Dansko shoes - Should I return them? - YouLookFab Forum

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Dansko shoes - Should I return them?

Anonymous

I ordered two pairs of Dansko sandals, which I hope will bring relief to my toe pain. My doctor told me to wear shoes that have plenty of toe room and adequate arch support.

The shoes haven't arrived, but I've read online that Danskos aren't good for people with arthritis. Now I'm confused. I thought the rocker bottom was supposed to be good. Also, my doctor wears Danskos. I see her wearing them every time I go in for a visit.

I've worn Danskos in the past, and think they're comfortable. I've never had any problems with them.

???

BC

Shopping

26 replies

Latest reply was from

jackiec

Veteran

I haven't had any experience with Danskos so can't really help. Hopefully you'll be able to tell once you try them on.

Nebraskim

Veteran

I love Danskos and wear my several pairs nearly daily. Just like any product, they may not work for you even though I swear by them. I love the hard soles (my feet cannot deal with overly flexible soles... Clarks Bendables and Tevas are unwearable by me); I love the wee bit of height I get from the slight platform; I like the arch support for my plantar fasciitis. many Danskos, esp the classic clogs, have hard footbeds; they arenot terribly cushy/soft. This might be a problem. I much prefer, for example, the firmness of original Birks over the softer "Americanized" footbeds they also sell. So try them before deciding yes or no.

Anonymous

The first pair of Dansko I purchased were AMAZING. I thought I found the holy grail of shoes.

Unfortunately, I bought several additional pair. The last pair I bought had a leather upper that sliced through my feet like razor blades. There was nothing I could do to prevent the cutting. I even talked to a Dansko representative and I got a shrug so they knew it was a problem, but it was my problem (not there's). I tossed the shoes.

I don't know what to tell you. I make it a point to not buy Dansko any more.

Janet

(website)

Veteran

I think only you can know if they'll be right for you, by trying them on and wearing around the house for a good length of time before taking them outside. Also, have you asked your doctor what she thinks of Danskos for you?

Anonymous

Thanks. The information I find online is conflicting, so I guess I'm just going to have to try them. I tossed my Danskos after my physical therapist poo-pooed them, but now I wish I had them back because they were so comfortable; I could wear them all day long. That was before the toe pain set in.

I ordered two pairs, to be worn with my longer dress pants, so they won't be worn that often. I don't expect them to be uncomfortable, as I'm quite familiar with the brand. Also, I made sure to buy the kind that don't have a high heel:

https://images.dansko.com//pro.....067800.jpg

These shoes have a 2.5-inch heel with a 1-inch platform, which should be the equivalent of wearing 1.5-inch heels. If platform shoes don't work, then I'm going to have to get rid of my dress pants; they have a wider leg at the bottom, and I don't think they'll look as good on me if I hem them up.

Diana

Veteran

I don't know anything about specific footwear needs for arthritis, but this is my experience with danskos.

The rocker sole is rigid and thick. This means it doesn't flex which may or may not be good for you. It also means the shoe MUST fit right, e.g. the arch of the sole has to match the arch of your foot and shouldn't slide back and forth too much. The professional clogs don't work for me because they are too high volume and my foot slides around in them too much. I end up with an aching arch and stubbed toes, not to mention foot cramps from clenching my toes to keep them on. The other issue many folks have with danskos is that the rocker sole is slightly unsteady, especially with the thick platform. You can turn an ankle or fall off the platform if you're not careful. Supposedly your gait changes if you wear them often so that falling becomes less likely,

That said, I do own one pair of dansko sandals that I like. They are similar to the style you ordered, with a 2.5" heel/1"platform and an ankle strap. The ankle strap keeps them more secure than slip on styles and prevents my foot from sliding. Mine have a padded footbed so not as hard as classic professionals.

If the danskos don't work, try some of the Naot platform styles. I find them more comfy and the cork footbed will mold to your feet.

catgirl

Veteran

It depends. I've had Dansko styles I've worn out, but the regular clogs hit me at a bad spot on the top of my high-volume, high arch feet.

Anonymous

I'm not interested in the clogs, for the very reason you pointed out, Alaskagirl. The sandals I ordered can be adjusted, and shouldn't (fingers crossed) cause any problems. I have a high instep, and my foot width is a C without bunions. Now that I have bunions, I need a C/D or D width. My heels are not wide, so I can't keep pumps or flats on my feet; I walk right out of them. Dansko sandals fit me well; that may be because of the straps and buckles that keep them on my feet. I just made sure to order something that doesn't have the equivalent of more than a 1.5-inch heel.

Meow

Veteran

I just ordered those exact Dansko shoes you linked to. They are extremely comfortable except my foot kept sliding forward until my big toe hung over the end of the shoe leaving a space at the heel. I tried tightening the ankle strap but it didn't work. Seems like the ankle strap was sewn to far down? Weird because I've never had this problem before. I thought about sizing up since I am a 7.5 and always seems to have to size down in sandals so I ordered a 37. But I'm afraid then they'd be too big. I wonder if I just got a defective pair? Too bad because these were the most comfortable foot bed with just enough arch and cushion. Hope you have a better experience.

Anonymous

Sarah, I wear size 7.5 and always wear size 38 in Danskos. I think you probably need to size up. I'll let you know once I get mine and I have the chance to try them.

Meow

Veteran

Oh thanks Bettycrocker. I'm not familiar with Dansko sizing. Ugh, being a half size is a pain.

Anonymous

When in doubt, I size up. I always wear size 8 in athletic shoes. I've sized down a couple of times, but those times are rare.

AviaMariah

Veteran

I have arthitus in my toes and Dankos are a god-send for me. (Although be warned that not all Danskos are created equal and sometimes the more trendy versions don't have the support of the clogs.) I always say that wearing Danksos and Birkies occasionally make my feet happy enough that I can also wear other kinds of shoes.

Anonymous

That's good to know, AviaMariah. I emailed my doctor (through her online patient portal) and asked about the shoes. Since she wears them, I'm expecting her to say they're fine.

What confounds me is that there are several websites that say shoes like Dansko are not good because you're foot doesn't move while you're wearing the shoes. Then there are sites like this one that extol the virtues of Dansko shoes:

http://www.footankle.com/shoe-.....ole-shoes/

I get the feeling that the information provided depends on what shoes are being sold on the website. Geez!

amiable

Veteran

I have an arthritic toe, and my feet love Danskos. The not-moving is actually the perfect treatment for the arthritis in the toes, from what I understand.

You might find helpful information on this blog:
http://podiatryshoereview.blogspot.com/

annagybe

(website)

Veteran

Here is a very good resource

http://www.barkingdogshoes.com/

A long time ago I found Danskos very comfortable. But then they weren't
Denise (Cocolion) turned me on to Sanitas. I wear these at work, very comfortable. Turns out Sanita used to make the footbed for Danskos, until Danskos cheaped out and sent their manufacturing to China.
http://www.clogoutlet.com/Articles.asp?ID=138
https://www.medelita.com/blog/.....nal-clogs/

As Diana said Naot is also good. They make more sandals.

Anonymous

Thanks, Amiable. That's kinda what I thought: Why would I want my toes to move?

DonnaF

Veteran

FWIW, Danskos tend to work for my arthritic toes. They tend to fit slightly differently even within the same style and color. With my best fitting ones that are now worn out, I tried on every single one in that color in the store and chose the best right and left sides. I've never tried their sandals.

At the moment, my absolute most comfortable sandals are the Teva flatforms that Annagybe has. Great arch support which is so hard to find in a sandal, keeps my foot from flexing, a fairly soft footbed without being squishy, a bit of a boost in height, adjustable for the bunions and for the low arch. Tevas being Tevas, they are pretty casual, however.

I wouldn't start worrying about the Danskos until they arrive. Also, FWIW, the podiatrist told me not to go about 2" for footwear. Well, some 2" heels are too much for me, but Angie's Sole Society ankle strap pumps with their 2.5" heels are just fine on my hallux rigidus toe that doesn't bend. They are probably the most comfy dress shoe I have ever owned. Go figure.

Anonymous

Thanks, DonnaF.

I still have, and love, my Dansko boots. What I got rid of was a few pairs of Dansko sandals that had higher heels, with a higher pitch, than the ones I just ordered. I was happy with the way they fit; just wanted a lower pitch. I think these will be fine, provided that it's okay to wear shoes that have this type of sole. They only have a 1.5-inch pitch.

Anonymous

I finally found this:

https://www.dansko.com/About%2.....ifications

The shoes I ordered have the American Podiatric Medical Association seal of approval, so hopefully that will mean something for my fussy feet.

Anonymous

The shoes got here, and they are soooo comfortable. The size 38 is perfect in both length and width; no feet sliding forward. I haven't yet heard from my doctor, but I imagine she'll say yes to these. Meanwhile, I'm keeping the box and the receipt. Btw, the heel looks more like 2 inches rather than 2.5 inches, and it doesn't feel like I'm wearing heels.

Nebraskim

Veteran

Yay. I have narrower feet, so I have luck with the narrows in Dansko and Sanitas for true clogs but can usually cinch down buckle versions in regular widths. If your foot does slide forward, try a Foot petals pad. I use those in one pair of sandals and they completely stopped the sliding. Glad your new shoes appear to work for you.

Anonymous

What other brands fit like Danskos? I normally wear a D width in regular shoes, and yet the Danskos fit me perfectly. Makes me wonder what women who normally wear a B width do.

karymk

Veteran

Give them a try. It's like depending on other movie goers (that you don't know) to determine whether you should see a film or not. Your past history with Dansko bodes well. The tough thing wih foot pain is you never know if something is heavenly until you make the purchase and wear the shoes around for a time.

Anonymous

You're right about that, Karymk. I will need to wear them for a while to see if they're as comfortable throughout the day as they are straight out of the box. Still, I'm not expecting any problems. The thng that bothered my back and legs more than anything else, believe it or not, were custom-made orthotic inserts from a podiatrist. I've had enough experience with Danskos to know they don't bother me. I'll have to see if this pair is as good. I wasn't dealing with toe pain before, so this is uncharted territory.

Anonymous

Update:

I wore them to work today, and they are very comfortable. I haven't yet heard from my doctor, but it would come as a big surprise to me if she said these shoes aren't good for my feet.

I don't plan to wear these to work that often, and they're definitely not walking shoes (as in all over Disney World). I just want to see how they feel during a typical day.