Open Back Leather Clogs

What the open heel changes

Everything about how the shoe stays on. Without a heel counter the clog is held by the instep and the ball of the foot, which means the vamp shape has to match your foot. When it does, it is the most comfortable shoe in this category and the fastest to get on and off.

Heat, which people underrate

An open heel vents. Over a twelve-hour shift the difference between an open and closed clog is noticeable, and it is a large part of why floor nurses and kitchen staff mostly end up in open backs despite the trade-offs.

The trade-offs, plainly

Stairs are harder. Running is not really possible. Uneven ground is unpleasant. And an open-back clog that is even slightly too large makes you grip with your toes on every step, which causes cramp in the short term and toe problems in the long term.

Getting the size right

Your heel should sit about a centimetre inside the back edge of the footbed. You should be able to walk normally without thinking about keeping the shoe on. If you cannot, it is too big — size down, even if the length feels correct.

Fit at the end of the day, when your feet have already swollen.

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