7 Best Insoles for Nurses: Reduce Foot Fatigue on Long Shifts
Published June 14, 2023
Even with regular rest breaks and ergonomic practices in place in hospitals, foot pain is a common companion for many nurses. In fact, 93.4% of nurses experience foot pain after seven hours of standing.
One effective way to alleviate this discomfort is to make a habit of elevating your feet during breaks. Moreover, incorporating supportive footwear, such as shoes with custom arch supports and foot orthotics, into your daily routine can also make a world of difference. These additions can reduce leg stress, prevent common foot conditions like corns and calluses, and offer needed arch support and cushioning.
Here are the best insoles for nurses to reduce foot fatigue on long shifts.
Top 7 Best Insoles for Nurses
- Best Overall Insoles for Nurses - Upstep On My Feet All Day Custom Orthotics
- Best Foam Insoles for Walking All Day - FitMyFoot Zircon
- Best Cushioned Insoles for Foot Fatigue - Protalus T-100 Elite
- Best Firm Insoles for Walking All Day - Tread Labs Ramble
- Best Wide Insoles for Foot Fatigue - SOLE Active Wide Medium
- Best Stability Insoles for Walking All Day - Superfeet GREEN
- Best Pain-Relieving Insoles for Foot Fatigue - URthotics Everyday
1. Best Overall Insoles for Nurses
Footora score: 9.8
- Intended use - For those on their feet 4 hours+ a day
- Material - Polyropylene shell
- Support - Custom arch support
- Cushioning - High-quality cushioning mid-layers
- Sizes - Custom-made
Upstep Orthotics masterfully combine support and cushioning into a single design tailored for those who spend hours on their feet. These custom orthotics ease foot pain, alleviate soft tissue strain, and offer ample support to your feet, allowing you to stand longer with minimal discomfort. Available in various designs, these orthotics can fit any footwear.
What We Love
- Custom-made
- Proper arch support
- Adequate cushioning
- Quality material
What to Consider
- Pricier than non-custom alternatives
- 35 business days for delivery
2. Best Foam Insoles for Walking All Day
Footora score: 9.6
- Intended use - Reducing pain and improving stability
- Material - Foam
- Support - Custom arch support
- Cushioning - Shock-absorbing heel cushion
- Sizes - Custom-made
FitMyFoot Insoles have custom arch support and are clinically proven to reduce pain and increase stability. They're a more affordable alternative to medical-grade orthotics that still fit your unique foot shape due to 3D printing. Additionally, their moisture-wicking, breathable fabric ensures your feet stay cool and fresh, regardless of how long your shift is.
What We Love
- Relieves pain
- Breathable fabric for aeration
- Deep contoured heel cup for shock absorption
- Long-lasting premium footbed
- Dynamic custom arch support
What to Consider
- Not fully custom-made
- May require a break-in period
3. Best Cushioned Insoles for Foot Fatigue
Footora score: 9.2
- Intended use - For regular shoes with removable insoles
- Material - Polyurethane and Nylon
- Support - Adequate arch support
- Cushioning - 3MM heel-to-forefoot cushioning
- Sizes - M5.5-15 / W5-12.5 / Youths 3-4
If you need extra cushioning, Protalus T-100 Elite insoles deliver. They're designed to improve alignment and add extra comfort and support with their contoured shape, making long shifts more bearable. They add extra support to each step you take with their contoured shape, making those long shifts seamless.
Pros
- Relief from foot pain and fatigue
- Functional and stylish
- Tri-planar alignment system
- 90 days money back guarantee
Cons
- Might feel cumbersome
- Support could be better
4. Best Firm Insoles for Walking All Day
Footora score: 8.8
- Intended use - Shoes with removable insoles
- Material - Polyurethane foam + 100% recycled polyester fabric
- Support - 5mm thick top cover and molded arch support
- Cushioning - Proper heel cushioning
- Sizes - M4-13.5 and W5-12.5 with 4 arch heights
To stay energized throughout your shift, you need firm and supportive insoles like the Tread Labs Ramble. They provide three firmness levels to withstand any activity level, and they're firm and flexible enough to ensure your feet stay healthy, making them perfect for the rigors of a nursing shift.
What We Love
- Replaceable top cover
- Four arch heights
- Antimicrobial treated
- Adequate heel cushioning
What to Consider
- Squeaking sound while walking
- Not very durable
5. Best Wide Insoles for Foot Fatigue
Footora score: 8.5
- Intended use - For wide feet
- Material - EVA
- Support - Metatarsal support pad
- Cushioning - Deep heel cup
- Sizes - M3-16 / W5-18
If you have wider feet, SOLE Active Wide Medium Insoles are just what the nurse ordered. Their maximum forefoot spread in the footbed is perfect for wide feet. Furthermore, they offer a metatarsal support pad that relieves pain and pressure by aligning your toe bones naturally, helping reduce plantar fascia strain.
What We Love
- Moldable orthopedic base
- Metatarsal support pad
- Accommodative arch support
- Suitable for any arch height
- Suitable for wide feet
What to Consider
- Not enough cushion
- Not available for kids
- May require trimming
6. Best Stability Insoles for Walking All Day
Footora score: 8.3
- Intended use - For high arches
- Material - Foam
- Support - Closed-cell foam
- Cushioning - Deep heel cup
- Sizes - M5.5-17 / W4.5-14 / Kids 13.5-4
Good balance is crucial for stability during long shifts. Superfeet GREEN Insoles are designed with a stabilizer cap that supports the rear foot, providing structure and stability to the foam layer, reducing the risk of falling or losing balance during your shift.
What We Love
- Organic odor-control coating
- Durable construction
- Provides firm support
- Reduces stress on foot arch
What to Consider
- May require more cushioning
- Not true to size
7. Best Pain-Relieving Insoles for Foot Fatigue
Footora score: 9.7
- Intended use - To relieve pain
- Material - 3-5mm Polypropylene and EVA
- Support - Custom arch support
- Cushioning - Deep heel cup
- Sizes - Custom-made
URthotics Everyday custom orthotics offer an effective solution for the aches in the balls of your feet that come from long hours of standing. They distribute your body weight evenly, with custom arch support tailored to your foot. These impact-absorbing orthotics are designed to relieve pain, prevent further damage, and enhance overall foot health.
What We Love
- Custom-made
- Relieves pain
- Stability motion control
- High-impact absorbing
- Shaped for best fit
What to Consider
- Costly
- Long delivery time
How We Chose
Drawing upon our extensive experience treating patients and evaluating the benefits of various insoles, our team has established a set of criteria to help identify the most effective solutions for individuals with foot issues. We rate several factors on a weighted scale and aggregate them to create a single metric called the Footora Score, which reflects the overall usefulness of the product. Do note that the score may vary depending on the specific purpose it's being reviewed for.
Here are the factors we considered when choosing insoles for bunions:
- Fit
- Support
- Comfort
- Durability
- Value for money
- Customer Reviews
Taking a Step in the Right Direction
Remember, your comfort is key to your performance. Whether it's a long shift, a weekend call, or your usual duty, remember to slide in your insoles. By doing so, you're not just preventing foot pain and potential injuries, but you're also paving the way for better health and enhanced productivity. Now, stand tall and continue doing the remarkable work that you do!
