The best shoes for physical therapists should be comfortable, stylish, and professional. As a physical therapist, your first impression at the workplace is crucial. 
You need to dress up and look presentable before your clients. It’s important you understand your work environment.
If you’ll be working in a private office, you may need to invest in black or brown work dress shoes. Read Also: Shoes for Pregnant Nurses.
Review: 7 Best Shoes for Physical Therapists in 2021
1. Brooks Women’s Ghost 12 Running Shoe
The Brooks Ghost 12 is a Lightweight, flexible, cushioned, and highly comfortable shoe. Hence, it’s ideal for physical therapists who spend long hours on their feet working or those that want comfy casual wear.
The shoe has a Segmented Crash Pad that aids in shock absorption. The 3D Fit Print and engineered mesh upper ensure your Ghost 12 delivers a soft, comfortable, and secure fit. The shoe is also true to size. It holds the foot in place without being restrictive.
You’ll love the outsole of the Ghost 12. The sole is all rubber and comes with exceptional treads that grip firmly onto the surface. This means you’ll be safe from slips and falls.
Other than that, the shoe features DNA LOFT and BioMoGo DNA that provides balanced and soft cushioning on your underfoot. Thus, you get to experience high responsiveness while walking, standing, or running. The upper also continues to hold the midfoot section more effectively. Hence, your foot remains in place.
The Brooks Ghost 12 is available in a variety of colors and sizes. I’m pretty sure you’ll find your favorite color. Most wearers have commented about the excellent cushioning and the nice feel they experience while riding on these shoes.
- Roomy toe box
- Exceptional cushioning
- Highly breathable
- Secure fit
- Comfortable
- Midsole drop is 12mm, some people were not pleased
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2. Cole Haan Men’s 2.Zerogrand Laser Wing Oxford
Cole Haan Laser Wing Oxford is a professional work shoe that’s ideal for a physical therapists who works mostly in the office. This dress shoe will give you the professional look thanks to its outside appearance and shape.
The shoe is 100% leather and has a rubber outsole. This sole promises durability, reliability, and improved mobility. Further, the treads at the bottom of the sole provided needed grip.
The Laser Wing Oxford features a dynamic energy foam that’s designed to support, comfort, and soothe the foot to encourage natural mobility. The padded sock liner delivers additional comfort to the foot.
The foam footbed is anatomically contoured to provide cushioning and encourage weight distribution throughout the foot while controlling moisture.
Other than that, the Integrated Motion Outsole, laser-perforated nubuck, welt, and flex encourage free movement while providing needed support and flexibility.
Furthermore, the Achilles padding and Zonal tongue ensure you get a ready to wear and comfortable shoe.
- Good cushioning
- Durable rubber outsole
- Delivers good grip
- 100% leather
- Comfortable
- Some customers complain that the shoe is not true to size
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3. Saucony Women’s Cohesion 12 Running Shoe
The Saucony Cohesion 12 is a budget-friendly running shoe and it’s ideal for neutral runners. Physical therapists will benefit from this shoe thanks to its flexibility, comfort, and cushioning.
The shoe features VERSAFOAM within the midsole region. it’s a compound that’s soft and spongy, it delivers needed comfort to your feet. Thus, the feet remain energized and are able to withstand long periods of standing or walking.
The midsole also features GRID technology that incorporates full-length foam. The foam mimics the foot movement and can absorb shock more efficiently.
The external region of the upper features exceptional breathable upper. This feature allows free airflow into the shoes. Hence, your feet will remain dry and fresh. Thus, you’ll experience all-day comfort. The upper also has a padded collar and tongue that work to support the Achilles tendon and ankles. Thus, physical therapists get to enjoy all-day comfort while on these shoes.
The outsole of Cohesion 12 incorporates XT-600 rubber. This durable component protects the midsole from harsh surfaces. The outsole also provides traction, helping to prevent slips and falls.
Further, the bottom of the outsole features Zigzagging flex grooves patterns that are spread on the entire sole. The gloves help the base of the shoe to mimic the foot movements allowing smoother heel-to-toe transition during walking or running.
- Lightweight
- Affordable
- Highly efficient
- Breathable upper
- Highly efficient shoe
- Can use custom orthotics
- Some people complained about less wiggle room
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4. Rockport Men’s Slip-on
The Rockport Men’s Slip-on is an excellent dress shoe that can be worn by a physical therapist that prefers a more professional look.
This slip-on shoe is 100% leather. Thus, you get the comfort and the quality you deserve from a professional work shoe. The EVA outsole delivers lightweight shock absorption that helps to lessen foot fatigue.
The shoes come with a wide range of blazing leathers, allowing you to choose your favorite design for that professional office look. You can choose a classic lace-up design or slip-on wear.
The Rockport Men’s Slip-on features a superior mix of anti-microbial linings and moisture-wicking fabric that help to keep the feet dry and fresh throughout the day.
- Lightweight shock absorption
- Excellent breathability
- 100% leather
- Durable shoe
- Comfortable
- Flexible
- A customer complained that the traction is not good especially on smooth surfaces
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5. Clarks Women’s Slip-On Loafer
Clarks slip-on is a perfect dress shoe for female physical therapists that crave a professional look.
The shoe comes with an awesome blend of styles that would definitely appeal to female therapists looking for decent work shoes.
The shoes are ideal for office wear thanks to the 100% leather upper and the remarkable shape.
The low heel design and the simple lacing system makes this slip-on shoe comfortable.
The inside of the shoe features a soft lining that delivers added comfort. The thick cushioning within the outsole unit allows you to have a responsive feel as you walk. The Ortholite footbed delivers more support to your feet.
The Clarks loafers are great working shoes for women whose job involves standing or walking for long periods. They offer the comfort, flexibility, and support needed to withstand the long work shifts
- Comfortable
- Well-cushioned
- 100% leather
- Highly supportive
- Flexible
- A customer complained that the shoe is not durable
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6. Skechers Men’s Go Walking Shoe
The Skechers GOwalk 4 stands out as the best shoes for physical therapists. It has a dependable cushioning that delivers exceptional comfort and support.
The outsole is all rubber and is durable enough to allow you to walk on hard surfaces. The bottom of the sole also has tread patterns that deliver good traction. The outsole also features Goga Pillars. These ones are located at the forefoot and heel section to offer adaptive cushioning. The pillars.
The upper of the Skechers GOwalk 4 has an exceptional engineered mesh upper. The upper material has open pores that allow air circulation. The side panels also allow air into the shoes.
The synthetic overlays on the upper offer protection to the heel and toes. The heel overlay helps to keep the rearfoot steady. The overlays also prevent the upper material from wearing out quickly.
The seamless design of this shoe offers foot comfort and support. The design is made to stretch thus can accommodate foot expansion. So you don’t need to worry about it not fitting properly.
- Comfortable especially when standing or walking
- Simple style
- True to size
- Excellent arch support
- Lightweight
- Some people complained that the outsole is not durable
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7. TIOSEBON Women’s Slip-on Walking Shoes
The TIOSEBON Women’s Slip is a great walking sneaker that’s highly comfortable and fits perfectly. Female physical therapists will benefit from this beautifully constructed slip-on shoe.
A great feature that makes this shoe stand out is the fact that its slip-on. This means it’s easy to slip it on or off. The shoe has a latex arch support that allows the wearer to adjust their feet for a more comfortable fit.
Other than that, this lightweight shoe allows you to put them on for hours without any foot discomforts. The mesh upper is highly breathable allowing air inside the shoes for more comfortable and relaxed wear.
The midsole is also well made to deliver durability and higher responsiveness as you walk. The sole features durable MD outsole that delivers needed cushion between the ground and the feet. The shoes are also available in different colors and sizes. I’m sure you’ll find your favorite.
The shoes are also easy to clean and dry. This means it’s easy to maintain hygiene and cleanliness with these shoes. An attribute that’s important in the physical therapy field.
- Well-cushioned
- Huge selection to choose
- Supportive
- Comfortable
- Budget-friendly
- Slip-on design
- Lightweight
- A customer complained about latex allergy
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Guide: Best Shoes for Physical Therapists
I’ve compiled the following list on some of the top shoes for physical therapists. I have included professional work dress shoes and comfortable sneakers.
Comfort
As a physical therapist, your work may involve standing for long periods or moving around checking your clients. These kinds of activities can have a toll on your feet and lower back.
Therefore, when choosing work shoes your comfort matters. Pick shoes that are stable, supportive, breathable, and flexible. It’s important that you choose comfortable, supportive, flexible, and stable work shoes.
Toe and Foot Protection
You may want to choose shoes that cover the whole foot. Shoes that protect you from spills including water, chemicals, and bodily fluids.
A work environment can have many unforeseen hazards and be in the medical field, the risk of injury might be high. Therefore, you need to choose an all-round shoe.
You already know how poor foot support can cause serious issues with the feet, ankles, knees, hips, lower back, and other parts of the body.
Durability and Good Traction
Shoes for physical therapists should be durable and with excellent traction or grip. Ensure you check the bottom of the outsole and confirm the availability of treads or lugs that can grip the surface properly.
When picking your works, ensure you get the ones that will last longer and ones that can withstand standing or walk for long hours. Further, choose shoes that will deliver a good grip on both hard and slippery surfaces.
Just as you advise your patients on the kind of footwear they need, it’s your chance to also learn and choose shoes that would make your workdays bearable.
Excellent Cushioning
Proper cushioning in work shoes is crucial. Since a physical therapist’s job may involve standing or walk for long periods attending to patients.
It’s good to invest in well-cushioned shoes to protect yourself from repetitive load stress. Hence, your feet remain comfortable throughout the day.
Spacious Toe Box
When picking your work shoes, you need to consider how the forefront section looks.
Ensure you buy work shoes that have enough room on the toe box area to allow toes wiggle more comfortably without any pressure.
However, it should not be too loose such that your feet slide inside the shoes. You can also decide on custom-made orthotics to add more comfort to your work shoes.
Proper Fit
Wearing shoes that don’t fit properly can make your works days unbearable. Imagine how uncomfortable you’ll fill wearing tights shoes yet you need to make your usual hospital rounds.
Shoes that don’t fit well can cause foot pain, blisters, or foot irritation. Study your feet. You can even measure them so that you’re sure the size you’re ordering is a perfect fit.
How Often Can A Physical Therapist Replace Work Shoes?
You need to replace your work shoes when you notice that they began to wear out. However, you can choose to have more than one pair of work shoes to prolong the life of shoes.
You’ll be alternating them as you wish until you notice signs of wear and tear. Then you can replace them completely.
Replacing work shoes frequently protect you from unnecessary foot pressure, pains, and injuries. Hence, you’ll be in a position to deliver more during working hours.
So, how Do You Clean Work Shoes?
The first thing to determine before you begin cleaning is the shoe material. Some shoes are machine friendly while others are not, so it’s good to check with the manufacturer.
Some shoes come with guidelines on how best to clean them. Go through these guidelines and wash your shoes appropriately.
One pro tip for washing running or walking shoes is to use a toothbrush. Remove all the dirt and debris by brushing all-round the shoe.
Then, using water and laundry detergent clean the shoe by dipping the brush into the mixture and brushing the shoe gently. Once you through allow the shoes to dry. You’ll love the outcome.
Leather shoes are simple to clean. First, use a rag to remove the dirt. Then, using a mixture of water and vinegar wipe your leather shoes properly. Use a dry cloth to pat them dry. Let them sit for a few minutes then apply some polish.
Conclusion
I hope this review and buyer’s guide on the best shoes for physical therapists has been helpful.
All the reviewed shoes are the best available, thus choosing any of them will give you awesome results. Therefore, if you have any questions, suggestions, or comments talk to me below and I’ll get back to you asap.
