MBT or Danskos?

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I'm on the hunt for shoes before I start my nursing school clinicals and a new CNA job. It's come down to the MBT sport shoes or Dansko clogs. Their both a different kind of shoe than I've ever worn - the Dansko slips up and down a little but that's what they said they're suppose to do since it's a clog, and it seems like it's got a hard insole and I'm not sure what that would feel like all day. The MBT is just weird, but sooo comfortable and I found myself standing much taller and straighter, but it's twice as much as the Dansko.

Has anybody tried both of these? I have fibromyalgia and can't afford to have a flare up because I wore bad shoes while being on my feet all day.

Specializes in oncology/medsurg.

I wont wear anything but danskos! they are the most comfortable shoes i own! totally worth the money!

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Specializes in Level III cardiac/telemetry.

I don't know anyone, or work with anyone, who wears MBT's. So do they put you off balance when standing up? Can you really not wear them in the rain or kneel in them?

Hmmm... I hadn't heard about the rain or kneeling in them. I think I did read somewhere that they shouldn't be washed but that if you get them wet you should let them airdry.

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Specializes in PICU, Nurse Educator, Clinical Research.

I've worn both, and my footwear saga may help you or someone else, so here it is....

I wore Danskos all through school, working 30 hours a week as a CNA, and in the PICU as a nurse. for the vast majority of the time, I loved them. Then I started developing severe hip and leg pain...ended up quitting floor nursing and had hip surgery. That didn't work, and I ended up having a neurologist order a lumbar MRI, and I had the largest herniated disc they'd ever seen. I'd been limping for about 8 months by that point, and the neurosurgeon who did my subsequent back surgery pointed out i had foot drop and couldn't lift most of the toes on my foot.

Fast forward to after my back surgery:

I'd been using my trusty danskos only to take my dogs outside while recovering from surgery. I got a job as a research nurse, hoping that would be low-stress enough for my hip and back (hip still isn't completely fixed). After two hours standing in the danskos at my new job, I was in misery. That never happened before! When I got home, I was sitting on the couch, looking at my Danskos from across the room...and one of them was COMPLETELY worn down on one side of the heel! NS said it's probably a result of walking around in them with foot drop for so long. So, the next day at work (in my running shoes, which still didn't give enough support), a coworker recommended trying either Spira Volares or MBTs.

Went to the store that sells them both, and had a LONG eval (I highly recommend this if you're going to sink that much on shoes). I still have a lot of gait imbalance, and my right foot (surgery side) rolls when I walk. I also have very high arches and very narrow feet. The salesperson suggested the MBT shoes, and they felt great in the store. Since I had so many problems, they let me try the shoes for 2 weeks, as long as I never wore them outside.

Took them to work and wore them for four nights- my back KILLED me. Hip was slightly better, but I couldn't sleep for hours after work from the back pain. I went back to the store and exchanged them for some Spiras (which are around $150). I also got some semi-rigid orthotics.

HOORAY!!! THEY WORK!!! http://www.spirafootwear.com/

The Spiras have springs in them, but they're enclosed and look like a regular running shoe. With these shoes, I can actually stand and walk for more than 10 minutes (impossible with anything else anymore), and I can work an entire shift (largely sitting, mind you, but all walking is on concrete) without any significant pain. If I have to shop, I wear them. Walking the dogs, I wear them. We're packing to relocate to another state right now, and I have to remind myself to wear them while i'm packing, or I end up in pain just from standing in my apartment. If i had to go to a formal event, I would consider wearing them even though they'd look idiotic. ;)

The reason I gave that long backstory is this: if you have ANY underlying joint/back/etc. issues, nursing school and working as a nurse (or CNA) will magnify them. I had no problems with my hip before starting school, and only occasional back pain. I'm also a little overweight, which contributes to the load on my skeleton, especially when I'm doing a lot of standing and walking- and pretty much everyone in my class with extra weight started having some back or knee pain within a few months of starting school, except those wearing good, supportive shoes.

The guy at the shoe place said that a lot of nurses LOVE the MBTs. But my weird anatomy (my lower spine has 2 extra bones) makes my center of gravity weirdly placed, and the MBTs were designed for a normally-constructed person. I've also been told that people with high arches really love Danskos, which is probably why they did so well for me for so long.

I would recommend finding a specialty shoe store that does individual evaluations, if you're considering buying something as expensive as MBTs. The place I went here in NC is called Foot Solutions; not sure how widespread the chain is. And personally, I'd look into the Spiras. If you could marry shoes, I'd have to take a second spouse. :lol2:

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Specializes in ICU, telemetry, LTAC.

Well Foot Solutions is the store that's close to me, that sells these MBT things. So it's nice to see they try to work with you and fit you for something that works. Hmm.

My husband has decided I have a disease, that makes me want to compulsively buy expensive shoes...

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Specializes in Level III cardiac/telemetry.

I went to Foot Solutions yesterday and tried on several shoes. The ones they recommended for the kind of work I'll be doing were the MBT and Spira. The Spira felt good but with the MBT I really felt like I was standing up so straight and my shoulders were back, which usually doesn't happen because of my oversized chest. They didn't have my size in stock so they ordered them and they should be in next week. She told me to wear them around the house for a few days (starting with an hour or two) and if I don't like them I can take them back and will get the Spira. They also gave me this awesome pair of socks (a $13 pair!) that are really cushiony. But $13 for a pair of socks!? We'll see how the shoes work out. Thanks for the input everybody.

Indy - if you every get diagnosed with that disease, let me know. I think I'm showing signs of it! ;0

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Specializes in Oncology.

I have both MBT's and a pair of Dansko's. For me MBT's win hands down. Once fitted you really need to take time out and follow the CD/DVD that comes with them for proper walking. I have a back/hip issue and the MBT's took the pain away for me and I have no problem squatting in them. I am going to take a look at the Spira brand before I buy my nursing school shoes.

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