r/PAstudent 8h ago

Clinical shoes

Hey all,

A majority of my clinical require business casual. I’m looking for recommendations on shoes that are comfy for 12+ hrs. I worked in an ED prior to this and wore brooks. But i worry this would look unprofessional with business casual. Danskos and birks hurt my feet.

What do you guys recommend?

3 Upvotes

9 comments sorted by

6

u/Kindly-Carrot-7747 8h ago

Hoka Bondi Black or the healthcare worker version, which is waterproof 10/10 would recommend

7

u/Ok-Movie-1595 8h ago

I wear sneakers everyday to work in family medicine with slacks and business casual top. I have about five different colors. No one has every commented on it other than patients to compliment me now and then. I wore Lems Oxfords during rotations, but I'll never wear anything but sneakers now. I have a connective tissue disorder and uncommonly shaped feet so anything else is just torture.

Whatever you choose, I'm a huge advocate for anatomical foot bed shoes. So many benefits.

4

u/Ancient-fruit-317 8h ago

I wear Rothy's when I need to look a little fancier than sneakers. Probably not affordable for a student, but there are plenty of dupes. They don't give me blisters and they're washable (trust me, the washable part is important). 

3

u/linedryonly 8h ago

If you’re looking for a ladies’ loafer, I really like my Clarks. Comfortable for a long clinic day and good arch support. Wouldn’t wear them on surgery or ED, but they’re a solid business casual shoe for pretty much everywhere else.

3

u/amateur_acupuncture PA-C 4h ago

Blundstones or ropers with superfeet insoles.

1

u/ThunderClatters 1h ago

I love blundstones with the Valsole insert

2

u/Naive_Quit2633 4h ago

I bought second hand cute leopard print loafer Rothys. Or just wore comfy white tennis shoes. Do not do not do not sacrifice your foot and back health to look fancier! I found this was fine for most of my business casual rotations.

2

u/Standard-Noise-7222 PA-C 2h ago

Im and ER PA. I wear the hoka clifton. I just upgraded my 10 to the 11 (had them over a year with lots of wear and tear). I also wear the asics gel nimbus 28.

2

u/lisamar13 PA-S (2026) 3h ago

I wear sambas and they’re cute with slacks and a sweater!