Birkenstocks are the iconic sandal. Renowned for being both comfortable and fashionable, they're an everyday essential for men and women alike. The shoemakers from Birkenstock have spent over 200 years honing there techniques to provide you with a fantastic product designed from the ground up to be supportive and functional. So what exactly makes a Birkenstock?
SOLE UNIT
The very bottom of the Birkenstock Sole Unit is made from a very durable and elastic EVA. Being both shock and scuff resistant you can be confident that your birkis will withstand time and wear better than most other sandals. Moving upwards, we have a fine layer of Jute, a rough fibre produced from the stems of a sustainable tropical plant from the genus Corchorus species. Jute is a biodegradable and eco-friendly long, soft and shiny fibre which is spun into strong threads. This adds to the durability of the sole unit and provides a firm base for the rest of the sole.
Resting on top of this Jute layer is a combination of natural Cork and Latex. This is used to form the anatomically shaped foot-bed and provides excellent shock absorption. The perimeter of the sole unit is raised using a second layer of Jute, and finished with a foam insert featuring millions of tiny air bubbles providing extra comfort to the foot-bed shape. Finally depending on the style; you may find a suede or man-made lining to absorb moisture and help provide comfort.
FOOT-BED
Even the word ‘Foot-bed’ can be traced back to Birkenstock who introduced the idea of an anatomically shaped insole in the 1930s, as a measure to provide support and maintain foot health. Since then the construction of the iconic Birkenstock foot-bed has been tailored to provide the most comfortable sandal on the market, making Birkenstock not just a fashion icon but also a sandal that is repeatedly recommended by the backpacking community.
Birkenstock take great manufacturing effort to create the foot-bed present in all of their sandals. The foot-bed features a raised metatarsal support allowing the natural gripping motion of the foot, traverse arch support ensuring a natural stance, interior and exterior longitudinal arch support, a deep heel cup and also a cork and latex foot-bed that absorbs shock and provides flexibility. The world renowned Birkenstock foot-bed is a feature of all Birkenstock sandals.
UPPER
There are firm and soft uppers that feature on Birkenstock Sandals are all subject to very strict quality control. Birkenstock use exceptional premium natural and synthetic materials. Birkenstock use all their experience to design and manufacture a comfortable and aesthetically pleasing upper on all of there footwear. Depending on your choice, you can have a full breathable, absorbant and soft leather upper or an easy to care for synthetic material. Both types of material go through vigorous testing and checks to ensure all Birkenstock sandals and shoes are fit for purpose.
SHOP BIRKENSTOCK
"Tradition since 1744"
