Birkenstock Shoes Sandals Clogs and Boots

Birkenstock Overview

Birkenstock USA, began over 30 years ago when our founder, Margot Fraser, had a dream of sharing the comfort and health benefits of Birkenstock footwear. A few years earlier, while visiting a German resort, she had tried on her first pair and was extremely impressed at how good they felt. From there, Margot learned that the original Birkenstock contoured footbed was invented and manufactured in Germany by Konrad Birkenstock in 1897. In fact, the Birkenstock family has been shoemakers for over 225 years – more than two centuries of creating and perfecting a tradition of walking comfort.

In 1966, Margot began importing Birkenstock footwear from Germany in small amounts and thus Birkenstock USA, was born. The business grew every year and thousands of satisfied customers asked for more styles so they could wear their Birkenstock footwear in more places.

Today, Birkenstock USA, LP, has enjoyed enormous success and continues to grow with many different styles of sandals and shoes.

Birkenstock History

1774: In a small German village, Johann Adam Birkenstock is registered as "subject and shoemaker" in the church archives.

1897: Johann's grandson, Konrad Birkenstock, develops a concept that would literally change the shape of footwear. Although the soles of our feet are curved, shoes had always been flat inside. Konrad theorized that if the shape of the shoes reflected the shape of the feet, greater comfort would be possible. Soon he designed the first shoe with a contoured insole to be used by shoemakers in the production of custom footwear.

1902: Konrad Birkenstock develops the first flexible arch support, to be inserted in the factory-made shoes that have become widely distributed in Germany.

1925: Carl Birkenstock joins the company. Birkenstock arch supports are now being exported to Austria, Switzerland, France, Italy, Belgium, Czechoslovakia, Holland, Luxembourg, Denmark, Sweden and Norway.

1932:Birkenstock training seminars and lectures become well known in most European countries. Leading medical specialists support the seminars and the Birkenstock system.

1964: Carl Birkenstock's son, Karl, takes his grandfather's contoured arch support concept one step further -- as a shoe. The Birkenstock sandal is born.

1966: While on vacation in Germany, Margot Fraser seeks relief from uncomfortable shoes and the tiring effects of walking all day on hard pavement. At a spa, someone suggests that she try Birkenstocks.

Margot enjoys immediate comfort with her first pair of Birkenstocks. Moreover, she finds that the chronic foot pain she had endured for years simply vanished within months after she returned home to California. Convinced of its health benefits, she begins importing Birkenstock footwear in America. That was the beginning of Birkenstock USA, in California.

1971: Margot expands her business to a small San Rafael, CA warehouse.

1973: The Arizona, the style that has become synonymous with the Birkenstock brand, is introduced. Birkenstock's popularity explodes during the 1970s.

1985: By the beginning of the 80s,Birkenstock is a household word throughout the country. The continually expanding Birkenstock line now features over 40 style/color combinations.

1996:Birkenstock USA celebrates its 30th anniversary. Birkenstock offers almost 300 style/color combinations, and the footwear is distributed to millions of people throughout the United States.

1997: Margot Fraser and Birkenstock USA receive several prestigious awards of recognition from the footwear industry. Awards included the Ernst and Young 1997 Retail Entrepreneur of the Year in Northern California (one of ten top businesses to receive this award); the Novato Chamber of Commerce 1997 Large Business of the Year; and induction into the Footwear News Hall of Fame in honor of extraordinary business practices, outstanding contributions to the Marin County community, and for dramatically influencing what Americans wear on their feet.

2002: In October 2002,Birkenstock USA announced that the company was 100 percent employee owned. Margot Fraser, the company founder, passed on the remaining shares of the business she founded more than 35 years earlier, to her successors – the employees who continue to help build the Birkenstock USA company.

2002:Birkenstock celebrates the 25th anniversary of the Boston clog!

2003: Known as a comfort icon for the past three decades, Birkenstock's famous Arizona two-strap sandal celebrates its 30-year anniversary in 2003. It's unique shape pioneered the idea of form following function. Today, the Arizona is a steadfast old friend and a hip, on-trend style for the fashionable set.

2006: The company celebrates its 40th Anniversary in the U.S.

Inside A Birkenstock

• More Toe Room - Allows toes to move naturally which promotes better balance and overall toe health.
• Raised Toe Bar - Encourages the natural gripping motion of your feet while exercising your legs and improving circulation.
• Contoured Footbed - Mirrors and nurtures the shape and contours of a healthy foot. The four arches ensure even weight distribution.
• Deep Heel Cup - A neutral heel profile and deep heel cup keeps natural padding where it belongs and promotes natural spine alignment.
• Shock Absorbing Sole - Flexible, durable, lightweight, shock resistant and replaceable.
• Jute Fibers - Two layers. One wicks away moisture, the other adds strength and makes resoling easy.
• Cork Footbed - Firm, resilient cork/latex base gives your feet the support they need.
• Footbed Liner - Soft suede, keeps your feet comfortable and dry.
   

Birkenstock Footbeds

Original Footbed: Our original contoured footbed fits feet with an average arch and a neutral gait.

Soft-Footbed: A soft Birkenstock!?! Longtime fans may not believe it, but for folks that are new to our shoes, those with low arches, over-pronaters, or those who just want a bit more cushion, we offer our soft-footbed. It’s our time-tested cork construction with an extra layer of soft foam, filled with millions of tiny air bubbles.

High Arch: Need a little more support? Do you have high arches or over supinate? Then this is the Birkenstock for you. Based on our traditional footbed the medial arch is higher, the metatarsal arch is higher, and the heel cup is deeper. It all adds up to increased arch support and stability.

Birkenstock Fitting

When you first receive your Birkenstock footwear: 

• Remove the shoes from the box and gently flex them with your hands or on the floor. Birkenstocks often feel a bit stiff at first and this will help soften them and make them feel comfy sooner.
• Unbuckle ALL of the straps and place your feet in the shoes. Make sure your heels are ALL the way back in the heel cup of the shoes. The contours of the footbed should correspond to your own arch and the toe bar should fit comfortably beneath your toes, where your toes meet your foot.
• Before you stand up, look to see if there is adequate space for your feet (approx. ¼” for toes and heels, and 1/8” on the sides of your feet). You’ll want a little extra room because your feet will expand when you stand and walk.
• Buckle the straps starting at your toes and working up. The straps should be a bit snug but not tight. The support will come from the footbed, not from tightly buckled straps. It’s just right if you can wiggle one finger between the strap and your foot.
• Now take a walk around the house and see how they feel. They might feel a bit stiff. That’s normal. As soon as you start wearing them a bit they will start to soften and shape to your foot.
• Once you feel comfortable with them around the house then go ahead and start wearing them outside. Make sure to get used to them slowly though. Allow your feet and your body to gradually get used to the new support, the straps and the buckles. We recommend a few hours for the first 5 or 6 wearings. After that you may never want to take them off.
   

Benefits of Birkenstock Footwear

As you may or may not know, your foot has four arches (the medial, lateral, metatarsal and transverse, to be precise). Take a look at a Birkenstock footbed. Those rolling contours you see support each and every one of them. Along with all twenty-six bones, fifty-six ligaments and eight major muscles that also reside in the human foot (by now, you’ve probably figured out that we take this stuff pretty seriously). Think about what your footprint looks like in the sand. Then look again at our footbed. Starting to get the picture?

Birkenstock footbeds are made of cork and natural latex, and contoured in the shape of a healthy foot. These contours ensure proper weight distribution with raised arches to help support the foot’s natural shape and structure. The toe bar allows the toes to grip and flex, stimulating circulation, exercising the leg, and helping to maintain balance. The deep heel cup keeps the foot’s natural padding under the heel to provide stability. As a result of these factors, the correct bones bear the weight of the body to keep the spine and legs in alignment.

Birkenstock Craftsmanship

The Birkenstock tradition of quality craftsmanship goes back more than 225 years. Crafted in Germany, their foot-wear is created using only premium products and materials. Starting with high-grade leather, suede, nubuck, and non-leather uppers, they dye their materials all the way through for a lasting look.

Birkenstock footwear also includes their unique contoured footbed, shock-absorbing soles and specially designed buckles for years of comfort and durability. Almost every component of their footwear can be repaired or replaced, making Birkenstock footwear a long-lasting investment in the health of your feet.
 

Anatomy of a Birkenstock

 Flexion - When you walk, your foot flexes to support your body. The Birkenstock sole and cork footbed flex with your feet for comfort with every step.

Neutral Heel - Elevated heels cause the body to move out of alignment. With our neutral heel, the body is properly aligned using the weight-bearing bones and muscles. Our deep heel cup positions the natural padding of the foot under your heel bone to absorb shock and support your weight.

Roomy Toebox - Our footbed allows room for toes to move naturally. For correct foot alignment, the inside edge follows a straight line from the big toe to the heel.

Contoured Footbed - The natural shape of our footbed allows room for comfort and guides your foot into a healthy walking position.

Health Benefits of Wearing a Birkenstock Shoe

Firm Support For Your Feet It would make sense to think that a softer and more “cushiony” shoe would be more comfortable. But in fact, the Birkenstock concept of comfort is based on firm, orthopedically correct support. As with a quality mattress, feet require solid support and correct positioning providing maximum comfort and health. Our footbed features proper arch support, a deep heel cup, and adequate room in the toe area – all to help distribute weight evenly for the entire foot. The result is improved posture and balance for greater comfort when walking.

Our Contoured Footbed Encourages Foot Health

The Birkenstock footbed is made of resilient cork/latex and is shaped to create a healthy walking environment for your feet. Additionally, the cork/latex blend is pliable and reacts to natural body warmth. Therefore, over time, the footbed yields to the characteristics of an individual foot. Many long-term Birkenstock wearers find that the longer you wear them, the more comfortable they become. The shape of a Birkenstock follows the contours of a healthy foot.
 

Care of Birkenstock Footwear

While no shoe lasts a lifetime, with proper care and periodic repair, Birkenstock sandals, clogs, and shoes can provide you with years of comfort. Here are some tips to keep your footwear looking good for years to come.

Avoid Extreme Heat - If your Birkenstock footwear has cork footbeds or EVA soles, both can be damaged by exposure to concentrated heat or extreme temperatures. Do not leave your shoes in direct sunlight, or in closed cars on warm days. Keep Birkenstock footwear away from campfires, fireplaces, and indoor radiators. If your shoes become wet, allow them to air dry slowly, away from direct heat.

Apply Cork Sealant - Protect your investment. A quick application once a month will prolong the life of your Birkenstock, or other cork footbed footwear.

Birkenstock sandals and clogs come with a light coating of cork sealant on the exposed cork edge. This protects the cork and prevents it from drying out. When the cork no longer looks shiny, apply a thin coat of Birkenstock Cork Life® to protect the cork from the elements. Renew or Replace Worn Soles - Prolong the life of you rBirkenstock footwear with heel and toe taps. They should be applied when the EVA soles have been worn down to within about ¼-inch of the cork footbed. When worn down more than this, replace the soles. If you soles tend to wear unevenly, repair them promptly to ensure your feet remain correctly balanced. Visit your local authorized repair center for original Birkenstock repair materials.

Cleaning a Birkenstock

To keep your Birkenstock Footwear looking as good as it feels, follow these easy steps.

Nubuck/Suede - To protect from water and soil spots apply a spray water repellent regularly. Brush uppers with a Nubuck/Suede brush to pull up dirt and dust and restore the nap. Use a mild leather cleaner to remove stubborn stains and follow with a Nubuck/Suede brush when dry.

Smooth Leather - Clean and condition with a mild leather cleaner. Use a matching polish to renew scuff spots and restore the original luster.

Birko-Flor and Birkibuc - Wipe clean with a damp cloth. Try soap and water or a mild leather cleaner to remove stubborn stains.

EVA Sandals - Our EVA Malibu and Waikiki sandals are completely waterproof and washable. Wash with mild soap and water and allow to dry out of direct sunlight.

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