Table of Contents
Introduction
How to tell if Birkenstocks are real?
In the past few years, the shoe market in the US has been flooded with counterfeit shoes. Birkenstocks are not an exception. There are many sellers that offer fake Birkenstock sandals at the price of authentic Birkenstocks, but the quality of them is terrible.
Not only that but also fake Birkenstock shoes might cause your feet to be in pain and even can cause you to have health issues.
You must know the main characteristics to define whether it is authentic Birkenstock sandals you are about to purchase.
In our article, we will guide you through all of them, so you will be able to inspect the shoes on your own. It is easier than you might think to determine if it is fake Birkenstocks you are looking at. Let’s begin.
How to avoid purchasing fake Birkenstock sandals?
With Birkenstocks being one of the most popular types of shoes, there are a lot of footwear that copy the style of the iconic brand.
Spotting fake Birkenstock sandals can be quite challenging. There are replicas that look very similar to real Birkenstocks.
You have to know how to determine whether you are holding genuine Birkenstock. Below are the main parameters you should inspect to decide whether the shoes are fake.
1. Select authorized retailers
This is the best way to avoid purchasing fake Birkenstocks. Always head to the official store or the authorized retailer. They will be able to provide all the necessary documents confirming you are buying genuine Birkenstock footwear.
You can find a list of stores that sell authentic Birkenstock on the official Birkenstock website. Stay away from the Amazon site. Avoid purchasing shoes from the sellers presented there. There are a lot of fake footwear. You don’t want to have to deal with returns after.
2. Check out the shoe box
Genuine Birkenstock always comes in a box. Currently, there are two versions of boxes: the older one and the newer one. We suggest you find the pictures of both of them on the Internet, so you are able to determine the genuine box just by looking at it.
The kids’ version of the box differs from the adults’ ones and has blue and white colors on it.
If you want to purchase Birkenstocks from a limited edition collection, those shoes might arrive in black boxes. The brand name will be written in white across the whole original Birkenstock box.
When you receive the box, you should inspect the surface. How to tell if Birkenstock box is real:
1. It has to have a product code printed on it. All shoes have dedicated numbers. Use the Internet to check whether it is the correct one printed on the box.
2. The sizing has to be the same on all the labels and the box itself. There are known cases when the fake box showed different sizes.
3. All the words have to be written in English. Check whether the information about the pair of shoes you have ordered is the same on the box.
4. The box will have information about the color as well. Fake Birkenstocks boxes skip this info.
5. A real box comes with a sticker that has a picture of the actual Birkenstock shoe. If you can’t find one, that means the shoes are fake.
If none of the above applies to the shoe box you have received, immediately return the shoes to the store or send them back if they were purchased online.
3. Look for the Birkenstock logo on shoes
This might be a bit challenging for those who don’t purchase Birkenstock sandals often. Every shoe has the brand name imprinted on the footbed. Older collections used yellow for the Birkenstock label.
The newer models are presented with a black logo. If the shoes come with a soft footbed, the Birkenstock text logo will be blue. Apart from the logo you will find a picture of a footprint along with the size of the shoe.
The phrase “Made in Germany” must also be imprinted on the shoe. Just the place will depend on the collection and characteristics of the footbed. Made in Germany can be located either above or underneath the Birkenstock brand name.
If you purchase vegan Birkenstocks, all the information will be in green. For limited edition Birkenstock lines, the Birkenstock logo is gold or silver.
Always check the words for grammar mistakes. The colors must match the information above and the position of the words must be correct.
4. Look at the Birkenstock soles
The main material Birkenstock soles are made of is EVA. The selection of colors is great. The pattern on the soles stays the same despite the model of Birkenstock sandals though.
In some areas, there should be the word “Birk” imprinted on the soles. Fake shoes might also have all of the above but the font and the size of the letters will be noticeably different.
5. Investigate the inner part of the Birkenstock sandals
Genuine Birkenstocks always have the brand name imprinted at the bottom of the inner part of the shoes. You will be able to feel it if you touch that area. Not all footwear is like that and some models will have the logo just printed in the same area.
There are also a few models of authentic Birkenstock that don’t have the logo on the inner part at all. In this case, if you purchase sandals from the official store, you can be certain they are original Birkenstock sandals.
6. Check out the total weight of Birkenstock shoes
Birkenstock footwear is known for being incredibly light. That is the main part of them being comfortable. The fake sandals will be noticeably heavy and hard.
They will be uncomfortable to wear and will cause pain after some time. Hard materials will also result in blisters and rashes. Original cork footbed sandals won’t have such issues.
7. Look at the upper part of Birkenstock shoes
The upper part of authentic Birkenstock shouldn’t have any defects. It must look thick and sturdy. The leather used to make Birkenstock has great quality. The footbed must have a leather logo printed on it.
Pay attention to that when buying a new pair of flagship brand s collection. If you see thin leather but heavy sandals, the chances you are holding fake Birkenstocks are very high.
Birkenstock products will never be of poor quality. There will be no glue mark seen on the shoe as well. If in doubt, rather return the sandals to the shop. Use an online store locator to find an official reseller.
8. Check out the buckles of Birkenstock sandals
If the sandals have buckles or buttons, you should pay extra attention to them. The buckles can be different sizes depending on the model and collection. The word Birkenstock must be written on the buckle.
If the buckle is small, the brand name will be shortened to Birken or even Birk. The quality of the materials must be great. There shouldn’t be any chipped-off pieces.
The leather straps mustn’t be too shiny as it indicates that the leather is fake. Rub the strap and you will understand whether it is a real leather or not. It must be soft.
9. Bear in mind the total price
Original Birkenstocks can’t be found on sale often. So if you see a big discount for the pair you found, the chances it is fake are very high. It is easier with online purchases as you can research official retailers that sell original Birkenstock footwear.
There will be sales related to the main holidays in the US. That is when you can grab a pair of Birks at a more affordable price point. Not all models go on sale. If you see the whole range is selling at low cost, then it is not real Birks.
10. Ensure Birkenstock sandals have a number imprinted
Birkenstock produces professional footwear. That is why sandals have the numbers imprinted on their footbeds. The numbers on the right and left shoes are supposed to match. That means the footbeds were made at the same time and the level of comfort and sizes and materials will be exactly the same.
The chances the numbers will match aren’t high, but it is still good to know whether the footbeds are from the same batch. The fake sandals won’t have these numbers at all.
The straps underneath also contain numbers. As with footbeds they just mean what batch the straps belong to. These numbers get imprinted on real leather straps only and won’t be there on molded EVA sandals.
11. The sizing should be looked at as well
Even if everything matches the main instructions highlighted above, the color and the font are the ones, that Birkenstock uses, check the sizing conversion. it has to be the same size in all sizing charts.
Use the Internet to check whether it is the same sizes for the US, Europe, and the UK. That is how the fake Birks can be found. There might be a mistake, revealing the contrafait pair.
12. Find the serial number on Birkenstock sandals
Some Birkenstock footwear models with buckles might contain a serial number under them. That helps the manufacturer to track the shoes and what country they get sent to. It is not a common characteristic and is usually found in kids’ collections. There will be adult sandals that will have it printed on the strap.
13. Compare the colors of the shoes
The colors of the original Birkenstock family brands are intense. The fake sandals usually don’t match the colors precisely. Their colors are faded and differ by shade. Always pay attention to that fact as the authentic Birkenstocks sandals must look nice.
14. Bad smells as an indicator of fake footwear
Usually, the chemical smell indicates that fake materials had been used to make the shoes. Real leather doesn’t have a bad odor. It will smell like leather, but not chemicals. Bear in mind, that vegan Birkenstocks can have a strange smell, but they won’t be strong.
15. Test the material underneath the straps
That will allow you to define the actual material of the straps. If it is leather, the strap will feel nice and soft underneath. The color underneath will match the tone of the color on top of the strap. With fake shoes, the color underneath the strap will differ and most likely will be white.
16. Look for different imperfections that might be seen on the surface of the shoes
If you find something that isn’t perfect like bad stitching, glue on the sole and upper part of the sandals, or uneven font of the information imprinted on the soft footbed of the sandals, all of that is the indicator that the sandals aren’t genuine.
Everyone knows Birkenstocks for their exceptional quality and things like that don’t happen to the sandals produced by the manufacturer.
17. Check the country where the pair is made in
Just remember, all Birks sandals are made at the German factory. There are other types of Birkenstock footwear, particularly clogs, that are made in Portugal. If it says made in China or ships from China, it is not real Birkenstocks.
The main highlights for purchasing genuine Birkenstocks
Below are instructions on how can you avoid purchasing fake Birkenstocks. Following them the chances of you getting counterfeit sandals will be zero.
1. Start with checking the shoe box
It has to be blue and white, depending on the collection. Kids’ shoe boxes differ from adults’ ones. Check all the labeling and barcodes. All the information must be presented on the tag along with a picture of the shoes. No information is a direct indication that the shoes are fake.
2. Inspect the shoe
It mustn’t have any imperfections such as uneven stitching, spots of glue, or chipping off material. The soft footbed must be soft and comfortable. If you see any pieces dangling, it can’t happen to real Birks. That means you are holding a fake pair.
3. Check the straps and buckles
The material must be strong and even. The underneath part must match the color of the upper part of the strap. The buckles must not be fading. Nothing should be peeling off. There must be a Birkenstock word written on the buckle. Flimsy buckles can’t be attached to real sandals.
4. Hold a pair of Birks
They are very light. That is what makes them comfortable to wear. If your pair is heavy, that must be fake sandals.
5. Look at the footbed
There must be information about the shoe imprinted. You will see a logo, sizing, serial number, the real leather icon, and the type of the toe box.
6. Check the underneath part of the shoe
The soles must have the Birkenstock word imprinted in some areas.
7. There should be no bad chemical smells coming from the shoes.
If it is leather shoes, they must smell like leather. Vegan collections will have a funny smell, but they won’t be anything like chemicals.
8. Check the sizing imprinted on the sole
It has to indicate the same size in all size charts of the US, Europe, and the UK.
FAQs
How are Birkenstocks supposed to feel?
Featuring unique materials and a soft footbed with suede lining, original sandals should feel comfortable from the moment you put them on for the first time.
They shouldn’t be too tight and cause any sort of pain. Birkenstock essentials are developed to fit the standard foot structure.
Are fake Birkenstocks comfortable?
All Birkenstock essential footwear is made in Germany following a patent sole technology that provides exceptional comfort for those who wear real Birkenstocks.
Footwear with fake footbeds will never be able to provide the same level of comfort. Such footwear can actually cause your feet to have health issues if you wear them permanently.
How do I know if my Birkenstocks are regular or wide?
You can look on the footbed of the shoe. For the models with extra width, there will be an outlined footprint icon.
Narrow models come with a solid footprint picture on the footbeds. This information will be placed on the Birkenstock boxes as well. So you can double-check it.
What is the difference between Birkenstock and Papillio?
Papillio footwear has the same high-quality construction as it is made under Birkenstock’s supervision. The upper materials differ from Birkenstock essentials.
The color selection and playful and whimsical designs vary as well. Papillio still features the same affordable price point as Birkenstock.
Conclusion
Now you have found out the main information that will help you to determine whether the sandals you purchased in a Birkenstock box are real Birkenstock. It isn’t difficult to spot the difference once you know where to look for it.
A Birkenstock shoe is made in Germany and featuring natural materials. The majority of the models of stylish sandals have a suede lining, a raised toe bar, a deep heel cup, and extra room for those with wide feet.
The high-quality materials make this footwear super comfortable. A lot of people prefer Birkenstock professional footwear, especially when you are running around the whole day.
Just make sure you purchase footwear from the official physical or online store, or any of the official representatives to avoid a situation of getting fake Birks.
Read also: Are Birkenstocks healthy for your feet?
Author
Paula Maureen has collaborated with famous shoe brands and designed popular women’s sandals. As a proofreader, she contributes to foot wisdom.
