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24 Stylish Maternity Shoes to Carry You Through Pregnancy

Because the last thing your swollen feet need are clunky, uncomfortable kicks.
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profile picture of Martina Garvey
By Martina Garvey, E-Commerce Editor
Updated February 20, 2023
best pregnancy shoes 2023
Image: Ollie Gray, Birdies
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Now that you’re pregnant, you’ve probably started to expect more from your footwear—as you should. Your shoes aren’t just carrying you, they’re carrying baby too! It’s no wonder you’ve lost all patience for pinchy toes, blister-provoking heels and hard, flat soles. Your swollen feet deserve more, which is why we’re calling out the best shoes for pregnant women that provide support and comfort, and look good doing it.

When shopping for good shoes for pregnancy, there are a few considerations to keep in mind. The weight of a whole other little person inside you puts extra stress on your entire body, including your feet. This causes swelling that can make your trotters and your legs feel heavy and achy. The best pregnancy shoes are flexible to accommodate fluctuation in swelling and structured to take some of the pressure off. Swelling isn’t the only thing to consider when shopping for maternity shoes though. Pregnancy hormones prompt your ligaments to loosen, which can cause fallen arches (aka flat feet). With that in mind, the best shoes for pregnancy also offer arch support.

Even if you already own stretchy, supportive footwear, you might need new maternity shoes—during pregnancy, your feet may grow a half or whole shoe size! You’ll also want to temporarily retire your heels, no matter how well you’ve mastered strutting in them. The farther along you get, the more your balance is compromised, so skip the stilettos to avoid taking a tumble. Below, we’ve shared some of our favorite places to shop for the best pregnancy shoes, as well as a few top picks. Let’s get to it!

Where to Buy Pregnancy Shoes

Not sure where to begin your search? Here are three online retailers that offer comfortable and stylish shoes for pregnant women.

  • Zappos: This online store is home to all the major shoe brands—including Dr. Scholl, Clarks, Keds and more. Plus, you can filter the site to view styles designed for comfort as well as options with a narrow or wide fit.

  • Allbirds: Searching for everyday shoes? Look no further than Allbirds. The brand has seven styles to choose from, including athletic sneakers, flats and high-tops all made using sustainable materials. We’re big fans of the clever, minimalist design that places comfort as the number one priority. Better yet, the brand also has some options that are machine-washable.

  • Nordstrom: For on-trend maternity shoes suitable for any occasion, head straight to Nordstrom. This online department store boasts everything from mules and sliders to sandals and sneakers.

Best Shoes for Pregnancy

Worried that functional maternity shoes aren’t fashionable? Think again! We’ve rounded up chic and comfortable shoes for pregnancy, below.

Ballet flats

Minnetonka Anna Ballerina Flat
Image: Nordstrom

First up: These pretty pregnancy shoes for work promise all-day comfort. The pink ballet flats are crafted from soft leather with an elasticated topline, meaning they’re easy to slip on and off swollen feet. Plus, a cushioned footbed and treaded sole up the stakes in terms of support and practicality.

Wool slip-ons

Allbirds Women's Wool Loungers
Image: Allbirds
Buying Options
Allbirds | $105

Allbirds has been taking the athleisure world by storm with its sporty-chic kicks made from soft, moisture-wicking, temperature-regulating and machine-washable wool. This slip-on style is especially easy to wear (tying laces becomes a serious challenge during pregnancy); plus, the curved tread is designed to mimic the anatomical flexibility of your foot, and provide natural weight distribution. Talk about good shoes for pregnancy.

Pregnancy sneakers

Ollie Gray OG Sneaker
Image: Ollie Gray
Buying Options
Ollie Gray | $67.50

Here at The Bump, we’re big fans of Ollie Gray, a brand at the forefront of cutting-edge maternity apparel. The good news? Ollie Gray also designs awesome sneakers for moms-to-be. The shoes are made from a breathable knit fabric with Vibram soles that offer superior arch support. Additionally, the stretchy openings and adjustable toggles mean you won't struggle to squeeze your feet into them, making them good pregnancy shoes for anyone experiencing swelling. We adore the rose pink style with neon accents, but if that’s not your jam this pair also comes in two other colors.

Suede sandals

Birkenstocks have been around for decades, and with good reason: They're amazingly comfortable, courtesy of the contoured cork footbeds, which mimic the shape of your foot for superb support. Consider this taupe suede pair the perfect pregnancy shoes for summer.

Washable sneakers

Rothy's The Sneaker
Image: Rothy's
Buying Options
Rothy's | $119

Feel like royalty in Rothy's, an eco-friendly brand Meghan Markle was spotted wearing during her first pregnancy. While we're obsessed with these chic sneaks, but the company is also known for their pointed and round-toe flats that make excellent pregnancy shoes for work. Can you believe this footwear is made from recycled water bottles? Fans rave about their surprising flexibility—plus, they're conveniently machine washable.

Sheepskin boots

Want the comfort of slippers with a little more finesse? Shop a brand synonymous with cozy-chic styles: Koolaburra by UGG. If swelling has also impacted your calves—turning high boots into a total nightmare—these mini booties are your new best friends (and is that bow not the epitome of cuteness?). They pair excellently with a trendy pair of pregnancy compression socks. Plus, sheepskin boots are the latest Y2K trend making a comeback, meaning you’ll score serious style points too. These winter pregnancy shoes are crafted with soft suede, a cozy faux fur lining and sockliner and their wear-everywhere EVA outsole—making trips even where it’s sloshy outside totally acceptable.

Waterproof clogs

Love them or hate them, crocs are among the comfiest shoes for pregnancy. The iconic clog is incredibly light, comfortable and easy to clean thanks to the durable, waterproof material. Plus, pivoting heel straps mean you can transition between leisure mode for laidback lounging and sports mode for when you’re on the go.

Crossover sandals

BØRN IWA Sandal
Image: BØRN

If you don’t suffer from swollen feet and want pregnancy shoes that offer ample ankle support, this pair by BØRN is a great option. The handsewn leather sandals feature plush insoles and wide crossover straps to keep them securely in place. Don’t like the thought of squeezing your feet into sandals every day? Don't sweat it—this pair has a zip-up back, making them easy to slip on and off. Plus, they’re available in six cute colors.

Rain boots

Searching for maternity shoes that can withstand any weather? Try these waterproof Chelsea boots by beloved British outerwear brand Hunter. The elasticated side-gussets and pull-tab make slipping them on and off extra simple, while the treaded soles provide traction on wet, slippery surfaces. Better yet, this pair has been engineered for comfort with a wider ankle circumference and an increased curve in the heel and around the Achilles tendon.

Fashion-forward flip flops

Clarks offer some of the most comfortable shoes for pregnancy thanks to their cushioned footbeds. These slip-on sandals have a stretchy, adjustable ankle strap and OrthoLite insoles, which feature moisture-wicking technology to combat sweat (it happens). Bonus: These shoes are available in half-sizes too.

Platform wedges

Can’t live without high heels? Platform wedges are a great way to get a slight lift without sacrificing stability. These stylish leather sandals come with cushioned cork footbeds and adjustable ankle straps. Available in five neutral colors.

Step-in sneakers

Kizik Women's Madrid Eco-Knit
Image: Kizik

Can’t bend down to lace your shoes anymore? Don’t stress—Kizik has got your back (and your bump!). Thanks to patented HandsFree technology, you can step right into the sneakers and head out the door. Other standout features include a four-way stretch material that’s super-breathable and high-density foam insoles that are soft and supportive.

Slingback sandals

Shopping for sandals that double as pregnancy shoes? Try this Sanuk pair with the ultimate comfort insoles—they're made from yoga mats! The soft fabric straps are also winners in the comfort category. Although this pair is super-versatile and chic, the slingback style doesn’t offer much heel support, meaning they’re best suited for short-term wear.

Oxford-sneaker hybrid

Here's another pair of fashionable maternity shoes that'll keep your toes warm. Part sneakers, part oxfords, these knit kicks move with your growing feet while the leather lining protects against the cold. They also boast the brand's signature ZeroGrand anatomical cushioned insoles with arch support, making them some of the best shoes for pregnancy.

Slip-on sneakers

You may be familiar with Toms’ one-for-one program, which donates shoes to children in need. Or maybe you love the brand's footwear for its comfort factor. Either way, these awesome sneakers make great pregnancy shoes, thanks to their slip-on design, toe bumpers and comfortable Ortha-Lite soles. Plus, the platform base gives petite mamas a little lift.

Black flats

Skechers make some of the best shoes for pregnant women. Why? They offer a wide selection of athletic sneakers, walking sandals and cute flats designed with comfort in mind. We’re smitten with the Cleo flats. Crafted from vegan materials, the slip-on shoe has a stretch fit that’s a lifesaver for moms-to-be grappling with swollen ankles or reduced mobility. Plus, the air-cooled memory-foam insole combats sweaty feet and is cushioned for extra arch support. A scalloped edge and woven-knit upper also makes this a great office-ready style. And did we mention that this pair of pregnancy shoes is machine-washable too?

Embellished flats

Birdies The Swan Wine Gem Bracelet
Image: Birdies
Buying Options
Nordstrom | $165

Birdies check the boxes for style and comfort. thanks to their seven-layer construction and extensive pattern options. This pair of slip-on flats has a crystal anklet embellishment and tiny heels for added va-va-voom. We think this pretty style would be the perfect baby shower shoes for Mom—don’t you agree?

Platform sneakers

Searching for comfy shoes for pregnancy that don’t compromise on style? Check out these retro-inspired sneakers by Dr. Scholl’s. The chunky sole add some extra height. while the moisture- and odor-resistant insoles offer all-day cushioned support for achy feet. Plus, this pair is partially made from recycled water bottles, so they’re eco-friendly too! Pair the sneakers with a day dress for an effortlessly cool hot-weather look.

Clogs

Sanita Ellis Clogs
Image: Zappos

These slip-on clogs are the ideal statement pregnancy shoes for work. As with all the best supportive shoes for pregnancy, they boast cushioned footbeds with a padded instep and arch reinforcement. And the open back provides some welcome ventilation.

Running shoes

New Balance Fresh Foam Roav Elite
Image: New Balance

New Balance creates some of the comfiest kicks out there—and they look pretty cool too! If you plan to keep up your fitness routine, a good pair of sneakers are essential and these sleek black running shoes tick the box in terms of performance and style cred. An ultra-lightweight upper made from breathable mesh prevents sweaty feet, while the “fresh foam” midsole cushioning puts a little bounce back in your step.

Winter boots

Madewell The Dani Chelsea Lugsole Boot
Image: Madewell
Buying Options
Zappos | $218

Crafted from soft leather, this low-profile winter boot is extra cushy thanks to ultra-light padded insoles. The boots also feature durable, treaded soles that will come in handy during wintry conditions. Better yet, an elasticated shaft and pull tags make it easy to get them on and-off tired feet.

Indoor-outdoor slippers

How cozy do these padded shoes look? The slip-on sneakers—perfect for when your baby bump prevents you from touching your toes—are designed with a quilted upper and a collapsible heel that make it feel like you’re sliding your foot into a sleeping bag. On-trend pregnancy shoes that simulate slippers and give campfire cozyness? Sign us up!

Mules

A pair of mules is a timeless wardrobe staple, but traditional hard-backed styles can be tough on the feet—especially during pregnancy. That’s why we adore this backless pair by Sam Edelman. The slip-on shoes exude sophistication, thanks to the leather construction and metal hardware.

Jelly shoes

Okabashi Samantha Women's Ballet Flats
Image: Okabashi

Last up on our list of the best pregnancy shoes: These hardworking ballet flats by Okabashi. Described as grown-up jelly sandals (we like the sound of that!), this pair is waterproof, durable, slip-resistant and breathable. The perforated pumps also offer premium arch support and a sculpted heel cup for added stability.

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