In the middle of your nursing shift, your shoe rubs against your heel. You think it's a blister, but after the shift, you look down and realize that it's just water from walking on the wet floors of the emergency room. The next day, you turn your socks around to get more traction and notice that the material feels heavy.
Good waterproof shoes are essential for nurses, which protect the feet, legs, and lower area of the body against water, spills, or accidents. A nurse needs to wear a pair of waterproof shoes that are comfortable and are not too heavy as wearing them.
If you are looking for the best waterproof shoes for nurses that won't break your bank, this guide will provide you with all the information you need in choosing which shoe is right for you.
Before we get into the details, let me summarize my top picks for men and women:
Best women’s waterproof shoes for nurses:
Best men’s waterproof shoes for nurses:
After reading this review, you should be able to find a pair that fits your needs and budget.
If you’ve read any other nurse shoe articles that I’ve published here, you’re going to know that I am a fan of Dansko. The Dansko XP 2.0 Women’s Clog is my number one pick in so many categories including this, the waterproof category.
Dansko Women's XP 2.0 Clogs
The Dansko Women's XP 2.0 Clog features a slip-resistant outsole, removable footbeds, and odor control technology. A roomy toe box lets you spread out your toes and move them freely without fear of getting cramped—even after 10 hours of walking through the hospital.
The XP 2.0l Clog is made with a PU outsole to help propel your foot forward while also absorbing shock from each step. So, even if you're running around in your clogs, you can rest assured that they'll have your back and support you no matter what.
Overall, these are a winner for nurses and healthcare workers. You can’t go wrong with these!
Although the Neira pro 2 Crocs are not number one, I have to place them at the top, right next to the Dansko Pro Clogs.
Crocs Neria Pro II Women's Clogs
The Neria Pro 2 Clogs offer a work-appropriate feel for nurses in the hospital. This synthetic closed-toe shoe with molded footbeds and an enhanced arch support provides nurses with a comfortable shoe that can get them through long shifts.
The clogs come in a variety of colors and patterns thereby allowing nurses to stay stylish and effective while being comfortable. The Neira clogs are non-slip, easy to wash with soap and water, and are easy to dry. Not to mention, they are waterproof, made with the patented Crocs Croslite foam, they don’t absorb any water, are light on your feet.. Can I say more!
These clogs are usually worn by women and have removable footbeds liners that can be washed. These closed-toe clogs are excellent in preventing spills which could be uncommon when working in a hospital. They weigh only 10 ounces making them ideal for long shifts requiring constant movement.
Hawkwell Women's Lightweight Nursing Shoes are the ultimate combo of comfort and style. With the one-and-one-half-inch heel, you'll get just the right lift to make it through your day with ease.
Hawkwell Women's Lightweight Nursing Shoes
These boots are perfect for nurses—they're waterproof, so they'll work well in damp areas like ERs and nursing stations. They've got a lightweight EVA sole that provides just the right amount of support for your hard-working feet. The sleek look is complemented by a durable full-grain synthetic leather upper that easily wipes any stains or dirt. Plus, their neutral arch design and removable memory foam footbed ensure the support and comfort your feet need during those 12+ hour shifts.
The breathable mesh lining is waterproof and odor resistant, so you'll be able to work hard all night long without sacrificing comfort and elegance along with it. The sleek, slip-resistant outsole allows you to work quickly and confidently as you rush from patient to patient.
This waterproof nursing shoe comes in handy when you need to be on your feet all day, too—the removable memory foam footbed provides just enough comfort and support, and it fits thanks to the adjustable lace-up system securely.
Dansko Women's Patti Clog is a great option if you're looking for a stylish waterproof shoe. This shoe has a rubber sole for slip resistance, making it perfect for running up and down hospital hallways.
Dansko Women's Patti Clogs
Dansko Patti Clog has a waterproof leather upper with a rubber sole that repels water and mud, while DuPont Sorona fiber offers superior moisture management. The removable triple-density footbed equipped with arch support and shock absorption ensures that you don't have to sacrifice comfort for protection. And when it comes to odor control, the linings are treated to neutralize foot odor.
Dansko Women's Patti Clog is a great shoe for nurses—it's comfortable and durable so that you can stand up for your patients all day long. This waterproof nursing shoe also accommodates most standard and custom orthotics. They're perfect if you have any foot or back issues or if you have a slightly wider than average foot.
If you're not fond of shoes with fabric tops, you might want to consider the Sloggers Women's Waterproof Shoe. This shoe is great for nurses and medical professionals who work in wet and messy environments. The lug tread helps you keep your footing on slippery floors, and it even comes with an insole that is made just for nurses—the Sloggers All-Day-Comfort insole.
Sloggers Women's Waterproof Rain Garden Shoes
This waterproof shoe for nurses is made from 100% recyclable material and non-latex, making it the most comfortable and durable waterproof shoe on the market. Its heavy-duty lug tread provides excellent traction, meaning you can walk confidently even when pouring water all over the floor. And it fits true to size, so you can order your normal size (or maybe even half a size up if you're between sizes).
This shoe's breathable lining and air circulation system help keep your feet dry while wicking away moisture. Plus, it has an exclusive "All-Day-Comfort" insole that ensures maximum comfort throughout the day.
So if you want a waterproof shoe that's not only practical but also fashionable and cute, opt for a Sloggers Women's Waterproof Shoe. They're easy to clean and protect your feet from getting in contact with fluids at work.
Crocs understand that nurses have very active lifestyles and need comfortable shoes to keep up with their long shifts on their feet. Crocs Women's LiteRide Pacer Sneakers are designed specifically to be lightweight and durable to make your job as a nurse easier.
Crocs LiteRide Pacer Women's Sneakers
They have an ethylene-vinyl acetate sole that's lightweight and comfortable and an innovative foam design that's super-soft but still incredibly resilient. This means you can wear these nursing shoes all day long without feeling aches or pains from standing or walking around all shifts.
Your evolving lifestyle inspires the Crocs Women's LiteRide Pacer to offer shoes that fit perfectly with how you want to live. Coated with a water-friendly material and equipped with an innovative comfort footbed that feels broken-in from day one, this waterproof shoe for nurses is the perfect footwear for anyone who wants to kick their workday up a notch.
These women's shoes offer a relaxed fit, so we recommend ordering a size up to the next largest whole size. They may feel snug at first—but that's how Crocs shoes are meant to fit! Over time, they'll mold to your feet and become the most comfortable pair of shoes you've ever owned.
Crocs Women's LiteRide Pacer Sneakers have a mesh fabric upper, so they're water-resistant! This is the best waterproof shoe for women nurses who need to get moving fast and don't want their feet to get soaked on the way.
Sticky Comfortable Work Shoes offer a rubber traction outsole with a tread design that provides excellent gripping power, so you can be sure you'll stay on your feet all day long. They're extremely lightweight, so they feel like walking on clouds!
Sticky Comfortable Work Women's Shoes
Made with a powerful non-slip outsole, these waterproof shoes for nurses are not only super comfortable and lightweight but also offer an absorbent material in the footbed to keep your feet dry all day. They also have a shock-absorbent system for increased comfort and support.
The Thermoplastic Rubber used to create these comfortable work shoes is non-slip, which means you'll never lose your footing on slippery surfaces or loose ground when climbing stairs. It also means you won't have to worry about falling over while walking down hospital corridors or moving around your home—even if it's raining outside.
If you're looking for comfortable shoes that support your body instead of weighing them down, Sticky Comfortable Work Shoes are the perfect solution to your problem. These non-slip shoes perform an excellent job at shock-absorbing, so your entire body will feel the difference when you're on your feet all day.
Allbirds Wool Runners have the perfect balance of comfort and functionality in an everyday sneaker. Depending on the amount of time you spend on your feet, these waterproof shoes for nurses will deliver a comfortable combination of softness and support.
Allbirds Men's Wool Runner Mizzles
The ZQ Merino wool used in the Allbirds Wool Runner Mizzles makes these shoes very comfortable to wear while walking and standing on these wet floors. The wool also helps to keep the feet warm.
The Allbirds Wool Runner Mizzles are treated with a bio-based water repellent shield that helps prevent water from seeping into the shoes and making them damp or soggy. This keeps nurses' feet warm and dry during their shift. They're just as comfortable as any other Allbirds shoe, as they come in two classic colors: grey and black.
The Wool Runner Mizzles is the perfect combination of cozy wool and rain-ready protection. These shoes have a water-repellent shield made from bio-based materials–making it our top pick for men's waterproof shoes for nurses, so you can keep your focus on what's important: taking care of your patients.
Columbia Men's Pivot Mid Waterproof Hiking Shoe is a good waterproof shoe for nurses who need to be on their feet all day and don't want to worry about water ruining their shoes. These are especially ideal for shift workers and anyone else who has to deal with puddles of water or rain frequently during the day.
Columbia Men's Pivot Mid Waterproof Hiking Shoes
This shoe is constructed from high-quality materials that are designed to last. It also comes with a convenient Rainguard® waterproofing treatment that protects the entire shoe, keeping moisture out and helping you stay dry and comfortable throughout your shift.
The Adaptive Terrain Response outsole provides superior traction and comfort. The Omni-Grip non-marking rubber compound is designed to be an all-purpose tread pattern that can work well both on pavement and indoor surfaces without leaving marks or scuffing.
This shoe also features a removable OrthoLite® footbed with antimicrobial odor control, which helps reduce foot odor caused by bacteria growth. The OrthoLite® footbed stays fresh, cushioned, and comfortable even after hours of wear.
Columbia Men's Pivot Mid Waterproof Hiking Shoes are especially well-suited for nurses because they provide stability and traction, which is absolutely necessary when you're moving around on wet floors all day.
Merrell Men's Jungle Moc Slip-On Shoe is a comfortable, waterproof shoe that will keep your feet dry and odor-free as you're rushing from one patient to another.
Merrell Men's Jungle Moc Slip-On Shoes
This waterproof shoe for nurses features a suede upper, which will keep your feet protected while still allowing them to breathe. The shoe also has pull-on styling, inset goring wedges, and a contrast webbing loop at the heel.
The M-Select FRESH odor-resistant breathable lining will keep your feet smelling fresh all day long, even after wearing these shoes on your wet and dirty hospital floor. The shock-absorbing air cushion heel will protect your feet from back pain and injuries. The molded nylon arch shank adds stability to your step so that you can be sure that you can always go about your job quickly, safely, and, most importantly, comfortably.
The M-Select GRIP durable traction outsole gives excellent grip on different surfaces so that you will never slip and fall when walking to patients' rooms. When you have these shoes on, you'll be able to get through every shift without having to worry about getting hurt or worrying about having smelly feet!
The Merrell Men's Jungle Moc Slip-On Shoe is the perfect addition to your professional nursing wardrobe. It's a comfortable, waterproof shoe that will keep your feet safe from the floor and fit the bill for your day-to-day activities.
Adidas is famous for making some of the best sneakers globally, and it's no different from its waterproof sneakers. The Adidas SolarGlide is the perfect balance of style and comfort with Adidas's signature technology.
adidas Originals Men's Solar Glide St Running Shoes
The Solar Glide takes the best of Adidas's kicks and combines them with Gore-Tex to create a waterproof sneaker that you can wear all year round. They're made with a WinterGrip outsole that gives you traction in slippery conditions while keeping your feet stable on dry ground. It also comes with Adidas's signature Boost midsole, which helps you stay active while cushioning every step and providing energy return.
This waterproof shoe for nurses also has a stretch web upper that conforms to your foot without compromising durability or support, plus a Boost midsole for extra cushioning. The SolarGlide also has a wider fit than other shoes in its category—the laces can be tightened and loosened as needed.
If you're looking for an all-weather sneaker that works just as hard as you do, the Adidas SolarGlide is worth a look! These waterproof shoes are great for nurses who have to be out in all kinds of weather while they're working–it's waterproof, has a winter-ready grip, and is made to support your busy lifestyle.
Vessi Men's Everyday Move is the perfect everyday waterproof shoes for nurses. These shoes were designed to help you get your groove on with style and comfort from their unique knit upper to the pull-tabs on the side.
Vessi Men's Everyday Move Shoes
The Moves are specifically designed to get you moving without any of the hassles of shoes that aren't made with your active life in mind. They've got a super-flexible sole that adapts to every movement you make. Plus, they're made with an ultra-breathable knit upper that lets your toes breathe easily. They also have a waterproof membrane to wick moisture out while allowing sweat escape—so your feet stay dry and happy all day long.
The Moves have added support and comfort so you can take a walk outside on your lunch break or use the escalator instead of the stairs to get down to the cafeteria—without sacrificing breathability, durability, or waterproof quality. With more room inside and easy-on pull tabs, your feet will be ready for whatever adventure awaits.
The Vessi Men's Everyday Move is a top-quality waterproof and comfortable shoe for nurses that will get you up and moving all day. They're designed with more breathability than their original counterparts, which means that your feet will always be cool and comfortable even if you step outside in the middle of summer. They're also great if you need to trek through wet grass or mud because they won't soak everything up.
Waterproof shoes are essential for nurses. They need to protect their feet from the germs and bacteria found in the hospital setting, and waterproof shoes will help them maintain a reasonable level of comfort in their profession.
While there are many different styles of waterproof shoes available, "the best" will likely vary from person to person. Several factors go into choosing the right pair for you, including your shoe size, price range, work environment, and personal preferences.
To summarize my overall choices, we have…
Best women’s waterproof shoes for nurses:
Best men’s waterproof shoes for nurses:
The comfort and durability of these shoes make them a solid choice for all-day wear and are great shoes for wearing on light-duty days as well.
