Birkenstock Mayari Review

The Birkenstock Mayari are a casual pair of flip flops that emphasize comfort, style, and security. Their sole is made of EVA, with a suede footbed and cork midsole. The straps are made of oiled nubuck leather with metal buckles and the size 7/7.5 we tested weighed 14.1 ounces. They come in just one standard width and are available in a wide range of colors and strap materials.

Performance Comparison

Comfort

One of the things Birkenstock sandals are known for is their intensely comfortable soles and the Mayari are no exception. These flops are comfortable right out of the box and feel like a cradle for your foot. Over time, the cork midsole slowly molds to the specific shape of your foot, making them even more comfortable. We've tested other Birkenstock sandals as well and found the Mayari soles to be more flexible than average — another item in their "pros" column.

The leather straps are placed well enough that none of our testers experienced any rubbing, even on long days. Treated well, those leather straps should only get more comfortable as they age as well. They're not particularly heavy, nor are they exceptionally light, finding a middle ground that feels pretty standard and unexceptional. Our wider-footed testers had no problems being comfortable wearing the "standard" width, either. The biggest barrier to comfort that we found while wearing the Mayari is that the concave Birkenstock footbeds tend to collect debris — walking over sandy beaches and freshly mown lawns resulted in a lot of debris jumping in for a ride with our feet, causing us to have to constantly stop and empty our sandals.

Support

The Mayari have that classic Birkenstock sole that is not only comfortable but also provides great support for just about any foot. For a flip flop, we're also impressed at how well and how easily the Mayari stayed attached to our feet during testing. Criss-crossing over the toes and securing the midfoot help these sandals not slide right off your feet. The hollowed shape of the footbed also contributes to this stability, as your foot slides down into the shoe and the straps effectively help to hold it there. The Mayari are a reasonable weight that's well-balanced within each shoe, further aiding in their ability to stay put on your foot rather than fly off if you need to jog after the dog. For a decidedly casual-use shoe, we're quite impressed by how stable and secure these shoes really are.

Traction

For everyday wear, the Mayari have totally acceptable traction. Their EVA soles are ridged and cross boardwalks and beer garden patios with ease. Because the footbeds are so scooped, they also held our feet in place better than flat sandals. The suede footbed also retains traction against your foot better than a slippery smooth flip flop. As long as our feet stayed reasonably dry (sweat seemed to be okay), even walking up and down moderate hills proved to be no issue in the Mayari. Of course, compared to any rugged outdoor adventure sandals, the traction of the Mayari seems weak. They slip easily trying to boulder hop or climb over an old weather-worn log. Crossing wet surfaces also proved to be a bit more challenging, as they had a hard time gripping smooth surfaces covered in water. With their cork midsole, suede footbed, and leather straps, these flips really aren't made to get wet. But for all our around-town exploring, the Mayari have solid traction.

Versatility

In terms of what activities we'd be jazzed to do while wearing the Mayari, serious hiking and backcountry adventuring are not on the list. Water activities also don't make the cut. But for a pair of cute, stylish, comfortable sandals we feel excited to wear for even the longest days walking tens of thousands of steps around the amusement park or on vacation, these are excellent. And while most flip flops aren't adjustable, the Mayari are! Two of the three straps have buckles with four possible holes (of course, with a leather punch, you could add more if you needed, but we doubt you will).

Despite having just a single available width, the Mayari manage to be accommodating for both narrow and wider feet. Their unique construction, with a malleable cork inner layer, means that they will further conform to your feet as you wear them — great news for anyone with feet that are a different width than "average". Though this isn't an adjustability that you can control — and it takes a long time of wear to really notice the difference — it's also something you don't have to think about, that just makes the sandals more comfortable and a better fit the longer you own them.

Style

When it comes to some serious style, the Mayari are a hit with our testing team. They're impressively fashionable and manage to work just as well with a laidback pair of joggers as they do with your favorite sun dress. The leather straps elevate their style even more, and they come in a wide range of natural and muted colors.

Should You Buy the Birkenstock Mayari?

If you're on the fence about buying a pair of flip flops because you're worried they won't stay on your feet, the Mayari are your answer. We love so much about these casual yet cute sandals we could wear out anytime and never made our feet hurt. If you want sandals you can wear hiking trails or wading in the water before meeting the gals at the wine bar, these aren't a good choice, but if your summertime adventures are decidedly chill, the Mayari will take you there in style and comfort.

What Other Sandals Should You Consider?

We've tested so many excellent sandals and perhaps you need something a little bit extra from your footwear. If you want sandals that are cute and go with tons of outfits but can also keep up around the water, the water impervious Birkenstock Gizeh EVA are a great choice. Or perhaps you're hunting for some flips to keep your feet comfortable no matter where you roam. If that sounds like you, the ultra spongy OluKai Ohana may be just the ticket. But if you want some seriously cute and secure flip flops that go with just about everything and are comfortable to boot, the Birkenstock Mayari are one of our favorites.