Submitted by hsmit6 t3_ysgqxn in BuyItForLife
What’s the take on Birkenstock sandals? Looking at cost to repair Vs buying replacement, it looks like Birks would last years longer than other sandals. I’m on the fence given their price tag, but would be decisive if they’re sturdy enough to last with occasional maintenance. Thoughts?
Ah, maybe that is why I don’t find them comfortable. I have not been wearing them correctly.
This is the way
I don't know if this is a joke or not, but what is the point of sandals if you wear thick socks?
Well, I've asked some Germans and they can't tell me, it's just the way it's done.
Oh friend, I have the perfect explanation. Thirty seconds and safe for work: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=j6gzsBhZrE8
So that you only need one pair of footwear? If I was limited to one I'd probably go with something a bit different haha
Oh no, but it does mean I go directly from sandals to boots!
I wore Birks for about twelve years, going through three pairs. I'd eventually wear a hole in one or both soles, and repairing the sole would always cost more than a new pair of Birks.
I've since switched to a pair of Rainbow sandals, like them better in terms of comfort, and have zero sole wear. You can look at pics of people with 15+ y/o pairs of Rainbows with intact soles.
My rainbows usually last about 3-5 years of semi-daily use. This is far more than any other flip flop. Great flip flops, for sure!
Will take a look! I have a pair of daily drivers, but these would be for a comfier/more casual shoe. They won’t see as much wear as others
Rainbows are amazing. I am 330 lbs and mine are going on 5 years. Wear them almost every day
I was a Rainbows wearer for a long time, but I kept putting holes in them. Danner makes a flip flop (“sandal”) with a Vibram sole that’s been good for me for going on a year so far.
Others may disagree, but I don't think they are worth it.
My sandals are from Xeroshoes, and I couldn't be happier with.
Thanks for the rec!
I dont think so. But if you decide to do that, I'd recommend pony up for the real leather. I bought a pair of the new birkibuc, some kind of synthetic suede-like mashup. I feel like they'll fall apart like "vegan leather" eventually. EDIT: I'd like to change my answer to "maybe". I don't know about repair costs, but you should definitely get your money's worth without repairs. I'm a little biased because I'm learning I just don't like Birkenstocks. I had a suede pair in the 90s that lasted at least 5 years before I passed them on still in great shape to a friend. I bought a new pair recently and kind of regret it. All in all, if $100-150 shoes last me more than 3 years, I'm satisfied.
I feel like real leather would be easier to repair if needed
In other recommendations, I have a pair of old Tevas, over 20 years, still going strong that I wore daily for a good portion of their life. I can't speak yet to longevity, but I choose my Taos Trulies over Birkenstocks most days.
I've had a pair of the clogs for 20+ years. They are excellent shoes. Well worth the price tag.
What kind of care do you take to maintain them?
not a whole bunch...occ. suede cleaner. i'll have to resole them at some point.
They're fantastic for around the house. This is what I have.
I like Crocs because they put up with shocking amounts of abuse and can handle pretty decent amounts of walking. Being able to clean them with a garden hose and just toss them in the back of the pickup is awesome.
I just bought another pair of Birkenstocks. I wore my last pair of sandals every day for about 3 years. I decided that I wanted my toes covered with more than socks this winter. I live in NC. I’m saving the sandals for the spring. My back and feet problems are nonexistent with Birkenstocks and I know I don’t need to try on my size to get an accurate fit. Leather is what you want though. Birkibuk and birkiflor will only last a year. I haven’t tried the all eva products though. I haven’t tried resoling my old leather Birkenstocks, so I can’t comment on that. The last time I priced it, it was only $20 more to buy new. That was years ago. I don’t know what it would be now.
I have resoled mine three times now and had a bit of cork repair done. They are quite due for some more repairs now but I will have to send the away to the mainland since there isn't a good local cobbler for them here. I have the oiled leather Arizonas and mine are nearing two decades old now. I do try to keep an eye how far the sole has worn down. I waited too long the first time and that was when I needed the cork repair! When I bought them in the first place it was because of all those old hippies who are still rockin out with ancient pairs. I figured if it could stand up to them, it could stand up to me and whattya know, the hippies were right. Mine have been around the world, I've hiked with them (don't actually recommend this use, bit dodgy on steep slopes lol), gardened, use them for getting firewood and other around the house chores, and done lots of walking.
It will likely cost me as much to repair them this time as a new pair because I was not as diligent in maintaining them lately. That said, it is still worth it to me because I don't have to break in a new pair! You can replace or repair absolutely everything but the straps, and there is a great AMA floating around that I have linked to before from a cobbler that specializes in them.
I had a pair of Birkenstocks that fell apart after two summers use (I lived in a colder region during that time). I now live in a warm area where sandals are year round so I bought OluKai sandals. Almost a year and you can barely see wear. I’ve bought two more pairs just for a variety of style options and they have lasted very well so far. Recommend them far above birks.
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They are super comfortable and lightweight. I get mine from Costco when they occasionally sell them for ~$50, so it isn't quite worth the cost and hassle to resole in my case.
I've tried Birks at times when I was willing to look past the fact that they're hideous. My gripe with them is with the rough, suede-like texture of the footbed. It starts to get stinky and slimy pretty quick. I only wear sandals with a smooth leather footbed now, and I sort of see why Germans wear socks with theirs.
You gotta wear the socks! Besides, I get rubbed skin when I don't and that hurts.
Maybe you could find some flesh-colored toe socks and have the best of both worlds.
I keep one pair. They are transitional seasons and sometimes summer shoes. The “nice pair.”
I’m about to get them resoled. My ethics lean to repair over new, so to me, yes, it’s worth it.
I absolutely love my Birkenstocks, but I will say they haven’t held up like I have heard some people say. I have had mine roughly 3 years, use the cork sealer etc. even with the sealer, they’re cracking/crumbling on both sides where they bend (around where your foot creases are the balls of your feet) and the heels are worn to the cork almost. I wear them almost extensively in warmer months so they have gotten some miles, but still would have liked to have had them longer. I do have a pair of Teva sandals though with the rubbery hiking style soles and they have lasted with almost no visible wear.
Same. 2 in 2 years .
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.
Mephistos are a superior shoe. Nearly identical to Birkenstock in aesthetics.
All of the perspective and real-life experience with these will help people be more informed buyers. Thanks, everyone
Bought a pair last year and they don’t hold up well… damage it’s on both sides. I don’t know what happened. I don’t wear them daily…
Birkenstock paris and londons from the 90s resoled three times. Still in use. Beautiful patina
Several pairs of boston resoled many times. They repair chips and holes in the cork at the time.
Let's see, 80 bucks for a resole or 170 bucks for a new pair.
They can do heel wedges as well.
My philosophy is maintain and have stewardship rather than consumption and disposal.
The sandals you can get a full new footbed. Still cheaper than a new pair
Edited to add: I threw away a pair of londons after hiking Hadrian wall. Too far gone and gross
Kameraad_E t1_ivyxxpp wrote
Here we use those as a sure fire way of identifying German tourists. If worn in the correct way, with thick socks, they are indeed quite durable.