The 10 Best Nursing Shoes - 2020 Reviews

The 10 Best Nursing Shoes For Women

Be sure to scroll down past the list for additional descriptions of what we like about each shoe or click here!

• Slip Resistant
• Dansko Natural Arch Technology
• Removable footbed
• Lightweight EVA Midsole

adidas is one of the best performance shoe brands on the market and these shoes are known for how lightweight they are, their extreme cushion and ultimate level of support.  This is the first athletic-style shoe on our list of best nursing shoes for women and you can see why. Lightweight and comfort are key!

ASICS is another highly regarded brand and a solid choice when looking for the best nursing shoes.  Great for running, standing and just getting things done, you can't go wrong with a pair of ASICS.  We like these because the redesigned mesh upper helps keep feet cool, while the sole is more flexible.  All of this while maintaining good stability and that amazing gel cushion.

The Women's Nike Air Zoom Pegasus 37 is the latest in a long line of amazing Pegasus performance shoes.  An already amazing shoe, Nike somehow improved the weight, cushion, responsiveness which all make the biggest difference in how your feet feel after a long day on the job.  You deserve these, your feet and back will thank you later!

Another classic from Nike, the Nike Air Max 2017 was built for comfort.  You can't get much better than walking on air all day long and this shoe was designed to allow you to exactly do that. The patented full shoe length air-filled footbed will keep you going all day long and you will wonder how you survived this long without them.  This was an no brainer to include it in our list of best nursing shoes for women.

The Air Max 720 is another great shoe from Nike as it gives you a super stable yet comfortable air filled footbed.  For those nurses who want to gain a little in their height, these awesome shoes give that to you!

Another clog style nursing shoe is another great option.  This is especially good for surgical nurses, scrub techs and surgeons who stand in place for long periods of time.  Like other shoes listed in this guide, these also come in a wide variety of colors and designs. Some people wearing this shoe recommend buying one size up to ensure the best fit and comfort.

10.  Naturalizer Marianne Sneaker

Naturalizer is another well known brand and they make a great slip on style sneaker that is super comfortable and will help you feeling your best on your feet all day long.  This slip on nursing shoe has a non-slip (slip resistant) outsole so you can feel safe working in any conditions.  

The shoe also has elastic side panels which help to give you some flexibility throughout the day.  For many people, being on their feet for so long, causes their feet to start swelling.  This extra elastic flexibility will help ensure you can still move around.

This shoe is also stylish and if you love to try to show some flair even while wearing scrubs, this shoe coud be a great option for you!

How to Choose the Best Nursing Shoes

You know you are absolutely sick and tired of dealing with your aching feet and back pain day after day when you come home from a long shift at the hospital or clinic.  You also probably know that your shoes are one of the contributing factors in causing that pain, but maybe you don't quite know how to pick the best nursing shoes for your feet.  That's okay, we are here to help!

Factors to consider when choosing the best nursing shoes

Weight

The first factor to consider when selecting the best nursing shoes is the weight of the shoe.  Think about how many times you lift your feet and legs while you walk around all day.  By selecting a shoe with less bulk and weight, you are already saving yourself tons if effort.

Comfort

Another factor you need to think about is how comfortable the shoe is.  Shoes that have air beds, gel and other foam cushions in the heel and ball areas of the shoes are generally good signs that a shoe is going to provide adequate comfort throughout the days, weeks and months that you use them.

Support

Support is also a major consideration when choosing the best nursing shoe. Make sure you understand what kind of feet you have and find a shoe that matches with your unique feet.  You can't put a square peg in a round hole and there is nothing worse than purchasing a high arch shoe for someone that has flat feet.

Stability

Healthcare providers are constantly moving and depending on your exact job responsibilities, you may need to be moving equipment or patients.  Staying stable on your feet is important to help you avoid falling or other types of injury.  

Grip

Last but certainly not least, be sure that the shoe you choose has the best grip for types of environments you will be working in.  Most hospitals have hard tile floors which makes it easy to roll equipment or patients around in but it also causes great hazard for people when it gets wet.  Make sure that you purchase shoes that are slip resistant.  Your body will thank you for it!

To read our full article on how to select the best nursing shoes, please click on the post below.

How to Fit Your Nursing Shoes Properly

Types of nursing shoes

Athletic Nursing Shoes

Athletic nursing shoes are some of the most popular shoes used in hospitals today and are one reason you see so many of them in our recommendations of best nursing shoes for women.  The athletic nursing shoes are going to fit more similarly to your workout or running shoes because generally they are some of the same brands and styles.  Regardless of whether you are going to work or running a 5k, you still want to be sure you are getting the right fit to ensure maximum comfort.

In order to ensure you have the proper fit, you should first measure your foot.  Sure its easy to just buy the same size you always get but there are many factors that could cause your feet to get bigger or grow longer.  Follow these simple steps to measure your feet at home.

1. First, trace your foot onto a piece of paper.  Make sure that you are wearing the socks that you plan to wear with the shoe.
2. Next, grab a measuring tape and measure from the middle of the heel of the outline to the end of your longest toe. This will measure the length of your foot.
3. Last, measure the width of your foot by standing up with your full wait on the foot you are measuring. Wrap a measuring tape  around the widest part of your foot and record the measurement.

Depending on your health, feet and environment you are working in, you may want to consider buying a half size bigger that what you purchased.  For some people when they walk or stand for long periods of time, their feet start to swell.  Too much swelling may cause tightness in your shoes, even if they are normally the correct size.  If you experience swelling, you may want to purchase a size larger than normal.

Clog Style Nursing Shoes

Our list of the best nursing shoes wouldn't be complete if we didn't include clog-style shoes.  In order to make sure that your clogs style shoes fit properly, first you need to make sure that you have the correct size. Once you receive your order and before you wear them to work, try them on and make sure that a pinky finger width fits between your heel and the back of the clog.

Next, when you are walking around the house, notice how your foot moves in the clog.  You will know that you have proper fit if your heel is moving up and down freely without touching the heel of the clog.  This will feel different from an athletic show but is the way these shoes are designed.

Last but not least, stand with equal weight on both feet.  Pay close attention to the placement of the arch of your foot.  Your arch should be directly on the arch of the clog to maintain proper balance and stability. This will also ensure that you are supported and will reduce fatigue.

Slip on Shoes

The last main type of nursing shoe is the slip on shoe.  One of the main differences between how a slip on shoe and how a clog should fit is how your foot moves in the shoe.

We already explained how the heel of your foot should not be touching or sliding against the heel of the clog when you are walking in it.  The slip on shoe is the opposite of that. 

To ensure the proper fit of the slip on shoe, make sure that it is comfortable when you put it on.  Don't purchase a pair of slip on shoes that are too tight and expect them to stretch out.

You will also know you have a good fit with your slip on shoe when you start walking.  When you walk, the heel of your foot should stay in place.  The slip on shoe may be too big for you if you feel your heel move up and down while you walk.

Another thing to pay attention to is if the heel of your foot is rubbing up and down against the heel of the shoe.  If that happens, you may want to consider purchasing a smaller size. If you consider all of these factors, you are sure to find the best nursing shoe for your feet and that is the most important!

Conclusion

We have a huge amount of respect for our healthcare providers for how well they care for us when we are sick or injured.  Walking around 4-5 miles per shift is not easy when you are doing it day after day.

You deserve the best nursing shoes to help make your job easier.  To make sure you are choosing the best nursing shoes for you, remember the following:

First, find the type of shoe that works best for your feet and the type of nursing job that you do.  These shoe options include athletic shoes, clog style shoes and slip on shoes.

Second, make sure that you find the right fit to the type of shoe you have selected.  Athletic shoes, clogs and slip ons all have different fits and the size you normally purchase may vary depending on which type you purchase.

Third, make sure you consider all of these factors when selecting your nursing shoes.  Weight, comfort, support, stability and grip all play a critical role in making sure you stay comfortable, safe and productive day after day. 

Good luck in buying the best nursing shoes for you!

Thank you for reading our 10 Best Nursing Shoes for Women Buying Guide!  Be sure to check out our other posts that help you find the best workwear and work gear!