The Most Comfortable Shoes for Nurses

Sticky Comfortable Work Shoes

Lightweight slip-resistant slip-ons

These lightweight, slip-resistant slip-ons are supremely comfortable for long hours spent on your feet.

Best Overall

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Made with a durable rubber shoe, an ultra-comfortable synthetic upper, and a fully waterproof upper and sole, these are an excellent option for both comfort and practicality. Easy to slip on, they’re surprisingly durable even though they feel as light as a feather on your feet. In fact, that’s another reason we continually gravitate to these shoes. When you’re on your feet all day, lightweight sneakers can feel downright heavy. We can appreciate the lightness here – they remain comfortable all day, and night, long.

Pros:

• Absorbent synthetic material keeps feet completely dry
• Variety of color options
• Made with a non-slip outsole

Cons:

• These are designed with a women’s narrower, smaller foot in mind
• The synthetic upper isn’t the most scratch resistant and tends to show a little wear after the first few shifts

Hawkweed Lightweight Comfort Nursing Shoe

Custom fit feel

With laces that cinch to create a custom fit, these are a classic nursing shoe that offer exceptional comfort, too.

Best Classic Style

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Clog style shoes are nice for slipping on and off, but when you want a little extra support, you can’t beat the custom fit of a laced shoe. This lightweight, comfortable shoe features laces, a thick, padded, slip-resistant outsole, and clean lines for both a secure fit as well as style. With a built-in arch that helps with comfort, these shoes are ideal for longer shifts spent primarily on your feet.

Pros:

• Tough slip-resistant bottom
• Laces help to conform shoe to foot
• Available in neutral, yet stylish, colors

Cons:

• For those with arch issues, an additional arch supporting insert is helpful
• Best for a narrower foot

Git-up Mary Jane Nurse Shoe

Sweaty-feet approved

These lightweight, velcro-strap style Mary Jane's are ultra-breathable – ideal for even the sweatiest of feet.

Most Breathable

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Ultra-breathable, these shoes are styled like the classic Mary Jane, but with a twist. An open mesh toe bed and two straps in place of a closed upper, these are the perfect blend between sneaker and Mary Jane. Featuring built in arch support, air-cushioned insoles, and plenty of airflow, these are a must-have for busy shifts and long nights. We are also big fans of the adjustability, which helps to create a custom feel for virtually any foot width.

Pros:

• Anti-skid, slip-proof bottom
• Highly flexible design
• Helpful pull tab at the back of the ankle

Cons:

• These shoes fit narrow, with a narrow toe bed, and do not work for wider feet
• For best fit, order up a half a size or more

Uin Lightweight Nursing Loafer

Fashionable and comfortable

These trendy nursing loafers help to make even the most plain scrubs look cute.

Best Designs

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When you want lightweight comfort and adorable stye, these loafer nursing shoes are the perfect mix of the two. Featuring an EVA outsole, a Shock Guard technology insole that’s highly responsive, and a built in elastic insert on one side, these loafers blend lightweight breathability with comfort seamlessly. It’s not just the comfort, however, that we’re loving. With a variety of shoe patterns, all of which are nurse-inspired, this is a totally cute option when you also need comfort.

Pros:

• Easy on-off loafer style shoe
• Incredibly lightweight remains comfortable for long shifts
• Nurse-inspired designs on the upper outsole

Cons:

• These are not the most cushioned shoes, so an additional insert sole could be helpful
• A bit more pricey than comparable shoes

Anywear Srangel Women’s Healthcare Close-back Clog

Extra cushion, extra comfort

With a platform base that features extra cushion, these clogs are ultra comfortable.

Best Clog

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Closed-back clogs with an arched platform are one of the most highly regarded nursing shoes amongst professionals everywhere  – and these are no exception. Built for comfort, they’re durable, easy to slip on and off, and absorb shock…key for those intensely long shifts when you don’t get a second to yourself to just sit. But whereas clogs have the tendency to be on the heavier side, this particular clog is thoughtfully made to be as lightweight as possible, without sacrificing durability.

Pros:

• Features a platform sole with an extra cushioned footbed
• Fun variety of pattern and color options
• Slip-resistant bottom

Cons:

• These clogs fit a little narrow, so wearing with socks isn’t the most ideal
• With narrower heels, there is some foot slippage when walking

Frequently Asked Questions

What should I look for in a quality nurse shoe?
Nurses see and experience a whole lot in one shift. From bodily fluids to liquid spills and the like, flooring can get pretty slippery. This is why it’s important to look for shoes that are made with a durable rubber sole that has a tough grip. This will allow for a proper grip in even the slickest of situations, as well as offering up comfort and pain relief after a long shift. Speaking of comfort and pain relief, find a shoe that fits your foot well. It’s important to wear a proper size, one that doesn’t rub and cause blisters, and one that’s breathable for both comfort and coolness. There are shoes that are specifically designed and marketed for nurses, so that’s always a good starting point in finding the right one for you and your needs.

How long do the typical nurse shoes last before needing to be replaced?
Due to the amount of wear and tear the typical nurse’s shoe will see, it’s recommended to replace your nursing shoe after six to eight months – if not more frequently. Because shoes have structural components that break down after heavy use, they can end up causing foot pain, which works its way up into joint and back pain if they’re not replaced when appropriate.