The 9 Best Shoes For Nurses, Per Podiatrist Guidelines

If eco-friendly initiatives and materials are important to you, check out Allbirds, one of the most sustainable shoe brands around. The Tree Runners include materials such as eucalyptus-derived Tencel, laces derived from recycled water bottles, and foams made from sugarcane and castor bean oil.

These shoes are a hit with nurses for their cushy comfort, breathable upper, and easy machine wash-friendly design.

On the con side, they’re rather flexible, so they might not work for folks who need more support. Plus, they’re only available in whole sizes, so if you’re in between Allbirds advises that you size up.

What nurses say: “I am a nurse and on my feet all day, 10+ hrs. These are the most comfortable sneakers and support is great as well. Highly recommend” - Nurse Lori

If you’re looking for a shoe that can stand up to spills and stains, these deliver. They’re waterproof, easy to clean, and have slip-resistant soles to keep you grounded.

Plus, these shoes are super lightweight and made with partially recycled materials. While most people say they run true to size, nurses with wide feet may prefer the Gales Pro Line.

While they’re a hit with nurses for their lightweight, waterproof design, one tradeoff is that the shoes can trap heat and moisture if your feet tend to run hot. As a result, some reviewers complain about squeaking.

What nurses say: “I really needed a shoe that was comfortable but was also non-slip and water proof for giving showers and not slipping on the floors I just mopped. So far it has been nothing but a good experience with these shoes. They are cleaned so easily and very easy to put on.” -Nurse Michaela

Since its launch in 2018, Clove has been an extremely popular pick with nurses across the country. This Classic shoe was designed with input from healthcare providers who are on their feet all day.

The outer material is fluid-resistant, the shoes are well-cushioned with solid arch support, and the elastic tie system means you never have to worry about loose laces.

Nurses love that these shoes are available in many fun colors, are easy to keep clean (you can wipe them down easily and even throw the insoles in the wash). Plus, every Clove purchase comes with two pens and a branded badge wheel.

What nurses say: “I love my Cloves! They keep me comfortable my entire 12 hour shift. The best part about them is that they are easy to keep clean and wipe off because, let’s be honest, as a nurse many undesirable fluids get on them. ” — Nurse Lindsey

While the Clove Classic shoe benefits from being fluid-resistant, the durable and wipeable material can trap heat more easily. If you know you’ll want more breathability, check out Clove’s Aero model.

The Aeros are still fluid-resistant, with micro perforations to encourage a more breathable feel. They’re slightly lighter, but have a good amount of cushion and arch support for long days on your feet.

While these shoes are not available in wide sizes, several reviewers note that if you typically wear wides you’ll be happy going a half size up.

What nurses say: “These are so comfortable and durable! My feet don't get overheated either.” -Nurse Audra

While they’re originally designed for running, Hokas have become extremely popular among healthcare workers thanks to their cushy, shock-absorbing design.

The Bondi 8 is a lightweight, breathable shoe with neutral support and a memory foam ankle cradle. They’re approved by the American Podiatric Medical Association (APMA) and include recycled polyester throughout the upper.

One consideration: These will be tougher to keep clean than others, as they’re not fluid-resistant or machine washable.

What nurses say: “I wear two pairs of Hoka sneakers. Bondi 8 and Clifton 9. However, the Bondi 8’s have much more support in the heel and ankle, IMO. I usually wear those when I’m working three days in a row.” -Nurse Erin

With a rocker style shape, solid arch support, and generous heel cushion, On’s Cloudnova shoes are a hit with nurses—especially those who are prone to plantar fasciitis.

They’re not available in wide sizes, but many reviewers say the standard size is roomy enough for wide feet, especially in the toes. The Cloudnovas are soft to slide into and use a customizable lacing system that lets you tuck the laces neatly under the tongue so you can prevent the dreaded loose lace during your shift.

One consideration we should note is that these aren’t waterproof (although On does make waterproof shoes!), so they aren’t as easy to keep clean as other pairs on our list.

What nurses say: “I am a nurse and decided to try these out. These saved my feet. I also have plantar fasciitis and these are the only shoes I have found to not cause pain.” - Nurse Ajay

FIGS, the popular scrubs company, partnered with New Balance to bring a line of shoes designed for healthcare providers. The XC72 collaboration is already one of the more popular models, with a focus on traction, stability, and antimicrobial materials.

There’s a water-repellent finish on the upper materials, and the shoes come with two sets of water-repellent laces. Just note, this pick is not machine washable and the shoes do have suede on the upper—so you’ll want to take care while cleaning.

What nurses say: “Comfortable the minute I put them on and worked a busy 14 hour shift. Kept my feet dry and easy to wipe clean.” - Nurse Priscilla

Nike’s Air Monarchs are highly rated by nurses for being supportive, durable, and orthotic-friendly. The shoes have a leather upper that makes them more fluid-resistant and easy to wipe clean, with the soft foamy feel you’d expect from a Nike Air shoe.

One big pro of this shoe is that they’re available in extra wide sizes, so they’re roomy enough for folks with wide feet or anyone who uses custom orthotics.

What nurses say: “I’ll wear any Nikes, but especially Nike Monarchs! V comfy.” - Nurse Danny

For a classic clog-style shoe, try this slip-resistant pair from Calzuro. These shoes are autoclavable (which means you can steam sterilize them), machine washable, and dishwasher-friendly.

While we didn’t see many complaints about breathability, they’re also available in a perforated design for added ventilation.

Calzuro offers the option to add a comfort insole and heel straps to keep your feet more secure. Some folks do mention the shoes running small, so take a good look at their unique size chart before ordering.

What nurses say: “I work long hours in the operating room. I’ve worn them for a week now and they are super supportive. The heel isn’t high like I thought it would be- it’s actually the perfect slope and helps with standing long hours. No back pain after a full 10 hours standing!” - Nurse Lydia