Any non-nurses here who wear nursing shoes for the support?

[raccoon]

I'm thinking about it.

[hedgehog]

1. Not a nurse, but my mom was one of the first nurses to sneak

to work wearing white running shoes. They had a lot more protection from hours of walking concrete floors!

[bluesbassman]

2. Well, not so much for the support, they just go well with my ties.

[HopeHoops]

3. Find a Red Wing store. Good shoes.

[irisblue]

4. 25 years of practice

but as an xray technologist. i did a lot of 12, 10 & 8 hr shifts where the only time i sat was when i was having a bathroom break, so that is a lot of walking and standing. That department is on concrete floors and often on the first floor, so from my experience, i haven't worn nurses type shoes for easily 15 years, there just wasn't enough padding and support for me, esp my knees (left one to be replaced soon) and feet. i liked dansko clogs and new balance walking or running shoes. i did get a pair of those rocker type shoes, sketches, but outside of the cushy padding, there were only alright. i found that shoes in $50-$90 range worked well, that is still a lot of money, but for daily usage, it was worth it to me. i once spent a $150 on a pair of fancy nikes, and i wouldn't do that again.
New balance shoes are made for a womans' heel (narrower), but do some online research about the design model before you spend hard earned money. you can PM me if you'd like more info.

[haele]

5. Former shipyard worker now desk jockey -

I've worn my black nursing shoes with my pants suits until I started riding a scooter and needed something with a bit more traction when I ride - now I wear black Rebocks.

My feet, knees, and the tendons in my calfs are shot from the shipyard work. I can't wear anything with a heel above 1/2 inch, and desperatly need as much arch and heel shock absorbing support as I can get. I can always use an ace bandage for ankle support when needed, but easing the amount of foot pain I have to deal with is the most critical thing to think about with footwear. Nursing shoes fit those requirements the best.

Haele

[AnneD]

6. I am a Nurse.....

while working my way through Nursing school I was an aid and a waitress. I know shoes.
Here are some things I have learned:

1. Get a good measure for the best fit. Try shoes on in the afternoon and with the socks you will wear. Your feet tend to swell by the afternoon and sock thickness varies with activity to be preformed. You should be testing your shoes when your feet are at their largest.

2. When you measure-measure not just the length, but the widest or the ball or your foot (big toe to little toe). When you look for your shoe, the numeric number is the length, the a,b,c, etc. is the width or ball size. Failure to correctly measure the length correctly can result in blisters on your heels and failure to measure the width correctly can result in corns, calluses, and bunions. Knowing these 2 sizes can help you weed out certain styles that may not work for you.

3. Look for good arch support. A good arch support is that (raised area)bump in the middle of the shoe. A great shoe has a great arch support. I have found great arch support in cheap shoes, horrible support in high dollar shoes- so money is not a determining factor. Your arch is the keystone of your foot. A good cushion of support acts as a shock absorber to the bones of your foot, protecting the ligaments, etc. of your foot. A good cushion with the arch support should be considered.

I have tried most shoes ever made. I like SAS, Crocs, Danz, Mephisto, etc. I get a new good pair of shoes when I notice wear at the heels. The old shoes get pulled to occasional rotation. The older shoes get rotated in to gardening shoes, mucking stalls, cleaning chicken pens etc.

I have nice dress shoes that I have had for years. They have leather soles and heels. I take good care of the leather uppers and get them resoled or half soled. Now THOSE are the most comfortable shoes of all. They are old friend that have traveled many miles with me. They know the quirks of my feet and have grown accustomed to them. Trends come and go, but these are my dependable work horses. Your can spend your money foolishly on you Jimmy Choos-hey I confess to a fling or two, but those shoes are true as a farmer's wife.

Edited to add... Never underestimate the value of support hose. Even the light weight can make a real difference in the way your legs feel at the end of a 12 hour shift.

[femmocrat]

7. Not a nurse, but a teacher... on my feet all day on concrete floors.

I wear Skechers. I have about a dozen pairs of them. The mules are getting hard to find though.

For "dress" shoes I wear Clarks, but can't wear them for walking around or all day.

I have tried just about everything else in "comfort" shoes except for the super-expensive ones like Naot, Dansko, etc.

Has anyone tried Orthoheels? I was eying those on QVC.

[tanyev]

9. I tried some Orthaheel flip flops and they did not work for me.

I loves me a shoe with nice high arches, but the Orthaheels were too high, even for me.

Some Naot styles are wonderfully comfortable, but their sizing is tricky. My size 41 Birkenstocks fit perfectly, but if I ever get another pair of Naots I am going to get a size 43. The 42s I have arejustthismuch too short.


ETA: I just discovered the website for Benjamin Lovell Shoes. You can find some really good bargains on some expensive brands.
http://blshoes.com/manufacturers.php

Sierra Trading Post is another good site for bargains.

[onlyadream]

8. Try Merrells

They give wonderful support. I have a high instep and a high arch and I can never wear flats. I love this brand and am still wearing them, despite the suede which isn't fashionable in June. I know I'll have to put them away soon and start wearing sandals, but I donwanna.

[Lars39]

10. Dansko clogs are great.

Good support for concrete and last forever.
http://www.dansko.com/At%20Work/Womens/Footwear/View%20All/