Papillio by Birkenstock Boston Chunky Exquisite Clog (Women)

I originally purchased this style in the Arizona last year in taupe. Loving them I purchased them in black. (I have been wearing Birks for over 30 years, although not exclusively.) Then I wrote to Birkenstock and asked (OK, begged) them to offer it in the Boston in all black with an eye towards travel and winter. I did find it recently in the black suede with a white sole settling for the white sole but still happy. And then---- there they were on the Nordstrom website. This style is like shock absorbers for cranky knees and ankles. They are my sneaker impersonators. You are as happy as your feet (and related cranky parts due to injury) and my feet are deliriously happy. And while they are expensive they more than balance out the cost of meds and much more fun :-) Size was my regular Birkenstock size. Also, I sprayed with leather protectant.

The rating is not for the shoes but for Nordstrom, due to the sloppy and unprofessional way they were shipped and their unwillingness to make reasonable accommodations. $240 shoes shipped without the manufacturers box, wrapped in tissue and placed in a cardboard shipping box. I would have just exchanged but they are now sold out. Since they were the last pair I said I would be willing to keep in exchange for a discounted price but was informed that is not the Nordstrom policy. Ridiculous. These shoes should have been marked out of stock and sent to a Rack store where they would have been discounted and no one cares about or expects a box, rather than trying to get full retail for inferior merchandise/packaging. I have been a loyal Nordstrom customer for over 30 years, high level awards program year after year as a result of spending quite a lot of money. Disappointed and disgusted. No problem paying full price when it’s warranted. Shoes and other item ordered are going back, will purchase both elsewhere.