Few companies have been around as long as Birkenstock, who can offer over 230 years of experience in keeping feet in tip top shape and the ultimate comfort. It is safe to say that after such a long time in the shoe industry, Birkenstock know a thing or two about shoes. High quality German craftsmanship and excellent designs provide a long lasting comfortable shoe built to exacting standards.
Mother Nature creates wonderful natural hues and these are transferred to a range of shoes using vegetable based dyes to tan the leather; primarily bark mulch. This process offers a much more natural tanning process, and produced a wide range of coloured leathers which retain breathability to keep the feet in the utmost comfort. The Footprints® leather maintains the natural markings of the original leather and provides a much more organic effect, retaining the colour and texture variations from the original leather.
In the age of environmental concern and care for the world we live in, Birkenstock have responded to calls for a more eco-friendly, animal-friendly shoe and have developed Birko Flor®, synthetic leather. Ideal for vegans and vegetarians, this new material offers many of the advantages of leather without using animal products. Made from soft acrylic fibres and polyamide, this material has a felt-like feel which is highly durable and has a leather-like sheen.
In order to offer the same range of shoes, the Birko Flor Nubuk range, provides an alternative to Nubuck leather. When shoes call for a very lightweight and flexible design, waterproof polyurethane is used. However even this material is made in an ecologically sound process, without the use of environment damaging solvents.
Special design features help to make Birkenstock some of the most comfortable shoes on the market. Birkenstock shoes feature a deep heel cup to keep the foot steady in the shoe, a flexible cork footbed for comfort, cross-arch support to shift weight to the front of the foot, a toe gripper to help natural foot rolling and footbed edging to protect the toes.
Whatever your walk of life, and whatever your requirements, Birkenstock offer a giddying range. The professional Alpro range provides high durability and anti-static soles, perfect for the home and workplace. Papillo sandals keep the feel cool and comfortable in the summer, and the classic Birkenstock and Footprints ranges offer excellent year round wear. The difficulty comes with just choosing one pair!