Nursing is a very demanding profession that sees most nurses work shifts of 10, 12, and even 16 hours a day. It’s, therefore, crucial for a nurse to be very comfortable to withstand all those hours.
We’re an affiliate
As an Amazon Associate, I earn from qualifying purchases. Thank you if you use our links, we really appreciate it! 🙂
The right nursing shoes ensure that nurses who spend most of their days on their feet remain comfortable throughout.
Nurses with high arches need more attention as their condition already predisposes them to discomfort.
In a hurry?
If you don’t have much time, use the links below to quickly find the best shoes for nurses with high arches on Amazon. You can be assured we only choose the best products…
- TOP PICK: Dansko Women’s Professional Clog
- BUDGET OPTION: Crocs Women’s Mercy Work Shoes
If you do have more time to look up for the best options just for you, keep on reading.
What is a high arch?
A high arch is a neurological condition or an anatomical malformation where the person has medical plantar arches higher than normal.
The condition is mostly hereditary, so there is nothing much that can be done to change it.
The best and most affordable way to achieve the necessary comfort is to look for comfortable shoes that offer the necessary support.
While normal arches can handle all the stress and strain thrown their way, high arches imply that the bodyweight is not distributed adequately.
So, which are the best shoes for nurses with high arches?
It can be challenging to choose the right nursing shoes that offer adequate support and durability needed by nurses.
We have done extensive research and tested a variety of shoes on your behalf.
In this article, we will take a look at the 5 best nursing shoes for high arches. Take a look!
Table of Contents
5 Best Nursing Shoes for High Arches
1. Dansko Women’s Professional Mules
Dansko is a very popular brand among nurses. It’s a renowned brand for high-quality shoes known to provide comfort and support needed by nurses who work long hours.
The upper part of these shoes is made of leather. The rocker bottom is made of polyurethane that is excellent for shock absorption.
These shoes are designed with comfort in mind. They come in a simple slip-on design, making them effortless to pull on.
The collar is padded to prevent any irritation when putting on or moving in them. They have excellent arch support to distribute the stress throughout the foot.
These clogs are APMA approved, meaning they promote good foot health. They have a wide toe box that allows a good inflow and outflow of air. The outer sole is also slip-resistant.
Pros
- These shoes come in a variety of colors to choose from.
- Aesthetically appealing and classy.
- Very easy to clean and maintain.
- Offer excellent stability and support.
Cons
- The material is not breathable.
- Soles may be too hard making them uncomfortable when worn for long hours.
See also: Best Clogs for Nurses
2. Crocs Women’s Mercy Work Shoes
Crocs are such a simple yet comfortable shoe for nurses. These Crocs Work Shoes are designed for nurses who are on their feet for long hours.
Their best feature is the slip-resistant outer sole that ensures nurses remain safe in wet working environments.
These shoes are designed with excellent arch support for nurses with high arches.
They are extremely comfortable and super light for easier walking and running around. The design features a back strap to offer added security and comfort.
You also don’t need to worry about quality and durability. They also allow the inflow of air to avoid stinking feet after a long day’s work.
See also: Best Crocs for Nurses
Pros
- Offer great support for arches.
- Very easy to clean and maintain.
- Very comfortable and breathable as they are open at the back.
Cons
- These shoes are not very supportive of very high arches.
3. Timberland Pro Women’s Renova Professional Slip-on Clogs
These shoes are evidently designed to offer comfort to nurses with high arches. They are designed with high-quality full-grain leather that offers class and durability.
The outsole is designed with the polyurethane, which features a SafeGrip technology.
Nurses can confidently walk on any floor type without skidding or falling.
The shoe’s body is also protected by the 3M Scotchgard stain resistance that prevents the shoes from staining.
These shoes also feature anti-microbial technology that prevents odors from wearing closed shoes all day. They offer adequate support for high arches for added comfort.
Pros
- A slip-resistant outsole that creates traction with different floors.
- Provide good arch support.
- Stain-resistant.
Cons
- Can make a lot of noise when walking.
4. Sketchers for Work Women’s Sure Track
Sketchers is a popular brand for anything sketchers. They offer variety, high quality, and affordable shoes for nurses looking for sketchers.
These shoes are not the most appealing, but they are exceptionally functional.
The upper part of the shoe is made with leather, while the outsole is rubber. They are very lightweight hence facilitating movement.
These shoes caught our attention because of the cushioned insoles.
They are as comfortable as they look with cushioned insoles that are topped with memory foam for added support for high arches. The insoles are also shocking absorbing.
These shoes are designed to cradle the foot for more stability.
Pros
- The outsole is slip-resistant.
- Very comfortable thanks to the insoles.
- Slip-on design makes it easy to get in and out of them.
- Snug but comfortable fit.
Cons
- Not very breathable.
5. Sanita Women’s Professional Patent Clogs
Sanita is another brand to consider when looking for high-quality clogs for nurses with high arches.
These shoes are very supportive for high arched feet, offering the support needed to avoid straining.
The shoes are made of patented leather on the top and polyurethane outsole, which is slip-resistant.
The shoes come with a protective cover on top, which can be removed when it starts to break. They have a glossy finish making them appealing to the eye.
The heel is slightly raised for a good posture and for added support.
The footbed is shaped for high arches support. They are lighter than most clogs and have a snug fit.
Pros
- The footbed is anatomically designed for high arch support.
- Slip-resistant outsoles.
- The heel is slightly raised for support and a good posture.
- Lightweight.
Cons
- They can be a bit tight.
How to choose good nursing shoes for high arches?
Know your foot type
It’s not surprising that many people, including nurses, don’t know your foot type.
You cannot address what you don’t know, which can explain why you are wearing the best nursing shoes, but you’re still the same strain as someone who is not.
Do you know your foot type?
There are four types of foot arch types: high, low, flat, and normal. High arches, as we mentioned, are a medical condition where the plantar arch is higher than normal.
See also: Best Shoes for Nurses with Flat Feet
The condition can be caused by:
- Genetics, where the condition is inherited from one of the parents as a somatic characteristic.
- As an adaptive condition as a result of the presence of favoring factors.
- As an idiopathic condition where the cause is medically unknown.
You can tell your foot arch type by following these steps:
- Fill a shallow pan with some water. The water should be a thin film and not enough to immerse the foot.
- Wet the sole of your foot.
- Step onto a shopping bag or a heavy paper and stand on that foot from the pan or container.
- Step off and observe the shape of the footprint.
If the footprint shows just the heel and the ball of your foot, you have a high arch. The wear on your shoe can also tell your foot type.
If your shoes are only working out on the outer sole, you will likely have a high arched foot. You can also visit a professional to find out your foot type instead of second-guessing.
Symptoms of high arches
When you have high arches, it implies a poor distribution of body weight, which can strain the rest of the body.
It’s possible to be asymptomatic, meaning you don’t experience any discomfort.
Here are some symptoms of high arched feet:
- Ankle pain.
- Pain and discomfort in the feet, especially in the metatarsal area.
- Ankle instability which puts the person at a high risk of sprains.
- Rigidity or insensitivity of the feet and ankles.
- Inability to stand for long hours. See also: Why Do Nurses Work 12 Hour Shifts?
- Calluses in parts of the feet such as the heel and metatarsal area.
What to consider when buying the best nursing shoes for high arches?
After you have identified that you have high arches and are on the road to finding the best shoes, what should you bear in mind?
Finding the right shoes is definitely not a walk in the park, especially when you have a foot condition.
Here are some features to look for when buying nursing shoes for high arches.
Size
There is a common misconception that one should buy smaller shoes to “break-in” with time. That could not be further from the truth.
You should always choose a pair of shoes that fit you perfectly.
See also: Best Brooks Shoes for Nurses
Also, remember different brands can have a slightly different fitting, so it’s essential to consider that.
The wrong size of shoes will only cause discomfort and even increase the chances of developing worse foot problems or worsening existing conditions.
Nursing is a demanding job meaning your feet may swell during the day. Also, your feet expand and contract naturally during the day.
See also: Is Nursing for Me with a Quiz
Keep that in mind when it comes to size.
Professionals recommend buying shoes in the evening when your foot is maximum for a better fitting.
It’s better to get a flexible shoe that conforms to the foot, whether it contracts or expands.
Arch support
Nurses with high arches need maximum support on the arch to avoid straining after long hours of work.
The best shoes for nurses with high arches help distribute body weight evenly to reduce the stress on the body.
Adequate arch support enables nurses to be on their feet longer without overstressing their feet.
See also: Best Support Shoes for Nurses
Weight
There are different nursing shoes in the market, some heavy some light.
A heavy shoe is not recommended for any nurse that works long hours on their feet.
Heavy shoes can weight one down and even slow them when running errands. Light nursing shoes are even more crucial for nurses with high arches.
Cushioning
Comfort affects how a nurse goes about their day and even the quality of services they offer.
The best shoes for nurses with high arches should have proper cushioning to add to the shoe’s comfort.
The cushioning also absorbs shock experienced when the foot makes conduct with the ground.
The cushioning inserts should be antistatic, you can walk on plastic materials and linoleum surfaces in a hospital setting.
Flexibility
A nurse with high arches has more rigid and stiffer feet due to the condition.
The shoes chosen should be flexible to distribute impact from every step and balance with the rigidity of the foot.
Check the upper part of the shoe and the sole to determine their flexibility. You can even try bending the shoe manually in different directions to see how it responds.
The shape of the shoe
Flexibility and shoe shape go hand in hand. Curved shoe shapes work best with feet with a high arch as they can accommodate the shoe.
These shoes allow for pronation of the foot due to under pronation.
They prevent additional problems and provide maximum comfort.
Material
The material of the shoe is also a very important feature. You want to look for a shoe that will stand the wear and tear from working long hours.
The material should not tear or wear out after a few washes.
You also want to go for a very easy to clean material, given the environment nurses work in. It’s very easy to soil your shoes with spills, chemicals, medication, and body fluids.
Also, breathable material is non-negotiable for nurses who work long shifts. The material should allow a good flow of air to prevent odors and excessive sweating.
Slip-resistant
As you probably know, nurses work in risky environments, especially as they have to run around in times of emergencies.
Since most hospital floors are tiles, it is very easy for nurses to slip when there are spills such as body fluids and medication.
Therefore, the best nursing shoes for high arches should be non-slip so a nurse can work in different environments without hurting themselves.
The anti-slip outer sole should provide traction with different floors to avoid accidents.
Conclusion
The nursing profession is all about caring and making patients feel better and comfortable.
However, charity begins at home!
A nurse ought to make themselves feel comfortable for the patients to feel the same. As we have said several times, a good pair of shoes is very dear to a nurse.
Our recommendation for the best nursing shoes for nurses with high arches is the Dansko Women’s Professional Clogs.
See also: Best Dansko Shoes for Nurses
These shoes are suitable for a professional setting and are designed for maximum comfort and support for high arches.
They also offer a wide variety of styles and colors to choose from. They are pricey but they definitely worth every coin.
We hope this article made it easier for you to find the best shoes for nurses with high arches!
Related articles of ours:
- Best Shoes for Nurses with Wide Feet
- Best Shoes for Nurses with Bunions
- Best Shoes for Nurses with Plantar Fasciitis
- Best Shoes for Male Nurses
- Best Nike Shoes for Nurses
- Best Shoes for Nurses with Back Pain
- Best Tennis Shoes for Nurses
I’d be glad if you could give this article a star rating. Thank you in advance! 🙂