Personal Finance / Best Shoes for Male Nurses
Nursing is a physically demanding profession. With long shifts often exceeding 12 hours, you’re guaranteed to be on your feet for the majority of the tasks you do as a nurse.
The hard tile and concrete of a hospital or clinic floor aren’t very forgiving. If you don’t invest in high-quality footwear, you’ll soon feel the effects of neglecting one of the most important and functional items on your list of nursing supplies.
To help you find a great pair of shoes for your work as a nurse, we’ve compiled a list of the 7 best shoes for male nurses. These shoes will make a great impact on the look of your uniform and are also durable. And most importantly, comfortable! Make sure to check with your employer if you need to wear white shoes or if colors are ok.
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| Product | Cost | Where to buy |
| Crocs Unisex On-the-Clock Work Clog | $44.99 – $65 | Crocs, Amazon, Zappos |
| Brooks Men’s Ghost 13 | $109.95 | Brooks, Amazon |
| Brooks Men’s Adrenaline GTS 21 | $109.95 – $240.15 | Brooks, Amazon |
| New Balance Men’s Slip-Resistant 626 V2 Industrial Shoe | $94.99 – $171.43 | New Balance, Amazon |
| Asics Men’s Gel-Kayano 27 | $99.95 – $159.95 | Asics, Amazon |
| Keen Utility Men’s PTC Slip-On II | $100 – $140 | Keen, Amazon |
| Dansko Men’s Wynn Casual Shoe | $127.23 – $140 | Dansko, Amazon |
1. Crocs Unisex On-the-Clock Work Clog
Cost: $44.99 – $65
Highly popular for their practicality, Crocs are easy-on, easy-off. In this iteration, they’re reinforced and designed specifically for work use. The company describes them as “the caffeinated version of the Crocs classic clogs.” What nurse couldn’t use some extra-energized footwear?
These shoes clean right up with soap and water, a detail not to be overlooked in the nursing field.
- Feel: comfortable, great fit, good traction, roomy, easy to slip on, foam cushioned footbed, eases foot pain
- Durability: easily withstand a 12-hour shift, last longer than most
- Style: closed heel and toe, slip-on, multiple colors
- Where to buy: crocs.com, Amazon, Zappos
Photo credit: crocs.com
2. Brooks Men’s Ghost 13
Cost: $109.95
Look around at the footwear sported by your nursing co-workers and you’re likely to find Brooks shoes. If the running-shoe style appeals to you most, the Ghost 13 is one of Brooks’ most highly rated shoes.
Certified as a PDAC A5500 diabetic shoe and granted the APMA (American Podiatric Medical Association) Seal of Acceptance, this shoe has an integrated shock absorption system and neutral support type.
- Feel: lightweight, great support, stable, extremely comfortable
- Durability: mixed reviews for durability, but multiple reviewers mention being a return customer due to the comfort level these shoes afford, good quality
- Style: lace-up, in variations of gray, black, blue, red, and green coloring
- Where to buy: brooksrunning.com (currently on sale!), Amazon
Photo credit: brooksrunning.com
3. Brooks Men’s Adrenaline GTS 21
Cost: $109.95 – $240.15
If stability and side-to-side foot motion support are high on your list, the Adrenaline sports a “GuideRails” system that prevents excess foot movement. Where the Ghost is more neutral in support, the Adrenaline actively helps you stay in your natural stride, preventing overcorrection that affects your knees and hips.
- Feel: outstanding support, great for high arches, cushioned feel, comfortable, good for flat feet
- Durability: long-lasting, reliable, can wear for many miles, toe box prone to collapsing
- Style: lace-up, multiple colors, synthetic and mesh upper
- Where to buy: brooksrunning.com, Amazon
Photo credit: brooksrunning.com
4. New Balance Men’s Slip-Resistant 626v2 Industrial Shoe
Cost: $94.99 – $171.43
Long known for sporty athletic shoes, New Balance bills this specialty shoe as a “hard-working industrial sneaker hidden inside a sporty profile.” With its supportive leather upper, shock-absorbing soles, and superior traction, this functional shoe is great for long shifts on your feet.
- Feel: comfortable, good traction, sturdy, supportive
- Durability: lasts a long time even when worn daily, good quality
- Style: solid leather upper, neutral black and gray colors only
- Where to buy: newbalance.com, Amazon, and most major shoe retailers
Photo credit: newbalance.com
5. Asics Men’s Gel-Kayano 27
Cost: $99.95 – $159.95
This fashionable running shoe has support added to the inside of the arch specifically for men. With maximum cushion and neutral support for a natural gait, they are a well-reviewed choice for an everyday work shoe.
- Feel: great comfort and fit, great support/stability, lightweight, very comfortable
- Durability: many miles out of each pair, durable, toe box tends to crease
- Style: breathable mesh upper, several color combinations
- Where to buy: asics.com, Amazon, and most major shoe retailers
Photo credit: asics.com
6. Keen Utility Men’s PTC Slip-On II
Cost: $100 – $140
Designed for “long periods of standing and walking,” this Keen slip-on is both fashionable and functional. Made from water-resistant materials, it’s also easy to clean. The sole is designed to prevent slips and falls.
- Feel: really comfortable, great to wear for long hours, good everyday shoes, easy on-and-off design
- Durability: lasts for years, sturdy
- Style: lace-free slip-on with leather uppers
- Where to buy: keenfootwear.com, Amazon, and most major shoe retailers
Photo credit: keenfootwear.com
7. Dansko Men’s Wynn Casual Shoes
Cost: $127.23 – $140
Another popular name in nursing footwear, Dansko doesn’t disappoint with this stylish men’s shoe that also offers a roomy toe-box, triple-density padding for shock absorption, and a non-slip sole.
- Feel: great support, excellent work shoes, takes some time to break them in, comfortable for standing in for hours
- Durability: good quality, soles wear out quickly
- Style: slip-on, leather uppers, available in black and brown
- Where to buy: dansko.com, Amazon, or many nursing supply retailers
Photo credit: dansko.com
What’s important for male nurses when choosing nursing shoes?
With all of the above choices for shoes, you have several details you’ll want to consider before making your ultimate pick. Obviously, the overall look is important to feeling confident and stylish while doing your job. But aside from that, there are other factors involved in choosing the best nursing shoe:
- Comfort: An uncomfortable shoe is useless to its wearer. Nothing will distract you more during a long shift on your feet than painful shoes. Are your feet wide? Do you have high arches? What kind of support suits you best? Some specialty shoe retailers can watch you walk and make recommendations about the best style of shoe for your feet.
- Utility: Is slip-on style important to you so you can easily kick your shoes off for breaks? Or do you feel better lacing up your shoes? Would a mesh upper be better for breathability? And what kinds of messy situations will your shoes be exposed to daily? Some shoes are much easier to wipe clean than others.
- Slip resistance: The last thing you need is to fall at work. Slip hazards are common in a nursing job. Always look at the non-slip quality of the treads when considering shoes.
I’ve picked out my best pair, now what?
When those new shoes arrive neatly wrapped in their box, don’t forget to break them in before your first shift! It’s always a good idea to wear them around the house or out for errands to get used to them and flex the soles before a long shift.
Think about what socks you want to pair your shoes with. Many nurses find that compression socks are an invaluable addition to their foot care while on the job. Try a few different styles and see how they feel in your new shoes.
Finally, take a quick look at the condition of your nursing scrubs and make sure they match those brand-new nursing shoes! With your complete wardrobe ready for your next nursing shift, you’ll look as professional as you feel.
Get job matches in your area + answers to all your nursing career questions
Sources
- “Adrenaline GTS 21.” brooksrunning.com. Accessed September 21, 2022.
- “Crocs On-the-Clock Work Slip On.” crocs.com. Accessed September 21, 2022.
- “Gel-Kayano 27.” asics.com. Accessed September 21, 2022.
- “Ghost 13.” brooksrunning.com. Accessed September 21, 2022.
- “Men’s PTC Slip-On II.” keenfootwear.com. Accessed September 21, 2022.
- “626v2.” newbalance.com. Accessed September 21, 2022.
- “Wynn Black Smooth.” dansko.com. Accessed September 21, 2022.
- Photo by Warren Jones on Unsplash
