Every Nurse Wants to Get in Sanita Shoes; Here's Why

It’s more than only nurses clamouring for Sanita shoes. Doctors and paramedics also want them.

At a glance, they’re nursing shoes, not much more than other popular medical shoe brands. What is it that makes Sanita so special? Is it just new kid on the block popularity or is there something else?

The single answer to both of those questions: It depends on who you ask.

Let’s be honest. It was only last year we were singing the praises of Oxypas as if there were no other footwear for nurses. Nothing has changed about Oxypas. They’re still great shoes for those who have to be on their feet for three shifts in a row.

And what about Dansko, the third brand we carry? Well, we’re gonna get into some comparisons in this blog. We’ll talk about why you might prefer one over the other, and answer common questions then come up.

This is your Medshop Sanita shoe shakedown, and it’s not a dance, but if it were it would be a clogging routine.

 

Sanita versus Oxypas

In case you missed it, we covered Oxypas in this piece: 7 Reasons Oxypas is the Most Comfortable Nursing Shoe You’ll Ever Wear

To cut to the chase, there is an almost century-long gulf between these two brands.

Sanita started making clogs in 1907. Oxypas didn’t start making them until 1991. They’re also split by many seas.

Sanita is originally a Dutch company, Oxypas an Australian brand. What Oxypas does is close to the more popular brand, Crocs, but more professionally styled.

Oxypas isn’t only injection-moulded footwear. They also work in some leather in some models. One thing is for sure, Oxypas makes comfortable shoes.

They’re also quite a bit more affordable so for nursing students and those fresh out of school, Oxypas will likely be your first pair of work shoes until you get a paycheck or two under your bum bag. 

Their no-slip, non-skid, anti-static, antibiotic design is no-nonsense too, but you might want for something more modern. When you get up to speed, a pair of Sanitas will feel like an unnecessary upgrade.

A sturdy pair of Oxypas will get you through many shifts without a complaint, but when you feel like flexing your style in something a little less conservative, Sanita will be there for you.

Case in point, Sanita’s Wave professional knit shoe is both comfortable and stylish. The knit upper breathes like no other medical shoe, and they walk about like a cloud.

Speaking of walkabouts, you might think they’re comfortable enough for getting out on the trail in your free time because they’re so darn easy.

That’s probably pushing it, but it’s understandable how someone would reach that conclusion.

 

Sanita versus Dansko

If you’re wondering, “Aren’t Sanitas made by Dansko?” you’re right to feel confused, but made by? Not quite. They used to be connected. You could say that they share a heritage.

Once upon a time, Sanita produced Dansko’s footwear, but that contract ended in 2007.

That’s when the Dansko arm of Sanita, owned by a pair of Americans, moved their manufacturing elsewhere. 

When push comes to shove, the Sanita shoes are less expensive and more comfortable by many accounts. Your mileage may vary, but that's their reputation.

At the top of the comparisons, both companies produce a professional shoe, appropriate for most medical workplaces.

Unless you’re talking about the traditional stapled clogs made by both brands, which are nearly identical (see image above), Sanita’s styles can be less traditional than Dansko’s.

For this reason, Sanita tends to sway a younger but more affluent crowd, but there is no age restriction on comfort or style.

Wear what you prefer. If you’re accustomed to Dansko and see no issues with your current footwear, you might first ask yourself why you’ve read this far into this blog.

But, if you’re only curious, there’s no cause for alarm. If you’re not 100 per cent sure or curious to the extent that you want to sow your wild oats, take a pair Sanitas for a spin next time you need a fresh pair of shoes.

You might come to understand why they let the Dansko line split off.

A good place to start would be Sanita’s San Flex clog with the closed heel. It’s nearly the same clog as the one Dansko made popular in the ‘90s.

 

Where are Sanita shoes made?

The history of clogging in Denmark might go back to the 15th century (the first instance in written history was in 1481), but Sanita didn’t start making them until 1907.

For context, at that time roadways were clogged with horses, not cars, and the telephone was a hot new technology enjoyed only by the wealthy.

When Christian Meldgaard Andersen started making his wood-bottomed clogs in Denmark, he couldn’t have imagined they’d eventually have worldwide appeal.

They might be a Danish company at heart, but Sanita shoes are now made worldwide. Thankfully, they broke the traditional wood-bottomed mould in the 1980s because ouch.

Today’s Sanita fanatics can still wear a clog that nods to tradition without suffering the clopping sound of a horse when walking down the hall.

 

Where are Sanita shoes sold?

If you plan to visit Denmark any time soon, you can definitely find a pair of Sanita shoes. For the rest of us, they have distributors in over 50 countries, Australia included.

They produce far more than clog, with more non-clog lines these days. Many workers the work round know the brand as their most comfortable shoes.

Country by country, different distributors carry Sanita. At home in Australia, you’ll find what you need as a medical professional in our catalogue under footwear.

 

Are Sanita shoes good for your feet?

For the record, we’re not podiatrists. Nobody at Medshop could say beyond a shred of a doubt that any one brand is good for your feet.

Every professional is going to have to find out firsthand what works best for her feet. That said, most of the shoes we carry will work for most people who have feet.

That’s not to say they’ll be good for your feet, which is a complicated matter that could occupy an entire blog of its own. Some believe vehemently that shoes themselves are not good for the feet, but good luck showing up to work without a pair.

There are certainly shoes out there which would be bad for your feet, none of which we carry. So, by process of elimination, one could argue Sanitas are good for your feet.

They’re not only breathable, anti-slip, antistatic, and super comfy, they look stylish with a faux-denim finished upper.

They’ll also receive cramping, which may relieve back pain, and other discomforts so yeah they’re good for your feet. They’re good for your whole body.

Of course, if you have questions about footwear, contact us at Medshop. We would be more than happy to help you land on the right pair of shoes for work.