Arizona, Madrid, Gizeh or Boston: which shape suits your day?

Shopping for Birkenstock in Egypt? Start with the shape. Most pairs in this collection are built on a few classics. The Arizona has two straps, each with its own buckle, so you can set the fit over your foot. The Madrid has a single strap. It is the oldest model in the Birkenstock family and started out as a gymnastics sandal.

The Gizeh is a thong sandal, and the Mayari adds crisscross straps around a toe loop. Want your toes covered? The Boston clog is part closed shoe, part open sandal, with a rounded toe.

Cork, Soft Footbed or EVA: what is under your foot?

The footbed decides how a pair feels. The original footbed is cork and latex, with a deep heel cup, a toe grip and a higher edge at the front. Give it time. Birkenstock says your foot needs a while to adjust to its contours, while the cork and latex flex and mould. Wear a new pair around the house for an hour or two at a time, then go longer.

A Soft Footbed keeps that base and adds a foam layer above the cork for extra cushioning, as on the Boston Soft Footbed and Arizona Soft Footbed. EVA pairs, like the Arizona EVA and Gizeh EVA, are made from light, flexible EVA that is waterproof and easy to wash.

Pool, street or home: which Birkenstock should you pick?

• Pool, beach or around the house: an EVA pair, such as the Arizona EVA or Barbados EVA.
• Long days out: an Arizona or Boston with a Soft Footbed.
• An upper you can wipe clean: Birko-Flor or Birkibuc.
• Leather that changes with wear: oiled leather or nubuck, which build a patina over time.
• Kids: Rio and Milano sandals, which add a strap behind the heel. See more kids' footwear.

If you are new to Birkenstock, start with the Arizona in Birko-Flor on the original cork footbed. The straps adjust, and the upper wipes clean. If your pair will often get wet, pick the Arizona EVA instead. For open styles from other brands, see our women's slippers and slides.