No part of the body is subject to more stress and strain in the course of a lifetime than the foot. Our feet bear all of the body's weight. They keep the body in balance. Cushion the shocks. That is why it is important to take care of your feet. Birkenstock invented the world's first contoured cork/latex footbed. The shape of the Original Birkenstock Footbed enables body weight to be distributed evenly over the whole foot, providing it with optimal support.