Last Updated on October 6, 2026
Quick Answer: The Hoka Bondi SR is our best overall nursing shoe because it combines thick cushioning with a leather upper and work-focused slip-resistant outsole. If your hospital allows athletic shoes and you spend most of a shift walking, the Brooks Ghost 18 is lighter and more breathable. The Dansko XP 2.0 is our best structured clog, the Crocs Bistro Pro LiteRide is easiest to clean, the Clove Classic is our healthcare-specific sneaker pick, and the New Balance 626v2 is the best lower-profile work shoe. Compare all six picks side by side.
Nurses can spend a shift doing very different kinds of work: walking long corridors, standing at a bedside, turning quickly in a busy unit, moving equipment and dealing with spills. The best shoe depends on which of those demands dominates your day.
Hospital rules also matter. Some facilities allow running shoes and clogs, while others require closed heels, wipeable uppers or specific slip-resistant footwear. A comfortable shoe is not automatically the right work shoe if it does not meet your employer’s policy.
For work-shoe options beyond healthcare, including slip-resistant shoes, concrete-floor footwear and wide-fit work shoes, see our Best Work Shoes hub.
Best shoes for nurses at a glance
Shoe | Best for | Style | Why it stands out | Price |
|---|---|---|---|---|
Best overall | Work shoe | Max cushioning, leather upper, slip-resistant outsole | ||
Long walking shifts | Athletic shoe | Balanced cushioning, breathable upper, wide size range | ||
Standing and structured support | Clog | Stable platform, roomy toe box, removable footbed | ||
Easy cleaning | Work clog | Easy-clean upper, cushioned footbed, work outsole | ||
Healthcare-specific design | Healthcare shoe | Fluid-resistant upper, easy cleaning, slip-resistant outsole | ||
Traditional work shoe | Leather work shoe | Lower-profile fit, leather upper, familiar sneaker shape |
Athletic shoe or work shoe for nursing?
If you spend most of your shift walking and your facility allows athletic shoes, the Brooks Ghost 18 is the lighter, more breathable choice. If you need a wipeable upper and a work-specific outsole, the Hoka Bondi SR is the safer starting point. Nurses who spend more time standing may prefer the stable platform of the Dansko XP 2.0, while the Bistro Pro LiteRide is useful when easy cleaning matters most.
Do not assume that a road-running shoe is automatically slip-resistant enough for your workplace. If your employer specifies a footwear standard, follow that requirement rather than relying on a general product description.
Best nursing shoe by work environment
- Long ward or med-surg walking: Brooks Ghost 18
- ER or spill-prone environments: Hoka Bondi SR
- Clinic work and lots of standing: Dansko XP 2.0
- Easy cleaning: Crocs Bistro Pro LiteRide or Clove Classic
- Healthcare-specific sneaker feel: Clove Classic
- Lower-profile traditional work shoe: New Balance 626v2
Fit can also change during a long shift. Leave enough room in the forefoot for normal changes in foot volume after several hours on your feet, but do not size so large that your heel slides or your foot moves around inside the shoe.
Hoka Bondi SR: Best overall nursing shoe
The Bondi SR is our best overall pick because it is built more like a work shoe than a standard running shoe while keeping the thick cushioning Hoka is known for. The leather upper is easier to wipe down than open mesh, and the outsole is designed for workplace traction. That combination makes more sense in a hospital than simply choosing the softest running shoe available.
It is especially useful for nurses who split a shift between walking and standing. The thick midsole softens hard floors, while the closed upper gives more protection and a more work-appropriate feel. The downside is bulk: this is not a light or low-profile shoe.
Choose it if you want one shoe that covers the widest range of hospital tasks. Skip it if you prefer a lighter athletic feel or your unit allows breathable mesh shoes and walking comfort is your only priority.
Read our full Hoka Bondi SR review.
Men | Women | Check all sizes and colors on Amazon
Brooks Ghost 18: Best for long walking shifts
The Ghost 18 is the better choice if your nursing role involves a lot of walking and your workplace allows athletic shoes. Brooks positions it for road running and walking, and the current model uses balanced cushioning rather than an aggressively soft or highly structured platform. That makes it easy to live with over long distances.
The breathable upper is an advantage during long shifts, but it is also the reason this is not our top overall work pick. Mesh is harder to wipe clean than leather or molded foam, and a road-running outsole is not the same thing as a dedicated work outsole.
Choose the Ghost 18 if walking comfort and breathability matter most. Skip it if your unit deals with frequent spills, requires wipeable footwear or specifies work-rated slip resistance.
Read our full Brooks Ghost 18 review.
Men | Women | Check all sizes and colors on Amazon
Dansko XP 2.0: Best structured clog
The XP 2.0 suits nurses who like the stable, structured feel of a traditional work clog. Its roomy forefoot and removable footbed give the foot more space than many athletic shoes, and the firmer platform can feel reassuring when a shift involves a lot of standing at medication stations, bedsides or procedure areas.
The important trade-off is movement. A clog does not hold the heel the same way a lace-up shoe does, so nurses who move quickly between rooms may prefer a closed athletic or work shoe. Facility rules also vary on whether clogs are allowed.
Choose the XP 2.0 if you already know you like clogs and want a roomy, supportive work shoe. Skip it if you need a locked-in heel or a soft running-shoe feel.
Read our full Dansko XP 2.0 review.
Dansko XP 2.0 price and sizes on Amazon
Crocs Bistro Pro LiteRide: Best easy-clean option
The Bistro Pro LiteRide is the simplest choice when easy cleaning is the priority. Its molded upper is less absorbent than fabric mesh and can be wiped down quickly after a shift. The LiteRide footbed also makes this version softer underfoot than a basic utility clog.
This is useful in food service, healthcare and other workplaces where spills happen, but it is not automatically acceptable in every hospital. Some facilities require fully enclosed heels or different protective footwear, so check the local dress code before relying on a clog.
Choose it if you want easy cleaning and your workplace allows work clogs. Skip it if you need a closed heel or prefer the secure fit of a lace-up shoe.
Read our full Crocs Bistro Pro LiteRide review.
Crocs Bistro Pro LiteRide price and sizes on Amazon
Clove Classic: Best healthcare-specific shoe
The Clove Classic adds something the rest of this list does not: it is designed specifically for healthcare work. Clove uses a fluid-resistant upper that is easier to wipe clean than open mesh, along with a slip-resistant outsole and a low-profile sneaker shape that feels more familiar than a clog.
This makes it a strong middle ground between a running shoe and a traditional work shoe. It is especially useful for nurses who want a cleaner, more healthcare-specific design without moving to a heavy leather shoe or open-backed clog.
Choose it if you want a healthcare-focused shoe with easier cleaning and a sneaker-like fit. Skip it if you prefer max cushioning or a traditional clog platform.
Clove Classic price and sizes on Amazon
New Balance 626v2: Best traditional work shoe
The 626v2 is the conventional choice for nurses who do not want a thick max-cushion shoe or clog. It uses a leather upper and familiar lace-up shape, so it looks and feels more like a traditional work sneaker while still being easier to wipe clean than open mesh.
Its lower-profile platform will appeal to nurses who feel unstable in very tall midsoles. The trade-off is that it does not provide the same plush cushioning as the Bondi SR or the same breathability as the Ghost 18.
Choose it if you want a straightforward work shoe with a familiar fit. Skip it if maximum cushioning or a very light athletic feel is your main goal.
Read our full New Balance 626v2 review.
New Balance 626v2 price and sizes on Amazon
How we chose these nursing shoes
We compared current models based on long-shift comfort, walking versus standing, traction, cleanability, heel security, width options and current availability. We also favored products with existing Best Walking Feet reviews or current coverage so readers can go deeper before buying. We do not claim that every shoe on this list was personally tested during a nursing shift.
More nursing-shoe guides
If your needs are more specific, see our guides to work shoes for women, waterproof shoes for nurses, shoes for male nurses, Nike shoes for nurses, Hoka shoes for nurses and Skechers nursing shoes. You can also start from our healthcare shoes hub.
Frequently asked questions about shoes for nurses
The Hoka Bondi SR is our best overall pick because it combines thick cushioning with a leather upper and work-focused outsole. Nurses who mainly walk and are allowed athletic shoes may prefer the lighter Brooks Ghost 18.
Often, yes, but workplace rules vary. Running shoes can be comfortable for long walking shifts, although mesh uppers are harder to clean and ordinary road outsoles are not the same as work-specific slip-resistant outsoles.
They can be useful for standing and easy cleaning if your facility allows them. The Dansko XP 2.0 has a structured platform, while the Crocs Bistro Pro LiteRide is easier to wipe down.
Good traction is important on smooth hospital floors. If your employer requires a particular slip-resistance standard, choose footwear that meets that requirement rather than relying only on a general marketing claim.
The Brooks Ghost 18 is a strong walking-focused option when athletic shoes are allowed. If you also need a leather upper and work-specific outsole, the Hoka Bondi SR is the better choice.
Molded work clogs such as the Crocs Bistro Pro LiteRide are among the easiest to wipe down. Leather work shoes such as the Hoka Bondi SR and New Balance 626v2 are also easier to clean than open mesh.
Replace them when the outsole is worn, traction has declined, the upper no longer holds the foot securely or the cushioning feels noticeably compressed. Heavy daily use can wear shoes out faster than casual use.
