Has anyone tried BOTH Danskos and Birkenstocks?

[Indy]

I know, another shoe thread. I love my danskos, with that kind of love you reserve for things that always work and never let ya down. My coworker has some birkenstocks that I feel this compulsion to try just 'cause they look good. Yes, I know better than to spend $120 on shoes just for that reason. My DH is appalled that this even crosses my mind.

So, I looked up their site. Footbed has some similarities and one big difference: Danskos sit you up on the toe a bit, with a rocker bottom, and Birkenstocks seem to have a very flat bottom and a deep heel cup.

Has anyone tried both that can tell me how they compare on the feet, for 12 hour shifts?

-Indy

[Marie_LPN, RN, LPN, RN]

There's no way i'd pay a hundred bucks for a pair of shoes that have to be broken in a few hours a day, for days, and using a second pair of shoes as a backup. That CANNOT be good for your feet.

[moosicle]

I say, you can never have too many shoes; get both. Also, they will both last years.

[ERNurseEducate]

Personally, I could not go to work not wearing my Danskos. I work in a 54 bed ER with an approx 300 patients per day working 12 hour shifts. My feet never hurt. The Dansko Sports have a softer sole and fit a bit more snug than the professionals.

It is all in personal preference. I also like the fact they make me a bit taller, being only 5"1.

[sharann, BSN, RN]

I wore the Dansko professionals for about 3 years and I used to like them alot. Unfortunately, despite wearing different socks I kepr turning my ankles or landing on mu butt. I just can't afford to injure myself. I believe Dansko has changed something. They are just not the same as they were.

I had one pair of Birkenstocks which hurt my arches so bad I souldn't wear them. This was at least 15 years ago. I may have to try again, for I would love to go flat again.

[BeenThereDoneThat74, MSN, RN]

i prefer the danskos. had the birki's for a while- they weren't bad. i am very particular about shoes (have flat, wide feet), so i guess they were more than allright. then i started a job where i spent so much time on my feet (12 hr days on a very large floor- big rooms that were far apart from each other), and that's when i made the switch to danskos. just bought a 2nd pair (black- and i also wear them outside of work, and to teach clinicals w/ casual clothes). i'm considering a pair of brown (for casual clothes) when i can gather up the $$.

i've never tripped in them, but i have had my ankle give out on me- guess i'm not the only one!!:chuckle

[grimmy, RN]

i don't wear birkinstocks because they need to be broken in. i just don't have the time or desire to go through that. i wear (heel enclosed) danskos outside of work because they are totally comfortable and look good. i wear z-coil at work (10 hour days) and i have never regretted wearing them. i've had the same pair for 18 months, and they feel great.

[grinnurse, RN]

Well I've never fallen when running in my danskos (thanks to telemetry monitors I do some running... ) but I can't step sideways in them predictably. Sometimes a sidestep will get me a turned ankle. That doesn't usually hurt but I'm 37 and thinking that if I do it enough it might hurt eventually. The other thing the danskos with the strap on the back do, is the strap catches the lip of the chairs at the nurse station and picks them up a little, sometimes the chairs turn over when I get up. I'm not buying those strappy things again.

I didn't have heel pain per se, just my whole feet hurt before getting danskos, up to about the third day in them. Now I'm a little sore after 12 hours but a shower, or a couple minutes rubbing them, and they are fine.

Maybe I'll get some just to have an alternate, I like the alpro mary jane style thing... it's way cute.

I have also experienced that side stepping problem...........thought it was just me!! Can't say enough about the Danskos. Tried the Birkenstocks but had to return them.

[gypsyatheart]

I prefer danskos, used to love Birks, but never wore them to work. Now if I don't wear my Danskos to work, my feet really hurt! Wearing Danskos does take a little getting used to, but once you're used to how they feel on your feet, it's all good!

[charityrn29]

I have tried both and my favorite is Danskos... They are well worth the 140.00 i paid for them.. they are comfortable and stylish...

CHARITYRN29

[Marie_LPN, RN, LPN, RN]

I'd love to try a pair of Z coils, but one, i don't have the money and two, i could see myself breaking my neck walking in them. I'd snag the coil on something.