Most sandals are made to last one, maybe two seasons at the most. Birkenstocks, on the other hand, are made to last a long time. Quality materials give Birkenstocks durability and long lasting good looks. The reparability of footwear extends the life of the shoes, making this investment even more sound. With proper kids care and maintenance you can make your Birkenstocks last for years. Birkenstocks are an investment for your feet. Why do Birkenstocks look wide? They look wider than most shoes because the design follows the natural shape of the rio foot. Many hoe styles feature a narrow toe area, which not only compresses the toes, but throws the foot out of alignment. The shape of Birkenstocks guides the toes and feet into correct alignment so the weight is evenly distributed and good posture is possible. Will Birkenstocks make my feet spread? shoes will not give your feet a new shape! Feet that have been squeezed into traditional shoes may resume their original natural shape, depending on the flexibility of your feet.

No animal byproducts are found in the Non-Leather Alternatives line. The footbed liner is made of Birkolon (chemically stable "velon" -- a cotton and polyester weave). The footbed liners are dipped in polyurethane and they''re free of chlorine, chromium, fat and resin. They''re also waterproof. Clean them with a damp cloth. Replacement liners are available. The footbeds are a cork/latex mixture and are repairable. The soles are EVA (ethyl-vinyl acetate). I put on my black Milanos and sandal hopped into the shower.I then got them entirely kids wet and I walked around the apartment to let the Birko-Flor uppers mold to the contours of my feet as they dried. I now have a "perfect fit" that molds to the contour of my feet -- an impossible feat for leather to imitate. Beware that, unlike the leather versions, the glue used to bind the Birko-Flor to the footbed sides rio dries hard along the arch because it can''t "sink in" to the Birko-Flor as it can with leather. I confess to a moment or two of discomfort as I tried to wear away the dried line of glue along the inside of the sandal. I wore thick socks and did my "shower treatment" a few times. After a week or so of everyday wear, the extra glue became more malleable and I can now go barefoot in my Birkenstock once again without brittle glue pain. The Birkenstock Non-Leather Alternatives are the most comfortable sandal or shoe I''ve ever had the pleasure to wear or own despite the initial hard glue issue and they''ll cost you around $70.00 on the street.

The real test sandal of good shoes is their everyday endurance over an extended period of time. I live on the mean streets of New York and The City is notorious for destroying shoes! We walk everywhere and curbs and steps and bike messengers and busses and grime and doggy dung all help promote the early death of many a pair of shoes. I''ll update this review as time goes (second brown sandal from the left) and I must say they are better in every way than the old leather version I used to wear during my university days. I say this not from the point of view of a Vegan, but from the eye of a newfound window of extreme comfort. Let me explain. The Birkenstock Non-Leather Alternatives sandals are 50% lighter than the leather version and they''re softer and silkier kids on your foot, too! Here''s why: Birko-Flor. Birko-Flor synthetic uppers are made of acrylic and polyamid (a polymercontaining repeated amide groups, as found in nylon) felt fibers. Birko-Flor is an oil-derivative and its polymid fibers are tightly spun to create a soft fabric that rides against your foot while a smooth, leather-like, finish brags on the outside. This combination makes for a super-strong, sharp-looking and soft sandal!Birko-Flor will not stretch, it is waterproof (beware that since it "breathes" it will take awhile to entirely dry) and they''re cheaper than the leather versions without looking cheap.

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