Clove Classic Review

Wipe-clean, slip-certified comfort for long shifts, with only moderate cushioning

The Clove Classic (Core Collection) is the shoe that built the Clove brand. It is a slip-on sneaker made for nurses, doctors and other healthcare workers, with an upper you can wipe clean after a spill and an outsole certified for slip resistance. Clove, a Philadelphia company founded by the husband of a Penn Medicine nurse, released the Classic as its first shoe in late 2019.

Core Collection is Clove’s name for the Classic in its everyday neutral colors, such as Night Shift black, Brilliant White and Grey Matter, as opposed to limited-edition prints. The Classic sits in the middle of the lineup. The Forte 2 above it adds thicker foam and waterproofing, while the Classic Wide is the same design cut in a wider fit.

We think the Classic makes most sense for nurses, techs and aides who work 12-hour shifts on hard floors, deal with spills and want something that looks tidier than a clog. If you care most about maximum softness underfoot, keep reading, because that is where this shoe gives ground.

For a wider comparison, see our best work shoes guide, our best slip-resistant work shoes and our guide to shoes for standing all day.

Specs

Here are the specifications for the Clove Classic:

Pros

• The wipe-clean upper shrugs off body fluids and spills, and Clove designed it to stand up to strong hospital cleaners.
• It carries an ASTM F3445 slip-resistance certification, and the tread is built not to squeak on hospital floors.
• Elastic laces let you slide in and out in seconds, with no laces trailing through anything on the floor.
• Most wearers in independent nurse write-ups report little or no break-in time.
• The insole is washable and odor fighting, and a wide EE version is available.

Cons

• Cushioning is moderate, not plush, so it feels firmer than max-cushion sneakers late in a long shift.
• The fit can feel loose on narrow feet, and the no-tie laces give you less control over lockdown.
• It is fluid resistant, not waterproof, so standing water can still reach your socks.
• Some wearers find the shoe stiff at first, and the price is high for the amount of cushioning.

What Is New vs. the Previous Clove Classic

Clove has not released a numbered Classic 2. Instead, it has updated the same shoe quietly over time, so the Classic you buy today is not identical to the 2019 original.

The clearest change is the insole, the removable footbed inside the shoe. Launch coverage described an odor-resistant insole. Today Clove ships the Classic with its Contour Comfort insole and says it adds arch support, a better heel pad and double the cushioning. Clove does not say what that comparison is measured against, so treat the doubling as a manufacturer claim. Clove also now sells a Classic Wide in an EE width, and the list price has risen since launch.

Compared with Clove’s other styles, the Classic is the lighter, simpler option. The Forte 2 adds a thicker, dual-density foam layer, waterproof stitching, a toe bumper and toggle laces, at a higher price.

Who Should Buy the Clove Classic

You should consider the Classic if you work in a hospital, clinic or long-term care setting where spills happen and the dress code wants a clean, closed shoe. The fluid-repellent upper means a splash wipes off instead of soaking in, which matters when you would rather not carry the day home on your shoes.

It also suits you if you want a sneaker look instead of a clog. The slip-on design helps if you change shoes at the start and end of every shift or bend down a lot during the day. Nurses in independent write-ups often mention wearing it straight out of the box on a full shift.

Finally, it may suit you if you like a moderate, stable ride. A 10 mm drop, meaning the heel sits 10 mm higher than the forefoot, is a familiar height for most sneaker wearers and tends to feel natural from the start.

Who Should Probably Skip It

Skip the Classic if your feet crave deep, soft cushioning. Clove describes the Classic as mid-level cushioning, and some people will want more foam under them by hour 10. You may also be happier elsewhere if you have narrow feet, since the roomy fit and no-tie laces can let your foot shift inside the shoe.

It is also not the best pick if your workplace is often wet underfoot, because the Classic is fluid resistant rather than waterproof. And if you need extra-wide sizing or prefer a clog, look at these instead:

• Hoka Bondi SR: much thicker cushioning with a slip-resistant sole and wipe-clean leather upper, for anyone who wants maximum softness on hard floors (check price | read review)
• New Balance 626v2: a laced leather slip-resistant shoe in wide and extra-wide fittings, for feet that need more room or a more secure hold (check price | read review)
• Dansko XP 2.0: a lighter clog with a shaped footbed and slip-resistant sole, for workers who prefer the clog style (check price | read review)

How Does the Clove Classic Fit?

Clove says the Classic fits true to size and has a generous toe box, meaning extra room across the front of the foot. Independent reports are more mixed, so the details below matter before you order.

Fit and Sizing

Most people can start with their usual sneaker size. In one Nurse.org write-up, a nurse with narrow feet said the shoe felt loose and bigger than expected, while another went up about half a size because the ankle area felt tight. Clove suggests going up half a size if you usually wear wide shoes, or choosing the Classic Wide, which is an EE width. Women’s sizes run from 5 to 12.5 and men’s from 7 to 13.

Because the elastic laces do not tie, you cannot cinch the shoe down the way you would a laced sneaker. That is fine for average and wide feet but less ideal if your heel tends to slip.

Upper and Step-In Comfort

The upper is Clarino, a synthetic microfiber made to look and act like leather without animal hide. Clove says it stretches slightly over time and molds to your foot. The design is seamless with no separate tongue, which removes a common rubbing point, and independent write-ups describe a stretchy neoprene collar that hugs the ankle.

Step-in feel is soft and snug rather than pillowy. Some wearers say it feels a little stiff for the first few days, while others report no break-in at all.

How Does the Clove Classic Perform?

The Classic is built around three jobs: keeping you comfortable while you stand, keeping your footing on slick floors and cleaning up fast. Here is how each one plays out over a long shift.

Cushioning and All-Day Support

Clove lists a 36 mm heel cushion, the total height of foam and insole under your heel. That is enough to take the edge off hard hospital floors, but it is noticeably less than max-cushion shoes that stack closer to 40 mm or more. Clove does not name the foam it uses, calling it soft yet supportive.

The Contour Comfort insole adds shaped arch support and a heel pad. The design is intended to spread pressure across more of your foot while you stand, which may help with end-of-shift fatigue. Clove also says the shoe is accepted by the American Podiatric Medical Association. Nurses in independent write-ups generally report that their feet felt less achy after long shifts, though one rated ankle support as only average.

Slip Resistance and Traction

Clove says the Classic is certified slip resistant under ASTM F3445. ASTM International writes testing standards, and F3445 measures how well a complete shoe grips a slick test surface. Passing it places the Classic in the slip-resistant work shoe class that many hospitals ask for.

Grooves in the center and around the edge of the outsole are designed to push liquid out from under your foot as you step. That lowers your risk on a wet floor, but it does not eliminate it, and Clove itself advises reasonable care on wet or slick surfaces. Check your employer’s policy, since some name a specific standard.

Outsole, Cleanability and Durability

Cleanup is where the Classic shines. The upper wipes clean with a damp cloth, and Clove says the insoles are machine washable. Clove does not publish the outsole rubber compound, so long-term tread wear is not confirmed. Independent nurse write-ups rate durability highly, but most cover weeks or months of wear rather than years.

Is the Clove Classic Good for Walking?

For walking at work, yes. The Classic is designed for the mix of standing and short walks that fills a hospital shift: bedside care, trips to the med room and laps down long corridors. At a claimed 10 oz per shoe it is light for a work shoe, and the moderate cushioning keeps you stable when you pivot or stop short.

For longer walks on your break or the walk to the parking garage, it will do the job, but it is not a dedicated walking shoe. There is no rocker, the curved sole shape some shoes use to roll you forward, and the cushioning is moderate. If you log long fitness walks, keep a separate walking shoe for that and save the Classic for the floor.

Clove Classic vs. Previous Model

Buy the new model when: you want the upgraded insole, a confirmed slip certification and the option of a wide fit. This is the version Clove and major retailers sell today.

Buy the previous model when: you find an older pair new in box at a steep discount and your feet already know the fit. Older stock is mostly limited to resellers, so check condition and return terms before you buy.

Check Latest Price

Clove Classic Alternatives

If you like the Clove idea but want more cushioning or weather protection, the Clove Forte 2 is the natural step up. Clove gives it a thicker, dual-density foam layer, waterproof stitching and a toe bumper, while keeping the slip-resistant sole. You pay more for it (check price).

For a lower price and the easiest cleanup possible, the Crocs Neria Pro II is a molded work clog you can rinse under a tap. It has a soft footbed and a grippy tread, but the roomy, open heel gives you less hold than a sneaker (check price | read review).

If you want a long-lasting, very firm platform, the Dansko Professional is the classic nursing clog. Its rocker bottom rolls you through each step and the structure lasts for years, but it is heavy and takes time to get used to (check price | read review).

Each of these trades something away. The Forte 2 costs more, the Neria Pro II gives up heel hold and the Dansko Professional gives up the light sneaker feel that makes the Classic easy to wear.

Price and Value

The Classic launched at $129 in December 2019. Clove’s list price has climbed since then, and Clove and other retailers often discount some colors, so it pays to check current pricing before you buy. At full price it costs more than many slip-resistant sneakers with similar cushioning. What you pay extra for is the fluid-repellent upper, the slip-on design and a shoe built around healthcare work from the start. If easy cleanup matters to you every shift, that trade may be worth it.

Final Verdict

Best for: nurses and healthcare workers on hard floors who want a slip-certified, wipe-clean sneaker that slips on in seconds.

Avoid if: you want maximum cushioning, need waterproofing or have narrow feet that need a tight lockdown.

Fit: true to size for most people, roomy through the toes, with an EE Classic Wide for wider feet.

Verdict: the Clove Classic earned its following by solving the everyday problems of healthcare work: spills, slick floors and shoes that are hard to keep clean. Its cushioning is only moderate for the price, but if cleanup and slip resistance top your list, it remains one of the easiest shoes to live with on a long shift.

Check Latest Price

Frequently Asked Questions for Clove Classic