Special Features

Published on March 24th, 2022 | by Kirsten Borrink

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The Best Shoes for Nurses

We love our nurses and want their feet to feel as comfortable as possible while taking good care of their patients. We’ve asked our Facebook readers for input as well as doing our own research to find the best nursing shoes based on various foot issues. If you have a favorite shoe for nurses and medical professionals, by all means leave a comment and add to our list. Your recommendations are our best resource!

Hokas are showing up on the feet of medical professionals everywhere, but what is the best style for you? Reading through reviews, I recommend the Hoka Gaviota for nurses that need enhanced arch support, support for over-pronation and/or relief from plantar fasciiitis. Take the shoe-finder quiz over at Hoka to see which one is best for you. The Hoka Gaviota is available in women’s sizes 5-12, medium and wide widths for $175 (men’s sizes 7-15, medium and wide widths) from Hoka, Zappos and Amazon.

“As a nurse they really make a 12 hour shift feel like an 8.” – Crocs customer

If you’ve experienced the ahhh! feeling of Croc’s Literide foam (25% lighter and 40% softer than traditional Croslite foam), you know how soft yet surprisingly supportive it feels for tired feet. The Mellow Recovery clog features deep, cupped footbeds, offering sink-in comfort with a slow rebound and side vents for breathability. Available in unisex sizes 4-15 for $35-50 from Zappos and Amazon.

Update: After publishing this article, I learned of the upgraded Dansko Pro XP, aptly named Pro XP 2.0 (hat tip to Facebook fan). They’re even more lightweight than the original Pro XP with same cushioned, removable footbed and contoured arch support.

Nurses, which shoes help you get through a 12-hour shift without wanting to kick them off half way through? We value your input and appreciate the dedication to your career.