I thought I was buying a leather shoe. I have owned Birkenstocks for the last 30 years. I even keep a pair for a backup just in case something happens to the pair I am currently wearing.  I have never even seen a Birkenstock that didn't have a leather upper. That said, these shoes are very comfortable so I didn't send them back. I don't think they are worth what I paid for them. Again, I thought I was buying a leather shoe. The leather shoes take a little while to break in  - these don't. Birkenstocks have always been a great shoe for me but in the last few years their quality has gone down hill a bit. The last three pairs fell apart in about a year of continuous use. I used to be able to wear them for several years. If this pair doesn't hold up Birkenstock will lose a good customer.