First of all, the Birkenstock footbed features a neutral heel cup to hold the foot in its proper position, as opposed to normal shoes which usually have a raised heel and can subject the front of the foot to excessive stress. The raised heel can result in conditions like metatsalgia, which we’ll discuss later on. The footbed also includes a toe bar, which allows the toes to grip the footbed, and combined with the flexibility of the sole, permits the foot to experience essential exercise. The footbed uses natural materials such as jute and cork in it’s construction.
While most people find the padding on the regular footbed fine, some people would like a little more cushion, and Birkenstock’s soft footbed is for them. Some Birkenstock styles also offer a high-arch version, for people who require extra support in the arch area.