Birkenstocks or Flip Flops?

Tuesday February 21, 2006

An interesting piece -- the American Observer discusses the $74.95 question: Birkenstocks or flip flops?

Senior Rebecca Carbaugh of Bridgewater College in Virginia is quoted with this definitive answer: "What makes a school a Birkenstock school versus a flip-flop school depends on how much money the students going there have to spend.” She goes on to say that Bridgewater has a hefty tuition; the inference is that dicretionary income for footwear is limited to flip flop-level funds. And U of Hartford sophomore India Harris told the Observer that the choice is purely personal preference; "...it's the students who determine whether their college is a flip-flop or Birkenstock school."

Are you a Birkie or a flip flopper? Questions of style aside, you can spend around $20-40, stay loyal to flip flops and give your feet some love.

Flip flops that coddle your tootsies

In your mother's "flip flops-are-bad-for-you" vein, the Society for Chiropodists and Podiatrists writes on its web site that flip flops "...can accentuate foot problems because of their flat design." A solution: Sanuk flip flops for all.

Sanuk's anatomical design makes feet feel fine; arch support and a toebar create non-flop footbeds. I could wear these flip flops across continents (I did, come to think of it).

Birkenstocks are for comfort lovers

Sliding sore feet into a pair of Birkenstocks is a big "ahh" to aching arches. Ask student travelers what they won't give up, and Birkenstock wearers will list their shoes before backpacks.