By Paul Freary
For nurses, doctors, and other medical and healthcare professionals, the right footwear is about far more than comfort. Long shifts spent standing, walking hospital corridors and moving quickly between patients’ places significant stress on the feet, ankles, knees and lower back. Over time, poorly chosen footwear can contribute not only to fatigue but also to discomfort and even injury.
One doctor told us -
“It is often overlooked by staff, but the right footwear plays an important part in not just foot comfort, but overall wellness when you are spending many hours on your feet in the hospital.”
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Running shoes or sneakers have become an increasingly popular choice within healthcare settings, thanks to their excellent cushioning, support, and all-day comfort. However, not all running shoes are suitable, and selecting the right pair requires careful consideration of several important factors.
Here, we’ll look at several options from HOKA and consider which is the best option for different foot types and requirements.
1. HOKA Clifton 10
The Clifton is perhaps the brand’s most popular and best-known HOKA model. It has become a trusted shoe for runners, walkers, and healthcare workers alike, thanks to its lightweight, high-stack, and soft cushioning.
“As a nurse in a large hospital, I usually cover over 10000 steps during a shift along the corridors, the Clifton has been my go-to shoe for the last few years, and I find it well cushioned yet light enough to hardly notice I’m wearing it.”
Karen, Clinical Nurse Specialist
The Clifton 10 is also available in a wide range of colors and widths in both men’s and women’s versions. These include a massive range of 17 colors for men, including both all-black and all-white options in 3 widths, depending on color. For women, there are 19 color options, again including the all-white and all-black options in 3 width fittings.
For those healthcare workers on their feet all day, the Clifton 10 is ideal for those who prefer soft cushioning without bulk.
2. HOKA Bondi 9
The Bondi 9 is essentially the brand’s most cushioned daily training shoe. Previously, it was significantly higher stacked than the Clifton, but in the latest versions, it offers just 1mm more heel cushioning and 3mm more forefoot cushioning.
“As a physical therapist, I first discovered the Bondi as a running shoe. I’ve since started to wear it as a daily work shoe as I like the high level of comfort yet stable base that it provides. Spending up to 8 hours on my feet treating patients, it provides me with the comfort I require.”
John, Physical Therapist Specialist
The Bondi 9 is also available in a wide range of colors and widths in both men’s and women’s versions. These include a massive range of 19 colors for men, including both all-black and all-white options in 3 widths, depending on color. For women, there are also 19 color options, again including the all-white and all-black options in 3 width fittings.
3. HOKA Bondi SR - Water Resistant Leather Upper
Another great option for healthcare workers is the Bondi SR. The SR denotes that the shoe is ‘slip-resistant’. A full-ground-contact rubber sole is specifically designed for the service and medical fields, providing excellent traction.
The Bondi SR features the same cushioning as the Bondi 9, with a water-resistant leather upper and an improved outsole. The SR is available in either all-black or all-white versions, as well as in various width fittings.
For a great combination of cushioning and supportive control, the Bondi 9 is a great choice. The cushioning is the best in the HOKA range and having the option of a slip-resistant sole makes the shoe a versatile choice for healthcare professionals.
4. Gaviota 5
The Gaviota is the most stable and supportive shoe from HOKA. It features a H-Frame element built into the midsole cushioning, which delivers stability without compromising on cushioning.
“The stability provided by the Gaviota not only makes it a great shoe for my plantar fasciitis, but it’s a shoe I am recommending to my patients too.”
Angela, Nurse Practitioner.
The Gaviota is available in four colors for both men and women and three width options. The Gaviota has a naturally more flared forefoot. This allows the toes to splay, which in turn adds to the foot’s natural stability.
5. HOKA Challenger ATR 8 GTX
This model was originally a trail running version of the Clifton shoe above. Using the same EVA midsole, it provides a high stack of soft cushioning that makes it a comfortable shoe for daily use for nurses, doctors and other healthcare professionals.
Take care with size on this model, as the Gore-Tex upper can make the shoe feel a little tighter as the Gore-Tex makes the upper a little thicker and, as a result, reduces the volume just a touch.
“The addition of the Gore-Tex waterproof upper proved a great feature for me, working across multiple buildings within our hospital. I often visit different units across the hospital site during my working day, and in the winter months especially, keeping my feet dry was an important part of my footwear choice. The Gore-Tex combined with the comfort of the HOKA, makes them an essential part of my uniform.”
David, Radiologist.
With a nice stack of soft cushioning plus the benefit of a waterproof upper and added traction, the Challenger makes a very versatile option for a variety of daily use and workplace scenarios. Designed as a trail shoe, it is a durable option too, so it should easily deal with the demands of daily use for healthcare professionals as well as other users going about daily business.
6. HOKA Kawana 3
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HOKA
A rather simple design from HOKA, but the Kawana features everything most healthcare workers would require from a shoe. It features EVA cushioning in a mid-level stack, which, with a slightly broader base, proves to be very stable.
Many prefer the 30mm stack as it feels a little lower and more connected to the ground, offering stability and a more natural walking experience.
“I appreciate the comfort of the Kawana, and like that it isn’t as big and bulky as other models. It feels soft and welcoming on the feet, and the comfort lasts all day.”
Robert, Cariologist Doctor
The upper of the Kawana is an engineered mesh with zonal breathability, which provides a nice, flexible fit around the foot, even for extended periods of time on the feet.
The Kawana 3 is available in four colors for men and four colors for women. These, as usual from HOKA, include all-white and all-black versions. The Kawana 3 only comes in a single-width fitting.
Things to Consider
Medical professionals often spend 8–12 hours or more on their feet each day, frequently on hard hospital flooring. This creates different demands compared to recreational running or casual everyday wear. Shoes must provide consistent support throughout an entire shift, remain comfortable during prolonged standing, and help reduce pressure on joints and muscles.
Medical professionals often spend 8–12 hours or more on their feet each day, frequently on hard hospital flooring. This creates different demands compared to recreational running or casual everyday wear. Shoes must provide consistent support throughout an entire shift, remain comfortable during prolonged standing, and help reduce pressure on joints and muscles.
When choosing running shoes or sneakers for healthcare work, there are several key considerations to keep in mind, which include:
“The best shoes for nurses should have a firm heel counter, adequate shock absorption, a cushioned insole, proper traction and adequate room in the toe box.”
Dr. Bruce Pinker, Podiatrist
The ideal nursing shoe will vary from person to person depending on foot shape, biomechanics, previous injuries and workplace demands. What works well for one nurse or doctor may not suit another. For this reason, proper fitting and understanding individual needs are often just as important as the shoe itself.
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