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Being a nurse is not easy. Aside from spending long hours attending to all your patients’ needs, you also have to face a lot of stress every day. These things aren’t only mentally exhausting; they can also mean a lot of discomfort, particularly on your back, shoulders and even your neck.
To protect yourself, it’s a great idea to invest in items that can help reduce strain. If you have flat feet, here are the best nursing shoes for flat-footed nurses you can check out.
1. Birkenstock Unisex Professional Tokyo Super Grip Leather Slip Resistant Work Shoe
If you’re not a fan of heels but still looking for good arch support, this Birkenstock Unisex Professional Tokyo Super Grip should be on your list. With heels measuring 0.75 inch, it has a contoured cork footbed to fit the shape of your feet.
It provides an excellent grip on the floor with its rubber outsole. Its upper, on the other hand, is made of genuine leather.
Aside from excellent durability, the shoes are enclosed to ensure your protection at work. You can wipe off any spillage quite easily.
Pros:
- Not too tight across the top of the foot.
- With adjustable buckles to give you maximum comfort.
Cons:
- Finding the right size can be tricky
- May need a breaking in period
2. Hawkwell Women’s Lightweight Comfort Slip Resistant Nursing Shoes
With memory foam insole, these shoes have the right amount of cushion to keep your feet comfortable throughout your shift. Hawkwell Women’s Lightweight Comfort Slip Resistant Nursing Shoes have a wide structure which your flat feet will find very relaxing.
Additionally, the shoes are easy to clean because of their synthetic leather upper. With just soap and water, you’ll be able to remove dirt and keep your pair clean. There’s no need to worry too much about spilled fluids as well because of their stain-resistant finish.
Pros:
- Has neutral arch support
- Slip-resistant
- Easy to clean
Cons:
- Too big for those with narrow and small feet
- A bit stiff at first
3. Gravity Defyer Proven Pain Relief Women’s G-Defy Mighty Walk
Gravity Defyer Proven Pain Relief Women’s G-Defy Mighty has a shock absorption feature to ensure your comfort. It has removable insoles and front rocking soles to help relieve foot pain.
Its interior is seamless to prevent irritation. It’s a nice feature for nurses who have diabetic neuropathy and sensitive feet. The interior is extra deep to give extra space for your toes.
Pros:
- Removable insoles
- Slip-resistant
- Roomy toe box
Cons:
- A bit bulky
- Not cheap
4. ASICS Women’s Gel-Kayano 26 Running Shoes
The ASICS Women’s Gel-Kayano 26 Running Shoes are particularly designed for people with low arches and overpronation. With FlyteFoam Lyte Technology, they can help minimize drag and exhaustion even if you spend hours standing and moving around. For stability and support, the shoes also have the Dynamic DuoMax Support system.
The shoes come with a plush padded tongue and collar. These features help prevent chaffing and keep your feet comfortable.
While wearing the shoes, you won’t have to worry about moisture or bad odor. There’s a breathable padded interior to help manage those issues.
Pros:
- Offers optimal support
- Comes in 19 stylish variations
- Provides comfortable natural walking gait
Cons:
- Tricky to find the right fit
5. Skechers Women’s Ghenter Bronaugh Work Shoe
If you aren’t a fan of shoes with a slip-on design, Skechers Women’s Ghenter Bronaugh Work Shoe might be for you. With a lace-up design, it’s durable and looks super nice.
The insole is comfortable since it’s made with memory foam. The shoes are also quite roomy because of its Relaxed Fit design.
As a nurse, you’d like its slip-resistant rubber traction outsole. It’s quite important since your work involves a lot of walking and running.
Pros:
- Features a sporty casual look
- Has soft fabric shoe lining
- Slip-resistant
Cons:
- Memory foam may not feel too cushy
Buying the Right Type of Shoes for You
Finding the right shoes for nurses is a tough job. If you are flat-footed, the task becomes harder than usual.
In picking the best pair for you, here are the factors you need to consider:
Design
For someone with flat feet, you need to find a pair of shoes with plenty of arch support. There should be enough cushion for your entire feet but pay close attention to the midsection.
It should be firm in that area. The shoes also need to have a curved shape. This will keep your feet from rolling inwards.
The heels should be tough to ensure proper shock absorption.
Apart from that, the shoes need to be moderately flexible. This way, they’ll be able to bend, reducing the pressure on your feet as you move around.
Comfort
For your feet, the best shoes are those with wide toe boxes. The feature will help you wiggle your toes freely. Additionally, there should be enough space on the heel portion.
The insoles of the shoes are also important for your comfort. They should be soft and supportive.
If your feet tend to sweat so much, you should also look for shoes with enough ventilation.
Safety
Since you’ll be doing a lot of walking and running around, you need shoes that can keep you safe. Considering that, look for shoes with synthetic or rubber soles. They should be able to help prevent accidents, particularly when you’re working on floors with a high chance of getting wet with fluids.
Durability
This factor is just as important as your shoes’ design. You see, if your shoes aren’t durable, they won’t be any better than any other shoes. You’ll just end up buying another pair in a matter of weeks or days.
Your shoes need to be able to take a lot of stress without breaking apart or wearing out. This ensures that they are able to take the stress off your feet.
Weight
Lightweight shoes are the best for flat feet because they put less pressure when walking. The heavier the shoes, the harder it is to wear them throughout your shift.
