8 Best Pregnancy Shoes, According to Moms

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. In fact, pregnancy can affect everything from your foot size to your balance. As Dr. Andrea Braden, OBGYN, and breastfeeding medicine specialist, explains, “As pregnancy progresses, the center of gravity shifts in a way that can affect a person’s sense of balance. Since shoes with heels push the center of gravity forward even more, some pregnant individuals may find it more difficult to balance wearing anything but flat shoes.” To help navigate those changes, supportive footwear becomes more important than ever.

As a mom of two with a background in the fashion industry, I know that style matters, and that comfort and support become non-negotiable during pregnancy. That’s why we rounded up the best pregnancy shoes for every need––from supportive everyday sneakers and hands-free styles to pregnancy-friendly sandals, clogs and polished flats.

How We Chose the Best Shoes for Pregnancy

To find the best shoes for pregnancy, we focused on the challenges pregnant people are most likely to experience––from swollen feet and shifting balance to arch pain and the need for hands-free styles that are easier to get on and off during pregnancy. From there:

• We interviewed a podiatrist and an OB-GYN to better understand how pregnancy affects the feet, what features to prioritize and how common concerns like swelling, balance changes and foot growth can influence footwear needs.
• We conducted extensive market research, analyzing user reviews, expert recommendations and discussions across forums.
• As a mom myself, some of these shoes are ones I used during my own pregnancies.
• We selected shoes based on specific pregnancy-related needs, including all-day support, swelling, standing for long periods, ease of wear and overall comfort.
• Wherever possible, we prioritized shoes that carry the American Podiatric Medical Association (APMA) Seal of Acceptance or have features that align with podiatrist-recommended footwear guidelines.
• We also considered aesthetics and versatility, prioritizing shoes that are supportive, functional and wearable for every day.

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Best Pregnancy Shoes to Buy

How Does Pregnancy Affect Your Feet?

According to Dr. Miguel Cunha, a surgical podiatrist certified by the American Board of Podiatric Medicine, “pregnancy places a tremendous amount of stress on the foot, which can clearly lead to aches, pains and fatigue.”

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. In addition to general discomfort, other foot-related issues you may experience throughout your pregnancy include:

• Changes in balance. Pregnancy doesn’t just affect your feet—it can also affect the way you move. As your belly grows, your center of gravity gradually shifts, which can leave you feeling a little less steady on your feet than usual. This is one reason many pregnant people find themselves gravitating toward supportive, low-profile shoes and away from high heels later in pregnancy
• Decreased arch height. You may notice that your feet are flatter. “The plantar fascia is a bow-string-like ligament, on the bottom of the foot that connects the heel to the ball of the foot,” explains Cunha. When we stand, our arch flattens due our body weight imposing down on our feet, he continues. As a result, the weight gain that comes part and parcel with pregnancy can contribute to an increase in this pressure, causing flatter arches.
• Increased foot length and width. Pregnancy can also cause your foot size to grow a half or whole shoe size. How? Cunha explains: “Hormones that are released during pregnancy in preparation for labor, increase the relaxation and laxity of ligaments. This can impact not only the joints in the hips, but also cause stretching in the joints of the feet.”
• Varicose veins. A common side effect of pregnancy, it’s normal for varicose veins to appear in your feet and ankles. Some moms-to-be may experience an “accumulation of fluid retention in the feet and ankles due to the increased pressure and stress placed onto the veins of the feet as they work against gravity to push blood back to the heart,” says Cunha.
• Progression of existing foot deformities. If you already suffer from bunions, hammer toes and other foot deformities, these existing conditions may grow worse. According to Cunha, this is due to hormonal changes and decreased arch height. What’s more, our feet naturally pronate (aka collapse) as we stand and walk, explains Cunha; however, pregnant women’s feet can pronate for abnormally long periods of time, due to changes in their bodies. All in all, “overpronation can alter the biomechanics and distribution of pressure and weight across the foot and ultimately lead to the progression of underlying foot deformities,” Cunha concludes.

What To Look For in Pregnancy Shoes

We know it can be hard to know exactly what you should be looking for as you shoe shop while pregnant. To ease your search, Cunha suggests keeping an eye out for shoes with spacious toe boxes, arch support, well-cushioned footbeds and deep heel cups. Together, these features will work to minimize aches and pains you may be experiencing in your feet. Dr. Braden also recommends prioritizing shoes with a roomy toe box, supportive flat sole and adjustable fit, especially if swelling or balance changes become a concern.

Another tip: You’ll want to make sure your maternity footwear is rigid to offer optimal support. To test this, Cunha advises moms-to-be to take the shoe in question and bend it in half. “You shouldn’t be able to,” he says, “because the shank is the actual structure of the shoe and should be rigid to hold up and support the arch.” Last but not least, the best shoes for pregnancy also should have sturdy heel counters. To see if your footwear does, squeeze the heel to see how firm it is. “You shouldn’t be able to compress it,” explains Cunha, this way, it will support the heel and prevent ankle sprains in those with high arches.

Types of Shoes To Avoid While Pregnant

While there are a lot of great maternity footwear options out there, there are also some shoes you should avoid while pregnant. Here, Cunha explains what features and styles you should steer clear of:

• Backless shoes. “I rarely recommend that people wear backless shoes for an extended period of time,” says Cunha. Why? With these styles, your feet tend to hold onto the shoe with every step, which can accelerate the risk of hammer toe and general discomfort. Cunha explains that while backless slippers are totally fine short term, for extended periods, he suggests a sturdier option with arch support.
• High heels. You’ll 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. If you do choose to wear a pair while pregnant, Cunha recommends looking for shoes that have a one-inch heel (or smaller).
• Flat shoes. Conversely, moms-to-be should also avoid super-flat shoes. As per Cunha, “they will contribute to pronation (collapsing of the arch), which may contribute to plantar and posterior heel pain, shin splints, knee pain and back pain. Looking for pregnancy footwear that will give you a little lift? Cunha suggests opting for a one-inch wedge or platform, or shoes with an arch incorporated into its design. Any of these options will place less tension on the Achilles tendon, reducing potential discomfort.
• Flip flops and flat sandals. Flip flops may be convenient, but according to Cunha “they can be worse than walking barefoot if they don’t have arch support incorporated into its design and are worn for prolonged periods of time.” The same goes for flat sandals. Instead, Cunha advises moms-to-be to choose sandals that have “a slight heel less than 3/4-inches.” Likewise, to avoid injury, make sure the shoe is sturdy, wide enough in the forefoot and that the straps aren’t too loose.

How Many Shoes Do You Actually Need?

Pregnancy doesn’t require a complete overhaul of your shoe closet. In many cases, a few strategic swaps are enough to accommodate swelling, changing comfort needs and shifts in balance.

Start with one supportive shoe you’ll reach for most often. From there, consider your lifestyle and daily routine. If you’re on your feet all day for work, you may benefit from a more supportive option like a cushioned sneaker or supportive boot. If you’re pregnant during the summer months or in a warm climate, a supportive sandal may be worth adding to the rotation. And if bending down feels impossible, a hands-free shoe might be worth the investment. As Dr. Braden notes, not every pregnant person experiences swelling, balance challenges or changes in foot size to the same degree. For many pregnant people, that means having two or three go-to pairs rather than an entirely new shoe wardrobe.

When to Size Up During Pregnancy

It’s common for feet to change during pregnancy, but there isn’t a one-size-fits-all timeline. In my case, my feet swelled during both pregnancies and ultimately increased by about half a shoe size—permanently. But according to Dr. Braden, shoe size changes vary widely from person to person, which is why she doesn’t automatically recommend sizing up for every pregnant patient.

Instead of focusing on the number on the shoe box, pay attention to how your shoes actually feel. It may be time to size up or look for a roomier style if:

• Your shoes feel noticeably tighter by the end of the day
• Your toes are pressing against the front of the shoe
• Swelling doesn’t fully subside overnight
• You’ve stopped wearing certain shoes because they’re uncomfortable

Rather than automatically buying larger shoes, Dr. Braden notes that a more accommodating fit is often enough to address pregnancy-related discomfort. For some people, that may mean sizing up, while for others, switching to a roomier style is enough.

About the writer:
Christine Carpenter is a contributing writer, editor and product tester for The Bump. As a mom of two, she draws from personal parenting experience as well as an extensive background in the fashion industry to evaluate products and help parents make informed purchasing decisions. Having navigated pregnancy twice herself, she understands how important supportive, comfortable footwear––that’s still cute!––can be as your body changes.