Repairing 16 Year Old Birkenstocks: Total Transformation by KW Shoe Repair

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-Our aim is to educate consumers to change their mindset of 'always buying new' to repairing footwear and really anything else when & where possible. We believe it’s worthwhile doing this because it would be wasteful otherwise, and 'always buy new' is not a good sustainable strategy overall.
-This pair of Birkenstocks was shipped to us by a customer from Calgary, Alberta. Customer told us they had the sandals for 16 years now. We saw clear evidence as the sandals came in a looking a bit rough. But we made them look new again!!
Shoe cleaning products used in this video:
Saphir Shoe Creams - www.kwshoerepair.com/collecti...
#Birkenstocks #BirkenstockRestoration #BirkenstokRepair

[@KWSHOEREPAIR]

We made another Birkenstock Repair Video. Watch Here >> kzbin.info/www/bejne/e2rXd3VjZsaViqM

[@lalilalo06]

Great video too (the other video), but the cork sole is not so worn out than this. And i would have liked to see how you repair this one. ☹️ (In this video)

[@SocalRaj]

They were paying for sentimental value. Those shoes meant something to this person.

[@aleisterlavey9716]

Totally. Plus I takes while to get those walked in to a perfect fit. My dad even once send his beloved crops to repair the no longer existing sole. Now he got crocs with a better sole than most no-name sneakers.

[@LeonaRasalas]

Can understand. Best shoes I’ve ever owned.

[@AdamG1]

Not really sentimental, more practical. It takes about a month of daily wear to get the footbeds molded perfectly to your feet and once that happens, they're the most comfortable shoes you can get. I've got a pair that's 20 years old that get repaired every few years. It used to be cheaper than buying a new pair but the prices have stayed the same since I bought them. The standard Arizonas have always been $99.95. I bought a second pair 2 years ago for the same price. Labor has gone up. Recorking and new soles now cost $60, used to be $30. Better for the environment as well. Certainly worth the cost of the shoes. It's much more economical to buy one pair for $100-$150 and they last forever than spending $20 on a new cheap pair every 6 months if you wear them all the time

[@meowjakx3]

Those were someone's absolute favorite shoes. They were very well loved. I bet they're glad to have them back to new again!

[@AdamG1]

I'll be honest, I was kinda disappointed that the recorking process is a trade secret. Always wondered how they did that. I'm assuming you're an authorized Birkenstock repair shop since you have the sole material, is it some sort of process that you have to learn in order to be an authorized repair shop? I guess the ultimate question is if I can get the same results at any authorized shop. I have 3 pairs of birks and always worried when they're in the shop, it takes about a month to wear them in before they're perfect.

[@TgWags69]

Not so difficult. It appears he used a synthetic cork eva sheet. Heat mold this over a last to create a heel cup. Skive and glue this into the original cork footbed. He grinds this down leaving it woefully wavy as crap then glues on a piece of real cork to make it seem like it was original. It will hold together but not top notch work either. Also you can buy the birkenstock outsoling pattern at any shoe repair supply house. No special training or anything required.

[@PotassiumOxide]

Same. I was waiting for that part 😩

[@CMQ824]

Yes they used multicork to repair the heel and then a layer of Birkicork to match the rest. you don't have to be an authorized shop to get hold of the birki soling material. Just in an industry that can buy from a supplier that carries it.

[@pedro-cp7pp]

I stopped when a read that!

[@xrl1193]

Nothing special.

[@Shitstainsteve]

Skipped the only part I was actually interested in. Otherwise a super straight forward repair.

[@jt.8144]

"Skipped to the only part... but other wise Straight Forward" Uh NO. TRULY YOU LIVE LIFE .. funcked up. LOVE YOUR NAME BY THE WAY.. That validates it all.

[@yanz6739]

For some people, it's not about the price to fix the things compare with buy the new one. It's all about "values" that stuff. History's defeniately priceless..

[@edz2974]

I’ve replaced the soles on two pairs of Birkenstocks using a heat gun to remove the soles. Gluing up was easy. Next the trim work then using a sanding wheel on a dremel to finish the soles. Finally a hand polish of the leather with a light scrubbing of the footbed. I love my Birkenstocks especially since I learned to extend their life expectancy.

[@KWSHOEREPAIR]

👍

[@knitrelax]

Great video! My cobbler is a miracle worker and has kept me happy and my Birks up and running.

[@2degucitas]

Doesn't the Birks company repair them anymore?

[@Trooper738]

You must be the cleanest cobbler on the face of this earth. Nails are clean no garbage in the shop I’m amazed and impressed! You take pride in what you do!

[@TERRENCEJJR]

Goes along With the pink razor.

[@mascarenhas9624]

@@TERRENCEJJR well say, and his hands🤔 wow...fantastic

[@TERRENCEJJR]

@@mascarenhas9624 Yup finely manicured lol.

[@TERRENCEJJR]

@the bronze james I'm making assumptions and also using stereotypes. I don't want to hurt anyone's feelings so I'll leave it at that.

[@kathryndeloria1834]

Nice job. I worked in a shoe repair shop for awhile on the sewing machines and dyeing shoes. Loved it.

[@janerios3497]

You are a real craftsman. Great work!

[@AB-jm3iu]

Cleanest and neatest shoe repair store.

[@rogerwilkoson]

I'm impressed! I didn't think they could be done.

[@teelesynclair5902]

Same

[@lydiaanderson3312]

@Hello Cris DeRaud, How are you doing?

[@Sampardhanani]

Well made , right from the video to the shoes . Amazing.

[@nancyoffenhiser4916]

I guess you could say this is a well-loved pair of Birkenstocks but dear God in heaven I never let mine get that bad I'm too afraid that the person who's repairing them Will say: " I can't help you".. I have old style Londons in black and brown that I purchased in 1995 and they're still going strong, they've been resoled but I've never let that sole get down to the cork.. yikes.. Well Done!! Great Job!

[@KWSHOEREPAIR]

Preventive care is key. These were difficult to save but we're always up for a good challenge :)

[@nancyoffenhiser4916]

@@KWSHOEREPAIR You did a fantastic job!!

[@g.s777]

Dude i love watching cobbler's work these shoes were destroyed he literally made them brand new again!

[@luceliarossi7712]

Good job!!! Congratulations!

[@user-cd3my9fc8s]

수선의 달인이네요!!베리굿입니다.솜씨가 뛰어나요~^^

[@leeonmyscreen]

Excellent craftsmanship. Thank you for the education and showing me the art of shoe restoration. This was intriguing and “my ‘shoe’ off to you”.

[@paulorcrs]

what art did he showed? he even skipped the finish....

[@shereemorgan1430]

I own a few pairs of Birkenstock's. They are so comfortable once they are broken in.

[@joannabuchanan3287]

So glad it could be repaired; the uppers of the shoes is beautiful and in excellent condition. If I had foresight at the time I would have saved my father's shoe making and repair tools he had every equipment necessary it was one of his hobbies and I find myself so inclined too, been known to fix my own shoes also a few of my friends in the past 👍

[@2degucitas]

I would LOVE to have a heavy duty sewing machine for leather and shoe making/repair

[@nikkiajackson1413]

You’re excellent at your craft.

[@VishKrish1]

My grandfather had an axe . I replaced the handle after it was broken . A few years later i replaced the head . Is it still my grandfather’s axe ?

[@chandarussell]

Birkenstocks are my favourite types of shoe. I’ve got quite a collection. I’ve wanted to get them repaired but I’m always told they’ll resole them but not recork them. Not even Birckenstock will recork them. This is great.

[@toussaintmary]

Good to know that there is a shop less then an hour away that does shoe repair. Ps Kitchener is my home town)

[@mbaker8554]

Fantastic, fabulous great job.👍🏾👍🏾👍🏾👍🏾

[@ReneAlexisPenalozaMunoz]

I have a pair of B sandals and the rubber wore off on the heels because of my supination. Took them to my local cobbler and the rubber he used is such good quality that they’re still going strong like after 5 years plus. I have another brand new pair still in the box for when the final day comes to throw them away but looks like it’s gonna be some time. Great video.

[@YouSeeSorrows]

Trade secret - threw them in the garbage and got some in better shape 🤣 Joking of course. But man those things were gone. It's amazing he saved them. The upper was pretty much all that was salvageable.

[@Freedom89984]

Great job! 👏🏼

[@erikpedersen7843]

Now thats a craftsman🙂👌💪

[@mrandmrscorona8658]

Footbed repairs at 10:52, one second later heart breaks…

[@chkhamis101]

👍 I didn’t watch from that point, switched to the end to see the final result. Wasn’t too impressed really

[@mrandmrscorona8658]

Will re-watch

[@Nick-oq6bv]

The only reason I watched this video was the part he refused to show. Sad

[@tombjornebark]

Support your local cobbler! Reducing waste and keeping human skills alive!!

[@sandrawhitaker7978]

Pure genius!

[@patrickseynave]

bravo a ce Monsieur !

[@user-kl4wj2xk8y]

Great job! I love the patina of these Birkenstocks. Which current model and leather type would I have to buy to get something similar in a couple of years?

[@toms6292]

You really deserve the best Sir you are putting in hard work re crafting these shoes. Your page is very under rated. Your page will be huge in no time!

[@KWSHOEREPAIR]

Thank you so much

[@Korrsuchiang]

Nice work

[@Hermanb1915]

The only part worth seeing, wasn't shown! Why make a " repair" film then anyway?

[@lydiaanderson3312]

@Hello Herman B, How are you doing?

[@theTurtleChiropractor]

I should have read this comment before watching

[@RichieLanderos]

Thanks for the heads up

[@peadookie]

Which part was the part "worth seeing"?

​@@peadookierestoring the heel

[@imm311]

Great video: God bless you

[@jeodoretoel]

this is awesome

[@heatherm6105]

I’m also from Calgary and now I’m stoked. Maybe I’ll send him my partners Birkenstock’s too lol

[@yanniegrannie]

Hey me too, we could send many pairs from calgary!

[@Greyseason519]

Ahh my hometown. If those were sold at factory Shoe, i might have sold them. That was my very first job at 15.

[@garyh4458]

Those are some funky old shoes.

[@junkobison]

Awesome work

[@jevans6915]

I'll wager that the cork section that required replacing, is not solid cork but a more solid material wrapped in cork. This will provide a much more firmer bed thus preventing the collapsing effect which happened originally. That's just my guess. Great restoration.

[@secto_secto8503]

Bon travail et bravo 👌👍

[@christinaamcg871]

From Hamilton, Ontario. Watch a lot of Bedo Leatherworks, must've led me here! Super cool you guys are close by!!

[@ricardocastro253]

I've watched a lot of differed shoe repairs by different channels on here and I can tell you the amount of glue this man uses is GENEROUS to say the least lol

[@PolySammo]

I have taken my Birkenfakes in and had Birkenstocks footbeds put on. It's $100. So worth it to have bright pretty Shoes with the support of Birkenstocks o

[@fattmouth7715]

Cool video man

[@flamingvans1135]

For some reason, the cork in Birkenstock soles, as they age, does a magician's vanishing act. I've got a pair of Milanos where the cork is crumbling, and they're on borrowed time.

[@syamkumargara7289]

Excellent

[@arlenebaker2077]

Great job

[@influx_hvh]

Beautiful oyster 👍

[@KMB4240]

Nice watch!!

[@marciasilva6244]

Esse é um grande desafio.

[@AlfredbNewman]

Birkenstocks are for a special sort of fella

[@poacher9118]

Amazing

[@monicamenesello8908]

Bravissimo! Grazie. ~•💌•~

[@maharmusicstudio1733]

Very important craft we don’t think much about these days.

[@EdwardPike]

I really want to see the cork heal replacement. Thats the part that I cant find anywhere.

[@crumbsnatcher74]

what about the footbed? The suede wasn't cleaned and restored?

[@peterayls]

I had the same thought. I own a pair of the same model. I have had the soles and footbeds replaced twice, and each time the came with a new suede liner. I always just figured that Birkenstock made complete new footbeds that the uppers could be glued on to and then add a new tread.

[@my6girlz]

20.14 the cork is cracked where the leather ends, hope it'll hold up?

[@thekreativekat1709]

how did you fix the cork? You skipped and suddenly there was more material.

[@iamd-1030]

Omg that is so cool

[@TheAlientwilight21]

I see that Wood Filler in the Sole…lol sands well great repair

[@mepucket3029]

I have that exact pair on right now

[@mdhbh]

I wish we had a shop like this in America.

[@1sharewithu771]

I live in Tallahassee, FL and we have a wonderful place called The Cobbler Shop. I have to increase the height of my left soles as I have a short leg. He also repairs leather handbags. I would guess that most cities still have cobblers.

[@stefanocassellasilva1036]

Hi, how much it would be to do the same repair but with a 2 strap sandals?

[@Knockout0512]

Instant hands down when you saw trade secret. I'm not into shoe repair trade but curious to how it is being repair. Else is standard technique restoring a pair of Birks.

[@jc-xv2tf]

Why did you not show replacing the cork heel on the left one?

[@lauriehayes4591]

I wore B for years and years. Then I went to Crocs. Foot Doc said I need more support. Back to my B's. When I was living in Los Angeles, I knew where to go for repair. Now, so many places have closed. I am keeping this address for repair!!

[@bluegrassman3040]

@frd liem there made of rubber, so there’s nothing to repair. Just buy new ones.

[@goodsole4554]

Great jobb 👍

[@juniormarquez4862]

Respect

[@dagingflowerchild733]

Or like me , I have a pair that are longer made but I love the style so I've had them fixed 3 X.

[@tenchannel8895]

Where is the footbed part

[@cyberpaw]

cool didn't know you could do this

[@user-jx1hj6fo6v]

Спасибо!

[@danieltvofficial4620]

Good

[@juliescott1504]

I had a shoes repaired and it was very expensive. I could have just bought new shoes cheaper. This was an amazing example of craftsmanship but why didn’t the person just buy a brand new pair. Probably didn’t cuz after all those years they were really broken in and probably sooo comfortable

[@gwarlow]

@Julie Scott I don’t think there is a “break in” period for Birkenstocks. ;-) I had a pair that I bought while travelling in Germany, and they were by far the most comfortable shoe I have owned. Cheers.

[@violetviolet888]

It can take a full month for the cork to form to your feet. And sentimental value of your experiences in a certain pair of shoes is priceless.

[@mikeyderbs]

I have a pair of maison martin margiela future high top with a hole on the inside of the heel From wear over the past 8 years. Could you fix them?

[@KWSHOEREPAIR]

For repair inquiries please contact us at [e-mail]

[@runit5772]

Wow 16 years old those things were saved from the trash you made them like brand new again I just so happened to like Birkenstock what's a repair like that cost

[@chrisz.9974]

How much does a service like this cost? I think it would be cool to do a Vibram sole.

[@MattyEyes]

What happens if the shoe rips while peeling the sole off?

[@mehdigayret1428]

What are that traditional secret steps.... Send me im from turkey repair shoes.

[@sudan8300]

Awesome, waste not need not, doesn't it ?

[@franziskasusli5055]

Tolle Arbeit🤔👏👏Aber leider wurde uns nicht der interessanteste Teil gezeigt , wie die Korksohle repariert wurde. Hätte mich jetzt echt interessiert😉

[@tatyanism]

Вернулась вторая жизнь! Супер!!!!

[@mtkmtk8812]

Lut ! MDR 🤣 big !!!!! Lol 😂 je serai heureux de vous rencontrer ! :)

[@r3nzki30]

Is it ok to get wet in the rain in Birkenstock?

[@esperanzaarango9324]

de colombia como hare para reparla las sandalias birkestock

[@Thysillia]

No shade to the camera person, its not an easy job, but I think during closeups like the sole removal it might help if they moved around less, especially if you have to rely on auto-focus. Still a good job though.

[@RobertLaussegger]

What's next? Resoling Flip-flops? Restiching espadrilles?

[@imranraja2745]

Would have been nice if you changed the inner sole too. Overall a great finish 👍

[@missmyoldhandle24]

The inner sole is usually WHY people have these shoes repaired instead of buying a new pair. They're already formed to one's foot

[@wiryawan2007]

the secret midsole step is the most important haha

[@justrandom7799]

Honestly man, how much would the repair cost if i buy a new one?

[@patrickcousino7246]

I’m a little late to this video, but what is that sole material? The material that meets the ground. I’ve seen Vibram material for sandals and flops while researching other projects, but I haven’t come across the one in this video…

[@andreahallas5196]

That is what comes on birks from the factory. It's an EVA material.

[@patrickcousino7246]

@@andreahallas5196 Ahhhhhh, gotcha. Thank you

[@miguelprudencio2350]

HOLA EXCELENTE TRABAJO PERO NO ESTAN COCIDOS Y SE PUEDEN DESPEGAR ... MUCHAS GRACIAS POR SU MAS FINA ATENCION

[@TheFerminramos]

muchas sandalias solo van pegadas y no con cualquier pegamento. .

[@gilgamesh689]

Oye bruto el corcho no se puede cocer la aguja lo haría trizas.

[@gu5gu5]

cmon prudencio, really?

[@adda7256]

Ecolo good idea!

[@SergioPena20]

So when you said “trade secret step” I’m assuming you got a new midsole, beveled the edge and then glued it to the original?

[@KWSHOEREPAIR]

hey there, we'll be making a new video soon to show details of this step.

[@SergioPena20]

@@KWSHOEREPAIR oh ok. It’s what I envisioned while I watched the video. I can’t wait to see it.