9 Best Shoes For Nurses, Per RNs
Nurses will walk on average at least 9,000 steps1 during a 12-hour shift—and proper footwear is key to making it through a physically (and mentally) demanding shift.
The best shoes for nurses provide the necessary support for the long hours spent on their feet, with a combination of cushioning, outsole traction, and arch support.
What's more, these shoes are either washable or waterproof, which is essential for hectic healthcare spaces where spills are common.
Below, find the best shoes for nurses recommended by healthcare practitioners and vetted against podiatrist guidelines for comfort.
- Best slip-resistant shoes: Stand+ Frontline
- Best shoes for long shifts: Clove Classic
- Best sustainable shoes: Allbirds Tree Runner
- Best lightweight shoes: Clove Aero
- Best cushioned shoes: Hoka Bondi 8
- Best shoes for plantar fasciitis: On Cloudnova
- Best clogs: Calzuro Classic
Why do nurses need special shoes?
“The average person walks anywhere between 1.5 to two miles per day,” says Austin-based podiatrist, Anne Sharkey, DPM. For healthcare workers, who spend most of their days on the move, that number can get much higher.
“With each step, the heel strikes the ground, and weight bearing forces are transmitted through the entire foot. This equates to a lot of stress through the joints in the feet.”
Research backs this, too. One recent review from 2023 found that nurses are at high risk of developing chronic foot pain2 due to the physical demand of the job.
Another 2023 review shows prolonged walking and standing puts nurses at a higher risk of foot and ankle disorders3.
According to Sharkey, it’s critical to wear supportive shoes suited to your individual foot type. “Poor shoe gear can lead to a whole host of pain and problems,” she explains. If not addressed, this pain can start at the foot and move its way up to your knees, hips, and back.
How we picked the best shoes for nurses
Nurse recommended
We crowdsourced nurses for these picks by reading hundreds of reviews and interviewing the author’s personal connections.
Nurses will walk on average at least 9,000 steps1 during a 12-hour shift—and proper footwear is key to making it through a physically (and mentally) demanding shift.
The best shoes for nurses provide the necessary support for the long hours spent on their feet, with a combination of cushioning, outsole traction, and arch support.
What's more, these shoes are either washable or waterproof, which is essential for hectic healthcare spaces where spills are common.
Below, find the best shoes for nurses recommended by healthcare practitioners and vetted against podiatrist guidelines for comfort.
- Best slip-resistant shoes: Stand+ Frontline
- Best shoes for long shifts: Clove Classic
- Best sustainable shoes: Allbirds Tree Runner
- Best lightweight shoes: Clove Aero
- Best cushioned shoes: Hoka Bondi 8
- Best shoes for plantar fasciitis: On Cloudnova
- Best clogs: Calzuro Classic
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Why do nurses need special shoes?
“The average person walks anywhere between 1.5 to two miles per day,” says Austin-based podiatrist, Anne Sharkey, DPM. For healthcare workers, who spend most of their days on the move, that number can get much higher.
“With each step, the heel strikes the ground, and weight bearing forces are transmitted through the entire foot. This equates to a lot of stress through the joints in the feet.”
Research backs this, too. One recent review from 2023 found that nurses are at high risk of developing chronic foot pain2 due to the physical demand of the job.
Another 2023 review shows prolonged walking and standing puts nurses at a higher risk of foot and ankle disorders3.
According to Sharkey, it’s critical to wear supportive shoes suited to your individual foot type. “Poor shoe gear can lead to a whole host of pain and problems,” she explains. If not addressed, this pain can start at the foot and move its way up to your knees, hips, and back.
How we picked the best shoes for nurses
Nurse recommended
We crowdsourced nurses for these picks by reading hundreds of reviews and interviewing the author’s personal connections.
Versatile style
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Nursing shoes need to be sturdy, but we know style is also important. Whether you love a clog or a lace up sneaker, we found a suitable shoe for your next long shift.
Easy to clean
Nurses often have a messy job—that’s why we tried to keep wipe-friendly and wash-friendly materials at the top of our priority list when making these picks.
Expert criteria
We kept in mind the recommendations of our expert, Anne Sharkey, DPM, and included shoes with cushion and support, as well as picks for those with wide feet.
The best shoes for nurses
If you’re looking for a shoe that can stand up to spills and stains, these deliver. They’re waterproof, easy to clean, and have slip-resistant soles to keep you grounded.
Plus, these shoes are super lightweight and made with partially recycled materials. While most people say they run true to size, nurses with wide feet may prefer the Stand+ Pro Line.
While they’re a hit with nurses for their lightweight, waterproof design, one tradeoff is that the shoes can trap heat and moisture if your feet tend to run hot. As a result, some reviewers complain about squeaking.
What nurses say: “I really needed a shoe that was comfortable but was also non-slip and water proof for giving showers and not slipping on the floors I just mopped. So far it has been nothing but a good experience with these shoes. They are cleaned so easily and very easy to put on.” -Nurse Michaela
If eco-friendly initiatives and materials are important to you, check out Allbirds, one of the most sustainable shoe brands around. The Tree Runners include materials such as eucalyptus-derived Tencel, laces derived from recycled water bottles, and foams made from sugarcane and castor bean oil.
These shoes are a hit with nurses for their cushy comfort, breathable upper, and easy machine wash-friendly design.
On the con side, they’re rather flexible, so they might not work for folks who need more support. Plus, they’re only available in whole sizes, so if you’re in between Allbirds advises that you size up.
What nurses say: “I am a nurse and on my feet all day, 10+ hrs. These are the most comfortable sneakers, and support is great as well. Highly recommend” - Nurse Lori
One consideration: These will be tougher to keep clean than others, as they’re not fluid-resistant or machine washable.
What nurses say: “I wear two pairs of Hoka sneakers. Bondi 8 and Clifton 9. However, the Bondi 8’s have much more support in the heel and ankle, IMO. I usually wear those when I’m working three days in a row.” -Nurse Erin
