Nurses need the best support they can get, especially when it comes to their footwear. What should you look for when selecting shoes that support throughout the longest shifts? We asked nurses to weigh in on their preferred brands and styles.
“Gales are my favorite for all-day comfort that are also easy to wipe clean,” says Hadley Vlahos, hospice-registered nurse and bestselling author. “My other favorite shoe brand for when I’m on my feet all day is Asics. They are very comfortable, cute, and it’s easy to find shoes depending on your arch type (neutral, flat, or high). My husband is a doctor of physical therapy and once he taught me about arch types and had the sales associates at Asics help get me in the right shoe. It made a huge difference!”
Ali’ce Haskins says, “I absolutely love Dansko shoes. I have been a nurse for over 20 years, and they have been my go-to shoe for years! What I look for in a shoe: arch and ankle support. Being on your feet for 12 to 13 hours per day can definitely be taxing. I have horrible plantar fasciitis, and the soles often feature support, cushioning, and strengthening materials to help with pain relief and management.”
What does Haskins recommend after decades in the field? “I would say to make sure there’s great support: heel cushioning to maximize shock support, comfortable lining, and width density to ensure comfort for a variety of foot shapes,” she says. “While I have tried other brands that were recommended by my nursing colleagues, my Danskos have the longest success of supporting my feet since 2016.
Surgical PCU nurse Jake Grez adds, “In nursing school, we had to wear all-black leather ones with no mesh because liquids or bodily fluid could spill through. But the ones I see nurses wear most these days are Clove, Figs x New Balance, or the On Cloudnovas. Some swear by nursing clogs (like Anywear), but a lot of the newer nurses just wear their favorite gym shoe.”
The shoe styles below are independently curated by nurses and for nurses—and really anyone who has to be on their feet for extended periods of time.
Dansko Professional Clogs
Dansko’s bestselling clog is their flagship style for a reason. It features a supportive contoured footbed and a padded instep collar. There’s also a protective heel counter that gives the heel room to move up and down freely while providing lateral stability. Plus, the anti-fatigue rocker bottom keeps you supported all day long.
Figs x New Balance 5740 Unisex Sneakers
Beloved scrubs brand Figs x New Balance 5740 features an antimicrobial, anti-odor lining and reflective hits for night shift visibility. This shoe comes in black, white, and a range of cool color combos.
Gales Frontline Unisex Nurse Shoes
These are Vlahos’s selects because they are easy to wipe clean. They’re made with a patented, ultralight material that’s slip-resistant on both wet and dry surfaces. Plus, Ortholite insoles provide cushioning and arch support with odor and moisture-resistant protection. You can get these in seven different solid colorways.
Dansko Peony Sneakers
Dansko’s high-performance Peony sneaker has a supportive footbed made with Dansko’s Natural Arch Plus technology. It features a shock-absorbing heel cushion as well as Dansko’s signature Propel forepart that keeps you moving forward. The Peony is made with 100 percent recycled lining that is stain- and odor-resistant.
Anywear Zone Slip-Resistant Clog Nurse Shoes
Anywhere’s nursing clogs are lightweight with supportive cushioning and a roomy toe box. They’re designed to be easy to wipe down and clean with soap and water. The Zone shoes are made of injected molded EVA upper and midsole for all-day cushion and shock absorption.
Clove Classic Sneakers
Clove is a shoe brand made by and for practitioners. Its classic collection is designed with comfort, durability, and easy cleaning in mind. Each sneaker is made with an advanced vegan fabric called Clarino that is liquid-repellant, stain-resistant, and squeak-free. They come in six different core colors, as well as limited-edition styles.
Asics Gel-Kayano 28 Running Shoes
The Asics Gel-Kayano 28 sneakers are Vlahos’s shoe of choice for when she’s on her feet all day. They have proprietary cushioning in the midsole that improves stability and responsiveness. Plus, the DuoMax system enhances support while reducing weight.
On Cloudnova Sneakers
On Cloudnova’s advanced cushioning absorbs impact and distributes weight. It features a zero-gravity foam that gives every step a cushioned landing. If you’re looking to spruce up your scrubs, the Cloudnova sneaker is available in a range of colors and patterns.
