder. This causes the tendons in the feet to tighten and remove the arch along the heel.
Problems Caused By Flat Feet
Instability while standing for a long time with flat feet is a vital problem caused by this condition. However, this is not the only issue sufferers suffer from. There are countless other problems associated with flat feet. Some of the more common problems caused by this condition have been listed below.
- Can not walk for a long time
- Can not keep standing for a long time
- It is painful to run a long-distance
- The feet hurt while doing any heavy menial tasks
- Limited amount of movement due to instability
Can Flat Feet Be Corrected?
Most people who have flat feet may not experience any problems in their whole lifetime. However, there is a small percentage of people with flat feet who will experience one or more of the issues we have mentioned above.
For these sorts of people, it is highly recommended that you get your feet corrected since this solution is no longer a dream. The typical solution to flat feet is to get surgery. While it does require a lot of money, having surgery is the quickest and most effective method of getting rid of flat feet.
Additionally, patients can also choose to go through medication or physical therapy. Certain physical exercises aimed at people with flat feet do exist and have been known to work for many people.
Are Birkenstocks Good For Flat Feet?
Birkenstocks are perfect for flat feet. These shoes have been specially manufactured by German shoe designers with comfortability as the key factor. Below, we have compiled some of the common benefits that these sandals for flat feet carry along for the wearer.
Birkenstocks Are Comfortable
The first and foremost benefit that wearers can enjoy is the comfortability of the shoes. The foot bed is designed to perfectly fit the bottom of your foot without causing any external strains for people with flat feet.
Furthermore, birkenstocks are made from special materials that protect your feet from both sweat and fungi. As such you can walk for a long time without taking any notice of the terrain.
Birkenstocks Are Durable
These shoes are designed to last for a long time. They won’t necessarily spoil easily and as such you will not be needing to replace them at regular intervals.
Stimulate muscle growth
Birkenstocks facilitate patients with flat feet. As such, they are manufactured to stimulate further nourishment of muscle and tendon growth in the feet. Furthermore, they also promote a greater blood circulation. This allows the wearer to overcome a lot of strain after working for a long time.
Can mold to your feet
With birkenstocks, you will not have to worry about any missfittings. This is because they come with a very elastic footbed that will mold into the wearer’s foot shape. This is only possible because of the latex and cork it is made from.
This molding function also carries the advantage of allowing your foot’s grip to be strengthened. Additionally, all of your weight, as you walk, gets evenly distributed along the arches.
What Kind of Feet Are Birkenstocks Good for?
From the way it is made, Birkenstocks are an obvious fit for flat feet. However, you need to know that there are several flat feet types, and Birkenstocks might not be suitable for all. So are Birkenstocks good for wide feet? Well, you can take a glance below to find out whether wide or any other flat feet types have good compatibility with Birkenstocks.
Flexible Feet
Flexible feet is the most common type of flat feet present. They won’t show any arches unless you lift the foot up and often do not cause much pain. Birkenstocks come with a moisture regulation footbed. This helps prevent the build-up of moisture, which could cause problems while lifting the foot.
Rigid Feet
These types of flat feet are normally seen among teenagers. Patients with rigid flat feet will often feel pain whenever they put pressure on their heels. Since Birkenstocks can absorb the pressure applied by the feet, they can act as an effective deterrent.
Wide Feet
Wide flat feet connect the arches of the heel along the flat beneath your feet, making the feet look wide. Usually, wearing a slightly larger Birkenstock can relieve the patient of any painful walking experience. This is because Birkenstocks have a soft cork footbed that absorbs the pressure caused by walking or running.
Tips to Make Birkenstocks More Comfortable for Flat Feet
Birkenstocks are indeed made to be comfortable. However, factors like not being the right size and faulty quality can make them uncomfortable to wear. As such, there are several tips that you can follow to make your Birkenstock sandals as comfortable as possible.
Adjust The Straps Properly
The straps are what hold the footbed of the Birkenstock to your feet. By default, they are tightened randomly, which can prove to be either too tight or too loose. You can choose to adjust them accordingly in order to get the right amount of tightness.
Wear Regularly
Like all shoes, the Birkenstock takes some time before the user can get used to them. You can start by walking for 30 minutes or 45 minutes every day, and your feet will become used to the new footwear. Additionally, you can also try and extend the wearing period frequently.
Go for soft footbeds.
Typically, the surface or footbed of the Birkenstock is either hard or soft. You can choose either of them depending on your preferences. However, if you are a first-time user, soft footbed ones are recommended. This is because the soft bed makes it the perfect amount of shock absorption needed for wearing in your everyday life. However, do note that these soft ones are typically more expensive.
Buy The Right Size
The most obvious tip that many people often go for is to buy the right size. This is the wrong move since it is uncomfortable to wear large Birkenstocks. Instead, go for the size that you need.
Frequently Asked Questions
You should have a lot of questions about the performance of Birkenstocks by now. While it is near impossible to answer all of them, we have included the answers to some of the more common ones that we can anticipate.
How Long Does It Take to Break in Birkenstock?
You’ll need to give a Birkenstock a lot of time to break it in. This period usually lasts between two and three weeks. However, depending on the brand and the size of your feet and shoes, this break-in time might exceed our range. Aside from this weekly time, some manufacturers believe that walking 500 miles or more should allow the shoes to break into your feet.
Are Birkenstocks Good For Plantar Fasciitis?
Birkenstocks are one of the best shoes that any patient with plantar fasciitis can use; these shoes have one of the best shock absorption and moisture regulation mechanisms.
Besides, the soft cork footbed is also great at molding your plantar fasciitis feet into shape while reducing the strain on the arch.
Are Birkenstocks Good For Fallen Arches?
Yes, they are a pretty decent choice that people can wear to counter fallen arches. These supporting sandals have a good profile and soft footbed. This makes them a great deterrent against the strain the heel of your feet would have to feel while walking without any shoes.
Do Birkenstocks offer orthopedic support?
While most Birkenstocks are not specifically made for orthopedic support, few brands often include an orthopedic insole. This helps increase the stability that the footwear offers for orthopedic patients. As a result, this shoe is a great prevention against most orthopedic-related issues like calluses, foot pain, ingrown toe, bunions, etc.
Should Birkenstocks Fit Tight Or Loose?
When wearing any shoes or sandals, like Birkenstocks, you should never strap them too tightly, nor should they be too loose.
If the straps are too tight, they could potentially close the blood circulation within your feet. On the other hand, if they are too loose, you won’t be able to walk with the pair of Birkenstocks.
Are Birkenstocks Good For Walking Long Distances?
Well, whether your Birkenstock will be good for walking long distances or not will depend on the material it is made from. For instance, soft cork has the best cushioning possible while maintaining a certain rigidity.
Therefore, if you are wearing Birkenstocks with soft cork footbeds, you will be able to travel a long distance without any problem.
Do Birkenstocks Last Longer?
Birkenstocks have been reported to last for a long time, even after extreme usage. However, do note that just like any other footwear, you will require to maintain and clean them to a certain extent.
Conclusion
Feet deformation is not common. However, that doesn’t mean that it is quite as rare either. While most people with slight deformations will not face any issues in their everyday lives, deformations can prove to be a plague for anyone.
That is why Birkenstocks are a great solution for flat feet. Not only do they serve a lot of practicality, but they also offer relief and comfort for people with all types of flat feet. Additionally, even people without flat feet often prefer to wear Birkenstocks instead of regular shoes and boots. That’s how good this footwear is!
