Podiatrists Share the 8 Best Shoes for Nurses (Or Anyone Who's On Their Feet All Day) (2024)

The TL;DR on Shoes for Nurses

Sizes: 5-12 | Width: Narrow, Medium, and Wide

In the world of nursing, time and time again, New Balance wins it out as the best shoes for nurses, most supportive shoes around. “New Balance sneakers are usually the best choice due to their excellent construction and choice of many different widths to help provide appropriate fitting,” observes Dr. Pinker. The choice of widths is certainly true of the New Balance Women's 608 V5 Cross Trainer, and in good company with other positives, like a sturdy leather upper, a foam insert that provides ample cushioning, and a grippy outsole (hello, traction!). Even if the floor gets messy or slick at work, you won’t experience slippage.

Sizes: 5-12.5 | Width: Medium

Made specifically with healthcare workers in mind, Clove, a relatively new brand on the block, has already earned accolades — it was the winner of the Fashion and Beauty category in the 2020 Innovation by Design Awards. Slip right into them — the Clove Women’s Classics have skipped the traditional laces in lieu of the elastic variety that can’t be tied. Instead, you can adjust them without tying them. Incredibly easy to clean (nursing can be understandably messy work, after all), they’re also rendered in a microfiber fabric called Clarino™ that’s like leather and stretches over time, which means they’ll automatically mold to your unique foot shape. Reviewers love them for comfort, and they come in so many cool colors.

Sizes: 5-12 | Width: Medium and Wide

Hype around the Hoka brand has exploded in recent years. Devotees of Hoka shoes are sporting them from their jobs to their workouts and in between. The Hoka Bondi 8 is the most cushioned design offered by the brand, showcasing a rear crash pad that makes for a soft feel and an Ortholite footbed, an insole material that provides the utmost cushioning. Its orthopedic qualities have been said to soothe plantar fasciitis and knee pain, which are huge wins for nurses longing for pain-free shifts.“I’ve been wearing these for dog walks for the last eight months, and they’re incredibly comfy no matter how far we walk,” says Geil. “I found them to run true to size — sometimes I go up half a size in running shoes, and that would have been a mistake with the Bondi 8.”

Sizes: 5-12 | Width: Medium and Wide

Here comes New Balance climbing to the top yet again, except this time, it’s for the fact that they tend to be surprisingly economical shoes in general. As Dr. Pinker says, “New Balance has some relatively low to moderately-priced sneakers that are well-constructed and supportive.” Translation? You’ll get plenty of bang for your buck.As a fan favorite with a lot of love in the nursing community, people are already on board with the New Balance Women's FuelCore Nergize V1 Sneaker. Extremely lightweight with fabric that breathes, these shoes are flexible, comfortable, and sport a decent grip to boot.

Sizes: 4.5-13 | Width: Medium

“Often, Dansko clogs are worn by healthcare providers as they are well-made and comfortable,” Dr. Pinker says. It’s true, they’ve been beloved by nurses for a while, and it makes sense. The Dansko Kane Slip-On Mule Clog features comfortable materials (like injected EVA, a recycled material that’s durable and lightweight) and good support to make those pressure points feel a whole lot better. They have anti-fatigue midsoles and rocker bottoms, and they’ve got great arch support. Did we mention that they even have padded collars to prevent blisters?

Sizes: 5-12.5 | Width: Medium and Wide

With max cushioning that can even feel bouncy at times, the Asics Gel Nimbus 24 offers neutral support, which means it works for a wide variety of foot types. Support is provided through a midfoot shank. These shoes are also intended for road running, which means that the shock absorption for hitting the pavement is some of the best around with its combination of foam and gel technology. In other words? Your feet will be comfy all day long and you’ll be able to move in them.

“I’m obsessed with these Asics,” says Kristen Geil, Shape senior commerce editor. “I love that the pull tab at the heel makes it easy to slide these shoes on and off with one hand. It’s such a small thing, but it has a big impact on how quickly I get out the door!"

Sizes: 4-14.5 | Width: Medium to Wide

FIGS, known for its chic scrubs, has teamed up with New Balance to create some all-around perfect sneakers for nurses. The FIGS | New Balance 327 Unisex has been drawn from 1970s designs and looks like the epitome of a classic, trend-proof sneaker. Lightweight, with an antimicrobial insole and interior lining for anti-odor protection, the sneaker also deftly wicks away liquids and shows off exceptional traction, and it comes with that New Balance support that’s the best around.

Sizes: 5-12 | Width: Medium to Wide

Bala is another footwear company geared toward nurses that’s worth checking out. While BALA sneakers carry all the things healthcare pros look for in their shoes — arch support, a high traction outsole, and even machine washability — we also really dig their sleek, cool look. With curves that are modern and streamlined, stylish surprises lie in their color pops — turn them over to see vibrant soles. And the loops come in chic patterns, too.