Recommendation for comfortable nursing shoes

Nurses Uniform/Gear

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I never really had an issue with the shoes I wear to work, but recently the shoes I wear are making one of my toes very uncomfortable. What kind of nursing shoes are the best for being on my feet all day? TIA ?

megster871

26 Posts

Well I did do that and found a few, but I just wanted to see what other people liked.

roser13, ASN, RN

6,504 Posts

Specializes in Med/Surg, Ortho, ASC.
megster871 said:
Well I did do that and found a few, but I just wanted to see what other people liked.

The second link gives you dozens of threads = hundreds of opinions. When a subject has been exhaustively discussed, sometimes it's hard to get folks to respond so I wanted to show you where to look.

westieluv

948 Posts

Specializes in Med/Surg, Tele, Dialysis, Hospice.

I have had a lot of trouble with plantar fascitis/heel spurs in the past when I had a job where I was on my feet a lot. I finally went to one of those high end specialty shoe stores that specialize in fitting you to the perfect shoe. I was told that the shoes I had on were too tight, even though they were the size I normally wear, and it turns out they were because I was not allowing for the normal swelling that occurs when you are on your feet for hours on end. They fitted me with a pair of Brooks Dyad 8 running shoes in one size bigger than I normally wear, along with some high quality, perspiration absorbing ankle socks and I have never looked back. I no longer have any foot pain while working, even after hours on my feet. I just bought my second pair of Brooks Dyad 8s, again, one size up from what I normally wear. They are not cheap, right around $120, but SO worth it! I would recommend them to anyone, unless you have to wear an all leather shoe, as these are part mesh fabric.

Oh, and I also wear a pair of those rubber heel cushion inserts inside my shoes, but I did that before I found the Brooks and I still had foot/heel pain, so it must be the shoes.

Specializes in Critical Care, Med-Surg, Psych, Geri, LTC, Tele,.

I don't have a diagnosis of plantar fasciitis, but I have "funny" feet that give me pain unless I wear good shoes. My feet are wide, also.

Danskos

Allegria

Nike AirMax

All with separately purchased inserts for the soles

All with good socks that provide compression, arch support and toe/heel cushion.

Some nurses swear that Skechers are super comfy.

TheCommuter, BSN, RN

102 Articles; 27,612 Posts

Specializes in Case mgmt., rehab, (CRRN), LTC & psych.

I've been wearing New Balance athletic shoes for many years. They come in wide width, which comes in handy for my short and stubby feet.

I've also had good luck with Adidas and Nike Reax.

Specializes in LTC and Pediatrics.

You could also go to a specialty store for athletic shoes and tell them how other shoes have felt and what you need. They will recommend some and have you try some asking you to walk around a track in the store. After having done this, I wear an Ascics shoe. Don't worry about getting expensive shoes if they are the ones your feet feel good in, give you support and last through a long shift.

Specializes in Pediatrics, Emergency, Trauma.
quiltynurse56 said:
You could also go to a specialty store for athletic shoes and tell them how other shoes have felt and what you need. They will recommend some and have you try some asking you to walk around a track in the store. After having done this, I wear an Ascics shoe. Don't worry about getting expensive shoes if they are the ones your feet feel good in, give you support and last through a long shift.

I was just going to recommend this-I have done so on the previous threads another poster helpfully pointed out.

If you have a specialty store, such as The Walking Company in your area, that would be a great start in finding shoes that will be comfortable.

I have no particular foot issues, although I see a pediatrist no more than 5 years at a time.

I wear Danskos, Nike, and Adidas; more so Danksos decease I work in a setting where body fluids are more prevalent to splash (Level I Trauma Pediatric ED); while in other settings I have worn the above. I rotate my Danskos every 2 shifts and even off the clock will wear shoes that complement my feet's comfort when needed.

jadelpn, LPN, EMT-B

9 Articles; 4,800 Posts

Sanrita clogs and compression socks to the knee. I found it can be all in the socks! LOL!

I have really wide feet and they are flat. The toebox in any number of shoes are always too narrow, and some wide size sneakers the leather decoration hits me on the little toe--the area that will rub and I will get blisters.

I always wore clogs for play not work. But then I decided to try a new pair. They were wide enough, no rubbing and the arch support feels great.

Prior to that Nike running shoes.

spw4189

8 Posts

My suggestion would be (this is what I do) do some research, like you are doing here, then go to Zappos.com and order 7 or 8 different pairs. Try them all on, wear them around the house and see which ones fit the best and will work for you. Then return the ones you don't want. There is no better way to buy shoes.

Specializes in med-surg, IMC, school nursing, NICU.

Fun fact: googling "good nursing shoes" years ago when I was hired for my first job is what lead me to discover AN in the first place. :woot:

Anyway. I love as good pair of Nikes. Nice compression socks (I wear the same ones I use for running)

I do not care for Danskos. I read somewhere that Danskos clogs are actually designed for people who STAND a lot but not necessarily walk around. Who knows, I just found them very uncomfortable.

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