Best Shoes & Best Insoles
Best Shoes For Nurses [Podiatrist Recommended Nurses Shoes]
Do you want the BEST Shoes for nurses? We go over the 100% BEST Podiatrist Recommended Nurses Shoes for Men and Women!
Look!
- Nurses spend a ton of time on their feet at nursing homes, the hospital and helping patients.
- Nurses have one of the hardest and most selfless jobs, so they need to have good support for their feet!
- A good shoe is made even better with a good supportive insole!
So let’s take a look at our FAVORITE shoes!
Table of Contents
Best Shoes For Nurses [Podiatrist Recommended Nurses Shoes]
Nurses can spend a lot of time on their feet, so it is very important for them to have excellent shoes!
A good shoe is made even better by having a lot of support for your feet with an orthotic.
Rules for the BEST Nursing Shoes:
A slip on shoe or “clog” does not provide as much support as a good lace up shoe.
- This especially means Dansko type shoes!
- Dansko or clog type shoes feel easy to put on, but do not offer the support a good walking shoe + good insole provide.
Once the nurse gets used to a good supportive orthotic, it will allow the foot to prevent soreness rather than trying to make the soreness go away.
A shoe with laces allows room for an orthotic as well as changing lacing patterns for better grip and less top of the foot pain.
If needed a good lace-up shoe will allow room for compression stockings or an ankle brace which could provide even more support.
The Best Nursing Shoes:
These are our favorite podiatrist recommended nursing shoes:
Best Women’s Running Shoes:
Great Maximalist Shoe From Brooks
Great Zero Drop Maximalist Shoe
Brooks Ghost: Best overall women’s neutral shoe.
Brooks GTS: Best Women’s Supportive Shoe
Title:
Brooks Womens Ariel ’18
ALTRA Women’s ALW1959F Olympus 3.5 Trail Running Shoe, Blue/Green – 5.5 M US
Brooks Women’s Ghost 13 Running Shoe – Light Blue/Blackened Pearl/White – 9.5 Medium
Brooks Women’s Adrenaline GTS 22 Supportive Running Shoe – Grey/Rose/Black – 8 Medium
Price:
Price not available
Price not available
Price not available
$167.99
Overview:
$120+ Price range is better than the Hoka Shoes.
Great price <$100 for a maximalist shoe. This is a zero drop shoe meaning it will stretch your Achilles tendon.
This is my favorite overall women’s running shoe.
Like the Brook’s Ghost but more supportive.
Pros:
Excellent shoe with great reviews: 4.5/5 with 400+ reviews. Great maximalist shoe.
Great cost and great reviews for a maximalist shoes: 4.4/5 with 500+ reviews. Great overall shoe.
It is great for most people. It will work great for most foot types.
Great value for flat feet that require support.
Cons:
These can be heavy. They can make the leg muscles work harder.
Not as heavy duty as the other two heavy duty arch support shoes.
For some people it can be a high price point, but we think it is well worth it.
This is one of Brook’s best rated and most supportive shoes, this can be very helpful.
Crucial Tips:
Great shoes for people with foot pain that can handle activity in the knees, hips and lower back.
This is a zero drop shoe meaning it will stretch your Achilles tendon more than the other shoes.
If this is your first shoe, it may be worth trying on in person first.
Try these on at the store first, they might need a break in period
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Best Women’s Running Shoes:
Great Maximalist Shoe From Brooks
Title:
Brooks Womens Ariel ’18
Price:
Price not available
Overview:
$120+ Price range is better than the Hoka Shoes.
Pros:
Excellent shoe with great reviews: 4.5/5 with 400+ reviews. Great maximalist shoe.
Cons:
These can be heavy. They can make the leg muscles work harder.
Crucial Tips:
Great shoes for people with foot pain that can handle activity in the knees, hips and lower back.
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Best Women’s Running Shoes:
Great Zero Drop Maximalist Shoe
Title:
ALTRA Women’s ALW1959F Olympus 3.5 Trail Running Shoe, Blue/Green – 5.5 M US
Price:
Price not available
Overview:
Great price <$100 for a maximalist shoe. This is a zero drop shoe meaning it will stretch your Achilles tendon.
Pros:
Great cost and great reviews for a maximalist shoes: 4.4/5 with 500+ reviews. Great overall shoe.
Cons:
Not as heavy duty as the other two heavy duty arch support shoes.
Crucial Tips:
This is a zero drop shoe meaning it will stretch your Achilles tendon more than the other shoes.
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Best Women’s Running Shoes:
Brooks Ghost: Best overall women’s neutral shoe.
Title:
Brooks Women’s Ghost 13 Running Shoe – Light Blue/Blackened Pearl/White – 9.5 Medium
Price:
Price not available
Overview:
This is my favorite overall women’s running shoe.
Pros:
It is great for most people. It will work great for most foot types.
Cons:
For some people it can be a high price point, but we think it is well worth it.
Crucial Tips:
If this is your first shoe, it may be worth trying on in person first.
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Zappos, Walmart & Other Possibly Cheaper Options (Affiliate Link):
Best Women’s Running Shoes:
Brooks GTS: Best Women’s Supportive Shoe
Title:
Brooks Women’s Adrenaline GTS 22 Supportive Running Shoe – Grey/Rose/Black – 8 Medium
Price:
$167.99
Overview:
Like the Brook’s Ghost but more supportive.
Pros:
Great value for flat feet that require support.
Cons:
This is one of Brook’s best rated and most supportive shoes, this can be very helpful.
Crucial Tips:
Try these on at the store first, they might need a break in period
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Best Nursing Orthotics:
- A good walking or running shoe from above combined with a good over the counter orthotic will provide even more support.
Custom orthotic or Prefabricated Orthotic?
- We say start with the lower cost orthotic. It is not as great as a well made custom orthotic but you should get used to how it works first.
- If you feel it helps, but not as much as you want it to help: then a custom orthotic can be made by your favorite podiatrist later!
Best Medium to Heavy Duty Heel Pain Orthotics:
Best Overall Orthotic For Everything (Medium Thick Fit)
Best Heavy Duty Orthotic (Thickest Fit)
Best SOFTER Choice For Sensitive Feet (Medium Thick Fit)
Best Women’s Orthotics
Price:
$40.46
$49.95
Price not available
$59.95
Overview:
These work best in shoes with laces and running shoes. Not good for dress shoes or women’s cute shoes.
Biggest and most corrective option. Only use for running shoes or work boots. Not cute shoes.
These are full length inserts, but softer. Great if you can’t tolerate the firmer ones. Best for very sore and sensitive feet.
Great Support & Better Fit
Pros:
Pretty much guaranteed to help you if it fits in your shoes and you give it 2 weeks to get used to. 5,000+ amazon reviews, great track record.
My personal favorite, but not for everyone. Amazing reviews over 3,500. But not for everyone. Only for bigger shoes that can fit them
They are softer and the initial break in time is AMAZING. But longer term benefits are less. >500 Almost 5 star amazon rating.
Sleek, supportive and have a better fit than the orthotics above.
Cons:
Do not wear these in cute or dress shoes!
Bigger and bulkier than all the other ones. You will be dissappointed if you have a cute women’s shoe or dress shoe. This is meant for running shoes and boots.
Great to start with, but don’t correct long term as much as the other ones.
A little bit more expensive.
Crucial Tips:
Ease in to these, 1-2hrs a day. They are like braces for your teeth, they suck at the beginning! But they will make your feet pain free as 1-2 weeks go by. Don’t give up on them after 1 or 2 days. Everyone feels off at the beginning!
This has the most correction, but hardest break in time! IF SENSITIVE, USE A SOFTER PAIR FIRST! But if you get these, you must break them in. Give it 1-2 hours a day, but then you will start to have excellent results. The bad reviews are all people who couldn’t fit it into their shoes and gave up too quickly. You have been WARNED!
If you are very sore, TRY THESE FIRST! These are easiest to break in with initially. If you are very sore and rigid, don’t use the heavy duty ones to start with.
These will have a harder time fitting in flats and pointed shoes.
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Best Medium to Heavy Duty Heel Pain Orthotics:
Best Overall Orthotic For Everything (Medium Thick Fit)
Price:
$40.46
Overview:
These work best in shoes with laces and running shoes. Not good for dress shoes or women’s cute shoes.
Pros:
Pretty much guaranteed to help you if it fits in your shoes and you give it 2 weeks to get used to. 5,000+ amazon reviews, great track record.
Cons:
Do not wear these in cute or dress shoes!
Crucial Tips:
Ease in to these, 1-2hrs a day. They are like braces for your teeth, they suck at the beginning! But they will make your feet pain free as 1-2 weeks go by. Don’t give up on them after 1 or 2 days. Everyone feels off at the beginning!
Affiliate Link (Buying through these links will connect you to Amazon):
Best Medium to Heavy Duty Heel Pain Orthotics:
Best Heavy Duty Orthotic (Thickest Fit)
Price:
$49.95
Overview:
Biggest and most corrective option. Only use for running shoes or work boots. Not cute shoes.
Pros:
My personal favorite, but not for everyone. Amazing reviews over 3,500. But not for everyone. Only for bigger shoes that can fit them
Cons:
Bigger and bulkier than all the other ones. You will be dissappointed if you have a cute women’s shoe or dress shoe. This is meant for running shoes and boots.
Crucial Tips:
This has the most correction, but hardest break in time! IF SENSITIVE, USE A SOFTER PAIR FIRST! But if you get these, you must break them in. Give it 1-2 hours a day, but then you will start to have excellent results. The bad reviews are all people who couldn’t fit it into their shoes and gave up too quickly. You have been WARNED!
Affiliate Link (Buying through these links will connect you to Amazon):
Best Medium to Heavy Duty Heel Pain Orthotics:
Best SOFTER Choice For Sensitive Feet (Medium Thick Fit)
Price:
Price not available
Overview:
These are full length inserts, but softer. Great if you can’t tolerate the firmer ones. Best for very sore and sensitive feet.
Pros:
They are softer and the initial break in time is AMAZING. But longer term benefits are less. >500 Almost 5 star amazon rating.
Cons:
Great to start with, but don’t correct long term as much as the other ones.
Crucial Tips:
If you are very sore, TRY THESE FIRST! These are easiest to break in with initially. If you are very sore and rigid, don’t use the heavy duty ones to start with.
Affiliate Link (Buying through these links will connect you to Amazon):
Best Medium to Heavy Duty Heel Pain Orthotics:
Best Women’s Orthotics
Price:
$59.95
Overview:
Great Support & Better Fit
Pros:
Sleek, supportive and have a better fit than the orthotics above.
Cons:
A little bit more expensive.
Crucial Tips:
These will have a harder time fitting in flats and pointed shoes.
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Best Socks for Nurses:
These are some great socks for nurses after you have the good shoes and orthotics!
Best Women’s Anti-Sweat & Anti-Fungus Socks
Great choice for women’s running socks with moisture wicking design.
Best Seller & Most Reviewed Crew Socks
Best Overall Women’s Dress Sock
Great reviewed crew length bamboo sock.
Price:
$15.99
Price not available
$23.99
$14.99
Overview:
Ankle height socks, great for running with moisture wicking design, great company.
This is a great reviewed budget crew sock. It has more cushion and bulk than the running sock.
Great overall full length dress socks, great reviews and good overall price.
This is a great alternative to the other crew sock. Great reviews.
Pros:
4.7/5 reviews with over 5,000+ reviews! Great reliable company with great reviews.
The best seller for moisture wicking women’s socks. Great reviews at 4.2/5 with over 3,000+ reviews.
Great reviews 4.4/5, which suprisingly is better than most dress socks. Excellent overall choice.
Very well reviewed sock: 4.4/5 rating and over 700+ reviews.
Cons:
These are thinner and more likely to curl/fall apart.
Not the world’s most expensive socks. Main complaints are the durability long term.
Dress socks are less durable than crew socks. They can work well.
Not much downsides. Good overall sock.
Crucial Tips:
Not as well cushioned as other socks. Make sure to combine with a good supportive orthotic and breathable sock.
These are great everyday socks. Combine with good breathable shoes and orthotics for best results.
Make sure to get a good 3/4 length dress orthotic or dress shoe orthotic with a good shoe.
Make sure to combine with a good breathable shoe and supportive orthotics.
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Best Women’s Anti-Sweat & Anti-Fungus Socks
Great choice for women’s running socks with moisture wicking design.
Price:
$15.99
Overview:
Ankle height socks, great for running with moisture wicking design, great company.
Pros:
4.7/5 reviews with over 5,000+ reviews! Great reliable company with great reviews.
Cons:
These are thinner and more likely to curl/fall apart.
Crucial Tips:
Not as well cushioned as other socks. Make sure to combine with a good supportive orthotic and breathable sock.
Affiliate Link (Buying through these links will connect you to Amazon):
Best Women’s Anti-Sweat & Anti-Fungus Socks
Best Seller & Most Reviewed Crew Socks
Price:
Price not available
Overview:
This is a great reviewed budget crew sock. It has more cushion and bulk than the running sock.
Pros:
The best seller for moisture wicking women’s socks. Great reviews at 4.2/5 with over 3,000+ reviews.
Cons:
Not the world’s most expensive socks. Main complaints are the durability long term.
Crucial Tips:
These are great everyday socks. Combine with good breathable shoes and orthotics for best results.
Affiliate Link (Buying through these links will connect you to Amazon):
Best Women’s Anti-Sweat & Anti-Fungus Socks
Best Overall Women’s Dress Sock
Price:
$23.99
Overview:
Great overall full length dress socks, great reviews and good overall price.
Pros:
Great reviews 4.4/5, which suprisingly is better than most dress socks. Excellent overall choice.
Cons:
Dress socks are less durable than crew socks. They can work well.
Crucial Tips:
Make sure to get a good 3/4 length dress orthotic or dress shoe orthotic with a good shoe.
Affiliate Link (Buying through these links will connect you to Amazon):
Best Women’s Anti-Sweat & Anti-Fungus Socks
Great reviewed crew length bamboo sock.
Price:
$14.99
Overview:
This is a great alternative to the other crew sock. Great reviews.
Pros:
Very well reviewed sock: 4.4/5 rating and over 700+ reviews.
Cons:
Not much downsides. Good overall sock.
Crucial Tips:
Make sure to combine with a good breathable shoe and supportive orthotics.
Affiliate Link (Buying through these links will connect you to Amazon):
Best Ankle Compression Braces for Nurses:
- These are some of our favorite ankle compression braces and compression sleeves for nurses.
- These can really help during the day!
Best Heel & Ankle Compression Braces:
Best Premium Brace (Support & Compression)
Budget Brace With Some Compression & Some Support.
Price:
Price not available
$22.49
Overview:
This is The Top Level Brace – Does Compression, Support & Great Fit.
This brace attempts mild compression and mild support.
Pros:
Excellent brace: Best overall mix of compression & support, and it still fits in most shoes! If you have a chronic injury and need to wear normal shoes => This is the BEST CHOICE.
Good rating at 4.3 with 2,000 reviews. It is cost effective and gives some support with some compression. Does both ok, but excellent when price is factored in.
Cons:
Expensive. It doesn’t do any single thing the best. There are cheaper and more supportive braces, there are cheaper and more compressive braces. But no braces combine the two and still fit in a shoe.
Does not really do anything well. Weak support and not the best compression. Meant as an assist for chronic pain and low activity. Not for an acute injury.
Important Tips:
This is a high durability brace for everyday use. If you have chronic arthritis or pain with a high need for activity, this is your brace to use! **Gel inside seems to deteriorate after daily washing at about 1 year old**
This is mean for lower activity and better fit than a true supportive brace. Don’t use this for an acute sprain or injury.
Affiliate Link (Buying through these links will connect you to Amazon):
Best Heel & Ankle Compression Braces:
Best Premium Brace (Support & Compression)
Price:
Price not available
Overview:
This is The Top Level Brace – Does Compression, Support & Great Fit.
Pros:
Excellent brace: Best overall mix of compression & support, and it still fits in most shoes! If you have a chronic injury and need to wear normal shoes => This is the BEST CHOICE.
Cons:
Expensive. It doesn’t do any single thing the best. There are cheaper and more supportive braces, there are cheaper and more compressive braces. But no braces combine the two and still fit in a shoe.
Important Tips:
This is a high durability brace for everyday use. If you have chronic arthritis or pain with a high need for activity, this is your brace to use! **Gel inside seems to deteriorate after daily washing at about 1 year old**
Affiliate Link (Buying through these links will connect you to Amazon):
Best Heel & Ankle Compression Braces:
Budget Brace With Some Compression & Some Support.
Price:
$22.49
Overview:
This brace attempts mild compression and mild support.
Pros:
Good rating at 4.3 with 2,000 reviews. It is cost effective and gives some support with some compression. Does both ok, but excellent when price is factored in.
Cons:
Does not really do anything well. Weak support and not the best compression. Meant as an assist for chronic pain and low activity. Not for an acute injury.
Important Tips:
This is mean for lower activity and better fit than a true supportive brace. Don’t use this for an acute sprain or injury.
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Best Slippers for Nurses:
When at home nurses should be wearing something supportive as well!
If at all possible we like those with foot pain to have some support and cushion at home as well.
These home orthotic slippers can be really good options.
Best Women’s Orthotic Slippers
Great Budget & Low Cost Slip-on House Croc: 8,000+ reviews at 4.8/5 rating!
Vionic Women’s Relax Slipper: Great orthotic slipper: 4,300+ reviews at 4.4/5 reviews.
Best High Quality Peripheral Neuropathy & Diabetic Slipper
Women’s Spenco Orthotic Slippers are a great podiatrist recommended slipper, but can be expensive.
Easy to wear slide slipper.
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Price:
Price not available
Price not available
Price not available
$98.95
Price not available
Title:
Crocs Men’s and Women’s Classic Lined Clog | Indoor and Outdoor Fuzzy Slipper
Vionic Women’s Indulge Relax Slipper – Ladies Comfortable Cozy Adjustable House Slippers that include Three-Zone Comfort with Orthotic Insole Arch Support, Soft House Shoes for Ladies
Orthofeet Women’s Charlotte Slipper, Black, 5 X-Wide
Spenco Women’s Supreme Slide Mule, Taupe, 7
Spenco Women’s Siesta Slide Mule, Charcoal Grey, 5 M US
Overview:
Price Range: $25+. Crocs are not the most supportive slip-on orthotic, but the price can’t be beat! This can almost instantly make the different for plantar fasciitis and other foot pain if used for walking around barefoot. Always worth $25!
Price Range: $40+ range. These are a lower cost sandal style slipper. Easy to slip on and wear. The cushion does press down and is unfortunately not replaceable.
This is a little bit more expensive. But does have excellent reviews and function.
This is my personal favorite that I get for my wife and family. Unfortunately they are more expensive.
These are a favorite of my wife and mother in law. Great slide with very good support.
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Best Women’s Orthotic Slippers
Great Budget & Low Cost Slip-on House Croc: 8,000+ reviews at 4.8/5 rating!
Thumbnail
Price:
Price not available
Title:
Crocs Men’s and Women’s Classic Lined Clog | Indoor and Outdoor Fuzzy Slipper
Overview:
Price Range: $25+. Crocs are not the most supportive slip-on orthotic, but the price can’t be beat! This can almost instantly make the different for plantar fasciitis and other foot pain if used for walking around barefoot. Always worth $25!
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Best Women’s Orthotic Slippers
Vionic Women’s Relax Slipper: Great orthotic slipper: 4,300+ reviews at 4.4/5 reviews.
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Price:
Price not available
Title:
Vionic Women’s Indulge Relax Slipper – Ladies Comfortable Cozy Adjustable House Slippers that include Three-Zone Comfort with Orthotic Insole Arch Support, Soft House Shoes for Ladies
Overview:
Price Range: $40+ range. These are a lower cost sandal style slipper. Easy to slip on and wear. The cushion does press down and is unfortunately not replaceable.
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Best Women’s Orthotic Slippers
Best High Quality Peripheral Neuropathy & Diabetic Slipper
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Price:
Price not available
Title:
Orthofeet Women’s Charlotte Slipper, Black, 5 X-Wide
Overview:
This is a little bit more expensive. But does have excellent reviews and function.
Affiliate Link (Buying through these links will connect you to Amazon):
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Best Women’s Orthotic Slippers
Women’s Spenco Orthotic Slippers are a great podiatrist recommended slipper, but can be expensive.
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Price:
$98.95
Title:
Spenco Women’s Supreme Slide Mule, Taupe, 7
Overview:
This is my personal favorite that I get for my wife and family. Unfortunately they are more expensive.
Affiliate Link (Buying through these links will connect you to Amazon):
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Best Women’s Orthotic Slippers
Easy to wear slide slipper.
Thumbnail
Price:
Price not available
Title:
Spenco Women’s Siesta Slide Mule, Charcoal Grey, 5 M US
Overview:
These are a favorite of my wife and mother in law. Great slide with very good support.
Affiliate Link (Buying through these links will connect you to Amazon):
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Best nursing shoes for high arches:
- We go over the best treatment for high arches.
- Click to follow this guide for the best nursing shoes for high arches.
Best Shoes & Best Insoles