Illustration: Dana Davis; Photos: Elissa Sanci

Ask any nurse: Wearing proper footwear can make the difference between walking pain-free out of work at the end of the day and crawling out with sore feet, aching legs, and throbbing lower backs. So we interviewed nurses to find their go-to shoe options, scrolled for hours on nursing social media feeds, and read through countless Reddit threads. We walked away with a few supremely comfy recommendations—good for even those not saving lives.

The sneakers we saw the most→

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Photo: Michael Murtaugh

Over the years, we’ve run more than 5,000 miles to find the most comfortable and supportive shoes for the job. Whether you prefer soft and springy or cushiony and plush, our recommendations should suit a variety of runners’ needs and preferences.

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Photo: Sarah Kobos

They may have had different shoe preferences, but there was one must-have item that all the health-care professionals we spoke with agreed on: a pair of compression socks. Designed to boost circulation with their snug fit, these socks can even level up the comfort of mediocre shoes.

Our 7 favorite pairs of compression socks→

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