No animal byproducts are found in the Non-Leather Alternatives line. The footbed liner is made wide of Birkolon (chemically stable "velon" -- a cotton and polyester weave). The footbed liners are dipped in polyurethane and they''re free boots 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 wide black Milanos and hopped into the shower.I then got them entirely wet and I walked boots around the apartment to let the Birko-Flor uppers mold to the contours of my feet as wide 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 boots 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 wide 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 boots malleable and I can now go barefoot in my Birkenstock once again without brittle glue pain. The Birkenstock Non-Leather Alternatives wide and boots are the wide most comfortable sandal or shoe I''ve ever had the pleasure to wear or own despite the initial hard glue issue and they''ll cost you around $70.00 on the street.

Do these shoes mold to my boots 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 adapt to 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 wide they be tighter? Birkenstocks are meant to be worn loosely. Support comes from the footbed boots not tightly wide secured straps. Wearing them loosly boots allows your feet to move naturally. It also improves circulation. Backstraps worn to tightly 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 wide 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 at times, remember that the firm support is essential for the orthotic benifits of Birkenstocks. boots They will become more flexible with wear. The uppers will become more supple and the footbeds will adjust slightly to your feet. If your feet are unaccustomed to the contour footbed, start gradually. Wear your wide Birkenstocks boots no more than 1-2 hours a day for 7-14 days.

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