Birkenstock Gizeh sandals

Birkenstock is a historic German brand with roots dating back to 1774, when Johann Adam Birkenstock was registered as a "subject and cobbler." The brand is world-renowned for its orthopedically designed "footbed," an innovation developed by Konrad Birkenstock in 1896 and later perfected into the iconic cork-and-latex sandal we recognize today.

Historically a family-run business for over two centuries, the company underwent a major transition in 2021 when the private equity firm L Catterton acquired a majority stake. This move brought the brand under the umbrella of a firm backed by the French luxury conglomerate LVMH. Despite its global expansion and public listing on the New York Stock Exchange in 2023, Birkenstock remains deeply committed to its heritage, with the vast majority of its manufacturing still taking place at its own production sites across Germany.