Thermal image BEFORE wearing Birkenstock sandals. Note the poor circulation in the feet (cold blue/purple shades and green across the arch)
Thermal image AFTER wearing Birkenstock sandals for only fifteen minutes. Note the changes to the circulation in the feet with increased activity across the arch
(warmer red and pink shades)
Nubuck is leather that has been shaved, and has the look of suede but the consistency of leather. Since its introduction, it has consistently been a favorite and a good conservative choice.
What is Birko-Flor?Birko-Flor is the non-leather option offered by Birkenstock. It is a high quality man-made shiny material. This has come into its own in recent years, and looks quite attractive.
What is Birkibuc?Same as above, except with the appearance of Nubuck.
What separates a pair of Birkenstocks from the knock-offs?Knock-off sandals copy the look, but not the quality or comfort of real Birkenstock. Only Birkenstocks are constructed out of premium-quality materials, such as leather, Nubuck, cork and jute.
Only Birkenstocks feature the original contoured footbed design that guides the foot into the correct walking position, and only Birkenstocks have component parts that can be easily repaired. In short, the comfort and construction benefits of Birkenstocks just can't be imitated.
What if they get wet?Let them dry at room temperature but no heat please. The footbed can be washed with mild soapy solution.
Why are Birkenstocks so much more comfortable than all my other shoes and sandals?With Birkenstock, comfort comes from firm orthopedically based support - not extra cushioning. If you slept on a too-soft bed you will understand the principle.
A soft bed can feel exquisite when you first lie down. But sometime in the middle of the night, that soft dreamy bed can turn into a painful nightmare for your back and hips. Similarly, the foot needs firm support. Proper support spreads the weight of the body evenly over the areas of the foot designed to bear weight.
Just as with a properly designed firm mattress, this uniform support helps to increase circulation and contribute to long-term comfort. You'll realise that people who wear look-alike imitations will start to feel fatigued and tired sooner than the people who are wearing real Birkenstocks.
How long do Birkenstocks last?Everyone is different, so the lifespan of Birkenstocks really depends on the individual. Some people can even wear the same pair of Birkenstocks for 5 to 10 years. The thing to know is that if you wear them all the time, you are continually pounding down, and subsequently weakening the arch support. Birkenstocks can be resoled provided the cobbler uses NO NAILS, only Barge cement.