I've never had a pair of Danskos, but bought something that the shoe salesman said was very similar called an Ariat. They were extremely comfortable for the first 6 months that I had them. I could work 12 hours and my feet and back felt great. Now I come home after work and my back is still good, but my feet are killing me. I feel like I need to go to bed with ice packs on the bottom of my feet.
I stopped in a shoe store today to look at the Dansko shoes again (it was a toss up between the Dansko or the Ariat when I bought the first pair). It seems insanely fast to me for those shoes to have broken down already.
How often do you have to replace your Dansko shoes? Do you replace them right away when your feet start to hurt?
I have a pair of Danskos that look like new that I found at a thrift shop. I haven't worn them as they're a little big (there's a gap behind my heel) but since I see people saying you want them a little big maybe I'll try them out. My favorite for several years now have been Skecher Sports. I've had bouts of planter fasciitis prior to wearing Skechers and I also use custom orthotic insoles with them. I do have to replace them every 4-6 months, though, either for aesthetics or just general wear and tear, mainly the toe rubber coming loose.
I decided to try out the dansko xp's today. I was told they're a little wider than the normal ones and the footbed is more padded than the others. I'm gonna try them out tonight, we'll see how they treat my pinky toe. Haha.
I shelled out the extra $$ for the XP model and loved them. The insole is memory foam like; very comfortable.
To answer the OP: I have been wearing Dansko clogs for about 15 years both before and after nursing. Before, a pair could last me 4-5 years but once I started nursing 12 hour shifts, I've replaced them yearly. The support doesn't wear out for me, but the leather looks very worn after a year of wear. I like them shiny and new. I often find pairs under $50 at DSW.
I've tried both Sanita and Ariat and they're not the same. I've found Dansko has gotten better since 2008, so that explains why Sanitas don't agree with me.
But, as I often tell those who ask, a Dansko clog either fits you right or it doesn't. There's no middle ground.
As far as fit I have pairs for 5 years I am still wearing. One thing to beware of is the shiny patent finish is known to scuff or tear. I have had patent pairs tear, and if you contact Dansko customer service they will usually replace them. The Dansko rep told me the patent finish is considered a dress finish and is not meant to be as durable as the other leathers. I have found the tooled and woven leathers hold up well
Specializes in CCU, SICU, CVSICU, Precepting & Teaching.
If you wear your shoes for 36 hours a week for 26 weeks, they're probably breaking down inside, even if they look OK on the outside. Especially if you don't trade off shoes. It takes a full 24 hours or more for shoes to "bounce back" after you wear them for a day, so if you don't alternate shoes they wear out faster. My Danskos have always lasted a couple of years or more, although sometimes they looked great on the outside but weren't feeling so great. The Ariats I bought didn't last nearly as long.
If you wear your shoes for 36 hours a week for 26 weeks, they're probably breaking down inside, even if they look OK on the outside. Especially if you don't trade off shoes. It takes a full 24 hours or more for shoes to "bounce back" after you wear them for a day, so if you don't alternate shoes they wear out faster. My Danskos have always lasted a couple of years or more, although sometimes they looked great on the outside but weren't feeling so great. The Ariats I bought didn't last nearly as long.
That makes me feel sick thinking I spent that much money on a pair of Ariats when I could have gotten Danskos and the Ariats are probably already shot. I usually don't work 2 days in a row (my schedule is a "flex" position so I'm filling holes in the department on all of the different shifts). I wonder if I could put some sort of new insole in them and have them last a little longer. I hate to think of spending more money on another pair of new shoes already.
I'm considering buying a pair. Not to hijack this thread, but for those of you that had to "break them in" how did your feet feel? Did they just hurt or did you get blisters as well?
Thanks!
(Again, sorry for thread hijack!)
I bought mine for nursing school (started in January), so I wear them roughly three days a week. Right from the start they were super comfortable for my feet! The only problem I've had with them is that it took about two months before I didn't feel like it was cutting off circulation for the tops of my feet. I would get a lot of pain from the top being too tight on my foot, and it was especially noticeable when I sat down. I had to bring a change of shoes to drive to and from clinical with because I would be in so much pain on my hour ride home. They seem to be doing much better now! Overall I do love my danskos! We just had a little blip in the road... My feet are never sore at clinical, though, and that's a huge plus to me. I am definitely curious on the lifespan as well because I would love to get more once in out of school!
I feel like I have to hold danskos on my feet while I walk. They just don't feel right. I learned size 7 women is size 5 boys, so I got black merrills from they boys' section of my local shoe store. Aside from polishing out some scuffs on occasion, they fit comfortably - like a glove - and they were only $55 compared to the adult version of the exact same shoe being $110. If you're a size 8 women's or smaller, go troll the kids' section during back to school sales and look through their uniform shoes.
Did any of you find the dansko's fit snug on the top of your foot? Will that go away or should I avoid the brand all together. (they have such cute ones)
Did any of you find the dansko's fit snug on the top of your foot? Will that go away or should I avoid the brand all together. (they have such cute ones)
My Sanitas were like that. They are virtually identical. I sized up and that fixed the issue. Just make sure they aren't sloppy big. That's how people roll their ankles.
I usually don't work 2 days in a row (my schedule is a "flex" position so I'm filling holes in the department on all of the different shifts). I wonder if I could put some sort of new insole in them and have them last a little longer. I hate to think of spending more money on another pair of new shoes already.
Katme65
2 Posts
I have a pair of Danskos that look like new that I found at a thrift shop. I haven't worn them as they're a little big (there's a gap behind my heel) but since I see people saying you want them a little big maybe I'll try them out. My favorite for several years now have been Skecher Sports. I've had bouts of planter fasciitis prior to wearing Skechers and I also use custom orthotic insoles with them. I do have to replace them every 4-6 months, though, either for aesthetics or just general wear and tear, mainly the toe rubber coming loose.