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The family that owned Birkenstock sold the majority interest in the company a couple of years ago. The corporation that bought it owns numerous "designer" and "fashion " brands that focus more on style . There is now a change in the company to alter the image of the Birkenstock to a fashion product and we are seeing these types of compromises in the construction of their products. My business was an Authorized Repair Center for Birkenstock in Canada since 1990 and after Birkenstock was purchased, Birkenstock Canada discontinued supporting repairing their own products. We no longer associate our company name with Birkenstock.

Man, it is super disappointing to see companies like Birkenstock and Carhartt sell out their reputations.

The inconsistency is so frustrating. It seems clear that they're outsourcing these shoes and boots to a bunch of different factories with different construction methods and materials so it's incredibly hit-or-miss.

I work as a nurse and love my birk slides after a shift, I was considering getting the BS5000s as my next work shoe and you've spared me that mistake. Thanks

I first discovered Birkenstock sandals in the early 70's. They were stacked in a big display bin in the middle of a discount store. Not a shoe store mind you but a discount store, and they were deeply discounted because no one was buying them (it wasn't the most attractive sandal). I needed something to wear around the house and the combination of the cork insole design and leather straps looked comfortable so I decided to buy a pair. I paid less than $10 for them... including tax! A few days later I put them on and was amazed at how great they felt. I couldn't imagine why no one else had bothered to develop a shoe that fit the foot so well and felt so good before then, and though I bought them just to wear around the house I ended up wearing them everywhere. Weeks later it seemed that everywhere I went I saw people with them on and within months everyone was raving about their comfort and ease of wear. They held up really well and were so inexpensive that if anything did happen replacing them was no big deal. Recently I was pleasantly surprised to see them advertised and tried looking for the same sandal only to discover that like every other shoe company they make different versions of it and prices are over the top. I can't help but wonder if the quality is still the same. Really disappointing.

“ Using their good name to sell a bad product “ Rose Anvil ... Sums up Birkenstock!! Thanks for exposing them.

Wow I’m shocked at how much they charge for so little quality materials

If you want the features of the Oswego in a sneaker, the Bend sneaker is what you’re looking for. I have 2 pairs, they’re great.

I bought the b.s.5000 for work and it was terrible, so you nailed it

I've been looking at the Bend Low. Would like to see it cut apart.

I have plantar fasciitis and the Arizona sandal was like medicine for my feet. But I needed something more office appropriate and I got the QO500. The QO500 feels nothing like their sandals. Super painful for my feet. Now I know why. Thanks for the info @Roseanvill!

I have 2 pairs of the Bend Lows and they seem to be of similar construction as the oswego for anyone curious. I've been wearing them a few times a week since last summer and they are the most comfortable shoe I own, in a hard soled birkenstock kind of way, dont expect s squishy newbalance or nike feel.

As a flooring installer to see carpet pad used in a shoe is insane to me that stuff on the floor where wear is not focused at all basically turns to dust in 5 years or so, can't imagine that lasting more then 4 or so months.

I'm from Germany and have worn Birkenstock sandals my whole life, since I was a child. I still remember that in the 90s the sandals would last for three, four, sometimes five years and were expensive, but not as expensive compared to dress shoes or running shoes. I remember that my parents bought me some medium expensive dress shoes, made out of real leather for around 200 DM, while my Birkenstocks would have cost something between 100-150DM and, as I said, lasted several years. Theese days, when I buy a pair of Birkenstocks (rarely!), their quality somehow droped. I wear them only occasionally and still they get worn through in sometimes half a year, sometimes a year. And in the 90s, me and my parents have worn them the whole day and we lived on a farm, so they went through some heavy duty work, while in the past years I mostly wear them on the balcony or in the basement or when I get the mail in. And the pair, I am wearing now was quite expensive... Around 150-200 Euro. Thats the ammount, you would pay over here, to get some not posh, but still decent shoes. I did not know, that they also make shoes nowadays, but they seem to rip people off.

"Its not going to wear out as fast" You literally answered your own question on why they dont use real leather on the insole. Its all about making you buy another pair sooner rather than later.

Dude, thank you for cutting into these shoes and the many others you have done and calling out their strengths and weaknesses.

I though you would review the bend low… they look amazing.

dude. thank you so much for these videos. entertaining, informative, interesting... but also a real public service.

Always enjoy and appreciate your reviews!

I’d love to see some videos of some boots made by Canadian manufacturers like Canada west boots, they seem to provide similar quality to some of the American workboot brands like redwing but at a slightly lower price I’d like to see the differences in the quality and if they’re actually as comparable as they seem

Terrific content; forensic shoe evaluations. I really like this stuff. THANK YOU AND WELL DONE, SIR!!!

Love your videos. Curious if any of the companies you’ve ever reviewed/exposed reached out to you with explanations/excuses or if any actually changed their production practices for the better based on your analyses? Keep it up!!

I strongly believe that most companies have a product they make really well and a lot of stuff that’s there to make money. For Birkenstock the sandals are the good stuff, I never considered buying other shoes from them. Also here in Germany Birkenstock sandals are kind of important so a lot of people are very unhappy with the recent changes (especially the price increases and new “luxury” versions) but fortunately the sandals last forever

I ordered a pair of the Birkenstock Martons after the last video based on your no BS rating. Thanks for doing what you do, you’ve probably saved me $500 over the last couple years. PS- if you had a channel membership or superthanks thing I’d hook it up.

10/10 on the honest and thorough reviews

I had a pair of Birkenstock shoes in the early 2000s. My favorite pair of casual dress shoes of all time. Very well constructed from quality materials. They were every bit as good as their sandals. They did eventually wear out a few years later, and I tried to replace them with more Birkenstock shoes. I picked up three different shoes at the store, and promptly walked out. They were nowhere near equivalent to the original pair that I loved. I do still have a pair of arizona birks for extremely casual days. I think they are still made like the originals. If anyone knows of a comparable sandal, I'd be willing to try alternatives.

I just recently bought Birkenstock bend sneakers. Bought 2 sizes & returned both. First I bought my usual size, 42N, it was much narrower than usual, I returned those & got 41R, they were too short. I thought about getting 42R’s but the quality seemed very poor. The first pair I received had scuffs on them & the rubber was separating from the leather (before I tried them on)!!! I’m searching Amazon now for old models like the Dundee (not the Dundee plus, & the Montana). The Dundee plus has the new removable garbage footbed that’s they’re using now which is more narrow & has a raised heel!That’s the plus I guess! Thank you so much for saving me from buying any of these models!!

Very good content and very objective review that helps consumer like me who can’t just be cutting the shoes apart to see if it’s good. ❤

You got them! Congratulations on what you are doing!

Incredible editing! Awesome evolution respect your first videos!

BTW - on Oswego Birkenstock says the midsole is made of PU and cork - without telling how much of each. It could be exactly the same material decorating their boots around to look like cork....

Thank you so much for making this!! I love my birk sandals and bought a pair of shoes from them too. Looks like I got lucky with the birk lottery

I was about to buy honnef but you opened my eyes. Thank you so much bro 👍

I was happy to find a couple of pairs of Birks similar to the "BS" 5000, but made in 2004. At least they have the real side stitching, the better footbed and the leather feels a little better. But you're right about the cheapening of the current models. I gave them a pass on sight.

Thank you for your detailed analysis

Birkenstock used to be a family-owned Business that was Sold out to a Private Equity firm. These firms slap the purchase price of the company onto the bought company, and try to reduce costs wherever they can whilst increasing selling prices. They then call this restructuring the company and maximising profits. These companies are only in for the money. The quality of a product is not on their list of priorities. Marketing is.

Got a Birkenstock catalog by mail today ... very well timed review!

Just found your channel thanks for honestly reviewing and examining shoes as a person willing to buy quality for crappy feet

You're doing a great service by uncovering the realities of these brands my friend. 🤗 I'm still hoping to get a pair of cordovan Crown sneakers one day. 🙏

Thank YOU, Weston! You do good work--and you crack me up, in the interim! Long live Weston Kay!

Since you are going through the Birkenstocks, try the Halflingers. They are also made out of cork seal and wool

Thanks for the insights 👍🏼

Have never owned a pair of Birkenstock, but love Haflinger shoes/sandals & slippers & have worn many over decades! Would love to see you analyze any of their products!

Really enjoyed this Wes. Thx.

This is crazy, awesome vid!

Thank you for this review ❤

I've been wearing a pair of the oiled leather Seavees slip-ons which are super comfortable and look good but are absolutely disintegrating after barely 6 months of 2-3x a week city wear and I've been looking at the Oswegos as slightly better quality replacement for a bit more money with the same look. After your previous Birkenstock video I hesitated but now I think these don't look too bad after all

Thank you for this. The only shoes I wear almost all day every day are Birkenstock sandals. I was thinking about buying another style shoe, but I'm glad I didn't. The price was a deterrent and now the sketchy business practices is.

Thanks for this. Birkenstock are one of the few shoes/boots I can wear without them hurting my feet. I am going to get the Oswego based on this review. Please do the Bryson boot.

Very cool video. Thanks for making this.

Mind blown! I have been thinking of getting a Oswego, this gives me more confidence.

I love mine - never an issue, use them for everything. Great boot

Great review and great testing standards 👌

Love the videos bro keep at it 💯

I know nothing about quality shoes, but been trying to learn more since I have bunions and flat feet. Wouldn't be getting these kinds if shoes anyway, but great information in general, thanks 👍

Thank you for making this video!

I love my Birkenstock. I’ve had six pairs. I try other more stylish ones but always go back to Birkenstock. My back thanks me, so do my arches❤️

Love your channel. Would you cut through some Birkenstock bend lows?

great video, would you ever review the birkis. I just wish you did a whole chef shoe series, including all the popular brands and new ones like mise(which are leather)

Thank you for your hard work. I recently was in a Birkenstock store, and I noticed a big change in the shoes some of the older styles they didn’t carry anymore or reinvented them. Thank you.

It’s like you read my mind. I’ve been eyeing up the Oswego the last few days, but was apprehensive after the boot vids. I’m at least happy that they made that model the best, and it was half off so I had to pull the trigger.

That transition into the Mint mobile ad was absolute perfection. You have come a long way brother

I'm on my feet 40+ hours/week at work and wore the QO500 for a solid 6 months before my job started to require non-slip and safety toe shoes. Most comfortable shoes I've ever worn for restaurant/catering work. Granted I swapped the footbed out for the pair from my Bends (lace-up Oswego's). Now I wear the QS700 which are a hightop non-slip steel toe Birkenstock (had to order them from Germany) and awesome work shoe. As for the QO500 footbed I agree it's not great but I think it has something to do with the antistatic & electrostatic discharge safety ratings of the shoe &/or meeting the EU requirement for safety shoes (the QO/QS is new in the US but has been available in Europe for a while). You may think they're BS but I challenge you to wear them daily for a couple of months and reevaluate. And I figured the were glue because Birkenstock require specialist equipment to resole (but I live in Seattle and we have two shops for that). I'm curious to see a review of the Birkenstock Birmingham boots because they're Horween leather and I know how much you like that.

Another great review, Rose Anvil. I might just buy that Oswego. I’m trying to get use to the Thursday’s Heritage Premiere low top shoe. They’re a little tight, cause man, that’s some thick leather! And they’re narrow.

I've been reliant on you for a lot of my footwear buys. Thank you for your service ! ;)

One of the best channels on youtube...you're awesome Rose

This is the outcome where profit comes first rather than product integrity. Love your videos here they are very objective!

First, love all your videos. I wish I would have found you before I bought my Dr.Martins. Well any way I was wondering if you’ve ever done anything on Drews boots?

Ive been watching this channel 3 years. Way more finicky now ive been educated. Cheers Bud.

Thanks for this man

Good for you. Thank you.

Wow. Thank you very much for this. I would really really love for you to go through the German hiking/mountain boot brands, and to cut their boots. Like Meindl, Hanwag, Lowa aso. Like some of their High end hand made in Europe stuff. That would be fantastic. 👍

As a dude that was light infantry man who made his money on his feet and love being in the gym but developing degenerative arthritis over the years I’ve went through alot a lot o ay again apt of boots shoes to trying all different kind of things shoe wise getting out of military boots was hard but finding your channel made it easier going from rotating 12 pairs of shoes and boots to 4 pares of boots and shoes from barefoot to hunting boots welll shoes you reviewed that I use as everyday and hunting boots I won’t say you’ve saved me a bunch of money but I will say you’ve saved me a lot of comfort and pain which means so much more to me so thank you more then you will know and I will continue to watch your vids.. and I plan on asking for one of your customs wallets thanks agian

such a cool video. i loved all the weird sciency testing. well done

Great video ! Please do the Bend Low next time ! 😊

Almost bought a pair of the BS 5000 the other day. Glad I watched this. Thanks

Thank you for your review! You favorably mentioned the Oswego. They did put a lot of cork in it, which greatly increased its comfort. But in this sole design - which is by the way a foundation of their whole line of other shoes - like Bend - increased comfort came at the price of durability. They used natural rubber here for the sole, which is much softer than man made rubber. The cup sole is thin and soft - is known to easily tear at the stitching (rubber tears), so no gluing does not seem to make it better at all. The advertising cork exposure line created a fault strain line in the high load hill area - I heard many stories when it very soon after purchase got detached and flapping around. And rubber quickly wears on the hill, exposing cork which then wears even faster and looks horrible. And it is unclear if it is possible to fix/resole it - whether you can get the cup sole from Birkenstock, whether you can reattach it? So - it is very comfortable sole/midsole design, but at the expense of these areas being very fragile and not lasting long.

So the Artemis moon crew was just announced this week and NASA put them out for interviews on TV. They were even on with Colbert. I mention it only because they were styling some great looking uniform boots in the interviews, and thought they'd make a great teardown for ya. Thanks for putting out great videos.

loved cutting the shoes. feel the power!

Born got me with their clogs. I scored an old pair that were incredible. When I tried to replace them with the same shoe that was more recently manufactured, the sole cracked within months. I didn't make enough to purchase them in the first place, but I was trying to avoid the poverty tax for once. Makes life feel sort of cruel and random when there's no way to tell what you're gonna get, even if you believe you know what to look for. It's def helpful to hear it from a pro.

If these are work shoes then you have missed an important part of work shoes: slip and skid resistance. No shoe should be billed as a work shoe unless it is slip-resistant. If you work in a wet, greasy- or soapy environment, then you know the value slip-proof shoes. I used Shoes for Crews work shoes, they have never caused me to slip and fall. Last I heard, they are only available through mail-order(internet). They may not be as comfortable as super-duper shoes, but they cost half as much.

I'm happy with my Bends just for being a leather sneaker that's actually shaped like a foot. I do wish it lived up to the comfort of their sandals though.

Switched to Mint years ago and I love it. Mint just sold to T-Mobile.

THANK YOU please recommend some good ones!!!

I was expecting Birkenstock quality to go down since they were sold to LVMH and sadly it happened 😟

Thank you so much. I had my eyes in a pair of boots, but now I’m goin to spend my money more wisely. I love their sandals and my feet are wide, so that’s why I thought about their boots. Not any more.

Very cool video, I remember being interested in their sneakers with the visible cork midsole so it's nice to know the truth. An interesting topic you could visit is Postal Certified shoes, they've got some relatively big names making overpriced junk. There is Rocky, Thorogood, Rockport and Reebok to name a few. Red Wing still offers some Postal Certified oxfords but they're not mainstream enough to be kept around much longer seeing that they discontinued their chukka and 6 inch boot models.

Great video! Thanks 👍. I wear the Lowa Renegade safety boots for work and since I wear these I don't have back problems anymore. I've seen you Lowa Renegade hiking boot video, but could you make one about the S3 version and cut it in half?! All the best from the Netherlands 🇳🇱

Definitely thankful for channels like yours blowing the lid off of BS marketing KEEP GOING 🥳🥳🥳

im surprised you didnt get the "Bend" sneakers from brikenstock, though they put the "cork" window on the outside, they use a good drop in midsole like the Oswego. and from my naked eye it has decent leather quality

Winter is coming you should make a winter boots series best alternative to Sorel caribou, that are not as good as they where in the past with Kaufman made. Kamik, Baffin, Nats, Nats are really warm and don’t slip too much.

Hey, love the content on the channel, this Birkenstock series particularly as I own a few pairs of their sandals. I like that you diversify to non-boots reviews. Though I woukd love to see French handmade boots series, some brands have nice historical roots, and I'm curious about your expertise on brands such as Heshung, Paraboot, La Botte Gardiane that are pretty premium, or more recent brands like Pied de Biche or Paire et Fils.

Now we need to see think sort of breakdown on some boat shoes like Sperry's!

Would love to see some videos in regards to Officine Creative leather shoes/boots! I own a pair of the penny loafers and they feel amazing to wear. They do charge a pretty steep price point as they are said to be hand made in Italy but I just wanna know if the quality is really up to par for what they're charging. I think they're super comfortable because it seems like there isn't much lining at all aside from the toe reinforcement and heel counter, but I'm super curious to see how they would look cut in half!

Thanks you for the video. I'am now only going to buy Birkenstocks sandal....

I’ve got a pair of 30 year old red wings my grandfather got me. Brought them to a cobbler 4 years ago and still going strong

People need to realize that this are businesses like any other business and the mantra is PROFIT, we don't get stuff like they use to. Stop buying shitty products relying in brand names and start learning how to figure out if a specific garment is of quality, strat by knowing the materials and the way the garment is made. Start by looking at the label and see the materials and were it was made 😉

We need an update on the Bostons. Mine are on their last legs (7years old) and I’m concerned that the newer batches aren’t the same.

I wish I found your channel before buying the Birks. I bought the BS 5000's. They've held up, but understanding more of the shoes through the content of your channel, I realized I got scammed.