If you are planning to buy sandals and Birkenstocks are one of the brands you are considering, then you’ve come to the right place. I’ve owned several different brands of sandals including Birkenstocks and I have to admit that my Birks have been my favorite. So, how long do Birkenstocks last?
Birkenstocks can last you several years and have been known to last over a decade, provided you care for them and treat them well. Don’t let them get too wet, replace the soles when they get worn down and repair and maintain the cork material.
Once you have broken in your Birks, you will love them. You might have a little love-hate thing going initially, because they can be painful at first if you don’t break them in enough and walk too much in them initially.
My mother has owned her Birkenstocks for over 10 years, she has had them re-soled several times and doesn’t get them too wet. Every year or two, she takes them to her cobbler and has him fix them up for the season.
The more time you spend with your Birkenstocks, the more comfortable you get with wearing them. Throughout the years of using Birkenstocks, they get to form to the shape of your feet.
You can hold onto your sandals or shoes for as long as they don't go out of style. (and they’ve been around since the 1960’s so who knows when they will go out of style).
Let’s discuss Birkenstocks in more detail…
You may have heard others asking if Birkenstock has a lifetime guarantee. To burst your bubble, though, Birkenstock does not have this.
In fact, the German shoemakers never offered any type of warranty when it comes to their shoes or sandals. However, that being said you can return your Birks if you are unsatisfied under their 30 Day Return Policy.
There might be rumors saying that their Birkenstocks have lasted for a lifetime. Yes, this can be possible.
Taking good care of your shoes can make them last forever. But, of course, some resoles and a bit of recrafts from any shoe repairman is inevitable.
Boston Leather Birkenstock Clog
Birkenstock Papillio Women's Lola Leather Sandals
Milano Birkenstocks - Oiled Leather
Although Birkenstocks cannot last for a lifetime, they can still assure you of their sturdiness and durability. This quality is what makes them last for several years, at most. Birkenstock only uses high-quality materials for their productions. Their materials always adhere to strict quality controls to keep them sustainable.
Birkenstocks also assures its customers' security and safety. The company always assures that their products undergo regular tests.
They do not only provide durability, as they also serve as a support and foundation for feet. You may even find it hard to wear Birkenstocks to the point where you feel you're not getting a high level of support anymore because you can easily resole them.
Since Birkenstocks are made not to last for a lifetime, it is inevitable for them to get worn down. If you purchase a pair of shoes and they got worn out in the long run, worry no more. Birkenstock offers specialized repairs that include all types of sole replacements.
It is stated in the company's rule to switch the soles if you do not see the tread patterns anymore. By doing so, you will be able to hold onto them for a much longer period of time.
If you are hesitant about believing this statement, people created forums online for Birkenstocks. where people confirmed they owned a pair of the brand for years.
In some posts, the longest lifespan of one Birkenstocks, as stated in the platform, was 15 years.
For the optimal use and longevity of shoes and sandals, the company provides its customers tips.
If you purchased any shoes or sandals from the company, you should not leave them in extreme heat. This condition will keep the soles, which consist of EVA foam shrink. On the other hand, you should also not get them wet as this can dry out the cork.
Birkenstock Women's Mayari Sandal
Keeping your leather and cork clean is also another tip to increase the longevity of your Birks. More so, sealing the cork on a regular basis can add up to the chances of keeping your Birkenstock last long term.
If you have birkibuc uppers and Birko-flor, what you need to do is simply wipe them clean using a damp rag or cloth. When there are stains that you cannot wipe out, try using water and soap to remove them.
Birkenstock Women's Granada Birkibuc Sandal
Birkenstock Arizona Birko-Flor Sandal
Always remember that any treatment or cleaning can alter the look of your Birkenstocks. These Birkenstocks' basic care routine will help you lengthen the lifespan of your footwear.
Birkenstock highly recommends the use of a cork sealer. This product keeps the cork of your shoes or sandals glued enough to not crack or tear when you're in your footbed. Corks last longer and stay together when you apply them on a monthly basis.
Incorporating it to your Birkenstock journey allows your footwear to stay in its prime condition until it is necessary then to recraft.
Footwear can get stinky if not properly well taken care of. So, if you want yours to be fresh all the time, use a Birkenstock Cleaner & Refresher. You use this product as a spray to the entire footbed. Use this product in wiping excess moisture, as well as can get rid of the dirt from your footwear.
You may also get nubuck footbeds and brush suede that come with a Nubuck/Suede brush to bring back the nap.
In protecting the suede, nubuck, and upper leather against dirt and water, you may try applying a Birkenstock Water & Stain Repellent. This product, together with brush uppers, can pull up dust and dirt and can restore the nap as well.
Here is a YouTube video showing someone cleaning and repairing a pair of Birkenstocks:
A lot of people don't realize that the longevity of shoes and sandals varies from one person to another. They vary from the brand down to the care tips one is doing.
At Birkenstocks, some might be able to have their footwear last for decades, while some could only last for a year or two. The lifespan of this brand surely is not constant and differs from person to person.
Some Birkenstock users who purchase products from the company secure their footwear. They had their shoes or sandals last for decades or several years.
Unfortunately, there are those who did not even take proper care of their footwear. Those who did not mind buying products for protection ended up losing their opportunity of having a long lasting Birkenstock.
Indeed, it is true that Birkenstocks are some sort of an investment. If you take good care of them, you will end up having a long lifespan out of them. So if you encounter the question "how long do Birkenstocks last," you already know what the answer is.
The products' longevity relies primarily on how you take good care of them. The more careful you are, the longer the lifespan of your footwear will be.
More so, the longevity of Birkenstocks can also depend on how frequently you wear them. If you wear them most of the time, chances are they can get easily worn out. But, you may always try considering having them resoled or repaired. After all, Birkenstock offers their specialized repairs and sole replacement.
