As a physical therapist, you spend your days standing on your feet, working with patients going through rehabilitation and recovery. Because of that, you need footwear that’s going to provide you with comfort, support, and protection. But what are the best shoes for physical therapists?
Now, here’s the thing – whether you’re standing still, treating patients, or demonstrating exercises, your feet are the ones that take a beating. Not to mention that uncomfortable, tight, and confining footwear can affect the way you perform at work and cause you to not treat your patients the right way.
At the end of the day, the best shoes for physical therapists are the ones that alleviate pressure off of your feet, contribute sufficient space to prevent foot neuromas and metatarsal discomfort, and offer you enough cushioning to ensure you’re comfortable throughout the day. Read more down below!
What to consider when shopping for the best shoes for physical therapists?
Now that you know what your footwear needs to provide you with to get you through the workday, you might be wondering “Well, how do I choose between the array of available options?”
While you might think you’re bombarded with sneakers, slippers, and clogs that might be the right fit, you do need to keep an eye on a few features to ensure you’re getting your money’s worth.
When shopping for the best shoes for physical therapists, pay attention to the fit, the amount of comfort you’re getting, the weight, the level of support, durability, and cost.
Starting from the beginning, you need your footwear to fit the right way to prevent blisters and bruises and ensure they don’t end up flying off of your feet while you’re working with your patients. On the other hand, you need them to provide you with sufficient cushioning for support and comfort.
On top of that, you need to search for lightweight, breathable options because they’re the ones that are going to keep you coming back for more. Durability plays a huge part, too, because you don’t want to end up buying new sneakers every two or three months.
Depending on your priorities, you might need to keep an eye on affordable alternatives rather than spending all your money on overpriced shoes. Let’s face it, you don’t need to wear Golden Goose sneakers to work (no matter what the celebrities what you to think).
Don’t worry, though, there are plenty of options available on the market that are guaranteed to provide you with everything you need. Take a peep at what we’ve gathered and opt for the ones that speak to you the most!
What are the best shoes for physical therapists at the moment?
1. Hoka One One Bondi 7 sneakers
Starting with a bang, Hoka One One Bondi 7 sneakers are a great way to stay on top of trends while staying comfortable, too.
When you’re working on your feet all day long, chances are you’re craving something that’s going to support and protect your tired feet. That’s exactly what these sneakers are going to do!
One of the best things about them happens to be the fact that they’re equipped with Hoka’s signature cushioning technology, a thick midsole, and a breathable, lightweight upper. On top of that, they feature a roomy toe box to provide you with enough room to spread your toes and prevent bunions.
We can’t forget about the ankle and arch support that makes them appropriate for physical therapists that suffer from plantar fasciitis and similar conditions. Overall, these sneakers are an excellent option to consider.
2. New Balance X 880v12 sneakers
We can’t have a conversation about shoes for physical therapists without mentioning the New Balance X 880v12 sneakers. While these bad boys offer mild to moderate support, that doesn’t mean that they don’t provide you with pretty much everything you need. Where do we even start?!
First off, they’re designed with a 10mm heel-to-toe drop that alleviates some of that pressure off of your feet, ankles, and calves. Furthermore, they’re made to offer you enough comfort throughout the day with plenty of cushioning, a breathable upper, and a dual-layer midsole.
Not to mention that they’re made to last you a long time!
3. Asics Gel-Kayano sneakers
Asics Gel-Kayano sneakers are one of the best sneakers available on the market as we speak. And, you don’t have to worry whether or not you’re going to get your money’s worth because Asics are known to come up with some of the most comfortable, durable, and wearable sneakers out there.
While you can’t go wrong with any of the Asics models, the Asics Gel-Kayano sneakers are perfect for physical therapists that walk on hard surfaces, stand for hours and hours, and demonstrate movements that require stability and support.
We suggest throwing a glance at the full-length midsole designs, special synthetic overlays, and spacious toe boxes to understand why we’re rooting for these sneakers.
4. Loom waterproof sneakers
Oh, you’ve never heard of Loom?! Because you’re a physical therapist, you need to keep your eyes peeled on brands like Loom. They’re designing footwear with optimal levels of firmness, cushioning, and breathability, coming up with new models, and employing never-before-seen technologies on a regular.
You’d be surprised by the number of benefits that come with waterproof sneakers. Physical therapists don’t necessarily walk on wet surfaces, but waterproof sneakers protect your feet from the weather, keep them dry throughout the day, and ensure you can clean them with one swipe. Pretty neat, right?
5. Skechers D’Lites Memory Foam sneakers
Who hasn’t heard of Skechers? When you’re searching for comfortable sneakers you can wear wherever you go, you’re likely to turn to Skechers because they’ve built a name for themselves for a reason.
We suggest the Skechers D’Lites Memory Foam sneakers, but you can choose whichever ones you prefer.
Right away, these sneakers are made with lightweight, breathable fabrics which makes them perfect for therapists that tend to get sweaty feet.
Rather than being stiff and sturdy (considering the trendy chunky design), they’re flexible enough to move with your feet. Don’t worry though, they’re supportive enough to keep your feet protected, too!
6. Brooks Ghost 13 sneakers
We’re going to assume that the Brooks Ghost 13 sneakers were named that way because they’re so lightweight that they make you feel like you’re levitating rather than walking. Makes sense, right?
Whatever the case might be, these sneakers promise to get you through the day without pressure or pain thanks to the neutral design, superior cushioning, seamless mesh upper, arch and ankle support, and shock absorbency. With all these features, you’re guaranteed to have a great workday no matter what.
7. Dr. Scholl’s Brisk Lightweight sneakers
OK, we know that Dr. Scholl’s Brisk Lightweight sneakers look like “dad sneakers,” but they’re worth the embarrassment, we promise. On one hand, they’re designed with a lightweight, breathable upper, a leather frame, and double straps to make dressing up and dressing down easier.
On the other, they’re made with air-pillow gel insoles to keep you comfortable throughout the day, a wide toe box to ensure you can spread and wiggle your toes, and rubber outsoles to prevent you from slipping and falling. What’s not to adore?
8. Saucony Cohesion 13 sneakers
Oh, the Saucony sneakers deserve a spot on the list, too! When you’re on the hunt for the best shoes for physical therapists on the market, you can’t go wrong with the Saucony Cohesion 13 sneakers – they’re reliable, resilient, and long-lasting.
Moreover, they’re equipped with pretty much every buzzword you can think of. They’re breathable and lightweight. They’re made with Primaloft insulation which keeps your feet warm and toasty during the winter and mesh upper which keeps them cool during the summer.
Additionally, they’re made with rubber outsoles for added grip when you’re demonstrating exercises on slippery surfaces. And, we can’t forget about the shock-absorbing Versasun foam midsole either.
9. Vionic Walker Classic sneakers
We promise we won’t bore you to death with sneakers that aren’t worthy of your attention.
While the Vionic Walker Classic sneakers might not be the most attractive footwear you’ve ever sported, they’re comfortable enough to make up for that. When you’re standing on your feet for hours on end comfort beats aesthetics – right?
We suggest checking them out because they’re comfortable, wearable, and easy to slip on and off. And, they’re supportive enough to prevent the pressure and pain that starts to affect your performance toward the end of the day.
10. Merrell Jungle Moc Slip-On sneakers
We’re ending the article with the perfect pair of slip-on shoes. Now, slip-on shoes are great for anyone who, for whatever reason, struggles with laces and ties that come with regular footwear.
Merrell Jungle Moc Slip-On sneakers are easy to slip on and off, go with pretty much everything you own, and offer enough comfort to get you through the day without pressure and pain.
What’s more, these sneakers don’t need to be worn in to be comfortable – they’re super soft and malleable straight out of the box. Whichever footwear you decide to go with, we’re keeping our fingers crossed that you get everything you’re searching for. Good luck!
Read more: Best Shoes To Wear With Scrubs: The Comfiest Top 12
