Do I need to "break in" my Dansko Professionals?????

*Blessed2BaNRS* · Aug 15, 2007

Haha, I know the feeling. I haven't bought mine yet, but I did go try them on to see what to expect, and actually decided on Nurse Mates, just because they felt so much better. But reading the posts on here the last few days, EVERYONE says to break them in, at least a week, so they will conform to your foot. So, I have decided to go back with my original plan an get the Dansko's. Even with the $100.00 price tag, if they feel as good as everyone says (even my instructors recommended them) and last as long as I hear, then they will be well worth it.

Just a side note, I tried on a pair that was the size I normally wear, and even though my heel slipped up a tad, I was told you need to be able to put a finger width between your heel and the back of the shoe, so I tried on the next bigger size (which was a 9.5) and it felt so much better. The 9 was a tad tight across the top of my foot also, and the 9.5 felt perfect. And once my foot swells during the day, the 9.5 will be just right. You may want to look at going up a half size, also.

Good luck and give them a little time to break in~

arciedee · Aug 15, 2007

For one thing, the sizing chart I found lists a US size 9 as equivalent to a 39 or 40, so you may want to try a 40 to see if that feels better on your foot.

I didn't really break mine in, though they have stretched some since I bought them. I do remember my white ones being more snug at first, but they were never painful. One thing about Danskos is that they do have some variability in fit, even within the same size. I bought white ones for school and later another color for regular use and even though they're both 38s they fit slightly differently (one pair feels significantly looser than the other). A friend of mine says that when she buys hers she has the salesperson pull out every pair they have in her size so that she can go through all of them and find the ones that fit her best. You don't necessarily have to go to that extreme, but you may want to try another pair or two before giving up on them OR walking around in shoes that are uncomfortable to you... totally defeats the purpose!

GeminiTwinRN, BSN · Aug 15, 2007

By all means, please go in person to buy danskos! They are handmade, and as such are subject to differing sizes even within the size.

I wear an 8 1/2 shoe, and I have 4 pairs of danskos. All size 40! I could wear a size 39 without problem, but I actually like them to be reeaaaally loose on my feet. I :love: my danskos!

I'd say that for a size 9 foot that you have a pair that is too small. If you haven't worn them outside yet, hopefully you can exchange them for a size up. Again, if you can, go to the store and try on several pairs until you find one that isn't tight across the top.

:)

dixiemama · Aug 16, 2007

Thanks for the tips. There is NOWHERE close to wear I live that has dansko's to try on. I ordered from onlineshoes.com because they have free exchanges. I am going to call them today and they are supposed to email me the UPS label to print. I'll send my 39's back and try a 40. Also, I am used to very flat shoes. These make me feel so tall and I sort of wobble or twist my ankle some in them due to the heel height. Is this something I will get used to after I learn to walk in them?

Ruby Vee, BSN · Aug 17, 2007

i just rec'd my white dansko professionals in the mail today. i wear a size 9 so i ordered a size 39 dansko. i know they are supposed to fit "weird" and require getting used to. they seem to bother the top part of my foot some but i'm not sure if this is just because they are brand new. do i need to walk and wear them around the house for several hours each day to "break" them in or will they always be this hard? i've never spent more than $40 on a pair of shoes so the $100 price is killing me!!!

danskos are actually better when they're a little larger. you should be able to fit your finger behind your heel in your professionals. they do require some getting used to, but i have to tell you they are so much better for your feet, your knees and your back than anything else. i love mine! dh asked me the other day how many pairs i have: 3 pairs of professionals, 3 pairs of clogs, 4 pairs of sandals, 2 pairs of pumps and a pair of boots. (i have a pair of birkenstocks, too, but never wear them!)

$100 is a lot for a pair of shoes, but they're worth it. they're the only thing i can wear without back pain after my back injury!