So it’s summer, and you want to find a great pair of Birkenstocks to round off your look. Great idea. Here are some things you should know before shopping for a new pair. 

One, know that Birkenstocks use European sizing, so it may be a bit confusing at first. Luckily, some retailers have US sizing next to the European whole sizes, so it’s easier, but do your research first. Also, KNOW YOUR SIZE. Birkenstocks come in full sizes, so knowing the exact size will save you a lot of hassle in replacing them. Here's a quick chart of common sizes:

They also take time to break in, so if you’re dissatisfied with the initial feel, wait a bit. It’s worth it. Birkenstocks last for years so you will most definitely not regret the first few days.

Birkenstocks are rarely discounted. They want their brand message to stay intact—hand-made, sustainable, and full of long-lasting value. Finding deals is possible, but can take some work. As a bunch of deal gurus ourselves, we've organized four key tips in finding Birkenstocks on sale. So without further ado, let's do this.

And the Winner Goes to… Rue La La

If you want a fast Birkenstock shopping experience without the hassle of searching for codes, Rue La La is likely your best bet. All you have to do is sign up to join. The availability is ever-changing, but now for instance you can shop over 25 popular styles, like the Birkenstock Arizona and the Madrid, for around 30% off. Once again, note that you’ll have to sign up for free, but it’s worth the welcome email if you want quality, consistently good prices on Birkenstock.

If You’re Not Pleased with Rue La La, There are Alternatives

Depending on whether you’re aiming for boots or sandals, there are multiple other runner-ups in terms of consistency of sales. If you’re going for boots, we recommend Shoes.com, where you can currently find five styles of boots ranging from $90 to $115—that’s 50% off! Also try the infamous 6PM for surprisingly low prices on Birkenstock boots, heels, mules, and sandals. 6PM doesn’t normally offer codes, but they are usually able to knock prices down lower than the majority of shoe stores out there. Right now, for instance, you’ll find over 35 styles up to 50% off.

Bear in mind, you should always wait for a code to come out of thin air. For sites like Kohl’s and Famous Footwear, you can almost always find a 15% off or 20% off coupon that is applicable to Birkenstock. At Kohl’s, you can usually find a 20% off code to get an excellent price on Betula by Birkenstock, knocking the price below $60. With Famous Footwear, they have a wide, wide selection of Birkenstocks available, but the 15% off code comes about once every two months. It’s still worth it if you find a particular style you love at Famous Footwear but want to wait for a better price.

You'll also want to keep an eye on overstock sites like Daily Steals and Steep & Cheap, where we've found some great one-off Birkenstock clearance deals.

Navigate the Seas of eBay

There’s a consensus in the underground Birkenstock deal-lover community that eBay is the best place to go for Birkenstocks. I would have to second that sentiment, if not for Rue La La. There are thousands of Birkenstocks listed at eBay at any given time, but of course you have to navigate bad sellers, fakes, and overseas stores. We first and foremost recommend shopping by size. That way, you can immediately see the best prices for your unique foot. You can also navigate by style and material, which will eliminate most of the clutter. As always with eBay, you’re going to want to go for “New With Box” or “New”.

Amazon Prime Day

For 2018, Amazon Prime Day falls on July 16 and 17. You will be able to shop over 100 styles of hot Birkenstocks and get 30% off. Prime Day will drop the price of popular sandals and mules below $70.

Amazon, like eBay, is also a great bet for consistently low prices on certain sizes. Who knows—maybe your size foot is the lucky one. Prime Members also get free shipping so this is often preferable to high shipping fees like those at Kohl’s or Famous Footwear.

Keep your eyes peeled during the off-season

It's definitely worth noting that we've spotted Birkenstock sales during the winter and holiday shopping seasons. Last year, we found Nordstrom Rack offering 35-50% off Birkenstock sandals and boots, and several other retailers turned up with discounts in early Fall.

Set up a Deal Alert for Birkenstock sales

Let us do the work for you. When you create a Deal Alert, you'll get an email whenever we post a deal on Birkenstocks. Just type "Birkenstock" in our search bar (or click here), then click on the "Create Alert for Birkenstock" button near the top of the page. Then sit back and relax!

Now tell us—where did you get your Birkenstocks? Did we miss any great spots?