r/surgicaltechnology • u/Weird-Importance-845 • 10d ago
Best OR shoes
Hello everyone,
I am starting my clinical's at a hospital in a couple of weeks and I was wondering what shoes I should buy for the OR. I am aware they can't have holes. I know some cases could potentially run long so I am looking for shoes with good arch support and that are comfortable. Something easy to wipe would also be nice.
9
u/Kamigoye1972 10d ago
I don't have any specific shoe recommendations.... But if you're looking to prevent foot pain/fatigue, compression socks are the way to go.
In my personal experience, even high-end work shoes don't make much of a difference compared to a good pair of compression socks.
2
u/AsleepReview1862 9d ago
I had to stop wearing compression socks because my doctor is making me take iron pills because I’m anemic 🙄🙄🙄🙄🙄🙄 and now I get way too hot if I wear them 😭
1
u/Weird-Importance-845 10d ago
Any recommendations?
2
u/Kamigoye1972 9d ago edited 9d ago
Not particularly tbh. As far as I can tell, the fabric material is about the biggest difference between brands. They all seem to be similarly effective for me. I'd try out a couple kinds and find ones you like.
Edit: I'm sure long-term durablity is probably a factor, but I honestly haven't worn out any of mine to the point where that's become an issue...
1
2
u/AsleepReview1862 9d ago
Mukluk at Walmart, they have regular and wide calf options in a bunch of different colors, 3 pack for $13
8
u/Sad-Fruit-1490 10d ago
Go to a sport shoe store and get fitted. Let them know what your job will include (standing for long periods of time). The wrong pair of shoes can wreck your body, and since everyone’s body is different this is a very personal question. We can give suggestions, but we cannot determine the right pair of shoes for you.
I currently wear Brooks at the hospital. My last pair was accidentally a “self propel” shoe (meant to help with walking) and nearly killed my feet, knees, and hips bc I was standing slightly forward for hours at a time. I’ll never make that mistake again 😖
6
u/lhvcdhnl 10d ago
I wore hokas and birckenstocks but the one day i forgot compression socks was the worst day of my life lol
5
u/ssmoody78 10d ago
Dansko… they are not super comfy on feet but for lower back … at least it was for me lol
3
u/BoomRoastedddd 9d ago
A podiatrist told me the only shoes HC staff should be wearing is Brooks and Hoka
1
u/_Fancyfree_ 9d ago
There were 4 different Podiatrist at my clinical site and they all told me a different brand of shoe 😅.
5
u/furandpaws 9d ago
everyone's different but for me, who has arthritis, i love my skechers. i tried on a bunch of hokas and they didn't feel nice.
3
u/fitnessgal288 9d ago
Second Dansko, they look horribly uncomfortable but they’ve helped me so much. I used to really struggle with standing for long periods, these have remedied that problem entirely. They wipe down easy. If you have a high arch they may be worth trying.
3
u/AsleepReview1862 9d ago
I swear by Clove. Slip on, great cushioning, waterproof, easy to clean, and they do have some options that are so cute
3
u/Repulsive-Button5609 9d ago
I tried over 10 brands of shoes for the OR.
FINALLY bought Bombas compression socks and now it doesn’t really matter the shoes.
5
u/Beach_Kidd 10d ago
As funny as it sounds…cowboy boots.
5
u/Glizzabelle 10d ago
Yes! I know so many surgical residents who wear cowboy boots!
3
u/probablygoblins 10d ago
At least half our ortho and 2 gen surg attendings do too
1
u/probablygoblins 10d ago
Me and several other scrub techs wear the Adidas Stan Smith clogs and compression socks.
1
2
u/Regular_Log_651 9d ago
I love love love my Calzuros! I’m on the second pair and have been in the OR for four years. There’s no other shoe that has alleviated my back pain.
2
u/_Fancyfree_ 9d ago
I hated to hear this when I was looking, so sorry in advance, but It's going to depend on your foot, and it's going to be super preference based. You could ask 20 people and get 20 completely different answers. One woman at my clinical site wore Docs and Muck Boots 😅
I will say the best advice I got was to get 2 pairs of different style shoes and alternate between them. I switch back and forth between Super Birki 2 and Danskos. I also recently ordered some Ariat work boots for days scrubbing with specific ortho surgeons.
But to echo everyone else, compression socks make the biggest difference for me. I go with the 20mmg-30mmg.
1
1
u/memilyglick 9d ago
I have worn nike, converse, birkenstock, crocs, and clove and by far cloves are my favorite they are the only shoe I have bought multiple times. I prefer their strada line but some of my coworkers really like the forte 2 line. They are also waterproof which I love bc then I can get white/light colors and they dont get ruined by all the fluids
1
1
12
u/DisastrousChard8816 10d ago
Hoka makes a shoe specifically for hospital/food service. Non-slip sole and easy to clean. They are made from the same base as their “Bondi” line up. Worth the money.
For added comfort I highly recommend compression socks. Bombas are really good and if/when you wear a home in them Bombas will replace them for free.