Today's Special Value

[CJC]

Had the originals with wooden soles in navy, red, tan back in 70's. They came in whole sizes only. Bought mine at a then-big box store called Zayres or at drug store for $11. 

[Karie2022]

Wow...these sure take me back to the 70's ....everybody had these..if I recall they weren't terribly comfortable, wood sole, odd bump where the toe was.  But definitely a coveted item.  I think I was in elementary school. These tsv's look much more comfortable.

[LadybugDG]

I never liked the original ones. I was tennis shoes or thong sandals.  

[amyb]

Not to totally be Debbie Downer, just observing...

After an even closer look...you really do "get what you pay for"...low price, but faux leather upper, man-made materials footbed (of course "for comfort" and support, vs. the wood), and the deal breaker (not that I already wasn't interested) I only just noticed, they "velcroed" the closure...again, "ostensibly" for ease of adjustment. The original lock closure was adjustable too, so that's not it...velcro closure is the cheapest of "cheap outs", to me. And, I could be wrong, but these "lock closures" look like metallic paint over what?...plastic? or some other material...not real metal like the originals.

The "wood" side is likely a piece of "woodlike" piece of something glued on. 

To me, not even worth the TSV price for all those "cheaper construction" features. Just my opinion. If you know all that but still like them, and get them, I hope they work out for what you want! They're ok I guess for a, not longlasting, casual, run around or poolside slide.

[PINKdogWOOD]

The tsv is cute, resembles the very first originals that were out in the 1980s. I loved those then, we girls then wore them to death!!!!! Every time a new color came out my girlfriend and I rushed out to pick them up. The best was the price, out the door for maybe $20.00. 

I see today they priced the originals all wood at $115.00 - YIKES!

The big bucket is offered here but almost sold out. I wanted to try those in the light baby blue for $57 or so but then I read all the bad reviews including a photo of very poor workmanship. I cancelled both orders - big buckle and the tvs.

My summer go-to is hands down birkenstocks. I have LOTS in the single strap only. Last summer I bought a few good used prs from ebay and I just bought 3 more on ebay that are all arriving from three vendors this week - white, black and an lovely embossed silver!

[willomenia]

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@AuntMame wrote:

I remember the original, with the wooden soles, being marketed as a method to exercise and develop the muscles in your calves. Someone tell me if that worked! 

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Yes, they were advertised as an exercise sandal. They had a gripper toe bar. I also believe the top was leather, these are not, which makes me wonder the comfort of walking in them on the top of toes. 

[PINKdogWOOD]

@beach-mom   We wore the OLD ones out, that's what happened!!!!!  Same here, same colors and then some!  Every time a new color came out, my girlfriend and I went to our neighborhood drug store to buy a new color!!!!!  All for aobut a twenty dollar bill or maybe less!!!!

[Skyegirl21]

Nahhh for me- Agree with @amyb , these are a generic "velcroed" version of the originals, not that cute, and can't tell you how much wasted money I have spent on shipping shoes to me and returning them!  Not risking it- 

[Shelbelle]

Had my first pair in 1973 !!!

[mnmom]

Is the strap/band on these wider than the ones we wore "back then?"  I thought ours had a narrower strap.  These look like they would cut into my foot when I walk.

Yes, I too had a pair in the '70's.  I don't recall them being comfortable, and they made a clopping sound, but they were "it" and not expensive, so of course I bought them! 😁