Good footwear is essential for a nurse. This is a job that requires plenty of walking, hours spent standing, and even the occasional run. If your footwear can’t keep up, you’ll end each shift with tired feet and legs. Not only is this uncomfortable, but over time it can lead to serious health issues.
Hoka brand shoes were originally created to help runners achieve optimal performance, but they’ve become increasingly popular with healthcare professionals in recent years. Balancing cushioning and stability to create a shoe that stays comfortable even after hours of use, it’s easy to see why.
Thinking of trying Hoka footwear? In this guide, we’ve covered the best Hoka shoe models for nurses (see also ‘Best Shoes For Male Nurses‘), with a handy buyer’s guide to help you choose the right pair. Let’s get going!
The Top 5 Hoka Shoes For Nurses
HOKA ONE ONE Bondi
Best Overall
The Bondi is the most cushioned road shoe offered by Hoka, providing a balance of plush interiors and breathability for a shoe that provides exceptional support throughout the day.
Hoka Bondi shoes offer a balanced ride thanks to the Meta-Rocker technology, which complements your natural stride for a healthier gait and smooth movements. With a full EVA midsole providing shock protection, the Bondi can cushion your feet across a busy shift.
With a plush collar which accommodates a variety of ankle sizes and shapes, made from memory foam to continuously adapt to your feet, the Bondi model is hugely supportive.
A beveled heel takes pressure off the edge of the foot, as the breathable mesh construction keeps air circulating for healthier feet that feel fresher for longer.
Rubber inserts in the durable sole keep grip even on smooth surfaces, while the rubber outsole performs on wet or uneven ground. You can move confidently throughout the hospital, knowing the Bondi will keep you on your feet.
Finished with a lace up design and a pull tab, the Bondi shoes are excellent for quick changes that quickly conform to the contours of your feet.
Pros
- Plush cushioning – Plenty of cushioning reduces impact for a softer ride.
- Compression Molded EVA MIdsole – Protects the foot against impact and shock.
- Open-engineered mesh construction – Even with the padding, the shoe is breathable.
Cons
- It can take time to get used to the thicker midsole.
Also available for purchase from Hoka and Dick’s Sporting Goods.
HOKA ONE ONE Clifton
Best Lightweight Shoe
The lightweight Clifton running shoe offers a high performance from a lighter build. Crafted to be soft and responsive, this shoe provides a balance of stability and mobility. Fantastic for a long day of standing and moving.
Designed with an upper made from engineered mesh, air circulates freely throughout the Clifton. This makes the shoe more hygienic, and improves the comfort level, as your feet will feel fresher even at the end of the day. The reinforced embroidered layers ensure the Clifton supports the foot, without adding excess weight.
An extended Achilles pull tab makes the Clifton shoes easier to change, while the lace up design provides a responsive fit. Built with an extended heel crash pad, your landings are smooth, while toe-off is responsive thanks to the balanced cushioning.
An early stage Meta-Rocker offers a reduced height differential, for a smooth transition between heel and toe.
Nurses will also appreciate the high-abrasion rubber of the Clifton, strategically placed on the outsole. This provides exceptional traction in hazardous environments, allowing you to move with confidence. The Clifton shoe is an excellent choice for nurses looking for stability.
Pros
- Extended heel crash pad – A smooth landing.
- Balanced cushioning – A responsive toe-off with protective padding.
- Extended Achilles pull tab – Easy entry, and easy removal.
Cons
- The cushioning can take time to get used to.
Also available for purchase from Hoka and Nordstrom.
HOKA ONE ONE Challenger ATR
Best For Versatility
An adaptable shoe with a build that can perform on many surfaces, the Challenger ATR is another top Hoka shoe for nurses.
The Challenger ATR is built to move from surface to surface, with a versatile traction that can hold a steady gait as you travel. The broad and closely spaced zonal lugs on the outsole support movement, while saving weight and adding durability.
With a clever CMEVA foam midsole absorbing impact to provide stable footing, the Challenger ATR should offer support as you move around the hospital.
The Challenger ATR has a pod design from the 4 mm outsole lugs, with a sleek midsole providing an attractive finish. There are multiple color options to choose from, so you can choose the distinctive Challenger ATR in a design that suits you.
For nurses that want a versatile shoe that can perform in many conditions, the Challenger ATR is close to perfect. Breathable and durable, it can move across terrains without disturbing your movement.
And with a balanced cushion, you have a responsive toe-off with plenty of protection. But watch out for the toe box — some have found it a little tight.
Pros
- All terrain – Switch from surface to surface without disturbing your gait.
- Zonal rubber placement – Imported durability and optimized weight.
- Breathable – Keep air circulating for fresher feet.
Cons
- Tight toe box.
Also available for purchase from Hoka and Dick’s Sporting Goods.
HOKA ONE ONE Arahi
Best For Stability
The Hoka One One Arahi has been designed specifically to provide stability. Using an exclusive J-Frame technology, the Arahi prevents excessive inward roll, but it doesn’t overcorrect your gait. You can move safely and securely, with a shoe that provides the support you need.
While the Hoka Arahi uses the J-Frame, it doesn’t have the stiffness often found in shoes designed to correct overpronation. Instead, this is a lightweight shoe, with a breathable mesh upper to allow air to circulate.
The Arahi is also surprisingly plush for a shoe that aims to be both stable and lightweight. The balanced cushioning ensures the Arahi is both responsive and comfortable, while the early stage Meta-Rocker offers a smoother ride.
Using a compression-molded foam midsole, the Arahi absorbs shock to improve comfort and limit the effect of hard surfaces on the feet.
For nurses that require improved stability throughout the day, the Arahi performs well. A rubber outsole boosts traction and reduces slippage, while the extended heel tab makes it easier to get these shoes on and off.
Pros
- J-Frame – Combat overpronation without stiffness.
- Extended heel tab – Easier to pull the shoes on and off, even in a hurry.
- Zonal rubber outsole – Improved durability, and better traction on uneven surfaces.
Cons
- The toe box is snug, even in the wide design.
Also available for purchase from Hoka and L.L.Bean.
HOKA ONE ONE Gaviota
Best For Comfort
The Gaviota by Hoka is a shoe designed to provide you with maximum comfort throughout a working day. Offering a reliable and balanced ride over any distance, the Gaviota uses engineered frames to support across the foot.
The Gaviota is built with a J-Frame design, which uses rubberized foam to prevent overpronation without overcorrecting. The increased stability offered by the J-Frame guides the foot, but the clever engineering ensures it doesn’t add too much bulk.
The Gaviota also features a midfoot H-Frame. This provides increased upper support and midfoot lockdown, for a stable and secure gait. Fitted with rubber coverage on the outsole, the Gaviota is a durable shoe that can adapt to different terrains.
For long shifts, the Gaviota offers plush cushioning for comfort. But this is still a responsive shoe, and you can feel that in the toe-off. The late stage Meta-Rocker ensures a smoother gait, and adds to the stability, particularly in the front of the shoes.
An engineered mesh build keeps the Gaviota breathable, even with the increased padding, making this an excellent shoe for long and busy shifts.
Pros
- J-Frame – Support against overpronation.
- Engineered mesh – A breathable build with improved airflow despite the extra padding.
- Rubber outsole – Better durability, and traction on uneven surfaces.
Cons
- Slightly bulky build.
Also available for purchase from Hoka and Dick’s Sporting Goods.
Buyer’s Guide
Nursing requires a lot of long and frantic shifts, and this can put a huge amount of strain on your feet. And when your feet hurt, you can’t perform at your best. You need a pair of shoes that can provide the comfort and stability you deserve.
Hoka is a hugely popular brand with healthcare professionals, and they’re known for their high quality and exceptional build. In this guide, we’ll cover the features you need to consider when buying a pair of Hoka shoes, to ensure they deliver the performance you need.
Your Gait
Before you invest in a pair of Hoka shoes, the first thing to consider isn’t about the shoe at all. Instead, you have to think about your own gait. How do you walk, and does your gait cause you problems? What level of support do you need from the shoe? Do you need extra cushioning or a better response?
By considering these questions, you can find a shoe that actually meets your needs.
Meta-Rocker/Momentum
The Meta-Rocker refers to the rounded sole and low heel-toe drop of the Hoka shoe, which provides momentum by preventing you from landing flat. With the Meta-Rocker, Hoka shoes push forward smoothly no matter how fast (or slow) you may be traveling.
There are two types of Meta-Rocker used by Hoka: early stage and late stage. The early stage Meta-Rocker is better for speed, helping you transition from heel to forefoot. Look for early stage Meta-Rockers if you want a boost of propulsion throughout your shift.
The late stage Meta-Rocker finishes closer to the toe. This provides better stability, for a smoother gait throughout the day. Look for early stage Meta-Rockers if you want better stability.
Stability
Hoka shoes are popular with those who require extra stability, as the active frame supports the foot, rather than simply holding it. The foot frame is available in two designs: rearfoot active, for the everyday, and midfoot active, for faster paces.
Some Hoka shoes also deliver extra support depending on your gait. If you’re an overpronator, and walk with excessive inward roll, you may benefit from a J-Frame shoe. This is a softer frame that guides the foot, for better movement.
Cushioning
Comfort is, of course, high priority when you look for a shoe. However, nurses need a shoe that can balance cushioning with a responsive design. Although you may not need the toe-off a runner needs, you do need a shoe that can move with ease.
Hoka offers a cushioned midsole that absorbs shock (particularly important on hard hospital floors), and protects the foot from repeated impact. This midsole is available in varying degrees of thickness.
Plush is the highest level of cushioning offered by Hoka. The higher cushioned support is all about comfort, and is particularly useful for those recovering from injury. If you frequently deal with foot pain from heavy impact, consider a plush shoe.
Balanced is the mid-level of cushioning. Still protective, balanced shoes have an improved response for a better toe-off. These shoes are excellent middle ground, providing both support and movement.
Responsive is the lowest level of cushioning, keeping the foot low to the ground. These shoes are all about movement and speed, so they aren’t ideal for long shifts.
Traction Support
You can’t always watch where your feet are going when you’re a nurse, so you need a shoe that can respond to different surfaces. Rubber outsoles can provide support as you move across the hospital, keeping you steady and secure.
As Hoka shoes are primarily designed as running shoes, many of the models feature zonal rubber placement. As well as providing increased traction and safe movement on running trails, these rubber zones are excellent indoors. Some models, such as the Challenger ATR, are particularly good at adapting to different terrain.
The rubber outsole can also improve the durability of the shoe.
Air Circulation/Breathability
By the end of a long shift, your feet will have been through a lot. So, they’re probably feeling tired and warm. Shoes with poor breathability can quickly become sweaty and moist. Not only is this uncomfortable, but it’s also unhygienic.
Hoka shoes use varying styles and levels of mesh in their build to improve air circulation throughout the shoe.
Wide Or Standard
Many of the most popular designs from Hoka are offered in both standard and wide sizes. Bear in mind that some Hoka shoes are quite narrow, so consider wide sizes if this is something you have an issue with.
Easy On/Off
Being able to get your shoes easily on and off is an underappreciated feature, and something you might be grateful for in an emergency (or at the end of a very long day).
Many Hoka designs feature a pull tab. Simply hold the tab, and you’ll find it easier to maneuver your foot in and out of the shoes.
Other Hoka designs feature an extended Achilles pull tab. Again, this can be used for getting your shoes on and off.
Design
Nurse shoes (see also ‘Best Shoes For Nurses With Flat Feet‘) have a bit of a reputation for prioritizing comfort over style, and while that isn’t necessarily a bad thing, it’s always nice to find a design that reflects your personality.
Hoka offer their shoes in a range of styles and colors, from sleek shades to bold brights. And with each model available in various color options, you have plenty to choose from without sacrificing comfort.
Frequently Asked Questions
Why Do Nurses Use Hoka Footwear?
Designed primarily for runners. Hoka footwear offers exceptional support across a range of surfaces, making them very popular with nurses. Nurses have to spend much of the day on their feet, and the absorbent cushioning of Hoka offers a soft base while protecting against impact.
The rocker sole improves momentum, while the mesh finish increases air circulation.
With all these features considered, it’s easy to see why nurses like Hoka footwear so much!
Do Hoka Shoes Provide Good Arch Support?
Yes, Hoka footwear provides good arch support. The cushioned heels and shock absorbing rockers of many Hoka designs provide comfort and stability across long hours.
However, Hoka shoes aren’t designed specifically for Plantar Fasciitis. If you struggle with Plantar Fasciitis, consider investing in specialized shoes.
Which Hoka Shoes Are Best For Nurses?
The Bondi model is the best Hoka shoe for nurses, thanks to a balance of cushioning and stability, plus a supportive design that offers comfort even over long hours.
However, it’s important to consider your own individual needs when choosing shoes. Think about your gait, whether you spend most of your day standing or walking, and where you need support by the end of the day. With this information, you can find a shoe that is right for you.
Final Thoughts
Nurses need to treat their feet with care, otherwise repeated strains can lead to serious problems. Hoka shoes are popular with healthcare professionals because they offer an excellent balance of support and cushioning, keeping you steady and comfortable throughout the day.
And they also come in colorful and fashionable styles, so you can find a shoe that suits you in every way.