14 Nurse-approved, Comfortable Walking Shoes

When you’re gearing up for a long day on your feet, whether it involves navigating a busy airport, exploring a new city, or clocking multiple hours at work, the right pair of comfortable travel shoes can either make or break you. To help us come up with a list of the best shoes for being on your feet all day, we’ve tapped the true endurance experts—nurses—so you can avoid sore, achy feet on your next trip.

Ahead, we’ve rounded up the top 14 nurse-approved pairs of walking shoes, all rated highly by healthcare professionals for their comfort, lasting support, and easy, all-day wear. From shoes with slip-resistant outsoles to stretchy slip-on sneakers, these walking shoes from Hoka, Brooks, New Balance, and more have earned high praise from nurses who spend all day on their feet, starting at $44.

Best Nurse-approved Shoes

New Balance Unisex 530 Sneaker

There’s a reason why classic New Balance shoes are so easy to spot at Disney, airports, and even hospitals. This timeless 530 style is available in 18 color combinations and provides all-day comfort—I don’t think it gets much better than that, and nurses on TikTok seem to agree. The New Balance 530 features a breathable mesh upper, a cushioned midsole, and a durable rubber outsole, making it as practical as it is effortlessly stylish.

On Running Women’s Cloudtilt Sneaker

Known for their unique, shock-absorbing CloudTec cushioning, On Running shoes have become a popular brand among nurses. Mary-McKenzie De Groot, a nurse who works on a pediatric oncology floor, says she’s swapped out her reliable Dansko nursing shoes for these On Cloudtilt sneakers. 

For De Groot, the Cloudtilt offers the perfect blend of comfort and durability she needs for 12-hour shifts. “I loved Danskos, but they were always a little too heavy for me. On Clouds are the lightest and most supportive shoes I’ve worn,” she says. Plus, she adds that they’re also superlow-maintenance with easy-to-clean, lightweight materials and pull-on laces—all major pros for nurses. 

Asics Women’s Gel-Nimbus 27 Running Shoe

Brittany Slegers, who used to work as a bedside nurse and now spends hours on her feet teaching nursing clinicals, says her Asics Gel-Nimbus running shoes have been a game-changer on the floor. “The cushioning is supersupportive and comfortable,” Slegers shared. “I will be requesting another pair for Christmas for an upcoming Disney trip. These are the only shoes I trust to get me through 14-hour days.” 

Thanks to the brand’s PureGel cushioning and FF Blast foam midsoles, these shoes provide a lightweight, cloud-like feel for all-day comfort. One reviewer who has worn Asics shoes for 20 years wrote that her Gel-Nimbus shoes help alleviate foot, knee, and hip pain from being on her feet all day as a nurse.

On Running Women’s Cloudrunner 2

Tanya Hanson, a registered nurse with nearly 15 years of experience, says she splurged and got a pair of On Clouds a few months ago and has “no regrets.” Built for long days on your feet, the On Cloudrunner 2 running shoe features a durable heel clip for stability, soft superfoam cushioning, and an easy step-in for days when you need to get going quickly. “I love how soft they are, but [they’re] also supersupportive,” Hanson added. “My feet aren’t getting them off after a 12-hour shift.” On sale for as little as $128 on Zappos in the white/horizon colorway, these shoes are a great value.

Hoka Women’s Bondi SR Shoe

As one nurse on TikTok put it, not all shoes are created equal—and the slip-resistant Hoka Bondi SR shoe is a standout among healthcare professionals. Thanks to their wipeable, water-resistant leather uppers and ultragrippy rubber outsoles, these shoes are easy to clean—a non-negotiable for many nurses. And, despite their cute, chunky design, these shoes are supportive and feel like walking on clouds, according to several reviewers.  

One Zappos shopper, who used to be an Asics Novablast fan, shared that investing “in the Bondi for clinicals was a good choice.” Meanwhile, an Amazon shopper who purchased them for their fiancé called them the perfect “healthcare shoes,” writing that they’re “extremely comfortable” and have proven to be stain-resistant. 

Brooks Women’s Glycerin 22 Running Shoe

The Brooks Glycerin 22 strikes the perfect balance between soft and stable. With a plush midsole featuring dual-cell design—meant to fully support your foot, from heel to toe—it’s built for all-day wear and has earned the American Podiatric Medical Association (APMA) Seal of Acceptance. The engineered knit upper brings in comfort and a secure fit, making this shoe a solid go-to for anyone who spends a lot of time on their feet. From full-time nurses in their 60s to students who are just starting out on the nursing floor, these running shoes have earned the stamp of approval from hard-working healthcare professionals.

New Balance Unisex 9060 Sneaker

If comfort and endurance are your top priorities, the New Balance 9060 is the shoe for you. When you look up this shoe on TikTok, you’ll see just how popular they’ve become among nurses and other folks who log hours on their feet. Stable and supportive, they deliver comfort that lasts from the first step of your shift to the last—proof that these sneakers aren’t just trendy, they’re a total game-changer for foot comfort. “As a registered nurse, lemme tell y’all that this New Balance 9060 is a lifesaver,” wrote one five-star reviewer on the Nordstrom site. “The cushioning is amazing, providing all-day comfort, and the bold design keeps it stylish.”

Hoka Women’s Clifton 10

If there’s one thing I’ve learned during my research, it’s that tons of nurses love Hokas. At the top of the list are the Hoka Clifton 10 running shoes, which are said to be worth “every dollar” spent for their incredible comfort, great arch support, and higher heel-to-toe drop. From the viral rose-pink hue to timeless neutrals, the Clifton 10’s 14-color lineup ensures you won’t have to sacrifice style for support.

On Running Women’s Cloudsurfer

On Running shoes are known not just for their performance abilities, but also their all-day comfort, and the Cloudsurfer is no exception. Featuring the brand’s signature superfoam midsole for soft landings and lightweight rubber outsole pads that add traction without weight, these shoes, as one nurse says, “are the best ever, [especially] for walking long hours on hospital concrete floors.” These shoes are the perfect combination of stylish, comfortable, and versatile to boot, making them easy to pair with your favorite travel outfits.

New Balance Women’s Fresh Foam X 1080 V13 Running Shoe

Another popular New Balance style among nurses is the Fresh Foam X 1080 running shoe. Tons of nurses have flocked to the review section in order to rave about how comfortable, supportive, and durable these shoes are, with one reviewer even noting how they walk 20-30 miles during an average week. “I work 12+ hours in the hospital,” they wrote, “and they are hands down the best I’ve found.” If you’re looking for a budget-friendly pair of sneakers that can keep up with the unpredictable, fast-paced life of a nurse, this just might be it.

Brooks Women’s Adrenaline GTS 24

Ranked as Amazon’s No. 1 bestselling women’s running shoe, the Brooks Adrenaline GTS 24 is widely-loved by nurses for its dynamic cushioning, holistic support system, and enhanced upper that provides a tailor-like fit for ultimate comfort. One nurse who suffers from plantar fasciitis wrote, “These shoes give me the support I need to make it through the shift and have the arch support to prevent issues.” Available in over 30 shades, ranging from cool neutrals to stand-out neons, these shoes are currently on sale.

Brooks Women’s Ghost 16 

Another top-selling, nurse-loved Brooks style is the Ghost 16. Built to handle daily wear, one reviewer who bought an all-white pair boasted that “after two years of constant wear and innumerable amounts of washes in the washing machine, the shoes still look brand new.” With supportive arches, a wide, flexible toe box, and a stable construction, the Brooks Ghost 16 will keep your feet comfortable through tiring shifts or busy days on the move. “They are highly wearable and stretch and flex with my feet,” the reviewer adds.

Oofos Women’s Zen Recovery Sneaker

Whether you need a reliable everyday shoe or a recovery sneaker to slip into after a hard day’s work, nurses are loving these Oofos Zen recovery sneakers. Its no-lace, easy slip-on design makes it perfect for sliding on before a hectic night shift, while its lightweight, packable construction makes it just as convenient for travel. After initially purchasing the brand’s popular flip-flops, one reviewer wrote that she knew she needed the brand’s sneakers for her hospital shifts. Despite long work hours and underlying health issues, “the difference I feel in the strain on my knees and ankles is mind-boggling,” they wrote. 

Skechers Women’s Uno Stand on Air Sneaker

We get it: Investing in a good pair of walking shoes can feel a little risky, especially when the price is steep. But these Skechers Uno Stand on Air sneakers, which boast over 34,000 five-star reviews, are the perfect blend of budget-friendly, stylish, and supportive—and some colors are on sale for as low as $65. Thanks to a cushioned midsole and a foam‑lined insole, long days on your feet feel easier in these sneakers. “These sneakers are a good choice for teachers, nurses, and people on their feet all day,” wrote one reviewer. Another happy customer wrote, “I got these shoes for nursing clinical days, and they are so comfortable. I’m on my feet for 12 hours, and my feet don’t hurt at all in these shoes.”

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