Birkenstocks starting to come apart after less than two weeks

[heydorotheayoullgo]

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?

This. They have undergone various corporate changes and are aiming at the fashion market now instead of the quality we’re used to.
they introduced a narrow fit but then made their regular fit significantly narrower too.
not sure I’ll be buying any more, last two pairs didn’t fit and went back and I’ve been buying 37R for 20 years

They were bought out a couple of years ago and the quality has deteriorated massively unfortunately.

I would say that you have ‘ abused ‘ these for want of a better word , the excessive sweat / heat in them could cause the glue to melt ,having said that I’m by no means an expert but you’ve got nothing to lose by trying to return assuming that they’ll send them back to you if they refuse said refund .
I’ve got several pairs and they’ve never looked like this .

I’ve had my first pair twenty years and second pair are now 6 years old - get them replaced

By wearing them in the summer? Am I supposed to wear them in the winter? It’s not “excessive” sweat by any means.

This is exactly how the soles of mine have looked after one wear. And the same with the White Stuff ones I have now which are the same kind of sole.

They aren't abused in the least, they've just been worn a couple of times.

Just from Google - you’re supposed to let them dry out 24-48 hours between wears when they’re soaked in sweat , and it has been extreme heat last few weeks .
You appear to be arguing with anyone here that’s offered an opinion, so I’m not sure why you posted really 🤷‍♀️
Ask for the refund , worst they can say is no

They’ve not been “soaked” in sweat, im not sure where you’ve got that from?

It begs the question, why do they sell shoes for £100 when they can’t withstand day to day wear?

You can’t wear them! You must sit and look at them!

It’s put me right off Birkenstocks. I get the stain, but they look disgusting, sweat stained shoes are really not attractive, sweat stained anything to be honest is not a good look. As said, I get that’s the design but I think letting them dry out and giving them a clean with your next pair is likely the way to go. They just look like old dirty shoes.

I agree with you, it’s a very poor design if they look minging after a few wears,

As I said previously you just wanna argue with anyone that disagrees with you , so crack on and email them .
Telling them that Mumsnet agree with you I’m sure won’t make any difference .

I’m not really bothered by the staining on the footbed because that’s what I expected from them (perhaps not so soon, but I want to wear them on holiday so it was going to happen at some point!), my issue is that they’re starting to fall apart after 70k ish steps.

If that’s what happens when I wear them for a few days, what if I wear them for 10 days straight on holiday? It just won’t work! That’s why I’m hoping they’re just a dud pair

No - I’m replying to people who are making things up, and frankly telling lies about me.

I think they will refund and replace, don’t worry, I suspect the heat from your feet has melted the glue over this heatwave period.

I just think they look awful I’d be embarrassed to have visibly sweat stained shoes, or clothes, or anything else, so I couldn’t countenance that as a desirable look.

I don’t think anyone is telling lies about you, that’s a bit extreme, people are challenging they are brand new due to the state of them, that’s all.

They’re lying. Saying they’re soaked in sweat, that they’re years old, that I’ve “abused” them. Despite my many assurances I haven’t.

Any time you are wearing them your feet sit in the spots that are caused by moulding to your feet so nobody can see the marks. Nobody can see them when you're wearing them.

They aren't really sweat marks, just where the texture of it softens and changes were it fits your feet.

The glue hasn't melted, they are just a bit of a dodgy pair that I expect will be refunded without a quibble.

To be honest I’ve literally never worn such a comfortable pair of shoes in my life. I’m gutted they’ve done this because I can see myself wearing nothing but these!

They are usually amazing. Definitely worth an exchange and hoping another pair are up to scratch.

The original company was bought out by a private equity company in 2023, backed.by LVMH. Mine are 7 years old, worn far too regularly, as they just fit so well, but are holding on well. However, I read the latest reviews and have been put off the brand now, as the price point without the quality reassurance is not a purchase I am willing to make. Sadly we live in a period when mega profit trumps quality.

So Birkenstock are being incredibly unhelpful. Every email to them is met by an automated response and then no answer for at least a day. It’s really ticking me off!

Did you call them?

I’ve emailed. I don’t have time to call them. That’s why I’ve said their emails are coming back automatically. I’m not sure why people always say “oh call them”. I don’t want to. I should be able to email them.