“I was looking around, and noticed something in common and made me curious.. why do nurses wear clogs?”
This was a friend talking about her visit to the hospital for a routine exam and how she noticed most of the staff was wearing some form of clogs.
If you’re a nurse or healthcare professional, you already know how common clogs are among your coworkers. You probably either own a pair or have owned them in the past.
Clogs – those ugly, clunky, funky-looking shoes that aren’t ever going to see the lights of a fashion show runway. But who cares? They’re soooooooo, comfortable.
Ok, maybe I’m being a little unfair. Clogs have come a long way since the Dutch made them famous way back when. Now you can buy lots of different styles and colors. And the EVA injection-molded cushiony foam they’re made from is like walking on marshmallows.
It’s no wonder that they’ve taken the healthcare profession by storm. They’re comfortable, they provide support and stability, the shell protects your feet and they’re easy to clean.
Everyone from neurosurgeons to nursing students are donning the clogs.
So let’s take a look at the clog, what it is, it’s history and then we’ll give you the top 10 reasons nurses love wearing clogs.
Maybe you’ll become a clog convert if you aren’t wiggling your toes in a pair right now.
What Exactly Is A Clog?
Alright, let’s get all History Channel on the clog.
Ask someone what where the clog comes from and they’ll likely say that it comes from the Netherlands. You know, the little Dutch boy with his finder in the dike?
While that’s correct – technically the clog is an upgrade of the Roman calceus shoe, which was a wooden sole with leather wrappings.
The Dutch improved upon it by carving the entire shoe out of a piece of wood that encased the foot for protection against injury and the elements.
Throughout the years, clogs have been improved by using better, lighter and sturdier materials, but the basic concept is the same.
Though the original clogs were backless, today they may have an enclosed heel, a low back, or a heel strap with the same basic design.
Here Are Some Basic Clog Features:
- Enclosed, one-piece shell over the toes and foot
- May have a slight heel
- Backless, slip-on design
- Low back
- Heel strap
You can go for clogs that are all one piece of injection-molded foam or try a dressier pair made from nice leather.
Similar to the clog is the mule. A mule is basically a clog with a fully-enclosed back on it. Simple as that.
What Are The Top-Selling Brands Of Clogs?
We’re not going to recommend any brands or types of clogs here, but we’ll give you the top-selling brands that you can check out on your own.
- Dansko’s Professional Clogs
- Alegria clogs
- Crocs work clogs
- Clark’s clogs
- OOFOS clogs
Why Do Nurses Wear Clogs?
Comfort.
There’s really not any other reason you’re likely to hear first. Sure, they’re easy to clean and have support, etc. but really it all comes down to what shoe isn’t going to leave your feet blistered and aching after a 14-hour night shift. If you are looking for other options, to help you spare with the pain while on duty we got the best shoes for nurses with back pain.
Clogs – hands down.
Let’s look at the 10 most common reasons nurses give as to why they love wearing clogs on the job.
1. Comfort
Remember when I said wearing clogs was like walking on marshmallows – yeah, it’s like that. What kind of shoe do you want your feet in for a long shift at the hospital? The roomy toebox gives you plenty of room and the thick, cushioned soles provide plenty of shock absorption.
2. Support
As a nurse, you need good support not just for your arches, but for your entire foot. That support that the molded footbed gives you make sure you’re firmly planted to keep you safer when you’re say, moving a patient. That support is also good for your feet, ankles, knees and back.
3. Non-slip Soles
A non-slip sole is a must-have safety feature for nurses who are working around spills of all kinds of messy fluids.
4. Foot Protection
The enclosed toebox will protect your feet and toes from liquids and some falling objects – hey, these aren’t steel-toed boots.
5. Room To Spare
Did I mention that they have a roomy toebox? Your piddies will have plenty of breathing room – great for people with wide feet.
6. Good For Foot Problems
If you’ve got any foot problems like bunions or plantar fasciitis, clogs are a lifesaver. Clogs have everything you need to manage foot pain: shock absorption, arch support, and room. Finding the right type of footwear is step 1 for having proper foot care, if you think it is the right time to give them TLC (Tender Loving Care) our blog on how to prevent plantar fasciitis is your life-saver.
7. Easy To Clean
Most clogs are EVA injection-molded foam, patent leather, or oiled leather and since the toebox is all one piece, clogs usually just need a quick wipe down to remove any spills or splatters.
8. Helps With Back Pain
All that support we mentioned above – great for back pain. Many people report that clogs make them feel like everything from their feet to the top of their spine feels more aligned in clogs.
9. Easy To Wear
Slide feet in – wear. It’s as easy as that. No laces, buckles, or Velcro straps to worry about.
10. Fashionable
Ok, I’m just kidding – clogs are still funky shoes. But now you can buy them in a myriad of colors, prints, and styles.
I hope that answers your question if you’re looking around a busy hospital and see multiple nurses and doctors wearing clogs. They seem to be specially made for people in healthcare that spend extended hours on their feet and need their shoes to be functional, safe, and easy to clean while still being comfortable.
Maybe you should check out some clogs today?
TIP: Not a clog person? We also have shared potential options in our best shoes for surgeons that will suit any health worker footwear need.
Are you a nurse who likes wearing clogs? We’d love to hear from you.