Starting clinical; need new shoes! Please help!

TheCommuter, BSN, RN · Sep 30, 2005

There's a brand of clogs called Nurse Mates. They can be purchased online or at virtually any store where scrubs and medical supplies are sold. Good luck with your quest to find comfy clogs!

ljnvb · Sep 30, 2005

Hi all!
I'm starting clinical this week, and I need to buy some shoes. I like clogs, but have never owned a pair. I need some with backs to them (either a strap, or just part of a heel), and ones that your feet don't hurt at the end of the day. Can any CRNA/SRNA recommend a brand that isn't too expensive? Thanks!

I have been in the nursing field for 32 years. The best shoes you can by are Birkenstock. They are expensive, but will last for years. I have a pair that is 9 years old.

nicuRN2007 · Sep 30, 2005

Can any CRNA/SRNA recommend a brand that isn't too expensive? Thanks!

Well, I have a suggestion, but I'm not a CRNA/SRNA, so I don't know if it counts. JUST TEASING!! I had to do it.

roosevelt127 · Jun 10, 2006

I know I'm late in replying to this but I only recently joined allnurses. i agree with TillyRN - the Danskos can't be beat. I'm about to buy a new pair but have been wearing my current pair for 2 yrs and they're still going strong, and I live in the northeast...these suckers have been through rain, snow, everything you encounter in the hospital and on the streets of NY.

I also agree that they take a little getting used to. To be perfectly honest, mine did hurt the top of my food for about a week when i started wearing them, but if you can power through this, the shoe will stretch to accomodate your foot and your problems will be solved. I NEVER have sore feet/knees/legs or back.

Another cool thing is that the Danskos are offered in a million different styles so you can get them open backed, back strap, closed backs, in about a zillion different colors and textures so there's a Dansko for every personality :)

krzysiu · Jun 12, 2006

I have noticed that CROCS are REALLY gaining popularity around the units I work in. People that I ask say they would definitly buy them again. I have yet to try a pair. Their "professional" models are $39 and vented! I think zappos has them, otherwise, try crocs.com

chris

ellarose · Jun 12, 2006

Some hospitals don't allow Crocs because of the holes in the tops of the shoes. Safety hazard I guess.

susswood · Jun 13, 2006

Dansko clogs are my favorite (you can get them with backs). I have also worn Birkenstocks, but they don't seem to work as well for my feet. If your feet are narrow, Sven clogs are very good as well. Crocs are a good choice for an inexpensive shoe (maybe use as your second pair).

I agree it is best to alternate between two pairs of good shoes. If you work a 12 hour shift, you should ideally change your shoes midway through your shift to a different pair... it makes you feel like you've got a new pair of legs.

Also, good professional shoe places will refurbish your Danskos... new footbeds, new soles etc., for about 40 bucks.... so you don't have to toss out an old pair.

nia_king · Jun 13, 2006

Hi,

I hope you haven't purchased any of these expensive shoes because I could save you some money. Do me a favor go to http://www.allheart.com/ahcc1000.html and pick up their $8.99 clogs. I had really expensive shoes: Nike Shox, Adiddas, Reebok...whatever and they all hurt my feet and the Danskos and Birkenstocks are all great but they stink. Wear them with socks for 12hrs and take them off and boy you'll pass out when you catch a whiff of your feet.

I discovered these really cheap shoes and I have been wearing them for months now and I love them. They are very soft and get even softer as you were them. I wash them 2-3 times a week and they always smell fresh. You can't dip them tennis shoes or danskos and Birkenstocks in water...at least none of my co-workers do or I wouldn't mind so much when they take their shoes off at work.

So my dear b4 your drop some serious dough on shoes like I did, try these cheap ones out. If you don't like them then you can move up. But don't buy expensive shoes only to find that they are not as comfortable or they stink up a storm :)

susswood · Jun 13, 2006

Danskos and Birkenstocks are all great but they stink. Wear them with socks for 12hrs and take them off and boy you'll pass out when you catch a whiff of your feet.

Have worn both Danskos (6 years) Birks (since I was a teen) and NEVER had a bad smell.

DebbieSue · Jul 3, 2006

My vote is for Anywears. I have been an ICU RN for almost 30 years and was developing plantar fasciaitis, or something causing real bad heel pain. I got a pair of Anywears, and have never looked back. I have something like 8 pair in different colors. For a couple years after getting that first pair, I didn't wear any shoes ever except Anywears. Now, I wear them when I work, garden, do housework. I wash them in the dishwasher, and wash the inserts in the washing machine. They are great with or without socks, and with or without the inserts. The website is anywears.com.

dfk, RN, CRNA · Jul 3, 2006

Hi,
I hope you haven't purchased any of these expensive shoes because I could save you some money. Do me a favor go to http://www.allheart.com/ahcc1000.html and pick up their $8.99 clogs. I had really expensive shoes: Nike Shox, Adiddas, Reebok...whatever and they all hurt my feet and the Danskos and Birkenstocks are all great but they stink. Wear them with socks for 12hrs and take them off and boy you'll pass out when you catch a whiff of your feet.
I discovered these really cheap shoes and I have been wearing them for months now and I love them. They are very soft and get even softer as you were them. I wash them 2-3 times a week and they always smell fresh. You can't dip them tennis shoes or danskos and Birkenstocks in water...at least none of my co-workers do or I wouldn't mind so much when they take their shoes off at work.
So my dear b4 your drop some serious dough on shoes like I did, try these cheap ones out. If you don't like them then you can move up. But don't buy expensive shoes only to find that they are not as comfortable or they stink up a storm :)

ok nia... i just ordered them, and am a little excited.. i will let u know how they work out !

roosevelt127 · Jul 3, 2006

Hi,
I hope you haven't purchased any of these expensive shoes because I could save you some money. Do me a favor go to http://www.allheart.com/ahcc1000.html and pick up their $8.99 clogs. I had really expensive shoes: Nike Shox, Adiddas, Reebok...whatever and they all hurt my feet and the Danskos and Birkenstocks are all great but they stink. Wear them with socks for 12hrs and take them off and boy you'll pass out when you catch a whiff of your feet.
I discovered these really cheap shoes and I have been wearing them for months now and I love them. They are very soft and get even softer as you were them. I wash them 2-3 times a week and they always smell fresh. You can't dip them tennis shoes or danskos and Birkenstocks in water...at least none of my co-workers do or I wouldn't mind so much when they take their shoes off at work.
So my dear b4 your drop some serious dough on shoes like I did, try these cheap ones out. If you don't like them then you can move up. But don't buy expensive shoes only to find that they are not as comfortable or they stink up a storm :)

I'm a lover of the danskos (see my post above) and just wanted to throw out there that I'm so surprised to hear that you and your coworkers have issues with smelly fee/shoes after wearing danskos!! I have never, EVER had a problem with the shoes OR my feet smelling terrible (I wear them with thin socks) after I wear them, and have never known anyone else to have this complaint either (and about 90% of the people I work with an 100% of my girlfriends who are all nurses as well wear them)...Different peoples' feet respond differently (some people sweat more and have generally more odorous feet regardless of what shoes they're wearing). Although most danskos aren't truly 'ventilated' shoes with cutouts anywhere on them to allow air in, even if you wear the 'professional' style (the one with a back) your heel comes out of the shoe with each step, which I find to be ventilation enough, and keeps my feet cool without a problem.