Wearing the right footwear to work is vital for anyone. It is even more challenging if you are a nurse, have flat feet, and have to stand and walk around throughout your entire shift. Fortunately, there are a lot of options available in the market for almost any kind of foot arch type. In this guide, we will cover the best nursing shoes for flat feet to help you see which one ultimately fits your needs.
What Are Flat Feet And Its Causes?
Flat feet, also called fallen arches or pes planus is a condition where the foot arches are absent. It is worthy and reassuring to know that being flat-footed is not considered an abnormality. It may not even be bothersome for others who have it. Though, for some, it may cause mild to considerable pain and may affect particular areas of a person's day to day activities.
Like many other foot problems, many possible factors contribute to this condition. For starters, genetics is one uncontrollable cause. If it runs in the family, then you may be more prone to developing flat feet. Other factors may include:
Having pronated feet also tends to make your feet and ankle roll inward when you walk or run. This is called overpronation. This trait can cause further strain on your tendon.
How to Check if You are Flat Footed
If you still are not sure if you do have flat feet, there is a simple home-test you can do. With wet feet, you have to stand straight on a flat piece of cardboard paper. After a few seconds, step off and check your footprints.
An imprint with a curve on the inside of your feet shows that your arch is normal. If you see almost the entire bottom of your feet on the print, then you are most likely to have flat feet. Other indicators of fallen arches or pes planus could be:
How To Treat Flat Feet
Before treating a pronated foot condition, there should be a proper medical diagnosis. There are several treatment options available. However, it will largely depend on the severity of the problem. Treatment methods may comprise any of the following:
Having a pronated foot can become a nuisance if you ignore it or the pain that comes along with it. This is why we are here to help you find the best shoes for nursing professionals with pronated feet so that you can work freely and comfortably. Different footwear may perform better, so it is also advisable that you get a separate work shoe and exercise shoe as well.
How to Choose the Best Nursing Shoes for Flat Feet
Nurses with flat feet need to find the right footwear so that they can give their all at work. Because pronated feet can cause bunions, tendon damage, and even back pain, it is crucial that they wear the right kind of work footwear. This guide will serve you with helpful tips for getting the best nursing shoes for flat feet.
Best Types of Shoes for Flat-Footed People
1. Orthopedic Shoes
For severe overpronated foot conditions, orthopedic footwear could be your best option, all the more, if you have a job that requires a lot of hours standing. However, these shoes for nurses can be quite stiff and uncomfortable. The style and appearance of these shoes may also lack aesthetics that may deter you from purchasing this kind.
While an orthotic insert can also help address this issue, it is still better to choose the right footwear for your particular arch type. It is also crucial to review specifications like stability, control, and added support.
2. Casual Shoes
Picking a casual shoe may be another option for people with overpronation problems. A comfortable casual shoe with proper arch support and a heel counter may also work great. There is a large selection of these kinds of footwear in the market, and you may need to find the right pair for you.
3. Stability Running Shoes
As mentioned earlier, people with pronated feet may also suffer from overpronation while walking or running. With this, a lot of running footwear is designed with added stability control features. Generally, these running shoes are lightweight, significantly cushioned, and breathable as well. These days, most running shoes are designed with soft synthetic uppers to provide comfort to foot-related problems like bunions, hammertoes, and others. These types of shoes make an excellent choice for nurses and other individuals with mild to moderate pronation.
4. Motion-Control Running Shoes
These shoes best fit people who have moderate to severe flat feet and overpronation. Motion-control running shoes have better support than stability running shoes. They are designed to correct and keep ankles from bending inwards through a dual-density memory foam positioned below the medial side of the arch. But because of too much restrictiveness of this footwear, some may opt to wear stability running shoes instead.
Factors to Consider When Choosing Footwear for Pronated Feet
1. Comfort
Regardless of any shoe choice, your foremost goal should be comfortability. Comfortable shoes have sufficient cushioning and are also equipped with proper ventilation. You may choose a shoe that has memory foam as it will shape your feet on the insoles and optimize the comfort benefits of the shoe. This feature will make you relax and in turn contribute to better work performance.
2. Wide Forefoot Area
Most people with pronated or overpronated feet need footwear that has a wide forefoot. Having a wide toe area will reduce pressure in the front half of the foot.
3. Ankle Support
High cuff shoes may provide better ankle support for nurses. This feature will provide additional balance and will allow you to control your movements better.
4. Reinforced Heels
A firm heel provides support by protecting both the heel and the Achilles tendon. It is also wise to choose footwear with low heels as a high-heeled one could put a lot of pressure on the front half of the foot.
5. Design
A good design includes plenty of arch support and cushioning. The heels should also provide good shock absorption and must be flexible enough as nurses are always on the move.
6. Durability
Make sure to buy sturdy shoes to avoid buying another pair just because it got worn out too quickly. Your footwear's durability can be determined by the materials used on the product like EVA foams, leather, and rubber.
7. Weight
Lightweight shoes are ideal for those with a pronated foot because they put less strain and pressure. Wearing heavy shoes during your shift will tire your legs and feet and will add to the burden of having worse foot problems.
8. Sole
The sole is a vital shoe element for hospital workers like nurses. Try to find shoes with soles that have a textured rubber outsole design for an extra solid grip on wet or slippery surfaces, which seems usual on hospital floors. A good sole will prevent slips and injuries at work.
Other Things to Consider
Here are a few more tips to keep in mind before you go shopping for that perfect pair of shoes:
Not all pronated feet conditions may have the same indicators as others who do have it too. Getting the wrong shoes might lead to complications and more foot-related problems in the future. Keep in mind to prioritize heel and arch support for these foot problems. Avoid wearing high-heels, flip-flops, and other shoes that do not provide proper support.
The 7 Best Nursing Shoes For Flat Feet
Aside from dealing with a lot of stressful moments, nurses also have to stand and spend long hours during their shifts. Nurses with overpronation even suffer more because they have to endure other foot-related problems caused by this condition. When you have flat feet or overpronation, you want a shoe that will ease the pain and strain from working 8 to 16-hour shifts. Below we have provided a variety of footwear options that are best for nurses with flat feet.
1. Asics Gel Kayano 24
Asics' Gel Kayano 24 is an ideal option of shoes for nurses with flat feet and is also well recommended by many podiatrists. It has a superior support system made with generous cushioning from the midsole to your foot arches for all-day comfort. This feature certainly makes it the most comfortable nursing shoes for pronated feet.
The FlyteFoam technology provides optimal comfort by minimizing the stress from standing for long hours. The gel memory foam cushioning gives additional comfort and shock absorption while the exoskeletal heel counter provides adequate support to the heels. This feature reduces the gap between your heel and the shoes.
The IGS techno guides the feet into their proper gait while walking or running. The only flaw of this product is the lack of space in the toe-box. Getting a half-size larger than your regular shoe size will resolve this issue.
Aside from being reasonably-priced, it will add brightness to your workdays with its eye-catching colorway variations.
2. Nurse Mates Women's Dove
Nurse Mates casual shoe's design is just perfect for women nursing professionals. It is made with 100% stain-resistant rubber material. This material is thick enough to protect your feet from dangerous items like scalpels accidentally falling.
It is lightweight, and the lace-free design allows you to slip it on effortlessly making it an ideal shoe for nurses too.
Nurse Mates Women's Dove also has a flexible synthetic sole with appreciable traction on smooth surfaces making it slip-resistant. Additionally, the EVA foam and rubber shoe inserts work best by providing maximum comfort and shock absorption.
Another great thing about these Nurse Mates shoes is their price. But despite the low price, it features incredible arch support. The built-in steel shanks provide excellent walking and running support.
These shoes best fit nurses with narrow, flat feet.
3. Brooks Beast (for Men)/ Brooks Ariel (for Women)
The Beast and Ariel can easily be considered the best option for pronated in the market nowadays. These shoes offer both the stability and motion-control that people with flat feet need. It also comes with a plush insole, which you can replace if you prefer to use a more suitable shoe insert.
These shoes have a diagonal rollbar designed for people who suffer from overpronation. It has a Super DNA midsole that is kept together by a breathable quality mesh material for comfortable and odor-free wear.
All these features are highlighted by the MC Pod Configuration that allows a better balance for heel-to-toe transitions. The heel counter ensures over-all stability on whatever activity you plan to engage in.
It has a roomy toe-box and is easy to slip into, which is vital for people with pronated feet. It also has a soft, breathable mesh upper that ensures dry and cool feet even after prolonged wearing. It is slip-resistant and can be used as work shoes, casual shoes, and even for various activities such as running and workouts too.
4. AVIA Avi-Union
Another work shoe option for male nurses is AVIA Avi-Union. These shoes' sole and upper are made with synthetic leather. The leather material is also coated with Scotchgard to resist water and stain.
One great thing about these AVIA shoes is that it already has a compression-molded EVA insole. These insoles incorporate a soft gel cushion in the heel area for maximum comfort. Also, these insoles are removable to make them easy to clean and more hygienic.
These work shoes also have excellent traction and also have a slip-resistant rubber outsole making them perfect for the hospital setting. Aside from being durable, these shoes are also fairly-affordable, making them a great deal overall.
5. Hawkwell Women's Nursing Shoes - Lightweight Comfort and Slip-Resistant
Next on our list is an amazing nursing shoe for women from Hawkwell. These shoes have a wide-structured built to allow a comfortable space inside the shoes.
Although white, these shoes are easy to clean because it is made with synthetic leather material. Aside from being slip-resistant, it also has a stain-resistant finish to ease you from worries of stain and dirt.
It is a superb choice for nurses with a mild-to-moderate overpronation because of its neutral arch support.
6. Skechers Sport Women's Loving Life
Skechers brand is a trusted brand for quality lifestyle shoes, and the Women's Loving Life is one of them. These Skechers shoes have a design that will suit those who want both function and style. It has a stretch fiber material, which gives a comfortable space inside the shoes.
It is made with a breathable fiber that allows your feet to stay dry and cool during long shifts. Avoid slip and trips with this shoes as it has a slip-resistant traction outsole, which is helpful when working in a hospital setting.
However, if you have severe overpronation conditions, you may want to replace the insoles with one that has better arch support.
7. New Balance 526 Slip-Resistant Work Shoe
This New Balance Work Shoe features its Imeva insole. Together with its EVA footbed, this feature will contour your feet's shape and decrease pain from having pronated feet. This work shoe is designed for walking and forwarding motion and is easy to slip into.
It has adequate cushion support that can provide all-day comfort. It is also slip-resistant making it ideal to use in the hospital setting. One of the best things about these shoes is their resistance to water, soap, and even oil. It has a dual comfort shoe insert that offers stability and has an internal shank for arch support ideal for nurses with fallen arches.
Our Top Pick
Our society needs these health care heroes now more than ever. It is just right that we give back to them by helping them get the best nursing shoes to slip into. Nurses spend most of their work hours exposed to harmful elements, and they need a shoe that can protect them while providing comfort.
For this, we recommend the Asics Gel-Kayano 24 because its features are perfect for nurses with flat feet. It sits on top of our list mainly because of the reason that its superior gel cushioning can provide optimal comfort to the entire feet while at the same time providing adequate support to the arch and heels.
Asics' Gel-Kayano 24 made controlling overpronation possible with its gel in the heel and Duomax cushioning technology.
These shoes can also correct ankle and foot positioning into its proper gait with every step. The Flytefoam technology acts as a springboard to improve your movement, while the lacing system does a great job in distributing pressure on top of your feet.
Overall, it is easily the best nurse shoes for flat feet because of all of these great features. Although a bit expensive, the value it provides in terms of functionality and comfort makes it worthy of its price.
Final Thoughts
When it comes to shopping for nursing shoes for flat feet, it is always best to consult a foot specialist. Keep in mind that your goal is to find the ultimate shoes for flat feet that make your job effortless to do. Having flat feet can be painful, and the right shoes will do a lot to ease the pain.
To protect yourself and your feet, you have to invest in items that will keep you happy and comfortable. Go for shoes that are high quality - one you can easily slip on and one that may inspire and encourage you to give your best care as a nurse. We hope that we have provided you helpful tips and some great product options to pick as the best nursing shoes for flat feet.