The Top 5 Shoes for Healthcare Workers & Nurses
If anyone deserves seriously comfy shoes, it's you. Twelve-hour shifts, corridors that never end, and a step count that would make a marathon runner blush healthcare workers and nurses are on their feet all day (and plenty of nights, too!).
And here's the thing: when you're standing all day, the wrong shoes don't just mean sore feet at knock-off time. Tired arches, aching heels, and niggles like plantar fasciitis have a sneaky way of creeping in when your footwear isn't pulling its weight. The right pair, on the other hand? Proper arch support, cushioning where you need it, and soles that grip on those polished hospital floors. Your feet (and your knees, hips and lower back!) will thank you.
So whether you're a nurse, midwife, aged care worker, allied health hero or anyone else clocking up serious kilometres in scrubs, we've rounded up our top 5 comfy shoes for healthcare workers. Let's get into it!
1. For the Shift Sprinter: On Cloud 6
If your shift involves more hustle than a Saturday morning parkrun, meet your new best friend. The On Cloud 6 is the latest evolution of On Running's iconic everyday shoe, and it's an absolute dream for long days on your feet.
The magic is in the Zero-Gravity CloudTec® cushioning, those signature "cloud" pods in the sole give you a soft, cushioned landing with every step, while the built-in Speedboard® keeps things stable and supportive through the midfoot all shift long. On has also given this generation a wider opening and a fresh new sockliner, so slipping them on at 5:30am is effortless (and the speed-lacing system means no bending down to tie laces between patients, hallelujah!).
They're feather-light, breathable, and honestly so comfy you'll forget you're wearing them, which is exactly what you want when you're twelve hours deep into a double.
Wet ward? No worries. The On Cloud 6 Waterproof takes everything you love about the Cloud 6 and adds a waterproof upper, so unexpected spills, splashes and rainy carpark dashes won't leave you squelching through the rest of your shift. If your work (or your commute!) gets soggy, this is the pick.
Shop the On Running range at Footgear →
2. For the Style-Savvy Scrubs Wearer: FRANKIE4 Jackie V & Nat III
Designed right here in Australia by a podiatrist, FRANKIE4 is practically the unofficial uniform of Aussie healthcare workers. And it's easy to see why.
The FRANKIE4 Jackie V is the cult-favourite sneaker with a sleek, lightweight silhouette and FRANKiE4's famous Sole Hero® footbed tucked inside. That's podiatrist-designed heel, arch and forefoot support in a triple-layer cushion system built to help prevent and ease common foot pain, including those dreaded plantar fasciitis flare-ups. Jackie V has a deep heel cup and wide toe box so it's perfect for those who need an orthotic fitting. Pairs also come with the Sole Saver Pack®, which lets you customise the fit to narrow, regular or wide. It's like a shoe fitting in a box!
Prefer a slip-on? The FRANKIE4 Nat III delivers the same beloved footbed support in an easy on-and-off style that's perfect for those pre-dawn starts. Sleek enough to wear out for coffee after your shift, supportive enough to survive the shift itself, that's the FRANKIE4 way.
Both styles are lightweight (no clunky steel shanks here) and made with body mechanics in mind, so support and cushioning land exactly where your feet need them most when you're standing all day.
3. For the Traditionalist: Birkenstock Profi Birki
There's a reason you'll spot Birkenstocks in hospitals, clinics and commercial kitchens the world over, and the Profi Birki is the professional workhorse of the family.
This closed-toe clog is made from lightweight, durable polyurethane, which means it's washable (yes, really, spills, splashes and mystery ward substances rinse right off!) and built to handle serious wear. Underfoot you'll find Birkenstock's legendary contoured footbed with that signature deep heel cup and pronounced arch support, the same anatomically shaped design that's made Birkenstocks a comfort icon for generations. The footbed is removable too, making cleaning (or swapping in your own orthotics) a breeze.
Add a slip-resistant sole designed for professional environments, and you've got a shoe that ticks every box for healthcare: hygienic, hardy, supportive and seriously comfy. If you love the freedom of a clog, easy to slip on, easy to kick off in the break room, the Profi Birki is the classic for a reason.
P.S. Birkenstock devotee? Don't miss our guide to The Best Birkenstocks for Her for more footbed favourites!
Shop The Professional Birkenstock range at Footgear →
4. For the Sleek All-Black Dresser: Ziera Solar Black on Black
Uniform policy says all black? The Ziera Solar Black on Black has you covered, literally from upper to sole, while sneaking in some of the most supportive tech in the business.
The Solar is a chic leather sneaker fitted with Ziera's Super Support footbed, their most supportive footbed yet, with higher arch support and a deeper fit for extra stability. It's removable too, so if you wear orthotics, they'll slot straight in. The wide, roomy toe box gives your toes space to spread and breathe (bunions and wide feet, rejoice!), and the clever XF fit system includes forefoot inserts you can add, layer or remove to fine-tune the fit to your foot.
Best of all for busy shifts: the Solar features both a zip and lace fastening, so you get a secure lace-up fit with slip-on convenience thanks to the side zip. Supportive, stable, and smart enough to fly under the radar with any uniform, it's no wonder the Solar is a favourite with nurses, carers and teachers alike.
5. For the Leather Lover: ECCO Soft 7 Waterproof
If you like your work shoes with a touch of Scandi polish, the ECCO Soft 7 GORETEX is the sophisticated all-rounder of this list.
The Soft 7 is ECCO's iconic leather sneaker, crafted from premium soft leather with the brand's famously anatomical fit, roomy where you need it, supportive where it counts. The waterproof treatment keeps moisture out while letting your feet breathe, so wet weather commutes and on-the-job splashes are no match for it. Inside, a cushioned, removable inlay sole delivers all-day comfort underfoot, and the flexible, shock-absorbing sole unit takes the sting out of hard hospital floors.
It's the kind of shoe that works just as hard off shift as on, pop it with jeans on your day off and no one would guess it's your trusty ward warrior. Understated, waterproof and wonderfully comfy? That's a triple threat.
How to Choose the Right Shoes for Standing All Day
Before you hit "add to cart," a few quick tips from us to you:
Prioritise arch support. When you're standing all day, unsupported arches fatigue fast, and that's when heel pain and plantar fasciitis love to strike. Look for a contoured footbed (or a removable one so you can add your own orthotics).
Think about your floors. Polished hospital lino is slippery business! Slip-resistant soles are a must for healthcare settings.
Consider cleanability. Washable or wipeable materials (hello, Profi Birki!) make life easier when spills happen. And in healthcare... spills happen.
Fit matters more than anything. Feet swell over a long shift, so a roomy toe box and adjustable fit features (like Ziera's inserts or FRANKiE4's Sole Saver Pack®) can make all the difference between comfy and cranky feet by hour ten.
Rotate your pairs. If you can, alternate between two pairs of comfy shoes across the week, it gives the cushioning time to bounce back and keeps your feet fresher.
And when in doubt — get fitted! Here's the thing: even the world's comfiest shoe won't feel comfy if it's the wrong fit for your foot. Our Footgear team are expertly trained in fitting shoes properly, we'll measure you up, chat through what your shifts throw at your feet, and match you with the right style, size and width. So if you're struggling with sore feet, unsure of your size, or just can't decide between the Cloud 6 and the Jackie V, come and visit us in store. It's what we love doing, and your feet will feel the difference from the very first step!
Your Feet Work Hard, Treat Them Right!
Healthcare workers and nurses spend more time on their feet than just about anyone, so investing in proper supportive footwear isn't a luxury, it's essential kit, right up there with a good stethoscope and an even better coffee order.
Whether you're team runner (On Cloud 6), team podiatrist-designed sneaker (FRANKIE4), team classic clog (Birkenstock Profi Birki), team sleek and orthotic-friendly (Ziera Solar) or team polished leather (ECCO Soft 7 GORETEX), there's a perfect pair here with your name (and your arches!) on it.
Still not sure which pick is right for you? Pop into your nearest Footgear store or get in touch, our team love nothing more than matching hardworking feet with their happily-ever-after shoes.
Here's to happy feet on every shift!
Happy Stepping xx
