As a travel nurse, you know that, like scrubs, not all shoes are created equally. If you don’t have the right shoes, you risk a long, painful shift and even assignment. Recently, a post in our Gypsy Nurse Facebook group asked for the best shoes for nurses and travel nurses. We have put together a list of the top 5 shoes mentioned in that post. They are below in no particular order.
Brooks
Brooks has made our list of top shoes in the past. They are a running shoe company. Since they specialize in running shoes, you know they strive for comfort. The top 2 shoes from Brooks that were mentioned were Ghost and Levitate. Here is a little more information on each of these.
Ghost: The Ghost shoes are road running shoes. According to their site, Ghost is “Loved by runners for its smooth ride. The Ghost is all about balance. It has just enough given to cushion each step while staying responsive for a quick toe-off. And the upper hits the sweet spot between roomy and secure.” These features make them great for travel nurses who are on their feet for sometimes hours at a time.
Levitate: The Levitate shoes are also road running shoes. According to their site, “To help runners chase down their goals, we introduced the Levitate in 2017. With incredible energy return and a super springy feel, the Levitate is the cornerstone of our Energize category, making each mile feel a little easier. We partnered with the materials company BASF to develop our DNA AMP midsole compound that provides ample energy return — among the highest in our line.”
Brooks offers many more options of running shoes that would make perfect nursing shoes. These are just 2 options to get you started.
Nike
Nike is another brand that makes our list of top nursing shoes often. Again, their shoes are often made for walking, running, and sports. Making their shoes very comfortable and ideal for nurses, travel nurses, and travel healthcare workers. The two most mentioned shoes by Nike were the Vapor Max and Zoom Pulse. Here is a little more information on each.
VaporMax: According to an article on Menshealth.com, you can “expect maximum protection with an incredibly light and flexible feel. To achieve the protective, soft, bouncy, and flexible sensation of VaporMax, the approach was to put the right amount of air underfoot versus employing a ‘more is better’ solution. The unencumbered tubes of air are engineered to deflect on impact while offering the flexibility and stability a runner needs.” All of these features make the VaporMax the perfect nursing shoe.
Zoom Pulse: The Zoom Pulse Nike shoes are, in fact, made for the healthcare industry. According to Nike.com, the Zoom Pulse shoes were “Built for and tested by nurses. The Nike Air Zoom Pulse combines cushioning and flexible traction for a comfortable, natural feel that lasts through long shifts on dry and slippery surfaces. The durable design is easy to clean, pull on and take off to keep you ready for the unexpected.” Making these a top option for you to choose for your next nursing shoes.
Oofos
Oofos offers a line of clogs that are very popular among healthcare workers and their OOmg Low Shoes. Their clogs are said to be a versatile clog that brings unmatched comfort. The clogs have great reviews on the OOfos website. The only negative statement was that these clogs tend to make your feet sweat, so beware of that if you already have hot feet. As for the OOmg Low Shoes, the Oofos website states that their “breathable 4-way stretch mesh fabric introduces a new level of comfort and convenience into your everyday routine.” The biggest complaint we found for the OOmg Low Shoes was that the fit wasn’t quite right, so that is something to be aware of when shopping for these shoes.
Alegria
Alegria was another shoe mentioned frequently in the comments of the Facebook post. They have a few lines of nursing and professional clogs. Many nurses love the feel and comfort of these clogs. They are a little more pricey, but as they say, you pay for what you get. Each line offers its own benefits. Although each has its own benefits, they also have a lot in common Here are just a few of the ways Alegria shoes can also help with a 6-point comfort zone to support you, body, and sole as posted on their website.
- Slip-resistant soles with elevated heels in a slight rocker style support movement.
- A honeycombed bed reduces shoe weight but increases durability.
- Secure, interlocking technology keeps the insert in place.
- Soft polyurethane combined with cork on the bottom of the insert cushions your feet and provides arch support.
- A memory foam middle contours to your individual foot.
- A leather lining provides a soft touch to your sole.
Like technology, shoes change frequently, new ones are added to the market, and changes are made to older ones. We have written articles in the past on the top shoes of that time. We will continue to keep you updated on the best shoes for the travel nurse industry, so you can choose what shoes are right for you, but with a little insider information to help with the decision.
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