Nurses often work long hours, and they're always on their feet. Having sore, tired feet can make it tough for a nurse to get through their workday, and can even affect their work performance. That is why it is important to find the best shoes for nurses. In this article, we review our top ten choices, to help you find the best shoes for you.

Product FAQ

nurse practitioner medical office

Image by Freepik

1. Why Are The Best Shoes For Nurses Important?

2. What Are Some Qualities Of The Best Shoes For Nurses?

3. What Is Arch Support And Why Do I Need It?

4. Are Nurse Shoes Always Unfashionable?

How We Reviewed

The following products were reviewed based on the following parameters Features, Pros & Cons, Price, Where to Buy, and Warranty. We looked at many of the shoes preferred by nurses, and chose our ten favorites in a variety of styles.

Overall Price Range

The best shoes for nurses range in price from about $40 to about $125. The higher-priced shoes sometimes use higher quality materials, and may be designed to be more durable and long-lasting than other shoes. However, all of the shoes on our list have received high rankings from nurses and other professionals who work on their feet.

What We Reviewed

  • Dansko Women's Professional Mule
  • Sanita Women's Professional Patent Clog
  • Calzuro Autoclavable Clog with Upper Ventilation
  • Dr. Scholl's Women's Kimberly Slip Resistant Work Shoe
  • Crocs Classic Clog
  • Skechers for Work Women's Sure Track Slip Resistant Shoe
  • Brooks Women's Ghost 11
  • Alegria Women's Paloma Flat
  • KLOGS Footwear Women's Naples Nursing Clogs
  • Birkenstock Unisex Professional Boston

Dansko Women’s Professional Mule

Features

Dansko is a brand of shoes that is often chosen by doctors, nurses, and other professionals who have to stay on their feet a lot. They are especially considered the best shoes for nurses with wider feet. They provide great arch support. The sturdy body and wide heel work together to provide support and stability. While these shoes have less padding than some of the other shoes on our list, they have "rocker bottoms" that are designed to absorb shock and prevent fatigue. The shoes are made of patent leather, which resists moisture and scuff marks. With proper care, these shoes can last a year or more.

Price $$$

PROS

  • Arch support
  • Sturdy body
  • Wide heel
  • Resist scuff marks and moisture
  • You get to meet and work with a diverse group of people.
  • Long lasting

CONS

  • May not fit people with narrow feet
  • Some users don't like the feel of the rocker bottoms

Sanita Women’s Professional Patent Clog

Features

These may be the best shoes for nurses who like bright colors. They come in colors like red, fuschia, blue, and even some fun patterns such as Grass and Damask. In addition to their colors, they are recommended by the American Podiatric Medical Association because of their great arch support. They have a reinforced instep with extra padding, The protective heel cap and stabilizing insert provide stability. The leather-lined footbeds wick away moisture, keeping feet comfortable and cool, They have rocker bottoms for shock absorption, and skid-resistant outsoles to keep nurses on their feet.

Price $$$

PROS

  • Great arch support
  • Reinforced insteps
  • Protective heel caps
  • Stabilizing inserts
  • You get to meet and work with a diverse group of people.
  • Leather-lined footbeds to wick away moisture
  • Rocker bottoms for shock absorption
  • Skid-resistant
  • Bright colors and patterns

CONS

  • Some reviewers said the size chart provided by the company isn't consistent with the sizes they usually wear
  • People with wide feet may not find the best fit

Calzuro Autoclavable Clog With Upper Ventilation

Features

What makes these shoes one of the best shoes for nurses is the fact that they can be sanitized in an autoclave machine. An autoclave is often used to sterilize laboratory materials and equipment in hospitals. They can also be cleaned with bleach, or put in the washing machine. They also have design features that are perfect for nurses. Their 1.5 heel is the exact height to minimize foot fatigue. The small bumps on the footbeds are called massaging beads, and they stimulate blood circulation. The holes on the tops and sides of the shoes provide ventilation, keeping feet from getting hot and sweaty. They have open backs to make them easy to slip on and off, but for those who prefer their shoes to have a back, a heel strap accessory can be added. They have slip-resistant soles. They come in a variety of colors, including green, blue, orange, red, maroon, yellow, teal, metallic gray, purple, hot pink, black, or white.

Price $$

PROS

  • Can be easily cleaned in         autoclave, washing machine, or bleach
  • 1.5 heels to minimize fatigue
  • Massaging beads for blood circulation
  • Top ventilation
  • Come in many colors

CONS

  • Do not protect feet from spills
  • May not be sturdy enough to protect feet from falling objects

Dr. Scholl’s Women’s Kimberly Slip Resistant Work Shoe

Features

These leather shoes have padded collars and tongues that protect the feet from blisters and add comfort. The D-ring laces can be adjusted to the perfect fit. They have a moisture-wicking lining that keeps feet dry and cool, and a microbe shield to absorb any odors. The soles are filled with anti-compression memory foam and massaging gel. They are slip-resistant, with a lockstep outsole for stability.

Price $

PROS

  • Lots of padding for comfort
  • Adjustable laces
  • Moisture-wicking lining
  • Memory foam and massaging gel insoles
  • Slip-resistant
  • Lockstep outsole

CONS

  • Not as fun and fashionable as some shoes on our list

Crocs Classic Clog

Features

These shoes are in the running as the best shoes for nurses because they are lightweight and comfortable. The fronts of these shoes are wide and have plenty of room for toes to spread out. The synthetic material the Crocs are made of gets softer with body heat, and forms around the shape of the wearer's foot. They have holes on the tops for ventilation, keeping feet cool and comfortable. Plus, the soles will not mark up the floor. They come in over 40 colors.

Price $

PROS

  • Lightweight
  • Lots of room for toes
  • Form around shape of foot
  • Ventilation holes
  • Soles do not mark floor
  • Many colors

CONS

  • Won't protect feet from spills
  • May not protect feet from falling objects

Skechers For Work Women’s Sure Track Slip Resistant Shoe

Features

These shoes are durable, slip-resistant, and have heel overlays and protective leather for sturdiness. The soles are not only slip-resistant, but are resistant to chemicals and oil, keeping your feet safe from any spills. They have memory foam insoles and shock absorbent midsoles for maximum comfort. The stretchy top panel and heel pull-on loop make them easy to take on and off in a hurry.

Price $

PROS

  • Sturdy and protective
  • Slip-resistant
  • Memory foam insoles
  • Shock absorbent midsoles
  • Easy to take on and off

CONS

  • Only come in one color

Brooks Women’s Ghost 11

Features

These shoes are actually designed as running shoes, but all of the features that runners love also make them one of the best shoes for nurses. Reviewers describe them as being soft, light, and bouncy. The foam midsoles work as shock absorbers and disperse the impact of the step efficiently. The soles, which have enough traction to keep runners from slipping on difficult surfaces like gravel or wet pavement, will also prevent nurses from slipping on hospital floors. The flexible, breathable mesh allows feet to move freely, and there is plenty of room for toes to stretch out. They have a fun, athletic look, and come in a variety of colors.

Price $$

PROS

  • Soft, light, bouncy, and comfortable
  • Shock-absorbing midsoles
  • Great traction
  • Breathable mesh
  • Flexible and roomy
  • Lots of colors

CONS

  • People with narrow feet might find them too loose

Alegria Women’s Paloma Flat

Features

This is one of the best shoes for nurses who like to wear unique and fun looking shoes without sacrificing comfort. They come in over 75 patterns, with names like Rainbow Connection, Gypsy Rose, Hippie Chick Dottie, and Good Luck. They have nice looking details such as a button strap. More importantly, they have plenty of features that will keep nurses comfortable, such as a wide toe area and rocker bottoms. The cork footbed forms around the foot and acts as a shock absorber. However, for people who prefer a different type of insole, the footbeds can be removed and replaced with something different. They have great arch support as well.

Price $$

PROS

  • Wide toe area
  • Rocker bottoms
  • Removable cork insoles
  • Great arch support

CONS

  • Colors may fade after a while

KLOGS Footwear Women’s Naples Nursing Clogs

Features

Here is a pair of shoes designed specifically with nurses in mind. They have great arch support, making them one of the best shoes for nurses who work long hours. They have a lightweight, microfiber footbed that is made of antimicrobial material for health and odor control. The two-inch heel and one-inch platform provide stability and balance, while preventing fatigue. The soles are slip-resistant, have good traction, and do not mark up floors. The insoles are cushioned and supportive, but for people who prefer special insoles, they can be removed and replaced with the wearer's choice. Plus, they come in 45 patterns!

Price $

PROS

  • Great arch support
  • Lightweight footbed
  • Antimicrobial
  • Provide stability and balance
  • Slip-resistant soles
  • Don't mark up floors
  • Removable insoles
  • Come in many patterns

CONS

  • Some people say they squeak on certain floors

Birkenstock Unisex Professional Boston

Features

These shoes come in black or white, and have a clean and professional look. They have excellent arch support. The midsole has a foam cushion and the cork footbed molds to the shape of the wearer's foot, for added comfort and support. A strap on the top can be adjusted for the best fit. They also have a stabilizing heel cup and a raised toe bar. The rubber sole provides an extra secure grip that will keep nurses from slipping, even on wet floors.

Price $$$

PROS

  • Professional appearance
  • Great arch support
  • Foam midsole
  • Cork footbed molds to foot
  • Adjustable top strap
  • Stabilizing heel cup
  • Raised toe bar
  • Slip-resistant rubber sole

CONS

  • Sizes may run small
  • Some wearers feel there is too much arch support

The Verdict

doctor with stethoscope hands hospital background

Image by Freepik

Nurses work hard, and they need all the support they can get. If wearing the best shoes for nurses can help keep them comfortable and stop them from becoming fatigued before the end of their shift, then they are definitely worth looking into.

The best shoes for you will depend on your needs and your workplace. Some nurses love to wear shoes that are colorful and fun, as well as comfortable. For those nurses, our favorites include the Sanita Women's Professional Patent Clogs, the Calzuro Autoclavable Clogs, Classic Crocs, Alegria Women's Paloma Flats, or Klogs Women's Naples Nursing Clogs. These shoes all have great features such as arch support and rocker bottoms, but they also allow nurses to express their personalities.

Some workplaces have more strict dress codes and want nurses to wear plain black or white shoes. Dansko Women's Professional Mules, or Birkenstock Unisex Professional Bostons, might be their best choices. These shoes are professional looking, but still stylish,

For nurses who have to worry about protecting their feet from hazardous materials, the Skechers For Work Women's Sure Track Slip Resistant shoes are a good bet. They are especially rugged and sturdy, with heel overlays, protective leather, and soles that are resistant to chemicals and oil. They are even safe against electrical hazards.

Many nurses are on a strict budget. If you're looking for the best shoes for nurses for the lowest price, the ones you should look for are Dr. Scholl's Women's Kimberly Slip Resistant Work Shoes or Skechers for Work Women's Sure Track Slip Resistant Shoe. While they can definitely be described as "sensible" shoes rather than fashionable, they provide all of the arch support and slip resistance of more expensive shoes.

Whatever shoes you choose, be sure to make comfort and safety your highest priority!