Issue link: https://viewer.e-digitaledition.com/i/1495303
are looking for is durable upper materials so that they can wipe off fluids without damage to the shoe." —Megan Gold, design director, Alegria "Support and durability. Styling is always important, but first and foremost, a shoe needs to work for you, not against you. While many healthcare and hospitality workers have recently opted for unstructured sneakers, we are seeing them return to our purposely overbuilt professional clogs for the foot benefits that their other shoes just cannot deliver. Oen, when your shi ends, you still have a lot of day ahead of you: leaving work with foot and lower body exhaustion is simply not a compromise that our customers are willing to make." —Matthew Tracy, M. Leonard International Inc. (Sanita distributor) "e most important attribute to someone who spends long periods of time on their feet is comfort. Footwear is a crucial component to how the body feels aer a long day on hard surfaces. We believe in long term comfort, so we exclusively use Polyurethane underfoot to ensure our comfort never quits. e second trait is going to be cleanability. Healthcare workers' shoes can be exposed to a variety of fluids and other pathogens that require quick clean up. Finally, most healthcare and hospitality workers want their shoes to be easy to slip on and off so that their feet can get some fresh air any time they have a second to rest…which isn't oen." —Matt Dieckhaus, VP sales and marketing, Latitudes Inc. (KLOGS and mōshn) "Healthcare workers are on their feet all day and night. With that, they need continuous comfort and support for standing and walking for long hours. e Peony also offers easy on and off access when needed." —Kitty Bolinger, EVP of sales and marketing, Dansko "Top traits healthcare workers (or anyone working long hours on their feet) should be looking for are support, slip-resistance and easy-clean. Shoes with an excellent foundation are key. No to dead flat shoes, no to shoes that lack cushioning, and lack support contouring. No to high heels that increase pressure under the forefoot. No to shoes that don't hold onto your foot well. If you're on your feet for long hours, you need a shoe that fits well, and feels like supportive cushions under your feet. I'm a firm believer in a shoe that has a sole and a footbed that are not too hard, and not too so—this is optimal to reduce foot and leg symptoms. Ideally, a footbed that cradles the heel and supports the arch are features that enable women to go about their day with a spring in their step." —Caroline McCullough, Founder & Designer, B. Podiatry, FRANKIE4 How Brands Are Delivering on Consumer Needs: Sanita: e brand's tech is pretty traditional: Podiatrist-certified design and quality hand-crasmanship performed by its own team in its factory in Europe. Says Tracy, "Just as we have for over 100 years, Sanita footwear can both prevent foot fatigue and injury and Left, Sanita's Trident is a $123 style that pairs well with popular jogger style scrubs and includes features such as slip-resistant soles and anti-bacterial footbeds. Right, the mōshn Pulse provides stability and support and is machine-washable. Alegria's Solstyce in Tapioca and the fluid-resistant Eclips in Pansy Power, both $149.95, are on-trend for healthcare style and packed with tech details. footwearinsight.com March/April 2023 ~ Footwear Insight • 43