We can no longer offer Birkenstock repair for online/mail order customers.
Welcome to our Birkenstock repair shop.
My name is Mick. I do the repairs. I enjoy doing repairs. It is satisfying to breathe new life back into a well-loved pair of sandals. People do become attached. However, the recent KCUR/NPR feature story on our repair shop has caused our repair volume to exceed my ability to keep up. We can handle the repair needs of our local, in-store customers, but we do not have the capacity to service the nation. We will continue doing repairs for our in-store customers.
If you are able to visit our store, bring us your Birkenstock footwear. We will discuss your options. We can usually get the repair done in a few days. Payment for the repair is due when we take in the repair.
Half Sole $35
If you still have tread for the rest of your sole, but the heels are worn down, we can grind off the damaged sole in the heel area, splice in EVA material and overlay that with denser material which wears much tougher. Cork work is a separate charge.
Full Resole $55
This applies to Birkenstock sandals and clogs using the EVA soles. Some of the newer styles with different types of soles are not designed to be resoled. We remove your existing soles and replace them with Birkenstock EVA soles. At the same time we will reseal the exposed cork and readhere your straps if they have separated from the sides of the cork footbed. For oiled leather we will clean them up a bit and reapply an oil finish. Cork work is a separate charge.
Full Resole with Supergrip Sole $75
Same as the Full Resole, but we use the tougher Supergrip sole by Birkenstock.
Cork Work $30
This flat fee covers patching little cracks or small missing pieces of cork. If the shape of your footbed is distorted and damage to the cork more extensive, a new footbed would be the way to go. Also, if the suede liner is cracking across the ball-of-the-foot, a new footbed would be in order.
Footbed Replacement $99 - $119
We transfer your existing upper and buckles from your old footbed to a new Classic Footbed. This is the more firm footbed option. It costs less than the soft version and is more durable. The firm footbed is the only replacement footbed which we stock. For oiled leather we will clean them up a bit and reapply an oil finish. We can also make suede uppers look better. Please note that it is not advisable to do a footbed replacement with non-leather uppers as the cost would be about the same as a new pair.
Enclosed fee for Boston and other clogs $10 extra
Enclosed fee for London $20 extra
Thong or toe loop styles It is not advisable to do footbed replacements for styles with toe loops or thong pieces as the cost would be greater than a new pair.
Add a Lift $45 - $105*
For someone with a leg-length imbalance, a lift can make all the difference in the world. We do lifts up to 3/4 of an inch. We cannot prescribe what might work for you. We can execute the lift to your specifications. *Fee is based on the thickness of the lift.
Compare to the price of a new pair:
Protect and Maintain
Prolong the life of your footwear while keeping them looking their best.
Care & Repair FAQ
Product Care
Birkenstock sandals and clogs with exposed cork at the edges of the footbed (most Classic Footbed and Soft Footbed styles) come with a layer of cork sealer applied at the factory. You will notice that the cork on new sandals and clogs looks shiny.
Over time, the cork sealer wears off and the cork will begin to appear dull. This is when it's time to reseal.
How often cork sealer needs to be reapplied will vary, depending on how often the pair is worn and your individual wear pattern (for example, if you scuff your heels together as you walk, you may need to apply sealer to those areas more frequently). Check your cork each season, and reseal as needed. There is no need to apply sealer to cork that still appears shiny.
Birkenstock makes a cork sealer that comes with a convenient applicator. We carry this as part of the Deluxe Shoe Care Kit and also as a stand-alone item. Follow the directions on the package and only apply a single, thin layer as needed. More is not better. A thick coat or multiple layers of this type of sealer can become brittle and crack, which can actually damage the cork, rather than protect it! However, when used as directed, this is the easiest and most convenient way to care for your cork.
In our repair shop, we use Barge Cement to bond our repairs and also to seal cork. Barge Cement is a type of contact cement that remains pliable once dry, though you still only need a single, thin layer to reseal cork. We carry small tubes of Barge Cement for at-home use. Apply in a well-ventilated area, because this product gives off fumes. With Barge Cement you will need an applicator, such as a small brush.
Please refer to individual products for specific application instructions.
NOTE: Birkenstock Exquisites and other styles where the cork is wrapped with leather or concelaed do not require cork sealer. Birkenstock shoes and boots, which have removable cork footbeds, also do not require cork sealer. Only apply cork sealer to exterior-exposed cork.
A protectant spray is most effective if applied before you've worn your footwear, but it can also be reapplied after you've cleaned the uppers. It wears off over time, so it's a good ideato reapply seasonally.
To apply protectant spray, unbuckle all of the straps, turn the sandal over on top of a piece of newspaper and lay the straps out flat. Evenly apply the protectant spray according to the bottle instructions, avoiding the sole. If the straps are not able to be fully opened, or if you are treating a clog or enclosed style, stuff the inside of the sandal or clog with newspaper to hold up the straps for even spray application. Allow to air dry completely before wearing.
We carry a protectant spray by Birkenstock that is sold as a part of the Deluxe Shoe Care Kit, and we also carry a stand-alone protectant spray by Dansko. Either may be used on any brand of footwear.
NOTE: Leather treatments and cleaning techniques can change the appearance of the leather. Always test in a small and inconspicuous spot to be sure you are happy with the results. We recommend testing a spot that will be hidden under your buckled straps, or if there are no straps, a spot on on the inward-facing side of your shoe.
Suede uppers may be pre-treated with a suede and nubuck protectant spray to prevent stains from penetrating and discoloring the leather.
To clean suede and restore the nap, use the nylon and brass bristle side of a Suede and Nubuck brush in a gentle circular motion.
We carry a Suede and Nubuck brush by Birkenstock that is sold as a part of the Deluxe Shoe Care Kit, and we also carry a stand-alone Suede and Nubuck brush.
NOTE: Leather treatments and cleaning techniques can change the appearance of the leather. Always test in a small and inconspicuous spot to be sure you are happy with the results. We recommend testing an area that will be hidden under your buckled straps, or if there are no straps, an area on the inward-facing side of your shoe.
Nubuck uppers may be pre-treated with a suede and nubuck protectant spray to prevent stains from penetrating and discoloring the leather.
To clean nubuck without damaging the velvet-like finish, use the rubber-nubbed side of a Suede and Nubuck brush in a gentle circular motion. If discoloration remains, a nubuck block, which is often a type of rubber-pumice mixture, may be used to gently sand away surface stains.
We carry a Suede and Nubuck brush by Birkenstock that is sold as a part of the Deluxe Shoe Care Kit, and we also carry a stand-alone Suede and Nubuck brush. At this time we do not carry a stand-alone nubuck block.
NOTE: Leather treatments and cleaning techniques can change the appearance of the leather. Always test in a small and inconspicuous spot to be sure you are happy with the results. We recommend testing an area that will be hidden under your buckled straps, or if there are no straps, an area on the inward-facing side of your shoe.
Oiled leather is a nubuck leather with an oil treatment applied. It is the nature of this type of leather to show a lot of individual character, such as light and dark color variations. This is also one of the easiest types of leather to care for.
Pre-treatment with a suede and nubuck spray really isn't necessary for an oiled leather- the oil treatment already forms a protective barrier. However it also won't hurt the leather, so if it gives you peace of mind it may be worth it, especially for lighter colors such as tobacco.
To even out the appearance of an oiled leather, simply rub the surface of the leather with a microfiber cloth to redistribute the oils.
Birkenstock does not make an oiled leather restorer for their leathers at this time, though there are other brands on the market that make this type of a product. Please be aware that application of any product may remove the unique character of oiled leather that many customers love. On the other hand, if you like oiled leather, but not the variation in color, applying an oil restorer or leather conditioner may evenly darken the leather and reduce the variation. Refer to individual product packaging for application instructions.
Always test products or cleaning techniques in a small and inconspicuous spot to be sure you are happy with the results. We recommend testing an area that will be hidden under your buckled straps, or if there are no straps, an area on the inward-facing side of your shoe.
Lifespan of footwear varies greatly based on a variety of factors such as the type of footbed and sole, the frequency and conditions of use, and your individual gait and wear patterns. A pair worn only occasionally and primarily indoors will usually last longer than a pair worn every day outdoors on sidewalks and exposed to the elements. In general, the full-cork Classic Footbed will last longer than the Soft Footbed.
Over time, Birkenstock cork footbeds form to the shape of the wearer's feet, but eventually they will also begin to compact and lose a bit of their original arch support. For this reason, when considering whether or not to repair your footwear, a resole isn't always the best option. If you are noticing a loss of arch support, footbed replacement or replacing with an entirely new pair may be better choices.
Repairs
No problem! We will discuss your options with you when you bring them in to our store.
Mick has done all manner of repairs over the years that extend beyond the standard resoles and footbed replacements. Whether you need a buckle or rivet replacement, a strap repair, or a custom modification, he's seen most everything.
Since these non-standard repairs usually require custom solutions, Mick needs to evaluate your specific pair before he can give you an accurate estimate. Bring your pair to our store and we will let you know your options.
Mick specializes in Birkenstock repairs, and does not typically repair other brands of footwear.
We are able to resole Haflinger cork footbed clogs, such as the Grizzly Clog, using our Birkenstock EVA sole material. We are not able to order the original Haflinger soles or footbeds for repairs.
Occasionally, we are able to make repairs to other brands of footwear, depending on the nature of the repair and the materials used in the construction of the shoe. This needs to be determined on a case-by-case basis. BKB Leather in North Lawrence provides more traditional cobbler services, and they may be a better bet for your non-Birkenstock repairs.
We carry replacement footbeds for the Super Birki Clog and the Profi Birki Clog. We may be able to special order replacement footbeds for the A 630 / A 640 Clogs. Please call us at 785-841-7027 to check availability.
Currently, original replacement footbeds are not available for Birkenstock shoes and boots. However, if your footbeds are in need of replacement, we have found a couple of good options. Some customers have used Birkenstock's BirkoSport 2-Part Arch Support Insole to replace the cork footbeds in Birkenstock shoes and boots. SOLE insoles also work well as replacement footbeds inside Birkenstock shoes and boots, and they are available in three thicknesses.
If you have a question about which replacement insoles might work best in your shoes, give us a call at 785-841-7027 and we'd be happy to help!
