Need shoes that will help me stay upright.

September 9, 2012 10:18 AM

Help me replace my Danskos with shoes that won't make me fall over.

I have loved my black Danskos for years, except for one major thing: about every six-eight months, while wearing them, I twist my ankle and fall over. Last night's was the last straw. But now I need shoes that do the things I really wanted them to do.

Key things:
- black
- reasonably water resistant -- I live in Portland, OR, and these will be cold-weather shoes.
- good with or without socks
- looks good with pants or skirts; vaguely femme
- good for walking -- I regularly walk 2-5 miles just in my daily activities, and I'm not into heels
- not boots -- I have a great pair of boots
- I prefer shoes without laces
- not likely to make me fall over

They don't need to be especially fashionable (come on, I wear Danskos), but I'm 27 and would like to wear shoes that don't make me feel like my grandmother. I would also like them to last for as long as possible, and as a result, I am willing to spend what's necessary to buy well-made shoes. The last pair of attempted Dansko replacements were some Keen mary janes, which didn't last the year.

So, what do you recommend?

posted by linettasky to shopping (20 answers total)

Tsubos Aftenia?
posted by pickypicky at 10:24 AM on September 9, 2012 [2 favorites]

I have exactly that problem with Danskos - something about the shapes of the soles does that to me. I've had some luck with Clarks Privos - the exact style of black flats I get from them varies year to year, but they usually have something slip-on that fits the bill. They last a long time, my picky feet can happily walk in them, and they don't do that "randomly makes you fall over" thing. My current pair is from last year so it's not quite the same, but it's similar to this pair.
posted by Stacey at 10:39 AM on September 9, 2012 [1 favorite]

I abandoned my Danskos while pregnant/slinging newborn for the very same reason, and have returned to them because of the added height and how easy they are to get in and out of (and now it's just my body I'll injure). It's the sole being sightly smaller than the upper combined with the hard right angle of the sole against the ground that causes them to act this way. Most shoes have some sole that extends beyond your literal footprint, and therefore aren't as tippy.

Other shoes I tried:
- Earth
- Naots
- Wolky
posted by Yoshimi Battles at 11:27 AM on September 9, 2012 [3 favorites]

When I'm not teetering along in my Danskos, I am nicely grounded in my Naots.
posted by apparently at 11:28 AM on September 9, 2012

I had a pair of Ariat clogs that I wore to death. They don't make the same style anymore but they were very similar to these.
posted by essexjan at 11:58 AM on September 9, 2012

I have the exact same problem with Danskos! I'm relieved to find out I'm not the only one. I second the Earth recommendation - same general aesthetic and focus on comfort, much less likely to make you fall over.
posted by lunasol at 12:13 PM on September 9, 2012

Another clog lover here, and I know just what you mean about turning your ankle in Danskos. I feared I would have to give up clogs until, on a vacation to your fair city, I wandered into the Clogmaster store. While there, I was fitted for custom clogs and ordered a pair. It took a few days to get them broken in, but they are perfect. No slipping, no turned ankles, and I can walk all day in them. The difference is remarkable, and the custom clogs were only about 20% more expensive than Danskos.
posted by DrGail at 1:04 PM on September 9, 2012 [1 favorite]

Haflinger: not particularly 'femme', but comfortable and solidly-made.
posted by easily confused at 1:57 PM on September 9, 2012

I have no experience with them other than coveting a pair, but Alegrias are aimed at that same "on-your-feet-all-day" market and have some super cute looks.
posted by KathrynT at 3:11 PM on September 9, 2012

I totally recommend the Alegrias - I just got this pair and they are already vastly superiour to the Danskos I had before.
posted by guster4lovers at 3:20 PM on September 9, 2012

Campers! Those have a little bit of color on them, but there are some plain black options as well. Super comfy, very well made, and usually interesting looking. I wore a pair of their heels while schlepping around Europe one summer, walking for hours every day, and my feet never hurt.
posted by dizziest at 3:25 PM on September 9, 2012

Portlander? Multnomah Leather. I grew up in these - wooden sole, custom made, wear like iron.

Danskos make me tip over too; it's the synthetic sole, and it's just too squishy for me. Have you tried on the various things sold at Clogs-n-More on Hawthorne? There are some similarities in the Troentorp line with a wooden sole.
posted by catlet at 3:39 PM on September 9, 2012 [1 favorite]

I also have my eye on a pair of Alegrias, and have the same unfortunate problem with Danskos.
posted by thegreatfleecircus at 4:42 PM on September 9, 2012

I have clogs similar to the Ariat Bella and they made me break up with Dansko.
posted by BibiRose at 5:25 PM on September 9, 2012

I gave up on Danskos/Sanitas for work, after constantly turning my heel, and for them (literally) rubbing me the wrong way. I am now wearing Mozo's Forza. It has the same clog look, but fits like a regular shoe. And comes with three foot inserts, for a customized fit. I am a server and my shifts range from 4-7 hours, and these shoes are absolutely comfortable, all the way through my shifts. I've had mine for 4 months now, and they still look perfect.
posted by Xere at 6:25 PM on September 9, 2012

My Alegria Palomas are my go-to now that I've put the Danskos away for good. With socks, with tights, with nothing, I love how they look and my first pair has seen me through a lot of time on my feet. They have removable insoles (for orthotics, which I don't usually wear), and come in lots of variations on my favorite color: black.
posted by S'Tella Fabula at 6:58 PM on September 9, 2012

I also love Danskos and live in Portland! And I also sometimes turn my ankle, unfortunately. Lately I've enjoyed some of the newer styles of Danskos, like the Reeny, and I've found them to be as comfy as the Professionals, with no ankle-turning.
posted by bluedaisy at 9:42 PM on September 9, 2012

I love Keen's. They have different styles and great colors. My dansko's are in the back of my closet waiting to go to the thrift store.
posted by cairnoflore at 2:45 AM on September 10, 2012

When Danskos started being produced by a different company, I switched over to Keens, Clark's, Born and Ahnu.
posted by pixiecrinkle at 8:18 AM on September 10, 2012

Thanks, y'all. I think the Campers are most along the lines of what I'm looking for -- I should have mentioned that I'm not wedded to the clog aesthetic (although I am very familiar with the Clogmaster store -- every time my father-in-law is in town, we go there).

It is also reassuring to hear that I'm not the only person who falls over in Danskos!
posted by linettasky at 1:19 PM on September 10, 2012