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 climbing 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 boot 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 climbing 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 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 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) boot and they''re cheaper than the leather versions without looking cheap.

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 climbing are a cork/latex mixture and are repairable. The soles are EVA (ethyl-vinyl acetate). I put on boot my black Milanos and hopped into the shower.I then got them entirely climbing wet and I walked around the apartment boot 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 climbing glue used to bind the boot 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 climbing 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 boot are the most comfortable sandal or shoe I''ve ever had the pleasure to wear or own despite the initial hard glue issue and they''ll climbing cost you around $70.00 on the street.

Do these shoes mold to my feet? The Birkenstock footbed is made of resilient cork and latex that is precisly molded to create the best possible enviroment for your feet. As you wear them, they actually boot adapt to climbing your feet-and vice versa-which means that the more time you spend in Birkenstocks the more comfortable they become. Why do the straps feel so loose? Shouln''t they be tighter? Birkenstocks are meant to be worn loosely. boot Support comes from the footbed not tightly secured straps. Wearing them loosly allows your feet to move naturally. It also improves circulation. Backstraps worn to tightly climbing push the feet forward, preventing them from resting naturally in the footbeds. Why do the soles feel so firm? Is there a break in period? Some people find Birkenstocks immediately comfortable. For others, it takes a few hours a day for a week or two to break them in. Although the shoes may feel ridgid boot at times, remember that the firm support is essential for the orthotic benifits of Birkenstocks. They will become more flexible with wear. The uppers climbing will become more supple and the footbeds will adjust slightly to your feet. If boot your feet are unaccustomed to the contour footbed, start gradually. Wear your Birkenstocks no more than 1-2 hours a day for 7-14 days.

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