How long should Birkenstocks last?

[ThousandCows]

Am averaging about 2 years per pair for my Mayaris. Have tried both the Birko-Flor and oiled leather, but no apparent difference in durability. I do wear them pretty much constantly in the summer, but I feel like everyone else seems to get more than a couple of years out of theirs... It's specifically the toe-post bit that comes away from the sole, IYSWIM, but I love this particular 'model' and don't really want to switch! Could I be unwittingly abusing them somehow?!

My Arizonas have lasted years and years. I quite fancy some Mayaris though, and can imagine the toe-post is less durable.

I'm on my second season of my big-buckle Madrids (and I wear them in the house all winter too, with socks ) and they look like they'll last for years to come. Sounds like you're right about the toe-post being the weak point.

I wear Mayaris. They last about 5 summers, although the cork starts to crumble at the edges after about 3.

I’ve got a pair that are older than my daughter - she was 16 last week! They are the ones that go over rather than tow post though - toe post sandals never last as long

I reckon I get 3 years from a pair . I am HARD on them though - I walk a lot, and I don't have many shoes. I get the Madrids and the sole is wearing down a lot buy the third summer.

I get about two years but I find that it's the beach that kills them. Sand and salty water seems to destroy them. I am keeping my new shiny oiled leather big buckle ones well away from the beach this year. I normally have two pairs on the go; buying a new pair every year and relegating the older pair to be the seaside pair.

Two years in good nick, another two looking shabby

I too am a Mayari fan, and I wear them HARD every day unless it’s raining often even in the autumn!!! I get the crumbly cork issue, and the foot beds get uncomfortable after about 2 years, then they relegated to gardening/putting the bins out for another year or so. I’ve never had an issue with the toe post though, is it coming away from the sole?? Do you flex your foot a lot when you walk? Maybe you need to adjust the straps or try a different width. The thing I love about the mayari is that the straps stay put and don’t move/rub.

Birkies don't tolerate getting wet

Mine last 1-2 years. I walk everywhere and only in them in the summer months though. Can't work out if that's bad or not.

Mine last around 18 months. I also wear Mayaris. I live in a hot country and wear them most days walking to and from work. The sole wears out, never had a problem with the toe post.

These are probably 3 years old and still okay ish. Will probably get new pair for next year. But weak point for me is always the Cork bit where it bends.

Hmm, OK, thanks for your contributions! Seems like maybe I'm at the lower end of the range but not totally unreasonable...

ATowel yes, the toe post comes away from the sole! Maybe it is just the way I walk - no idea if my foot flexes more than a normal amount! No issues with crumbling.

Any thoughts as to which out of the Birko-Flor or oiled leather should/would be better? Although I suspect for my particular toe-post issue it doesn't really make much difference

I have maharis and no deterioration after 2 years so I would hope a lot longer.
I've had a cheap tkmaxx version of birkenstocks that have done about 4 years.

Mine are like LasCerbiatta after one summer.

I find they just make my feet stink when the cork goes shiny. No other shoes do this. Is there any way of cleaning the inner sole?

Two years for me but wear them constantly (winter with socks etc) and it’s the cork footbed that cracks. Have worn them all through lockdown and had to wear a pair of shoes for my brother’s funeral a couple of months ago - me heels absolutely bled.

About 2yrs, the cork goes where my foot bends. I wear them pretty much constantly in Summer.
But I've switched to the cheaper brands in TKMaxx and haven't found them any worse, in fact my current ones 'Plakton' brand are the comfiest I've ever had.

Funnily enough, I've just worn an ancient pair of Madrids up the garden and was trying to work out how old they are. I reckon at least 15 years old. The main problem with them is that they are grubby as anything! The insole is peeling away at the heel too but they are generally structurally sound, no issues with the cork at all. I've got some Arizonas that I've worn constantly for the past 3 summers and they look good as new.
I never get mine wet though, unless relegated for garden/beach use. I think that helps keep them in one piece and looking good!

@ArseInTheCoOpWindow I spray mine with a mix of white vinegar and water and leave them to dry in the sun. Stops the stink nicely!

I have Mayaris and there's a hack for preventing the toe post coming away from the sole - undo the buckle and move the long strap that goes underneath the toe bit to OVER it. It helps stop the toe strap being pulled out as it takes more of the pressure when walking.

I love mine though tbh I haven't worn them much, I prefer my arizonas which I found quicker to break in.

Milanos, just redid the cork and soles after 15 years. Used mainly in the summer, camping and travelling.

My Madrids have just died at age 20 . If I hadn’t worn them to the beach and got them wet last weekend, I think they’d still be going strong.
I’ve just replaced them with a new pair, so let’s see how well they do!

The toe post came out of my year-old ones a couple of weeks ago, so I levered up the cork layer and stuck it back in with superglue, then glued the cork back down. There's a little bit of roughness on the edge of the cork in one place now, but you can't see it when the sandals are on. I'm hoping to get a few more years out of them now.

Can't understand why they don't glue the toe posts in to begin with.

adrianmolesmole I can't quite visualise this but will investigate!
TheLeadbetterLife thank you - I haven't chucked them yet so will attempt a rescue operation Nothing to lose at this point!

I’ve still got a pair of bright red Madrid’s that I bought in 2001. Maybe they don’t make them like they used to.