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Nurses often cover several miles during their shifts while providing their patients with the best care. To manage their demanding days (and nights) with minimal pain and a low risk of injury, they need the most comfortable footwear possible. The best shoes for healthcare workers—whether nurses, doctors, or other medical staff—should provide cushioning and support for the feet and ankles. Additionally, these shoes help maintain correct posture, which can significantly reduce the risk of leg, hip, and back pain.

According to Dr. Bruce Pinker, board-certified podiatrist and founder of Progressive Foot Care, the best shoes for nurses should have a firm heel counter, adequate shock absorption, a cushioned insole, proper traction (grip to prevent slippage, durable uppers), and adequate room in the toe box to prevent cramping.

To identify the most supportive and comfortable medical footwear, we enlisted the help of five critical care nurses to test 12 pairs of shoes during their shifts. Each shoe was evaluated on its fit, comfort, ease of cleaning, stability, support, durability, and value. In addition, a podiatrist from our Medical Expert Board reviews this article for medical and scientific accuracy.

The Editor’s Take

I have been an editor for over 15 years. While I primarily work at a computer now, I've had jobs that involve long shifts of standing, walking, and managing spills. For healthcare workers who spend days and nights in those conditions, it's important to have shoes that combine functionality, support, and style.

 

My friend, a physician assistant in congenital interventional cardiology, explains that different healthcare professions and environments have unique footwear needs. She often stands for long periods during procedures, unlike critical care nurses, who are always moving. This prolonged standing can cause foot pain, leg fatigue, and back pain without supportive shoes.


Her preferred footwear for medical settings is Hoka, which made our list for the best cushioning. She currently wears the Hoka Rincon 3 and loves them for their thick, supportive sole that remain lightweight for her rounds. Unlike shoes that lose support after a month, her Hokas have held up over time. Brooks is another brand she likes and was also one of the best in our test. The high backs of these sneakers are good for ankle stability but can sometimes rub on active days. She adds that clogs are very popular in her hospital, but some, like the Dansko Professional Clogs we tested, can feel too heavy for some.


Finding the right footwear for the demands of your job can significantly improve your foot health, performance, and well-being while you work and help support you as you provide care to others.


— Nicole Cherie Jones, Editor

Why We Like It

We knew from experience with this brand to order a half-size smaller than usual, and we’re pleased to say they lived up to our past experiences in terms of comfort and ankle support. The thick, sturdy cushioning relieved joint pressure, and we didn’t experience any knee or back pain during testing. The leather uppers, though not super breathable and quite stiff (at least initially), are definitely easy to clean, with no fluids permeating the surface. Best of all, the stability was more than adequate for confident movement during long shifts in critical care. Hoka shoes also get Dr. Tulpule’s approval, and these Bondi SRs get the nod from the APMA.

It’s Worth Noting 

The leather felt stiff initially and required a brief break-in period to soften up. We also found the leather not overly breathable, so they ran hotter than other shoes we tested. 

Product Details:

  • Sizes: 5–11
  • Width: Regular, Wide
  • Support Features: Extra cushioning, water-resistant leather, slip-resistant outsole, EVA midsole, APMA approved

Our Testing Process

To determine the best shoes for nurses, we had a team of five registered critical care nurses test 12 popular shoes during their real-life practice. For one month, our nurses wore each pair of shoes for a minimum of four nursing shifts, ranging from eight to twelve hours. They evaluated each shoe on the following criteria:

  • Fit: We considered whether the shoes were true to size (allowing a thumb’s width between the longest toe and shoe front), any discomfort, numbness, or tingling, the snugness of fit around the foot and heel, and ankle movement.
  • Comfort: We noted the necessity of a break-in period, any pain experienced, breathability and temperature variations, ease of slipping on and off, blisters, rubbing or tenderness, and differences (if any) between the start and end of the test period.
  • Support: We assessed the sole cushioning, pressure relief, flexibility of materials, sturdiness, and residual knee and back pain after use. 
  • Ease of cleaning: We evaluated the fabric's permeability, the effectiveness of spot cleaning, and machine washability (if applicable).
  • Stability: We noted how the shoes affected the alignment of feet, heels, and ankles, stability while walking, running, and climbing stairs, and confidence to complete all expected movements in fast-paced workplaces.
  • Durability: We noted no discoloration, shrinking, or stretching and no reduction in cushioning or sole lift during use.
  • Value: After testing, we evaluate the perceived value of each shoe and whether or not we would purchase at full price, and whether we'd recommend each shoe to others.

Our Experts

Before testing, we spoke with registered nurse Karen Fischer to help us understand the attributes that make a great shoe for nurses and other healthcare workers and to help set our test methodology. For further context, we also interviewed the following experts:

  • Saylee Tulpule, DPM, Foot and Ankle Specialists of the Mid-Atlantic
  • Bruce Pinker, DPM, AACFAS, FAPWCA, DABPM, FACPM, board-certified podiatrist and founder of Progressive Foot Care

Shoes for Nurses That Didn’t Make Our List

  • Hoka One One Bondi 8: While we loved the cushion and back support of these shoes, we wish the fabric was easier to clean. They also require a break-in period..
  • Asics Novablast 3: We initially liked the feel of the cushioning of these shoes, though by the end of the first shift we experienced arch, knee and back pain. Comfortable, yes. Supportive, not as much.
  • Dansko Professional patent clogs: The thick, rigid soles were hard on our toes and did not provide enough ankle support. They felt heavy and constricting—and like they would require significant break-in time.

What to Look For When Buying Shoes for Nurses and Healthcare Workers

Dr. Tulpule recommends that nurses, doctors, and other medical professionals choose shoes that provide solid back and heel support, cushioning to reduce foot and ankle fatigue, and slip-resistant outsoles for slippery hospital settings. Key features to consider include:

  • Arch and Heel Support: Low arches need support for comfort, and high arches need support to maintain height. Heels need a firm counter (or back of the shoe) to stabilize the foot and ankle for long periods on your feet.
  • Cushioning: A shoe's midsole provides cushioning and shock absorption. Dr. Pinker suggests paying attention to the construction of the lofty foam section of the sole and looking for cushioning that offers energy return to put a little spring in your step. 
  • Slip-resistant Outsole: Stability is necessary for working at face paces and places that may come in contact with fluids. Slip-resistant outsoles offer traction and grip so you can move and turn without fear of slipping.
  • Breathable and Cleanable Materials: Shoes with breathable uppers offer ventilation and help keep feet cool. Long hours with sweaty feet can increase fatigue and create ideal conditions for fungal and other infections. Spills are a part of many healthcare worker’s jobs, so look for fabrics that are easy to wipe clean or machine wash.

Your Questions, Answered

How often should I replace my nursing shoes? 

Our podiatrists and testing team of nurses agree, healthcare workers who spend a lot of time on their feet during long shifts should replace their shoes at least every 6 months. As Dr. Tulpule notes, this can help reduce risk of heel pain, tendonitis, and joint issues. 

Should I alternate between different shoes? 

Dr. Tulpule says the major benefit of alternating between shoes is to reduce the risk of injury or pain, because you're not wearing out the same shoe shift after shift. She also notes that many nurses, doctors and other medical staff often keep a second pair of shoes on hand in case there are spills during a shift. 

What’s the difference between nursing shoes and regular sneakers? 

Dr. Pinker says the biggest difference is that nursing shoes have an added anti-slip feature in most models. While Dr. Tulpule notes that while many nursing and athletic shoes offer both cushion and support, nursing shoes are often much easier to slip on and off and are water- and slip-resistant. 

Who We Are

Samson McDougall is a writer for Health.com and a biology graduate. Samson is a walker, hiker, surfer, and all-round nature lover. He has narrow paddle-like feet with supremely high arches and weird elongated pointer toes that curl at the end.