I had two pair of Birks back in the 90's when I was in high school.  Having grown up along the beach they were daily wear.  I loved them and had them for over 15 years when they were consumed by a puppy.  I know they are considered "dated" but looking back it wasn't until I stopped wearing them regularly and started wearing more "stylish" shoes that I developed my knee issues.

I decided to purchase a pair for the weekends and for traveling around over the summer (I no longer live where it's summer year round) and have found a good winter pair of shoes as well. I have decided in my now old age that I would rather have shoes that look a bit dated but keep me moving than have the most fashionable pair of shoes that leaves me in agony.

All hail the Birkenstocks and Danskos!  I will find a way to make them look amazing with what I wear.

Also - no I'm not a hippy or wannabe hippy. Just someone with knee issues from playing sports at a young age - though I might embrace the hippy look if it keeps my knees happy!

The only reason I knocked a star off of these is because the ones that I received had a mark on them, like a slight defect.  This won't prevent my wearing them or loving them... but I'm not entirely sure that we aren't getting the blemished ones by ordering from here.