The real test of good shoes is their everyday endurance over an extended period of time. I live on the mean streets of New York and The City is notorious for destroying shoes! We walk everywhere and curbs and steps and bike messengers and busses and grime and doggy dung all help promote the early death of many a pair of shoes. I''ll update this review as time goes (second brown sandal from the left) and I must say they are better in every way than the old leather version I used to wear during my university days. I say this not from the point of view of a Vegan, but from the eye of a newfound window of extreme comfort. Let me explain. The Birkenstock Non-Leather Alternatives sandals are 50% lighter than the leather version and they''re softer and silkier on your foot, too! Here''s why: Birko-Flor. Birko-Flor synthetic uppers are made of acrylic and polyamid (a bootarchsupport polymercontaining repeated amide groups, as found in nylon) felt fibers. Birko-Flor is an oil-derivative and its polymid fibers are tightly spun to create a soft fabric bootarchsupport that rides against your foot while a smooth, leather-like, finish brags on the outside. This combination makes for a super-strong, sharp-looking and soft sandal!Birko-Flor will not stretch, it is waterproof (beware that since it "breathes" it will take awhile to entirely dry) and they''re cheaper than the leather versions without looking cheap.

Do you have a trusty pair of Birkenstocks that you think are beyond repair? Think again! We are an "Authorized Repair Center," which means that we can rebuild your Birkenstocks so well,that you might not even recognize them bootarchsupport when you get them back. We can also resole Stegman andHaflinger wool clogs. All this, at prices that cost much less than a new pair! most popular shoe store! features Birkenstocks Shoes.also carries dress, casual and sport shoes for men,women, and kids at discount Dress shoes include high heel womens shoes, pumps, and flats Casual shoes include boat shoes, platform shoes, boots, and sandals. In this article, I bootarchsupport will rate each Birkenstock product individually. Each item will be evaluated on the standar system of one to bootarchsupport five Go Inside Magazine Review Lights. Five green GO lights are best while all red STOP lights are the worst. I''ll place a text tag under the Review Lights so you''ll know the colors of the lights in case you choose to print out this review on a black and white printer that doesn''t have great greyscale bootarchsupport ability.The trouble with many non-leather shoe and sandals is the fact that many brands appear to be cheap, plastic and brittle. I''m pleased o testify that Birkenstock''s implementation of their Vegan line is exquisite, hardy anddelightful.

No animal byproducts are found in the Non-Leather Alternatives line. The footbed liner is made of Birkolon (chemically stable "velon" -- a cotton and polyester weave). The footbed liners are dipped in polyurethane and they''re free of chlorine, chromium, fat and resin. They''re also waterproof. Clean them with a damp cloth. Replacement liners are available. The footbeds are a cork/latex mixture and are repairable. The soles are EVA (ethyl-vinyl acetate). I put on my black Milanos and hopped into the shower.I then got them entirely wet and I walked around the apartment to let the Birko-Flor uppers mold to the contours of my feet as they dried. I now have a "perfect fit" that molds to the contour of my feet -- an impossible feat for leather to imitate. Beware that, unlike the leather versions, the glue used to bind the Birko-Flor to the footbed sides dries hard along the arch because it can''t "sink in" to the Birko-Flor as it can with leather. I confess to a moment or two of discomfort as I tried to wear away the dried line of glue along the inside of the sandal. I wore thick socks and did my "shower treatment" a few times. After a week or so of everyday wear, the extra glue became more malleable and I can now go barefoot in my Birkenstock once again without brittle glue pain. The Birkenstock Non-Leather Alternatives are the most comfortable sandal or shoe I''ve ever bootarchsupport had the pleasure to wear or own despite the initial hard glue issue and they''ll cost you around $70.00 on the street.

©2003 www.boots-hiking.com. All rights reserved.