Birki's Engages Active Consumers with Next Generation Dynamic Footbed

Sleeker Silhouettes, Neon Colors and Neoprene and Mesh Fabrics Show Fresh Direction

NOVATO, Calif. (August 2, 2012) – Birki’s (www.birki.us) footwear, a leading German manufacturer known for its authentic comfort heritage, is intent on engaging today’s active outdoor consumer with performance-focused footwear featuring the next generation of its Dynamic Footbed for Spring ’13. The Outdoor/Trekking Collection leads the company’s largest spring/summer product offering, coupled with sleeker silhouettes, neon colors and neoprene and mesh fabrics, appealing to a wider range of consumers.

“This is a new Birki’s,” said Bill Taylor, vice president of sales and marketing for Birki’s. “Our Spring ’13 product line not only embodies the comfort for which Birki’s is known, but more importantly, introduces a new level of performance with our Dynamic Footbed. Our footwear provides a solution for outdoor enthusiasts that need comfort and want to feel and look good after a trail run, a day-long hike or an hour of hard paddling. Our Active Recoveryâ„¢ System enables feet to recovery naturally – a feature unique in outdoor footwear and comes with authenticity from our comfort heritage. Now, we are combining our proprietary technology with color, distinctive fabrics and materials in styles that will surprise many.”

The new element of Birki’s Dynamic Footbed is a viscoelastic foam that stabilizes the foot. This “memory foam” yields under stress (viscosity) and returns to its original shape afterwards (elasticity), ensuring ideal pressure distribution and excellent shock-absorption with each step. This footbed is part of the Active Recovery System, found in every Birki’s style. Specific components include: toe grips to exercise the foot; an arch support for proper alignment helping prevent feet from pronating and supinating; a neutral footbed to help ensure proper alignment of the foot, and a deep heel cup for stability and protection.

The Outdoor/Trekking line is a rugged sandal with a textile mesh upper and Birko-Flor lining for best-in-class comfort and breathability. Birki’s signature five-layer cork footbed includes a suede liner, two layers of moisture-wicking jute, a cork-latex midsole for maximum comfort and an EVA outsole for shock-absorption. Available in green, orange and stone for men and women. Prices start at MSRP $89.95

Durability and flexibility are the hallmarks of Birki’s Neoprene collection introducing intense colors. Ideal for après water activities, the line has neoprene uppers and Birki’s signature cork foodbed. New style for Spring 2013 is the women’s Caja, in hot pink and electric orange. Prices start at MSRP $84.95.

The Easy 3/4 slip-on, part of the Outdoor Comfort collection, pays homage to Birki’s comfort heritage and features a new canvas upper. “To me, this is a perfect shoe for sitting around a campfire, or watching a kids’ Saturday morning soccer game,” noted Taylor. “It’s versatile and appealing.” The line is available for men and women in light blue, brown, navy, mocha and stone at MSRP $124.95.

Elastics, embodying easy summer styling with stripes and florals, couples Birki’s signature cork footbed with a comfortable textile upper strap. It is available in red, beige, rainbow and black stripes as well as floral. Prices start at MSRP $89.95.


The new line will be available at retailers such as Footwise, Happy Feet Plus and Instep, and on www.birki.us.