I have worn Birkenstocks, many styles (and colours) over about 30+ years and always loves them. Can walk for miles, great fit, lasted well after many miles of walking in them and so on.
However since they sold out and became a 'fashion' item and did many collaborations with designers and the like sad to say they have gone to the dogs.
No matter where you buy them from they are not half as good, even from main stockists which I went to in Germany this year.
My thoughts and experiences of newer pairs.
The base is still made in Germany, however the uppers are not as well made and the quality is very poor compared to previous pairs. Suede uppers are 'floppy' and not good quality, the cut of say Giza, I have had different widths across the front of the toe post on the same pair making it kind of fold over on one toe but not the other, bad manufacturing. I have had cracking of the cork where the leather is folded over, creases in the leather which looks really unsightly in certain colours. The sole just not lasting as long and worn down quicker than ever before (I am not heavy on my feet). The metal part of buckles an the toe post sort of going rusty or dull, never also had that before.
Customer service appalling, so much I got in touch with the customer service in Germany who did nothing and passed it on to customer service in Spain (???) who were at least pro active and sent a replacement for a silver Giza that came away after about 2 months.
So, sad to say no more.... but you would be a size 39!
Rant over