Recommendation for comfortable nursing shoes

Nurses Uniform/Gear

Updated:   Published

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 ?

I have been a diehard asics girl for several years. They felt good at first then weren't working for me any more. I have Fred flintstone feet! Lol my daughter suggested I try Hoka running shoes. I got a pair last week and I am in love! I have plantar fasciitis and the first dozen steps when I get out of bed used to be excruciating! No more! I can dance when I get out of bed! I was getting cortisone shots in my feet on a regular basis, I don't think I'll be needing them anymore. The shoes as ugly as hell but I don't care they feel wonderful! Try Men's and Women's running shoes and apparel, running shoe reviews: Nike, Brooks, adidas, Mizuno, Asics, Saucony & New Balance for some good prices. They have some for $39.99 which is an amazing price for these. Use google for a 10% off code too! You won't be disappointed

1
Up Vote Up Vote ×
Specializes in NICU, ICU, PICU, Academia.

OP- asking random internet strangers what shoes you should wear is akin to asking the same random strangers if you should marry someone.

Some posters love Danskos- I despise them. Others prefer running/ walking shoes. Some are stuck in the unholy clogs.

Try on a bunch of shoes, buy what feels good.

1
Up Vote Up Vote ×
Specializes in Emergency.

New Balance

Up Vote Up Vote ×
Specializes in Emergency Nursing.

I alternate between a pair of Danskos and a pair of Brooks running shoes. I love them both!

1
Up Vote Up Vote ×

Dansko "Samantha's" are incredible for my feet. My feet never bother me, even with three 12-hour shifts in a row. (The rest of me is tired but my feet are fine). Clogs don't work for me due to my high arch. I tried other Dansko sneaker models, but they weren't as good for me as the Samantha model.

1
Up Vote Up Vote ×
Specializes in CVICU and Trauma.

I work long 12 hour shift in ICU and I swear by my runnings shoes! Used to wear nursing clogs (sanita & danskos) for years, but the random ankle rolls and calf cramps got to be so much I had to switch to tennis/running shoes. Too bad though because they were super cute!

I discovered running shoes worked better for me by accident. I stayed the night with a family member, work begged me to come in, all I had was my running shoes (I'm a distance runner), so I wore my runnings shoes and some OR scrubs my manager had grabbed me. My legs, feet, calfs, and even my back never felt better! Haven't worn clogs since.

Don't get me wrong, the clogs are amazing for other nurses feet, just not right for mine. However, I do buy separate running shoes for work than for my runs. I'm kinda a germaphobe that way. I also tend to wear surgical booties over my shoes since they are a permeable canvas on top (although I do have a couple water proof ones I don't always cover). Since I wear these pairs for work only, they are considered part of my work uniforms and I get to write them off at the end of the year.

My favorite for work are my Saucony Triumphs (I have many shoes, many colors). I also wear Brooks from time to time to change it up. But I did just order a pair of Salomon shoes since a lot of my coworkers like them. Some nurses also wear the Hoka brand. I wear Hoka's when I run but haven't tried the for work yet. Others find Sketchers best for their feet. Very few of my coworkers wear clogs anymore.

I recommend you go to your local running store and have them measure and assess your feet and foot strike. They can tell you about your arches, how you walk, what part of your foot hits the ground the most and with the most impact, if your feet are narrow/wide, whether your feet pronate or supinate, etc. They can tell you what kind of support you need to shop for and what you should stay clear of for your you. Never been to one of these stores that didn't do this for free. If you go to a feet store, they'll probably charge you if you're not buying their shoes.

All the shoes I mentioned are pricey (except sketchers). Don't get caught up in buying the shoes right from the running store just because they measured and fitted you for a certain shoe. Shop around. Higher price doesn't mean better shoe, lol. I'll be the first to admit I go to my local Fleet Feet to try on new running shoes but then I go home and order online for a much lower price. The Saucony Triumphs, Brooks, & Hoka's can (not always tho) get expensive so look online. I love Amazon for this reason. I get the previous year's model at a fraction of the price and they're still brand new!

Lastly, if you do decide to go with a tennis/running shoe, make sure you check with your hospital policy regarding permeable top shoes and if it's ok to wear surgical booties over them if needed.

Good luck! Let us all know what works of you, maybe you will find the new holy grail of nursing shoes that we can all try!

~ GB

Up Vote Up Vote ×

I was using Dansko's for a while, but I have switched to Alegria's. I have very wide feet, but I find that they fit well as long as i get the inserts that are for wide feet. They sit lower in the shoe and have a wider foot bed, so even though it's the same shoe, you don't have to replace the whole thing. I also like that they're replaceable, so if something happens to the insole (say I wear them out for example) I can just buy new ones. I'll never buy another brand again, unless someone figures out a way to literally allow me to walk on clouds all day long... :)

1
Up Vote Up Vote ×
Specializes in LTC, Rehab.

I'm a big older guy, so I probably can't help on brand/style (I wear New Balance, not necessarily because they're my favorite, but because I'm hard to fit). But I've found that I need to replace my work shoes after about 6 months. Then that pair becomes my running-errands-or-whatever pair. But the best/newest pair is always reserved for work.

1
Up Vote Up Vote ×
Specializes in CCU, SICU, CVSICU, Precepting & Teaching.

The subject has been discussed to death -- my opinion is to wear what is most comfortable for YOU. I love Danskos, and at one time had 30 pairs or so. But I've gotten older, my feet have changed and I can't wear them anymore. I tend to wear New Balance with custom orthotics and change pairs fairly frequently.

Go to a good shoe store -- probably Nordstrum's or the Walking Company -- and get your feet measured. Know whether you under- or over pronate. Be prepared to spend well over $100 on a pair of shoes, and buy two pairs. It takes more than 24 hours for a shoe to recover from your weight, so shoes last longer and are more comfortable if you alternate.

New Balance, Dansko, Birkenstock, Alegria -- any well-designed and supportive shoe that feels good on your feet and will support your back, hips and legs as well as your arches will do you in good stead.

1
Up Vote Up Vote ×

I was having a lot of heel pain after my shifts, and needed new shoes. My Nike Free's weren't cutting it for me and I don't find clogs comfortable.

Recently bought Nike Roche's and although I come home feeling tired. That exaggerated foot pain was gone. Love them. Also important to rotate your shoes so that they last longer.

Personally I wear compression stockings & have eliminated leg pain after a shift. Hope you find something that suits your needs!

1
Up Vote Up Vote ×
Specializes in Float Pool - A Little Bit of Everything.

I like Danskos, they are comfy, have lasted me 5 years and look brand new, it doesn't hurt if someone steps on my foot, and a needle isn't going to fall through them and stab me.

1
Up Vote Up Vote ×

I have to agree with the recommendations to go to a specialty store and try some shoes on. I used to wear the leather Skechers go walk ones and one day they just started hurting and they hurt so badly that I injured the top of my foot and it hurt for weeks. So the shoe search began. I tried everything and ordered about 20 pairs total from Amazon and zappos and none of them worked. Skechers, Alegria, Klogs, Brooks, Akesso etc. however I was reluctant to try clogs because I thought they were ugly.

I stopped at a specialty store just for fun and I tried the Dansko Abigail and omg!! They were perfect for my feet. I could wear those shoes for everything.

I probably would have never found them if it wasn't for the man at the store convincing me to just give them a try. So go to a store or two and try them on there.

Also the shoes were $135 at the store and I found them on Amazon and Nordstrom for $70. So before you buy look online first for a deal once you've found a pair your love.

1
Up Vote Up Vote ×
+ Add a Comment