About Birkenstock
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The Foot Health Benefits of Birkenstock Sandals, Shoes and Clogs
The Birkenstock tradition of quality craftsmanship goes back more than 225 years. Crafted in Germany, our footwear is created using only premium products and materials. Starting with high-grade leather, suede, nubuck, and non-leather uppers, we dye our materials all the way through for a lasting look. Birkenstock footwear also includes our unique contoured footbed, shock-absorbing soles and specially designed buckles for years of comfort and durability. Almost every component of our footwear can be repaired or replaced, making Birkenstock footwear a long-lasting investment in the health of your feet.
The Birkenstock Footbed
Birkenstock footbeds are made of cork and natural latex, and contoured in the shape of a healthy foot. These contours ensure proper weight distribution with raised arches to help support the foot’s natural shape and structure. The toe bar allows the toes to grip and flex, stimulating circulation, exercising the leg, and helping to maintain balance. The deep heel cup keeps the foot’s natural padding under the heel to provide stability. As a result of these factors, the correct bones bear the weight of the body to keep the spine and legs in alignment.
Firm Support For Your Feet
It would make sense to think that a softer and more “cushiony” shoe would be more comfortable. But in fact, the Birkenstock concept of comfort is based on firm, orthopedically correct support. As with a quality mattress, feet require solid support and correct positioning providing maximum comfort and health. Our footbed features proper arch support, a deep heel cup, and adequate room in the toe area – all to help distribute weight evenly for the entire foot. The result is improved posture and balance for greater comfort when walking.
Our Contoured Footbed Encourages Foot Health
The Birkenstock footbed is made of resilient cork/latex and is shaped to create a healthy walking environment for your feet. Additionally, the cork/latex blend is pliable and reacts to natural body warmth. Therefore, over time, the footbed yields to the characteristics of an individual foot. Many long-term Birkenstock wearers find that the longer you wear them, the more comfortable they become. The shape of a Birkenstock follows the contours of a healthy foot.
The Anatomy of Comfort
1.Flexibility
When you walk, your foot flexes to support your body. The Birkenstock sole and cork footbed flex with your feet for comfort with every step. The raised toe bar encourages the natural gripping motion of your feet exercising your legs and increasing circulation.
2.Neutral Heel
Elevated heels cause the body to move out of alignment. With our neutral heel, the body weight is distributed more evenly across the foot and away from the ball of the foot. This encourages a healthy and more natural walking gait and adds to overall stability.
3.Room for Toes
A pointed or narrow toe box can cause discomfort and foot problems. The shape of the Birkenstock contoured footbed allows room for toes to move freely. This room also encourages the toes to flex and grip naturally and is part of the correct alignment for your feet.
4.Contoured Footbed
Our contoured footbed provides firm and orthopedically correct support for your feet. Proper arch support, a deep heel cup and adequate room in the toe area make up the footbed support. The shock absorbing sole is flexible, lightweight, durable and replaceable.
Real Comfort Based on Real Feet.
As you may or may not know, your foot has four arches (the medial, lateral, metatarsal and transverse, to be precise). Take a look at a Birkenstock footbed. Those rolling contours you see support each and every one of them. Along with all twenty-six bones, fifty-six ligaments and eight major muscles that also reside in the human foot (by now, you’ve probably figured out that we take this stuff pretty seriously). Think about what your footprint looks like in the sand. Then look again at our footbed. Starting to get the picture?
Comfort in Three Footbeds
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Original Footbed
Our original contoured footbed fits feet with an average arch and a neutral gait.
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Soft Footbed »
A soft Birkenstock? Longtime fans may not believe it, but for folks that are new to our shoes, those with low arches, sensitive feet, or those who just want a bit more cushion, we offer our soft footbed. It’s our time-tested cork construction with an extra layer of soft foam, filled with millions of tiny air bubbles.
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High Arch »
Need a little more support? Do you have high arches or flexible feet? Then this is the Birkenstock for you. Based on our traditional footbed the medial arch is higher, the metatarsal arch is higher, and the heel cup is deeper. It all adds up to increased arch support and stability.
Quality in Two Widths
It’s a simple statement of a simple fact. Some folks have wide feet. Some have narrow. And since Birkenstock is all about comfort, it only makes sense for us to offer both a regular and a narrow version of our footwear.
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Men's Width
Regular: American width equivalent D-EE
Narrow: American width equivalent B-C
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Women's Widths
Regular: American width equivalent C-D
Narrow: American width equivalent A-B
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Inside The Perfect Shoe: The Birkenstock Footbed
1.More Toe Room
Allows toes to move naturally which promotes better balance and overall toe health.
2.Raised Toe Bar
Encourages the natural gripping motion of your feet while exercising your legs and improving circulation.
3.Contoured Footbed
Mirrors and nurtures the shape and contours of a healthy foot. The four arches ensure even weight distribution.
4.Deep Heel Cup
A neutral heel profile and deep heel cup keeps natural padding where it belongs and promotes natural spine alignment.
5.Shock Absorbing Sole
Flexible, durable, lightweight, shock resistant and replaceable.
6.Jute Fibers
Two layers. One wicks away moisture, the other adds strength and makes resoling easy.
7.Cork Footbed
Firm, resilient cork/latex base gives your feet the support they need.
8.Footbed Liner
Soft suede, keeps your feet comfortable and dry.
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The Birkenstock Soft Footbed - Shock Absorbers For Your Sole
The Birkenstock Soft Footbed features an extra layer of cushioning foam built into our legendary footbed.
A unique foam layer built from millions of microscopic air bubbles is inserted between the top layer suede footbed liner and the layers of cork and jute that make up the rest of the footbed.
This ensures a cushioned yet firm foundation for immediate comfort and full arch support, built on the most solid foundation in footwear.
Features of the Birkenstock Soft Footbed
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More Toe Room
Allows toes to move naturally which promotes better balance and overall forefoot health.
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Raised Toe Bar
Encourages the natural gripping motion of your feet while exercising your legs and improving circulation.
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Contoured Footbed
Nurtures the shape and contours of a healthy foot. Supports all four arches ensuring even weight distribution.
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High Sides
Help align the foot guiding it into its natural position. Provide additional stability and motion control.
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Deep Heel Cup
A neutral heel profile and deep heel cup keeps natural padding where it belongs and promotes alignment.
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