Personal Finance / KURU Shoes Review
KURU is a shoe company that advertises its footwear as the “world’s most comfortable shoe.” They emphasize how the soles are specifically made to alleviate foot pain. So, let’s put them to the test!
First, I’ll share a little background about myself and my feet. Plantar fasciitis –which is inflammation in the heel– runs in my family, and I’ve had flare-ups from time to time. These flare-ups can feel like a stabbing pain in the heel, making it extremely uncomfortable to walk and even stand. This is especially a problem for people in careers that involve being on your feet all day like nursing.
My nursing background is in the Emergency Department. You’re constantly on your feet in the ED, and lucky if you get to sit down for five minutes to chart! It’s imperative to have supportive shoes when you’re on your feet for 12+ hours and constantly moving from room to room. So, I’ve always relied on my shoes to be durable, machine washable, and at least, somewhat liquid repellent.
I’m also a bit of a shoe snob. While comfort and practicality are my top priorities, I refuse to wear shoes that are not easy on the eyes. So let’s see if KURU meets my high demands.
Get job matches in your area + answers to all your nursing career questions
I tried three different styles of KURU shoes: the Flux, Atom, and Quantum.
KURU offers a range of sizes including medium and wide widths. There are also multiple colors of each style ranging from a low-key black that won’t stand out to bright, bold colors if you like a little flair like me.
The Flux was the first one I tried. Since I like my shoes to make a statement, I picked the Limited Edition Orange Sherbet-Calypso Blue.
This style is advertised for breathability while maintaining support. At first glance, they look like a casual slip-on tennis shoe, but when I put them on, I immediately felt support in the sole. They were a little heavier than I anticipated but still breathable and supportive. The sole is thick and firm.
The shoes also had quite a bit of stretch to them, so much so that I probably could have gone down a half size. The stretch made them easy to slip off and on without untying them every time. I would recommend wearing thicker socks with this style as the shoes rubbed the back of my ankle a bit. I would give these a 7/10.
Next, I took the Atoms for a test run – the Pink Sorbet Lilac, specifically. These are advertised for their arch support, which I noticed immediately. I have a higher arch and normally have to use inserts to accommodate certain shoes. But the Atoms had me fully supported! They had a more athletic fit rather than the stretch of the Flux.
The sole is definitely thick, but was still the most bouncy of the three shoes. These would be great for someone with a high arch like myself. But if you do not have a high arch, I would not recommend this style for you. I would rate these a 9/10.
Last, I tried the Quantum in Electric Grape-Midnight Blue. I saved these for last because I felt like they would be my go-to shoes for work. These were very light weight and supportive.
The Quantums have a more athletic appearance like your typical tennis shoe. (Note: I liked the appearance of the other two styles better.) The soles are supportive and thick without making the shoes heavy. These are the shoes I would choose for a 12 hour shift in the Emergency Department. I would give these a 9/10.
After averaging my ratings of the three styles, overall I would give KURU shoes an 8/10. Throughout my testing period, I had no flare ups of Plantar Fasciitis which is unheard of for me! Additionally, my feet didn’t melt off in the Texas heat.
Get job matches in your area + answers to all your nursing career questions
I recommend trying out the different styles to see which one fits your feet the best. KURU has a free return and exchange policy, and their website is user friendly. They even have a section dedicated to nurses where they recommend a style and discuss common foot injuries! You can also filter out the styles based on your foot pain, career, or activities you plan on wearing the shoes for. In terms of shoes for nurses specifically, and the company that makes them, KURU is hard to beat.
