WalkAbout replaced the soles of my Birkenstocks about a year or two ago. They did an excellent job, and threw in an extra repair on the cork that I hadn't requested for no extra cost. At around $80 it was more affordable than a new pair of sandals which I'd have to spend months breaking in, and I liked that I didn't have to throw my old ones in the trash (reduce reuse repair recycle!! Woohoo!!). They also have a nice selection of Chacos and other water shoes that I have tried on, including some wide sizes! I will be returning to this business in the future. read more

Highly knowledgeable about foot needs, and shoe construction. Wonderful selection of comfy but attractive shoes--that are good for your feet! There are usually some shoes on sale, too. Prices are what you would expect for quality shoes. read more

looked everywhere between atlanta and here to get a new pair of Birks for our trip- No one along the way had our size or style- These guys were helpful, had what we wanted, and outfit the whole family. Thank you!!! read more

My wife and I love this place. My wife has found a brand there she's never seen anyplace else; and they look great on her feet in several models. My only concern is the people behind the counter are obviously employees, not owners. I believe the ownership is over in Tallahassee. As for Ann C's review below, I am surprised this store does repairs, and assume they send them out to a 3rd party. They could have done something like offer to send them back for an adjustment, offered her a new pair for 50% off or give her 10% off on her $350 in purchases. But employees can't do that, owners can. You know? read more

I saw the billboard on our approach to Gainesville and realizing I had brought along no sandals for an outing on a boat the next day, I stopped in and bought a new pair of Birkenstocks. My previous pair lasted about 8 years, so even at the relatively high price they still turned out to be a great value. I have been wearing Birks since 1978 and have always gotten great comfort and value. I had also always worn size 43 but for whatever reason got out of the store with size 42's. The next day I put them on and wore them on the boat trip. All day they seemed just slightly short on my foot. Not really uncomfortably so, but just a bit odd feeling. At the end of the day I put them away and didn't wear them again....ever. I got back to Texas after this Florida trip and put them up in my closet. Finally, I took them down from the shelf about two months later and resolved to do something about them, assuming I would have to just sell them as used even though they have no discernible wear at all. Instead, I decided it wouldn't hurt to give it a try calling the Walkabout Shop to see if I could make an exchange for size. The friendly staff informed me that this would be an exception to usual policy, especially since it had been more than 30 days. However, When I later checked back with the store manager, he decided to make an exception in my favor. He instructed me to send my pair to him and he would exchange them for the needed size. Sure enough I sent them off the same day and four days later received the replacements. Wow! Service could not have been faster or better anywhere. The new size 43's are great. Just like all Birkenstocks I've had before, I have put them on and worn them almost every day that has been practical for sandals. Thank you Walkabout Shop and especially Rob the manager. Five star service and excellent treatment of me when they could easily have just ignored my situation! These folks are great! read more

Best place to get Birkenstocks and hiking boot type shoes in Gainesville. Staff is friendly and helpful. I went with a friend who was interested in getting Birks and they called a sister store and actually had them sent from Tallahassee for her. I've also called about repairs and the most recent one they couldn't fix but the girl recommended a place that might be able to fix my shoe (something that normal Birkenstock places don't repair). read more

Well that was an awkward experience. Silence when I walked into the shop. The young woman spoke to me from Behind the counter while her male counterpart stared me down. Yes, she answered questions, but I was there for shoes. Sell me some shoes. I have specific foot needs that require specific shoes. I need to tryout different brands. I told her I never tried iconic; the perfect opportunity to proved service. I was the only one there. read more

Watch out doing business here. Items i wanted were not in stock. Waited short of 3 weeks to get it in. When i arrived to receive my order, they changed the price i was originally given. Their reason was they just do what their supplier marks. The staff are young and lack knowledge Of customer service read more

OK, I went there shopping with my 85 year old mother yesterday, August 3, 2019. She only buys SAS support shoes once a year or even longer. It was suppose to be Sales Tax Weekend for the State of Fl, but was told only shoes under $60 were included. Really? is not Gainesville, FL in the State of FL? She had just lost her husband of 66 years, age 91, WWII veteran, and my Father, on Tuesday, July 30th. Needed a new pair of shoes for his memorial service this Saturday, August 10th. The 2 little college girl workers did not even want to help her. She asked to measure her foot. They didn't even know how to read the shoe scale. They didn't even offer to help her try on the sandals she had picked out. Didn't offer any other styles or sizes either. I helped my momma, I am 64. I can promise you she will NOT be shopping at this store again. We drove over and hour and a half from Live Oak, FL. I really hope the manager or Franchise owner reads this. This is sad. She paid $132 for a pair of SAS sandals, full tax included. read more

I would give them a negative star if there were one available. The sales staff recommended a very expensive pair of shoes and said if I did not like them, I could bring them back. When I brought them back, that was not the case. They are obviously not concerned with customer satisfaction! Buyer beware!!!! read more

My husband and I have spent hundreds of dollars on shoes in this store. Several weeks ago we took a pair of my Birkenstocks to be repaired as the entire foot bed was worn. This cost us $75.00 but I love these shoes so I felt it was worth it. (They cost well over $100 to buy new). We also spent an additional $350.00 on shoes. I picked up the shoes the following week. When I put them on, I immediately noticed the arch in the left shoe was high and very uncomfortable. I continued to wear the shoes thinking it would eventually wear down. Instead, my foot became bruised and painful. I cannot wear the shoes at all. My husband took them back and asked that the shoe be corrected. They refused to do anything at all about correcting the shoe they had clearly ruined. We were surprised at their total lack of concern and their extremely poor customer service. We will never step foot (no pun intended!) in this store again and I strongly recommend buying elsewhere! read more

I purchased a $150 pair of shoes. When I purchased them, I asked if I can return them if they're not comfortable. They said "yes". I wore them twice and determined that they are too narrow. I called the store to ask if they would order the wides and I would come exchange them. They told me that they will not take the shoes back if I wore them outside of my home. That was NOT specified to me. I said that the shoes have NO wear on them whatsoever. They refused to take the shoes back. This is a very poor way to manage a brick and mortar store these days because I can just buy shoes on Zappos and return them after wearing with NO hassle whatsoever. And that's what i'll go back to doing. How very disappointing. read more

Very helpful staff! I had to find shoes for a new job where I'll have to stand for 8 hours straight. The staff were very helpful and especially patient with me while I tried different shoes. If you want to support local businesses I recommend this shoe store! read more

"If your Black, step back, If your White, you're alright". I visited this shop during Memorial Day weekend. This shop does not provide services to Black/African-American patrons. I entered the shop and asked the young lady about orthotic inserts. She explained the differences and offered me one to try. I decided I would buy it. I asked to try a Vionic shoe and another shoe from a different brand which she brought me. The shop started to get busy at this point and she went to assist other customers. When I got her attention again, I asked to try the Vionic shoe that was advertising a particular technology. She stated all the shoes has it. I thought this was odd as the sign was only under one pair and not all of them. I asked if I could try it anyways. She tells me they do not have my size. I told her I would try the next size up, I would really like to get a feel for it. She goes in the back and then comes out talking on the phone to a customer. Then went to assist other customers. When I realized that she was avoiding me, I asked the young man for assistance when he became available. He brought me the shoe then went to assist others. When I got his attention again, I asked when they expected this shoe be in, it was a better fit for me. He went to the backroom. He came out talking on the phone with a customer, then assisted another customer. When I got his attention again, he said, "oh right" and when to check on it. He said he didn't see any records of new shoes coming in soon; however, I can order the shoe if I like. It takes two weeks. I said I would be interested in doing that. I told him I wanted to try one more shoe before deciding. He went into the back and never came back with the other shoe I was interested in. Both either stayed overlong in the backroom leaving the store virtually unattended or assisted other customers. It took a while before realizing they do not provide services to Black/African-American patrons. They had absolutely no problem serving their Caucasian patrons. I was prepared to buy over $300 worth of foot products from them. I decided to return the orthotic insert and went up to the front desk and leaned over and could see both of them in the backroom doing basically nothing. I placed the inserts down on the desk and left. I will never do business here again. I ended up going to another store that had what I was looking for and I would say I got the better end of the deal since it was cheaper price for the same product. Shame on Rob Suter. Your staff are less than exemplary. read more

I spent $130 on a pair of Birkenstocks. After wearing them for 4 days I noticed that the sole was coming apart from the base. This was only happening on one of the sandals and seemed to me to be an obvious defect especially considering Birkenstocks are always so highly rated. When I took them back to the store the sales girl said that she had to call the owner to see if they would repair them for free or give me another pair. She also told me that in "extreme heat that the glue will melt if you leave them in a hot car or are in the sun" It seemed rude that she implied I had done something to them when only owning and wearing them for 4 days! Anyone would expect that a $130 pair of sandals can handle being worn outside in Florida. They decided on trying to fix them and said they would call when they figured out if they could or not and what my options would be. No one ever called me. I had to call them and ask what was going on and they told me they had already been re-glued. I honestly think I should have just been given a new pair instead of having to wait around for them to call once they were repaired, whenever they may have finally been. With having such high priced footwear it seems odd to me that they put so little effort into their customer service. I will not be purchasing from them again. read more