Some women glow during pregnancy — I was not one of those women. I dealt with nausea for nine months during both of my pregnancies and my feet swelled like crazy. While morning sickness subsides after the first trimester for most, having swollen feet is incredibly common. In fact, a lot of women have to stick to sneakers as their pregnancy progresses.
If you’re expecting, knowing what types of shoes can best support your feet and keep you stable as your body changes can be incredibly helpful. To find out what happens to your feet during pregnancy and to help find the best pregnancy shoes for several situations, I spoke with two podiatrists.
The best pregnancy shoes of 2026
Best sneakers
Hoka is a popular shoe brand amongst runners — but they are also great for pregnant women, according to experts we consulted for this story. The Clifton 10 has an overall roomier fit and a wide toe box. The upper is also made from breathable mesh, so your feet won’t get sweaty. These were my go-to pregnancy shoes and I still wear them almost daily because of how comfortable they are. Though they are not a slip-on style, I found that if I didn’t tie the laces too tight, I could easily slip my feet into them instead of having to bend over my pregnant belly.
Best flats
This brand is known for creating stylish shoes that have the support of a sneaker. These loafers, which would look great with cropped jeans and a blazer for work or a flowy dress on the weekends, have removable cushioned insoles and a good deal of arch support. The shoes also run on the slightly wider side, which is great for swollen feet. The soles also have deep treads for traction, making them great on slippier ground.
Best sandals
I wore these Birkenstock sandals long before getting pregnant and wore them frequently when I was carrying. Kim also recommends them for pregnant women. They are quite wide, which is great for expanding feet. You can also loosen the buckles if the top of your feet are swollen. The footbed is covered in a soft suede and they are molded for support where you need it while pregnant — in the arch area.
Best slip-on style
When you get to the point where you really can’t bend down to put on shoes, clogs are a life saver. This pair from Project Cloud has a contoured footbed with molded arch support (needed as your pregnancy feet flatten) and a non-slip rubber outsole. The upper is made from leather that has a water-resistant coating. It also has a buckle that allows you to loosen it as your foot swells. Hot tip: Clogs are also great for the hospital when you give birth — because they’re easy to slip on and off for trips to the bathroom or walks around the maternity ward after giving birth.
Best budget
When you are carrying extra weight, the last thing you want to do is add to that. These shoes weigh less than six ounces, making them incredibly light. They also have a flexible sole for easy movement and a wide toe box that allows your toes to fully splay as you foot hits the ground. The laces are decorative and don’t need to be tied, so you can slip the shoes on and off.
Most breathable
One of the most well known slip-on brands on social media, Kiziks have a springy heel cup that you can press down on with your heel to slip into without any lasting damage. The midsole has moderate cushioning for comfort and the shoe is available in medium and wide widths.
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Why do feet flatten or swell during pregnancy?
No two pregnancies are exactly the same and every person’s body reacts differently. That said, there are certain biological things that happen during this time that can lead to some common bodily shifts — including swollen feet. “During pregnancy, many patients notice that their feet become flatter and sometimes slightly longer or wider,” says Dr. Samantha Landau, a professor at Touro University New York College of Podiatric Medicine. “The arch often lowers because the ligaments that support the arch become more lax.”
Your ligaments relax because your body starts producing more of a hormone called relaxin, which helps the body prepare for childbirth by loosening ligaments and soft tissues, says Dr. Don Kim, owner of Kim Holistic Foot & Ankle Center in Long Beach, California.
All of these changes can result in needing a larger shoe size. “In my clinical experience, it is very common for women to increase by about half a shoe size, and some may increase by a full-size during pregnancy,” says Landau. “For many individuals, about half a size increase may remain even after pregnancy.”
How I picked the best pregnancy shoes
Given the changes your feet undergo during pregnancy, both Landau and Kim stress that finding supportive shoes is imperative. Not only will they keep you comfortable, they can help keep you stable and prevent falls as your center of gravity shifts, says Kim. Below are the key criteria to consider when shopping for shoes during pregnancy.
- Arch support: Because arches tend to flatten when carrying a baby, finding shoes with good arch support can reduce strain and improve comfort, says Kim. Having this support will also help stabilize your foot and make you feel more steady, adds Landau.
- Wide toe box: The forefoot often spreads as you gain weight with pregnancy. To accommodate this change, look for a shoe with a wide toe box, says Landau. This will allow your toes to fully splay and prevent any pinching up front.
- Flexible upper: Your feet may swell off and on, so look for a shoe that will accommodate that. Kim suggests looking for shoes with a soft, flexible upper. Or, if you are looking at sandals, you’ll want adjustable straps.
- The right amount of cushioning: “Look for moderate cushioning rather than excessive cushioning,” says Landau. “Overly soft shoes can actually make the foot work harder and may stress an already overtaxed and less efficient foot.”
- Easy to put on: As your pregnancy progresses, it gets harder and hard to bend down. Because of this, finding shoes that are easy to put on and take off can be helpful, says Kim.
Frequently asked questions
They might, but that is not always the case. “If you gained more weight, didn’t wear supportive shoes, or already had flat feet it can cause the flattening and widening of the feet to become more permanent,” says Kim. “If you want to avoid permanent change in your feet, I recommend using supported footwear throughout your pregnancy.”
Beyond comfort, the most important goal during pregnancy is maintaining stability and support while accommodating swelling and ligament laxity, says Landau. Not only will this help reduce fatigue and foot pain as the body adapts to these changes, it can help you stabilize as your center of gravity changes. In turn, this can help prevent you from falling or tripping.
Our experts also highly recommend compression socks, which will help with the swelling. “I like Crazy Compression socks,” says Kim. “For those who naturally have flat feet or need the extra support, insoles can also help.”
Meet our experts
At NBC Select, we work with experts who have specialized knowledge and authority based on relevant training and/or experience. We also take steps to ensure all expert advice and recommendations are made independently and without undisclosed financial conflicts of interest.
- Dr. Samantha Landau is a podiatrist and professor at New York College of Podiatric Medicine at Touro University.
- Dr. Don Kim is a podiatrist and owner of Kim Holistic Foot & Ankle Center in Long Beach, California
Why trust NBC Select?
I’m a commerce editor at NBC Select and a journalist who regularly covers beauty, home and lifestyle. I have recently reported on vibration plates and red light therapy for hair loss. For this story, I interviewed podiatrists about the best shoes to wear while pregnant.
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