Originally Posted by
Sadiemae
Thanks so much! That was what I needed to know.
I too wear Birks all the time. I had to switch to the soft footbeds because the regular footbeds were too hard for my poor tender tootsies. The regular foobed is too hard - I used to be able to break them (or my feet) in by wearing 20 minutes at a time but no more. I've had foot surgery for a bunion and my big toe veers to the right (on left foot). They don't make shoes like that. I am very happy with the soft foodbed - certainly seems to be very supportive and I've had them well over a year of wearing them most of the time. They may not last 9 years - but none of my other Birks have lasted that long.
As to getting new footbeds attached to the uppers - it will cost nearly as much as new Birks. I've found that is is best for me to buy a pair every year and rotate wearing them.