7 Best Shoes for Physical Therapists 2024
People in the medical profession are mostly on their feet for long hours and Physical Therapists are not any different. As a Physical Therapist, wearing supportive, comfortable, and well-cushioned shoes will help you get through a hard day successfully. Hence, I’ve compiled some of the Best Shoes for Physical Therapists. I have included comfortable dress shoes and athletic sneakers. Go ahead and make your choice.
Also read: Best Non-Slip Shoes for Standing All Day
Review: 7 Best Shoes for Physical Therapists
1. Skechers Men’s GO Walk 5-55500 Sneaker
Skechers Men’s GO Walk 5-55500 is for Physical Therapists who spend long hours on their feet. It’s an easy slip-on shoe with a fabric pull loop within the heel section for quick removal or wearing of the shoe.
The upper of GO Walk 5-55500 features a soft-engineered mesh fabric that allows ample flow of air into the shoe. The upper texture detailing makes the shoe appealing and professional.
Another amazing feature is the COMFORT PILLAR TECHNOLOGY. This high-rebound technology provides underfoot comfort and ensures the shoe mimics each of your steps for a more natural gait or posture.
The Skechers GO Walk 5 has a Dual-density outsole that delivers needed stability and support as you walk around attending to your patients. The soft padded collar ensures extra comfort for your feet.
Another great technology worth mentioning is the ULTRA GO™ cushioning. This provides a lightweight and responsive cushioning for a walking experience. These Skechers also have Air Cooled Goga Mat insoles that are highly breathable and deliver exceptional cushioning.
2. Dansko Women’s Professional Leather
Dansko Women’s Professional Leather is the best shoes for physical therapists. The Dansko brand is synonymous with medical practitioners because it offers all-day support, comfort, and style.
The Heel measures about 1.5 inches” which is ideal heel height for all-day walking or standing. The upper of this shoe is high-quality leather that adapts to the natural shape of the wearer’s foot for a more comfortable and improved wear experience.
The forefoot section of Danko features a Thermoplastic toe box that acts as a protective barrier for toes and provides durable reinforcement allowing your toes to move naturally for added comfort. The PVC inner frame delivers crucial stability and helps to alleviate pronation and tortue.
The shoe also has a Polyethylene heel counter, which is a protective element that allows the natural movement of heels while walking. The heel counter also works as a natural shoehorn while offering lateral stability to the foot.
The Dansko Professional Leather footwear features a PU outsole that provides excellent shock absorption abilities while ensuring the flexibility of the shoe. This means that Danko can withstand many surfaces while protecting your feet, back, or legs during long shifts of walking or standing.
Check: Best Sandals for Lower Back Pain
3. Rockport Men’s Eureka Walking Shoe
If you want a professional yet casual stylish look, the Rockport Men’s Eureka shoe got you covered. This walking shoe promises you comfort and durability while doing your physical therapy duties.
The shoe features a unique San Crispino construction that ensures heel stability and overall shoe durability. The upper is flexible and lightweight providing a great wear experience.
This Rockport also features ample padding on the tongue and collar providing additional comfort to feet. Removable footbed allows you to use custom orthotics for extra comfort and support. Strobel delivers needed forefoot flexibility.
The Eureka Walking Shoe also comes with a durable rubber outsole that provides grip and traction on various surfaces. Hence, you can confidently walk wearing these shoes in a hospital setting with fear of slipping or falling.
4. Saucony Women’s Cohesion 10 Running Shoe
Saucony Cohesion 10 is ideal for outdoor activities. If you need to take your clients out for physical activity, then these running shoes would be an ideal choice.
Most medical professionals swear by the excellent cushioning, support, and comfort the Cohesion 10 provides throughout the day.
The outsole of Cohesion 10 features durable carbon rubber while the forefoot and midfoot section feature the soft iBR+. All these feature work to provide excellent traction to the shoe preventing accidental falls or slips.
The outsole also features a unique Tri-Flex configuration that enhances surface contact for maximum stability and flexibility.
The upper of Cohesion 10 features exceptional overlays. The overlays offer needed support to the foot. The shoe also features removable insoles that you can easily replace with orthotics for extra support, cushioning, and comfort.
The soft mesh upper features small pores that deliver unmatched breathability. The padding on the collar and tongue adds extra comfort and great wearing experience.
The midsole of Cohesion 10 features a molded EVA form that delivers excellent cushioning and unmatched shock-absorption.
5. Clarks Women’s Everlay Romy Loafer
Female physical therapists who crave a professional look while going to work will love the Clarks Women’s Roomy Loafer. The shoe is comfortable and supportive allowing you to withstand a long day of standing or walking around attending to patients.
If you want a timeless, stylish, comfortable, and durable shoe, the Clarks Loafer would be a great choice. The shoe features an easy slip-on design that makes wearing or removing a simple task.
The slight wedge ensures that you remain classic, professional, and comfortable throughout the day. The stretch gore and button detailing gives the shoe a stylish look.
The cushion soft technology provided underfoot comfort while the ortholite footbed ensures exceptional cushioning and shock absorption. The footbed also wicks moisture away for dry and fresh feet. The Textile lining provides extra comfort to your feet.
The shoe also has a durable Leather Upper that’s soft and lightweight providing the necessary to feet. The Clarks are also available in various sizes, am sure you’ll find your perfect fit.
Related: Best Shoes for Pain On Top Of Foot
6. Brooks Womens Ghost 12 Running Shoe
Brooks Ghost 12 shoes are comfortable, breathable, supportive, and cushioned. They are one of the best shoes for physical therapists and most medics love that these running shoes can withstand long working hours without breaking.
The upper of Ghost 12 features an engineered mesh that’s sleek and stylish. The medial and lateral sides have some excellent overlays that provide needed support. You’ll appreciate the wide and spacious toe box that allows the toes to spread naturally while walking, standing, or running.
The Ghost 12 midsole features DNA LOFT and BioMoGo DNA. These cushioning systems work together to deliver needed underfoot comfort. Thus, ensure responsiveness and durability.
The outsole features a durable full-blown rubber that provides good traction on various surfaces. The flex grooves on the outsole also provide extra grip and encourage the foot to adapt natural motion during the gait movement. The Ghost 12 wider platform delivers needed stability during running, walking, or standing.
7. Propét Men’s LifeWalker Strap Walking Shoe
Propét Men’s Life Walker provides a supportive and comfortable walking or standing companion. The shoe one of the best for a physical therapist who spends long hours on their feet attending to patients.
The shoe has a rubber outsole that provides protection against abrasion. The herringbone tread pattern on the outsole delivers reliable traction on various surfaces. The removable orthotic insert provides extra comfort and support. You can also use custom-made orthotics for extra support.
The Propet Life Walker Strap features a full-grain leather upper. The leather provides a soft and supportive covering helping to hold the foot securely in place. This material also has small pores that allow the flow of air into the shoes.
The padded collar and tongue ensure extra comfort. The nylon material on the interior provides a soft in-shoe feeling. The straps ensure your feet have a secure lockdown.
The midsole features EVA foam, which is a cushioning unit that facilitates smooth heel to toe transition. The EVA absorbs shock, helping to protect the underfoot against hard ground impact.
The in-built heel stabilizer and heel counter work together to ensure your foot remains steady as you walk or run.
Buyers Guide for Best Shoes for Physical Therapists
Comfort
When picking best shoes for physical therapist comfort should be the first on your mind. Ensure that you choose stable, balanced, and supportive shoes. The shoes should also be lightweight and comfortable to allow all-day walking or standing.
Further, ensure that the shoes that you pick have good breathability features. The collar and tongue padding should be on point for additional comfort.
Well-fitting
Since you’ll be on your feet the whole day it’s vital that you choose shoes that fit properly. To test whether your shoes are well-fitting, you’ll need to stand upright, while on that position your shoes should fit the feet comfortably from both the front and side. Ensure that the shape of the shoe matches the shape of your feet.
Check that the shoe is well supported so that all bones on your feet can rest comfortably and securely on the platform. The lacing system is an important aspect when it comes to the fitting of the shoe. A good lacing system will provide a snug and secure fit.
Functionality
Determine which activities you would use the shoe for, is it outdoor or indoor activities. Do you want a dress shoe, casual, or athletic shoe? Once you’ve established what you need, its time to consider specific aspects.
The rigidity of the shoe- a rigid shoe can put extra stress and pressure on your foot calf. On the other hand, highly cushioned shoes may cause foot pain.
Establish whether you have any underlying foot issues like pronation, bad knees, or lower back pain and make an informed choice considering your current situation.
Arch Support
If you’ll be standing for extended periods you’ll need shoes with good arch support. Best arch support shoes provide your arches and feet needed comfort and ability to withstand standing for long hours.
You also need to pick shoes with durable outsoles that would help deliver reliable traction on various surfaces.
Conclusion
I hope that this review on the best shoes for physical therapists has been helpful. Always remember to pick comfortable, cushioned, and supportive shoes. These features will make your workdays less stressful. Luckily, all reviewed shoes above meet these criteria, and choosing either of them will do you good.