10 Best Shoes for Healthcare Workers UK 2022 | Nike, Brooks and More

Before we dive straight into our recommendations, it’s crucial that you identify what shoes will work best for you and your situation. After all, there are many different roles in the healthcare sector and different shoes will be better suited to different working environments.  

The first thing to consider is the different styles of shoes available. Now, we know the world of footwear can be vast, but in the case of comfort and support, we’ve rattled it down to three main styles that healthcare workers should consider – runners, Crocs (clogs) and canvas shoes. Here, we’ll look at each individually. 

Runners are popular within the healthcare community because, as you’d imagine, these are designed for vigorous exercise. They generally have excellent cushioning, shock absorption and grippy soles so that those wearing them will be stable and comfortable.

 
Furthermore, they provide plenty of support in the heels and ankles, without restricting mobility. Therefore, if you find that you’re often twisting, turning and scuttling around all day, they’re an excellent choice. Not only that, but they’re usually pretty lightweight, and believe us, you’ll notice the difference after a 14 hour shift!

Clogs and crocs are extremely popular in many industries that require people to be on their feet for long periods of time, such as hospitality and healthcare. That's because they offer plenty of support and feature an injected foam midsole (more on this later), making them feel like you’re walking on marshmallows.

 
By far their biggest advantage is the wide toe box. If you’re not aware, walking or standing on your feet all day can cause your feet to swell, which can make even the most comfortable of trainers feel tight. Thanks to the design of these shoes, they have large toe boxes to accommodate swollen digits.

 
Another benefit is that these shoes are made from splash-proof or waterproof materials. There are even specialist crocs and clogs designed for nurses and medical staff. That said, these are probably better suited to those working in hospitals rather than care homes, as you may be required to go on adventurous excursions with your service users. 

Canvas shoes might not be the most popular, but they’re a good alternative for healthcare workers who primarily do desk work, or are only on their feet for part of the day. If they are chosen well, these shoes can have very supportive midsoles, as well as flat yet grippy soles. 

These shoes can also look a bit more professional. So if you’re in a role that sees you talk to the higher-ups from time to time, they can be helpful to have around - even if you don’t wear them every day! 

Consider your feet, particularly the arches and the pronation (the way you walk). You can check your arches either at a shoe shop, or by looking at information and charts online, whereas your pronation can be found out by looking at any old pair of shoes you have knocking around. 

Look to see where the treads are most worn. If it's the centre part below the ball of your foot, you have basic pronation. If your shoe is worn out the most on the inside of the ball of your foot you have overpronation. Finally, if it's on the outside of the ball of your foot, then you have supination.

Once you’ve got an idea of your walking habits, you’ll want to look for shoes to accommodate this. If you’ve got a low arch or overpronation, choose stabilising shoes that accommodate this. They’ll have extra support and a slightly higher arched sole to provide stability. 

For everyone else, you'll want to opt for neutral shoes. These will still have cushioning, just not as much, which is important because too much padding can result in overuse injuries, such as stress fractures and plantar fasciitis. As you’d expect, more people require neutral shoes, so they’re often the most common style available to buy. 

Next, you’ll want to consider the outer materials. Synthetic materials are usually found on runners as they’re breathable and flexible, which means they can move with your feet throughout the day. Plus, they should be somewhat water-repellent, which can be handy in many sectors of the healthcare industry. 

Resins are usually injected with a type of foam to make them feel super comfy and to provide excellent shock absorption. These shock-absorbing capabilities protect the feet and joints from the impact of walking on hard floors all day.

Canvas shoes are simple, clean and are often the cheapest option. They will require little maintenance, but can be thrown in the washing machine should an accident occur. However, they’re not the most supportive and have little water or fluid protection. 

As the name suggests, the midsole is located between the upper and the outsole. This is the area of the shoe where the cushioning is, so it’s not over-exaggerating to state that this is the star player when it comes to finding a comfortable shoe. 

Most companies use plastic, their own branded foam (such as DNA Loft for Brooks), EVA, polyurethane or other similar materials for the insole. They all essentially do the same thing, so it's more about finding one that suits your feet, rather than one being better than the other.

Practically all runners will have a midsole, and although crocs or clogs don’t technically have them, they’re injected with foam which works in a similar way. Canvas shoes will also have a midsole, but they are far thinner and offer less cushioning. While some people like to feel the ground beneath their feet, if you’re planning on walking or standing all day, a good midsole is essential!

Lastly, you’ll want to consider the outsole. This part of the shoe should be grippy enough to ensure that you’re stable on your feet all day, especially if you’re in a situation where liquids or chemicals can be spilled.

 
Without a doubt, the most popular outsole material is rubber. That's because it's long-lasting, waterproof, slip-resistant and surprisingly breathable. Plastic and synthetic soles don’t quite have the same slip resistance, but they are much more lightweight, which makes lugging them around for the whole day that little bit easier. 

Now that you're all clued up on the basics, it's time to browse our ranking of the top 10 best shoes for healthcare workers available online. From robust runners that will see you flying round the wards, to classic crocs for long shifts in care homes, we have something for everyone!

Working in healthcare often means spending long hours on your feet, which is why it's important to find the time to take care of your tootsies when you finally get a chance to put them up. We've found some of the best heel balms and foot masks to banish blisters and keep callouses at bay, as well as at home foot massagers for that much needed relief!

Hopefully, this article has given you a good indication of what to look for when choosing the right shoes for work. With a little knowledge about your individual walking style and the shape of your feet, you should easily be able to find the perfect shoes to keep you comfortable all day!

Author: Lewis Clark