birkenstock Need help with Birkenstock.

[ericabrown2120]

Hey everyone. I wanted some advice for my new Birkenstock clog. I recently bought Birkenstock Boston model and they are so pretty. I LOVE them and I'm wearing them almost every day. But I'm afraid without proper care they'll go bad. Does anyone here own a Birkenstock sandal? I'm particularly interested in how you maintain the footbeds and the upper material (mine is suede) to keep them looking fresh. Any tips would be greatly appreciated.

[Cranky Franky]

Erica, You should look after your Birkenstock Boston as you would any suede shoe . Get yourself a brass suede brush . This freshens up the nap on suede and removes dried mud and other crap . From the very first i would recommend a water proof spray available from most cobblers . This is a spray on protector and water proofer . The basic method is to brush the shoe with the suede brush to fluff up the suede  then spray the shoe with the water proofer . Its better to do 3 light coats rather than 1 heavy coat . What it does is makes water bead of the surface and not actually penetrate into the suede causing it to stain. Do it twice a year and you are good . There is also a suede shampoo available to freshen them up as well . Not necessary if you look after them . Suede doesn't really like water so they are not for rainy days . I repair and resole about 5 pairs a week ,they are quite sturdy but the sole wears with time but they can easily be resoled . Even the cork bed is replaceable . They usually wear out on the outer side of the heel first so before you start wearing into the cork take them in for a resole . I use 2 types of resoling material made for Birkenstock . one is 8 mm and the other is 10 mm . Both are of the same material so it is a matter of preference. I have seen some anomalies in them over the last couple of years mainly the sole comes unstuck from the foot bed . There is a common cause which may not apply to you . I live in Australia where it gets damn hot . Standing on a hot pavement reactivates the glue and can cause the sole to detach but also deform and harden the sole . Its very rare and seems to happen on 10 year old plus shoes . The in sole leather is very durable but can over time become hard and come unstuck. But this is also fixable by your cobbler . When you take them in for a resole the cobbler will glue the innersole as a courtesy. You will have many years of enjoyment from them . Don't ever be tempted to buy fakes or copies because all the one i have seen are total crap. 

Fun fact ( may offend some ) 25 years ago when Birkenstock first appeared in Australia they were the unofficial preferred summer foot wear of lesbians . Hence the Aussie term Lesbian thong . Then chefs started wearing them and now they are mainstream . I still have never owned a pair or even tried a pair on . I am a croc man . I have even been know to resole my Crocs with Birkenstock soles  . Matter of fact i am wearing them now ."Birkencrocs" lol