How To Fit and Care for Birkenstock Footwear

No other part of our body is subject to so much strain as our feet. They maintain our body's balance, absorb impacts and bear our entire body weight, so it's important to support the feet as well as possible. The secret of the special Birkenstock comfort is our unique fit, which means that it's essential your Birkenstock footwear fits you correctly.

Use our tips below to make sure that your Birkenstock footwear is the best it can be for you.

• Birkenstock Size Chart
• Birkenstock Width Chart
• First Time Wear
• Care and Repair
• Clean and Protect

Once you get your Birkenstock footwear home

• Remove the shoes from the box and gently flex them with your hands or on the floor. Birkenstock footwear often feels a bit stiff at first and this will help soften them and make them feel comfy sooner.
• Unbuckle ALL of the straps and place your feet in the shoes. Make sure your heels are ALL the way back in the heel cup of the shoes. The contours of the footbed should correspond to your own arch and the toe bar should fit comfortably beneath your toes, where your toes meet your foot.
• Before you stand up, look to see if there is adequate space for your feet (approx. ¼” for toes and heels, and 1/8” on the sides of your feet). You’ll want a little extra room because your feet will expand when you stand and walk.
• Buckle the straps starting at your toes and working up. The straps should be a bit snug but not tight. The support will come from the footbed, not from tightly buckled straps. It’s just right if you can wiggle one finger between the strap and your foot.
• Now take a walk around the house and see how they feel. They might feel a bit stiff. That’s normal. As soon as you start wearing them a bit they will start to soften and shape to your foot.
• Once you feel comfortable with them around the house then go ahead and start wearing them outside. Make sure to get used to them slowly though. Allow your feet and your body to gradually get used to the new support, the straps and the buckles. We recommend a few hours for the first 5 or 6 wearings. After that you may never want to take them off.

Birkenstock Care and Repair Tips

While no shoe lasts a lifetime, with proper care and periodic repair, Birkenstock sandals, clogs, and shoes can provide you with years of comfort. Here are some tips to keep your footwear looking good for years to come.

Avoid Extreme Heat

If your Birkenstock footwear has cork footbeds or EVA soles, both can be damaged by exposure to concentrated heat or extreme temperatures. Do not leave your shoes in direct sunlight, or in closed cars on warm days. Keep Birkenstock footwear away from campfires, fireplaces, and indoor radiators. If your shoes become wet, allow them to air dry slowly, away from direct heat.

Apply Cork Sealant

Birkenstock sandals and clogs come with a light coating of cork sealant on the exposed cork edge. This protects the cork and prevents it from drying out. When the cork no longer looks shiny, apply a thin coat of Birkenstock Cork Life® to protect the cork from the elements.

Renew or Replace Worn Soles

Prolong the life of your Birkenstock footwear with heel and toe taps. They should be applied when the EVA soles have been worn down to within about ¼” of the cork footbed. When worn down more than this, replace the soles. If your soles tend to wear unevenly, repair them promptly to ensure your feet remain correctly balanced. Visit your local authorized repair center for original Birkenstock repair materials.

Clean and Protect

To keep your Birkenstock Footwear looking as good as it feels, follow these easy steps.

Nubuck/Suede

To protect from water and soil spots apply a spray water repellent regularly. Brush uppers with a Nubuck/Suede brush to pull up dirt and dust and restore the nap. Use a mild leather cleaner to remove stubborn stains and follow with a Nubuck/Suede brush when dry.

Smooth Leather

Clean and condition with a mild leather cleaner. Use a matching polish to renew scuff spots and restore the original luster.

Birko-Flor™ and Birkibuc™

Wipe clean with a damp cloth. Try soap and water or a mild leather cleaner to remove stubborn stains.

EVA Sandals

Our EVA Malibu and Waikiki sandals are completely waterproof and washable. Wash with mild soap and water and allow to dry out of direct sunlight.