There is a long list of things that happen to a woman's body during pregnancy. Swollen feet is usually at the top of that list, especially in the third trimester. Let's go over what to look for in shoes while dealing with swollen feet.
When you are pregnant your body will go through many changes.
Your belly will grow into a beautiful baby bump as your child develops.
You’ll find yourself craving weird and unusual foods you typically don’t eat, your mood swings will be all over the place and more than likely your feet will become so swollen you can’t comfortably fit into any of your normal shoes, so you’ll need the best shoes for your pregnancy.
Being pregnant can put a lot of stress onto a woman; picking out nursery decorations, choosing a baby name, and figuring out how to pay for all those diapers you will soon be going through.
Some days you will find yourself nesting and being on your feet, especially at the end of your term, during these days you need a pair of practical, easy to slip on, and comfortable shoes for pregnant women.
There are many different types of shoes available for pregnant women to help with swollen feet.
Some are more comfortable than others, some are for work while some are for exercise, and some are just versatile shoes.
Below is a quick comparison of the best shoes to wear while pregnant with swollen feet.
Top 3 Recommended:
Can I Wear High Heels While Pregnant?
High heels are a fashion staple that many women can’t live without, whether they wear them to work or any given day to boost their confidence.
Heels can put the finishing touches onto any outfit. But is it safe or practical to wear high heels while pregnant?
The answer can be a little confusing, while doctors will want to debate that the answer is no, you should not wear high heels while pregnant, there is also no rules stating that you cannot wear them.
Many women wear high heels during their 9-month term without any problems at all, but it is the what-ifs that call for concern to doctors and pregnant women alike.
High heels can cause discomfort for any woman whether they are pregnant or not, mostly because your feet are tilted to an unnatural position.
In addition to every day pain with high heels more issues can arise while wearing high heels when pregnant.
When you are pregnant your center of gravity shifts to compensate for the baby that is growing inside of you.
As the center of gravity moves pregnant woman have to lean back more and change their gait to remain stable.
When a woman’s balance is off while pregnant she is more likely to trip or fall, even while wearing shoes other than heels.
Wearing high heels while pregnant can cause a lot of issues such as:
- Falling or Tripping
- Calf Cramps
- Back Pain
- Blisters /Abrasions
- Swelling in feet
What Kind of Shoes Should I Wear While Pregnant?
The best shoes to wear while pregnant are going to be comfortable shoes that have enough room for your feet after they begin to swell, and can provide the support you need while carrying around a child.
Typically, the best shoes to wear during pregnancy are flats and sandals.
These two types of shoes are easy to put on, provide the room needed for swollen feet, and can be comfortable if you purchase the right pair.
But how do you know what the best pair are?
How to Select the Best Shoes for Pregnancy and Swollen Feet?
There are multiple determining factors when purchasing shoes for your swollen feet while pregnant.
Comfort is going to be key.
Your body is going to be uncomfortable and you are going to feel like you have lost control of every little thing; from emotions to bloating.
You will be able to take control on the comfort of your shoes and feet though!
When purchasing a pair of pregnancy shoes for swollen feet you need to look specifically at a couple of features on them.
Heels
As mentioned before, it is best to purchase a pair of shoes that do not feature a heel at all.
Heels are unstable and can increase your chances of tripping and falling.
But if you are going to wear a pair of heels stick to low and sturdy or chunky heels that will provide the stability you will need while caring your child.
Breathable
Breathable shoes will allow your feet to stay dry and cool preventing them to overheat or sweat too much.
When shoes are not breathable they are more likely to trap bacteria in them causing terrible odors to protrude.
Some breathable materials to look out for are either canvas or leather.
Roomy
Because your feet are going to swell while you are pregnant you are going to want a pair of comfortable shoes for pregnancy that have a lot of room to grow into.
The roomiest of shoes are ones that have a round toe cap (this is the front area of the shoe where your toes rest safely inside).
Depending on how much your feet swell during pregnancy you may have to purchase a pair of shoes that are high a size or even a full size larger than what you typically wear.
Supportive
Purchase shoes that have great arch support for the type of arch that you have.
Some people have flat feet and may need shoes that work best for their gate.
With support in a pair of shoes comes comfort because of the added padding all around.
The most supportive and comfortable shoes will have padded insoles and heel collars.
Easy to Put on
Late into your 9-month term your belly is going to grow so large that you will not be able to, nor want to bend over to try and tie a pair of shoes.
Believe it or not attempting to bend down to put on a shoe can be next to impossible when you are pregnant, so try and find good shoes for pregnancy that do not have laces and can easily slip on.
Stylish
This really should not be the determining factor of what shoes to purchase while pregnant, but when you are pregnant and not feeling like you are glowing as much as everyone keeps telling you, stylish shoes may be the only thing that helps get you through your day.
Just keep in mind, sometimes the cutest shoes are the most practical.
Review of 7 Best Pregnancy Shoes
- Classic alpargata style, canvas upper, elastic gore for easy fit, suede footbed^With every pair of shoes you purchase, toms will give a new pair of shoes to a child in need. one for one^Classic...
As most people know, TOMS shoes offer to supply a pair of shoes to a child in need somewhere in the world for every pair is bought.
If that doesn’t convince you to purchase a pair of TOMS what would?
To begin with, TOMS Classic Flats are stretchable and breathable slip on shoes that are made from green materials.
The sole of the shoes are made out of suede material that provide you with the softest and most comfortable walking pad.
The elastic V on the top portion of these shoes allow for them to stretch and fit any foot, even if they are swollen. Plus, the wrap burlap upper stretches with your foot, especially after multiple wears.
Toms Classic Flats not only come in a variety of colors, but they have many different patterns, and even vegan options to choose from, for those animal lovers.
- Slip on easily
- Come in a variety of Colors and Patterns
- Also Supports a cause
- Very Little Protection
- Begins to fall apart after a couple of weeks of wear
- Lightweight Resalyte cushioning
- The "W" stands for women's
The Skechers Go Walk are one of the best shoes for pregnant women because they meet all the needs you would want in a shoe while pregnant.
These shoes come in many different colors to suit any style and have no laces. No laces mean that the Skechers Go Walk will slip right onto your foot.
They are light and will not any additional weight to each step.
The padding on the insole of these Skechers shoes are made with their trademarked GOGA mat technology, this is the same material that is found in yoga mats.
This material is extra cushioning and comfortable, the shoes will conform to your feet as if you stepped into a cloud.
Other bonus features of these shoes is that they are made from a breathable material to keep your foot cool and odor free.
They are also water resistant, great for all-weather protection. And the Skechers Go come in a variety of sizes, including extra wide, which is great for pregnant women with swollen feet.
- No laces / Slip right one
- Variety of colors available
- Lightweight
- Not suitable for business wear/work
When looking for a pair of the best shoes while pregnant you are going to want one that can easily slip on, are breathable, comfortable, and yet still have some style to them.
The Crocs Kadee Flats feature all of these.
Crocs make their shoes with trademarked Croslite foam cushioning that have circulation nubs under the soles that help provide support and comfort for all day wear.
The foam found in the insole is engineered from some of the same materials that can be found in a yoga mat, giving you that added comfort.
While stylized holes at the heels and toes these shoes are incredibly breathable. Keeping your feet dry and cool is one thing that can increase the comfort when wearing any pair of shoes.
Plus, these shoes can easily be cleaned if they get dirty for any reason.
Lastly, the most important aspect of a pair of the best shoes during pregnancy is being able to slip them on easily.
Because these shoes are flats, they have no laces, and are easy enough to just put on hands free.
- Variety of colors available
- Slip on easily
- Breathable
- Break in period required
- Comfort-minded clog featuring roomy reinforced toe box for protection and polyurethane outsole with rocker bottom for shock-absorption. Protective TPU heel counter allows the heel to move up and down...
- Padded instep collar. Use a damp soapy cloth or sponge to remove surface dirt. Do not saturate the leather. Ordinary scuff marks may be touched up with shoe polish.
- Wide heel strike for greater stability
The Dansko Professional Clog was awarded the Seal of Acceptance from the American Podiatric Medical Association, guaranteeing these shoes are incredibly comfortable.
The Dansko Professional Clog are durable and made to last. They are made out of leather and come in a variety of colors and patterns, making them the best work shoes for pregnancy.
These shoes do have a height of 1 1/2” from the floor, but the entire platform on these shoes are ¾” protecting your feet from the hard floors.
The thick soles actually provide more cushion for a more comfortable shoe. The arches in these shoes are designed for people with medium to high arches, and they provide a rocker effect, which allows for an easy transition between each step.
- Comfortable
- Very Roomy
- Different styles and colors
- Expensive
- Best for women with high arches
- Lightweight lace-up sneaker featuring pull-on tab at tongue and flexible grooves at outsole
- Padded tongue and collar
- Cushioned midsole
Skechers are known for their comfortable and wide fitting shoes that are great for anyone. And the Skechers Big Idea Sneakers are no exception to their reputation.
They are are one of the best sneakers for pregnancy that feature a padded collar and tongue to provide the most comfort.
Plus, the soft fabric shoe lining and cushioned insole conforms to your foot softly to give you the feeling that you are walking on a pillow.
They are also super lightweight and absorb any chock endured to the foot with their Flex designed midsole, keeping you, your baby, and your feet safe.
This shoe is made with a faux leather upper and mesh front and side panels that are designed with a microperforated finish to provide breathability.
This cooling effect will keep your feet cool even on the hottest of days.
While the Skechers Big Idea Sneakers do offer a slip on feature with a bungee laced stretch cord front panel, this can feel a little tight on swollen feet.
These shoes may need a break in period to stretch out this cord or to be purchased in a larger size.
- Breathable materials
- Padded collar and tongue
- Slip-On Design
- May Need Break in Period
- Bungee Cord can be too tight
- Leather riding boot featuring tall shaft with dual buckle straps, instep zipper, and concealed goring
- Cushioning Ortholite footbed
When you are pregnant in the winter it is hard to find a comfortable pair of shoes that can stretch for your swollen feet, but still keep your toes warm. The Clark’s Women’s Malia Poplar A Boot does just that.
With an Ortholite foot bed these shoes will provide your foot with super cushion and comfort.
Your feet will conform to the bottom of the shoe, giving you a customized feel. The comfort continues up the shaft with padded fabric lining, providing your calf with a cozy feeling.
The buckles on the side of the boot are adjustable, plus there is elastic built into the top of the boot to allow room for any sized calves.
The full grain leather outer provides your feet with stability and it keeps your feet dry, yet still ventilated.
There is a 2 inch heel on these boots that can give you a little bit of height, but the heel is sturdy and low.
- Ortholite Foot bed
- Breathable leather
- Runs Small
- EVERYDAY SUPPORT: A podiatrist-designed footbed delivering unique THREE-ZONE COMFORT is built into every pair of Vionic sandals, slippers, active shoes, and flats which promotes stability and natural...
- MAINTAINING YOUR WOMEN'S SANDALS: Preserve the appearance of your Vionic shoes; We recommend that you clean the leather, if needed, using a dry, cotton cloth to wipe away dirt or dust; Keep the...
- VIONIC SHOES: The innovative biomechanics of THREE-ZONE COMFORT deliver enhanced stability with a deep heel cup, superior forefoot cushioning, and ultimate arch support midsole; These essential...
On the other end of the weather spectrum, if you are pregnant during the summer months you are going to want the best flip flops for pregnancy that are easy to get on and will keep your cool during those hot summer days.
The Vionic Orthaheel offers support that most flip flops do not offer, but still have the summer feel.
Unlike typical flip flops the Vionic Orthaheel provides a Orthaheel technology that is designed to hug your arch and support your feet. This can alleviate heel pain and provide comfort.
The lightweight EVA midsole absorbs shock and reduces any stress that could be caused on the heels, feet, ankle, knees, and even your back.
Because these are the most comfortable sandals for pregnancy, they are great for swollen feet, without having to worry about how tight the uppers will fit you.
The typical area in a sandal that can be too tight is the toe post. But these shoes have a foam lined strap that will reduce any blisters and will stretch with your feet.
With this foam lined strap though, the toe separator can be a little large for people with small toes.
- Orthaheel technology comfort
- Breathable
- Easily Slips On
- Large Toe Separator
Conclusion
When looking for the best shoes for pregnancy you need to focus on three main aspects:
Can they easily be put on?
Are they comfortable?
And do they provide you with the support your body needs?
All of the shoes featured on this list pass these three aspects, while a couple of shoes fall short in some areas others exceed expectations.
Overall, the Dansko Professional Clog is the most comfortable shoe that can be worn during pregnancy.
They are roomy, have arch support, and provide extra comfort. With the rocker effect in the heel, these shoes provide a smooth transition with each step.
The clog style of these shoes make them easy to put on, even when you can’t see your feet.
Another bonus feature of these shoes is that they are very durable and will last many years, and many pregnancies, so they are well worth the investment.
At the end of the day your feet, ankle, knees, and back will be thanking you with the purchase of these clogs.
Our team at The Fitness Tribe often collaborates together to produce content. Many times the content is not written by a single author, instead it is usually a team effort.
Last update on 2023-02-20 / Affiliate links / Images from Amazon Product Advertising API