text: Birkenstock was my life saver a few years ago when I was struggling with Plantar Fasciaitis.  I had been to 2 podiatrist  and had 2 different orthodics made.  I worked 12 hr shifts as a nurse.  After 4-5 YEARS, I visited a Birkenstock shoe store in my area and was fitted with a cork insert.  THAT saved my life!  (well...)  My fasciaitis pain was relieved over time--a few months--and I have continued to wear Birkenstock cork inserts in my work/walking shoes and sandles (&#34;Birkies&#34;, plastic thong) for many years.  However,  the Birkies plastic thong sandles were discontinued about 3+ yrs ago.  The pair I am wearing are completely worn out on the bottom which makes them unsafe on wet surfaces.  But anything else I try, makes the fasciaitis come back!  So I tried this product.  They are so uncomfortable between the toes and they look ugly.  That is my biggest complaint with the Birkenstock products-they are just so ugly!  The black plastic thong sandles I wear look like normal sandals!