Nurses do a lot of things during the day, from delivering babies toensuring that patients go home with exactly what they need to stay healthy. But unlike mostprofessionals, nurses do it all while on their feet. That means a good pair of shoes is invaluable.Enter Dansko shoes. Thesesuper-comfortable nursing shoes are unique in that they combine big-time comfort with accessiblestyle, so they're perfect for healthcare professionals.
Why are comfortable shoes so important? Studies show that nursing professionals have a higher likelihood of developingmusculoskeletal disorders due to daily activities that require prolonged standing or walking. Thesame studies found that nurses can counterbalance pressure to the legs, feet and knees by wearingshoes with a relatively low heel height and extra arch support in order to minimize foot pressureand impact force that leads to musculoskeletal issues.
The Story of Dansko
Dansko has over two decades of producinghard-working clogs, heels and sneakers made specifically for nurses and other professionals. It allstarted when founders Mandy Cabot and Peter Kjellerup took a trip to Europe and saw a simple pair ofstapled clogs in a shoe store. The duo mimicked these heavenly clogs and introduced them to theAmerican market shortly thereafter. It didn't take long for word to spread; Dansko credits itssuccess to word-of-mouth advertising.
And it's no surprise why Dansko fans wanted to spread the gospel. These shoes are made to meet thehighest standards of comfort, support, fit, durability and performance. Step into Dansko'seco-friendly headquarters in Chester County, Pennsylvania and you'll see a team dedicated todesigning, testing and manufacturing high-quality nursing shoes that make on-their-toesprofessionals happy every single day. This includes the super-popular Dansko Pro XP clogsand other comfortable healthcare shoes.
They're All About the Comfort
So why are Dansko shoes so great? It starts with what they're made of. Every single pair of Dansko nursing shoes is produced withcomfort-focused materials and supportive features to help reduce pressure points when you're workingon your feet all day. Dansko puts an emphasis on extensive testing to ensure that their shoes are ascomfortable and hard-working as your favorite pair of nursingscrubs!
- High-Tech Midsoles - The midsole is the layer of your shoe between the innerand outer sole that provides shock absorbency. Dansko nursing clogs are made with uniquelightweight, anti-fatigue EVA midsoles that help provide essential shock absorption duringall-day wear. Some also feature contoured midsoles for extra comfort.
- Moisture-Wicking Linings - As unpleasant as it is, our feet sweat, especiallywhen we're working in high-energy, high-pressure environments. Danskoprofessional moisture-wicking shoes are equipped with a comfy lining that helps wickaway moisture to keep your feet dry. Some styles have linings with antimicrobial treatments tohelp control odor.
- Anti-Fatigue Rocker Bottoms - Dansko nursing clogs are finished with theirlegendary anti-fatigue rocker bottoms that help reduce fatigue when you're on the go all day. Ifyou find yourself running from triage to room and back dozens of times throughout your shift, besure to choose a pair of Danskos with an anti-fatigue bottom.
- Ample Foot and Arch Support - Dansko shoes are really big on support. Theyoften feature a protective heel counter to allow the heel to move up and down freely whileproviding lateral stability and have padded collars to prevent blisters and pressure points onthe feet.
Mark down your measurements and reference each brand's size chart to ensure that you get the perfectfit. If you prefer things roomy, size up. If you like things more fitted, choose your true size.
They're Ready for Anything
Besides the fact that they're some of the most comfortable nursing shoes on the scene, Danskos arealso uniquely designed for the healthcare professional. That means they have features andspecifications that help them excel in doctor's offices, hospitals, clinics and other healthcareenvironments.
- Removable Components - Some pairs of Dansko clogs have removable foam footbedsand other components designed to help you customize and clean your Dansko shoes. These removablepieces are especially convenient for nurses who need to wear orthotics throughout the day, sincethey can be removed to accommodate for inserts.
- Non-Marking Soles - Did we mention that Dansko is all about testing? To ensurethat their shoes perform well in healthcare facilities, they've tested them to ensure they'renon-marking on wet, dry and oily indoor surfaces. These soles are also slip-resistant to keepyou safe while you're working just about anywhere. Dansko offers slip-resistant shoes forwomen and men in many healthcare roles.
- Durable and Easy to Clean - Dansko clogs come in an assortment of differentmaterials, including box leather and patent leather. Both of these materials are designed toclean up easily after a long shift, even if you're working in environments with wet, acidic orgreasy conditions.
- Easy On, Easy Off - One of the best parts about the Dansko nursing clog is itsamazing versatility. You can easily slip them on when you're heading out the door and then slipthem off after a long shift. They're also popular among O.R. nurses and other professionals whoneed to be able to quickly put on and remove shoe covers.
- Dress Code Ready - Dansko produces a wide range of classic, stapled nursingclogs that are specifically designed to meet most hospital dress codes. Many dress codes requirethat employees wear protective shoes with non-marking soles in order to prevent damage to thefacility's flooring.
Style Matters, Too
With all this comfort and practicality, you'd think that Dansko would have to compromise somewhere.Fortunately, the company is big on producing stylish nursing shoes that don't take away from yourpersonal look. Their nursing clogs feature a classic clog silhouette in your choice of an open orclosed back. But Dansko nursing shoes have evolved in the past several years, and the company nowoffers many non-clog styles, including nursing Mary-Janes, sneakers and heels.
These shoes are similar to scrubs in that they come in an endless variety of colors and patterns tosuit your day-to-day or special-occasion style. For example, the popular DanskoUnisex Nursing Shoe comes in 14 unique colors and patterns, ranging from solid brown andblack to brightly colored, kaleidoscopic prints. Dansko also produces a range of nursing sneakersand lace-up athletic shoes that combine comfort and practicality with sporty style.
Eco-Friendly and Ethical to Boot
Another reason nurses love Dansko shoes is because the company operates on an ethical, eco-friendlymodel. Its Pennsylvania headquarters is LEED® Gold Certified and features a unique, vegetatedroof that helps insulate the building to reduce heating and cooling usage. With two-thirds of theroof covered in plants, it's able to absorb up to 80 percent of rainwater to minimize runoff. Ofcourse, the company also uses wind and solar power to minimize its carbon footprint.
Not only that, but Dansko is 100 percent employee-owned. In 2012, the brand introduced a new employeestock ownership plan that put the company in the hands of Dansko employees. That means that its 180employees are the sole owners, so to speak. Dansko believes this is a particularly ethical businessmodel because it gives employees total control over their work environment and helps invigorate themto succeed in every aspect of the business.
So Many Styles to Choose From
We know it can be difficult to know which type of Dansko shoes is most appropriate for your uniquepreferences and work environment. These healthcare-friendly kicks come in a wide variety of optionsand materials. When shopping for nursing shoes in general, you should focus on a few important factors,including support, slip-resistance, weight, price and work function. Start here if you're lookingfor advice on which pair of Danskos to buy.
We love the Dansko ProXP collection as a reliable and versatile pair of nursing shoes. These lightweight nursingclogs are always some of our nurses' favorite shoes because they feature comfortable, cushionedinsteps and coring holes to reduce weight. Our selection of Dansko professional clogsincludes open and closed heel styles with the same performance-enhancing features in a range ofunique styles.
Type of Shoe
As previously mentioned, Dansko nursing shoes come in a wide range of unique silhouettes. Not all arebest for all applications. All these slip-resistant shoes will helpkeep you safe and focused in a healthcare environment.
- Stapled Clog - Dansko's original shoe, the stapled clog (such as the Dansko Pro XPclogs) is a good pick for men and women. These shoes feature a closed back for extrasupport and no closures or laces, so they're easy to slip on and off.
- Slip-On Clog - This company also manufactures a popular collection of slip-onclogs with no backs that are ideal for those who prefer easy on and off. They're super simple toslip on before your shift but still feature the company's popular rocker bottom for all-daycomfort.
- Lace-Up Athletic Shoe - Nursing tennis shoes are becoming more and morepopular, and Dansko's collection is a hit. These shoes feature a more athletic design with along-wearing outsole for a sporty look and feel.
- Mary-Jane - Nursing professionals who need a dressy yet comfortable nursingshoe will appreciate Dansko Mary-Janes. These cute and practical shoes feature a top buckle orstrap for an extra layer of dressy style.
- Men's Dress Shoes - For nurses and other healthcare professionals who need amore office-casual look, Dansko dress shoes are a good choice. They feature dressier finishes,like Oxford leatherwork and smooth, leather uppers.
Materials
Danskos come in a broad variety of materials, all of which are designed to fuse comfort with easycare. Many Dansko shoes feature 3M Scotchguard™ protectors to help them endure in the face ofdemanding healthcare environments.
- Leather - Dansko leather clogs are considered some of the most long-lastingoptions in the collection but must be cleaned using only a soft, dry cloth and specialtyproducts such as BeeswaxConditioner. Dansko box leather is resistant to demanding workplace environments forlong-term wear.
- Patent Leather - This material is often associated with dress shoes becauseit's finished with a high-shine treatment that makes it extra dressy. Dansko patent leather canbe easily cleaned with a clean, damp cloth and soap and water.
- Suede - Suede is a popular choice for anyone who wants a little bit of extratexture and softness in their shoes. The downside is that suede is more difficult to clean, butyou can remove surface debris with a soft, dry cloth.
- Fabric and Canvas - Dansko's lace-up athletic shoes and slip-on sneakers areoften made from rugged fabric and canvas. These materials are durable and easy to clean.
Size
One of the best things about Dansko nurse's shoes is that they come in a wide range of sizes,including various widths. That means you can customize your fit no matter your shoe size.
- Width - The majority of Dansko products are produced in medium width, but theyalso offer a collection of comfortable shoes in narrow and wide.
- Length - Because of the fact that Danskos are modeled after European shoes, thecompany generally uses European sizing. The brand offers women's sizes from 35 (4.5 U.S.) to 43(12.5 U.S.) and men's sizes from 41 (7.5 U.S.) to 48 (14.5 U.S.). If you need more informationon sizing Dansko shoes, click on the size chart tab on each product page.
- Heel Height - According to research, nurses should wear shoes with a heelheight that doesn't exceed two inches. Dansko's stapled clogs have a heel height of two incheson the dot, but the company produces many shoes with heel heights ranging from one to threeinches.
Economical, Long-Lasting Nursing Shoes
If you're in the market for a pair of reliable shoes to help alleviate pain while on the job, wecan't recommend Dansko enough. In addition to their comfortable constructions, Danskos arewell-known in the industry for being durable and long-lasting. When you invest in a pair of Danskos,you can rest easy knowing they'll be with you for hundreds of shifts to come.
allheart.com has Dansko shoes to suit every single budget and style profile. We also often offerDansko shoes on sale and other special promotions to help you nab a pair of these high-qualitynurse's shoes for less. What's more, we always offer free shipping on Dansko. When you purchase apair from our store, all other items in your cart will ship free!
