The Best Shoes for Pregnancy, According to Podiatrists

Few pregnancy-friendly shoes have received quite as many rave reviews as Kiziks. This sneaker brand is unique in that every pair is designed to be completely hands-free: Simply slip them on by sliding your foot inside (the heel collapses then springs right back without crushing your foot). This is a huge selling point for moms in their third trimester, a point in which your bump can make it impossible to bend over to tie shoelaces. Despite the slip-on element, they look like “normal” shoes — a fact many moms-to-be appreciate.

In addition to ease of use, Kiziks are also seriously comfortable. The brand also offers a variety of styles from running shoes to lifestyle shoes to the futuristic-looking Roamer, but the Lima Hands-Free Sneaker is a particularly good choice for pregnancy since it offers extra cushioning, ankle padding, a roomy toe box, supportive insoles and plenty of traction on the rubber sole.

And although it’s on the pricier side, moms-to-be say the ultra comfortable fit and ability to put them on hands-free makes Kiziks well worth the price. 

While the Kiziks above look like a “normal” sneaker, the Allbirds Women's Tree Loungers have a more minimalist design that some prefer. Made of eucalyptus tree fiber, they’re lightweight and stretchy, and include a cushioned midsole and roomy fit.

“I owned these shoes pre-pregnancy, but they quickly became one of two shoes I wore during pregnancy,” says Leah Rocketto, What to Expect’s Associate Commerce Director. “They were great to wear for more casual activities, like running errands or grabbing a coffee with friends. The fabric is incredibly stretchy, so even as my feet swelled throughout the day, the shoe stretched to make room for them, never feeling too tight.” 

And even though this shoe is incredibly lightweight, Leah adds that she appreciated how much support they offered her flat feet. They’re also completely washable so you can keep them looking brand new throughout your pregnancy.

Merrell is known for high-quality all-terrain shoes, and the brand’s Winter Pull On boot is no exception. The faux fur lining and slouchy suede leather uppers look super cozy, but don’t be fooled — the rubber sole offers excellent traction, making these a solid enough winter boot to weather, well, the weather. If your pregnancy will occur during the wintertime — particularly if you’ll be in the later stages at this time — you’ll appreciate how easy it is to pull these supersoft boots on, too.

Though on the more expensive side for winter boots, many moms-to-be say the brand’s shoes are so durable and made from such high-quality materials that they’re well worth the price. 

Although many moms will admit that Oofos OOahh Slides aren’t exactly the most fashion-forward shoes, there’s no denying how incredibly comfortable they are. Made from machine-washable foam, this slide delivers superior comfort with arch support, a cushioned footbed to reduce the pressure on your feet, and a soft strap that won’t dig into skin. 

Karen Sly, What to Expect’s Finance Director, was a fan of this style during her pregnancy. “Oofos slides are easy to get on and you can wear them with cozy socks,” she says. It also has the podiatrist stamp of approval: Dr. Splichal recommends this brand for moms-to-be, and it also has an APMA seal, ensuring the shoe has been found to be beneficial to foot health.

With their cushy footbed, wide, adjustable straps and versatile styling options, Birkenstock sandals are a classic pregnancy pick. And although you can’t go wrong with the popular original or waterproof EVA Arizona, the Birkenstock Mayari Sandal is an especially popular top choice in the What to Expect community. Moms-to-be rave about the arch support, wide sizes and contoured footbed that gently cradles sore feet when it comes to this particular style.

“I have a permanent Birkenstocks tan that really started with my 2021 pregnancy and has continued on through postpartum and my 2023 pregnancy,” says Jeanne Beacom, What to Expect’s Senior Campaign Reporting Manager. “[The Mayari sandals] are easy to slide on, and you can adjust the straps via the buckles for swelling — I had really bad swelling — and they do have arch support. Plus, they go with everything.”

The Mayari sandals are also a favorite style because of the loop for your big toe, which helps them stay on, unlike other slide styles of Birkenstocks that some people find slip off easily.

“Work shoes” — which often include styles like loafers and flats — are notorious for having a tighter fit and narrow toe box. But if you’re looking for an office-appropriate shoe that won’t overly squeeze your feet, one from APMA-approved brand Vionic is a great choice. The Kensley loafer has a generous size range (from 5 to 12) and is sold in both regular and wide sizes, perfect for accommodating moms-to-be with edema, which is when your feet swell. The on-trend thick rubber lug sole delivers solid traction (good for minimizing the risk of slipping) but is made from light materials that won’t weigh feet down. Finally, as with all Vionic shoes, the orthotic insole provides plenty of arch support and ultra comfy cushioning.

For light exercise and errands, look no further than the Skechers Go Walk 6. Another slip-on sneaker (you can slide your foot into the back, though it does have laces you can use to adjust the fit), the Go Walk 6 is highly comfortable and supportive. Made of mesh with an air-cooled memory foam insole, it’s breathable and ideal for keeping feet cool on hot days or while exercising, and the springy soles help absorb impact, making them supportive enough for all-day wear.

The Vionic Evergreen Chelsea Boot is another excellent APMA-approved pick. Boots can be tightly fitting (a tricky proposition for moms-to-be with edema) or have too high of a heel, but this Chelsea boot checks all the boxes for comfort while pregnant. They’re easy to pull on with a rear pull-tab so you won’t have to bend over and tie laces or pull up a zipper, and the cushioned insole has plenty of arch support. The sole of this shoe is also flexible with good traction, which is a nice feature to help reduce the risk of slipping on wet or snowy days.

Although the toe box isn’t overly narrow and many reviewers say they don’t feel too tight, this style is not available in wide sizes — so if you’re experiencing serious edema, this may not be the best pregnancy shoe for you.

“Like a cloud” is a common description of the Bronax Pillow Slippers. Made of EVA, a rubber-like material known for being lightweight and flexible, and featuring a thick supportive sole, moms-to-be in the What to Expect community rave about how comfortable these slippers are. They feel wonderfully plush on your feet and are roomy enough to accommodate pregnancy swelling (the band is nice and wide, and the brand provides instructions to custom fit them to your feet). Bronax also offers one of the widest size ranges on this list, from size 4 to 16, and there are countless colors available.

And though technically slippers, there’s nothing stopping you from wearing them outside of the house — many moms say they wear their Bronax slippers running errands or going for a walk around the neighborhood. And because the EVA is waterproof, a few note that they’ve even packed their trusty slippers for the hospital to wear as a shower shoe.

Ballet flats are versatile and stylish, but this type of shoe is also notorious for its narrow silhouette and insufficient arch support. Luckily, the Dr. Scholl’s Wexley Ballet Flats allow moms-to-be to wear flats without compromising comfort. Not only does the Wexley flat have a supportive foam footbed, but it’s available in both regular and wide sizes — and opting for a wider size is a smart choice if you’re experiencing edema. Moms even say it’s one of the rare pairs of ballet flats they’ve tried that doesn’t immediately give them blisters. Also good: The footbed is made of antimicrobial foam, which helps to minimize odor. 

Dr. Lee says wedges, especially lower ones, are preferable for moms-to-be because they offer more support than heels. As with ballet flats, this is a type of shoe that Dr. Scholl’s does especially well: The brand’s Ellie Espadrille wedge can elevate a look without compromising comfort. The insoles on this pair, made from the brand’s special foam cushioning, are especially cushy and comfortable. Plus, there’s sufficient arch support and a lightweight, flexible cork sole that’s just high enough at two inches. It’s available in four versatile colors and also has an ankle strap for a little extra support.