Materials

Smooth Leather - The leather used for Birkenstock® uppers is thick but very supple. Natural leather has a unique surface structure, which varies in its colour. No artificial dyes are used to cover up these differences but leave them the way nature intended. This way the leather retains its pores and its ability to breathe.

Microfibre - The micofibre used by Birkenstock® is a high quality material with a nubuk-like look. Microfibre is extremely durable and lightweight; it is easy to clean and retains its colour. It is a very breathable material, which ensures a skin-friendly environment for the foot. Microfibre is used both for uppers and as a footbed liner.

Nubuk - Nubuk leather used by Birkenstock® originates from the best European hides. Nubuk leather is a full grain leather whose natural characteristics are enhanced by buffing the top layer. This creates the velvety finish unique to nubuk leather.

Suede - The suede leather is also extremely strong and supple and is, as all leathers used by Birkenstock®, dyed rather than sprayed, allowing maximum breathability. The natural differences in the surface texture are unavoidable and prove that only genuine leather is used.

Birko Flor® Nubuk - This new material has a leather-like surface texture, resembling nubuk and has the same features as Birko Flor®.

Birko Flor® - Birko Flor® is a material developed by Birkenstock® as an alternative to leather. Birko Flor® is made of soft acrylic and polyamide felt fibres with a durable smooth leather-like finish.

Buckles - Birkenstock buckles are all made in house by Birkenstock®. Each buckle receives multiple powder-coatings or goes through a galvanising process

Vegetable tanned leather - Vegetable tanned leather is tanned using bark mulch, which creates the unique sheen of the uppers both in colour and brilliance. The process uses plant extracts that create a variety of colour hues, as well as retaining its pores and breathability.