I have been wearing Birkenstocks (or affordable dupes) since high school in the 1990s. When they came out with the EVA style I was intrigued to try them out. There was substantial raving about how comfortable they were. In the meantime I stumbled across Freedom Moses sandals. They seemed at first glance like a similar option. After trying both sandal styles this post will share my thoughts on Birkenstock EVA vs Freedom Moses sandals.
Birkenstock EVA vs Freedom Moses Sandals
The Birkenstock EVA sandal comes in a few styles. The iconic Arizona style with it’s two buckled straps and the Honalulu style that is more of a thong flip flop. There is also the Barbados style which has one wide strap. They come in different colours but more muted than Freedom Moses.
Freedom Moses is a PCU slide. There is only one style but they come in a much wider range of bright colours and patterns than the Birkenstock EVA.
I recieved the Freedom Moses sandals first. They are definitely inspired by the Birkenstock Arizona sandal but once you put them on you notice more differences than similarities.
The first thing I noticed that they fit narrow. The Freedom Moses slides are also made of Polycarbonate Urethane which is code for plastic. They are much harder or firmer than the Birkenstock EVA. In fact, they feel like my Okabashi shower sandals from university but look much cuter.
The buckles on the Freedom Moses sandals are just for show. They don’t actually work because they aren’t actually buckles just part of the plastic mold. Which means you can’t adjust the straps to accommodate your feet.
The straps on the Freedom Moses sandals are closer together. I personally experienced the straps pinching my feet as I walked.
The Birkenstock EVA slides came after I had the Freedom Moses sandals for a few weeks. The first thing I noticed was how much wider they fit. Part of this is because the buckles are functional and you can adjust the straps. The footbed isn’t necessarily that much bigger. It is longer so I do think there is a bit more room there as well.
The Birkenstock EVA sandals are also much lighter. Not that the Freedom Moses are not a heavy shoe but they are heavier in comparison.
The straps are further apart on the Birkenstocks. I experience zero pinching while I walk in these. I do find them a bit more slippy at first as the sole has less traction until it gets a bit more used.
Overall the Birkenstock EVA is the more comfortable option for my feet. I ordered both sandals in a 39 or the approximate equivalent of an 8.5. Both shoes fit but the Birkenstock’s fit looser and more comfortably. My feet feel squished into the Freedom Moses sandals. They are more suited to a long, narrow foot, which mine is not.
I also feel like the Birkenstock EVA is more lightweight and cushiony which is pleasant to walk in. The Freedom Moses sandals feel more like hard plastic in comparison. Not the kind that would cut up your feet but just stiffer.
Longevity wise the Freedom Moses sandal is going to win. These sandals will be able to keep a licking and still endure. The Birkenstock EVA is more susceptible to getting chewed up. The very thing that makes it more lightweight and comfortable is also going to make this sandal not last as long.
The Birkenstock EVA has slightly more arch support, but at the same time the stiffer plastic of the Freedom Moses sandal and the narrow fit offers quite a bit of support as well.
What do you think of the Birkenstock EVA vs Freedom Moses review? Which sandal would you choose?