vonJohn Landry, BS, RRT|9 January 2021
Many nurses experience recurrent foot pain from prolonged standing and walking at work. When you add plantar fasciitis to that, working on your feet can be downright overwhelming at times.
Finding the right nursing shoes with good support and better cushioning can make all the difference during those long and tiring shifts.
The best shoes for plantar fasciitis caregivers have adequate arch support, extra cushioning in the front of the shoe, and excellent shock absorption. Below we have listed the best shoes for nurses dealing with plantar fasciitis. So if you're ready, let's get started.
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Our top picks for shoes for plantar fasciitis nurses:
1.Gravity Defyer Shoes for Plantar Fasciitis Nurses
2.Ryka Devotion Plus 2 Nurse Women's Shoes
3.Orthopedic shoes for plantar fasciitis for nurses
4.Nurse Mates Women's Velocity Scrub Shoes
5.Brooks Ghost Women's Nurse Shoes
6.ASICS Gel-Nimbus women's nurse shoes
7.Skechers Comfort shoes for medical professionals
Read on for our more in-depth reviews of the best shoes for nurses with plantar fasciitis. Find out more about our favorites below.
The Best Shoes For Nurses With Plantar Fasciitis:
Our #1 pair of shoes for plantar fasciitis caregivers is theGravity Defyer Shoes for Plantar Fasciitis Nurses.These shoes go above and beyond to ease your pain,tired feetcomfortable during those long shifts.Its most notable aspect is its patented spring system, VersoShock technology, which acts like a shock absorber for your feet.
They also have a removable foam insole lined with antimicrobial treated fabric to prevent scratches from growing and includes a perforated edge to allow for maximum breathability throughout the day.The inside of these shoes is seamless, so even the most sensitive feet feel comfortable.
They feature a roomy toe box for extra toe room and a rocker at the front of the sole with added support in the midsole area to relieve plantar fasciitis pain.These shoes come in a range of sizes from 6 to 11, with wide and extra wide options to suit everyone. There are seven color combinations to choose from, from the typical black and white to the more colorful purple and peach.
Main Features:
- The VersoShock technology included in these shoes provides additional shock absorption to reduce the impact of walking.
- A removable insole with a perforated surface keeps feet cool and dry for added comfort.
- The rocker on the forefoot redistributes the weight of the foot to relieve pressure that causes pain.
- Wide width and extra wide options are available in all sizes.
Number two on our list is thisRyka Devotion Plus 2 Nurse Women's ShoesThe Ryka company has a Made for Women shoe model that takes into account the muscular movements, anatomy and general constitution of women. This is most evident in the cushioning of this shoe's Anatomical Precise Return sockliner, which takes into account the anatomical structure of a woman's body to provide responsive cushioning to the foot.
These shoes also feature a full-length RE-ZORB cushion that redistributes impact to create a more comfortable running experience. The rubber in the outsole is grouped into eight sections to work with the RE-ZORB cushion in the midsole to redistribute impact.
The mesh upper includes synthetic support overlays that allow for a better fit without sacrificing comfort or breathability. These shoes are available in sizes 5 through 12, with medium heights and wide widths, and include 27 different shades to choose from.
Main Features:
- It features a women's shoe design with an anatomically shaped footbed that provides the wearer with responsive cushioning for optimal comfort.
- The cushioning RE-ZORB midsole works with the rubber outsole to improve shock absorption while walking or running.
- Shoes are available in sizes medium and wide.
ÖOrthopedic shoes for plantar fasciitis for nursesIt ranks third on our list with its lightweight and ergonomic design.These shoes are made with a breathable and elastic upper that stretches with the shape of the foot to provide a snug fit without painful irritation.
Airbags in the shoe's heel protect against the hard impact of walking, and orthopedic insoles provide extra support for those long shifts on your feet. The sole of the shoe provides additional cushioning and works in tandem with the airbags to reduce impact.
These shoe sizes range from 5 to 12, with half, wide and extra-wide sizes available. They come in three different colors including a neutral black, a gray with yellow-green laces, and a turquoise with yellow-green laces.
Main Features:
- They offer exceptional impact protection due to the cushioned sole and the addition of airbags in the heel.
- A removable orthotic insole is included for extra support, but can be easily removed and replaced with your preferred insole.
- They are available in half sizes, medium, wide or extra wide.
Our #4 shoe is polishedNurse Mates Women's Velocity Scrub Shoes. These nursing shoes give you the comfort of a slipper while looking more professional.
The upper is durable and dirt-resistant with a molded design for an overall better fit. These include a corrective orthopedic insole, Align, which realigns the foot's position in the shoe for better support and stability.
Improved heel and arch support provides increased shock absorption and joint stability to reduce joint pain when walking and standing. The shoes are lightweight and non-slip with adjustable elastic laces.
They are available in sizes 6 to 11, with half sizes and full widths available. There are ten color options available, three with neutral colors and seven with different patterns in different colors.
Main Features:
- The overall construction of the shoe allows for a more professional appearance than athletic shoes.
- The durable, molded upper offers a better fit for long-term wear, resists stains and is easy to clean.
- Nurse Mate's custom-made corrective orthopedic insole comfortably realigns the foot, allowing for better support and stability.
Number five on our list is theBrooks Ghost Women's Nurse Shoes. These shoes are made with 3D Fit Print and a newly developed mesh for the upper that allows for optimal elasticity and comfort.
DNA Loft and BioMoGo DNA combine to give you a superior cushioned sockliner while providing stability and a smoother heel-to-toe transition. This is exactly why this shoe is so popular.
The segmented Crash Pad on the shoe sole offers full protection against high impact and works together with DNA Loft to improve transitional comfort. These shoes come in 23 different colors to choose from and come in sizes from 4.5 to 13. They also include narrow, medium, and wide widths and medium options.
Main Features:
- The cushioned upper sockliner offers a more responsive, spring-like motion to aid in stability and transitions.
- Segmented Crash Pad shock absorbers running the full length of the sole provide protection from all impacts.
- They have available sizes along with width options of narrow, medium, or wide.
ÖASICS Gel-Nimbus women's nurse shoesIt's sixth on our list with its midsole foam formula that offers energy return on all impacts. Not only popular with runners, this shoe has been worn by thousandsnursesalso all over the world.
These shoes feature ASICS' highly abrasion-resistant rubber technology, making them extremely durable in all environments. They use Trusstic System technology to reduce the shoe's weight without compromising its structure or stability.
Utilizing a unique midsole technology, these shoes allow for greater flexibility throughout the sole, providing a better heel-to-toe transition. A cushioning gel unit in the heel and forefoot stabilizes the foot from hard impacts.
These shoes are available in sizes 5 to 18, with half sizes and widths available. ASICS also offers 29 different shoe colors to choose from, ranging from neutral to fluorescent rainbows.
Main Features:
- They contain a gel pad in the heel and forefoot that allows for excellent shock absorption.
- Its unique foam formulation in the midsole allows for a lightweight shoe that offers exceptional spring-like rebound.
- High Abrasion Rubber technology improves the overall durability of the shoes.
Our final pair of shoes on our list is thisSkechers Comfort shoes for medical professionals. These shoes are lightweight and non-slip, with increased durability through the heel and toe.
The upper part is made of breathable fabric that repels stains and protects the shoe without discomfort. They include a memory foam insole with air cooling technology to keep your feet cool and comfortable in any work environment.
Its padded arch support reduces joint stress and fatigue from long shifts of standing and walking. These shoes come in nine colorways to choose from and come in sizes from 5 to 12, with half sizes and full widths available.
Main Features:
- They contain a gel pad in the heel and forefoot that allows for excellent shock absorption.
- Its unique foam formulation in the midsole allows for a lightweight shoe that offers exceptional spring-like rebound.
- High Abrasion Rubber technology improves the overall durability of the shoes.
final thoughts
While it can be scary to buy nursing shoes online, the inclusion of half size and width options makes it easier than ever to find shoes that fit you. You're just a few clicks away from all-day comfort and increased maneuverability with these plantar fasciitis care shoes.
Hopefully this guide has given you the information you need to make the best choice for your needs. Thanks for reading and as always, take a deep breath my friend.
Written by:
John Landry, BS, RRT
John Landry is a Registered Respiratory Therapist from Memphis, TN and has a Bachelor of Science degree in Kinesiology. He enjoys using evidence-based research to help others breathe easier and live healthier lives.