You search for the most reliable and the best shoes for nurses, I know. Hardly you’ll find a profession that is more satisfying than nursing. Nurses have the chance and privilege of being able to help other people feel better.
They are present when woman’s welcome new life, they listen. A hospital is never complete without a nurse in white uniform or in scrubs walking up and down the halls. She carry charts, talk to doctors and take care of patients.
However, all that work, running and long hours of standing up can be quite exhausting for the feet and legs. That’s why nurses need to have the best comfortable nursing shoes adjusted to their own needs, style preferences, and foot sizes.
Here’s a personal testimony regarding the best shoes for nurses from a Nurse with 10 years of experience:
“Have you ever thought long and hard about what shoe is best for your feet. There are so many choices and little is known about the product other than what you see, touch, smell and feel.
There are so many brands to choose from. But what is it about the shoe that lets the customer decide what is best for our feet. I have in mind two brands of shoes and truly feel that both pairs are the best for my feet.”
So, my journey to search for the best shoes for nurses got to an end after researching so many customer reviews. I finally discovered the 8 very best nurse shoes that offer true quality for their price. Let us look at my detailed nursing shoes reviews.
Top 8 Best Shoes for Nurses Reviews
AlegriaPaloma Flat
- Comfort 5/5
- Our Rating 5/5
Skechers PerformanceMen's Go Walk 3 Slip-On
- Comfort 5/5
- Our Rating 4.9/5
AlegriaWomen's Classic Clog
- Comfort 4.8/5
- Our Rating 4.9/5
DanskoProfessional Tooled
- Comfort 4.6/5
- Our Rating 4.5/5
AlegriaWomen's Belle Mary Jane Flat
- Comfort 4.8/5
- Our Rating 4.5/5
DanskoWomen's Professional Clog
- Comfort 4.5/5
- Our Rating 4.4/5
BirkenstockUnisex Arizona Sandal
- Comfort 4.6/5
- Our Rating 4.4/5
DanskoWomen's Pro Xp Mule Shoe
- Comfort 4.4/5
- Our Rating 4.3/5
What is usually picked as the best shoes for nurses?
Research says that Alegria shoes are the best shoes for nurses
If you are looking for the best shoes for nurses, Alegria Shoes is always your best choice for all features. Price and quality is great too.
#1. Alegria Women’s Paloma Flat
(recommended)
Our Favorite Nursing Shoes are Alegria Women’s Paloma Flat. The Alegria Women’s Paloma Flat is what happiness looks like! Set in a cute animal-print upper, this Mary Jane offers button detailing. They will become a daily routine because of how comfy they are.
Feature highlights
- Leather – These style shoes are made from high quality leather.
- Superior arch support, leather lining, hand sewn, and a lot of room in the toe room.
- Mild rocker outsole created to roll naturally for a proper posture.
- Adjustable hook and loop strap allowing for a custom fit – You know… how you where used with.
- Cork, memory foam insoles and polymer loaded footbed create a ‘perfect fit’ by forming to the natural contours of your foot.
- A comfortable flatform sole that is made with a high patent-leather upper in this cool Mary Jane.
Note: Alegria has footwear for weekdays and weekends. From nursing shoes, sandals and to boots and clogs. The large variety of styles can fit your signature look and your needs.
A timeless style with an Alegria twist, the Paloma is the perfect shoe for any occasion. This easy-fit Mary Jane features multiple designs with unique ornamentation.
Alegria asks, “What does happiness look like?”
Whatever color or pattern you choose, with Alegria you’re sure to have happy feet. Each shoe in Alegria’s collection, from clogs to mary janes to sandals, is developed with features that promote health. Feel the comfort that comes from a natural step created by a solid bottom. Solid support and comfort from an body shaped designed insole that’s removable to your sizes.
Alegria shoes are built to suit your lifestyle. Select from everyday styles and a range made to stand up to professional wear in hospitals, kitchens and other demanding environments.
Check on Amazon.com Read full review#2. Skechers Performance Women’s Go Walk 4 Propel Walking Shoe
Created in luxurious treads with the Skechers Performance Women’s Go Walk 4 Propel walking shoes in head. This walking shoe is made of synthetic and fabric and has stitching details along with the fabric top that stretches easily. It comes with a pull on heel loop and with a roomy forefoot for an easy on-off enhanced fit.
Under the foot, it’s an Ortholite footbed with an unsurpassed comfort and an anti microbial sock liner that stops the bad odor. The Resalyte midsole balance a great shock absorption with a cushioning support. The best part of this shoe is the flexible outsole with sensors from GOimpulse that gives an enhanced sensory feedback. Choose the Men’s Skechers Go Walk 3 walking shoe for its matchless practicality and performance.
Skechers is an important player and an award-winning leader in the footwear industry. They brainstorm, develop, and market lifestyle footwear that target the trend-savvy people.
Skechers success comes from it’s diversified, high quality, and affordable product line that meets consumers lifestyle needs. Since when was founded in ’92, the Skechers diverse product line has grown massively. From utility boots to include 7 Skechers brands and 5 branded fashion lines for women and men.
Check on Amazon.com Read full review#3. Alegria Women’s Classic Clog
The original “Happy Clog” that started it all. The Classic clog is available in a wide range of colors and patterns to match your favorite wardrobe. It has adjustable side buckle, a mild slip-resistant rocker outsole and wide and medium width styles.
It’s no wonder that the Classic clog has been a bestseller year after year. Suitable for casual wear and also perfect for any job fields for its ability to provide comfort and support.
Check on Amazon.com Read full review#4. Dansko Women’s Professional Tooled Clog
Great tooling design defines the Dansko Professional Tooled clog. Set in a leather upper, this women’s shoe offers a nice embossed work. The Dansko clog has all the comfort features the company has come to be known for.
Arch support and firm foot. A defined midsole with shock absorption, spacious toe box and a rocker sole to keep your feet comfortable. Dansko Professional Tooled clog are a good choice for many.
If you stay many hours on your feet, you need to use a pair from the collection named Dansko’s Professional Clogs. Each has a polymer rocker-bottom sole, designed to protect the feet. Helping you stay on the move from the stress of standing or walking, and to propel the foot forward.
Check on Amazon.com Read full review#5. Alegria Women’s Belle Mary Jane Flat
The Belle Mary Jane have a light small rocker outsole. This shoe gives all the comfort found in a medium rocker but with a thinner silhouette.
The footbed is removable for the custom orthotics.
The nonslip PU outsole was made to reduce the central metatarsal pressure of the heel. The bottom part is flat for an increase stability and it’s a slip resistant sole. It’s rocker outsole put you in the gait cycle. Then resulting in less tired feet and body at the end of the day.
#6. Dansko Women’s Professional Clog
The iconic professional, the clog loved by many, delivers unbeatable comfort and all-day support.
Ohhh, Dansko. The well known shoe brand that many nurses are used with. Having a good feel on our feet.
With decent arch support and comfort, allowing us to work many hours in our feet. With a fabulous style in a range of heel heights, they make us feel very cozy.
Peter Kjellerup and Mandy Cabot have discovered the world’s most comfortable shoe in a tiny shop. The shop was located in Denmark in the 90s. They offered some Dansko’s pairs to their friends and they just loved it. And just like that, a successful shoe company was born.
Dansko not only sells their standard clogs, but also boots, heels, sandals, and flats too! Dansko DNA strong points are materials and construction to promote good foot, leg and back health.
It will allow you to stand better, for long periods of time in work shoes. Say goodbye when choosing between feeling good and looking good. And say hello to having it all.
Check on Amazon.com Read full review#7. Birkenstock Unisex Arizona Sandal
Comfortable sandals with holes for adjustments and a medium width. The Birko-Flor upper is made from a soft material for comfort and has a soft leather feel finish.
Good shape on the body and a good cork foot bed helps the foot health. Birkenstock, Style Number: 51791.
Check on Amazon.com Read full review#8. Dansko – Women’s Pro Xp Mule Shoe
Great comfort and feel, give this well known clog type, all what you need for staying all day on your feet’s. A cushioned footbed that is removable and an outsole that is slip-resistant. They will keep you on the go in the Pro XP clog.
REMEMBER! Most people have two different sized feet. Make sure to try both of the clogs and fit them to a larger foot.
The Seal of Acceptance from APMA is awarded to products of great quality that promote a good foot health. Which are manufactured with consumer’s comfort and safety in mind.
Check on Amazon.com Read full reviewThe health benefits of walking in the best shoes for nurses
The cardiac benefits of the act of just simple walking are organically plausible. Walkink, like other types of regular and moderate exercise, improves the cardiac diseases risk factor. Factors as diabetes, cholesterol, obesity, vascular stiffness, blood pressure, inflammation, and mental stress.
Consider other moderate exercise programs and walking if you can’t do intense exercises. They will help against obesity, dementia, peripheral artery disease, colon cancer, diabetes, depression, even erectile dysfunction.
See how important is walking? Imagine how much would help a pair of good healthy nurse shoes with it.
Some of the benefits of working and walking in nursing shoes are less foot pain and less back pain. They also assist in balance. They also prevent spinal issues, reduce stress, absorbs shocks discomfort and many more.
I also suggest wearing some support socks, too. They can help with leg fatigue and also help prevent varicose veins and plantar fasciitis.
…But be careful, not all nurse shoes are good!
Do nurses and doctors are wearing a specific type of shoe?
Many doctors, including podiatrists, recommend nursing clogs to patients with foot ailments. The American Podiatric Medical Association has given the Seal of Acceptance to Dansko (a leading clogs brand). After precisely calculating the products and persuading them to promote “quality foot health.”
The features that earned Dansko this high recognition are rocker-bottom soles, body contoured arch support, and heel elevation. A specific feature that doctors believe eases the strain on legs and back muscles.
You must be careful when choosing the best shoes for nurses
It’s not a new thing, that clogs gained such an mythical reputation like the foot-healthy friendly footwear. Sadly, this reputation is built on an incredible amount of bad information that touts arch support.
So you must be very very careful on choosing the right brand and shoe type for you. Fortunately, you are on the right place because I already made this whole research in advance.
A reliable pair of clogs is making all the difference for nurses that stay long and exhausting shifts at work.
If you’ve ever worn a really comfortable pair of shoes while working, you’ll feel the difference. You can see the importance of a good pair of clogs.
Clogs improve comfort and safety, and reduce stress. This allows nurses to focus on their work without having to deal with the physical aches and pains. A bad pair of clogs is likely to do that to your feet.
The Usual Types of Best Shoes for Nurses
Some nurses may feel fine wearing their usual tennis shoes that are not specifically designed for nursing. Most of the time, nurses find the best shoes possible before honing in on their favorite pair. This favorite pair will be different for everyone.
You can find many styles of nursing shoes that are available in the online nowadays. Every one of these styles are produced for custom needs and work environment. These are the most popular styles of nursing shoes that you can buy online in 2019.
Slip-on
The nurses with laces concerns, should wear nursing shoes with a slip-on. You don’t need to stress about repeatedly tying up your laces. The danger of diseases and multiple hand washes could be avoided.
Nursing shoes with slip-on have a closed back-end and they look like normal running shoes when it comes to style. This is good news for those nurses who are always in a hurry and don’t like to be bothered by those loose laces.
Clogs
With an open back and an enclosed front area, clogs are known as the best and most comfortable nursing shoe type on the market. Perfect for nurses who like more spacious shoes, clogs are also made to help on different pressure points on your feet.
Sneakers
Sneakers are perfect for fast-paced places like ICUs and ERs. This kind of nursing shoes will comfort your feet and protect it from liquid spills. It’s a good idea to wear them if you always run at work.
Consider these features when searching for the best shoes for nurses:
The key here is to choose what works for you. Ideally, female nurses should choose those with arch support and foot bed that is perfectly shaped. For mens, on the other hand, should be slip-resistant and stain-resistant so will be easy to clean.
This is for all the nurses out there with special needs. I found what you should take in mind when looking for the best nursing shoes:
#1 Wide Feet
Look for shoe styles with a wider footbed. Nursing clogs are the best for this but you can also look to have a wide varieties of slip-ons. You can look at labels especially made for people with wider feet.
These shoes normally have a wider base but they are made to look like a normal shoe. Nobody will notice the unusual width.
#2 High Arches
Nurses that have high arches are fixing the issue by using customized-to-fit shoes. Normal shoes will work also well. But, in fact orthodontic inserts and custom insoles can be used. They should be used for releasing the cushion pressure points and the high arches.
Shoes with slip-on and rubber clogs are not so recommended unless an orthodontic insert will be used. Few nurses with high arches feel better by using different types of shoe lacing styles to support the pressure from inside.
#3 Flat Feet
You’ll find orthodontic inserts made specifically for the flat feet in many footwear shops. Some shoe shops are creating personalized arch fitting next from the standard shoe fitting. This is awesome if you are need to find the most and best comfortable nursing shoes for your flat feet.
#4 Pregnant nurses
Shoes with soft foot bed. Some of the shoes where made with insoles from memory foam which are good for pregnancy. Pick flat shoes as often as possible and avoid the heeled ones.
Walking in shoes with cushioned and soft insoles is like putting your feet with soft cotton so they’ll not sore so easily. Will be the best to go for a size that is one inch bigger than your actual size. Your feet tend to swell more at the end of the day.
#5 Low Back Pain
Cushioned, soft footbed and solid outsoles are keys in finding the best shoes for nurses like you. Avoid shoes with high-heeles because they can add discomfort in the low back area. Some of the times, low back pain can also be caused by rotation because of the arch issues. Best would be to see a podiatrist if you think that you have low or high arches.
#6 Support and Balance
Most footwear designed for this industry has tailored features which caters for moving safely on hard, slippery surfaces. Altogether whilst combining each of the other aspects to deliver a fine shoe which is fit for medical professionals.
#7 Choice of Material
There are also those types with rubber soles which are perfect for the healthcare industry. They are much cheaper and provide better safety for spillages. But on the downside they’ll offer less ventilation and comfort than leathers.
Leather shoes are one of the most comfortable footwear items.
Leather provides a lot of give and molds itself to the natural shapes of the feet. Nurses should consider buying leather or synthetic leather nursing shoes. Leather shoes also last longer. Most nurses can attest to the fact, that a good leather shoe gets better with age.
#8 Good Fit
The fit should be as expected. What this means is when you buy a U.S size 6 for example to match your sneakers and pumps. The nurse shoes size 6 that you purchased should be consistent and same fit for everything else in your shoe box. Sometimes with some manufactures, a U.S 6 may fit too tight or too loose and that’s not good.
#9 The Style and Color
Color may or may not be of importance. Many health institutes will say that to wear white nurse shoes is part of the uniform. This is most common in school.
#10 The Toe Box
Dainty looking shoes with tapered front ends may look appealing, but they can be a nightmare as work footwear. Nurses should pick out shoes that have a relatively wide toe box. Having a good-sized toe box will make sure that the toes spread out comfortably.
This reduces toe cramping. Having enough space for the toes is important because the toes carry a majority of the bodyweight. It also helps in maintaining a person’s balance. Since nurses spend a lot of time on their feet, it is important that the toes move as freely as possible.
Wearing closed shoes is also important in nursing.
#11 The Heel Cup
Having a well-constructed heel cup is also important in a nursing shoe. Nurses would be more comfortable if the choose completely closed shoes compared to mules and sling back heels. Mules are sometimes difficult to keep on.
Sling backs on the other hand dig in to the heel and cause discomfort. Clogs are a great option for nursing shoes – despite its’ lack of a heel cup. Clogs are comfortable and often stay on the feet without much problem. They are also easy to put on.
A deeper heel cup will give the nurse’s feet support and promote proper muscle and tendon alignment. Shoes with soft or padded heel cups are also necessary in preventing sores at the back of the ankles. If a nurse can’t find shoes with padded heel cups, she should go for a soft material such as leather.
Must know tips for improving the foot health and comfort
It is also important to think about proper foot care. Foot care accessories and improving your health, ensure you’ll remain comfortable as you spend hours walking.
Invest in a good pair of premium insoles
Insoles are an extremely important part of your shoe as they make direct contact with the soles of your feet. It helps them with cushion and arch support. Premium insoles will help your feet if you find yourself constantly feeling not comfortable.
The same if you walk on very hard surfaces. They can also reduce stress by absorbing some of the impact you receive every time you take a step.
Think about buying high quality compression socks
Compression socks are a great way to improve blood-flow throughout the legs. They add support to your feet, ankles and calf’s. A good pair of compression socks will help reduce swelling and potentially speed up recovery from certain physical ailments.
They also add a layer of protection to the feet and legs. It keeps them warm when working in cold environments.
When purchasing a pair of compression socks make sure you look at the compression level of the socks. Try to avoid buying ones that are too tight. In order to prevent poor circulation, be sure to ask a doctor if you are unsure of which ones to buy.
Take regular breaks
Getting off of your feet and taking breaks regularly can help you take some of the pressure stored in your feet. Even sitting down for a few minutes each hour can improve your situation and comfort drastically.
Working non stop may make you feel like you’re getting things done faster, but that’s an illusion. It can have a big impact on your foot, leg and back health. This will actually slow you down over time and make working effectively and efficiently more difficult.
You don’t have to sit down for long. Instead, you should give your feet and back regular breaks to recover and relax.
Soak soar or blistered feet
Soaking your feet can help reduce blisters and swelling as well as improve blood circulation. In fact the practice of feet soaking has existed for centuries as a natural remedy against foot fungus, blisters and corns. It helps at muscle soothing and foot/skin hydration.
Take some time to research natural remedies for soaked feet. This way, you
‘ll get some ideas on how to properly treat your feet and relax. Commonly people use essential oils and Epson salts in hot water to get the results. But even without additives you can use hot water to help soothe your feet and reduce certain ailments.
Get your feet checked out by a podiatrist
Going to a podiatrist or to a foot doctor can immensely improve the health of your foot. If you have a particular medical condition like an abnormal foot discomfort or an ailment, he will definitely help you. A podiatrist can properly measure your feet. Then determine if there are any flaws that could create issues when wearing regular shoes.
They are also able to determine your foots arch and identify whether you have a narrow, regular or wide foot.
Take stretching and exercising seriously
Stretching and getting regular exercise will help you improve the primary and supportive muscles throughout your body. In return, this can improve your form and posture, and lead to less injuries and/or medical problems. Taking exercise and health seriously can also improve your bone strength and lead to many other benefits throughout your life.
Pro tip: If you find yourself dealing with an painful arch in your shoes think about buying gel arch inserts. It’s a way to close the gap and improve the comfort. Just make sure that it is ok with your podiatrist or foot specialist to avoid causing potential harm to your foot.
Wearing the best shoes for nurses is a big difference – Here some Facts
Choosing the best shoes for nurses – The Conclusion
It’s so easy for everyone to suggest which one is the best nursing shoe. At the end of the day, not every “good” footwear works for everybody. Remember, we have different foot sizes, needs, and style preferences.
Having the right nursing shoes is as important for a nurse as mastering therapeutic communication. The right shoe will help relieve pressure on the feet and on the legs. As a result, it will help nurses do their job longer and better.
Next time when you go shopping for a new pair of nursing shoes, reflect what makes it best for your feet. Is it what you know about the shoe, suggestions from friends and family or co-workers. Suggestions from what you see around your work environment.
Magazines that you received from the mailbox, email or advertisement sent to you. The answer lies in you and no one else. For me, it is researching the product, what were the creators of the product thinking when the “consumer” was in mind.
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