Dansko Shoes are killing my feet!!!

Nurses Uniform/Gear

Updated:   Published

Help!!! I paid a ton of money for these Dansko shoes because everyone said they were so great. The tops of my feet are killing me! I have worn them twice and both times, terrible pain on tops of my feet all the way to my middle toe. A friend suggested pads for the tops of my feet that you can buy at a shoe store but it has been almost a week since I last wore those shoes and my feet are still hurting. I'm a size 7 1/2 american shoes but these come in either 37 for size 6 1/2 to 7 or 38 for size 7 1/2 to 8. I bought the 38 hoping bigger would be better.

Any advice out there?

I buy my danskos on line - I always call before I buy them - the sales staff knows how each model fits - some danskos I take a size 38 and some I take a 39 - I do have a high instep and a wide foot - some of the models are available in wide - some models just wont fit me right and they have told me so - I have 12 pairs of danskos - I just love them

I bought most of mine at PegasusShoes.com call them before you buy they will help you out

1 Votes
Specializes in CCU, SICU, CVSICU, Precepting & Teaching.
indy said:
It only took me two days to break in my danskos; sounds like you may have the wrong size!

I agree -- about the wrong size, anyway. Danskos are hand made, so there are variations within the individual sizes. When I buy them, I try on every pair in my size and the sizes just above and below and then buy the pair that feels the best on my feet, regardless of size. I have 40-42 and have never had to break in a pair. (which is a ginormous claim when you understand that at present, I have 1 pair of dansko boots, two pairs of pumps, three pairs of dress sandals, five pairs of casual sandals, two pairs of clogs and eight pairs of professionals. Plus a couple of pair that look like loafers from the front but are built on the standard dansko platform. And I had to get rid of half of my shoes when we moved!)

When I hurt my back, the only thing I could wear without back pain were danskos. That said, I know they're not for everybody. Some people swear by birkenstocks, and I have a pair of those sitting in my bedroom that I cannot bring myself to get rid of because they were so expensive, but I've probably worn only a handful of times in the 20 years that I've had them. You have to find what works for you.

1 Votes

I bought a pair after graduation and wore them around the house for a few days before wearing them on a 12 hour shift. I wanted to saw my feet off at the ankles at the end of the day and was afraid that would be it for me and Danskos. So I waited until I had a couple of classes at work back-to-back where I would be walking, but not the the extent of a 12 hour shift. That's all it took to break them in once and for all, and ever since I am loving them :redpinkhe

1 Votes

Guess I am not the only one having fitting problem with Dansko. When I tried them in the store, they felt good. But when I wore them to work, I just needed to take a break from them once in a while. Like many of you said, it takes time to break in. But I think it is ridiculous that I have to hurt my feet to break in the shoes while I paid that much money for them. I guess my feet and Dansko just don't click... Then I got a pair of Alegria for my Birthday and they feel great right of the bet, no break in time. I still wear them to work every day and my feet are very happy :D

1 Votes

I have a pair of black leather danskos, I had the same problem. I brought my size and I finally went into a store and tried them on and noticed I needed the bigger size. It is a 39, if anyone is interested. Im in PA. PM me.

1 Votes
Specializes in Telemetry/Stepdown, Government Nursing.

I don't think the Danskos are good for walking. When I wore them on days I worked in surgery, my legs and feet felt great. But on days on the unit walking back and forth, I found they seemed very heavy and hurt the tops of my feet, too. The best thing I did for my feet was go to an podiatrist and have orthotics custom made for my feet. I use them in sneakers, which I find are more light weight and flexible.

1 Votes
Specializes in Pediatrics.

Since I posted on this thread (about 4 years ago, I think :confused:) I have graduated to Crocs, and recently bought a pair of Sketchers Shape-ups. I didn't buy them specifically for work (I was just looking for comfortable sneakers). I've worn them a couple of times in the hospital, and so far so good. I feel like I am bouncing on air!! Danskos never gave me that soft feeling :down:

1 Votes

I've been in healthcare for 10 years and had always worn Dansko clogs. I would swear by them. Last year, my old pair finally wore out and I purchased a new pair. The new pair absolutely KILLED my feet. After a little research I found out that Dansko clogs were actually Sanita clogs until 2007. Sanita made the clogs and Dansko sold them in the US under their name. Dansko and Sanita ended their relationship in 2007. Since Sanita held the patents on the design of the clog, Dansko had to make some changes to the design. Dansko clogs made after 2008 look the same on the outside, but as far as the inside there has been changes.

If you're having trouble with Dansko clogs not fitting or feeling right, try Sanita clogs. You can find them online. I bought a pair a couple months ago and they are great.

1 Votes
Specializes in Oncology Med Surg; Post-partum.

Something to consider:

I am a little wary of the Shape-ups. According to one of my coworkers, her Podiatrist said it could rip her Achilles tendon, as it producaes an unnatural way of walking. (!) She stopped using them right away. I wonder if anyone else has had problems with them?

btw- I've used sanitas for 2 years and like them very much :) i have heard of other nurses onmy floor whose top of the feet are hurt by them, though.

1 Votes
Specializes in Emergency; med-surg; mat-child.

Zombie thread alert!

I'm resurrecting this thread because I just got two pairs of shoes from footprints.com and they have a TWO MONTH trial period. If you don't like them after that, and they have normal wear and tear, you can send them back and try a different shoe. They also sell Sanita, which is the company that used to make Danskos in one of their factories, so you can essentially get Danskos for deep discount prices by buying Sanitas instead. I just got a pair of clogs and so far (just an hour or so), they've got my back feeling better.

They also sell birkies!

1 Votes
Carianne said:
Help!!! I paid a ton of money for these dansko shoes because everyone said they were so great. The tops of my feet are killing me! I have worn them twice and both times, terrible pain on tops of my feet all the way to my middle toe. A friend suggested pads for the tops of my feet that you can buy at a shoe store but it has been almost a week since I last wore those shoes and my feet are still hurting. I'm a size 7 1/2 american shoes but these come in either 37 for size 6 1/2 to 7 or 38 for size 7 1/2 to 8. I bought the 38 hoping bigger would be better.

Any advice out there?

My feet hurt at first too, on the top, I suffered through it to break them in and I'm glad that I did, they are the most comfortable clogs I ever had.....Well worth the initial pain, and I have sever foot issues, with these dansko's I have absolutely no pain anymore

1 Votes

I wear Dansko Professionals (in white box leather) and I LOVE them! I have a super high arch, so was worried they'd hurt, and I am so pleased with them. The pair I have are larger than the size chart said I should wear (I wear 8-9 in regular shoes, so "should" be in 39-40 in Danskos, but I have a 41 and they are perfect), so maybe that's the secret.

1 Votes
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