You know the feeling. The first steps out of bed feel like stepping on a tack, it eases off by the time you park, and then it comes roaring back around hour nine. Heel pain like this is common in people who stand and walk on hard floors all day, and nurses do a lot of both. Plantar fasciitis is the most common cause of heel pain, according to Cleveland Clinic, though it is not the only one.
Shoes will not cure anything, and we are not going to pretend they do. But the right pair may make a long shift more comfortable while you work on the things that actually help. Below are cushioned, supportive picks, an insole, and one optional extra for home. If your heel pain is new, severe or not settling, start with a doctor or podiatrist, not a shopping cart.
The short version
7 picks- 01 Most cushioned HOKA Bondi $164.90 Amazon
- 01 Most cushioned HOKA Bondi Amazon UK
- 02 Cushion plus support HOKA Arahi $144.00 Amazon
- 02 Cushion plus support HOKA Arahi Amazon UK
- 03 Lighter everyday pick HOKA Clifton $153.95 Amazon
- 03 Lighter everyday pick HOKA Clifton Amazon UK
- 04 Wide, stable platform Brooks Ghost Max $94.46 Amazon
- 04 Wide, stable platform Brooks Ghost Max Amazon UK
- 05 Firm clog Dansko Professional Clog $139.95 Amazon
- 05 Firm clog Dansko Professional Clog Amazon UK
- 06 Insole Powerstep Pinnacle Insoles $51.99 Amazon
- 06 Insole Powerstep Pinnacle Insoles Amazon UK
- 07 At home (ask first) Brownmed Nice Stretch Night Splint $22.99 Amazon
- 07 At home (ask first) Brownmed Nice Stretch Night Splint Amazon UK
What actually helps
The big medical sources agree on more than you might expect:
- Cushioned, supportive shoes. The American Academy of Orthopaedic Surgeons (AAOS) says thick-soled, cushioned shoes can reduce heel pain when standing and walking, and to avoid shoes that are unsupportive or worn out. The NHS suggests shoes with cushioned heels and good arch support.
- Insoles and heel pads. Both AAOS and the NHS list over-the-counter insoles or heel pads. The American Podiatric Medical Association (APMA) says a podiatrist may prescribe an orthotic for heel and arch pain.
- Stretching. AAOS calls calf and plantar fascia stretches the most effective way to relieve the pain, and suggests doing them in the morning before you stand up. A physical therapist can show you how.
- Night splints. AAOS and Cleveland Clinic both mention a night splint for pain that is worst first thing in the morning. Ask your doctor before buying one.
- What to avoid. The NHS lists walking barefoot on hard floors, flip-flops, backless slippers, and high or tight, pointy shoes.
Fit matters too. Canada’s workplace safety centre (CCOHS) says a work shoe should hold your heel firmly and have enough cushioning for hard floors.
How the picks compare
| Pick | Support type | Cushion | Widths | Wipe-clean | Best for |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| HOKA Bondi | Neutral, broad base | Max | Regular, wide | No | Most padding under the heel |
| HOKA Arahi | Stability | High | Regular, wide | No | Sore heels plus feet that roll in |
| HOKA Clifton | Neutral, rocker | High | Regular, wide | No | A lighter daily shoe |
| Brooks Ghost Max | Neutral, broad base | Max | Regular, wide | No | Long bedside standing |
| Dansko Professional | Firm footbed | Firm | Regular, narrow | Yes | People who prefer firm support |
| Powerstep Pinnacle | Arch insole | Medium | By size range | N/A | Adding support to any shoe |
| Night splint | Home use only | N/A | One size | N/A | Morning heel pain, with advice |
The most cushioned
When every step lands on your heel, more foam is the obvious place to start. The Bondi is HOKA’s thickest everyday shoe, with a wide, stable base and a rocker sole that rolls you forward. It is our premium pick, and the one to try first if softness is what your heel is asking for. Give it a few shifts, since it can feel a little firm at first.
HOKA Bondi
Maximum cushion for maximum hours.
HOKA's most cushioned everyday shoe: a deep, stable stack of foam that feels like standing on a mat all shift.
- Type
- Max-cushion running and walking shoe
- Feel
- Thick, stable, rocker sole
- Widths
- Regular and wide
Best for
Heavier walkers, sore heels and anyone who wants the most padding they can get.
Worth knowing
Bulky and firm-ish at first. Give it a few shifts before judging.
Cushion with a bit of support
If your arches are low as well as your heels being sore, a stability shoe adds some guidance without giving up the cushioning. The Arahi keeps the HOKA rocker feel and adds a firmer frame on the inside of the foam. If you want this idea from Brooks, the Adrenaline is in our flat feet guide.
HOKA Arahi
HOKA cushion with a steadier middle.
HOKA's stability shoe. Instead of a hard post under the arch, HOKA says it uses a firmer frame along the inside of the foam to guide a foot that rolls in, with the soft rocker feel the brand is known for.
- Type
- Stability running shoe
- Feel
- Cushioned, rocker sole
- Widths
- Regular and wide
Best for
People who like the HOKA feel but want more support than a Clifton, especially with flat feet or sore heels.
Worth knowing
Firmer than a Clifton or Bondi. Mesh upper, so not splash proof.
A lighter everyday pick
The Clifton is lighter and less bulky than the Bondi, with plenty of cushioning for most people. If you are torn between the two, our Clifton vs Bondi comparison goes through the differences.
HOKA Clifton
The shoe you see on half the unit, for a reason.
A lightweight, thickly cushioned road shoe with a rocker sole that rolls you forward, which is why it turns up on so many hospital floors.
- Type
- Neutral cushioned running shoe
- Feel
- Soft, light, rocker sole
- Widths
- Regular and wide
Best for
Long shifts on hard floors when you want soft cushioning without a heavy shoe.
Worth knowing
The mesh upper is breathable but not fluid resistant. Wipe it down, and keep a second pair for nights out.
A wide, steady platform
Not a fan of tall HOKAs? The Ghost Max gives you lots of cushion on a broad, stable base, in a more conventional shape. It suits nurses who spend long stretches standing still at the bedside.
Brooks Ghost Max
A wide, stable platform for standing still and leaning in.
A high-cushion version of the Ghost with a broad base and a gentle rocker, made for comfort over long days on your feet rather than speed.
- Cushion
- Max
- Widths
- Regular and wide
Best for
Hours at the bedside, and anyone who wants a planted, steady feel when turning a patient.
Worth knowing
Mesh uppers are not fluid resistant. Keep a wipe-clean pair for messy shifts.
If you like firm support
Some people find soft foam makes their heels worse and prefer a firm footbed with a supportive arch. That is what a Dansko clog gives you, and it wipes clean too. One catch: the NHS lists backless slippers among the things to avoid with plantar fasciitis. A firm clog is not a slipper, but if your heel slides around, choose a closed-back shoe instead. Our Dansko vs HOKA guide weighs up the two styles.
Dansko Professional Clog
The classic nursing clog. Firm, wipeable, built for years.
A leather clog with a rocker bottom and a firm, supportive footbed. Fluid wipes straight off, and many owners get years from a pair.
- Upper
- Leather
- Sole
- Rocker bottom
- Clean
- Wipe clean
Best for
People who like firm support, need a wipe-clean shoe, or have worn clogs before.
Worth knowing
Heel-free clogs can roll an ankle if you are not used to them, and some units require a closed back. Check your dress code.
An insole for the shoes you already own
If you like your current shoes, an over-the-counter insole adds arch support and a deeper heel cup. The Pinnacle is semi-rigid with a cushioned top, so it is a little softer than Superfeet. It takes up room, so check your shoes still fit with it in.
Powerstep Pinnacle Insoles
A cushioned arch support that fits most work shoes.
A full-length over-the-counter orthotic insole with a semi-rigid arch shell, a deep heel cup and a cushioned top layer. The maker sells it for arch and heel comfort.
- Support
- Semi-rigid arch, deep heel cup
- Length
- Full length
- Fit
- Sized by shoe size range
Best for
Adding arch support and heel cushion to a shoe you already like, and people who find Superfeet too firm.
Worth knowing
Takes up room in the shoe, so a snug pair may get tighter. Sized in ranges. Not a replacement for seeing a podiatrist about pain that keeps coming back.
An optional extra for home
If the worst pain is your first steps in the morning, ask your doctor or podiatrist whether a night splint makes sense for you. It holds your foot gently stretched while you sleep. It is not for everyone, and it takes some getting used to.
Brownmed Nice Stretch Night Splint
An optional extra for heels that hurt most in the morning.
A light dorsal night splint that holds the foot gently flexed while you sleep. Night splints are one of the options medical sources list for morning heel pain.
- Type
- Dorsal night splint
- Fit
- Adjustable straps, universal size
Best for
Ask your doctor or podiatrist first. Some people with heel pain that is worst on the first steps of the day use one at home.
Worth knowing
Takes getting used to, and not everyone sleeps well in one. If you have diabetes, poor circulation or numb feet, get advice before using any brace.
What to skip
- Worn-out shoes. AAOS says to replace athletic shoes before they wear out. Squashed foam gives your heel nothing.
- Flat, thin-soled sneakers. Fine for a coffee run, rough on a sore heel by hour six.
- Barefoot at home. The NHS lists walking barefoot on hard surfaces as something to avoid. Keep a supportive pair by the bed for those first steps.
- Flip-flops and floppy slides. Lovely after a shift, but they give little support.
- Gadgets that promise a cure. Shoes and insoles may help with comfort. They do not treat the condition.
When to see a doctor or podiatrist
The NHS says to see a doctor if the pain is severe, stops you doing normal things, keeps getting worse or coming back, or has not improved after two weeks of self-care. Go sooner if you have tingling or numbness in your foot, or if you have diabetes and foot pain. APMA says to see a podiatrist if pain and swelling, redness or warmth carry on and limit your daily life. Heel pain has more than one cause, and a doctor can check which one you have.
More for sore feet
Pair your shoes with compression socks and our recovery kit for the hours after a shift. Our main nursing shoe guide covers fit and when to replace your shoes, and there are guides for wide feet and for every unit: ER, OR, ICU, med-surg and labor and delivery.
Your unit’s dress code comes first, and if heel or foot pain does not go away, please see a doctor or podiatrist.