Dansko Women's Pro XP Clog - Comfortable Slip-Resistant Work Shoes for Nurses, Chefs & Healthcare Professionals - Perfect for Long Shifts & Standing All Day

My job requires me to be on my feet between 12 and 16 hours per day, 5 or 6 days each week. Dansko clogs have been a saving grace for much of my 15 year career, and are the only reason I am still able to work such long days. They absorb much of the shock from walking on hard surfaces, they accommodate swollen feet, they improve my posture - which alleviates a lot of back pain -, and the extra thickness of the sole keeps my feet warm and dry whilst walking in snow and on cold surfaces. I've owned five pairs of Dansko clogs over the last 10 years, and I have worn all of them until the insides were shredded and/or the toes were worn through.When it came time to replace my most recent pair, out of sheer curiosity and frugality I decided to compare Dansko to Sanita. I ordered 1 pair of Cabrio leather clogs and 1 pair of Patent Leather clogs from each company. The Dansko were the new XP, which purport to have memory foam inserts.A number of years ago, I started ordering my clogs one size bigger than my normal shoes. I'm not sure why clogs fit this way for me, but I get better support for my instep with the larger size. Moreover, my first couple of pairs of clogs were so stretched out after a couple of months of "breaking in", that they no longer looked professionally appropriate to wear with my uniform. A lot of people complain that the toe box on both the Dansko and Sanita clogs is narrow. I find that the toe box is sufficiently roomy if I order the next size up. If it makes a difference, my normal size is an 8 1/2medium, but I wear a 40medium (9.5-10m) in both Dansko and Sanita clogs. Since I began wearing the size 40 clogs, the toe box holds its shape and the leather doesn't crack as much on the sides. Furthermore, I feel like my feet are better supported, and I really don't feel any additional slippage. Additionally, the heels of my socks last longer. I've now owned 3 pairs of Dansko clogs in the larger size, and thus learned that these clogs DON'T NEED BREAKING IN. In my experience, if one must "break them in", one probably needs a bigger size. This is especially important to consider if one purchases patent leather, as the plasticized leather doesn't 'give' enough to really accommodate much stretching.Now for the comparison: there is no remarkable difference between the two brands - EXCEPT FOR THE PRICE. Each leather type looks very similar to its counterpart from the competing brand. The Dansko XP "memory foam" insert doesn't feel any more cushiony than the Sanita insert; however, the "memory foam" insert does seem to take up a little more space than the Sanita insert, making the Dansko feel a little, tiny bit tighter. Also the Dansko XP insert is a lovely, soft leather, which is not personally preferable due to its tendency to break down from the continuous friction of the foot moving around in the shoe. The Sanita insole is soft yet durable. The soles - or "platforms" - look similar and feel the same underfoot. The staples are the same quality, as are the no-slip treads. Neither shoe has better "workmanship" than the other, nor does one "squeak" more or "feel heavier". They seem to be relatively the same shoes except that the Sanitas were 2/3 the price of the Dansko.If you've never worn Dansko or Sanita clogs, or even if you've only worn Dansko, do yourself a favor and buy multiple pairs and do a fit/appearance comparison for yourself. Both Amazon and Zappos offer free shipping/returns on most shoes. Or, better yet, go get properly sized at a department store which carries the clogs. Many of my co-workers were able to be properly fitted for Danskos at Nordstrom. It is now my experience that if one wears a particular size in Dansko, one would likely wear the same size in Sanitas.I'm keeping the Sanita clogs for the singular reason that they cost less.This is my 1st pair of clogs. I always swore by sneakers in the ED but now, standing all day in PACU, I have started to get that feeling like my aching heels are sinking threw the floor. My journey to find the perfect pair has been long haha!I am a solid 9 with bunions so I need a wide enough toe box. I watched so many videos about the fit but found the best way to figure what size worked best for me was to try them on with barefeet. I could really feel if my toes were crunched or hitting the front. For me, I found 40 in XP fit me best. If I don't have socks on, I can just about kick them off if I kick hard.It took walking around for hours and wearing average socks - not too heavy or too thin. I also tried to make sure I stood tall and walked with a purpose, like I would at work.It is frustrating that literally every single clog fits differently. I *hope* the search is over. I wore them to work 1 day so far and I was surprised how quickly I could move and how little I was clomping. It's making me wonder if some people are just lazy about picking up their feet, haha.This pattern is absolutely adorable - I've already received tons of compliments! I'm hoping the patent leather doesn't stain or age as some of the oiled leather can look very worn.I love shoes - the high heel, stylish, terrible for your feet kind of shoes. When I was diagnosed with PTTD (probably from wearing said shoes) my first reaction was: oh well, I guess I will live in pain because I am not giving up my heels. But reality worked its way into my brain and I decided to suck it up and order a pair of "those ugly clogs."I literally had no idea shoes could be so comfortable. My feet never hurt even after standing all day. They have a grippy bottom so I can wear them on tile floors or outside in the crappy weather. They are easy to slip on and off so I never have an excuse not to wear them while trying to heal. The Pro XP has a removable shoe bed, so I put my orthotics in them and once I started wearing them, my PTTD healed up in under a month.So... don't tell my high heels, but now that my foot is feeling better... I think I will keep wearing these. Not all the time. I still wouldn't call them high fashion. But whenever I will be on my feet all day or if I have a lot of walking to do, I am slapping these on my feet. Seriously. Even though I don't have to. They are that comfortable and easy to wear.Just a note, when fitting these, your heel SHOULD slip out with each step. If you find your heel slips out, that's good. You should also have lots of wiggle room in the toe area. The shoes are really held in place by the leather over the arch and the top of the foot. I wear a 7.5 US and I purchased the size 38 and they fit perfect. Give them a chance - I know the are ugly but with the right outfit, they are actually growing on me. Wear them with some cuffed skinnies and work them with confidence. Your feet will love you forever.My last Dansko XP last 3 years ... looking forward to the next 3 years with these ones. Didn't even need to break them in. Fit like a glove!Cheapest place was here on Amazon - well over 250$ in Canadian stores.Amazing! I was scared for the sizing but it was perfect, even better than the ones I tried in store. It’s a good idea, if one can, to go to a retailer and try them. The Dansko Shoes are not for everybody. It will give you an idea about the fit, the walking, and if you prefer the XP or not. Delivery was fast as usually. The shoes were in mint condition and the price exceptional.Love these shoes, super durable and supportive.Slippery in the kitchen.Heels are too longVery glad with the purchase. Comfy for long standing and walking after a few days wearing,