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The Best Shoes for Pregnancy That Are Cute & Comfortable, Even if You Can No Longer See Your Toes
By Megan McCarty,
1 day ago
If you’re lucky, pregnancy can result in glowing skin and lustrous hair. Look down though—that is, if you can see over your belly—and you’re likely suffering from a downside: swollen feet.
“Your feet can change when you’re pregnant and might affect your entire body, including your posture and spinal health,” says Caroline McCulloch , a podiatrist and co-founder of FRANKIE4 . “Potential health concerns include decreased joint stability, weakened muscle strength, and the effects of the hormone relaxin, which can cause pain in the hips, knees, and back as the body changes throughout pregnancy.”
That’s why choosing the right shoes is especially important during this special (and swollen) time. You’ll need supportive, comfortable pairs with arch support and flexible sizing. Whether you’re looking for a walking shoe, a supportive sandal, or something worthy of wearing to that wedding on your calendar, there are stylish pregnancy shoes that you can slip on now and long after your due date.
What Are the Best Kinds of Shoes to Wear While Pregnant?
Dr. Saylee Tulpule , a Board Certified Foot and Ankle Surgeon, always recommends pregnant women wear athletic shoes with cushion and support. “They will help protect the soft tissue and joints of our feet and ankles, especially during weight gain with each trimester,” she says. Sandals with cushion and a supportive footbed are also easy and comfortable to wear.
Do You Really Need Special Shoes for Pregnancy?
Get your shopping on, as buying new shoes specifically for pregnancy is recommended by Dr. Tulpule.
“During pregnancy, the width of our feet can change due to swelling and ligament laxity,” says Dr. Tulpule. “If shoes are feeling tight with each successive trimester, it is advisable to get properly measured for a new change in size.”
Our Senior Commerce Director (who’s eight months pregnant) Gina Vaynshteyn agrees. “Yeah, you kind of do. Your feet swell, they may grow a half or full size, and the idea of bending down and tying your laces will be hell by the third trimester, but honestly you’re uncomfortable the whole time, so might as well get a pair or two,” she says, adding, “And this is coming from someone who *really* avoided buying too much maternity stuff, but I couldn’t deal with the foot pain anymore.”
What to Look for in Shoes for Pregnancy
Must-haves for shoes to wear throughout pregnancy include cushion (and plenty of it), a wide toe box, and a supportive footbed with arch support, according to Dr. Tulpule.
Can Pregnant Women Wear Sandals?
Definitely, says Dr. Tulpule. “Sandals are the easiest shoes to slip on,” she says. “It’s not easy having a baby bump and tying laces.” Shop for sandals with plenty of cushion, and McCulloch recommends avoiding sandals with very high heels or inadequate support to help prevent foot and back discomfort, which can be more common during pregnancy.
Experts in this Article
• Dr. Saylee Tulpule is a Board Certified Foot and Ankle Surgeon. • Caroline McCulloch is a podiatrist and co-founder of FRANKIE4 .
Our mission at SheKnows is to empower and inspire women, and we only feature products we think you’ll love as much as we do. QVC and Walmart are SheKnows sponsors, however, all products in this article were independently selected by our editors. Please note that if you purchase something by clicking on a link within this story, we may receive a small commission of the sale.
You’ll feel like you’re walking on clouds in the Vionic Walk Max . The brand is known for orthotic support (a godsend if you have plantar fasciitis or flat feet) and in this sneaker blends comfort with a cool colorblock style. Plush cushioning tops a lightweight midsole with rebound technology for a bouncy feel, while the breezy mesh upper lets your ever-growing feet breathe.
Sizes available: 5-13, medium and wide, including half sizes Colorways: Cream, gray, pink Material: Rubber outsole, plush upper
Pros: • Made with breathable materials • Offers orthopedic support • Available in medium and wide sizes Cons: • Are heavier than other sneaker brands
Ryka Noriko Arch Support Cushioned Footbed Walking Shoes
Maybe spending $100-plus on a pair of shoes during pregnancy doesn’t jive with your budget. (Baby gear is so expensive!) Then opt for a pair of these lightweight Ryka sneakers . They’ll take you from a morning doctor’s appointment to an afternoon of errands to walking the dog after dinner. They were made specifically for a woman’s unique foot shape and muscle movement, with a cushioned insole with extra arch and heel support.
Sizes available: 5-12, including half sizes and some wide sizes Colorways: Blank/pink Material: Rubber sole, leather and textile upper
Pros: • Budget-friendly • Cushioned insole • Extra arch and heel support
For the days when you can’t kick your feet up in slippers, the Vivaia Margot Mary-Jane gives you a comfortable, dressy shoe option. The square toe design offers your toes room to wiggle, while the heel padding protects against blisters and the cushy insole ensures arch support. As your foot expands during pregnancy, the knit upper and adjustable buckle strap stretches with you.
Sizes available: 5-11, including half sizes; wide sizes offered in select colors Colorways: 18 patterns and colors Material: Rubber outsole, knit upper
Pros: • Strap adjusts to different foot arches • Square toe gives toes wiggle room • Machine washable Cons: • Too narrow for some reviewers
You can’t beat a Birkenstock. Their classic Arizona style , with two adjustable buckle straps, allows you to get a custom fit—one that can stretch with you as your belly (and feet) grows. The contoured cork footbed isn’t necessarily cushy, but it’ll mold to your foot, so they get more comfortable with each wear. Slip on and go, no bending down necessary.
There may come a time in your pregnancy—okay, there will come a time, perhaps in your third trimester—when bending down to tie a shoe simply isn’t going to happen. That’s where slip-on Kizik sneakers are particularly helpful. When you step in them, the heel springs back. No tying, no wiggling, no trying to reach your feet. The cushy outsoles, which don’t need a break-in period, are just a bonus.
Sizes available: 6-13, standard and wide, including half sizes Colorways: Black and white, white, black and gold, chestnut, blue Material: Foam outsoles, leather upper
Pros: • Hand-free slip-on design • Well-cushioned insoles • Insoles are removable and washable
A slipper feeling with a stylish look—yes please! Rothy’s The Weekend Slide is just that, with a sturdy but pillow-like footbed and flexible knit upper that expands with you on your most swollen days. Plus, these slides come in a handful of fun color combinations, so you can find a pair that fits best into your wardrobe.
Sizes available: 5-13, including half sizes Colorways: Toffee stripe, oat, black, sandy cat, pink and magenta stripe, vanilla stripe, blue and white stripe, indigo Material: Rubber footbed, knit upper
If even the thought of yanking on a Chelsea boot exhausts you, go back to a boot classic: the UGG . The Mini II features everything you know and love about an UGG boot (the soft shearling lining, primarily) with the flexibility that allows you to slip them on hands-free. Not only are they ultra warm, but the grippy soles provide plenty of traction, so you can feel safe walking—or, let’s face it, waddling—in wet or slippery conditions.
Sizes available: 5-12 Colorways: Black, gray, burnt cedar, chestnut, mustard seed, dark blue, bright blue, pale blush Material: Shearling lining, leather upper, synthetic sole
Pros: • Soft, warm shearling lining • Good traction • Can be slipped on hands-free
Hoka shoes are renowned for layers (upon layers) of support and cushion—two must-haves for any pregnancy shoe. While there’s no going wrong with any of their sneakers, the Transport Shoe is particularly pregnancy-friendly for an active mom. Walking, hiking, and everyday toddler-wrangling are made easier with the toggle laces, roomy toe box, and extra cushion that absorbs and evenly distributes weight.
There’s a reason why nurses and restaurant workers are known for wearing Danskos. The brand’s podiatrist-approved arch support and shock absorption makes them wear-all-day shoes, especially if you’re on your feet for extended periods of time. In addition to their well-known clogs, Dansko also makes chic leather blocked heels , so you can still be stylish at your cousin’s wedding, even if your belly is big and your feet feel bigger.
Sizes available: 5-11.5 Colorways: Gunmetal, black, brown Material: Leather upper, PU outsole
Pros: • Superior arch support • Shock-absorbing soles • Supportive stacked heel
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