Collection: Birkenstock

Birkenstock is a German footwear maker founded in 1774 in the village of Langen-Bergheim, near Frankfurt. For two and a half centuries the brand has obsessed over one product: the contoured cork-and-latex footbed. Every Birkenstock sandal, clog and shoe is built around that footbed, which moulds gently to the wearer's foot shape over the first 1-2 weeks of wear.

The signature Birkenstock footbed has four key zones: pronounced arch support, a deep heel cup, raised toe ridge to encourage gripping (which helps stability), and an outer rim that prevents the foot sliding sideways. Podiatrists around the world recommend Birkenstocks specifically for these features — particularly for wearers with plantar fasciitis, flat feet or arch pain.

Beyond the classic Arizona and Madrid sandals (two-strap and one-strap respectively), the range now includes the closed-toe Boston clog, the Mayari toe-loop sandal, professional kitchen clogs, and a growing line of trainers and boots. Materials span suede, smooth leather, oiled nubuck, Birko-Flor synthetic, EVA waterproof foam, and a vegan range using vegetable-based materials.

Birkenstock sizes use European measurements. UK 5 = EU 38, UK 7 = EU 40, UK 9 = EU 42 (the brand uses men's European sizing across all styles, even for unisex sandals). Most styles come in Narrow and Regular width — narrow is identifiable by the white-painted-out heel logo, regular by the dark heel logo. If you have wider feet, the Regular fit is essential.

Cork care: avoid prolonged water exposure. Splashes are fine but submersion will dry out the cork and crack it. Apply Birkenstock Cork Sealer once a year to maintain water resistance. Leather uppers benefit from occasional conditioning. The footbed can be re-corked by Birkenstock's repair service once it wears down — most pairs last 5-10 years with periodic re-corking.

Cordners has been Northern Ireland's footwear specialist since 1937. Family-owned across three generations, we've built our reputation on three things: choosing the brands customers can trust, fitting shoes properly using trained staff and free in-store measuring, and standing behind every pair we sell. Our stores across Northern Ireland stock the widest range of footwear in the region, and our online store brings that same expertise to anyone in the UK and Ireland.

Every pair is sourced directly from the brand or its authorised UK distributor — what you order is 100% genuine and comes with the manufacturer's full warranty. Free 30-day returns means you can try at home with zero risk. If the size or style isn't right, send them back at our expense. Free standard UK delivery on orders over £75, with next-day delivery available on orders placed before 2pm Monday to Friday. Click-and-collect from any Cordners store across Northern Ireland is free of charge, with stock typically ready within one working day. Need sizing advice? Visit any Cordners store for a free fitting from our trained team, or chat to us online during business hours.