Danskos?

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Any RN's out there who wear Danskos to work? Do you recommend them for being on your feet all day/night? If not, what brand is better? Need to start thinking about clinicals eventually....

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I bought a pair, as several people had told me how great they are. They are no doubt the most horrible shoes that I have ever owned, they are so uncomfortable. I threw them in the back of my closet and bought a pair of Crocs, I love them!

I think it really depends on the person. I'm sure some people hate Crocs. I have wide feet so for me they are great.

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I love my Danskos for being out and about, but I wasn't sure if they would be good for clinicals. Are you sure yours are big enough? Your heel should actually move up and down in them. Sounds strange, but they are so comfy. I've just never been on my feet all day in them.

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maggijo said:
Any RN's out there who wear Danskos to work? Do you recommend them for being on your feet all day/night? If not, what brand is better? Need to start thinking about clinicals eventually....

The best brand is the one that feels best on your feet (really).

I had read raving reviews about Danskos on these boards and so decided to try on several styles in a local shoe store. For casual use I may one day (when I have money again) purchase a pair of their clogs. However, I decided not to buy Danskos for clinicals. Every style of them that I tried on felt heavy and clunky, making me too aware of their presence (if that makes any sense?).

I then went to a uniform shop and tried on every nursing shoe in my size but was similarly unimpressed by the way any of them felt (especially when compared to how much they cost).

After that, I read that some nurses/students had purchased medical shoes at their local WalMart and were quite pleased, so I checked there and found two different medical styles that met our program's requirements. They were the least expensive of all the shoes I tried on (at under $20 a pair) and were by far the most comfortable to me, so that is what I ended up purchasing. They're so lightweight and comfortable that I'm blissfully unaware of my feet.

I haven't tried on Crocs, but at my last clinical site I noticed many nurses wearing them, and some of our instructors prefer them as well. I didn't try them on because I don't care for the way they look, but if my present styles get dc'd, I'll probably try some of them on, either that or hunt around for a very supportive athletic shoe.

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I love my Danskos. The first week of wearing them was odd, and I got shin splints, which a lot of people have also said they got at first. Once I got used to wearing them, so very comfortable.

If you do buy them, try them on in a good shoe store. I almost bought the wrong size, not realizing the way they are meant to fit.

I also have Crocs, which are comfortable for shorter shifts. I know a lot of places are outlawing Crocs though, so make sure you will be able to wear them.

I also like Merrills.

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Specializes in Telemetry.

Sorry, this is a bit long but hopefully shows my conviction:

I start 1st semester of NS in a month, so I'm still breaking mine in, but let me tell ya my story. A friend of mine (who also is starting 1st semester NS in a month) broker her foot a few years ago & somebody recommended them to her. She loves hers & swears up & down that they are the perfect shoe for clinicals.

When I first started working as a tech, I wore Skechers (which I swear by as a jeans/t-shirt Saturday out running errands shoe) but then finally brought some Crocs. Once I wore the Crocs, there was no turning back. It relieved all of the neck, back, hip, & knee pain I was having. Well, we went to orientation & low and behold, no Crocs are allowed in our program. Our program is strict on shoes & Danskos are about the only shoe I can find that fits the requirements, so I broke down & bought a pair.

Back before orientation, I made an honest effort to "try on" Danskos but could NOT stand the way they felt! Come to find out (after orientation), you have to be educated on this shoe before they feel right. I was wearing them to fit like a normal shoe & they aren't supposed to fit like that. As one of the posters stated above, your heel is supposed to move up & down and not rest against the back of the shoe. (Pretend you are trying on a pair of clogs & that's how they should feel & fit. Try to forget that they have a "back" on them.) A bigger size & socks (versus those anklet things they have) made a world of difference. It took me about a week to get my "sea legs" in them. But now I LOVE MY DANSKO'S!!! Come to find out, the Crocs didn't take away as much pain as I thought - the Danskos literally make me feel 100% better!

The store I bought them at has a 30-day exchange policy as long as you don't wear them off of the carpet. Most of us students don't have an extra $150 to flush down the toilet, so maybe get them, wear them around the house for a couple of weeks and then decide if you want to keep them or not.

Hope this helps!

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Specializes in CCU, SICU, CVSICU, Precepting & Teaching.
maggijo said:
Any rn's out there who wear danskos to work? Do you recommend them for being on your feet all day/night? If not, what brand is better? Need to start thinking about clinicals eventually....

If dansko doesn't make it, I don't wear it! Pumps, sandals, boots, clogs and the dansko professionals for work.

They're pricey, though. Go to a good shoestore and get fitted. Then buy them on danskooutlet.Com! For those who live near their pa outlet, you can save at least 1/3 per pair!

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Specializes in Med/Surg <1; Epic Certified <1.

I bought them correctly after having been sized at a specialty store, then going to a scrubs shop to actually purchase. I wore them for several weeks during 12-hour work days and really feel like I gave them an honest try.

I finally threw in the towel. I found them too clunky and heavy for me. I KNEW when I bought them that that was going to be a concern, but had read some great things about them in the ER threads. I had purchased one pair before I started NS last fall and returned them because of that concern (plus the price!).

This time around, I'm rather stuck. I'm glad I bought them in black this time as I can use them for everyday type of wear; I do think they're attractive and somewhat comfortable for short-term wear.

Re: Crocs -- if you read through the ER thread about shoes, several posters pointed out that they're a real "tripping" hazard. They have had fellow employees brought to their ERs with broken body parts from tripping in the hospital with them. I have tripped on mine numerous times and thought I was just clumsy.

I think as mentioned above, that the best shoe will be that which feels best to you!! Good luck!!

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I have a pair of Quarks which are ok, not the greatest, but ok. I bought them because they fit the standards but I don't love the way they look or feel.

I tried on the Danskos and couldn't deal with the fit (maybe my feet are wider than most?). Just as well really, those things are darn expensive.

Crocs just came out with a new style called the Specialist (comes with or without side vents) and was designed with a thicker metatarsal area to protect the top of the foot (supposedly from getting stuck with a dropped syringe/needle). This style also has a "closed heel" to meet workplace standards. I bought a pair and I absolutely love them- and they are only $35!

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I have to say that my Dankso's are slightly uncomfortable during long days on my feet, but if I wear good running shoes or crocs instead or other "comfortable" shoes my back KILLS me. They really do support your lower back. The arch support if FIRM for sure, but to reiterate, I think it is the individual.

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Specializes in cardiac med-surg.

Merrells and Danskos are the best of the best

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Specializes in ICU, Mother/Baby.

I bought me a pair of the Marcella Danskos :monkeydance: I have only worn them around the house as I wont start clinicals till October but I love wearing them around the house. They do feel odd at first as if they are too big but I have gotten use to the feel.

My friend who is a semester ahead of me was the person who said thats the shoe i should get. She had them on at her clinical one day and the whole group got onto the elevator and a senior nurse said to the group that only one person on the elevator would never have back or feet problems. Just as she got off she said that would be the person wearing the Danskos.

She loves them too. I would suggest you buying them from clog central. I got a great deal ( $89.00 )

Best of Luck in your search for shoes :)

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