Hoka Is a Podiatrist-Approved Brand for Nurses (Here Are the Best Ones to Add to Your Cart Now)

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Nurses are on their feet for most of their shift—which by the way, can typically last up to 12 hours in a day—so it’s not surprising many of them complain about foot pain. That’s why proper footwear is extremely important, and with extensive research and insights from podiatrists, we found that some of the best shoes for nurses come from Hoka.

Meet the experts: Anne Sharkey, D.P.M., a podiatrist with the North Austin Foot and Ankle Institute in Texas; Thomas Lim, podiatrist at The Sunset Foot Clinic, D.P.M, Q.M.E, C.W.S, also known as “The Happy Foot Sad Foot Doctor”; Priya Parthasarathy, D.P.M., a board-certified podiatrist at Foot & Ankle Specialists of the Mid-Atlantic and a spokesperson for the American Podiatric Medical Association.

Hoka is popularly known as a footwear brand for running or hiking, so it almost makes sense that nurses—who feel so much pressure on their feet—might benefit from the brand too. That’s thanks to some of Hoka’s basic design elements.

“Hoka shoes are great overall, especially since almost all Hoka models incorporate the rocker bottom shoe design,” explains Thomas Lim, D.P.M., podiatrist at The Sunset Foot Clinic. “The brand calls it MetaRocker, and this is visible via the curved up profile at the toes and allows for a smooth transfer of pressure from heel strike to toe off,” he explains.

See below the best Hoka shoes for nurses, vetted by podiatrists and reviews.

Bondi 8

We’ve recommended the Bondi 8 time and time again. It’s a top choice for walking on concrete, supporting those with back pain, and for people who stand on their feet all day.

The Bondi 8 features all the best qualities of all Hoka styles, plus it boasts a softer, cushiony midsole that bounces back with each step. You also get a precise collar that cradles your ankle for added comfort, and a rubber outsole for durability and traction.

You also get a handy heel pull tab for easy slip on and slip off, which is convenient for busy nurses after a long day at the hospital.

When Prevention’s senior commerce editor put the Bondi 8 to the test, her results confirmed that the shoe is incredibly supportive. The style is also backed by Anne Sharkey, D.P.M., a podiatrist with the North Austin Foot and Ankle Institute in Texas.

What Sharkey says: “This is a great shoe for those on their feet long hours, especially those on hard surfaces. This particular model of Hoka shoes is a neutral shoe with plush cushioning. This is perfect for someone with higher arches that needs shock absorption.”

Sizes: 5-12

Colors: 16

Widths: Regular, wide

Clifton 9

We named the Clifton 9’s the most comfortable sneakers, thanks to their light, even cushioning and a curved rocker underfoot. It sits higher with a 3mm stack height and includes a removable Ortholite insole.

Priya Parthasarathy, D.P.M., a board-certified podiatrist at Foot & Ankle Specialists of the Mid-Atlantic, recommends the Clifton 9 for anyone with a neutral foot type, which means it’s great for those with normal to high arches.

Additionally, the Clifton 9 is backed with the American Podiatric Medical Association Seal of Acceptance. This seal is only awarded to apparel and shoes that have been reviewed by a team of podiatrists to confirm the item fosters foot health.

What Parthasarathy says: “Balanced, cushioned, and supportive, [the Hoka Clifton 9 is a] great option for a neutral running shoe.”

Sizes: 5-12

Colors: 16

Widths: Regular, wide

Arahi 7

Both Sharkey and Parthasarathy recommend the Arahi 7 for overpronation, also known as flat feet. It’s designed with what Hoka calls its J-Frame technology. Basically, it’s a firm, J-shaped foam that’s supposed to support flatter feet.

You’ve also got a flat knit upper, which means the material can easily adapt and mold to your foot. The Arahi 7 also boasts the APMA Seal of Acceptance.

What Parthasarathy says: “I overpronate, so I prefer the Hoka Arahi for its additional stability.”

Sizes: 5-11

Colors: 6

Widths: Regular, wide

Bondi SR

Lim speaks highly of the Bondi SR for nurses, one of Hoka’s newer styles. The Bondi SR features an ultra-grippy rubber outsole that stands strong against slippery floors or uneven walking surfaces.

It’s got water-resistant leather, which can help protect nurses’ feet from accidental spills or rain. We also like that an EVA midsole ensures cushiony comfort.

Keep in mind that a couple users complained about the sneaker squeaking, or feeling pretty stiff at first before the shoe is fully broken in. You can find all colors and sizes on Hoka’s website.

What Lim says: “The new HOKA Bondi SR is practically designed for nurses. With a slip-resistant outsole, it’s specifically perfect for people that work in the service field and medical field.”

Sizes: 5-11

Colors: 6

Widths: Regular, wide

Mach X

Prevention’s former editorial assistant Isabella Cavallo keeps the Mach X in her rotation for morning runs and evening walks. She says that she likes that it “has a high-rebound cushion and a layer of foam for a soft impact as you walk”—which is a great feature for nurses on their feet all day long.

Reviewers like that the sneaker makes you feel like you’re bouncing with each step. It’s a soft and snappy shoe that’s made to maintain endurance and increasing speed when desired.

What Cavallo says: “The design of the shoe makes each step feel smooth with a bit of a bounce to help me run or walk faster. This sneaker is great if you’re trying to pick up the pace or walk a 5K!”

Sizes: 5-11

Colors: 5

Widths: Regular

Rincon 3

Nurses are on their feet pretty much their entire shift, so they shouldn’t be weighed down by their shoes. Several users praise the Rincon 3 for its lightweight feel. That’s thanks to an airy midsole foam—and not to mention that the shoe weighs at just 7.2 ounces. For this reason, we also named it a top contender for treadmill shoes.

The Rincon 3 has vented uppers, a curved rocker bottom, and balanced cushion.

What reviewers say: “I’m a nurse so I am on my feet a lot during the day. These provide excellent arch and heel support. I have wide feet, so I needed a bigger toe box than what some other shoe companies provide. But with Hoka’s, they give me plenty of wiggle room.”

Sizes: 7.5-9.5

Colors: 4

Widths: Regular

Gaviota 5

What’s great about the Gaviota 5 is that its design helps keep your feet comfortably aligned with specialized cushioning and support.

The shoe features a grippy sole for traction, plus what Hoka calls their H-Frame, which is basically an extra layer on top of the midsole foam that helps form a stable platform. You can find all colors on Hoka’s website.

What reviewers say: “Gaviota is very comfortable, soft and so easy to maneuver. As a registered nurse, I do a lot of walking but my feet are always happy at the end of my eight to ten hour shift. I will never trade or look for other brands out there when it comes to comfort and style.”

Sizes: 5-12

Colors: 10

Widths: Regular, wide

Solimar

If you prefer a sleeker design, the Solimar features a width that’s more compact compared to other styles. It has a neutral profile and is made with a stretchy mesh lining and tongue for breathability.

A compression-molded EVA foam midsole offers extra cushion and support, an extended crash pad ensures a smoother landing with each step.

What reviewers say: “As a staff nurse who spends 12 hr shifts on her feet, Hokas are the best shoe I’ve ever worn. This style isn’t too bulky but still provides the comfort.”

Sizes: 5-11

Colors: 3

Widths: Regular, wide

How to choose Hoka shoes for nurses

✔️ Look for a lightweight profile. Some nurses will take more steps than the recommended 10,000 per day, according to a study by National Library of Medicine. A lighter shoe with a sleeker design makes getting from place to place easier.

✔️ Check for a rocker bottom. According to Lim, a rocker bottom design enables seamless pressure transfer from heel strike to toe off. “Luckily, almost all Hoka models incorporate the rocker bottom shoe design,” he says.

✔️ Opt for a slip-resistant outsole. Accidents happen all the time, and according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), spilled contaminants like blood, urine, or stool are one of the leading causes of slip and fall incidents. That’s why it’s important to find shoes with a rubber outsole that’s patterned for better grip.

Can nurses wear sandals in the hospital?

While there are amazingly comfortable Hoka sandal styles in the market, the national Occupational Safety and Health Administration strongly advises that healthcare workers have their feet covered via closed-toed shoes, shoe covers, or socks. Ultimately, the dress code is up to the facility, but these advisories are put into place to prevent the skin from being exposed to blood or other infectious specimens.

Lim also emphasizes sneakers over clogs and slip-ons. “The tying of the shoe lace prevents movement of the feet in the shoes— this prevents shearing forces that often lead to fatigue and general feeling of tiredness of the feet,” he says.

Why do podiatrists recommend Hoka?

As noted above, several of Hoka’s models have earned the
APMA Seal of Acceptance. This means a team of podiatrists and experts reviewed these specific styles to ensure that they actually foster foot health.

“I recommend Hokas due to their superior cushioning, stability, and their rocker-like bottom all combined in a lightweight shoe,” Parthasarathy says. She goes on say that she personally wears the brand and found them especially during her pregnancy. “I have to say this was the first pregnancy (out of three) where I did not develop plantar fasciitis,” she adds.

How we chose Hoka shoes for nurses

We’ve covered several shoe roundups that target specific needs and spoke to experts in the field, including Anne Sharkey, D.P.M., a podiatrist with the North Austin Foot and Ankle Institute in Texas; Thomas Lim, podiatrist at The Sunset Foot Clinic, D.P.M, Q.M.E, C.W.S, also known as “The Happy Foot Sad Foot Doctor”; and Priya Parthasarathy, D.P.M., a board-certified podiatrist at Foot & Ankle Specialists of the Mid-Atlantic and a spokesperson for the American Podiatric Medical Association.

With our expert insights, we conducted additional research to analyze top brands, product descriptions and reviews, and looked at shoe material and design to put together our recommendations.

Why trust us

For more than 70 years, Prevention has been a leading provider of trustworthy health information, empowering readers with practical strategies to improve their physical, mental, and emotional well-being. Our editors interview medical experts to help guide our health-focused product selections. Additionally, Prevention also examines hundreds of reviews—and often conducts personal testing done by our staff—to help you make informed decisions.

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