Did you know that under pronation or high arch feet are a type of neurological disorder? The condition is mostly inherited, and you can do very little to change it.
Nursing is a demanding profession, and they are mostly on their feet. As a result, it is critical that they have comfortable shoes to provide adequate shock absorption and comfort. Nurses with high arches may find it difficult to find the most appropriate footwear with the necessary features to accommodate the condition.
A normal foot can easily handle the stress and pressure associated with everyday working, standing, and walking. However, an under pronated or high arch does not distribute the weight effectively, and that can cause pain on the ball and the heel.
Best Shoes for Nurses With High Arches
Under a high amount of stress and pressure, the pain can transfer from the ball and heel to the muscles, knees, and eventually the lower back. If necessary care is not available, other conditions like plantar fasciitis, Achilles tendonitis, and Ankle sprains can happen.
It is therefore critical that nurses with high arches get the best footwear that is both supportive and comfortable. However, choosing the best shoes for nurses with high arches is not always a walk in the park.
It can sometimes be difficult especially if you are in the dark as to what you should be looking for in the ideal shoe for nurses with high arches.
1. Dansko Women’s Professional Clog
Stand longer than ever with Dansko’s legendary comfort and excellent arch support. It’s one of the most famous nurse shoes among Dansko’s lineup of all-day comfort shoes featuring rocker bottom and breathable PU foam footbed. This clog feels more like athletic footwear made for all-day support.
In addition, it also features a padded instep collar that makes this shoe feel good on your feet. It feels comfortable while walking and also offers exceptional temperature control. This stapled clog is also available in a range of heel heights. The best part about this shoe is that it has a lot of wiggle room inside.
This is not a shoe that is considered stylish, but you are sure to get a lot of compliments. This shoe might feel a bit snug, but it will stretch a bit with regular wear. Just like a leather shoe, this will blend nicely with your feet. It’s highly recommended for nurses that have to stand for long hours.
It’s also one of the clogs that are actually approved by a lot of floor nurses. Just make sure to wear slightly cushioned socks to make up for the slightly wide footbed. It’s perfect for walking and standing 12 hours a day without feeling any fatigue whatsoever.
Pros
- A brand that you can trust for nurse shoes
- Excellent comfort and arch support
- Perfect clog for all-day walking and standing
- Good temperature control
Cons
- Might feel a bit small at first
2. Skechers Women’s Work Relaxed Fit Sure Track
Right of the bat, this shoe from Skechers is designed for people that stand on their feet for hours. It’s supportive and comfortable, and if you stand on your feet for 16 hours or more, this is the work shoe that you would want to wear. This is the type of shoe that will massage your feet all day long.
When you wear it for the first time, you will feel a comfortable memory foam pad under the base of your toes. It has a slip-resistant sole that will provide all-day traction. With this shoe on your feet, you won’t have to worry about wet and oily surfaces, thanks to the slip-resistant nitrile rubber traction outsole.
For easy on and off, it has a pull tab at the back of the heel. The midsole is where all the magic happens. This is a shock-absorbing midsole that provides all-day comfort. The footbed is removable, and you can even add your own prescribed footbed if you want. The one that comes with it is also very comfortable.
To make this shoe even more comfortable, it features ventilated lining. Comfort isn’t its only strong suit. This shoe also provides added support and protection to the wearer. The collar and tongue are padded. It also features a traditional lace-up closure for a custom fit.
Pros
- A nurse shoe with a generous silhouette
- SKECHERS Relaxed Fit low-cut design
- Slip-resistant traction outsole
- Cushioned foam bed that is removable
Cons
- Slightly less arch support
3. Crocs Women’s Mercy Work Slip Resistant Clog, Great Nursing or Chef Shoe
Want to wear crocs at work? Well, now you can with the Crocs Women’s Mercy Work Clog. It’s lightweight, slip-resistant, waterproof, and easy to clean. This croc is the perfect women’s footwear for narrow feet. If you wear size eight shoes but have narrow feet, this will fit like a charm and won’t feel too tight at all.
You will also have enough space inside to wiggle your toes and even wear thick socks. The extra bit of room that you get inside makes all the difference. It has knobbed footbeds that prevent slipping. If you want a snug fit, make sure to wear a thick sock. You can also wear it inside the house all day.
One downside of this croc is that it doesn’t have any vents, which might make your feet feel a bit toasty if you wear warm socks. Other than that, there is hardly anything to nitpick about. I mean, we are talking about crocs here. It has fantastic arch support and features a non-slip tread at the bottom.
If you are a nurse and never tried wearing crocs to work, well, give this pair a try. These solid-toe crocs will make you feel like you are walking on clouds. This pair also makes for great work shoes. If you are on your feet all day and work in the medical field, say goodbye to foot fatigue and start wearing these crocs today.
Pros
- Best crocs for nurses and medical field workers
- Great work shoe alternative
- Easy to clean and maintain
- Excellent non-slip tread
Cons
- Runs a bit small and doesn’t have vents
4. Alegria Women’s Keli Professional
As a nurse, I’m sure you have heard about this brand called Alegria. You will instantly fall in love with the fit and feel of this shoe. It has good support, but you will need to wear compression stockings or thin socks with this one as it is somewhat tight on the top. Other than that, it fits well.
These aren’t your regular shoes. They are more in the professional line of shoes, and you can quickly notice the difference. One thing I’m skeptical about is longevity. These shoes can quickly get scuff marks, which isn’t expected from footwear at this price point.
Right out of the bat, these shoes do feel amazing and very comfy. You don’t need any break-in period to get adjusted to this footwear. If you want to find the right size for you, make sure you check out Alegria Footwear Size Guide. If you don’t love this particular color, Alegria also offers a selection of premium finishes.
As you move through your busy day, this shoe will offer steady traction and absorb shock thanks to its slip-resistant polyurethane sole. It’s designed to reduce pressure on the heel and central metatarsal. The “Perfect Fit” footbed that it comes with is a combination of cork, latex, and memory foam.
Pros
- Replaceable and removable footbed
- Easy on-and-off wear
- Slip-resistant polyurethane sole
- Beautiful leather lining
Cons
- Not very long-lasting
5. Dansko Women’s Pro XP Mule Shoe
The Dansko Women’s Pro XP is a slip-on mule that features a 100% leather upper and tacky rubber sole. It’s available in a wide range of sizes and colors. Now before you actually buy this shoe, keep in mind that this footwear is meant to be worn loose in the heel. It’s a mule that should feel like a clog.
It runs really long and wide and a bit heavy, but you can wear them out of the box. This shoe is also very breathable, and your naked feet won’t sweat in them. If you have wide and thick feet and having a hard time finding the right nurse shoe for you, well, look no further than this pair.
This shoe has noticeable detailing but not so much that it will distract others. It has a good blend of style and minimalism. The cushioned footbed is a nice touch and feels very comfortable. This shoe doesn’t have any break-in period, which makes it ready to be worn out of the box.
Your foot will get plenty of room inside thanks to the wide instep. If you want a perfect fit, you can order as it is as the sizing is very accurate. However, it’s better to wear half-size larger if you want more air to circulate around your feet. These shoes are really well made and well worth the money.
Pros
- Runs long and wide
- Has plenty of wiggle rooms inside
- Well-made shoes for nurses
- Slip-on design
Cons
- Make sure to buy half a size large
What You Should Be Looking for When Purchasing Shoes for Nurses With High Arches
Nursing is a profession that requires you to be on your feet and active most of the day. Therefore, you cannot afford just to choose any type of shoe to cover the feet. It must be comfortable, supportive, and boast a host of other necessary features and that help reduce stress on the feet.
So which of these features?
Does the Arch Help to Distribute the Weight and Stress Evenly?
The best shoes for nurses on feet all day should be comfortable and have adequate arch support if you have high arches. Best nursing shoes should, therefore, have the necessary features to help you work harder and stay focused.
The best shoes for nurses with high arches help distribute the weight and stress evenly across the foot to prevent overstressing the ball and the heel. You can, therefore, stand for longer and complete your shifts without any problem.
Lightweight Shoes Is More Comfortable for Nurses
There are various types of shoes on the market, and they don’t all have the same weight. Some are heavier than others. Student nurse shoes or shoes that nurses wear generally should be lightweight to feel comfortable throughout the day.
Size
There’s this misconception that buying under size footwear is always better as they eventually break in. However, nothing could be further from the truth. Small shoes can hurt your feet, and the possibility of developing certain conditions becomes high.
Did you know that your feet expand and contracts during the day? Therefore, a small-sized shoe can stress the feet when they expand. In most cases, it is better to get a bigger sized shoe to provide enough room for expansion. That is especially so for nurses and other professions that require you to be on your feet most of the day.
Specialists recommend that you choose your ideal shoes during the evening when your feet are at their most significant size to avoid any problems of getting the wrong type of shoes.
Cushioning
Nurses with high arches need shoes with a decent level of cushioning to absorb the stress and provide proper shock absorption throughout the day. As a nurse, foot comfort is critical, and it can determine how efficient you are at serving the patients.
Good services to patients can improve their quality of life and be happier, and comfortable shoes can help you achieve that goal. There are many types of cushioning, and they are not all the same. Ideally, choose the shoes with the best cushioning to help you stand and walk for longer.
The Shape of the Shoe
Shoes with a curved last are the best for under pronated feet. They accommodate the food condition efficiently and allow pronation of the foot. The best nursing shoes for plantar fasciitis also have this feature, and it helps achieve sufficient comfort, and prevent problems that may come as a result of standing for long.
Flexibility
Naturally, people with under pronated feet are also rigid at their feet. Such people should get flexible footwear to balance between rigidity and flexibility. A suitable flexible shoe will ensure that you walk longer distances effectively.
But how do you test the flexibility of a particular shoe?
Well, you can always bend the sole of the shoe and determine its flexibility. Ideally, the best shoes should turn easily without much effort.
Here are the 5 best-selling nurse shoes with high arches on amazon. Hope it helps.
Final Note
The best shoes for nurses with high arches are comfortable, and they accommodate people with under pronated feet to prevent pain and further injury. High arches or under pronation should never affect your efficiency in the workplace.
Therefore, it is always the best thing to find shoes that are most appropriate for you, and which offer the best support.
