Imagine you’re a nurse and an avid HOKA fan. Ah, what a wonderful life that would have been for you. Except, it probably already is since you are here and since you have the desire to find the best HOKA shoes for nurses.
So, what kind of shoes are you looking for? Probably something exceptionally comfortable… something to help you survive your twelve-hour-long shifts, right?
Also, shoes that are very supportive, durable, and lightweight because your job requires you to constantly run to and fro in the hospital corridors. Therefore, you need your shoes to be practically weightless.
And, of course, you’re probably looking for a pair that is slip resistant and whose outsoles have an amazing grip. The last thing you want is to slip and fall – you need to reliably be able to take care of patients, not become one!
If you’re reading this and nodding your head in approval, then I’m glad to tell you that HOKA shoes will definitely meet all of your needs. Especially the models we’ve selected here in this article.
So, you’re probably super curious to see what shoes have we included in our list of the best HOKA shoes for nurses. Well, keep on reading!
But before we get into it, here’s a little advice. As a nurse, you are probably on your feet a lot, which means that you wear out your shoes much sooner than other people. That’s why we highly recommend you replace your footwear regularly.
No matter how good they are, even the most high-quality pair of shoes has its expiration date. So, it’s best to change your working shoes the moment you feel they are not performing as they used to.
In fact, it would be best to invest in two pairs of shoes that you can wear interchangeably. Yes, it means probably breaking the bank a little, but remember, you can’t put a price tag on the comfort of your feet (and your sanity).
With that being said, let’s jump right into our top picks!
Our 8 best HOKA shoes for nurses
1. HOKA ONE ONE Arahi 6 Stability Running Shoes
Starting off strong, we have this Arahi 6 model which is incredibly lightweight, despite looking overly bulky. This is due to the fact that they are made out of recycled content mesh lining, which also makes them highly breathable.
The outsoles of these shoes feature a thin layer of high-abrasion rubber, and their midsoles are made out of CMEVA foam, which provides firmness and bouncing when walking or running.
This model comes with HOKA’s stability tech called J-frame, which is essentially a J-shaped foam hook that wraps around the heel area and also lines along the middle side of the shoe. This feature provides more stability and support, which is awesome for someone who spends long hours on their feet.
These shoes also come with a plush tongue and extended heel pull, making them super comfortable and easy to put on, and their Ortholite sockliners wick away the moisture and add to their breathability.
They also come with great medial arch support, which makes this pair perfect for nurses who have flat feet.
These Arahi 6 HOKA shoes come in ten different color combinations, and their price varies depending on the color.
2. HOKA ONE ONE Bondi 8 Shoes
The second pair on our list is Bondi 8. Its fit is more on the snug side, but it does come with regular, wide, and x-wide width options, which means nurses with wider feet can also enjoy this footwear.
These shoes feature breathable mesh uppers with seamless synthetic overlays and textile lining for abrasion-free wear. They come with a plush half-sleeve tongue to ensure comfort, as well as reduced lace pressure on the feet.
The soles are made out of compression-molded EVA foam, which is the same foam used in the previous Bondi model. And the cushioning of these shoes provides great protection and responsiveness while walking.
The platform of this model is much wider than Arahi 6, and the heel area is also extended and beveled. This feature makes them more durable, but also heavier, although they can still be considered a pretty lightweight model.
This model comes in a whopping sixteen color options and comes in at around $180 a pair.
3. HOKA ONE ONE Challenger ATR Sneakers
Another great option for nurses is these HOKA Challenger ATR shoes. ATR stands for “all-terrain“ which means that this model is, as the name suggests, suitable for all kinds of surfaces, including hospital floors.
Just like with basically any HOKA model, the upper is also made out of breathable mesh, and it also features REPREVE-based recycled yarn. And their outsoles are of durable rubber with added rubber inserts for exceptional grip.
These shoes come with durable full-length EVA midsoles, offering great stability and amazing shock absorption, and with removable padded insoles for exceptional cushioned comfort and added support.
This model is extremely lightweight and feels great on the feet. With a choice between nine fun and colorful designs, you can expect to pay around $180.
4. HOKA ONE ONE Clifton 8 Running Shoes
This HOKA model was named after the beautiful Clifton Beach in Cape Town, South Africa. Its creator was inspired by the beautiful scenery while running down the slopes of Table Mountain and wanted to create a running shoe that would remind him of his wonderful experience at Clifton Beach.
And he has achieved just that – he’s designed a beautiful pair of lightweight, responsive, soft shoes that make wearing them feel like you’re floating down a mountain.
And although walking briskly through hospital corridors doesn’t count as floating, this model still counts as one of the best HOKA shoes for nurses.
It features a breathable mesh upper and durable rubber high-abrasion outsoles. It also comes with thick Ortholite insoles which ensure great comfort and cushioning, and an extended pull tab for a much easier pull-on motion.
These Clifton 8 HOKA shoes are extremely lightweight and comfortable and are a perfect option for those who happen to wear scrubs for a living. They come in eleven different color patterns and cost around $270.
5. Hoka ONE ONE Gaviota 2 Walking Shoes
Coming in fifth place, HOKA Gaviota 2 is an ideal shoe for nurses with wider feet. Like with Arahi 6, this one also boasts HOKA’a stability J-frame tech, which aids with stability, support, and rebound.
The upper is made out of open-engineered lightweight mesh which ensures excellent comfort and guarantees breathability. Their molded Ortholite sockliners provide comfortable step-in and a snug and comfy yet non-cramped fit.
These shoes feature zonal rubber outsoles, providing durability and ensuring great traction and grip. They come in several different colors, are extremely lightweight, and cost around $180 a pair.
6. HOKA ONE ONE Rincon 3 Running Shoes
Next in line is this Rincon 3 HOKA model of running shoes. Due to its signature mesh upper and slim tongue design, this shoe is very lightweight and highly breathable.
It features durable rubber outsoles for great traction, and comes with a revised Meta Rockers sole design. This design merges a low drop and a rounded sole shape, which complements your natural stride and encourages an easy transition from heel to toe.
These shoes also have HOKA’s signature EVA foam midsoles, allowing for great shock absorption and exceptional comfort as you stand on your feet for long hours.
The Rincon 3 model comes in nine different color patterns and has a price tag of around $175.
7. HOKA ONE ONE Speedgoat 4 Running Shoes
In seventh place, we’ve got Speedgoat 4 HOKA running shoes. These shoes come with a wider forefoot area, which is there to increase the stability of your gait and provide a better and wider fit for nurses whose toes need a tad more wiggle room.
The shoe upper is made out of an updated and breathable mesh covered with a 3D print that serves as additional support without adding too much weight.
These shoes feature durable Vibram Megagrip soles with 5 mm stepped rubber lugs for great grip and excellent stability. Their midsoles are lightweight and, along with removable padded insoles, they provide amazing cushioning and support.
These comfy shoes come in six different colors and are priced in the vicinity of $200.
8. HOKA ONE ONE Torrent Shoes
And last but certainly not least on our list, we have this HOKA Torrent model. The upper of these shoes is made out of engineered mesh construction, and it comes with additional protective overlays around the forefoot. This ensures maximum protection and durability.
The outsoles are made out of durable and grippy multi-directional lugs and zonal high-abrasion rubber, which ensures great traction on any terrain, including hospital floors which can oftentimes be very slippery.
These shoes feature HOKA’s ProFly midsoles, which means that the foam of the shoe is softer in the heel area and firmer around the toe. This feature ensures exceptional comfort and provides support and protection during various impacts.
These shoes are available in four different and colorful patterns, and their price varies based on the shades you choose.
Read more: Hoka Bondi Vs. Clifton: Which Are The Superior Hoka Kicks?