The Dansko Clog
Let me preface this review by saying that the Dansko Clog is not for everyone! There are patients with certain foot types and medical conditions that I would never dream of putting into a Dansko Clog because it would be a disaster for their feet. That being said, I have many patients (including myself) where the Dansko Clog is the very definition of comfort. In Podiatry school, when I went from sitting all day in classes for two years to suddenly being thrown into 14 hour days on my feet on torturous concrete hospital floors for another four years of school and residency, I suffered horribly from heel pain, swelling in my feet and tired leg syndrome. I was a broke student and I made a very painful $95 splurge on purchasing the Dansko Clog and they were one of the best investments I've ever made!
What's great about the Dansko Clog is the thick, rigid and therefore very protective sole. I always feel extra safe wearing my Dansko clogs because if anyone ever tried to mug me, these shoes are so strong that I'm convinced I could effectively use them as a weapon (forgive me, I'm originally from New Jersey!). If you are suffering with forefoot pain of any kind, this may be the perfect shoe for you. They also have decent arch support, a wide toe-box and rear-foot control. I do not recommend the Dansko shoes that don't have rear-foot control as they force the person wearing them to scrunch down their toes to keep in the shoe, which can cause 'mechanical strain' and 'tired leg syndrome' at the end of a long day.
The Dansko Clogs do not accommodate any type of inserts but, in my experience, they don't need extra arch support. It is the one shoe where I don't have to (or need to) wear my orthotics.
In general, the Dansko Clog is great for healthy, young, active patients who are on their feet all day, especially on concrete floors. I would never put anyone who is elderly or has any type of muscular or nerve disorder in these shoes as they are simply too heavy.
Dansko Clogs Are Recommended For Patients With:
*Mild Plantar Fasciitis (Heel Pain)
*Mild Achilles Tendonitis
*Mild Haglund's Deformity
*Mild to Severe Metatarsalgia
*Mild Bunions & Tailor's Bunions
*Mild to Moderate Hammertoes
*Morton's Neuroma
*Capsulitis of the Forefoot Joints
*Hallux Limitus (Limited range of motion of the 1st toe joint)
*Hallux Rigidus (No motion of the 1st toe joint)
*Mild to Moderate Osteoarthritis
*Possibly Mild Rheumatoid Arthritis
*Mild Tendonitis
*Mild to Possibly Moderate Over-Pronators
*Mild Hypermobility / Ligament Laxity
*Plantar Plate Injuries
*Patient's recovering or trying to heal from a fractured toe
*Patient's recovering from a fractured metatarsal bone (Check with your Pod!)
*Mild to Moderate Degenerative Joint Disease
*Over-Use Syndrome
Dansko Clogs Are NOT Recommended For Patients With:
*Weak legs
*Muscle disorders that cause instability or weakness of the legs
*Nerve disorders that cause weakness or instability of the legs
*Drop Foot
*Charcot Marie Tooth Disease
*Charcot Foot
*Diabetics
*Diabetics with history of Ulcerations (Open sores)
*Peripheral Arterial Disease (Poor Circulation)
*Peripheral Neuropathy (Nerve Damage)
*Balance Issues
*The Elderly
*Anyone with prominent "bumps" on their feet, especially on the top of the mid-foot area
*Painful Calluses on the bottom of the feet (because they need more cushion in the shoe)
*Severe Rheumatoid Arthritis (because they need more cushion in the shoe)
*Severe Hypermobility / Ligament Laxity
*Ankle Instability
My best advice to you is go to a store and try them on. You are either going to love them or hate them! Every time I put on my Dansko clogs, I feel like they have been custom made for my feet and can stay on my feet all day in comfort.
I hope this was helpful!
Dr. Cathleen A. McCarthy
:)
22 comments:
I should learn how to wear them. Not that used to in having these.
your post for Ladies Shoes is really appreciable.
I am so grateful to you for putting out this blog. I have felt lost as to what to wear in regards to shoes after healing from my lisfranc surgery. I am currently in PT and they are pushing for me to come out of the aircast and into regular shoes. You have great recommendations that I will be taking. Wish you practiced in MA!Thanks again and I will be keeping this on my favorite blog sites and totally getting rid of my before surgery pretty heels :( Oh well, they served me well.
It looks like a formal shoes, but I wonder if this shoe can be used for jogging or running.
Please do not use the Dansko Clog for jogging or running! They are not appropriate. For a running shoe, I would recommend that you start with a New Balance or a Brooks running shoe. Please avoid the 'minimalist running shoes' like they are the plague!
:)
Hi, interesting article. I'm 63. In fairly good shape. I spend some long hours standing, not moving. It's part of my job, I just work on weekends and holidays. Interesting, I've been using the Dansko Pro for the last year and half. My feet were swollen before buying the shoes. Now they don't swell but the still get sore. However, the soreness wears off in a short time, way better than before buying the Dansko's. I also wear pressure socks.
My question: what would you recommend?
Hi Ken T,
Sounds like you're doing a lot right! I personally found, in my residency when I was on my feet for long hours, I would wear the Dansko Clog with compression hose that went up to my waist. Embarrassing to admit and not always super convenient as far as them being difficult to put on and being warm BUT they were the most comfortable for not only my feet but also my legs and lower back.
You could also try compression hose with a thin sock made of man-made fibers over the compression hose for even more comfort.
IF you can fit a custom-molded dress orthotic into the Dansko that can be even more comfortable but that may or may not work because it starts to crowd your foot in the shoe. I wear an over-the-counter dress insert that we sell in our office in my Dansko clog and I like it a lot, except that occasionally by the end of the day as my feet swell, I have to remove the insert.
Also, for more tips, check out my article called "My feet hurt: top ten things to do to relieve foot pain."
I hope this was helpful and thank you for reading!
Cathy
Elegant, in a totally-in-your-face kind of way.
Get Taller
Hi Mae_tall2000,
I am constantly amazed at all the complements I get on these shoes!
Thanks for reading!
Cathy
:)
I find my Dansko clogs comfortable, but have come to realize that they cause me to develop corns. Why does this happen? How do I prevent corns?
Hi,
So sorry for the delayed response! I wrote an article for Footsmart.com's blog about blisters which relates to the formation of corns and calluses, which I will repost today on this website.
The military does extensive research on blisters (which is related to corns) and all of the research shoes that they are aggravated by either poor fitting shoegear and socks issues.
Try wearing a sock with man-made fibers. The man-made fibers have less friction than cotton socks and will give you more comfort and less build up of the dead skin that causes corns in high pressure areas such as on a hammertoe. These socks can be found at many running stores as well as online.
I've had several patients have great luck with getting socks made from man-made materials that have individual compartments for the toes (like gloves) and this helps give extra protection to each toes. It doesn't always work though as it may cause too much crowding in the shoe.
Check out my article on blisters, which I will repost later today! Also, check out my article called "My Feet Hurt" as this offers basic information about proper care of the feet, which will ultimately help slow or stop the progression of foot deformities that lead to corns and calluses.
Hope this was helpful,
Cathy
:)
Thanks so much! - will also be checking out your other article!
I just went on a three-day trip in which I was determined to pack light...I brought only one pair of shoes, the Dansko Haileys I was wearing. After a weekend of nothing but Haileys, I'm sorry to say, these shoes do not meet my needs. Walking on cobblestones (Old Town Alexandria) was torture in Danskos, and I nearly sprained my ankle after the shoe refused to give (so my ankle did). What do you recommend for serious sightseeing/walking in an urban setting? I need all the usual suspects---rigid forefront, arch support, closed back, etc. Thank you so much for all you're doing to educate us!
Hi Elizabeth,
I'm sorry to hear the Dansko shoes didn't work. Cobblestones are tough going! For a walking shoe, try a New Balance 928. For a nicer looking shoe - try the Wolky Cloggy or the Wolky Blossum. For a sandal - try a Wolky Jewel or Tulip or a Naot Jewel. For the hotel room - try a RX Croc "Relief" with the strap to the back.
Hope this was helpful!
Cathy
:)
Thank you for your reply! I really appreciate that you are "on call" for your virtual patients. Truly!
The Wolky's don't seem rigid enough. I have hallux rigidus and a bunion. I tried the Wolky Dazzle but it bent just like any other shoe. As do the Crocs!
Is there a rigid option you recommend? Right now, I have an old pair of Haflinger Joys I use as my indoor slippers, and mostly stick to Danskos for street wear. Still searching for a show to wear with suits, it's pretty much impossible.
I wonder. Do podiatrists realize, in general, how depressing it is for patients to hear they can no longer wear the shoes they love? I truly feel as if my life has come tumbling down. It seems superficial, but my sense of self was totally wrapped up in the way I looked...and that included my shoes, to a large extent.
Hi Elizabeth,
Try the Wolky Cloggys, Tulips or Jewel - as the soles are thick and rigid. The Crocs RX need to be worn with the strap to the back.
Trust me, if anyone realizes the pain and frustration of patients - it's any Podiatrist who has a heart! Just remember, style is all about attitude. You can carry off any style/shoe if you have the attitude! The bottom line is, it's all about living an active life and having fun and if that means a big, chunky shoe - c'est la vie! I have biomechanically challenged feet and I wear my Dansko Professional clogs and I don't care what anybody thinks because I know who I am and I am having fun in my chunky shoes!!
Hang in there sister!
Cathy
:)
Yes this post is really helpful. I will definitely buy this one for sure because it seems very comfortable. Appreciate your sharing!
I have very high instep and small feet. I love clogs, but it´s difficult for me to find a pair that, has high instep but it´s not wide, and also has good arch support. I have fibromyalgia and a cervical disk problem and it´s getting harder for me to find comgortable shoes.
Hi Anonymous,
I don't usually recommend the Dansko Clog to someone that has Fibromyalgia because there is not enough cushion. You might want to consider a Naot or Wolky that has the thick, rigid sole but more cushioning.
Don't forget to wear RX Crocs (with the strap to the back) around the house as a bedroom slipper, which will help with your back issues.
Hope all is well,
Cathy
:)
I want to CRY because I am so happy with my new to me Dansko Clogs. I am so grateful. After Linfranc injury followed by metatarsal fusion in my midfoot, I have really struggled. I used Wolky Jewell and clogs for the last year, they are OKAY, but I really struggle still on unstable surfaces (grass, pebbles, stairs). The first few minutes in them were odd. After wearing them a few hours the first day, I put them to use the second. For the three years since I moved, I hadn't been able to unpack all the boxes that had gotten put in the basement. The stairs are scary for me, hurt my foot (they are wooden and narrow), and the concrete would make my whole body ache. I worked for 8 hours, carrying things up and down the stairs, putting things away, driving to the donation center, and repeat. That night, I was a bit tired, but I didn't even use a pain patch until the next morning... which is an absolute miracle.
That all said, I'd like to get more. I found out they have been through several updates. The ones I have have the caramel colored sole, leather, non-removable inserts. I expected the weight to bother me, because I have a history of weak ankles and Fibro. So far that isn't the case. The more rigid insole feels like a cradle. The arch is perfect. Can you speak to your thoughts on the differences between the original clog, the xp, and the xp 2.0 clogs?
Also, it seems the RX Crocs have either been rebranded or discontinued. Any other recommendations?
Dead thread & I'm sure you won’t see this but OOFOS makes a fabulous recovery shoe/slide/clog for around the house. It’s a godsend for people with PF & an otherwise great option for folks who shouldn’t be going barefoot!
aking care of our feet with the right insoles boots is essential for maintaining our physical health and well-being. Thank you for the reminder!
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