15 of the Most Comfortable Walking Shoes Nurses Swear by

Top-Rated: Slow Man Women's Walking Shoes

Of course Amazon's number one best-selling women's sneaker is a tried-and-true pick for people who work on their feet all day (or simply want to stay comfortable as they get their daily steps in). The Slow Man shoe has a slip-on, sock-like design and a thick, slip-proof sole that provides plenty of cushion and bounce with each step.

A whopping 36,000 shoppers left the shoe a perfect five-star rating. "I am a nurse who suffered from plantar fasciitis for 3 years and had to invest in good shoes with arch support for standing and walking on my feet for 12-hour shifts," one reviewer wrote. "I decided to buy the shoes and give them a try. I have been working 4 12-hour shifts a week and these shoes have been heaven sent! I've had them for 3 weeks now. It feels like I'm walking on air."

Price at time of publication: $36 for size 8

Best Traction: Adidas Originals Women's NMD_R1 Boost Shoes

"I love these sneakers because of the support they provide for running," says Meisha Amia, a travel RN. "Unfortunately, when many urgent cases happen in the delivery room we might have to make a run to get certain supplies or head to the operating room. These sneakers are able to handle the task and keep me safe. Plus, it's a win that they are very comfortable." While the shoes come in many different colorways, Amia loves the hot pink option, which offers a nice contrast to her blue scrubs.

The exterior is made of a stretchy knit fabric that Amazon shoppers say feels really breathable, and one reviewer noted that the sneakers have especially great ankle support.

Best Cushioning: Hoka Bondi 7

These running shoes are a go-to for Kelsey Rowell, RN, who says they're supportive enough to keep her feeling her best through 12-hour shifts. "I weirdly feel like I run a lot at work too (or at least speed walk) and these feel like I'm walking on a cloud," she says. "My husband introduced them to me—he bragged about them after purchasing them to train for a race, so I got curious. I have big, flat feet and a bad back—I have tried many shoes and these definitely take the cake!"

Another nurse echoed Rowell's sentiment in a Zappos review, saying, "These shoes make me feel like I am on a little trampoline with all the cushion that they give me." The sneakers have an especially thick sole, which gives them the slightly spring-y effect.

Price at time of publication: $160

Best Machine-Washable: Allbirds Wool Runners

Not only have Allbirds amassed plenty of celebrity fans (including Jennifer Garner and Sarah Jessica Parker), but also the approval of healthcare workers. Lizbeth Rodriguez, BSN, RN, who works in an ER, says she rotates between the Wool Runners and the Allbirds Tree Runners, both of which she uses with orthopedic inserts. "A major plus from a nurse's perspective is that Allbirds are able to be machine-washed! After a set of shifts, I'll wash them to get them looking brand new," she says.

Heather Tomazin, BSN, RN, is also a fan. "They are the most comfortable walking shoe, and the foam forms nicely to the shape of your foot," she says. "They're lightweight yet provide adequate support, while also being water repellent."

Price at time of publication: $110

Best Color Variety: Adidas Women's Cloudfoam QT Racer

With 43 different color options available, the Adidas Cloudfoam QT Racer sneakers have a style that'll work for everyone—no wonder they've racked up over 9,600 five-star ratings on Amazon. While the comfy shoes look stylish thanks to a knit textile upper, they're also supportive for long wear.

"These are the most comfortable and lightweight sneakers I've ever owned," one shopper wrote. "I'm an ER nurse so I need something that won't make my hips and legs hurt and feet tired and sore after being on my feet for 12 hours. Perfect fit, which is rare to find for wide feet."

Price at time of publication: $80 for size 8.5

Best for Flat Feet: Brooks Women's Ghost 13

The Brooks Ghost running shoes are a popular running sneaker, which is what Sandra Crawley, RN, BSN, said she first intended to use them for when she bought them during nursing school. "Not only did they look great, they felt great, so I ended up buying a second pair for clinicals," she told Health. "I have tried other shoes but I keep coming back to the Ghost."

She loves that the sneakers are lightweight with cushioned insoles, as well as supportive through the midsole for extra ankle support. Because they're designed for running, they also have great traction to prevent slipping.

Price at time of publication: $180 for size 10

Best Style: Mephisto Merania Sneaker

Andrea Tran, RN, first discovered these stylish sneakers while shopping at Nordstrom a few years ago. "The salesman brought a pair out for me to try on and they were the most comfortable things I had ever had on my feet," she said.

They're designed with especially supportive insoles and thick outsoles that reduce shock while walking. Tran finds them comfortable enough to wear when working on her feet all day, but also appreciates how they look, adding that "the little silver accent makes them extra cute."

Best for High Arches: Akk Womens Walking Tennis Shoes

With over 7,000 five-star ratings on Amazon, Akk's tennis shoes come with lots of praise, specifically from nurses. "I'm a nurse, on my feet 12+ hrs/day, and I have a high arch," one shopper wrote. "I was looking for a lightweight, cheaper, comfy shoe. With the price being so low I thought I'd take a chance on these and I'm so glad I did! The memory foam is so comfortable even after 3 months of wearing them 4+ days a week for my shifts."

Available in 26 different colorways, Akk's sneakers have a cushioned memory foam insole and a non-slip outsole. The honeycomb style of the fabric also makes them especially breathable.

Price at time of publication: $70 for size 8

Best Lightweight: New Balance Women's FuelCore Nergize V1 Sneaker

Currently Amazon's best-selling cross-training shoes, these popular New Balance sneakers have lightweight yet supportive cushioning and memory foam insoles. One Amazon reviewer says they feel like walking on a cloud: "I'm a nurse and I wear them with compression socks and my feet don't feel achy and tired when I get home."

While some shoppers appreciate this pair's soft (but not overly squishy) insole, others have opted to add their own orthopedic inserts for extra support—and they say the shoes are still lightweight and comfortable, even with the additional padding.

Price at time of publication: $65

Easiest to Clean: Crocs Women's Literide Clog

Crocs are a go-to shoe for many when comfort is a priority, and the lace-up design of this pair makes them an especially secure and supportive option for long walks. Plus, they can easily be wiped down with a sanitizer wipe.

"This shoe is AMAZING! It's so comfortable, the lining basically massages your feet while you walk," wrote one Amazon reviewer. "They are breathable and you can wipe them down completely. Which is great for me, because I'm a nurse."

Price at time of publication: $60 for size 8

Best Slip-On: OOFOS Women's OOmg Shoe

After trying countless other options, Christin Smith, RN, FNP-C, finally found her perfect match in this OOFOS sneaker. "At the end of the day, between being a marathon runner and a bedside nurse my feet would be killing me no matter what," she says. "OOFOS are honestly the best shoes I've tried for work. They are comfortable, easy to slip on, washable, and give me the best support without the weight."

Shoppers on Amazon seem to agree that the shoes help reduce aches and pains from standing all day long, in addition to relieving plantar fasciitis.

Most Versatile: Reebok Women's Classic Renaissance Sneaker

Reebok's Renaissance Sneaker has a classic design, making it a great option if you're looking for supportive shoes that can easily be dressed up or down. The lightweight cushioning makes the comfy sneakers suitable for long walks and standing, while the foam liner makes them extra soft.

"I got these for nursing school and they're extremely comfortable!" one Amazon shopper wrote. "My feet feel supported and the memory foam inside makes standing for hours at a time bearable."

Price at time of publication: $65 for size 8

Best Clogs: Dansko Women's XP 2.0 Clogs

"I've been wearing my Dansko's since I was in nursing school, and I love them because they're slip-resistant, waterproof, and help support me while I'm running around for 12 hours at a time," says Miki Rai, BSN, RN. She also likes that after her shifts, she can clean the shoes with a sanitizer wipe to easily disinfect them.

Dansko's clogs are a favorite among nurses for plenty of reasons: They have a padded insole that makes them comfortable to walk in, they have a roomy toe box that doesn't result in any pinching, and they're waterproof. "These are the only shoes that I have found that support my arches comfortably, and my legs, hips, and back are less sore at the end of the day as a result," wrote one operating room nurse on Amazon.

Best Lace-Free Option: Clove Pink Up

When it comes to her 12-hour shifts as a labor and delivery nurse, Clara Jones, BSN, RN, swears by her Cloves. "It's hard to decide which colorway I love the most, but it might have to be the Pink Ups! I love that they don't require tied laces, are completely fluid repellent and wipe off cleanly," she says.

The shoes are designed specifically for healthcare professionals, but that doesn't mean you can't try them if you're in a different line of work. In fact, their odor-fighting insoles and slip-on design make them appealing to anyone who is on their feet all day.