Most footwear traits come and go, however one fashion that’s garnered a group of lifelong fans? The ever-practical, trendy but quirky clog. This stalwart group — of which I’m a proud member — can rattle off a plethora of causes for our devotion to the clog. The consolation! The benefit! The help and understated practical stylish (which many people lovingly check with as “ugly chic”)!
However after all, one of the best particular person to ask about whether or not clogs are actually price their salt is an expert — particularly, a podiatrist.
Huffpost spoke to podiatrist Dr. Saylee Tulpule about her skilled tackle clog fandom. Tulpule is predicated in Washington, D.C. and Maryland and is energetic on Instagram as @thesoledoctor.
Tulpule defined that people who spend quite a lot of time on their toes usually get pleasure from clogs due to their built-in arch help, their steadily added comfortable cushioning and the easy-on, easy-off slip-on fashion. That’s why “clogs are traditionally worn by professionals who stand all day: nurses, teachers, doctors, chefs, etc.,” she wrote. Clogs are additionally usually slip-resistant and waterproof, an additional advantage for energetic professionals, Tulpule added.
The beloved footwear may also be helpful for these with sure medical circumstances. Particularly, “Clogs can be comfortable for people that suffer from flat feet, heel pain, tendonitis or even lower back issues due to the degree of arch support and cushion,” Tulpule mentioned.
That mentioned, you could need to keep away from vogue clogs with excessive heels over three inches, which may result in tripping and doubtlessly pressure your Achilles tendon, Tulpule famous. As well as, clogs with overly agency picket soles won’t present the identical cushiony help and thus can “aggravate flat feet,” she added.
So long as you stick with a sensible fashion with out excessive heels and picket soles, clogs are probably the greatest comfortable, supportive all-day footwear you’ll discover. The most effective ones to stay to, based on Tulpule? These from Dansko, Birkenstock and Sanita manufacturers. She famous that the Dansko model additionally carries the American Podiatrist Medical Affiliation’s Seal of Approval.
Based mostly on Tulpule’s suggestions, we rounded up a few of the bestselling Dansko, Birkenstock and Sanita clogs so that you can try, beneath. And, in case you do fall in love with the clog as I as soon as did, congratulations — you’re now a part of probably the greatest footwear fandoms round.
The bestselling, ultra-comfy leather-based Dansko clog
“The manufacturers that I counsel my sufferers to analysis are Dansko [which has the] American Podiatrist Medical Affiliation’s Seal of Approval, Birkenstock and Sanita,” Dr. Saylee Tulpule, a podiatrist based mostly in Washington, D.C and Maryland, advised HuffPost.
“For my patients that are professionals, I [recommend] a closed back clog for additional support and minimal risk to ‘coming out of the shoe,'” Tulpule added.
Based mostly on Tulpule’s advice, we chosen this bestselling slip-on, closed-back Dansko clog. I personal and have walked miles upon miles on this clog. As soon as sufficiently damaged in, this factor proved unparalleled to another shoe I’ve owned as a consequence of its long-lasting consolation and built-in arch help (which I particularly recognize for my broad, flat toes).
This traditional Dansko fashion is offered in dozens of designs and colours at Amazon, however I really like its oiled black fashion; they supply a put-together vibe that is served me nicely all over the place from formal work environments to working errands and drinks out. I even wore these clogs out clubbing as soon as, and whereas admittedly I used to be the one one there in clogs, I will wager I used to be the happiest and positively essentially the most pain-free. Evidently, these Danskos have been a real love affair for me.
The fashion additionally sports activities a two-inch heel, which supplies my 5’2″ body a enjoyable top enhance.
The shoe, pictured in oiled black, is offered in girls’s sizes 5-15 and in broad and slender sizes. Regardless that I’ve broad toes, I opted for the common sizing and was simply wonderful. For one of the best match, purpose for a pinky-length hole between the again of your foot and the shoe’s heel.
Birkenstock
The impressively durable Super-Birki from Birkenstock
This quintessentially ugly-chic clog (a praise, based on clog lovers!) is as resilient and sensible because it seems. It is designed to actually repel dust, oil and grease, plus is water resistant. The clog’s squishy cork-latex footbed is designed to anatomically match the foot for max consolation and help. The shoe can also be lined with moisture-wicking cloth to reduce stench. You possibly can even throw this within the washer as much as 140 levels Fahrenheit. Even I, a longstanding Dansko lover, am impressed. This may simply be my subsequent decide for myself.
The Birkenstock Tremendous-Birki clog is offered in as much as 10 colours, together with neutrals and vibrant brights like yellow, inexperienced and pink, in girls’s sizes 4-12.5 and in males’s sizes 6-15.5.
Birkenstock
The cult-favorite Boston clog from Birkenstock
If you prefer an open-back clog, that’s just fine, according to Tulpule. “It is actually one’s choice whether or not to put on a mule-type clog vs a closed toe,” Tulpule wrote. “A backless clog can be simpler to slide into and scale back possibilities of friction on the heel counter.”
Folks are absolutely obsessed with this open-back Birkenstock style, which you’ll find everywhere from college campuses to startup offices and your favorite local walking trail. Birkenstock admits it’s the brand’s “most wanted clog,” little question because of the pillowy comfortable footbed which molds to your foot as you put on it. Plus, the shoe is notoriously light-weight, so you may really feel energized as an alternative of weighed down as you go about your day.
The Birkenstock Boston clog has a comfortable suede leather-based higher and an opulent suede leather-based lining. It is accessible in as much as six colours, common/broad and medium/slender widths, girls’s sizes 4-12.5 and males’s sizes 6-17.5.
Birkenstock
The Birkenstock Tokio clog, the cozy-supportive hybrid we’ve all been waiting for
Fully lined with actual shearling, Birkenstock’s Tokio clog is like in case your favourite slippers become precise footwear. The clog’s deliciously cozy lining — paired with the model’s notoriously comfortable contoured footbed — will make you by no means need to take these off.
Outfitted with a suede higher and adjustable back and front straps, the clog is available in two colours, males’s sizes 6.5-13.5 and girls’s sizes 4-12.5.
Amazon
A stylish yet practical open-backed Dansko clog
Dansko’s Ingrid clog balances practical versatility with a classically trendy look. Its stylish strap might be worn throughout the shoe’s entrance (as pictured) for an understated skilled vibe, or swung behind the heel for additional help whilst you’re on the go.
Plus, as with Dansko‘s different footwear, the open-back clog has nice anti-stub safety due to its bolstered toe field, a snug padded instep and a shock-absorbing backside that conveniently helps propel you ahead as you stroll. (I really like the rocker-bottom characteristic particularly: I discover it does assist propel me ahead once I’m getting drained from strolling!)
Seize the Ingrid clog in three colours and in girls’s sizes 4.5-12.
Amazon
An extra-soft, cushiony Dansko mule for cozy seasonal wear
With a thick shearling cuff and a sweater-like lining, Dansko’s Magda clog is a superb alternative for folk in search of the arch help clogs are recognized for — with some additional heat and luxury.
The comfortable clog is made with a bouncy cork midsole and a non-slip rubber outsole that’ll stand the take a look at of inclement outdoors climate.
Seize it in two colours and in girls’s sizes 5.5-12.
Amazon
A timeless sling-back Dansko clog
This classically trendy sling-back mule includes a cushioned leather-based footbed, a snug cork sole and a moisture-absorbing lining particularly designed to reduce foot odor.
It is accessible in as much as 5 colours and girls’s sizes 5.5-12.
Amazon
Some extra-colorful Sanita clogs
These enjoyable Sanita hues allow you to categorical your daring character with out saying a phrase — whereas delivering all of the consolation and arch help that makes clogs so beloved.
They’re accessible in as much as six colours, together with vibrant purple, fuschia and olive, and in girls’s sizes 3.5-12.
Amazon
A stylish Sanita clog with a chic outlined strap
This closed-back, patent leather-based fashion from Sanita provides a shock-absorbing outsole and a snug cushioned footbed. It additionally sports activities built-in arch help designed to stop foot and again fatigue, plus a moisture-wicking insole to assist minimize down on sweat and foot odor.
The mounted strap provides some understated character and elegance to this foot-loving fashion.
It is accessible in 4 colours and in girls’s sizes 4.5-11.
Amazon
A popular open back Dansko style with a two-inch heel
This Sonja mule from Dansko sports activities a bolstered toe to guard you from stubbing your toes and a singular rocking-bottom sole that is designed to propel you ahead as you stroll. The clog helps reduce heel friction as a consequence of its backless fashion, plus is made with a large heel for added stability and a snug padded instep.
To nobody’s shock, I additionally wore this backless Dansko for a few years. Past its sensible options — of which there are delightfully many — I liked the laidback vibe its open-back fashion supplied, plus the chance to point out off my assortment of enjoyable socks (that are normally obscured by closed heels). I additionally discovered that the shoe did propel me ahead as I walked — a fantastic characteristic for once you get drained!
It is accessible with leather-based and cloth uppers, in as much as 5 colours and in girls’s sizes 4.5-12.
