Birkenstocks starting to come apart after less than two weeks

heydorotheayoullgo · 2026-07-13T15:07:55+00:00

I bought a pair of Birkenstocks less than two weeks ago. I have looked today and there are two patches on each shoe where the straps are starting to come away from the footbed on each shoe. It’s not insignificant wear. AIBU to contact their customer service and ask for a replacement pair?

Cheersminesalargeone · 20/07/2026 20:35

LoafofSellotape · 20/07/2026 09:30

The quality isn't anywhere near what it used to be,they used to last years and now I'll be lucky to get a third year out of a pair.

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Agreed just commented exactly the same.

Cheersminesalargeone · 20/07/2026 20:33

I’ve noticed the quality isn’t as good as it used to be, had heels wear through in 2 years. Lasted way longer before.

NoCommentingFromNowOn · 20/07/2026 20:32

heydorotheayoullgo · 20/07/2026 19:41

No, I’m not. Sorry you can’t understand

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Yes she is correct, the one on the right is brand new (and a different size).

cannynotsay · 20/07/2026 20:27

Sorry I meant 41 and one’s a 42

Original poster

heydorotheayoullgo · 20/07/2026 19:41

aliceyyyy2654 · 20/07/2026 18:26

Did you get an answer from them?

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It’s still with their “specialist team”

OP posts:

Original poster

heydorotheayoullgo · 20/07/2026 19:41

cannynotsay · 20/07/2026 19:32

There different sizes, so you’re saying the one on the right is the one for 10 days and is faulty which is a 42, yet the pics are of the one on the left the 42. The ones on the right look new in comparison to the left.

No, I’m not. Sorry you can’t understand

OP posts:

cannynotsay · 20/07/2026 19:32

There different sizes, so you’re saying the one on the right is the one for 10 days and is faulty which is a 42, yet the pics are of the one on the left the 42. The ones on the right look new in comparison to the left.

aliceyyyy2654 · 20/07/2026 18:26

heydorotheayoullgo · 19/07/2026 17:12

Also for everyone saying I’m lying - the shoe on the left is the brand new out of the box Birkenstock, the one on the right is the one I’ve worn for ten days. Aside from the slight wear on the soles (to be expected from wearing them outdoors) and the insoles, they’re identical.

Did you get an answer from them?

LoafofSellotape · 20/07/2026 09:30

Widoeeyes · 19/07/2026 17:06

That’s weird. I’ve had multiple pairs over the last 20 years and they have all lasted years. I’d take them back to the shop

The quality isn't anywhere near what it used to be,they used to last years and now I'll be lucky to get a third year out of a pair.

3luckystars · 19/07/2026 17:44

Ok

Original poster

heydorotheayoullgo · 19/07/2026 17:12

Also for everyone saying I’m lying - the shoe on the left is the brand new out of the box Birkenstock, the one on the right is the one I’ve worn for ten days. Aside from the slight wear on the soles (to be expected from wearing them outdoors) and the insoles, they’re identical.

Birkenstocks starting to come apart after less than two weeks

OP posts:

Widoeeyes · 19/07/2026 17:06

That’s weird. I’ve had multiple pairs over the last 20 years and they have all lasted years. I’d take them back to the shop

Original poster

heydorotheayoullgo · 19/07/2026 16:58

Baking07 · 17/07/2026 23:50

I was in a craft shop last weekend and a woman was buying bright blue strappy Birkenstock sandles.
She was wearing a pair and said she had work this pair every day for the past 6 years!

OP its clear from the sraps and sole those are new, the insole has taken a beating in the recent heat.

Good to know if the quality has dropped, it's happening with so many things.

They have a very loyal following for summer sandals amoung my friends, especially those pearly pink colour which are very pretty.

I’m glad some people still have the ability to use their eyes! Birkenstock have also (FINALLY) agreed it’s a fault and “passed it to their quality control team”

OP posts:

Original poster

heydorotheayoullgo · 19/07/2026 16:54

amraa · 18/07/2026 12:23

@heydorotheayoullgodo wear foot cream before going out? That could be why the soles look heavily used and stained, that happened to me when I put on a rather greasy foot cream, it stained my Birkenstock and looked really worn!

I had been for a little while but stopped, but I do think that might’ve contributed to it!

OP posts:

Original poster

heydorotheayoullgo · 19/07/2026 16:53

cannynotsay · 19/07/2026 06:29

I’ve re looked at OPs photos and still don’t believe her. The buckles are discoloured too. I’ve got pairs where the straps are pristine too after so long. There either fakes from a fake website, which happens a lot! I work in retail. Or she is not being truthful.

No they’re not. The buckles are absolutely fine. I bought them direct from Birkenstock and have provided the evidence of that.

OP posts:

NumberOneFanNot · 19/07/2026 15:51

The quality of Birkenstock has really declined. Have a pair that I've worn on and off over two summers and a massive chunk of the cork sole fell out. I sent a photo and a copy of my receipt asking if this is a fault and they refused to investigate. Wasn't expecting a replacement, but at least an acknowledgement that shoes falling apart isn't ideal.
I'd previously had pairs last considerably longer. Wouldn't be buying again, given the price and very short life span.

NoCommentingFromNowOn · 19/07/2026 15:48

EarringsandLipstick · 19/07/2026 15:14

It really would be no harm to read the full thread, or at least OP’s posts ….

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This is mumsnet, the headquarters of people who are too busy to click one button and read. I think you’re doing the equivalent of asking for the moon on a stick 😂

EarringsandLipstick · 19/07/2026 15:14

LoafofSellotape · 19/07/2026 07:03

They don't if they're faulty, that's just if you don't like the colour or style for example. Just email them with photos.

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It really would be no harm to read the full thread, or at least OP’s posts ….

LoafofSellotape · 19/07/2026 07:03

heydorotheayoullgo · 13/07/2026 17:06

I can’t return them. They have to be in re-saleable condition.

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They don't if they're faulty, that's just if you don't like the colour or style for example. Just email them with photos.

cannynotsay · 19/07/2026 06:29

I’ve re looked at OPs photos and still don’t believe her. The buckles are discoloured too. I’ve got pairs where the straps are pristine too after so long. There either fakes from a fake website, which happens a lot! I work in retail. Or she is not being truthful.

NoCommentingFromNowOn · 18/07/2026 22:16

ProjectsGalore · 18/07/2026 21:07

Erm having looked at the photos there are different shoes in the different groups . The photos with one large shoe and one smaller have no heel strap but the others later down the thread do……this is very weird. I bought a new pair two weeks ago and they look perfect still…..something doesn’t add up.

The photo with one large and one small shoe are not OPs photos.

lordbaddingham · 18/07/2026 21:30

If I worked for Birkenstock I'd think OP had bought a new pair and was trying now to return an old pair saying they were the new pair. Not saying she is, but that's what it will look like.

lordbaddingham · 18/07/2026 21:28

They all have straps as far as I can see but the buckles don't look new, they are discoloured. Mine looked like that after a couple of years, not two weeks.

ProjectsGalore · 18/07/2026 21:07

Erm having looked at the photos there are different shoes in the different groups . The photos with one large shoe and one smaller have no heel strap but the others later down the thread do……this is very weird. I bought a new pair two weeks ago and they look perfect still…..something doesn’t add up.

MandemChickenShop · 18/07/2026 20:44

sounds a bit like Hunter wellies, trading on their name but now just over priced fashion rubbish.

in fairness it's quite well known to rotate you shoes and not wear they same pair 2 days in a row, so they can dry out etc. maybe try that with the new pair, especially it it's hot.