Best Shoes for Surgeons Reviews

The operating room is quite hectic and the personnel in charge can sometimes spend tens of hours on their feet. Thus, if you are a medic in the operating room, you need the best shoes for surgeons.

There are so many such shoes, so you will be spoilt for choice. However, choosing the top one can be quite hectic for the first time. After all, there are so many substandard products that masquerade as the real deal.

The types of shoes that a person wears for work can determine their success or failure at their job. Since surgery is a matter of life and death, there is a need for the best shoes for the operating room.

Every surgeon’s shoe, whether cheap or expensive should have the following:

  • Best arch support
  • Slip resistance
  • Heel support and fit
  • Incredible traction
  • It should be easy to clean and keep bacteria-free

Our recommended top shoe for surgeons is the Merrell Men’s Encore Gust Slip-On Shoe. You can check its price on amazon.com. Seriously, this shoe checks all boxes for durability, traction, cleanliness and foot support in the foot areas that matter.

Best Shoes for Surgeons Reviews

Most of the work going on in the operating room is a matter of life and death. Thus, the last thing that a surgeon wants to have to think about is how uncomfortable and pinching his or her shoes are. That is why they need the best footwear.

Here are the top 5 comfy shoes for surgeons that you can buy confidently today:

1. Merrell Men’s Encore Gust: Best shoes for male surgeons

Best shoes for male surgeonsThis is without doubt one of the top shoes for surgeons. That is why we have presented it as our top pick.

For a slip on shoe, it will set you back a good amount of money. But don’t worry. You will get the full value for your money because you will wear it for thousands of hours in the operating room.

Outstanding features

This is a feature-packed pair of shoes for surgery. Also, its durability is not in doubt, thanks to the choice of the high quality materials used on it.

M-Select Grip sole

M-Select Grip is Merrell’s super grip technology that they incorporate on all of their shoes. The operating room will have spills every now and then. Thus, you need a surefire grip as you can only get from this shoe.

Full grain leather top

The full grain leather makes the shoes look rugged and masculine. However, it is durable and completely waterproof. If there are spills, they will not get to your feet.

Heel cushion

The heel is designed with an air cushion. With long, standing hours, most people develop heel pain. However, when you have that extra support at the heel area, you lower the risk of developing heel pain.

Comfortable Interior

It is better to have a super comfortable interior and a rugged exterior than the other way round. And the Merrell Men’s Encore Slip-on shoe does not disappoint.

Inside, there is a very comfortable cloth lining. It feels good on the skin even when you do not wear socks.

Ortholite Footbed

With this footbed, you are going to get support in the areas that matter. These include the ball of foot area, the arch area and the heel. You could also use your own shoe inserts.

This good pair of shoes will last you many years. However, you should be aware of a small downside.

There have been complaints that it takes too long to break-in. Thus, buy it a week or so before you have to use it at work so that you have enough time to break it in.

2. Sticky Comfortable Work Shoes: Best shoes for female surgeons

Best shoes for female surgeonsAfter reviewing the top shoes for male surgeons, it is only fair that we follow that up with the best shoes for female surgeons.

After looking at the features, we feel that the Sticky Comfortable Work Shoes for Nurses fit the bill very well. Keep reading to see the outstanding features of these shoes:

Outsole has great traction

The last thing you want on your mind in the surgery room is the fear of slipping and falling on a wet floor.

The Stickys take good care of that with the relatively deep treads on the outsole. And that is not all about the sole design because it also comes in an anti-torsion design.

What this means is that whether you are walking or standing, the shoes enhance your gait and posture. By the way, this is a rubber sole, so longevity is assured.

Waterproof synthetic material

The upper of these shoes is made with high quality synthetic material. This has many benefits. For instance, it is so easy to clean. You just need to give it a wipe down with a damp piece of cloth and you will be good to go.

Another benefit is that the upper is 100 percent waterproof. It will keep your feet dry all the time. While there is not really much to this upper when it comes to breathability, the manufacturer has compensated for that with an absorbent footbed. Thus, it absorbs sweat ensuring that your feet keep dry throughout the working day.

The absorb shock

These shoes have a really thick platform of 1 inch. The heel has good support and so does the ball of foot area.

Even if you use the shoes to walk outdoors on the unbeaten paths, you will hardly feel the rocks through the shoes.

Also, if you have back issues, hip or foot pain, the anti-torsion design of these shoes keeps you well supported.

Lightweight and wide color selection

These shoes look thick, but looks can be deceiving because they are lightweight. Once you have broken them in and become used to wearing them, you will hardly feel the weight.

In fact, their minimal weight is what makes them so appropriate for people who work long hours on their feet.

They also come in a wide variety of color. Also, they run true to size, so you will not have a hard time breaking them in. In fact, it is recommended that you order your true size, including the shoe width.

The only downside

If these shoes are your daily wear in the emergency or operating room, you need to order two or more pairs so that you can exchange them. If you wear just one pair consistently, it will wear out faster and it cannot be repaired.

3. Crocs Unisex-Adult Bistro Clog: Best shoes for doctors and nurses

Best shoes for doctors and nursesMany people love clogs because of their simple design and they are so easy to wear and pull off. However, as you will see in this review, they come with more features and benefits. Clogs are also more affordable than most other shoe types.

So, what makes these Crocs clogs good for male and female surgeons?

Design and durability

Honestly, there is not much to say about the looks of these shoes because they are so bland. However, most clogs look like that anyway, so this is not a deal breaker.

They come in a closed toe design, so you are protected from falling things and fluid spills. You will also realize that the clogs look a bit wide at the toes. This is good news for people with wide feet.

Read: What does D mean in shoe width?

100% synthetic material

These shoes are made with 100% synthetic material. As a result, they are more affordable than most other medic’s shoes.

Footwear made with natural materials costs more. Another benefit is that the synthetic materials are easier to clean. Thus, for these clogs, a wipe down with a damp piece of cloth is enough.

Slip-resistant sole

This is one of the most important aspects of the best shoes for surgeons. This is a thermoplastic elastomer sole.

The sole has treads that keep you stable and steady on your feet even when you are walking on slippery floors. Same as the upper of the shoes, the sole is also easy to clean, with water and soap.

Contoured footbed for comfort

Working long hours requires you to be comfortable on your feet. Thankfully, these ones come with a contoured footbed.

It supports you nicely at the arches. The thick sole also supports the ball of foot area and the heel. You can also use your own Superfeet or Protalus insole if you need extra support.

Overall, these are very comfortable clogs for men and women surgeons. They do tend to run a little wide, so it is best to order your real size. They also come in a few color selections, so you do not have to order black if you don’t like it.

4. VANGELO Professional Slip Resistant Clog: Best shoes for operating room

Best shoes for operating roomVANGELO brings you these professional (surgeons, chefs, nurses and servers) clogs that are good for male and female surgeons.

They are light in weight, easy to keep clean and durable. Remember, we said that these are some of the top requirements for medics’ shoes.

Here are the features that make these clogs a good buy for a surgeon:

Slip resistant rubber sole

The reason why manufacturers choose to use rubber on most shoes is its durability, flexibility and slip resistance.

Thus, a pair of shoes with rubber soles is better than one with synthetic soles. These ones are slip-resistant.

In the operating rooms, there are many spills happening all the time. You need a sole like this one that will keep you on your feet even on wet floors.

Fully closed design

These shoes are fully closed, something that might affect the breathability. On the other hand, this design is very protective. Spills will not get to your feet. In a profession where you have to handle different types of chemicals and body fluids, you need shoes that come in a closed design such as this one.

Comfortable and supportive

These clogs are perfect for wearing for long hours. If you are an ER nurse working more than ten hours on your shift, these clogs are great.

They come with EVA foam, which molds to the shape of your feet, giving you support in all the right places. They come with a removable ortholite insole, so cleaning the interior is so easy.

Synthetic upper

The upper is made of a synthetic material. This has its benefits. For instance, it is so easy to keep clean. You can wash it in water, soap and disinfectant and it will dry fast so that you can wear it back to work soon.

The only downside

There have been complaints that these clogs might run small, so you might have to order a half or full size bigger.

5. Skechers Men’s Flex Advantage Mcallen: Best shoes for theater

Best shoes for theaterBecause of this brand name’s popularity, it is hard to find a list of work shoes with one or two Skechers.

Here, we look at the Skechers Men’s Flex Advantage Mcallen shoes. What makes them the best shoes for male surgeons? It is the features and comfort, and much more.

Comfort and support

These shoes have been designed with many comfort features. For instance, there is padding on the collar. Even when your feet swell a bit after many hours of standing, the collar won’t dig into your flesh.

There is also the memory foam insole. The advantage of memory foam is that it conforms to the shape of your feet. It is best for supporting the entire foot.

Another comfort feature is the soft fabric lining that feels so tender against your foot. If you do not wear socks, your feet will be very comfortable throughout the day.

Breathable mesh upper

The upper of these shoes is made of mesh fabric material. You will enjoy unequaled breathability, which is important for a person working long hours on their feet.

Combined with the comfortable insole and padding, these can pass for the most comfortable shoes for working long hours.

The upper is made of fabric. Thus, when it is exposed to spills, it will absorb some or all of them. However, it cleans easily and it dries fairly fast.

Slip resistant synthetic sole

This is downright the most important feature of shoes intended for surgeons. The outsole is resistant, and it is thick enough to cushion your feet from rocks and hard surfaces. The slip resistance is the reason why these shoes come recommended for servers, waiters, nurses and medics.

The only downside

These are incredible shoes for surgeons. They are lightweight and they are super breathable. However, they cannot handle spills very well because the mesh upper will definitely absorb liquids.

Best Shoes for Surgeons Buying Guide

Do not order any pair of shoes blindly, just because the manufacturer claims theirs is the best. Consider whether it meets the criteria below:

Construction and design

These best shoes for theater must be hardy, easy to wear and pull off. That is why all the shoes that we have reviewed here come in the slip-on design.

Some of the shoes are made of leather, others are made of cloth and some are made of synthetic material. Choose a pair of shoes that can last you at least a couple of years.

Price

The best shoes for male surgeons can be costly! Some can cost hundreds of dollars and some are affordable, in the price range of $20 to $40.

On Work Place Safety Shoes, our mantra is that you should never sacrifice quality on the altar of price. If the features justify the price, pay the cost.

How easy it is to clean

In this regard, we would advise you to keep away from mesh shoes for the operating room. They absorb spills, they are hard to clean and they do not clean easily. However, clogs made of synthetic material and shoes made of full grain leather clean easily, with just a wipe.

Image of best shoes for female surgeons

Non-slip sole

This is the biggest requirement for operating room shoes. The theater is a place with so many spills, including bodily fluids! Thus, the risk of slipping is always so high. That is why having anti-slip soles on your theater shoes is not an option. It is a must-have feature.

Comfort

The comfort of a surgeon’s shoes is determined by soft lining, footbed, heel support and breathability/ability to keep your feet dry throughout the day.

Best Shoes for Surgeons FAQ

This far, you have almost all the information that you need to buy the best shoes for female surgeons. But if you still need more clarification, these frequently asked questions and their answers will help you:

What footwear do surgeons wear?

Clogs carry the day for the best shoes for male surgeons. However, other slip-on design shoes are good, but they have to meet criteria such as slip-resistant sole, comfort footbed and so on.

What do surgeons wear on their feet?

If they are not wearing clogs, surgeons also wear waterproof boots to keep their feet protected from body fluids such as blood, amniotic fluids and puss.

Why do surgeons wear Crocs?

Because most of them are made of synthetic materials, clogs are so easy to clean and disinfect. In fact, it is possible to disinfect and wear them almost immediately before stepping into the operating room.

Are Birkenstocks good for surgery?

Birkenstocks are very comfortable and supportive. Thus, for a surgeon who stays long hours on their feet, these shoes would be good. They will take a bit longer to clean and dry as compared to clogs, but they give superior protection.

Final Thoughts on the Best Shoes for Surgeons

The most important thing when choosing the best shoes for surgeons is to find out what your medical facility requires.

Other than that, clogs are universally accepted for operating room jobs because they are easy to clean and disinfect.

The devil is in the details, so ensure your shoes are comfortable, easy to clean, have superb traction and cannot absorb spills.