I want Yara's from Birkenstock in Antique Brown

Birkenstock Yara Antique Brown Women's Sandals

Tribute to my Favorite Birkenstock Summer Sandal

Birkenstock Yara Leather Women's Ankle-Strap Sandals in Antique Brown Leather.

Cross-strap, toe loop sandal with a adjustable buckles on the front and ankle straps.

Featuring classic Birkenstock cork latex footbed and shock absorbing EVA sole.

Important:

Birkenstock makes Yara intentionally roomy for added comfort so they tend to run large (i would say they are about 0.5 to a full size larger than your average sandal). Most people prefer it this way since the buckles can be adjusted for a tight fit. In fact, this is part of their appeal. Birkenstock footwear is designed and sized to provide a roomy fit allowing your toes and feet to wiggle and be free. 

Birkenstock uses natural distressed leather with an antique/vintage look for the Yara Antique Brown Leather sandals so no two are ever exactly alike. Take a look at the sandals and you will notice scuffs and discolorations because of the type of leather Birkenstock uses.  The upper material is Antique Brown Leather which is a thick and durable leather with a serious distressed and worn antique look. In fact, the antiqued finish on these leather sandals gives them a stylish, well-worn look right out of the box. So you need to accept variations in the color or structure, blemishes, scuffs and discolorations.  In my opinion, they add beauty to the sandals and serve as proof of their authenticity.

Yara's are the holy grail of Birkenstock.  Consider yourself luck, if you find a 38 M (7-7.5 for a US Women) which fits my US Women's Size 8.  Also; take a regular M (regular/normal) size since narrow really means narrow for skinny feet only.

For some reason, the leather (antique brown) is in short supply explaining the limited production run. Birkenstock Yara Leather Women's Ankle-Strap Sandals in Antique Brown Leather. Cross-strap, toe loop sandal with a adjustable buckles on the front and ankle straps. Featuring classic Birkenstock cork latex footbed and shock absorbing EVA sole. This is the real deal. Cork, leather, a buckle or two: these are the simple ideas that have made feet happy for over two hundred years, and that is the original Birkenstock. These shoes are made in Germany since 1774. No smoke, no mirrors, and no gizmos are needed. You walk, the shoe molds to your foot. The shape of the Original Birkenstock Footbed enables body weight to be distributed evenly over the whole foot, providing it with optimal support. Stride in luxurious style with the women's Birkenstock Yara sandal. Made of a real leather upper, this sandal has wraparound felt lined straps with adjustable dual buckles for easy entry/off and a secure fit. The leather lining over the contoured footbed pampers your foot all day long. Its lightweight rubber midsole offers great shock absorption. Topping it all is the traction-pattern EVA outsole which provides immense reliability for a perfect gait. Choose the women's Birkenstock Yara sandal for its ultimate comfort and style. Here are some images of my favorite Birkenstock sandal: Yara.

Birkenstock Review on Amazon goes Viral

As I stated in my previous post about the new Birkenstock Black Imprint and the New Blue Birkenstock Shoe Box; Birkenstock is switching to black print and blue shoe boxes and these changes are her to stay.

Here are some examples of an an authentic new Birkenstock production including this pair that just arrived:









and a closer look at the footsole:


and again:





And here's an unfortunate example of someone who didn't get the Birkenstock memo:

Amazon customers like the one below incorrectly assumed that they received fakes because they were not aware of the latest production changes that Birkenstock has been making!  This Amazon Review posted for Birkenstock's Mayari went viral...the only problem..the reviewer had it wrong! 

1.0 out of 5 starsFakes!  no; not really... it's just the new Birkenstock design!

ByAmazon Customeron June 13, 2016

Size: 38 M EU|Color: Stone|Verified Purchase

I was really excited when I ordered this because I've wanted birks for forever but when they came they were very obviously not true Birkenstocks! The writing on the sole was black instead of the usual yellow color. Also the order of all of the symbols and writing was different than the picture. I ordered these in stone and it wasn't even grey. It was much closer to an olive green color. I don't know if it's just a defect in this specific color or this seller but I did NOT receive the shoes that were in the picture. Also, authentic birks come in a white and blue box with a feather on it. Mine came in an all blue box which was another sign that they were not true Birkenstocks 😕😕 very disappointed

Amy1 month agoIn reply toan earlier post

I also ordered the same and feel like they aren't authentic. Just returned mine...

and below is the correct answer explaining the updated looks of the 
new blue Birkenstock shoe box and the new black printing on the footbed.

Availar James 2 days ago (Edited)

Birkenstock is indeed upgrading their shoe boxes and some of the shoe designs resulting in confusion (reading the review above is a good example). Birkenstock are still of the same quality and looks but there are some changes that you need to be aware of: the newly updated sandals (latest production we received in July/August 2016) ships in a newly designed Birkenstock shoe box (new blue design with handy size measuring guide printed on inside of shoe box). 

Do a search for Birkenstock Blue Box on Google and/or contact the Birkenstock's factory directly in Germany (http://www.birkenstock-group.com/contact-en-form.htm); they will confirm the above. The new blue Birkenstock shoe box is here to stay! 

Retailers may still have inventory of the original white box, or, have newer inventory of the blue box; take a deep breath and relax; they are all genuine. As most of you already know, Birkenstocks notoriously run about half a size large (they are still foremost orthopedic sandals which is why we love them in the first place) and this new feet measuring guide (printed on the inside of the new shoe box) will partially solve the sizing challenges associated with Birks. One more important update: the newer sandals may now also come with black (not yellow) lettering (this is the black printed logo and size info which is printed on the footbed). In the past, Birkenstock used mostly yellow lettering for its classic footbeds and blue (and sometimes yellow) for its soft footbeds. They are now upgrading their sandals to black lettering as well (this was already the case for the white version of Mayari and Arizona which have always had black lettering - do a simple search in google for Mayari White or Arizona White). Images on Amazon may not reflect the latest production changes yet but you can take a look at some of the uploaded pictures in our own product review posted on August 26, 2016. 

In short; yellow, black and blue lettering, they are all OK. Our final and perhaps most important opinion: we feel it is best is to stick with ordering from Prime vendors (Fulfillment by Amazon). On the product page: click for example "13 new from $99.95" and check the "Prime" button on the upper left of your screen. You will get a ranking of vendors that offer Prime. If you are still considering purchasing Birkenstocks from overseas vendors (in specific, vendors that ship from that big nation in Asia that we will not specifically name), you should always inspect the footbed of your new Birkenstock sandals upon arrival. The Birkenstock logo should be imprinted on the footbed of each shoe. The registered trademark symbol is situated immediately to the right of it. Just below the logo you should see "Made in Germany". So if you receive either a white- or the newer blue shoe box, they are both genuine and made by Birkenstock Germany; just from a different production date. Our final "two cents": go with Amazon Prime vendors = Stored, Packed & Shipped by Amazon, Eligible for Free Shipping with Amazon Customer Service 24 x 7.

Availar James 7 days ago (Edited)

Before you jump to any conclusions, you should know that the latest production of Birkenstock sandals comes packaged in a Birkenstock box which is blue with white lettering, exactly like the one you received (Birkenstock appears to have upgraded to their new box design in late 2016 but still uses the original box on some shoe models). You are correct to note that the original box was white with blue lettering. Based on your pictures, you must have received the latest production. From what I can tell, you received the stone color. In my opinion, stone does not equal grey. Stone is a light beige color exactly like its name implies. Opinions on color are understandably so subjective so I understand that they appear to be olive green to you. But for me, your pictures show the light beige stone color for sure. In regards to the lettering on the sole: I have seen blue and yellow lettering on shoes in the past; yellow "usually" means regular cork footbed and blue "usually" means soft footbed. For the black lettering, this appears to be valid as well; I would advise to do an image search on Google. Search for Mayari White for example and you will notice that they are made with black lettering including some results from authorized Birkenstock websites. Most often, Birkenstock appears to use blue lettering for the soft footbeds and yellow lettering for the original cork footbeds (although I have seen them being used intermittently). The new production of Mayari's seems to have black lettering.

NEW versus OLD printing (both by Birkenstock Germany)

above: new black lettering on footbed is being introduced by Birkenstock - you may already receive this new style when you buy your Birkenstocks through Amazon - indicating that you received the latest production.

above: yellow lettering on footbed is being phased out by Birkenstock - you may still receive some in the classic "old school" yellow print until Birkenstock runs out of stock - but the newly updated designs with "black printed info" on the footbed is shipping now from Amazon and other retailers.  hang on to your yellow-printed Birks; they may become collectors items in a couple of years!

Birkenstock Black Print on Footsole vs Yellow Print on Footsole

Black Lettering vs Yellow Lettering: It's all Good
  

 

WHY did Birkenstock change their footprint color from yellow to black? I was so shocked.  It used to be either yellow (solid cork footbed) or blue (soft footbed) but now they are making the imprints in black!  What happened?  I loved the old school "yellow lettering" on the footbeds and the classic white shoe box with the feather on it.  But now, it appears the German purveyor of fashionable orthopedic footwear is phasing out the classic yellow imprint as well as the original white shoe box. Guess I should stock up on old Birks!

As of early summer 2016, I am seeing the new production sandals (Mayari, Arizona, Gizeh, etc) with the new black prints on the footsole (please see pictures below).  This is leading to utter confusion amount Birk fanatics; leading some of them to incorrectly assume that the new Birks with black printing are "fake"; which they are not.

And, while the white Birkenstock shoe box is still being used for the time being; the company is slowly upgrading to their new BLUE shoe box design. If you still receive a white shoe box; consider yourself lucky because you are holding something that soon will be a RARITY among sandal fanatics like myself.  
 
See this post on Amazon titled "Fakes!" which was probably well intended but totally misguided partially because neither Birkenstock USA, Zappos or Amazon has updated their images yet.  This has resulted in some kind of chain reaction making other customers believe their shoes were fake too!  I thought Germans operated like ultra-precision high-speed nano-second-splitting robots...obviously they are not. 

So, are my Birkenstocks with black lettering in the blue box real?  The short answer is Yes. In fact, Birkenstock Europe is finally updating their website(s) showing the new design (see 2 examples below).

  



 
  

When in doubt, make sure they have the text "Made in Germany" on the footsole with an encircled letter  'R' (registered trademark) next to the Birkenstock name) exactly as shown on the example below.
  
New Birks will now ship in BLUE boxes and have the BLACK printing on the footbeds as shown below!

NEW re-design by Birkenstock!
New Birkenstock sandals now come with BLACK printing on the footbed!

How to Sizing Birkenstocks: Tips for Sizing and Choosing Birkenstocks, Regular vs Narrow

Birkenstock Size Guide: Easy steps to understand how to size your Birks!

Birkenstock sandals are still made in Germany and thus uses European sizing. European sizes are "unisex" (one size for both women and men) whereas USA sizes are different for women and men.   For example; a Birkenstock Arizona Sandal size 38 M EU equals a 7 to 7.5 for a US Woman, or, a 5 to 5.5 for US Men.   

The helpful notes and the size conversion charts below form a general guideline to help determine your size. In our experience of Birkenstock this is a good guide for fitting in relation to US customers. However your exact size will ultimately depend on the structure of your individual foot and the style of the shoe. Please note that the new Birkenstock shoe boxes (shown below) have a slightly different conversion chart. Whilst it is an official chart from Birkenstock the manufacturer, we feel our guide is more appropriate in our experience with US customers.

1. Birkenstock Regular vs Narrow




Outlined footprints indicate a regular fit footbed and a solid/filled in footprint indicating a narrow fit footbed.

Have regular or wide feet?  Stick with a size "M" which is for regular/normal feet.
Have regular to wide feet (or are you a fashionista)?  Stick with a size "N" which is for both regular/skinny feet.




2. Birkenstock Shoe Length:

Yes, we hear you. Birkenstocks are generously sized compared to other sandals. But remember, these are foremost orthopedic sandals and are made to fit roomy. If you are a fashionista and do not care about comfort, by all means, go down 1 (one) size.  But remember, Birks are designed to fit the three arches of your feet: The medial arch (the largest arch typically referred to in the phrase "good arch support"), the metatarsal arch (the pocket between the ball of your foot and your pinkie toe), and the lateral arch ( a lesser known structure on the outside of your foot, in front of your heel). Because the Birkenstock flexes, at the cost of room at the ends of the footbed, a properly sized fit includes some extra room in front of the toes and behind the heel (in a normally-proportioned foot). This maintains correct support under your arches, providing a dynamic balance while you walk.

Damage to the foot is a common health problem in today's population. A large portion of the symptoms are provoked by ill-fitting footwear, and so it is important that you get the correct size/fit. If you make sure you get the correct size by following our sizing guide and our fitting tips when purchasing your Birkenstocks, you will extend the life of your sandals tremendously and enjoy them a lot more. Always try on, and break in, your shoes indoors on carpet before wearing them outside! The contours of the footbed should follow the curves of your foot. The raised arch might feel unusual at first, but the arch support will feel less pronounced as the cork/latex footbed moulds to your foot. Even with foot health sandals the right fit is important. Therefore the Original Birkenstock foot bed is manufactured in two widths. When purchasing your Birkenstock sandals, ensure that you get the correct width. Regular or Narrow Birkenstocks are designed to be roomy. When you first try your sandals they might feel big. Most people are fine with a regular fitting, but if your foot moves side to side when you walk and adjusting the strap does not help, a narrow fitting may be more suitable. To check the width of a pair of Birkenstocks you already own, you can tell by inspecting the foot bed where there is a small image of a foot. If it's filled in the shoe is a narrow fitting, and if it's an outline it's regular. When fitting sandals, the strap closest to your toes should fit comfortably, but not tight. The other straps should be more loose fitting to allow your heel to lift slightly off the footbed while walking. Birkenstocks should never be worn with the straps buckled tight.

3. Birkenstock Size Chart - please see the different column for either Men or Women



4. How to read a Birkenstock print on the footsole



Above:
1) Foot symbol is filled-in/solid indicating that this is a size "N" for narrow/skinny feet.
2) The European size 38 which corresponds to a 7 to 7.5 for a US Women.
3) Material of the footbed (leather); please note that this not indicate the upper material (it may be different). 

5. Just to clarify the Birkenstock Shoe Width:

Yes, Birkenstocks are wide for the same purpose as described above. Birkenstocks passively support the architecture of your feet from underneath, just as your bare foot would be supported walking on a complient surface like earth or sand. Conventional shoes support your foot by binding them, rendering them less mobile. Your foot is a dynamic structure that NEEDS to move, in order to function correctly. If you do not like wide sandals, select a size N = Narrow Fit.

6. Break-In Period for standard Birkenstock cork footbeds (not for softfootbed):

3) They require a break-in period: Birkenstock sandals are firm under the sole of your foot. The footbed molds to the individual shape of YOUR feet over time, providing an even support across the entirety of your foot. Conventional shoes accomodate the hard points on the soles of your feet with padding that squshes under pressure, but doesn't actually support the structures of your feet. Birkenstocks are WALKING shoes, and after a normal breaking-in period, you should be expect to comfortably walk MILES in them.  We suggest to walk them for an hour around the house during the first couple of weeks after you receive them.  This will help to break them in!

Birkenstock footwear works by supporting your arches, reducing the strain on the muscles of the foot. When you try on your first pair of Birkenstock shoes, take time to walk around indoors and get used to them. You should break them in gradually. Your feet should fit completely inside the footbeds, with 1/8 to 1/4 inch of extra length for walking. The width should fit closely to prevent your foot from slipping side to side. If your toes have become curled from wearing tight shoes, make sure your Birkenstocks are long enough to accommodate them once they have resumed their natural shape. The Birkenstock footbed is contoured to match the shape of a healthy foot. Because few people have perfectly shaped feet, new shoes may feel "different". The toe grips should be in the right place for your feet and some wearers find the arch support can feel prominent initially. If you have worn high heels for years, your Achilles tendons may have contracted. Our footwear can help to restore their natural length. Birkenstock footwear is meant to be worn comfortably; the support comes from the footbed, not from tightly buckled straps. It may take several days to become used to the feeling, but your toes will soon learn to grip the footbeds as you walk. Although the footbeds may feel stiff at first, as you wear your Birkenstocks, the footbeds will become softer and more flexible. Soon your shoes will adjust to the shape of your feet, and form a truly unique fit that, properly cared for, will provide you with years of long-lasting comfort.

this is a NARROW size (N) - please take a closer look at the foot symbol which is "filled in" indicating that is is made for narrow/skinny feet.  

Birkenstock New Design (introduced in Spring 2016 in German market, Summer 2016 USA)

Addendum (08/27/2016). Birkenstock is upgrading their shoe box design to blue instead of white (this new blue shoe box design features a handy size measuring guide printed on inside of shoe box). The new blue Birkenstock shoe box is here to stay and for good reason! As most of you already know, Birkenstocks notoriously run about half a size large (they are still foremost orthopedic sandals which is why we love them in the first place) and this new feet measuring guide (printed on the inside of the new shoe box) will partially solve the sizing challenges associated with Birks.

Birkenstock New Blue Shoe Box vs Old White Shoe Box

Blue vs White Birkenstock Shoe Box

Out with the old.  Above is the original Birkenstock shoe box.  This old style shoe box in an all-white design features blue lettering and the famous feather on top.  This style is being phased out by Birkenstock (although they are still shipping it until their stock runs out).

In with the new.  Above is the new BLUE Birkenstock shoe box.  This new style shoe box in an all-blue design and features white lettering.  The famous feather is no longer on top of the box; it was replaced with the Birkenstock logo.  This style is now being introduced by Birkenstock (although they are still using the original white box design for some models until their stock runs out).

A new blue box design for Birkenstock has arrived!

WHY did Birkenstock change their design? We loved the old school "yellow lettering" on the footbeds and the classic white shoe box with the feather on it.  But now, it appears the German purveyor of fashionable orthopedic footwear is phasing out the classic yellow imprint and... phasing out the original white shoe box.  Instead, we are seeing the new production sandals (Mayari, Arizona, Gizeh, etc) with the new black prints on the footsole.  This is leading to confusion amount Birk fanatics; leading some customers to incorrectly assume that the new Birks with black printing are "fake".  And, while the white Birkenstock shoe box is still being used for the time being; the company is slowly upgrading to their new BLUE shoe box design. If you receive a white shoe box; consider yourself lucky because you are holding something that soon will be a RARITY.  

WHY did Birkenstock upgrade to their new BLUE shoe box design?  The easy answer; sizing challenges that are uniquely Birkenstock!  Birks are foremost ORTHOPEDIC sandals that have only recently have become a fashion icon.  Birkenstock still stresses the fact that their orthopedic clients are their main consumer target - not the fashionistas!  However, the new fashionista customer did not always realize that Birks were generously sized for orthopedic reasons.  So, this new type of "consumer" claimed that Birks run "too large".  These words make the manufacturer and it's true orthopedic customer base "cringe".  If you have been wearing Birks for a while, you know that they are never too large.  They they are just sized generously to support your feet the proper way!  

In response to the "too large" reviews, Birkenstock has now introduced the Blue Shoe Box design which contains a handy size measuring guide printed on inside of shoe box (great for people that want to try to the sandals in a store...but still not really useful for people that buy online).