Physical therapists improve the quality of life by prescribing exercises, hand-in-care, and patient education.
Physical therapists’ daily activities involve a lot of standing, walking, flexing, and rushing to check their patients. As a result, they need special shoes that will improve their daily experiences. The enhancement of these experiences is through several factors; the cushioning improves comfort, midsole technology improves stability, outsole technology improves durability while the mesh technology enhances breathability.
This article features the best shoes for physical therapists we have in the market. There may be more of them in the market; however, we’ll feature the six best shoes for physical therapists in this article.
Best Shoes for Physical Therapists
Below are some of the most likable shoes by other buyers. These shoes receive hundreds of reviews, if not thousands. The list classifies the shoes into two; women and men shoes.
Best shoes for women physical therapists
1. Saucony Women’s Cohesion 10 Running Shoe
Most therapists spend time walking and rushing from room to room. Therefore, a shoe that takes care of your rushing and walking would be a perfect match.
Saucony Women’s cohesion 10 outer sole is rubber. The XT-600 rubber in the heel is for durability. Also, the outsole features flex grooves. These features enhance its flexibility as you move around.
This shoe takes care of impact as you walk around the hospital floor. The midsole features a heel grid system. Also, there is an injected molded EVA in the midsole. Both features provide stable cushioning underfoot.
Lastly, on the upper part of the shoe is a breathable mesh. This mesh ensures proper ventilation and circulation of air in and out of the shoe. The feature ensures no sweating takes place, no matter how hard your day is.
Why we love it.
- It is breathable
- Its rubber outsole is very durable
- Flexibility feature
- Stable cushioning
2. ASICS Women GEL-Resolution 7 Tennis Shoe
ASICS Women GEL-7 resolution is a mix of comfort and durability. Therefore, the shoe is of great benefit to a therapist who standing and running are in their daily duty.
The shoe features an outer rubber sole. Also, Super-Ahar material is in a strategic position in the outsole. As a result, the shoe is durable and resistant to wear and tear on hard surfaces. Most importantly, the outsole comes with a six months warranty for excessive wear out.
Also, the shoe’s midsole features a low-density midsole top layer. This midsole provides gender-specific cushioning. The rearfoot and forefoot GEL cushioning system provides shock absorption. The cushioning system allows movement of the foot in multiple planes and proper transition of the foot.
On the upper side is a FlexionFit material, which provides fitting comfort. Additionally, the lower heel counter provides maximized stability.
Why we love it
- Very durable and stable
- GEL-Cushioning for shock absorption
- Enhanced comfort
- Enhanced foot movement transitions on multiple planes
3. TIOSEBON Women’s Athletic Walking Shoes
Therapists are involved in a lot of movements. Therefore, having a shoe that takes care of the feet should be a priority. Indeed, it is this particular gap that TIOSEBON women’s athletic walking shoe comes to fill.
This shoe features a high elastic MD outsole. The outsole is slip-resistant and can help you explore every terrain from indoors to outdoors. Also, the outsole is easy to manage and durable.
TIOSEBON features a solyte midsole. The technology in midsole provides an exceptionally lightweight midsole with an excellent bounce-back effect and durability.
On the upper side is a breathable and durable mesh that allows air circulation in the shoes. Also, it is wash resistant. The insole is a classic pigskin with a cushion to supplement the comfort of the shoe. Beneath the insole is a latex arch insert for support.
Why we love it
- It is very durable.
- Very cushioning courtesy of the solyte midsole.
- Highly breathable
- Comfortable pigskin insole.
Best shoes for men physical therapists
1. Skechers performance men’s Go walk 4 incredible walking shoes
Skecher’s performance starts the men’s list of the best shoes for physical therapists. This shoeis correct in its name; it is incredible. The shoe combines some of the fascinating technologies to provide therapists with the best version of comfort.
On the outsole, it features a rubber sole, which enhances its durability. Also, the insole has Goga pillars streamlined in the design to offer more cushioning.
There is tampering in the midsole, a design with an aim at improving the arch support. To improve on the cushioning and stability, New Skechers feature a Goga Max insole. Also, there is a lightweight sock liner to adapt your feet as you make those hasty steps.
On the upper side of the shoe is a breathable mesh. Therefore, air circulation is enhanced. Also, the engineering of the mesh to swiftly expand with you seamlessly as you walk. As a result, the construction combines that natural fit with an excellent level of comfort.
Why we love it
- Very cushioning
- Improved arch support
- Lightweight sock liner
- Very breathable mesh
- Sole durability
2. New Balance Men’s MW 813V1 hook and loop walking shoe
New Balance men’s MW 813V1 ensures therapists achieve their goals. As a result, the shoe focuses on what can best improve their productivity.
First, the shoe features a rubber sole. Also, the sole is wear and tear-resistant. As a result, they are improving the durability of the shoe.
Secondly, the midsole features the ROLLBAR technology. This technology focuses on improving the cushioning and stability of the shoe. As a result, you can comfortably work for longer hours and feel like still pushing on.
Lastly, the upper side of the shoe is leather made. Also, there is a hook and loop closure. The two combined provide a secure fit with a tongue and collar padding to enhance support. Not forgetting, there is a removable, cardio comfort-cushioned footbed for lightweight comfort.
Why we love it
- Very durable
- Cushioned with improved stability
- Lightweight comfort
- Secure fit
3. Konhill Men’s Breathable walking shoes
The Konhill walking shoes is a specialized pair that aims to provide therapists with comfortable time in their daily duties.
To start with is the rubber sole that assures long-lasting durability. The sole is also made of elastic MD to supplement shock absorption and enhance slip resistance. The shock absorption sole adopts a dynamically changing technology that softens every hard step you make in your sudden movements.
Moreover, the super lightweight and breathable upper keeps the air circulation in the feet optimized. Also, a flexible knit material makes the upper of the shoe. This material enhances the flexibility of the shoe as a result.
Why we love it.
- Very flexible
- High breathable keeping your feet cool all-day
- Cushioned
- Slip-resistant
- Durable and keeps you stable in your movements
How to choose shoes for physical therapists- buyers’ guide
Motion Control
Physical therapists are involved in a lot of movements. You may be guiding a patient in an exercise prescription or other duties. Therefore, having a shoe that has motion control-based technology should be a priority. Motion-control shoes offer comfort and foot stability. A shoe with foot stability protects your feet from pronation and also the pain and muscle stretch that may come with it
sole
No one likes buying shoes now and then. Therefore, therapists should adequately evaluate the sole and midsole of the shoe before buying it. Durable shoes have good outsoles. On the other hand, a well-designed midsole enhances the cushioning. The cushioning determines how hard your foot will land. Cushioning absorbs the shock created on impact.
Traction
Another essential feature is traction and slip-resistance. The last this you would wish is sliding and falling on the floor. Therefore, checking the shoe properly and the materials that make the sole are key. Also, the compression forces a shoe can hold should be checked. Traction determines the movements within irregular planes.
Breathability
A lot of movements eventually lead to heating up of the breathing feet. Therefore, to avoid this heating up, shoes with mesh materials that are breathable are essential. Shoes with a breathable feature allow the circulation of air in and out of the shoes. Breathability improves the comfort of a physical therapist and hence more productivity.
Fitness
Having a shoe that fits you is a common statement but has for long been taken for granted. Physical therapists should not wear shoes that are too tight on their feet. Tight shoes may cause pains in the toes and, at times, disorders like hallux rigidus. On the other hand, large shoes cause friction, which may eventually cause blisters and wounds. Therefore, choosing the correct size for your feet is as important as other factors.
How often can a Physical therapist replace work shoes?
Most people, not only physical therapists, do not know when to replace shoes. As a result, you wear your shoe beyond the expiration date. Changing shoes is as important as changing your toothbrush; it maintains your health. Changing your shoes should happen between 8-12 months of wearing them. As a physical therapist, below are ways to Know when to replace your working shoes.
- Wearing of the outsole.
- Compression of the midsole.
- Wearing out of the interior.
- Tearing away from the upper layer.
- Wearing out more on one side of the sole than the other so that the shoes lean on one side.
FAQs
As a physical therapist, do I need special shoes?
Yes. Physical therapists’ daily activities involve a lot of movement, standing, and at times rushing. Therefore, special shoes are required to ensure improved comfort, cushioning, and flexibility.
How often should I clean my Shoes?
Cleaning depends on several factors. First, some shoes are washable while others are not. Secondly, how often you wash depends on the terrain and the rate at which your feet are sweating.
Final Word
In conclusion, Therapists, just like other professionals, should be careful when choosing shoes. The best shoes for physical therapists have enhanced cushioning, flexibility, and a substantial level of comfort. The above-listed shoes should be your perfect match. However, if they’re not, looking for the best shoe should be straightforward using the buyer’s guide above. As a physical therapist, most importantly, replace your shoes more often to ensure your toes stay healthy.
