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 boots 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 hiking point of view of a Vegan, but from the eye of a newfound window of extreme boots 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 hiking and boots 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) and they''re cheaper than the leather versions without looking cheap.

As a Vegan, I''ve eschewed leather and suede and I''ve given all those shoes, bags and other items away to charity. However, some Vegans draw a line of demarcation betwixt their old lives and their new Vegan lifestyle and don''t feel the need, as I did, to destroy or abandon their previously purchased leather and suede goods. For Vegans of that persuasion,Birkenstock hiking offers a keen boots Nubuck & Suede Kit consisting of a wooden, artificial bristle brush with "Birkenstock" burned into the discount back of the handle and a bar cleaner to erase stains. I used this product on a friend''s leather sandals and on a pair of her suede shoes. A few rubs with the eraser followed by a few flicks with the brush and the problem stains were history! The Nubuck & Suede kit will cost you around $8.00 on the street.Conclusion Birkenstock are a great company with a rich and wonderful history of providing comfortable and conscientious footwear selections. Their entire animal-free and cruelty-free line of products should be commended and celebrated by every Vegan alive.If you''re interested hiking in getting details on Birkenstock''s Vegan line of products, touch here boots now.

The hiking glue issues rears its wild head again here as a hard line of glue pokes out from the Birko-Felt along the boots archline. After a week of working with hiking the clog in socks, the glue softened up again and became less sharp. I didn''t jump into the shower to break in these clogs since great amounts of water like that would, in my opinion, ruin them beyond repair. The Birkenstock House Clog will cost you around $90.00 on the street.The Classic Birkenstock Sock What can I say about the Classic Birkenstock Sock except that it''s the best pair of socks I''ve ever had the pleasure of sliding on my foot!That isn''t hyperbole.It''s the simple and honest truth. These socks are absorbent. Thick. Soft. They''re perfect for helping wear down wide variety boots of colors and they''re made of 68% cotton, 30% polyester and 2% lycra. Your feet won''t sweat or feel heavy in these heavenlies.I think they add a half-size to your foot in your shoe. The Classic Birkenstock Sock will cost you around $10.00 hiking on the street.

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