Pregnancy is a life-changing period in a woman’s life that lasts for about 40 weeks. During pregnancy, a woman’s body expands to accommodate the growing baby.
This period is accompanied by elevated hormonal levels. Your body undergoes numerous changes, and some changes might surprise you.
For example, many pregnant women find their feet growing larger or swelling. And this can make wearing your normal footwear uncomfortable. Over 75% of mother-to-be experience edema.
Thanks to the changes in blood flow and hormonal levels, fluids tend to accumulate in the tissues resulting in swelling. And the most affected parts of the body are usually legs, ankles, and feet.
The swelling becomes more pronounced in the third trimester; therefore, you need comfortable shoes.
Pregnancy shoes are very easy to wear and provide cushioning ample support, and foot growth. But, I know you are already aware of that. What you might not know is what is ideal for you.
So, let’s dive in…
The Best Shoes for Pregnancy Are:
Product | Details | ||
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1. Clarks Breeze Sea Flip-Flop | Top Pick |
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2. Sanuk Yoga Sling 2 |
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3. Crocs Unisex Classic |
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4. Propet TravelFit Prestige Shoes |
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5. TOMs Women Classic |
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6. Birkenstock Arizona Leather Sandals |
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7. Bearpaw Emma Short Boots |
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1. Clarks Breeze Sea Flip-Flop — Best Pregnancy Shoes
When pregnant, women are advised to look for low-heeled footwear with unique rear support. But, have you ever thought of getting flip flops?
If the answer is no, then you should consider it, especially during summer. The Clarks Breeze Sea is ideal for women looking for simplicity.
These sandals are quite comfortable to wear, thanks to its slip-in flip-flop style. The openness and lightness of this footwear make it the best shoe for moving around. Plus, you will never have to worry about the discomfort caused by the feet are swelling.
These sandals come with adjustable straps that allow you to tighten or loosen them as per your needs. The adjustable straps can come in handy when your feet go through changes during the day.
The fact that you can adjust them with a loop and hook closure makes them the easiest footwear to use.
These sandals are available in a wide range of colors and sizes. Therefore, you can get a pair that fits your style. For extra comfort, they have EVA footbed and midsole. EVA midsole is the best option that is used in most athletic shoes.
EVA midsole provides a soft cushioning effect and excellent shock absorbing that does not wear out easily. However, these sandals are not ideal for wearing when it is raining and don’t have a rear lock.
Specs
- Material: synthetic
- Sole: rubber
- Size: 5-12 (US)
Pros
- Lightweight
- Comfortable
- Ample arch support
- Adjustable straps
- Lightweight
- Water-resistant
- Durable
Cons
- No rear lock
- Not suitable for rain
Overall Rating – 4.8 out of 5
Conclusion
These sandals were designed to provide you with comfortable, lightweight, and easy to use shoes. And the fact that they are affordable makes them the best pregnancy shoes.
2. Sanuk Yoga Sling 2 — Best Shoes for Pregnancy in Summer
Sanuk yoga sling 2 provides a cool, fashionable style and extra comfort for your feet. Your feet can easily slip into these sandals without having to bend or twist. It is available in a wide range of colors.
Therefore, you can get a unique color combination that will get attention from everyone around you. To prevent the development of painful spots and rubbing against your feet, they have a stretchable thong fabric.
It has a unique rubber sole that provides extra comfort as well as protects your feet. One of the main things that make this footwear incredible is the fabric thong strap that stretches in 2 ways.
Therefore, you are guaranteed customized footwear that can stretch as your feet swell during the day.
With this footwear, you are not required to tie lace, adjust the buckles or the straps. This shoe comes with a yoga mat footbed that provides extra comfort when walking.
These sandals will have you feeling like you are walking on a yoga mat the entire day. Plus the materials used to vegetarian friendly. However, they lack arch support, and your feet might slide out.
Specs
- Material: fabric
- Sole: synthetic and textile
- Size: 5-11 (US)
Pros
- It is vegetarian friendly
- Stylish
- Flexible
- Comfortable
- Lightweight
- Easy to wear
Cons
- Feet might slide out
- Doesn’t have arch support
Overall Rating – 4.5 out of 5
Conclusion
Other than being stylish, the yoga sling 2 is comfortable and flexible.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=WPayFAac4N0
3. Crocs Unisex Classic — Best Shoes for Swollen Pregnant Feet
The crocs classic is lightweight and cushioned footwear that will provide you with everything you require.
Crocs can be the best casual footwear when comfort is of high priority. The crocs are easy to take off and wear while being durable.
They have pivoting heel straps that offer a secure fit. Crocs are ideal for pregnant women as they provide both stability and comfort. They are slip-resistant; therefore, they can work perfectly on oily and wet surfaces.
This footwear has numerous holes on the forefoot that provide plenty of ventilation. Its roomy fit is designed to give you an upper that isn’t supposed to touch your feet.
Therefore, you will remain comfortable even after a considerable amount of swelling. The Croslite material provides a perfect combination of cushioning and support as well as odor-resistant.
However, many wearers have complained that it’s too casual.
Specs
- Material: synthetic
- Sole: synthetic
- Size: 4-16 (US)
Pros
- Comfortable
- Lightweight
- Durable
- Flexible
- Breathable
- Easy to wear
Cons
- Some users have complained that it’s too casual
Overall Rating – 4.8 out of 5
Conclusion
Crocs classics can be very supportive during the nine months in terms of swelling. Plus, with crocs, you will never have to change shoes.
4. Propet TravelFit Prestige Shoes
With its unique design and breathable mesh upper, Propet Travelfit is here to make walking easier. It comes with a mesh upper, which is common with excellent running footwear that is low maintenance.
This shoe merges the casual and sporty style of normal sneakers with performance. With Propet Travelfit, you will never have to compromise between comfort and fashion when planning your long walks
This shoe comes with a pull tab and a stretchy neoprene collar; therefore, you can easily wear it and also remove it. Neoprene is a resilient material, so this collar won’t lose shape or wear out irrespective of how long you wear this shoe.
Travelfit is ideal in all angles from traction to comfort to how easy it is to maintain it. Its breathable mesh upper has a rubber toe cap at the front. However, it requires some breaking in.
Specs
- Material: 100% mesh
- Sole: rubber sole
- Size: 5-13 (US)
Pros
- Breathable
- Lightweight
- Durable
- Flexible sole
- Easy to wear
Cons
- It requires breaking in
Overall Rating – 4.2 out of 5
Conclusion
Propet Travelfit is a great walking shoe that provides comfort and extra support during long walks. It has a flexible sole and breathable upper that can keep your feet dry.
5. TOMs Women Classic
The unique thing about this shoe is not only its inspiring giving program and touching story but its high quality. These shoes resemble rope-sole shoes from Argentina. This unique shoe only has two parts: the fabric and sole.
And both are durable and can serve you for years. It has a suede footbed that is ideal for protecting your feet. You will feel no pressure when walking.
With its soft flat sole, you will feel like you are walking barefooted but well-protected. Even though the canvas is not a common material in this industry, it is still reliable and comfortable.
Toms classic flats are ideal for your swollen feet since they don’t have restrictive ankles. Therefore, your feet will have ample space to expand. The canvas fabric will keep your feet feeling comfortable as they swell during the day.
They come with a non-skid sole that provides proper traction. Despite their name “flat”, these shoes have supportive insole. The insole provides enough arch support.
Toms classic is ideal for most pregnancy activities, including driving, working, and walking. However, their soles are too thin for sports.
Specs
- Material: canvas
- Sole: rubber
- Size: 5-12 (US)
Pros
- Stretchy enough
- Complete toe comfort
- Durable
- Ultralight
- Environment-friendly material
Cons
- Sole too thin for sports
Overall Rating – 4.5 out of 5
Conclusion
Toms classic flats are ideal for your swollen feet thanks to their flexibility and stretchy upper. They provide more than enough room for your swelling feet.
6. Birkenstock Arizona Leather Sandals — Best Supportive Shoes for Pregnancy
Birkenstock leather sandals are quite popular, and you might have own a pair at some point in your life. The main difference between these sandals and the others is their supportive suede footbed and adjustable top.
Birkenstock sandals are anatomically supportive, durable, and secure sandals that are also comfortable. They have adjustable two leather straps.
They have an excellent outsole for proper traction and well-cushioned footbed. Its footbed is made from cork, an excellent material for shock absorption.
The soft suede on this footwear provides a breathable and well-cushioned surface. And the more you use this footwear, the more it matches your feet and fits well.
The straps are molded with suede that protects your feet from being irritated. However, you cannot use them for a very long period since they are heavy.
Specs
- Sole: rubber
- Material: leather
- Size: 6-17.5 (US)
Pros
- Sturdy lace
- Highly supportive
- Easy to wear
- Breathable sole
- Great traction
- Smooth straps
- Sufficient arch support
Cons
- It can be a tad heavy for some users
Overall Rating – 4.5 out of 5
Conclusion
Since they have adjustable straps, you can adjust the size as your feet swell. They have a unique footbed that provides a spacey surface for your rearfoot, midfoot, and toes.
7. Bearpaw Emma Short Boots
Bearpaw boots are ideal for mothers-to-be during the cold winter seasons. These boots provide extra comfort and sufficient support when walking around.
And the fact that they are easy to wear makes them the best winter shoes for pregnancy. They have a flexible synthetic outsole and sheepskin fur from China, making it ideal for indoor and outdoor activities.
They provide enough comfort without sacrificing warmth. The sheepskin fur has been treated and dyed to ensure that it provides enough warmth and comfort.
It has a soft suede upper that follows the contours of your feet as you walk. Therefore, you will never have to worry about sore spots. Being a pull-on boot, anybody can put it on in seconds since it doesn’t have laces.
It is available in a wide range of colors; therefore, you can find a pair that matches your style. However, it can only be used during winter.
Specs
- Sole: rubber
- Material: soft suede and sheepskin fur
- Size: 5-12 (US)
Pros
- It provides warmth during the cold months
- It’s easy to wear extra cushioning
- Rubber outsole provides proper traction
- Flexible and non-marking sole, therefore, it’s ideal for indoor and outdoor
Cons
- It’s ideal for winter use only
Overall Rating – 4.5 out of 5
Conclusion
Bearpaw Emma Short is an excellent and comfortable boot that can keep your swelling feet warm in winter. It is also comfortable and provides more than enough support for pregnant women. Plus, it is ideal for both indoors and outdoors.
Buyer Guide: How To Select The Best Pregnancy Shoes
Pregnancy is a great period in our lives that demand a few changes in our lifestyles. During pregnancy, your body can undergo numerous changes. As your body expands to accommodate the growing fetus, so does your feet.
Your feet tend to swell during pregnancy, and this can make walking a little bit uncomfortable. You might also need more comfortable shoes to provide extra support.
However, with the numerous pregnancy shoes in the market, choosing the right one can be quite tricky. Remember, an ideal pregnancy shoe must be comfortable, easy to wear, and accommodate your swelling feet.
So here are some key things to look out for when purchasing pregnancy shoes:
The Type of Shoes
There are numerous types of pregnancy shoes in the market that can provide the needed comfort. Some of the most common types include:
Athletic Footwear
Athletic footwear offers the needed stability and comfort. They also provide reliable ankle and arch support.
However, they are designed to fully cover your feet, and this is not ideal for your tight and swelling feet. They have laces, which is not the best option during the late stages of pregnancy.
Sandals
Sandals are better for all stages of pregnancy as they allow your feet to move and breathe easily. Sandals for pregnant women provide the needed arch support and allow your feet to expand freely during the day.
Flats
Flats are very easy to wear, and they provide sufficient space for your ankles and feet to expand. Flats can be worn with stockings.
However, they have little to no ankle and arch support. Therefore, they can be uncomfortable at times.
Flip-Flops
Flip-flops are an excellent option for pregnant women as they are easy to wear and allow your feet to expand freely. However, they are not the best option to wear with stockings.
Boots
Boots for pregnant women provide excellent ankle support and warmth. But, they can be quite challenging to put on, especially with swollen feet.
Arch Support
One of the main reasons high-heeled shoes are not the best option is the lack of arch support. Your arch includes a series of tissues and ligaments that connect your toes to heels.
These tissues and ligaments need extra support when pregnant. Without the right arch support, your body can develop issues that will affect you beyond the 40 weeks.
Breathability
The best shoes for pregnancy should be breathable. Therefore, you can go for either flip-flops or sandals. If its sneakers make sure, they have a breathable upper mesh.
Shock Absorption
Another factor to consider is shock absorption. Remember, you are walking around with a fetus growing in your womb. So, your joints and knees need extra protection.
Heel
High-heeled shoes are not the best option for pregnant women. You will be ok if you stick to shoes with wide and lower heels. A wide and low heel can help you maintain your balance when walking.
Fit
Since most women deal with swollen ankles and feet during pregnancy, you cannot wear your normal shoes.
Final Thoughts
Pregnancy is a life-changing period that will see your body undergoing numerous changes. And some changes can make it almost impossible for you to do your normal daily activities.
Therefore, you should look for ways to make yourself as comfortable as possible. And for sure wearing the best shoes for pregnancy would help.
However, choosing the right shoes without compromising on your style can be quite challenging. Remember, the right pair incorporates numerous unique features that make it easier for you to walk.
We have prepared these reviews of the best shoes for pregnancy, and from our research, we have concluded that the Clarks Breeze Sea flip-flop is the best option.
These flip-flops can be an excellent option for pregnant women looking for simplicity. The lightness and openness of these flip-flops make them heavenly for a pregnant woman’s swollen feet to walk around in.