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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.
Scroll on for nine podiatrist-approved picks.
Best Walking Sneakers: Vionic Comfort Walking Sneaker Walk Max, $140
Best Budget-Friendly Sneakers: Ryka Noriko Arch Support Cushioned Footbed Walking Shoes, $55
Best Work Shoes: Vivaia Square-Toe Margot Mary-Jane, $97
Best Sandals: Birkenstock Arizona Two-Strap Comfort Footbed Slide Sandal, $140
Best Slip-On Sneakers: Kizik Vegas, $129
Best Slides: Rothy’s The Weekend Slide, $139
Best Boots: UGG Women’s Classic Mini II Genuine Shearling Lined Boot, $160
Best Active Sneakers: Hoka Transport Shoe, $150
Best Dress Shoes: Dansko Leather Heeled Sandals, $140
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.
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.”
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.
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.
• Dr. Saylee Tulpule is a Board Certified Foot and Ankle Surgeon.
• Caroline McCulloch is a podiatrist and co-founder of FRANKIE4.
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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
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
Cons:
• Limited colorways
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.
Sizes available: 5-11.5
Colorways: Taupe, mocha
Material: Cork footbed, suede upper
Pros:
• Molds to your foot
• Straps are adjustable
• Versatile style
Cons:
• Not waterproof
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
Cons:
• Reviewers note inconsistent sizing
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
Pros:
• Soft contoured footbed
• Eco-friendly materials
• Machine washable
Cons:
• Require a break-in period for some
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
Cons:
• Available in whole sizes only
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.
Sizes available: 5-11, including half sizes
Colorways: Harbor mist, white, eggnog
Material: Vibram tread, rubber sole, textile upper
Pros:
• Toggle laces
• Maximum traction
• Roomy toe box
Cons:
• Heavier than other sneaker brands
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
Cons:
• Have a rigid sole
