Top Nursing Shoes for 2025: Comfort and Durability for Long Shifts

Choosing the best nurse’s shoes is essential for comfort and support during the demanding nature of long shifts. This guide reviews top nursing shoes based on cushioning, stability, durability, arch support, and slip resistance to help you find the perfect pair.

Key Takeaways

• Choosing the right nursing shoes is crucial for comfort and support, with options like Hoka Clifton LS and Nike Motiva standing out for their cushioning and stability.

• Breathable and lightweight shoes, such as On Running Cloudflyer and New Balance 574 Core, reduce fatigue during long shifts.

• Many brands offer discounts for nurses, making it easier for healthcare professionals to find quality footwear, with Hoka and Brooks providing notable savings.

Best Overall Nursing Shoes

Proper footwear is essential for healthcare professionals, providing comfort and support during long shifts. Many healthcare professionals, such as nurses, often prefer athletic shoes for their superior comfort and support compared to other types of footwear.

Here are our top picks for the best overall nursing shoes that excel in cushioning, stability, and durability.

Hoka Clifton LS

The Hoka Clifton LS stands out for its thick, cushioned sole and wide toe box, which provide ample comfort and support during long shifts. Made from genuine suede, leather, and Durabrasion Rubber, these shoes are built to last while offering plush comfort that rivals premium insoles. The cushioning measurement of 35.2/27.0 mm and stability measurement of 122.8/95.5 mm in the forefoot and heel ensure that your feet are well-supported throughout the day.

Designed with nurses in mind, the Hoka Clifton LS combines durability and comfort, making it an ideal choice for those who spend long hours on their feet. The wide toe box makes the Hoka Clifton LS ideal for nurses with wide feet, ensuring a fit that enhances comfort and performance. Whether rushing through hospital corridors or standing for extended periods, these shoes are designed to keep your feet happy.

Nike Motiva

The Nike Motiva is designed to meet nurses’ demands, offering excellent cushioning and dynamic arch support. This shoe features advanced cushioning technology that ensures soft landings and reduces fatigue, making it perfect for long shifts. The dynamic arch support helps maintain foot stability, providing additional comfort and reducing the risk of foot pain and fatigue. Compared to tennis shoes, the Nike Motiva offers superior comfort and support, making it an excellent choice for those who prioritize these features.

With its blend of comfort, cushioning, and support, the Nike Motiva is a standout choice for nurses who require durable footwear for their demanding shifts. Its design caters specifically to the needs of healthcare professionals, making it a reliable option for everyday wear.

Brooks Ghost Max 2

The Brooks Ghost Max 2 is another excellent option for nurses, offering a combination of cushioning, stability, and breathability. This shoe features advanced cushioning, enhancing comfort during long shifts and reducing fatigue. The breathable design ensures that your feet stay cool and comfortable, even during the most demanding workdays, without exposing your feet to spills.

While the Brooks Ghost Max 2 is slightly heavier than some other nursing shoes, its stability and support make it a top choice for nurses who need reliable footwear in a hospital setting. Designed to meet the demands of nursing professionals, this shoe provides the support and comfort necessary for long hours on your feet.

Top Nursing Shoes for Arch Support

Arch support is crucial for preventing foot pain and fatigue during long nursing shifts, especially when seeking the best arch support.

Here are the top nursing shoes that provide excellent arch support, ensuring comfort and stability for healthcare professionals.

Hoka Gaviota 5

The Hoka Gaviota 5 is designed with plush foam measuring 12.9 HA, enhancing comfort during long shifts. With a 2.2 mm platform drop, this shoe offers stability and support, making it ideal for nurses with flat feet, plantar fasciitis, or narrow feet.

The combination of plush comfort and a stable platform addresses nurses’ specific foot health needs, ensuring they remain comfortable throughout their demanding workdays.

ASICS Gel-Kayano 31

The ASICS Gel-Kayano 31 features PureGEL™ technology, providing enhanced shock absorption and support, making it perfect for nurses on their feet all day. Its FF BLAST™ PLUS ECO cushioning offers a lightweight experience while maintaining stability, ensuring your feet stay comfortable and supported during long shifts.

With advanced cushioning, shock absorption, and stability features, the Gel-Kayano 31 is an exceptional choice for healthcare professionals.

Lightweight Options for Nurses

Lightweight nursing shoes are essential for reducing foot fatigue and maintaining comfort throughout long shifts.

Here are some top lightweight options that provide the perfect balance of cushioning and support for nurses.

On Running Cloudflyer 4

The On Running Cloudflyer 4 is recognized for its lightweight construction, weighing approximately 8.3 oz. This shoe offers plush comfort with a cushioning score of 20.2 HA, making it an excellent choice for nurses who need lightweight yet supportive footwear.

The On Running Cloudflyer 4 is designed to enhance comfort and reduce foot fatigue, ensuring that nurses can stay on their feet for extended periods without discomfort.

New Balance 574 Core

The New Balance 574 Core is a versatile shoe designed to meet the varied demands of nursing professionals. Known for its reliability, comfort, and supportive design, this shoe is a popular choice among healthcare workers.

The 574 Core excels with a straightforward design that focuses on comfort and functionality, making it a practical option for everyday nursing tasks.

Clove Classic

The Clove Classic prioritizes comfort with a lightweight build, making it ideal for long hours of wear. Designed for nursing, these shoes feature easy-to-clean surfaces, ensuring hygiene and appearance are maintained throughout demanding shifts.

The Clove Classic’s lightweight design and practical features make it a top choice for nurses seeking comfort and durability.

Slip-Resistant Nursing Shoes

Slip-resistant shoes are crucial for ensuring safety in healthcare environments.

Here are the best slip-resistant nursing shoes that provide excellent grip and stability on various surfaces.

Hoka Bondi SR

The Hoka Bondi SR offers excellent grip, stability, and waterproof features, making it ideal for healthcare settings. The Hoka Bondi SR provides exceptional traction on polished floors, ensuring safety during fast-paced shifts.

However, it is worth noting that these shoes lack breathability, which may cause sweaty feet during extended hours.

Skechers Arch Fit 2.0

The Skechers Arch Fit 2.0 is a budget-friendly option that combines affordability with essential features needed for demanding nursing work. This shoe features a slip-resistant outsole, providing good traction on various surfaces and ensuring safety during long shifts.

While it offers excellent arch support and comfort, the Skechers Arch Fit 2.0 may lack long-term durability compared to higher-end options.

Dansko Women’s XP 2.0

Dansko clogs, particularly the Dansko Women’s XP 2.0 clogs, are popular among nurses for their stability, comfort, and support. These shoes offer good arch support, are easy to clean, and are known for their durability, making them ideal for long shifts.

Slip-resistant outsoles are crucial for safety in clinical environments, ensuring nurses can move quickly and confidently.

Breathable Nursing Shoes

Breathable nursing shoes are essential for maintaining comfort and preventing overheating during long working hours.

Here are the best breathable options that keep your feet cool and comfortable during those extended shifts.

On Cloudnova 2

The On Cloudnova 2 stands out with a perfect breathability score of 5/5, ensuring your feet stay cool even during the most demanding shifts. Priced at $160, these shoes offer superb comfort, support, and breathability, making them a top choice for nurses seeking relief from foot fatigue and overheating.

New Balance 327

The New Balance 327 combines excellent ventilation with a stylish retro design, making it functional and fashionable for nurses. While specific details on waterproofing and antimicrobial features are not highlighted, New Balance shoes often incorporate these technologies, enhancing their practicality and hygiene for demanding healthcare environments.

Budget-Friendly Nursing Shoes for Long Hours

Finding affordable nursing shoes that don’t compromise on comfort and support is crucial for nurses. Here are some budget-friendly options that offer great value without breaking the bank.

Skechers Arch Fit 2.0

The Skechers Arch Fit 2.0 is designed with excellent arch support and comfort for nurses, making it a great budget-friendly option. While it provides good value, the Skechers Arch Fit 2.0 may lack the long-term durability of higher-priced alternatives.

FIGS | New Balance 327

The collaboration between FIGS and New Balance has resulted in the 327, a lightweight, stylish shoe explicitly designed for the demanding work environment of nurses. With features like waterproofing and antimicrobial properties, the FIGS | New Balance 327 offers excellent value and practicality for healthcare professionals.

The Importance of Compression Socks

Compression socks are essential for nurses, providing additional comfort and reducing fatigue during long shifts.

Here, we explore the benefits and recommended compression levels for optimal support.

Benefits of Compression Socks

Compression socks offer numerous benefits, including improved blood flow, reduced fatigue, and enhanced comfort. Graduated compression in these socks improves blood circulation, reducing leg soreness and swelling from prolonged standing.

Compression socks can make uncomfortable shoes more manageable, enhancing comfort throughout the workday.

Recommended Compression Levels

The recommended compression levels for nurses are 15-20 mmHg or 20-30 mmHg for optimal comfort and support. Light to moderate compression levels (15-20 mmHg) are ideal for young nurses to prevent discomfort and varicose veins, while higher compression levels (20-30 mmHg) offer additional support and reduce the risk of foot-related issues.

Using the recommended compression levels can significantly enhance foot health during long shifts.

Choosing the Right Size and Fit

Selecting the correct size and fit is vital for nursing shoes.

This section offers tips on measuring your feet and understanding brand-specific sizing for the best fit.

Measuring Your Feet

To accurately measure your feet for shoes, it’s best to do so later in the day when your feet are slightly swollen. With paper, a pen, and a ruler, measure both length and width for the correct fit.

Measure your feet regularly since size can change with age, weight, or health conditions.

Brand-Specific Sizing

Fit and toebox shapes vary even within brands. Consult sizing charts and reviews to find the best fit.

A snug fit is key for comfort and support during long shifts.

Special Features to Look For in Nursing Shoes

Key features in nursing shoes ensure comfort and safety. Consider these when selecting the best pair.

Slip Resistant Outsole

Footwear with slip-resistant soles provides the necessary traction to minimize accident risks in healthcare settings. A full-length rubber outsole offers better traction and safety.

Waterproof Design

Leather uppers provide excellent protection from spills, are easy to clean, offer more significant support, and have a longer lifespan. Waterproof nursing shoes keep feet dry and protected, allowing nurses to manage spills without compromising comfort.

Easy to Clean

Easy-to-clean nursing shoes maintain hygiene and reduce cross-contamination risks. Quick-cleaning footwear is vital in fast-paced healthcare settings to ensure safety and professionalism.

Popular Brands Offering Discounts for Nurses

Many brands offer special discounts for nurses.

Here are some popular brands providing exclusive deals for healthcare professionals.

Hoka

Hoka produces comfortable, supportive nursing shoes that aid nurses throughout their long shifts. Hoka offers a 25% discount for verified healthcare professionals, including nurses, through their Community Heroes Ambassador Program.

This program ensures that nurses can access high-quality footwear at a reduced price, making investing in their comfort and support easier.

New Balance

New Balance is recognized for providing a range of versatile and durable shoes that cater well to the needs of nurses. They offer a 15% discount for nurses and healthcare workers, making their reliable and comfortable shoes more accessible to medical professionals.

Models like the New Balance 574 Core and 327 are particularly popular among healthcare workers for their practicality and comfort.

Brooks

Brooks is known for producing high-quality shoes that offer excellent cushioning and support, making them suitable for long shifts in nursing. Brooks provides a 25% discount for healthcare workers, ensuring that nurses can access top-tier footwear without breaking the bank.

Models like the Brooks Ghost are particularly popular among nurses for their comfort and durability.

Summary

Choosing the right nursing shoes is vital for ensuring comfort and support during long shifts. From the best overall options to those providing excellent arch support, lightweight designs, slip-resistant features, and budget-friendly choices, plenty of great options are available for 2025. Additionally, investing in compression socks and choosing the right size and fit further enhances comfort and reduces fatigue.

In conclusion, the right pair of nursing shoes can significantly impact your daily work life. By considering the features that matter most to you and taking advantage of discounts from popular brands, you can find the perfect pair that keeps you comfortable and supported throughout your demanding shifts.

Frequently Asked Questions

What do nurses wear for shoes?

Nurses typically wear sneakers or shoes that provide good cushioning and support. It’s all about comfort since they’re on their feet for long hours!

What qualifies as nursing shoes?

Nursing shoes should fit snugly, have a non-slip sole for safety, provide good shock absorption, and feature a wide toe box and stiff sole for support. Look for those with arch support and are easy to clean to keep your feet comfortable during long shifts.

Why is arch support necessary in nursing shoes?

Arch support in nursing shoes is essential because it helps prevent foot pain and fatigue during long shifts by maintaining proper alignment and reducing stress on your feet. This can make a significant difference in your comfort and performance at work.

What are the benefits of compression socks for nurses?

Compression socks are a game changer for nurses; they boost blood flow, reduce fatigue, and keep you comfortable during long shifts. You’ll notice the difference!

How can I measure my feet accurately for nursing shoes?

To measure your feet accurately for nursing shoes, use paper and a ruler to trace and measure both length and width, ideally later in the day when your feet are a bit swollen. This way, you’ll ensure a more comfortable fit!