dansko's professional or occupational?

There's not much of a difference to me, one is not harder to keep clean than the other.

http://www.footprints.com has some close out danskos for under 90 bucks. Click on "closeouts" and see if any of the styles might work for what you're looking for.

I have the professionals. I tried on both. The sales woman at the shoe store had me walk/shop in each pair for about 20-30 min. Even though the occupational was a softer material, the professional felt better on my feet. I have plantar fasciatis in both heels and they barely grazed the harder bottoms of the professionals; whereas, with the occupationals my heel sank in and had to push off. Oww!

Anyway, for your first pair I strongly recommend going to an actual shoe store (not a chain or a uniform store) to buy them. Online prices may be a little better for subsequent pairs, but by then you'll know which ones work for your feet. Also, go after your shift when you've been on your feet all day. If they feel good then, they will probably carry you for a whole shift.

Just my !

I bought my first pair of Danskos online (Ebay) after trying them on in the store. When I tried them on in the store, I thought there was no way they could be comfortable for a 12 hour shift because of how heavy they were and hard the bottoms felt. But going on all the opinions of the nurses I work with, I went ahead and bid on a pair on Ebay. I paid $65 for them, including them shipping. I LOVE them. I have the professional Cabrio in Cordovan. They look great after a year of working 2 days a week (I'm still a student) and I plan on buying myself a pair of black professionals as soon as I find a pair to bid on at Ebay. I can't bring myself to spend $110 in the stores when I can find them almost half the price online.

Look around at Ebay and see what's available. They usually have a decent selection for size 37 (that's what I wear) but they do go fast if someone lists them with a Buy It Now price....probably because it's a common shoe size. I was bidding on a pair of really cute Dalmation print ones, but they went up too high and I refuse to spend that much no matter how cute they are! Plus, I don't think they would be as easy to clean as the ones I have now. Word of warning: the ones that look like they are "soft" or sueded are very difficult to clean. Mine are a smooth, shiny surface and I can wipe them off with Cavicide or the antibacteria wipes we have at work before coming home.

Melanie

thanks for all the tips. I have actually tried them on in a store and figured if I know I'm a size 37, i might as well save some money and order them online.

http://www.clogscentral.com has a 15% discount through end of this month!

Thanks again,

Spec

I have the professionals and I love them!! I bought mine at the dansko outlet on the web. http://www.danskooutlet.com prices were better the shoes are seconds, but they really don't look it. I have the blueberry and can't wait to get another color. Great shoes.