I’ve had one pair for about 8 years, and a different pair for around 3. I wear both regularly.

This might sound like a conspiracy theory…but I bought the first pair in Japan, and the second pair in the US…

I feel like the pair I bought in Japan is higher quality. They are both branded Birks. I bought the Japanese ones in a stand-alone Birk store, and the US ones online from Birk. I’m sure they are both authentic, but my Japanese ones have been worn 5 years longer and have less wear. I dunno. It’s odd.

I love the comfort of birks, so to me they are with it. For some feet, there’s no substitute.