Those nursing shifts with all those hours spent on your feet can take a serious toll on you. Long shifts can make your feet and back hurt, especially when you are running up and down and across the hospital hallways. Poorly designed shoes can leave you with calluses, blisters, and even ingrown toenails at the end of the shift.
So, what you need are the best shoes for nurses. Choosing the best footwear; however, may prove to be a challenge because there are way too many options in the market. But no need to worry because in my selections I took into account all the important features you would want nursing shoes to have.
Table of Contents
The Best Shoes for Nurses Are:
| Product | Details | ||
|---|---|---|---|
| 1. Lamincoa Women’s Sock Walking Shoe |  Top Pick |
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| 2. Easy Spirit Women’s Romy Sneaker |  |
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| 3. Dansko Women’s XP 2.0 Clogs Shoe |  |
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| 4. Skechers Women’s Ghenter Bronaugh Work Shoe |  |
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| 5. Hawkwell Women’s Lightweight Comfort Slip Resistant Nursing Shoe |  |
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| 6. Doussprt Women’s Walking Shoes |  |
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| 7. New Balance Women’s 411 V1 Walking Shoe |  |
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1. Lamincoa Women’s Sock Walking Shoe — Most Comfortable Nursing Shoes
For support during your long shifts, the Lamincoa Women’s Walking Shoe offers sturdy support, allowing you to focus on your work without experiencing discomfort in your legs.
Specs
- Breathable mesh upper
- Sock-like vamp
- Classic slip-on design
- Non-slip outsole
- Memory foam insole
This incredible shoe features a super breathable knit upper, which is great because it improves aeration to ensure your foot is cool and comfortable. The unique upper design provides a sock-like fit that’s extremely comfy. The combined tongue and collar provide an elastic and soft mouth that allows for a quick slip-on.
The toe box is generously roomy, providing your toes with enough space to stretch when collecting your patients’ health histories. The slightly high heel counter offers more support. I appreciate the non-slip outsole design made of soft MD material, which is comfortable and easy to walk in for longer.
The sole has superior anti-skid wear resistance that ensures you don’t skid and fall when running from one room to the next. You’ve also got a memory foam sock liner that offers optimum cushioning. But the thing is, exact sizes tend to run large as you break in the shoe. So, you may have to consider a smaller size.
Pros
- Super lightweight and comfortable
- Elastic topline allows for easy on and off
- The sock-like fit is very comfortable over long shifts
- High anti-skid resistance is perfect for a nursing environment
- Offers optimum cushioning performance
Cons
- Exact sizes tend to run large
- Could better with more color options
Verdict
The shoe is simple but elegant, supportive, and comfortable — easily the best shoe for healthcare workers. Just make sure you get a size that will not run large.
Overall Rating – 4.7
2. Easy Spirit Women’s Romy Sneaker — Best Sneakers for Nurses
This sneaker is lightweight and feels like an extension of your foot, which means comfort all day.
Specs
- Breathable leather upper
- Classic lace-up design
- Cushioned foam removable sock liner
- Padded tongue and collar
- Pull tab at heel counter
The Easy Spirit Romy features a leather upper that’s breathable and molds to your foot for added comfort. The tongue and collar are slightly padded to improve fit and comfort. The unique lace-up closure allows you to achieve a cozy fit. There’s also a roomy toe box that’s slightly raised from the ground for improved comfort and balance.
On the inside, you’ll find a removable cushioned sock liner that provides cushioning and shock absorption when running around the hospital during emergencies. It also has a soft fabric lining that feels great against your foot. But the thing is, quality control seems to be an issue from one model to another.
Pros
- Leather upper molds to your foot for superior comfort
- Lace-up closure allows you to personalize your fit
- Delivers great cushioning and shock absorption
- The roomy toe box improves comfort and balance
- The lightweight rubber sole is slip-resistant
Cons
- Inconsistent quality control from one model to another
- Not the most incredible arch support
Verdict
With a sneaker this comfy you will be able to tackle your duties at the hospital without suffering the effects of standing for long hours.
Overall Rating – 4.6
3. Dansko Women’s XP 2.0 Clogs Shoe — Best Shoes for Nurses on Their Feet All Day
Are you looking for unmatched support and comfort for working long nursing hours? Dansko XP 2.0 Clogs fits the description.
Specs
- Leather upper
- Lightweight construction
- Slip-resistant outsole
- Removable footbed
- Lightweight EVA midsole
This shoe is unique in several ways and it’s designed to provide comfort and support throughout interminable days on your feet. The shoe is available in medium, narrow, and wide sizes to accommodate a variety of foot shapes. When you slip the Clog on, you have a small width of space between your foot and the heel counter to provide a snug fit.
The upper is made of genuine leather that is exceptionally tear-resistant and puncture-resistant. It also stretches and lengthens with the application of stress. Moderate elongation of the leather upper is an important factor for fit, comfort, appearance, as well as wear-life of the shoe.
Another good thing about the upper is the capacity of the shoe to conform to the shape of your foot and its ability to retain the desired shape when you take the shoe off.
The shoe has a lightweight construction; so, it won’t feel heavy when moving around. I also appreciate the slip-resistant outsole that ensures you don’t fall on slippery floors. The only problem with this shoe is the insole, which tends to stain socks when worn for hours and hours.
Pros
- Available in numerous size options
- Leather upper provides an extremely comfortable fit
- Lightweight design doesn’t wear you down
- The outsole has superior slip-resistance and durability
- Provides good natural arch support
Cons
- May stain your socks when worn over long hours
- Not the most breathable choice
Verdict
When you wear this shoe once, you will not want to take it off. Its comfort, natural arch support, and snug fit make it standout.
Overall Rating – 4.5
4. Skechers Women’s Ghenter Bronaugh Work Shoe
Have you been looking for a sneaker that is perfect for a long day at work? The Ghenter Bronaugh from Skechers should be your top choice.
Specs
- Electrical hazard safe construction
- Sporty mesh fabric upper
- Flexible shock absorbing midsole
- Slip-resistant rubber outsole
- Smooth synthetic overlay
The sneaker has a water and stain-resistant upper, which is perfect for keeping accidents away and your foot dry. It features woven and texture on the toe box and heel guard for support and durability. The comfort fit upper has a padded collar with the cushioned comfort of a sport knit shoe. You’ve also got synthetic overlay for added support and durability.
With air-cooled memory foam inserts available in wide fit and relaxed fit sizes, you get the ideal comfort for long-standing hours. There’s a soft fabric lining in the inside for added comfort. But the thing is, some models may come with poorly designed memory foam insoles.
Pros
- Upper is water and stain resistant
- Lace-up closure provides a secure fit
- Memory foam insole and fabric lining improve comfort
- The slip-resistant outsole offers strong grip and traction
- The pull tab on the heel counter allows for easy put-on
Cons
- Possible to receive poorly crafted insoles
- Maybe a little bit stiffer for some nurses
Verdict
You simply can’t go wrong with a fantastic shoe like this one. Just make sure you receive good quality insoles.
Overall Rating – 4.5
5. Hawkwell Women’s Lightweight Comfort Slip Resistant Nursing Shoe
All that walking and standing on your feet call for comfortable and slip-resistant shoes, such as the Hawkwell.
Specs
- Neutral arch design
- Lightweight EVA sole
- Soft synthetic leather upper
- Slip-resistant design
- Premium memory foam insole
The Hawkwell comes with a synthetic tumbled leather upper, which is great because it provides superior comfort and long-wearing durability. The upper is coated with a highly stain-resistant finish that protects the shoe from accidental spills. The synthetic leather is also super easy to clean, just wipe away the mess.
The neutral arch design improves the fit of the shoe to prevent blisters, calluses, and ingrown toenails. The combination of premium memory foam padding and neutral arch support provides both impact protection and biomechanical correction. The shoe’s performance is great, but the sizes tend to run large; so, you may have to size down to get the perfect fit.
Pros
- Lightweight design is extremely easy to walk in
- The slip-resistant outsole gives you super gripping and traction
- Premium cushioning improves comfort during long shifts
- Easy to clean by wiping off the mess
- Reinforced heel counter improves support
Cons
- Sizes tend to run wide and large
- May not be a great choice for nurses with narrow feet
Verdict
Get the all-day support and comfort during your long shifts with this incredible shoe from Hawkwell. Just be careful with the sizing, though.
Overall Rating – 4.4
6. Doussprt Women’s Walking Shoes
Prevent your feet from swelling and hurting during long shifts with this amazing shoe from Doussprt.
Specs
- Breathable mesh fabric
- Easy slip-on design
- Air cushion sole
- Perforated arch design
This stylish model features a textile mesh construction that’s flexible and breathable. The tongue and collar are combined to form a comfortable mouth lining for easy slip-on. The sole features air cushioning technology, which is great because it is elastic and super lightweight for relieving impact.
You’ve got an EVA footbed that provides you with superior cushioning, design flexibility, microbial resistance, and durability. The innovative round toe box; on the other hand, provides enough room for your toes to stretch during long hours standing shifts. But the thing is, the shoes tend to run small. So, you may have to get a larger size for a snug, comfortable fit.
Pros
- Breathable mesh upper keeps your foot cool and comfy
- Air cushioning makes the shoe light and impact-resistant
- Flexible and cushioning footbed
- Perforated arch improves ventilation and breathability
- Easy slip-on mouth lining
Cons
- Exact sizes tend to run small
- Quality control tends to be inconsistent from one model to another
Verdict
You will love this shoe if you get the size right. Its breathability, support, and comfort are just amazing.
Overall Rating – 4.4
7. New Balance Women’s 411 V1 Walking Shoe
Very lightweight, comfortable, and supportive, 411 V1 from New Balance will make those long night shifts bearable.
Specs
- Ultra-soft and responsive cushioning
- Upgraded NB comfort insole
- Padded tongue and collar
- Lace-up closure design
- DynaSoft midsole cushioning
Designed with a leather upper on top of super-soft cushioning, which provides you with the support and versatility needed to take you through your daily nursing shifts. The upper is also perforated for improved ventilation and breathability. You’ve got padded tongue and collar to improve fit and comfort when working. Not to mention the lace-up closure for a secure fit.
The DynaSoft midsole delivers ultra-responsive cushioning that helps to keep your feet and back from hurting when stepping on those hard hospital floors. The EVA foam insole improves underfoot comfort. The EVA outsole is fitted with rubber pods for superior traction on different floors. The sizes of this shoe tend to run small. You may want to order a slightly larger size for a snug fit.
Pros
- Superior cushioning and impact absorption
- Perforated upper is ventilated and breathable
- NB comfort insert improves comfort
- Soft fabric lining offers a sock-like fit
- Rubber pods on the outsole provide strong grip and traction
Cons
- Most exact sizes tend to run small
- The tongue is slightly longer
Verdict
If you are looking for a shoe that will help prevent your feet and back from hurting, look no further than the 411 V1 from New Balance.
Overall Rating – 4.4
Buying Guide: Things To Look For When Buying Shoes For Nurses
Did you know the best shoes for nurses are ones that fit you best? Your perfect pair should have adequate cushioning, support, and compensation for any stride problems you have.
Having said that, here are the key things any nurse should look for:
Know Your Arch Type
It’s important to know what type of foot you have. Most feet can be categorized into three basic types based on the height of your arch like flat, normal, or high arch. The easiest way to know your foot type when choosing the best nursing shoes is to do a foot arch test. To do this test you will need to pour water into a shallow washbasin that’s big enough to accommodate your entire foot.
Then place your foot on top of the water and slowly remove your foot from the washbasin and step on a serviette-like paper that will imprint your footprint. Do the same thing with your other foot. What you see on the paper should be a normal, high, or flat arch.
The best nursing shoes for a flat arch should have firm midsoles, motion control, and increased stability. If you have a normal arch, try shoes with firm midsoles, cushioning, and stability. The best shoes for nurses with a high arch should have cushioning, shock absorption, and motion control.
Choose The Ideal Shoe Size
The next important consideration when choosing the best nursing shoes is the size. The exact relationship between labeled shoe size and the interval of foot length for which that shoe is suitable for can vary substantially from one brand to another.
When it comes to nursing shoes, you must ensure that the size isn’t too small to hurt your feet and it isn’t too large to cause blisters. Some brands have a perfect record of producing exact shoe sizes that fit as they were intended to. But other brands may need you to size down or size up depending on whether the exact size is too large or too small.
When buying shoes without lace-up closure, make sure the mouth isn’t too large, but just the right size to allow for a snug fit. Apart from the size, make sure the shoe has a roomy toe box, but it shouldn’t be too wide. Your toes need to stretch freely, especially when running across the hospital hallways.
Key Design Features
The upper of the shoe should be breathable and flexible. So, you should probably go for a mesh or perforated upper. Flexibility, such as the one you get from a leather upper, gives you a sock-like fit that’s very comfortable when wearing your shoes all day. The tongue and collar should be slightly padded for added comfort, especially when choosing models with lace-up closure.
The midsole and insole cushioning should be the most comfortable for your foot type. Don’t go wrong with the arch support or else the shoes will be incredibly uncomfortable. Hospital hallways need you to have slip-resistant shoes that offer superior gripping and traction.
Final Thoughts
The winner of this roundup is Lamincoa Women’s Sock Walking Shoe. This is a great shoe for long nursing shifts. What makes it stand out is the design, which is simple yet very comfortable for nursing and any other work that demands standing or walking for hours on end. The unique slip-on design has an extremely breathable mesh upper and very comfortable memory foam insole.
This is a great shoe for most foot types, thanks to its premium insole cushioning and superior heel counter support. The sizes; however, tend to run large. So, you may want to size down to get that perfect fit. As far as key features go, this shoe has it all, including the slip-resistant outsole that allows you to run into the ER without sliding.
