Nursing is a profession that requires you to be on your feet for long periods of time.
You might feel confident in a set of scrubs—light-fitting and airy as they are—but when it comes to shoes you’ll need to do some shopping around.
You need shoes that support your feet but also a pair that are comfortable to wear throughout a long shift; as well as a pair that looks smart enough to wear in a professional environment.
But how can you know what the right pair are for you? Are there some shoes (see also our article on clogs) that other make nurses swear by?
Is there anything to avoid? If you find yourself wondering these questions—don’t panic! You’ve come to the right place!
In this article, we’re going to be taking you through the 5 best shoes for male nurses (see also ‘Best Shoes For Nurses With Flat Feet‘) on the market.
We’re going to break the key features of each one down for you in a handy list of pros and cons, as well as an extensive buyer’s guide to explain our choices.
We’ve also included a short FAQ to help answer any questions you may have left over at the end.
So let’s get right into it—these are the 5 best shoes for male nurses!
The 5 Best Shoes For Male Nurses
Best Low-End
Adidas Men’s Kaptir 2.0 Running Shoe
To begin we’ve decided to go with a classic running shoe that will support your feet and look good while doing it.
Adidas men’s Kaptir 2.0 running shoes are a great choice if you’re looking for something light with a lot of mobility.
They’re designed to be running shoes, but we found them to be similarly supportive throughout long shifts on the hospital floor. Let’s take a short look at their main features.
First off the fabric consists of entirely synthetic textiles which are extremely light and flexible.
This gives your feet some breathing room and bends with your foot as you move around (no matter the pace).
This design is compounded by their thick and springy rubber sole. The midsole has been designed to be ‘pillow-soft,’ and you’ll really feel the difference when wearing them compared to other shoes.
They’re lace-up shoes but have been designed with a closure system that means they will fit tightly to your feet.
This also means you won’t have any laces dangling down and causing any potential health and safety risks.
The last thing we’d like to point out is the variety of different color options you can choose from.
Depending on the hospital that you work at, there may be different uniform regulations (see also ‘Can Nurses Have Nose Piercings?‘), but you’ll easily be able to find a color that matches with 16 different designs.
Pros
- Comfortable Mid-Sole: allows your foot support without feeling too tight.
- Synthetic Outsole: for better grip on surfaces.
- Lace Closure: this means you won’t have to worry about stray laces.
- Color Options: loads of different colors to choose from.
Cons
- Prive VS Quality: there are certainly better/more comfortable shoes out there, but for the price these are great.
Best Outsole
Brooks Ghost 14 Men’s Neutral Running Shoe
Next up we have a slightly thicker and sturdier running shoe that is going to do wonders for supporting your feet over the course of a long shift.
These are extremely smooth and light running shoes, considering their size, and you’re able to choose from a huge amount of different options.
The outer material on these here is mesh, which is perfect to give your feet some breathing room.
The overall design of these shoes has been crafted with a lot of care and attention.
By using 3D Fit technology, the shoe has been designed to stretch a little and learn your foot shape, as well as offering advanced cushioning that extends from the toe all the way to the very back of your heel.
We found these shoes to have one of the most supportive soles of any that we looked at.
The outsole is a soft but sturdy rubber that offers you a lot of traction and grips no matter the surface.
The outsole has also been designed with a series of ‘flex grooves’ that stimulate more natural forefoot movement and help your foot when moving around your hospital.
Like the product we listed before, they have a closed lace-up system that keeps them secure without relying on dangling laces that could cause you health and safety concerns.
There are also a huge 29 different designs/color combinations to choose from—so you’ll be sure to find something that will suit the uniform policy of your hospital/place of work.
Pros
- Tight/Comfortable Fit: A tight fit without sacrificing any of the comfortability.
- Great Outsole: gives you additional traction for a natural feeling step.
- Closed Lace-Up System: For additional safety and tightness.
- Color Options: 29 different colors/styles to choose from!
Cons
- Mesh Fabric: although very light, doesn’t offer as much protection for the top/sides of your feet as other material types.
Best Slip Resistance
EVOLUTION II
Next up we have a pair of slip-resistant shoes made specifically for working long shifts in busy environments.
These are a lot heavier than the previous running shoes we’ve listed, but they’ve been designed with professions such as nursing in mind.
Let’s take a look at their features! First off they have a removable, cushioned insole which you can take out and wash or adjust as and when you need to.
They’ve been designed to be slip-resistant, which can be essential when working a long shift on the hospital floor.
This is achieved with the use of their outsole design and TripGuard technology.
Another feature we really liked is that they are water resistant, meaning that if you do get them wet then your feet will stay dry.
Another thing to keep in mind is that this pair of shoes is completely vegan, so if you’re conscious about animal products this is a great alternative.
They’re also very easy to clean and will keep for a long time without deforming/discoloring.
Like the products we listed before, these also come with a closed lace-up system, meaning you can avoid any safety concerns of having loose laces.
A downside is that they only come in two different color combinations—black and white, but the chances are that one of these will fit the uniform regulations of your hospital or place of work.
Pros
- Cushioning: great cushioning, considering their larger and bulkier size.
- Slip Resistance: TripGuard design allows you to have peace of mind about traction and slipping.
- Water Resistant: water slips right off and they keep your feet dry.
Cons
- Color Combinations: only two basic color designs, but these will most likely fit with any uniform regulations you have to follow.
Best Pull On
Dansko Men’s XP 2.0 Men’s Clog
Okay, so let’s say you’re looking for something thicker and for more flat feet. In this case, let’s take a look at these shoes from Dansko Men’s.
When it comes to ‘clog’ style shoes you won’t find much better than this design.
With a thick rubber sole and leather material type you’ll find these to be some of the sturdiest shoes you can find.
With a lightweight, EVA midsole, you’ll find them surprisingly light considering their size.
They’re also a ‘pull on’ type of shoe, which means you’ll never have to worry about laces.
They have an extremely roomy toe box, especially when compared to some of the other sneaker-style shoes we’ve listed above, which allows you a lot of extra room for your feet.
We also really like the padded collar that offers the top of your foot/ankle a lot of comfort when moving about.
Because if their size, you may be wondering how good their grip is—but don’t worry!
They have been designed with this in mind and f feature a slip-resistant outsole.
Another thing we need to point out is just how sturdy these shoes are.
Because of their thick rubber sole and leather design, you’re going to find that this pair of shoes will last you for a long time.
They’re also very easy to clean/wipe down and have been built to last.
A downside is that they only come in two colors—black and brown—but both of these are understated and sure to fit well with whatever uniform you’re wearing.
Pros
- Durability: an extremely durable pair of shoes that will last for years if looked after.
- Flat Design: perfect for flat feet, with a roomy toe box that means your feet won’t suffocate.
- Light Midsole: especially important considering their size.
- Pull On: never deal with laces again!
Cons
- Size/Composition: big shoes that are much harder to walk around in than others.
Most Comfortable
Fila Men’s Memory Workshift Shoes
So let’s say you’re looking for the comfiest, tight-fitting shoe you can find.
Fila has designed a pair of shoes specifically for long work shifts and you can tell by the name.
The fabric base of these shoes is 100% leather, with a strong rubber sole that bends with the curve of your foot.
They come in two simple color options—black or white, and both designs and slick and understated.
The first thing we need to highlight here is the sheer comfort of this pair of shoes.
With a memory foam sock liner and midsole, you’re going to feel like you’re walking on air.
Even though these shoes look good, you won’t be sacrificing any comfort.
They also have impressive traction, with a rubber, slip-resistant outsole that helps support your step on even the most slippery of surfaces.
These shoes have been designed to fulfill the perfect balance between comfort and performance.
If you’re looking for something lightweight yet sturdy and comfortable, this is a great choice for you.
They are however fairly tight shoes, so if you have flatter feet this might not be the best shoe for you.
Pros
- Memory Foam: midsole and sock liner for added comfort.
- Slip Resistant: helps protect you in busy working environments.
- Sturdy: a light, but sturdy shoe designed specifically for long shifts.
Cons
- Shape: not suitable for flat feet, so you may need to look for something looser.
Buyer’s Guide
So there you have it! That was our list of the 5 best shoes for male nurses on the market.
One thing you’re bound to find when shopping online or in stores is a huge list of different options. Sometimes it can feel overwhelming!
So that’s why our next section will be dedicated to exploring the mosti important things to keep in mind when looking for the perfect pair of shoes.
We’ve made sure to break this down into several different categories for you to keep in mind.
Your Foot Size
The first thing you’re going to need to consider is the type of food you have. Your actual shoe size is important, but what about the shape of your foot?
If you have a flatter type of food, then some of the tighter sneakers or running shoes we’ve listed above aren’t going to be comfortable for you.
Generally, as a nurse, you’re going to have two main options – pull-on shoes or lace-up sneakers.
Both can be great for you, but you need to ensure that they’re the right style for you before committing to a purchase.
Providing you do this, you will be starting off in the right place!
Outsole
The outsole of your shoe is what will determine how much traction you get with the floor.
This is one of the most important things to consider when shopping. If you get a shoe without any support then you risk slipping over and endangering yourself or others.
We would suggest that you look closely at the product descriptions of any shoe you’re considering—has it been designed to help protect you from slick surfaces? If a shoe has this it in its design the product description will generally tell you.
If you’re looking at a shoe in person, then you’ll want to take a look at its underside and see how the outsole has been designed.
Does it have traction marks or a grippy design? These are things you’ll want to consider before you buy!
Insole
The insole of your shoe is going to be one of the most important things when it comes to comfort.
Memory foam is going to do wonders for comfort. If you’re looking at a shoe in person, the best way you can determine how comfortable it is, would be to try it on and have a little walk around.
The lighter the shoe feels the more likely it is to be comfortable over the course of a long shift.
Materials
As a nurse you’re going to need something that will protect the top of your foot.
Most shoes have rubber soles that help to protect the bottom of your feet, but some can have very flimsy/thin materials up top that can cause problems if you’re not careful.
We would suggest going with the hardest material possible, however, this can sometimes cause the shoe to have breathability options.
So then you’ll need to consider the tradeoff between support/breathability. Mesh can be a great material to keep your foot cool and light, but it offers a lot less protection.
Consider c carefully the risks that come with your job—are you going to need something with more protection? Or will it be safe to have a light material covering the tops of your feet.
Final Thoughts
We hope that this article has helped you understand some of the options you have available to you when shopping online or in-store for shoes.
Nursing is a greatly rewarding profession that shouldn’t be made more difficult by bad footwear.
Investing in a sturdy, comfortable pair of shoes might be one of the best things you can do before starting your new job.
If you still have some questions, make sure to keep reading for our short Frequently Asked Questions section where we’ll be providing answers to some of the most common questions around this issue.
We wish you the best of luck in your profession and hope that you find the perfect pair of shoes to support you!
Frequently Asked Questions
Do Nurses Wear Crocs?
Crocs can be a good option for nursing because of their extremely lightweight design and slip-resistant design.
That said, there may be some restrictions with wearing them depending on where you work.
If you are looking to purchase a pair to wear during shift, you’re going to need to make sure they’re one of the more simplistic colors – black or white are probably your best options here!
Are Running Shoes Good For Nurses?
As you’ve no doubt noticed in our list above, we chose quite a few different running shoes.
These can be a great option if you’re looking for something that will properly support your feet throughout the day.
The main downside of running shoes is that they are a little tighter than other options, but providing you find ones that are comfortable to wear for long periods of time, they can be a great option for you!