Monica and Jean are too polite to mention that, when it comes to my devotion to Dansko shoes, I sound like a broken record (a quaint term!) I was introduced to them during a bleak bout of plantar fasciitis. The fit was extraordinarily comfortable. The heel height seemed to relieve the pressure of fasciitis.
The runners’ quest: maintain happy feet. I can stand or walk endlessly in my Danskos’. Once, I inadvertently hiked in them for 7 kilometers (each way) through sun baked southern France during a blistering heat wave. (Our beach destination, the Calanques de Cassis was dazzling!) My feet felt fine and the experience cemented my long term, monogamous relationship with Dansko.
Dansko was founded in 1990 by a Danish couple. Each style features “a roomy toe box” (to promote circulation), a “stress reducing bottom” and exceptional arch support. They have become the shoe of choice for professionals who spend a great deal of time on their feet; nurses, doctors and chefs.
To those fashionistas leery of being mistaken for said medical professional or hobbit, re-consider Danskos. They are not high style or cutting edge, but Dansko offers heels, sleek sandals, shoes (clunky and not so), all kinds of clogs and boots (okay- the boots are rather elfin.)
Dansko’s are not cheap. I usually search out styles and fit at high end comfort shoe stores, then buy my pair (broken record alert!) New In Box (NIB) on EBay. They generally cost half as much.
A warning: we Dansko wearers are known to be cultish. We will accost Dansko-wearing strangers to discuss their shoe choice and have been known to rhapsodize about by gone styles.
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I’ve just discovered your site, so forgive me if I’m commenting on ancient posts. But…boy can I relate to this one! I had a horrible bout of p.f. that led to a six-month layoff. Ever since, I am an orthotics user in everything but my Danskos! I was so happy to discover just one type of shoes that gives me that freedom. No, they’re not high fashion, but then, my lifestyle rarely calls for high fashion, so I love them.
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