15 of the Best Shoes for Nurses [Buying Guide]

Once you begin your career in nursing, you will find there is one thing that may stand out from the rest: you are on your feet a lot.

Whether you are working in a busy ER, doing rounds, assisting surgeries or just happen to work in a busy office, you’re sure to find a pair of nursing shoes in this list that will keep your feet feeling great all day.

Our top pick for best overall nursing shoe is the Dansko Pro XP Mule shoe.

The 15 Best Shoes for Nurses & Medical Professionals

Dansko Women’s Pro Xp 2.0 Mule Shoe

Dansko is a small company that makes incredibly comfortable shoes in all kinds of styles, but today the focus is on their nursing clogs.

The Xp Mule is a slip-on clog that is designed with comfort and performance in mind and the shoe is made from 100 percent leather upper that is quality stitched to the rubber sole. This is a full shoe, so it has a complete back ensuring your heel stays in place while quickly walking around.

The rubber sole is slip-resistant to give you confidence wet floors and there is a 2-inch heel to help prevent standing fatigue.

A memory foam insole fills the shoe to give full comfort and support to your foot, and a padded instep is also included.

There are 18 different styles to choose from so you have a lot of choices to express yourself with various colors and patterns that best suit your personality (or office policy).

The Dansko XP also made our list of the best nursing shoes for flat feet for 2026.

These clogs are best for a nurse who wants a complete and stylish shoe that will also have slip resistance and a higher level of comfort than other shoes. Dansko is a quality brand name and these have been recommended by many who are already in busy work environments.

See our full list of the best clogs for nurses in 2026.

Nurse Mates Align Velocity Shoe

These athletic-inspired shoes by Nurse Mates brings the functionality of a nurse shoe into the year 2026 with a fit and design that goes beyond the standard slip-on or clog style we are accustomed to. I received a pair of these shoes from Nurse Mates and really liked the fit.

These shoes come with an adjustable bungee-style shoe lace that doesn’t need tying – which makes it easy to slip on and off. For me, personally, this was a bit loose since I have very narrow feet, so I used the normal shoe laces that also come with each pair of their shoes.

These shoes are the best for nurses who are seeking the full benefit of a clog shoe but who want a bit more of a sneaker feel with laces. You can see our full review of the shoes here.

Nurse Mates Dove Oxford

Nurse Mates is a company that focuses primarily on nursing as their primary audience and they have done research into what is needed for footwear, scrubs and other apparel. They know a thing or two about what it means to be on your feet all day!

These slip-resistant, slip-on designed shoes for nurses are comfortable enough to be worn all shift and come in a white or black color based on your preferences.

The shoes run true-to-size, so you don’t need to worry about sizing up or down for the perfect fit!

These are the best shoes for a nurse who is concerned about their appearance.  They have a great style and shape to them and are still quite functional in a typical nursing environment.

Allbirds Tree Dashers

Read our detailed Allbirds Tree Dashers Review

Allbirds has made a splash in the industry for their sneakers made from natural resources with a super simple design. With no flashy logos here, their sneakers are amazingly comfortable and can be worn all day without pain. We chose the tree runners as one of our top choices of sneakers for nurses because they are quite light and breathable and also machine washable.

The Tree Dashers are the only technical, performance-based footwear offered by Allbirds currently, and they do an amazing job for nurses planning on wearing them throughout long shifts. The Tree Dashers come in myriad color variations as well as limited-time color combos.

While you’re at it, Allbirds recommends pairing their Tree Dashers with their Trino Sprinter socks.

Allbirds Tree Runners

Read our detailed review: Allbirds Tree Runners Review

Another pair of comfy sneakers from Allbirds, their Tree Runners are a bit less structured and less built for running and performance. The benefit, however, is that these shoes feel a bit more natural than a pair of “running shoes.” If, however, you are looking for a performance-type shoe, you should opt for the Tree Dashers. These Tree Runners are super lightweight and casual, so you can easily wear them after work or on the weekends!

It’s shocking to have such a comfortable sneaker made from natural materials. This is a big relief to those who would like to be more environmentally-friendly but do not want to make large sacrifices in comfort, quality, or looks. The knit fabric is made from eucalyptus tree fiber, the midsole is made from Brazilian sugarcane, the insole is made from castor beans, and the laces are made from recycled polyester. Amazing!

These are some of the best tennis shoes for nurses as well as great tennis shoes for the planet. They are quite affordable and can last for over a year if you take care of them.

These are perfect tennis shoes for a nurse who is looking to break free from popular sports brands and is looking for a tennis shoe that can be worn straight from work to the gym, to grabbing a drink with a friend, or for lounging on the weekend!

 

Reebok Flexagon Force Sneakers

Although clogs make a really practical choice for nurse footwear, sneakers are always another option for those looking for something more casual. In our list of the best tennis shoes for nurses, we include our top favorite brands from Allbirds and Reebok. Reebok is a popular sports footwear brand known for quality and support. Unlike Allbirds, however, Reebok is not known for using environmentally-friendly materials or being extremely eco-conscious. That said, these are just downright amazing sneakers that feel great being word all day.

These Flexagon sneakers are among the best sneakers for nurses because of their breathability that can help feet keep cool all day (and also to avoid odors) as well as their comfort, utilizing a memory foam sockliner and midsole cushioning.

These tennis shoes are perfect for nurses who enjoy a more sporty look and prefer a more athletic-looking sneaker as opposed to a casual tennis shoe.

Related: Can Nurses Have Tattoos?

Crocs Unisex Bistro Clog

Crocs are very well known for their shoes in many different shapes and styles. They have been used by countless nurses since their inception.

Like most Crocs, the Bistro has a one-piece construction to the outer shoe. The material is easy to clean and comfortable to wear with or without socks.

The Bisto has rubber inserts in the sole making these anti-slip and perfect for wet work situations like hospitals or travel nursing and a heel strap is included to help keep your foot in place at the back of the shoe.

This version does not have any open toe ventilation that helps to keep your feet protected in the event of spills or other foot hazards.

Shop More of the Best Nurse Crocs for 2026

These shoes are perfect for a nurse who works in very wet situations on tile or cement flooring. The anti-slip is helpful as well as the plastic construction making them very easy to clean if needed.

Anywear Women’s Srangel Health Care & Food Service Shoe

Shoes that are designed specifically for a particular job are always good to check out and Anywear does a great shoe that is made with nursing (or cooking) in mind.

The Anywhere Srangel is a full synthetic clog-type shoe that is perfect for wet and messy situations and the ability to keep your shoes clean with a quick wipe is a great feature to have. These clogs don’t have a full back to them so they are recommended only if you are not looking for something with heel support.

The rubber sole has a great tread pattern to it to help in slippery situations, and both the toe and the heel have additional traction points to prevent slips when walking quickly and with purpose.

There is also a removable insert for cleaning, and there are vent channels on the inside to help keep your foot ventilated and comfortable.

These are the best shoes for nurses who don’t have to run or walk too much every day as they don’t have full heel support. They are great for keeping feet away from bad elements and even have a slight heel to them to help prevent standing fatigue.