The Best Shoes for Surgeons: What to Wear in the Operating Room

Cutting people open to save them is delicate work that requires focus, skill, and a lot of inner strength. A surgeon has to stay steady on their feet throughout an operation. It’s not surprising if their legs and feet hurt after a long day of back to back surgeries. That hurt can be held off or made less severe by wearing the best shoes for surgeons.

If you’re looking for footwear that can support you as you do your life-saving work, you’ve come to the right place. We understand that you’re busy, so we’ve scoured the Internet to find the best footwear to meet your requirements.

Here Are The Best Shoes For Surgeons

Product	Details
1. Crocs Classic Clog	Top Pick	Clogs For men and women Synthetic upper Synthetic soles	Check Current Price
2. ASICS GEL-Venture 5 Running Shoe		Running shoe For men Synthetic upper Rubber sole	Check Current Price
3. Easy Spirit Traveltime Mule		Mule For women 80% leather, 20% textile Rubber sole	Check Current Price
4. Merrell Jungle Moc Slip-On Shoe		Moc slip-on For men 100% suede leather Rubber sole	Check Current Price
5. New Balance 577 V1 Hook and Loop Walking Shoe		Walking shoe For men with flat feet 100% leather upper Rubber sole	Check Current Price
6. Skechers Work McAllen		Slip-on For men Synthetic mesh upper Rubber sole	Check Current Price
7. Dansko Professional		Slip-on For women Leather or fabric uppers Rubber sole American Podiatric Medical Association Seal of Acceptance	Check Current Price

1. Crocs Classic Clog — Best Operating Room Shoes

Crocs is a dominant brand in the world of comfort footwear, so many people know how lightweight and durable their shoes are. Crocs’ unisex clogs are worth using because of their noise-canceling and slip-resistant properties. They also have ventilation ports for enhanced breathability of the feet to keep them dry all day.

I like the slip-lock feature because I can put it on the top upper and use the clogs as sandals. I can also put it back on my heels quickly when I have to run. The patterned outsoles enhance friction, and the affordable price makes this pair a must-have for the busy surgeons. Its sole drawback is its inconsistent sizing, and I’m surmising it’s because the stocks come from several countries.

The Crocs Classic Clog is a favorite of surgeons because their feet can easily slide into it. You may prefer this versatile footwear if you need a roomy, breathable shoe whenever you have to spend hours in the Operating Room. The pair keeps your feet comfortable and allows adequate airflow to prevent excessive sweating.

Overall Rating – 4.8

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2. ASICS GEL-Venture 5 Running Shoe — Best Shoes for Surgeons Wearing Orthotics!

The ASICS Gel-Venture 5 offers outstanding comfort, and it’s not surprising why surgeons love it. The Gel technology prevents foot fatigue, especially when they have to stand, run, or walk for extended periods. I like its versatility because it’s not only for running but for everyday activities as well.

For doctors who need to wear custom orthotics, they’ll prefer this shoe because it has a removable sock liner. They’ll feel more comfortable when they have them in their shoes. Surgeons may want to avail of lock laces to keep them in place because the laces tend to untie. They may eventually trip over the untied laces, so it’s best they attach the locks.

You may want to try ASICS Gel-Venture 5 whenever you have surgical duties in the hospital. It offers superb support to your feet and legs. It’s durable and helps you transition through various movements. The firm rubber soles provide excellent traction, but the shoe doesn’t offer ample arch support. However, you can remove the sock liner to fit in your custom orthotics.

Overall Rating – 4.5

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3. Easy Spirit Traveltime Mule — Best Mules for Women Surgeons Who Have to Stand All Day!

I like the Easy Spirit Traveltime Mule for three reasons: the EVA footbed, open back, and outsole. The EVA-molded footbed offers ample support and cushioning from the toe to the heel. It’s lightweight but offers stable traction, and the open back design makes it easier to slip on and off.

Women surgeons will find them convenient to wear while in the Operating Room. The beautiful combination of synthetic and leather upper provides a sleek look. The padding around the tongue and collar allows for a comfortable and straightforward slide. The padded insole and the breathable and soft fabric lining also offer shock absorption and all-day cushioning.

I prefer the durable rubber outsole because of its outstanding flexibility, traction, and grip. If I’m to cite a downside, it will be its size that runs narrow. Surgeons with wide feet may need to pick a larger size than their actual measurements.

If you’re searching for a more appealing clog design for your shifts at the Operating Room, you may prefer the Easy Spirit Traveltime Mule. It has removable insoles to accommodate your orthotics. However, you may not need to replace them because they’re well-cushioned.

This shoe offers excellent shock absorption and grip on all surfaces. It protects you from slipping on moist or wet floors.

Overall Rating – 4.6

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4. Merrell Jungle Moc Slip-On Shoe — Best Shoe with Shock Absorption!

Although it intends to be an after-sports shoe, Merrell Jungle Moc Slip-On Shoe is excellent footwear for surgeons as well. It offers outstanding comfort for people who are on their feet every day. The waterproof full-grain leather upper is durable and protects the feet from the elements. I like that an Aegis antimicrobial solution keeps the unpleasant odor away.

The abrasion-resistant toe box protects the toes from any hard objects. The EVA midsole is lightweight but gives the necessary energy return and bounceback. The footbed has ample cushioning, and the Air Cushion technology offers shock absorption under the heel. The rubber outsole is resistant to oil and slip. Surgeons may have issues with their high arch support.

The Merrell Jungle Moc is a lightweight and comfortable slip-on with 100% suede leather upper. It offers overall protection and durability. You may want to try it if you’re searching for the best operating room shoes. It provides ample arch support with the fully-removable insole for your custom orthotic. You’ll also like the EVA foam midsole because of its cushioning system and shock-absorbing capability.

Overall Rating – 4.7

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5. New Balance 577 V1 Hook and Loop Walking Shoe — Best for Men Surgeons with Flat Feet!

Surgeons are happy with the New Balance 577 because of its roomy toe box and excellent fit. It has reinforced stitching, and the hook-and-loop straps make slipping on and off a breeze. The soft lining inside the shoe and the Achilles notch offers extra comfort.

I like the removable footbed and the excellent support and shock absorption this shoe provides. It’s stable, comfortable, and stylish too. Its downside lies in the Velcro straps because surgeons with wide feet may find them too short.

The New Balance 577 Hook-and-Loop Shoe is for men surgeons who don’t want the hassle of tying shoelaces. Its hook and loop closure is very convenient and adjustable for a snug fit. It’s comfortable to wear and offers ample support. It’s durable, fashionable, and suitable to wear for other purposes. You’ll like the cushioned footbed because it supports your natural foot shape.

Overall Rating – 4.3

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6. Skechers Work McAllen — Best Slip-Resistant Shoe!

Surgeons will love the easy slip-on feature of Skechers Work McAllen shoes. The mesh fabric upper has elastic on both sides, and the collars have extra padding. They’ll have an excellent slip-on experience, even though some of them may have irregular foot shapes. I like its relaxed fit design because it allocates more room for the toes. The breathable synthetic upper allows the air to flow through the feet.

The memory foam insole offers the best comfortable feeling, and the Flex Sole midsole is lightweight. It has excellent shock absorption quality to reduce any discomfort and ill-feeling when standing or walking. The slip-resistant outsole also offers outstanding traction. One flaw of the Skechers Work McAllen is that it wears off faster than the others.

If you have to walk, run, and stand for hours, especially during surgeries, you need a shoe that can provide the necessary support to your feet. The Skechers Work McAllen has a breathable, lightweight, and comfortable synthetic mesh upper. It doesn’t make your feet tired from all the standing and walking all day.

The removable memory foam insole reduces the stress that your feet feel. If you’re always in a hurry, you need a slip-on shoe that you can put on and take off quickly. This pair of shoes also provides top-of-the-line slip resistance from its synthetic rubber outsole. You’ll notice an increase in your productivity because you’re able to stride through your day in comfort and style.

Overall Rating – 4.5

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7. Dansko Professional — Best Shoes that Promote Excellent Foot Health!

Female surgeons and doctors love the Dansko Professional Mule because it offers all-day comfort. It also has the APMA Seal of Acceptance, which means that it promotes excellent foot health. Its built-in arch support, additional padding on the top of the foot, and the cushy footbed provide comfy reinforcement from heel to toe. Women who wear orthotics will be happy that the shoe has removable footbeds too.

Aside from comfort, this pair of shoes also provides a roomy toe box and a slip-resistant outsole that protect the wearer from wet or oily surfaces. The rounded heel gives space for the heel to move up and down. First-timers may take a longer time to break the shoe in because of this feature.

If you’re after maximum support and resiliency to your feet, you can opt for the Dansko Professional Mule. It has the Seal of Acceptance from the American Podiatric Medical Association for the assurance that it’s safe for your feet. You’ll like its sturdy lining and outsole, along with the memory foam footbed, offer optimal cushioning and support.

Overall Rating – 4.3

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Guide For Shoes Buying The Best Shoes For Surgeons

Searching for the right footwear for surgeons isn’t a walk in the park. They spend around 90% of their shift standing, so they need the best shoes for surgery. Let’s look at some of the considerations for buying the perfect pair.

Comfort

Comfort is a significant factor that you have to consider when searching for shoes. You’re putting a lot of strain on your feet, so you have to ensure that you don’t have a sore leg after your shift.

Perfect Fit

The next thing you have to consider is fit because if the shoe is too tight or too loose, you may add to your foot damage.

Durability

You have to ensure that you’re buying a durable pair of surgeon shoes because you don’t want to replace them every so often.

Support

Because you’re always moving about during your shift, you have to buy shoes that offer optimal support to your feet. Your chosen pair must have appropriate arch support.

Breathability

Breathable shoes don’t stick to your feet to cause pressure on them. You need this kind of pair for your work to prevent the build-up of bacteria that cause disease and bad smell.

Thick Sole

The right shoes must have excellent soles that offer grip, protection, and shock absorption. It must provide durability and traction to prevent you from slipping on moist, wet, or smooth surfaces.

Lightweight

You have to get a lightweight pair to gain better control of your movements and not cause foot fatigue.

Easy to Sterilize

You have to pick shoes that are easy to clean and sterilize. As much as possible, you have to buy a pair without shoelaces because they get dirty and attract different kinds of germs. If you keep on tying your laces, you also have to disinfect your hands always.

Final Thoughts

Surgeons have to ensure that they have excellent foot health because they need this body part when they’re in the operating room. They have to run, walk, and stand for hours whenever they’re saving a life. It’s but proper for them to opt for the best footwear to ensure that their feet don’t suffer as much.

If you’re thinking of buying a new pair, you can try the Crocs Classic Clog because it’s durable and lightweight. You won’t have foot fatigue because these unisex clogs are very comfy, breathable, and slip-resistant. Its slip-lock feature gives you a choice between using the footwear as sandals or clogs. Why don’t you check out a pair of Crocs today?