@conscious.app: Private equity took control of family-owned Birkenstock in 2021. Birkenstock was family-run for six generations. It assembled over 95% of products in Germany, sourced over 90% of materials from Europe, made repairable shoes with cork and natural latex footbeds, and cut off Amazon in 2017 over fake copies. In 2021, the family sold majority control to L Catterton, a private equity firm formed with LVMH, the luxury group behind Louis Vuitton. In July 2025, Birkenstock raised prices to cover new U.S. tariffs. Its CEO said retailers didn't push back, and Reuters reported its suede Boston clogs were priced as high as $275 online. On Trustpilot, Birkenstock averages 1.5 out of 5 stars across about 2,860 reviews. Many say their sandals cracked, peeled, or broke after very little wear. Birkenstock says it still makes 95% of its shoes in Germany and still offers repairs, and there's no public proof the takeover changed how they're made. L Catterton took about two-thirds of the $1.48 billion raised when Birkenstock listed on the stock market in 2023, then sold $756 million in shares in 2024 and about $1.1 billion more later. In August 2026, it sold roughly $1 billion more, and Birkenstock spent nearly $500 million buying back half of those shares. Check the Conscious Spend app to see who owns your favorite brands and how ethical they really are.

Conscious Spend
Conscious Spend
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Region: US
Monday 19 October 2026 01:35:32 GMT
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eddie_cook
Eddie Cook :
As consumers we need to stop buying ANYTHING that’s been sold to private equity!
2026-10-19 11:26:58
55
stevethebutthole
StevetheButthole :
The pair I bought last year started cracking after 3months.
2026-10-20 15:10:15
0
mchgnfn
mchgnfn :
Worse?? Ya don’t say…
2026-10-21 08:09:07
0
awba755
awba :
Tik Tik Shops got em for $30 lol same thing diff name
2026-10-20 16:42:15
0
henley928
Henley :
They suck now, buy the cheap ones
2026-10-19 22:26:22
10
supernaturalfreak79
SPN Junkie :
Buying Stegmans now.
2026-10-20 22:40:14
0
sally.smith69
sally smith :
$75 tops . Leather & cork
2026-10-20 10:27:51
0
lisateresita
MISSING SASHA :
I have a pair from 30 years ago!!!! Still going strong.
2026-10-19 08:16:14
14
musky54547
Musky54547 :
My experience as well
2026-10-20 01:06:08
1
mojavediscokitty
DiscoKitty :
I finally bought a pair in 2023. I thought they would hold up, but the they are sadly falling apart. So this tracks.
2026-10-19 01:56:50
17
odinaeon
Len Mueller :
"In 2021, the weakest generation sold to private equity" Fixed some of it for you.
2026-10-19 23:52:18
2
winni_rae
Winna 🦇 :
Mine are falling apart
2026-10-19 14:01:53
2
vanwelborn0
Van :
PE ruins everything good. No more Birkenstocks in our home. The ones we have from the 90’s still look better than my 19 yo’s who had only had his for a year. 🤷🏻
2026-10-19 15:21:22
8
shirleyyoucantbeserious
Shirleyyoucantbeserious :
I’ve had the same pair of Birkenstock Arizona’s for around 20 years. Still wearable, in decent shape. I wanted bostons, but I’ve seen how badly the quality has declined and I’m not paying minimum $160 for clogs that will fall apart in a few months.
2026-10-19 12:35:55
3
weebmom45
Sookiedookie :
mine cracked too.
2026-10-19 07:13:42
2
bcrobichaud
bcrobichaud :
The ones I bought on tiktok were nothing like the ones I have had in the past.
2026-10-19 20:52:15
1
buzz52415
buzz :
Absolutely. Bought my last pair in 2023. I’ve been wearing Birkenstocks since 2004 and this last pair has not broken in the way the others have and the material has cracked on the side. I guess nothing is safe from fucking private equity 🙄
2026-10-19 22:51:39
1
amtrakcascades
amtrack cascades :
Garbage shoes now
2026-10-20 07:09:25
0
thesaturnsocialite
Sweet & Saturn :
Private equity didn't force them to sell. so my anger lies with original family.
2026-10-20 01:23:05
5
pattichase5
Travelswithmytrauma2 :
It has.
2026-10-20 07:56:04
0
liakiko
leeleea :
That’s horrible.
2026-10-20 05:25:14
0
rogue1998
rogue1 :
They will lose the hippie vote. Private equity is a cancer.
2026-10-19 17:51:09
2
fkmylife13579
fkmylife2468 :
F Birkenstocks. It’s like walking around on cutting boards
2026-10-19 23:37:06
1
lb2435
lb :
everything private equity touches turns to shit, EVERYTHING
2026-10-19 23:39:07
1
futu.retro
Futu Retro :
They look like knock offs 🥺
2026-10-19 15:12:24
0
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