Dansko arch/footbed help

Published

So I have a new pair of Dansko professional black patent shoes. The width is fine, my toes can move freely and I don't have any pain on the top of my foot. I wore them to class all day last week and they were fine, but of course I wasn't on my feel the entire time.

Then, I wore them to work yesterday (I work as an LPN, going to school to get my RN) for 6 hours. It was a busier day than usual and by the end of my 6 hours, the soles of my feet were KILLING me. I've always been told by people (never by a professional podiatrist though) that my arches are really low/flat. Shoes without arch support are comfortable for me and I can wear them for long hours - such as flip flops, Converse, etc. Shoes with high arch supports or really firm supports bother my feet. I did the wet foot test - where you step in a shallow tub of water and then make a footprint on a paper bag, your arch is normal if the strip on the lateral edge of your foot is half the size of the ball of your foot. You have high arches if the strip is super thin and you have low arches or flat feet if the strip is the full width of the ball. Though this isn't a professional test, I did it out of curiosity and it looks like I have normal arches.

It is just that my feet need to get used to the very firm support of the dansko shoes? I can honestly say that I've never worn shoes that are so rock hard on the inside. I've tried wearing thicker socks, but that just feels more uncomfortable - I like the thin, smooth ones made by Danskin from Wal-mart.

I need advise. I didn't spend full price, as I bought them off ebay used (but they look new!) but I still spent about $60 and that's still expensive to me. I love how they look and they're really comfy for the first half of my shift.

Also - if you could tell me what your US size is and what your Dansko size is, that might be helpful too. Do you have wide feet?

I wear a US 8.5 and usually have to by wide width shoes. But many of my size 8.5 shoes feel a bit big. So I went with Dansko 39s. The black ones are fine length and width wise, especially after I stretched them just a tiny bit. But my white ones are tighter and even look smaller when you compare the two. I'm thinking any future purchases should be size 40 instead.

Thanks in advance!

Up Vote Up Vote ×
Specializes in SICU, TICU, CVICU.

I tried a pair of Dansko's on today for the first time. I too have a flat foot and the foot bed felt like concrete! I couldn't imagine wearing these for 12 hrs... Is the hard foot-bed supposed to be comfortable? Also they were slightly loose but the sales girl said they are supposed to be. Is this because of the swelling of feet over the day? I heard about the Alegria's and I plan on trying those out.

Up Vote Up Vote ×

I would definitely suggest wearing them slightly loose. The heel is supposed to slide up and down freely - don't worry, it's very smooth and won't cause blisters like other shoes. You'd be surprised how much your feet spread during the day too - I have worn shoes that felt awesome until I wore them for several hours and then I just wanted to cut my feet off.

Tell me how the Alegria's feel. I'm curious about them too.

I've worn my danskos several times now and they're starting to feel comfy. Not sure if the shoes had to be broken in or my foot had to get used to the shoe. Whatever. I'm just glad I can wear them!

Up Vote Up Vote ×
Specializes in Medsurg/ICU, Mental Health, Home Health.

I am extraordinarily flat-footed. I, too, prefer flip flops over anything else for the most part.

I think Danskos are not a good choice for those of us with little to no arches.

I used to be a dancer and figure skater, and Dankso shoes are designed much like jazz shoes or figure skating boots. I couldn't advance very far in my dancing because of my feet, and I had to have my skates changed around for my feet. However, a new set of boots would leave me in pain for a few weeks until they molded properly to my feet.

I've found that Nikes and Sketchers work best for flat footed folks. I recently converted to Sketchers ShapeUps, and now I'm a believer!

Up Vote Up Vote ×

Good Morning Everyone,

I understand the struggle of finding the right shoe that works. Been there. I have plantar fasicitis and low arches in both of my feet which at times causing moderate to severe pain. However there is a brand of shoe that works for me and provides both the support and comfort that I need. The shoe is made from Timberland called, Women's Timberland PRO Renova™ Slip-ON. Wonderful Shoe!!!! I love the shoe. Even though the shoe makes me considerably taller than I actually am. Given that I am 5'11 already, in these shoes I feel like I am 6'1. My feet never get tired. I don't get the achy feeling. Additionally, the shoe comes with a Footbed features Agion anti-microbial treatment, eliminating odor-causing bacteria. Lastly, the shoe cost $60. It's worth the investment. Good Luck with the Dansko or the Timberland.

By the way I did not know Timberland even sold health care related shoes.

Up Vote Up Vote ×

Thanks to everyone for their advice/replies.

I've had my Danskos a couple weeks now and they're much better than they were. I don't wear them everyday and I'm sure they'd be better if I did. They still hurt a little if its a really busy day and I don't have time to sit but they're much more comfy than my old clinical shoes were. I think my feet just needed to acclimate to them.

way

I used to be a huge Sketchers fan, too...but work is hard on them. I'd have to buy a new pair every 6 months because the support wears out. The Reebok Toners are awesome - I don't believe that any shoe can tone your butt, however they do make my feet less tired. But mine are hot pink - can't really wear them to clinical. Plus, I prefer to have one pair for clinical, one for work, and whatever for home - that way the germs aren't mixing around and stuff. I leave my work and clinical shoes in the mud room so I don't bring anything inside - god only knows what I stepped in or got splashed with during the day!

Thanks again!

Up Vote Up Vote ×

the thing about Dansko's is that the arch has to be in the right place - best thing to do is to go to a uniform shop and get professionally fitted...I tried on a pair once and HATED them - they felt like rocks...then clinical started - I went through 4 different types of shoes - Nurse Mates, Alegria's , Reebok EasyTone's and my old standby Saucony's - then I went and got fitted - turned out I'm wearing the wrong size shoes - got the correct size Dansko's and they are truly the most comfortable shoes I've ever worn...also the right socks are important too - I bought No Nonsense Ultra Comfort socks from Wal-Mart - they are wonderful...stretchy but not slippery

something else - my feet hurt after 8 hours but the difference is when I sit down and take my shoes off - they STOP hurting, whereas with other shoes they didn't stop and I felt crippled and would limp...I don't limp anymore...

Up Vote Up Vote ×
+ Join the Discussion