Nursing Trends
When your professions involve standing, walking, and running in the ER or in and out of patient wards all day, wearing the right shoes is a must. The best shoes for nurses on feet will prevent you from developing achy joints, arches, and other uncomfortable problems.
The good news is there is a wide variety of footwear that is perfect for a person who is their feet all day; you just need to know what to look for. Although nurses are considered as miracle workers in the medical field, they’re not immune to aches and pains just like the rest of us. Your livelihood relies on being on your feet for an extended amount of time, so your feet need the least of your worries. The best shoes for nurses on feet should be comfortable with features like breathable material and an antimicrobial lining to keep your feet comfy and dry. They should also be a good fit with a good design, made with stain-resistant material, and a non-slip sole for stability. The long hours you spend on your feet, the lack of a good relaxing break, and the physical toll on your body are the most common complaints from nurses. The type of shoe you wear can significantly reduce the stress that comes with your job.
Importance of wearing the best shoes for nurses on feet
Wearing the right shoes will help in eliminating the pain that comes with standing all day. This pain is usually caused by wearing ill-fitted shoes, so the next time you want to buy shoes, go for those that provide excellent support for your feet.
Blisters are a common thing with people who are on their feet all day. Wearing ill-fitted shoes will not only lead to blisters but also form painful callouses which don’t sound good. Most people who wear poor quality shoes end up suffering from corns and bunions that can cause your feet to develop a different shape. Such skin conditions are not only ugly to look at; they can also cause permanent nerve pain, which results in swelling and inflammation.
Most people will have problems with their heel and foot arch, and wearing shoes that don’t provide excellent cushioning and arch support can cause foot pain. Your heel carries most of your body weight, and without proper cushioning, it can cause you a lot of pain and suffering. Your arches also help in relieving the pressure from your body when walking or standing all day. So, shoes without proper arch support can harden your arches, which leads to permanent damage.
When it comes to the well-being of your feet, it’s good to think about the long term injuries you might suffer if you ignore wearing quality footwear. You may suffer for many years with painful muscles, misaligned spine, hips, and knees, and sprained joints. Such injuries will require you to undergo physical therapy, which can also lead to other permanent problems. That’s why you need to realize the importance of wearing quality nursing shoes when you’re standing for long hours.
Things to consider when looking for the right shoes for being on your feet all-day
Construction material
The materials used and the construction of the shoes is a crucial point to consider. There are very many different options when it comes to materials, but some are very commonly used. The most popular option is genuine leather, but that doesn’t mean it’s the only material you can choose.
Genuine leather
For many years genuine leather has been commonly used to make most clothing goods. Leather is hard and durable, which makes it a perfect fit with the ability to stretch to fit the shape and size of your feet, making them comfortable. A good pair of leather shoes will last for years providing maximum comfort, but not enough protection against chemical spills. Leather will prevent your feet from excessive sweating, and you can wear it in any weather.
Synthetic leather and rubber
Rubber is second to leather in popular construction materials followed by synthetic leather. Fake leather is an alternative for people who don’t like wearing animal products. Shoes made with rubber, or synthetic leather can offer protection to your feet if you work in a place where your feet get dirty. The best part is these shoes are easy to clean, but the downside is they’re not very breathable although they’re quite durable.
Slip-resistant sole
If you’re going to spend most of your time on your feet, you need shoes that will give you a solid footing to avoid slips and falls, which are very common in this field of work. These types of accidents can be avoided by wearing slip-resistant shoes. Slips at your workplace are not only embarrassing, but they’re also dangerous, mainly if you handle heavy machinery and hazardous fluids. The quality shoes with the non-slip rubber sole will prevent any injuries, whether you’re walking on wet or slippery floors.
Shoe padding and comfort
The first thing that comes to mind when looking for quality and comfortable shoes you can wear all day is the padding. However, if your shoes have too much padding, it can cause a whole set of problems. It’s also essential to have the right type of padding in your shoes. Whether you’re standing or moving back and forth, proper cushioning and support is vital for your feet so that you don’t focus on your sore feet but your work of helping patients.
However, if you ignore your sore feet and continue to wear shoes that aren’t suitable for the type of work you do, you will develop foot pain and other foot issues down the line. Go for shoes with memory foam and other dense but cushiony materials. Your feet also need to be very comfortable throughout the day.
Heel and arch support
The shoes you decide to wear to work should provide proper support for your arches and heels. Even when you take off your shoes at the end of the day, they still have an impact on your body. Wearing a barefoot type of shoe that has no heel to toe differential isn’t very comfortable, and it can cause some health problems in the long run. This is because they place too much tension on your feet. To ensure that you stay strong and don’t get fatigued even before your shift is over, it’s essential to wear shoes with the right arch support, which will depend on the type of arch you have.
Weight
The weight of your shoes is also another important factor to consider when selecting the best shoes for nurses on feet. If the shoes are too heavy, it can affect your productivity and effectiveness at work. It could also cause foot and leg pain because of using too much energy when lifting your leg. You need a quality pair of shoes that are lightweight and comfortable to help you avoid getting tired easily.
Style
This may not be a critical point to consider, but it does matter a bit. Some hospitals have a clothing guideline that requires you to wear specific clothes depending on your work station. Although your jobs require you to wear white or other specific colors of shoes, it doesn’t mean they have to ugly or dull. You will find a variety of shoes have a lace-up design while others have a slip-on design with an elastic back or front strap for comfortable wear.
The shoes you buy should be the most practical choice, depending on your working environment. You can be on the go and still be stylish. If you can get shoes that offer both comfort and style, good for you, but you shouldn’t sacrifice comfort for style. Many stylish shoes provide comfort and support to your feet and still look good in them.
Overall fit
The shoes you decide to wear all day should fit your feet perfectly, so you need to know all your feet specifications to get the most suitable nursing shoes. For example, you need to know your foot arch so that you can get shoes that will offer the correct arch support, comfort, and stability. This point incorporates all the features, factors, and design of the shoes which fit in one package. While this may be more of a personal preference point, it’s still important to consider it when it comes to what your feet deserve if you’re on your feet for long hours.
Review: Comparison table for the best shoes for nurses
[table “” not found /]K-Swiss women’s St329 sneaker
K-Swiss St329 CMF is a great training shoe that comes in a variety of colors from white, black, or brown, depending on what suits your needs. These shoes are designed to last with it’s a leather upper and durable rubber outsole with a sturdy tread that provides you with stability. These shoes are designed to offer you maximum comfort with a cushioned midsole and a quality memory foam footbed that will contour with the shape of your feet and for good arch support and extra comfort.
The textile collar lining helps to protect your feet while offering extra cushioning to your ankles. This is a durable and sleek shoe that is specifically designed for people in the medical profession to provide you with great comfort, support, and stability as you go about your business.
Pros
- Very supportive and sturdy
- Excellent cushioning that lasts
- The non-slip sole is very effective on slippery floors
- The memory foam is very comfortable
- Available in different colors
Cons
- They’re a bit heavy
Verdict
A comfortable, sleek, and durable shoe that is specifically designed with your needs in mind so that you don’t focus on your feet, but on your job. They will leave you comfortable all day, offer great support, and protection for your feet.
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Dansko women’s professional mule
Dansko professional mule is a nursing shoe that helps to improve your feet health and reduce your risk of blisters and injuries. The shoe is designed with leather using handmade staple construction for extra comfort and stability. The slip-on design is convenient, which makes it easy to put it on and take it off. The padded collar helps to reduce the pressure on top of your foot and irritation. It has a wide and roomy toe box to give your toes enough space to move freely without any restrictions.
This is a great shoe if you’re going to spend your work shift standing or walking. Apart from preventing blisters, it will also provide good support for your heel, ankles, and arch and even the length of your foot. Its polyurethane rocker bottom sole helps to relieve your feet, legs, and back from the stress of walking or standing and also to propel you forward with every step you take without using so much energy.
Pros
- Has a good arch support
- Has ample room for your toes to move freely
- Very comfortable
- Good choice for people with foot problems
Cons
- Sizing may be different from your normal shoe size
- Takes a bit of breaking in
Verdict
This is a very comfortable clog that you can wear for long hours without getting foot fatigue. It’s comfortable, has good arch support, and offers excellent protection for your toes and the rest of your foot while the sole gives you good traction to avoid accidents or falls.
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Alegria women’s Debra slip-on
This Debra slip-on shoe is for nurses who are modern and want a shoe that offers maximum comfort and style. This shoe comes in a wide variety of colors from white, red, black, and other unique designs. It’s a very comfortable and stylish slip-on with a durable leather upper that you can easily clean. The upper leather is stain resistant, so you don’t have to worry about spilling fluids on your shoes, which can leave ugly stains. The roomy footbed provides superior comfort, and the contrast stitch edges with an elastic goring make it easy for you to put the shoes on and off without any hustle.
Although the insole is designed for a perfect fit, it’s removable to allow you to get a customized one that suits the needs of your foot. It has a very comfortable and roomy toe box that allows your toes to move freely, and the memory foam footbed provides good cushioning for your feet. It’s perfect for accommodating nurses with wide feet. The rocker outsole is lightweight and slip-resistant, which will not only provide stability and easily propel you forward; it will also keep you stable and on your feet, which will help in avoiding accidents and falls on slippery floors. This shoe has very cute designs, and it will keep you comfortable throughout your long shift.
Pros
- Very comfortable to wear the whole day
- Excellent arch support
- The slip-on design makes it very easy to wear and take the shoe off
- Offers maximum protection for your feet
- The very roomy toe box
Cons
- A bit expensive
- It takes time to break it in
Verdict
A comfortable and stylish shoe with very cute designs and colors that you can choose from. The design of the slip-on is very convenient for nurses who want to wear shoes that are both stylish and comfortable if you’re going to stay on your feet all day.
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Natural uniforms UltraLite women’s clog
If you love wearing clogs, then you should try these Natural uniforms nursing shoes. This clog comes with a strap at the back of the heel to ensure that your foot is securely in place, even when you’re running around. It comes in a variety of colors you can choose from and the design you want to suit your uniform. The clog is very light and comfortable to wear if you don’t like walking in heavy shoes. Despite the shoe’s simple design, it will offer your feet excellent comfort and support. The insole is removable, so you can replace it with an orthotic insert if you want.
The non-marking, slip-resistant sloe will ensure you’re feet are securely in place no matter which surface you’re walking or standing on. It will also help in dispersing the shock from the impact on a hard surface, reducing leg and foot fatigue. The high arch and molded footbed provide you with adequate support while the heel strap ensures your feet are held in place, whether you’re walking or standing.
Pros
- Lightweight and extremely comfortable
- The heel strap secures your feet in place
- Very easy to clean
- Very affordable
- Provides good grip
Cons
- The sizing can be a bit bigger than your normal shoe size
- The shoe can be a bit wide
Verdict
This is a lightweight nursing shoe that is great if you’re on a budget but still needs shoes that will offer you comfort and support when you’re on your feet all day. You can get this clog in many colors, and you can easily clean it. Unlike other clogs, this one has a strap at the back of the heel to help keep your foot in place so that it doesn’t come off when walking or running.
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Brooks women’s addiction walker walking shoes
These are manmade running shoes that come with a lace-up closure to keep your feet secure and offer protection. The shape of the shoe may be a bit bulky for some people as its sneaker design is on the heavier side, but the shoe is made with lots of technology to deliver comfort and support. It’s available in 3 color options; white, black, and bone, depending on your personal preference. The sneaker is 100% manmade with a supple upper and a slip-resistant sole to protect you from slips and falls on slippery floors.
The shoe has a fore and rear foot hydro flow to provide excellent cushioning and absorbing the shock impact of your feet when walking on hard floors. The MOGO midsole enhances cushioning and protection. Also, the PDRB triple-density post provides your feet with excellent stability and strong arch support, especially if you have low arches and overpronation. This will help reduce foot and leg pain with increased stability and to keep your feet securely in place throughout your shift. This sneaker is a perfect choice, especially if you have foot problems, and you’re on your feet all day.
Pros
- Have a stable and supportive base
- Made with soft leather and wide toe box
- Ideal shoes if you experience foot and leg pain
- Supports your lower arch and pronation
Cons
- You need to buy half a size larger
- Can be a bit tight for wide feet
Verdict
Although this sneaker is a bit heavy, it’s perfect if you’re on your feet all day to provide excellent comfort, support, and protection for your feet. It’s made with technology that offers everything your feet need. Your toes are protected, and cushioning for your arch support is well provided to reduce foot fatigue and pain.
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Klogs women’s mission nursing clog
This Mission clog looks like an excellent nursing shoe that combines style and works readiness. It has a simple but professional design with just a few seams for detail to enhance the simplicity of the shoe. This clean white design is very appealing in a hospital setting, but you can also get the clog in different colors and designs. It has a convenient shape that is enhanced by the slip-resistant sole. It’s made with quality leather on the upper part for style and comfort and a polyurethane outsole that is slip-resistant and absorbs shock so that you don’t experience foot and leg pain.
The padded collar and a small side goring will help in preventing your feet from swelling throughout the day. They’re very supportive with a footbed that provides excellent arch support and a removable insole you can replace with an orthotic insert if that’s what you prefer. It’s a pretty secure and reliable clog you can wear on those long shifts; you have to be on your feet all day. This clog will ensure you’re comfortable in the long term with proper cushioning to last you all day.
Pros
- Offers overall comfort
- Provides relief to your back and feet
- Offers good support
- Very stylish shoes
Cons
- Has some sizing issues
Verdict
A lightweight and comfortable clog you can wear to work and not feel tired at the end of your shift. It will provide your feet with good arch support and make sure you don’t slip or fall on any slippery surface. Its simple style is both fashionable and professional, which adds some fun and personality to your uniform.
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Nurse mates women’s harmony
Nurse mates women’s shoes that are comfortable and popular with nurses. This is a quality shoe for women that is well-known because of its beauty and elegance. It’s a comfortable version of the modern Crocs. The upper leather of this shoe is full-grain and stain-resistant, so you don’t have to be stressed about cleaning up stains or dirt from the shoe. It has a padded collar and a dual side goring that provides a snug fit while the fabric lining keeps your feet cool and dry.
The cushiony footbed ensures your feet have a comfortable bounce with each step you make, which reduces the energy spent when walking or running. This shoe has a comfort shank that stabilizes your feet and gives you just enough lift while at the same time absorbing shock and reducing traction. These shoes also have a roomy toe box, which is suitable if you have wide feet.
Pros
- Provides good arch support
- The design helps to straighten your posture and walking
- Helps to reduce feet and back pains
- The steel shanks provide excellent arch support
Cons
- Isn’t breathable
Verdict
A comfortable, elegant shoe that will offer quality comfort, cushiony support, and a bounce with every step you take. Your toes have enough room to be free and comfortable so that your feet don’t develop any pain. It’s a right shoe for nurses with both narrow and wide feet.
View price on Amazon
Final thoughts
As a nurse, your profession requires you to spend up to 12 hours on your feet or even longer, so you need to look for a shoe that provides all your feet needs to keep you comfortable all day. The best shoes for nurses on feet should ensure you’re comfortable, protected, and well supported and stable on your feet. The K-Swiss women’s St329 sneaker is a good shoe that stylish and designed to make sure you focus on your job instead of your feet.
