The physical demands of being a nurse mean that you’re constantly running back and forth between patients, whether it’s caring for them, doing tests, or assisting your team during surgeries. It’s an incredibly rewarding career, but it takes its toll on your body.
When you’re at work, you can’t afford to be dealing with back pain. Here is a quick list of my top three picks for the best women’s shoes for nurses with back pain!
- Best Overall Shoes For Nurses With Back Pain – Brooks Women’s Adrenaline GTS 21
- Runner-up Shoe For Nurses With Back Pain – Skechers Women’s Max Cushioning Elite Sneaker
- Alternative Shoe For Nurses With Back Pain – Nurse Mates Women’s Velocity Medical Professional Shoe
One of the biggest problems with traditional nurses’ shoes is that they make it difficult for you to get a good grip on the floor. While this may not seem like much of an issue, it can cause painful cramping and even damage your tendons. It can be challenging to keep track of your steps; it may even be hard to balance yourself properly.
We’ve compiled five of the best women’s shoes for nurses with back pain specially designed for easy walking without any pain and fatigue.
Best Overall Nurses Shoe for women with back pain
Brooks Adrenaline GTS 21 Women’s Shoes
Brooks Women’s Adrenaline GTS 21 Running Shoe
If you’re wearing out your back from all the back-bending you do as a nurse, Brooks Adrenaline GTS 21 is designed to give you just the right amount of stability, cushioning, and comfort that you need to perform your job well and get the most out of your day.
Brooks Women’s Adrenaline GTS 21 features an engineered mesh upper and 3D Fit Print, designed to provide structure and proven fit without excess bulk. The rubber outsole is a synthetic and mesh blend that offers lightweight cushioning while keeping your feet stable and secure. The midsole of this lace-up running shoe is made of BioMoGo DNA material that adapts to your stride and gives you energizing cushioning with every step.
Additionally, this nursing shoe for back pain has a Guidewall holistic support system that keeps excess movement in check while keeping you comfortable. This shoe is a certified PDAC A5500 Diabetic shoe and has been granted the APMA Seal of Acceptance.
All in all, Brooks Adrenaline GTS 21 is a durable lace-up running shoe that will keep you comfortable as you get the job done! It boosts your energy levels by surrounding your feet with support and cushioning, giving you the right amount of stability without feeling too stiff or uncomfortable.
Runner Up best nurses shoes for women with back pain
Skechers Women’s Max Cushioning Elite Sneaker
Skechers Women’s Max Cushioning Elite Sneaker is a nursing shoe for back pain made from lightweight and responsive Ultra Go midsole foam that will keep you moving through long hours on your feet. The Ultra Go foam will also respond to your steps and provide a smooth transition from heel-strike to toe-off without inhibiting flexibility or agility.
Skechers Women’s Max Cushioning Elite Sneakers
The shaft measures approximately from the arch, which is ideal for nurses wearing extra-tall socks for added support. The shoes are imported, which means they’re built to last with excellent craftsmanship and superior materials. The rubber sole lays down a soft step, so you won’t have to worry about racking up complaints from patients who can hear you coming down the hall.
The breathable mesh upper with Haptic printed details will keep you cool during long shifts, while the soft fabric lining will help wick away moisture while keeping your feet feeling fresh all day long. The laces make it easy to put on and take off these stylish sneakers while keeping them tied around your ankles so they won’t come off on their own!
To top it off, they look great with both jeans and professional uniform pants! They also come in a variety of colors for every personality and budget.
The benefits from Skechers Women’s Max Cushioning Elite Sneaker come together to help you feel less back pain while you are working hard on your feet all day long!
Ryka Women’s Devotion Plus 2 Walking Shoe
Ryka Devotion Plus 2 Walking Shoe is a perfect nursing shoe for back pain with a style and comfort that will help you go from shift to shift without having to change out of your sneakers.
Ryka Women’s Devotion Plus 2 Walking Shoes
The anatomical Precise-ReturnÔ insole, made of EVA foam, provides extra arch and heel support so you can walk comfortably. An additional layer of cushioning in the comfort collar and tongue gives your feet the support they need while you go about caring for patients.
This nursing shoe also offers a lace-up front that’s simple to adjust mid-shift, so you always get the right fit. The four-way gradient print adds style as well as arch support and breathability to keep your feet feeling fresh throughout your shift—and beyond.
Ryka Devotion Plus 2 Walking Shoe offers nurses an alternative option that provides just as much support as regular walking shoes while also allowing them to have traction to keep themselves upright and steady on their feet.
Alternate Nurses shoe for women with back pain!
adidas Women’s Cloudfoam Pure 2.0 Running Shoe
If you’re a nurse looking for an athletic shoe that will reduce back pain, Adidas’s Cloudfoam Pure 2.0 Running Shoe is a great option. Packed with comfort-enhancing technologies like its super-soft Cloudfoam cushioning, this nursing shoe for back pain has all the features you need to keep you on your feet throughout your workday.
adidas Women’s Cloudfoam Pure 2.0 Running Shoes
When you slip on the Cloudfoam Pure 2.0, you’ll feel comfortable from the moment you step in—thanks to its Primegreen upper, which is made from recycled materials. The shoe has a lightweight and flexible outsole, which means it’s easy to move around without back pain and offers plenty of support. The shoe’s midsole contains Cloudfoam for a step-in feel and superior cushioning. With a quick-drying upper made of durable textile material, this shoe also dries quickly if you get caught in the rain or accidentally step in a puddle.
Other features include an adaptive lace closure for a secure fit and a textile upper that’s durable enough to handle even the most active days on your job.
Adidas Cloudfoam Pure 2.0 is stylish enough to wear while working as a nurse yet comfy enough to wear while zipping around town on your off-hours.
Nurse Mates Women’s Velocity Medical Professional Shoe
Medical professionals can find relief from back pain with Nurse Mates Women’s Velocity Medical Professional Shoe. These shoes have been scientifically designed to help align feet at the heel and provide a more natural gait. It also provides a comfortable, supportive fit that can help improve circulation and reduce fatigue.
Nurse Mates Women’s Velocity Medical Professional Shoes
These shoes are made with a slip-resistant bottom for a secure footing and an ergonomic orthotic that corrects your posture. The fully lined upper is durable leather or printed polyurethane, and the suede leather footbed ensures all-day comfort. These shoes are made from a lightweight EVA bottom that will provide much-needed support without squeezing your feet too tight.
They’re lightweight for easy walking yet stable enough to support you through long shifts. Plus, they’re made with a stain-resistant upper and laces that adjust to fit any foot. They even come in colors that match your scrubs!
Nurse Mates Women’s Velocity Medical Professional Shoe also helps stabilize your foot while reducing shock, making this one of the most comfortable nursing shoes for back pain.
Essential Factors to Consider When Looking Nursing Shoes for Back Pain
Cushioned insert or removable insert
Cushioned inserts and removable inserts can help relieve the pressure on your feet and keep them from tingling. If you stand for long periods, using these inserts can help prevent injuries and keep your feet feeling great throughout the day.
These inserts are made from memory foam that contours perfectly to your feet, distributing weight and providing shock absorption. This helps reduce stress on joints, ankles, and knees while you’re working.
Cushioned soles and arch support system
Pinched nerves are the most common cause of back pain. When a nerve is pinched, it can cause burning, stinging, and sharp pain. Shoes that don’t have cushion sole or arch support can cause one of your metatarsals to roll inward, which pinches the nerve between two bones.
The cushioned sole absorbs shock and adds extra cushy-ness at the heel, while the arch support provides optimal support under the arch of your foot, allowing you to walk miles upon miles with no pain at all.
Brooks Adrenaline GTS 21 Women’s Shoes
Memory foam
When you’re walking, your foot moves in different directions, which causes the muscles and bones in your feet to work hard to keep your foot stable as you step down. This extra force causes stress on your back and hips.
Memory foam shoes make every step more comfortable by providing cushioning for every foot’s movement and stabilizing the foot, so it doesn’t move around as much.
Locker loop or elastic
The elastic loop or locker loop is built into the shoe’s tongue and allows for extra room in the shoe. This extra space allows your feet to breathe, which helps prevent foot odor and athlete’s foot.
If you are wearing shoes with no locker loop or elastic loop, there could be too much pressure on your toes, causing pain and discomfort in the heel area.
Slip-resistant
A nurse’s environment is constantly changing and prone to fluid spilling on the floor. Nurses should always have their feet protected with shoes that will give them stability while working throughout all these conditions.
The best type of shoe for nurses would be a slip-resistant one as it provides them with the best traction on wet floors and slick surfaces that may cause them to slip or trip over. They should also have nonmarking soles to prevent footprints behind wherever they walk. This would protect them from litigation if someone trip over their impressions left behind on the floor.
Skechers Women’s Max Cushioning Elite Sneakers
Heels no higher than 2″
If you’re wearing heels that are too high for you, your gait will change, which can cause back and other muscle issues. Another reason is that it makes it difficult to move quickly when you need to help someone in an emergency. Even if it’s something minor like tripping over a chair, fast and immediate action is required to save the patient from harm, which would be much more difficult with high heels.
By keeping your heels no higher than 2″, you’ll be protecting yourself from an array of health problems.
Best Women’s Shoes For Nurses With Back Pain, in a nutshell…
Having a comfortable pair of footwear is essential when you are on your feet all day long. If you don’t have the appropriate shoes on, your back pain can be intensified and make even the simplest tasks unbearable.
If you are looking for a pair of nursing shoes that can make a difference to your overall health and well-being, Brooks Adrenaline GTS 21 is the best option for most nurses with back pain. They’re lightweight, practical, and comfortable enough for everyday use.
You might also have to check the other products mentioned that match your specific need. Such as the Skechers Women’s Max Cushioning Elite Sneaker for smooth transitions or Nurse Mates Women’s Velocity Medical Professional Shoe specifically made for medical professionals to improve circulation.