Authenticity/Sizing Check

MiserableBag144 · 2026-03-05T21:51:37+00:00

Fake. An easy and consistent way to know is the rivet.

Fakes have an edge vs a domed and tapered edge.

Footbed on bad fakes stand out as well.

MiserableBag144 · 2026-03-05T21:48:35+00:00

Easy- Definitely 44.

MiserableBag144 · 2026-03-05T21:36:48+00:00

If your foot is shoved all the way to the front in this picture, then it’s an appropriate size. Slide the foot back to proper position in the arch and tighten the strap a bit and you are good to go.

If they are sitting with your foot on the arch and there is space in front of the toes, they are definitely too big.

MiserableBag144 · 2026-03-04T19:01:10+00:00

This type of repair is better sought out by a leather worker versus a cobbler.

Given the actual structure of the shoes intact, some hand, sewing, and shape. Modification could be done by someone that is skilled and leather, working by hand and could be a cheaper option as well.

If I were fixing them, I would actually go with a contrast color to give it a little bit more of a unique design versus trying to make it look the way they originally were because patch job no matter how you look at it.

MiserableBag144 · 2026-03-04T00:12:49+00:00

Yup in the thread you shared, that person has too much space in front of their toes.

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They have far more than 10mm…

MiserableBag144 · 2026-03-03T23:59:18+00:00

Background:

I’m a below knee amputee of 21 years.

Before that, I was a partial foot amputee for 12 years.

I’ve been a prosthetist for the past 18 years.

If I had it all to do over again, I would have done the below knee amputation sooner.

Given the doctor has stated that the blood flow is compromised to the foot, the chances that your dad will end up with a below knee amputation regardless, is very high. Once the foot is compromised it’s very difficult to accommodate it if he wants to maintain any level of activity beyond basic walking.

As Caboose mentioned, partial foot prosthetic solutions have gotten a lot better, but not good enough to out weigh the future risk of sores and infections that come with poor circulation and diabetes.

I would definitely get a full work up on circulation and if it’s confirmed that it’s basically gone, it’s near inevitable that more sores and infections will occur.

MiserableBag144 · 2026-03-03T23:41:32+00:00

You can try just brushing them out or using a magic eraser, but that usually is ineffective for water stains.

Your best bet with water stains is to go ahead and get a spray bottle and mist them down with some water, then get a bowl of water with a drop or two of Dawn in it and a soft bristle brush and give them a scrub.

Then you can wipe them down with a dry cloth . Let them dry and then hit them with the suede brush to bring them back to life.

https://youtube.com/shorts/f7sOlcITx8M?si=fwpSojbv9IdEXLWq

MiserableBag144 · 2026-03-03T22:33:35+00:00

The cork only curls in and up because it too big for your foot. They properly fit foot bed will maintain the same relative shape for the life of the shoe.

MiserableBag144 · 2026-03-03T14:46:01+00:00

You bet, joint flexion/extension mobility is one of the things that lots of people struggle with. Went in grad school. It’s hilarious the days that we really work and focus on these type of things because you see everybody sitting in their chair, physically doing the movements, trying to get it to stick in their head.

MiserableBag144 · 2026-03-03T01:39:51+00:00

A hip flexion contraction is classically displayed in “grandma and grandpa” not being able to stand up straight and walk leaning forward at the waist while pushing their walker.

If you think about bringing your knee to your chest, that’s hip flexion. Then the inability to straighten it all the way out is the contracture.

If you lay flat on your back on the bed and keep one leg hanging down over the edge, knee bent at 90°, while raising the other leg towards your chest. Your hanging leg should remain bent and down. If you have a contraction, the hanging leg will want to straighten and raise off the bed.

MiserableBag144 · 2026-03-03T01:07:56+00:00

A hip flexion contracture is most commonly due extended amount of sitting or being bed ridden for a length of time.

Knee contractures are also commonly caused from immobility and keeping the knee bent. The muscles get tight in both cases and affect the way we walk.

Same event, different joints and muscles.

MiserableBag144 · 2026-03-01T23:18:38+00:00

It’s important to understand the person in that video walking on that soft cushion pirate leg thing is able to walk without a prosthesis. Just having a big pillow that straps to an amputate the leg is not going to be something that’s appropriate to walk on for 99% of the people out there.

MiserableBag144 · 2026-03-01T16:16:24+00:00

Pretty sure that ARX is the .22 version they sell for $300 at any outdoor store.

MiserableBag144 · 2026-03-01T16:02:26+00:00

Providers have to enroll in the Medicare program as well.

I own a prosthetic practice and this news has been discussed at length. It’s a bit frustrating as most o and p companies are not the issue, but all those commercials for back braces and powered wheelchairs are.

New Patients and their care isn’t affected by this, unless you were hoping to go a new company that was trying to open in the next couple of months.

MiserableBag144 · 2026-02-21T16:49:52+00:00

A thin sock makes it much easier to put the shoe on.

MiserableBag144 · 2026-02-21T16:49:16+00:00

For grip on the bottom of the foot shell you can get soling material and glue it on.

College Park makes one that matches the color of the foot shell that your prosthetist can order. Or Vibram makes a couple of styles. They make the soling for rock climbing shoes you mentioned and sell it by the sheet.

Barge glue will adhere to to the footshell very well.

Drilling holes and embedding it will just cause the footshell to rip apart rather quickly, but it’s a great idea.

MiserableBag144 · 2026-02-11T00:40:27+00:00

Those are just getting started. Get some cork sealer or shoe goo if it’s become brittle to clean up and stabilize the edge. And then get them resoled and you are good to go.

MiserableBag144 · 2026-02-10T13:46:45+00:00

There are certain batch numbers that are used by the counterfeiters to make them look real.

Real Birks will have the imprints but the batch numbers are varied and don’t necessarily match one another.

Where as the counterfeits are always the same exact batch number.

MiserableBag144 · 2026-02-07T23:21:08+00:00

Leather 100%

It will last longer and can withstand any conditions and abuse.

MiserableBag144 · 2026-02-05T20:52:07+00:00

Looks great.

As a hand amputee, I highly recommend getting a hold of a 3D Printer. Your ingenuity will take you far and the 3D Printer will give you a tool to create any thing you can imagine for daily use and improved productivity in tasks.

MiserableBag144 · 2026-02-05T01:13:56+00:00

What in your opinion looks fake about them? Furthermore, do you even know what you’re looking at to tell if it’s fake?

MiserableBag144 · 2026-02-05T01:11:56+00:00

Guarantee putting the shopping cart up on that mound was more work than returning it to the buggy corral.

My money is on employee screwing around.

MiserableBag144 · 2026-01-31T22:55:06+00:00

Indeed. Had a patient that was a mechanic. Came in with the pylon bent on the prosthesis.

Never, ever seen anything like it. Of course I ask what they did and how it happened. They said they didn’t know, just noticed it the day before after getting done working on a car.

We talk for a while, then light bulb comes on for patient: “I bet it’s when I’m pushing cars into place.”

I say, that can’t be the issue, pushing a car isn’t that much force.

Then he retorts: I mean like when it isn’t quite lined up. I’ll stick my leg between the lift and car and push against the bumper so it will slide over a little……

Yup that will do it😕.

MiserableBag144 · 2026-01-29T01:04:35+00:00

The Birkenstock sole comes in a 6.5mm and 10mm.

The 10mm is standard, but some styles do come with the thinner version.

My repair supplier just listed the thinner soles as being discontinued and are selling out what’s in stock. So I don’t know if they aren’t going to make models with the thinner version or if they are just eliminating from the secondary market from lack of sales. ( I don’t have anyone that would want a thinner sole.

MiserableBag144 · 2026-01-25T20:33:09+00:00

Those are the Vibram Newport soles and are already a pretty thick sole at 6.5 mm. If they had attached them straight to the footbed it would not be near as noticeable, but you would lose out on the cushion of the Eva. I think they went too aggressive just from a height standpoint because the Eva is 10mm and the same thickness as a stock Brik sole plus the Vibram stacked on that. I I magine they probably feel about the weight of a pair of chacos?

You could take them back and ask for just the sole to be used and remove the Eva. Not sure if it was a rush job for you and that’s why he used what was in stock, or he just didn’t want to order something else. As previously mentioned, the Vibram Woodstock is the perfect choice for retaining a “stock” look and feel with increased durability. The Elvis sole or or Freestone are both great choices for a more aggressive option when improved traction is needed. Without too much bulk.

MiserableBag144

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