So, you are a nurse or nursing student wondering what type of nursing shoes that are the best shoes for nurses to wear. You have probably heard from your fellow colleagues and other nursing students that Dansko and Nurse Mates are the best shoes on the market for nurses. From my experience as a registered nurse most nurses wear either Dansko or Nurse Mate nursing shoes. However, there are a few nurses who wear other brands of nursing shoes but I hear the most positive feedback about these brands.
So what brand should you go with….Dansko or Nurse Mates…decisions, decisions? Since I’m a registered nurse who is familiar with both brands I will give you my opinion on both of them and you can choose for yourself. First let’s begin with Dansko!
Dansko Nursing Shoes-Are They A Good Brand?
Dansko nursing shoes have been on the market for a while and are a trusted brand among health care workers. These shoes are not only worn by nurses but doctors, nurse practitioners, nursing assistant, and other health care professionals. It is very important to health care workers that they wear shoes that are comfortable to them because they are on their feet most of their shift. Most nurses work 12 long grueling hours and if your feet aren’t happy….you definitely won’t be happy. Dansko nursing shoes are made specifically with this in mind. This is what makes them better than off brand shoes.
Dansko shoes are slip resistant which is very important as nurses because we can not afford to fall while at work. They are also designed with a wider heel to improve stability when walking. How many times have you “rolled” your foot sideways due to bad designed shoes…..ouch! I have rolled my foot many times and if you do it good enough you could lose some working days. These shoes also provide a soft and wide backing for your heel to help improve comfort and support with shock absorption material as well….this is especially good if you place a lot of your weight on your heels. Another great thing is that Dankso provides shoes for people who have wide or narrow feet. Aside from all of that, Dansko has many colors to offer from white, black, to brown, red, and pattern designs. Dansko also provides a great warranty on their shoes which most off brands do not even have a warranty. They only thing that most people don’t like about the Dansko shoes is the cost. Dansko shoes cost around $100 which really isn’t that bad considering the quailty of shoes you are getting and the warranty.
I know from experience that they more you spend on your nursing shoes the better quality you will receive. When I first started out I bought a pair of $10 walmart shoes and my feet hurt within 5 hours of working so I had to get rid of them and invest into some real nursing shoes.
So where can you buy Dansko nursing shoes? Amazon.com has some great deals on these shoes and they tend to be cheaper than local nursing stores.
*link advert: see disclosure at end of the post.
Nurse Mates Nursing Shoes
Nurse Mates nursing shoes are another type of shoes preferred by nurses hence the brand name “nurse mates” lol. Contrary, to Dansko, Nurse Mates are shoes made just for nurses. They are specifically made to be light weight (a plus because you don’t want to feel like you are walking around with bricks on your feet all day long). Nurse Mates come is several different styles and designs compared to Dansko which seems to offer mostly clogs.
However, Nurse Mates tend to come in only white or black…sometimes white with gray design compared to Dansko who make a more wide variety of nursing shoes. Nurse Mate shoes contain a pillowtop footbed and are made with material that is stain resistant.
In addition, Nurse Mates are a little more cheaper in price compared to Dansko. You can buy a pair of Nurse Mates off of Amazon.com.
Overall, Dansko and Nurse Mate nursing shoes each have their pros and cons. Really they are both exceptionally great nursing shoes but it comes down to personal preferences. Some nurses prefer Dansko and others prefer Nurse Mates. I love them both and find them both worth the money. If you are interested in buying these shoes be sure to check out our nursing store powered by Amazon.com for great deals on these shoes.
*Disclosure: The items recommended in this article are recommendations based on our own honest personal opinion and experience. We are an affiliate with Amazon.com, and when you buy the products recommended by us, you help support this site.