When your profession involves anything from running alongside a gurney to standing for hours in the ER or operating room, the right shoes are a must. After all, being on your feet all day puts your lower extremities under a lot of stress. So if you’re consistently wearing unsupportive shoes, you could develop achy arches, exacerbate plantar fasciitis, joint pain, and other uncomfortable foot-related issues. That’s where the best shoes for nurses—or for anyone who stands for long periods of time—come to the rescue. Meet the Experts: Howard Friedman, D.P.M. is a Suffern, New York-based podiatrist, Karen Langone, D.P.M. is a podiatrist based in Southampton, New York, and Asim Sayed, D.P.M., A.A.C.F.A.S. is a podiatrist based in Kansas City, MO. “Not wearing the right shoes can cause many issues aside from foot discomfort including pain in the hips, knees, and back so it’s important to have a good stable pair of shoes that put your body in the correct equilibrium,” explains Asim Sayed, D.P.M., A.A.C.F.A.S. “The longer you are on your feet with bad or uncomfortable shoes, the worse those problems can become. This is especially important for people who have jobs that force them to be on their feet all day like nurses, retail, hospitality, etc.” Fortunately, there are lots of footwear options perfect for people who stand all day—you just have to know what to look for. It’s important to choose shoes that have good non-slip grip for dashing between patients, as well as extra cushioning that supports nurses who are up on their feet for hours. But not all shoes are made equally, so we spoke with experts to find the best shoes for nurses.
Our top picks
The options below are perfect for nurses and anyone else—retail workers, servers, bank tellers—who spend most of their workdays on their feet. Shop the best ones, according to podiatrists.
1. Hoka One One Bondi 7 Sneakers
As some of the most cushioned shoes available anywhere, Hoka’s Bondis are already ideal for nurses. But they’re especially great for people who don’t want a pair of shoes that they’ll only wear to work, since these durable kicks are also designed for running, walking, or just heading to the grocery store after a shift. Plus, the supremely soft but supportive EVA midsoles mean they’re a good fit for anyone with plantar fasciitis. “These Bondi 7s are the ONLY shoe my feet do not hurt in,” writes one reviewer and veteran healthcare worker. “Been a nurse for 30 years and only wish these were around earlier in my career.” 2. New Balance 608v5 Sneakers You just can’t beat a classic, like these tried-and-true kicks from New Balance. With a super-cushioned base, comfy foam near the ankle, and a flexible outsole, these sneakers are designed to keep you on your feet (and feeling good) all day long. And on top of all that, their leather uppers are stain-resistant, meaning they’ll look crisp long after you’ve broken them in. “I have worn nothing but New Balance for close to 25 years,” one reviewer, a nurse who works 12-hour days, writes. “If you have a job where you are constantly on your feet, THIS IS THE SHOE FOR YOU. I wear compression socks as well. They are true to size, and after working long hours my feet don’t hurt.”
3. Crocs On-The-Clock Work Slip-On
You can’t go wrong with a great pair of Crocs, and this version made specifically for those who stand for long hours is a favorite of Sayed. These shoes have an enclosed and reinforced heel and toe to help protect your feet, while offering arch support for comfort and slip-resistant treads for safety. “I have experience working with plenty of different shoes in two different restaurants. I know the feeling of pain in your feet whenever you get off a long, 12 hour shift. After a five hour shift, your feet feel exhausted. Let me tell you about the On-The-Clock Croc,” one reviewer writes. “These crocs are the best shoes for working in a restaurant. They have a soft, comfortable feeling when easily slipping the crocs on without having to hassle with any shoe laces. The outside of the crocs have a hard, water-resistant touch…these shoes help comfort me as I work over a 12-hour shift. After a long day of work, I don’t have to worrying about my feet cramping anymore” 4. Naturalizer Marianne Loafers With three different width options, Naturalizer’s super-comfy shoes are designed for people who need to be on their feet all day. This pair features a contoured, dual-dense footbed that provides plenty of support to the arches and heels, plus a cooling lining to keep your feet dry. “These shoes are fantastic! I work in a clinic standing all day, but wear business casual,” a reviewer explains. “I need to be able to squat and kneel often during the day. I also have relatively flat feet and the shoes are very well-cushioned and supportive. They are also very on-trend at the moment!”
5. Brooks Ghost 13 Sneakers
When you’re dealing with all of the responsibilities of being a nurse, you want a shoe that can withstand the rigors of a marathon, Langone says. Brooks is known for its quality running shoes, and Ghosts are no exception. They’re described in terms typically reserved for luxury cars: plush, with a smooth ride. Tons of supportive cushioning and a secure fit ensure that you’ll stay comfy throughout your shift, too.
6. Dansko Professional Clogs
“I’ve often recommended Dansko clogs or similar clogs to nurses because they are very supportive,” Friedman says. This classic leather pair—which has a seal of approval from the American Podiatric Medical Association, and is also recommended by Sayed—features a roomy toe box, a comfy platform, and an antimicrobial lining to ward off odor after all-day wear.
7. Skechers D’Lites Memory Foam Sneakers
These Skechers sneakers garner high praise from service workers for their comfort and durability during long workdays. They’re also lightweight with unique air-cooled memory foam comfort insoles and non-slip flexible traction outsoles, which keep your feet glued to the floor through spills. And, they come with a shock-absorbing midsole, meaning your feet will feel like they’re floating all day long.
8. Yhoon Sock Slip-On Sneakers
This lightweight slip-on sneaker will keep you moving quickly and safely on slick hospital floors, while the fly woven outside allows your feet the chance to breathe during long shifts. These slip-ons also feature an air-cushion sole design which makes it comfortable and adjustable to your feet.
9. FIGS New Balance 327
These retro-inspired, stylish running sneakers come recommended by Sayed for their durability, support, and comfort. The outside of the shoe is crafted from a lightweight, waterproof suede to guard against spills and keep your feet comfortable, while the interior lining and insole are antimicrobial for odor protection. Additionally, these shoes have a studded rubber outsole to aid with traction and protect against slipping.
10. Oofos Unisex Clogs
Everyone deserves a pair of comfortable and easy-to-wear clogs like these. They feature a special OOfoam recovery technology that absorbs 37% more impact than traditional footwear foam. The patented footbed also cradles your arches, which will reduce stress on the feet, ankles, knees, and lower back. The brand notes that the clogs are made in whole sizes so they recommend sizing down.
“I’m an ICU nurse and I’m on my feet for most of my 13-hour shifts,” wrote one reviewer. “I developed plantar fasciitis in my right foot and the pain was so terrible, I began limping out of work each day. These are miracle shoes! Wore them a whole shift and while I still had a bit of heel pain I wasn’t limping. Started wearing them all the time and now the plantar fasciitis is gone! I’ve been singing their praises to my fellow nurses and soon my whole unit will be in them.”
11. Sticky Non-Slip Shoes
When you have to walk through spills and deal with all kinds of fluids, the last thing you want to think about is whether your shoes will survive your shift. Thankfully, this ultra-grippy pair is designed for those moments; just wipe it clean and get moving again. Better yet, workers rave that these shoes require zero break-in time—a godsend for those first weeks after you start wearing a new pair. “I didn’t believe from the review hype that these shoes would be that comfortable but they really are,” one reviewer says. “I would recommend these to all nurses. Stop spending $200 a pair for those hard, clunky, heavy shoes! These are amazing and I ended up buying two more pairs in different colors.”
12. Asics Gel-Venture 7 Sneakers
If you tend to have achy arches after a long day, the gel tech in the rearfoot area and EVA midsole offer up easy comfort. The shoes also include an Ortholite sock liner that gives an additional layer of cushioning underfoot—ideal for nurses with flat feet. “I love Asics for the fit, comfort, and stability,” wrote one customer. “This has been good for my overpronation (wearing a slight insert). I work in a doctor’s office and am on my feet a lot. No back or knee problems while wearing these.”
How to choose the best shoes for nurses
“You now see all kinds of medical professionals on hospital floors wearing running shoes that are designed to stand up to a lot of stress and strain,” says Karen Langone, D.P.M., a podiatrist based in Southampton, New York. Clogs are also a good choice, says Howard Friedman, D.P.M., a Suffern, New York-based podiatrist. They tend to have a wide toe box, which helps accommodate feet as they naturally expand throughout the day. This is why you often see surgeons and other health professionals wearing them in the operating room, Freidman says. You also need a shoe that’s durable but also lightweight—after all, you’re probably clocking several miles a day around the hospital. Lastly, shoes with a slip-resistant sole are key, as you never know what messes will come your way. To help keep pain at bay, Freidman suggests picking up at least two pairs of supportive sneakers or clogs. (Or one of each!) A shoe’s cushioning becomes completely compressed after six hours or so and no longer offers support, Friedman cautions. So having two great pairs allows you to change halfway through your shift.
How we chose the best shoes for nurses
We consulted Howard Friedman, D.P.M., Karen Langone, D.P.M., and Asim Sayed, D.P.M., A.A.C.F.A.S., to find the best shoes for people on their feet all day. We also combed through countless ratings, reviews, and product specs to find the only shoes that nurses should wear for all-day support.
Why trust us?
For more than 70 years, Prevention has been a leading provider of trustworthy health information, empowering readers with practical strategies to improve their physical, mental, and emotional well-being. Our editors interview medical experts to help guide our health-focused product selections. Additionally, Prevention also examines hundreds of reviews—and often conducts personal testing done by our staff—to help you make informed decisions.
