Best Shoes for Pregnancy: What Got Me Through 4 Pregnancies
I’ve been pregnant four times, and by the end of every one of them I had the same two complaints about my shoes. I couldn’t reach my laces anymore and shoes that felt fine a year earlier had my feet aching by mid-afternoon.
So these are the two rules I shop by when pregnant (and when recommending shoes to pregnant friends).
- Slip-on wins. Somewhere in the third trimester, bending over to tie a shoe goes from annoying to not happening. There are a few times I had to have my husband tie or buckle my shoes because I just couldn’t do it. At this point, a pair you can step into is worth more than a cuter pair you can’t get on.
- You need more support than you think. You’re carrying more weight every month and a lot of that pressure lands on your feet.
This is the maternity footwear I wore through four pregnancies, the pairs I’d buy again, and the ones I’d skip. I’ll also show you how an insole can make shoes you already own more comfortable (the cheapest fix on this list).
The Best Shoes for Pregnancy at a Glance
| My pick | Best for | Why I love it |
|---|---|---|
| On Cloud 6 | Walking and everyday | Elastic laces you never tie, plus real cushion |
| Vivaia Audrey Loafers | Polished slip-on | Cushioned, with enough give for swollen feet |
| Birdies | A flat that feels like a slipper | Slip-on with a cushioned footbed |
| Kork-Ease Sandals | Support in summer | The most supportive sandal I own |
| Kate Spade Bowdie Pumps | Dressing up | A steady block heel I wore through three pregnancies |
| Loeffler Randall Ruffle Slides | Cute summer slip-on | Works with jeans or a dress |
| Vivaia Regina Pro Boots | Fall and winter | Comfortable enough to wear all day |
| Sam Edelman Loafers | Work and everyday | Polished and easy to slip on |
| Fulton Insoles | Upgrading shoes you own | A basic insole with a little arch support |
What to Look for in Pregnancy Shoes
The best shoes for pregnancy are supportive, cushioned and easy to put on without bending over. After four pregnancies, here’s what I check for now:
- Slip-on or hands-free. Elastic laces, mules, loafers and slides you can step into.
- Arch support and cushion. Your feet are carrying more weight than they’re used to.
- Room in the toe box. Nothing that squeezes by the end of the day.
- Some give in the upper. Knit, woven or elastic materials leave room for swelling.
- A low, wide heel if you want a heel. Block heels over anything skinny.
- No ankle clasps. When you can’t see your feet, you don’t want to fasten a tiny buckle.
Why Your Feet Need More Support When You’re Pregnant
Your feet take more and more weight as your pregnancy goes on, and that pressure is why shoes that used to feel fine can start to hurt. Pregnancy also loosens your ligaments, and swelling tends to get worse later in pregnancy and on hot days.
My fourth pregnancy was the hardest on every part of my body, my feet included. I gained about 45 to 50 pounds with each pregnancy, and as the weight went up, I felt it in my feet. By the third trimester, it was really hard and my feet just HURT a lot.
If you have real foot pain and not just tired feet, ask your OB or a podiatrist. A good shoe helps a lot, but it isn’t a replacement for that.
Best Slip-On Shoes for Pregnancy
If you only take one thing from this post, make it this one. By the third trimester of my fourth pregnancy, tying my shoes was hard and I wore almost exclusively slip on shoes. But slip-ons helped at every stage, not just the end. In the first trimester you’re so nauseous that bending over isn’t pleasant either, so anything I could step into was helpful then, too.
Every shoe in this section goes on without your hands. My favorite slip-on sneaker, the On Cloud 6, gets its own section below because it’s also my top walking shoe.
Vivaia Audrey Loafers
Best for: a polished slip-on that still works with swollen feet
Vivaia’s loafers were one of my most worn pairs in my fourth pregnancy. They’re cushioned, they slip right on, and the woven upper has enough give that they still fit on the days my feet were puffy. They look put together with jeans or a dress, which mattered on the days a sneaker felt too casual. Mine are the woven version of the Audrey, which isn’t available in that color anymore, but the Audrey still comes in other styles.
Birdies Starling Loafers
Best for: a loafer that feels like a slipper
Birdies’ classic loafer looks polished but feels closer to a slipper, with a cushioned footbed that’s far more comfortable than a regular flat. They slip on, and they were the shoe I reached for during my third pregnancy. They are very similar in comfort (maybe a little more so) than the Vivaia loafers so choose between them based on the style you like.
M.Gemi Pointed-Toe Flats
Best for: a dressier flat for every day
M.Gemi’s Italian-made flats were what I wore during my third pregnancy when I needed something a little more elevated. These were fantastic for a few nicer events I had when I couldn’t handle wearing heels. They aren’t very cushioned for being on your feet all day in your third trimester but they’re stunning shoes that are elevated without a heel. These are also just beautiful shoes to own after pregnancy.
Ferragamo Varina Flats
Best for: a ballet flat that feels special
The Ferragamo Varina flats were a favorite during my fourth pregnancy. They slip on, they go with everything, and they made a simple outfit feel finished. Again, there isn’t a ton of cushion on these but they are a beautiful flat I could wear instead of a heel for nicer events.
Rothy’s The Casual Clog
Best for: a soft, washable clog
My sister wore these through her pregnancy and swore by them. The upper is soft, you just step in, and they’re machine washable. These are supportive and comfy and my #1 casual rec.
Quince Horsebit Mules
Best for: an easy step-in shoe for everyday
My Quince mules were the shoe I could step into on my way out the door all through my fourth pregnancy, in every season, since we live in Southern California. Quince also has sneaker mules right now that I’d buy if I were pregnant today, since you get a sneaker sole without ever touching the back of the shoe.
Best Walking Shoes and Sneakers for Pregnancy
The best walking shoe while pregnant is a cushioned sneaker you don’t have to tie. That’s why this is my top pick for walking, errands and keeping up with the kids you already have.
On Cloud 6
Best for: walking and everyday wear, all trimesters
In my fourth pregnancy I lived in On Cloud slip-on sneakers, and they were a game changer for support. I wish I’d had them for the first three. They have elastic laces, so you step in and go without ever bending over to tie anything, and the cushioned sole gave me the support my other sneakers were missing. I still love them and keep buying them, even when I’m not pregnant.
What About Sambas and Gazelles?
A flat sneaker like an Adidas Samba or Gazelle is fine while you’re pregnant, with two catches. You have to tie them, and they don’t give you much support. If you’re up for tying your shoes, add an insole (more on that below), or go with an Adidas tennis-style sneaker that has a cushioned footbed. Mine are the Adidas Breaknet Sleek, white with yellow stripes, and the Cloudfoam midsole gives you a similar look with a lot more cushion.
Best Shoes for Swollen Feet During Pregnancy
Swollen feet need shoes with give. A stiff shoe that fits in the morning can feel a size too small by dinner, so I reached for pairs with stretch built in. From this list, that meant the Vivaia Audrey loafers, the elastic laces on my On Clouds, and open slides like the Loeffler Randall ruffle slides.
My worst swelling might have been in my first pregnancy. I was a little less active then, mostly because I didn’t have another kid to chase around yet.
The one thing I’d avoid for swelling is any sandal with a strap you have to buckle around your ankle. It gets tighter as the day goes on, and it’s hard to reach.
Best Work Shoes for Pregnancy (When You’re On Your Feet All Day)
My longest days on my feet were during my second pregnancy, when we took a big international trip at about 36 weeks. We were sightseeing through Europe and walking for hours every day, well past 10,000 steps, and my Kork-Ease sandals were fantastic. something about the cork footbed helps absorb pressure or something – I don’t know but it they’re great.
If you’re standing or walking for hours, the On Cloud 6 is the one I’d pick for comfort. For day-to-day and work, I’d go with Sam Edelman loafers.
Sam Edelman Loraine Loafers
Best for: work and polished everyday outfits
My Sam Edelman Loraine loafers, the classic bit loafer, are my day-to-day and work shoe (and my sister who jus thad her first baby and works in an office all day). They slip on, they look put together with jeans or trousers, and they don’t need a sneaker to feel comfortable. I wore them through my third and fourth pregnancies.
Margaux Heels and Sandals
Best for: Work or occasioni
Margaux’s sandals and heels are at the top of my list. I’ve tried them on and they’re very comfortable for dressy shoes, but I haven’t bought a pair yet. They get rave recommendations for New Yorkers who walk blocks all day in them.
Best Dress Shoes for Pregnancy
You don’t have to give up dressing up just because you’re pregnant. Anything with a block heel worked for me or a bit of a platform if you need height.
Kate Spade Bowdie Pumps
Best for: a block heel you’ll wear for years
I’ve worn my Kate Spade Bowdie pumps through three pregnancies. Mine are a leopard pony hair, and the block heel is steady enough that I never thought twice about wearing them pregnant. If you want the look, Jack Rogers’ Maddy pump in leopard looks just like my Kate Spades with a little more cushion. I have and love other shoes from Jack Rogers, so that’s where I’d go.
Jack Rogers Velvet Kitten Heels
Best for: a lower heel with real cushion
If you don’t want a block heel, go for a kitten heel. My Jack Rogers velvet kitten heels have good cushion in them, and I liked them a lot during my fourth pregnancy. My exact pair isn’t sold anymore, but anything from Jack Rogers with a low heel is going to be comfortable and beautiful.
Vivaia Margot Slingback Heels
Best for: a low, comfortable heel
These are some of the most comfortable heels I own. The heel is low, the shape is flattering, and that combination is exactly what makes them great for pregnancy.
Loeffler Randall makes great block heels too. My one rule there, and with any dressy sandal: skip anything that makes you fasten a clasp around your ankle. When you can’t see your feet anymore, the last thing you want is to fumble with a tiny buckle.
If you want a real heel, Inez makes heels built around a cushioned footbed. I haven’t tried them yet but hear wonderful things. Shop Inez
Best Sandals for Pregnancy
I live in sandals for most of the year in Southern California, and these are the ones that held up through pregnancy. If you’re pregnant in the warm months, my summer maternity clothes post has the rest of the outfit.
Kork-Ease Myrna 2.0 and Tutsi
Best for: the most support you’ll find in a sandal
Kork-Ease sandals are phenomenal for support and comfort while pregnant. I’ve worn them since 2014, and they’re my top pick in my best travel sandals post for walking all day. They carried me through Europe at 36 weeks pregnant with my second, walking for hours every day. I also have a pair of their platform wedges that give me a lot of height and were great under formal gowns while I was pregnant, and they were very comfortable. The Myrna 2.0 is my pick for long walking days. For pregnancy feet, look at the Tutsi: it’s a slip-on, so there’s no strap to fasten, and I wore its earlier version, the Gila, through a summer pregnancy.
Charleston Shoe Co. Cannon Espadrille Wedge
Best for: a slip-on wedge that’s comfortable all day
The Cannon is a 2-inch espadrille wedge with a padded footbed, and it’s very, very comfortable. There’s no ankle strap to fasten. The stretchy elastic straps just slip on, which is exactly what you want when you can’t see your feet, and they leave room for swelling. A wedge also gives you some height on a much wider base than a heel. I wore them in my third and fourth pregnancies.
Birkenstock Arizona Sandals
Best for: arch support that lasts for years
My Birkenstock Arizonas lasted ten years, from my second pregnancy until I finally got rid of them this past summer. The footbed gives you real arch support, and that’s why I’d buy them again for a pregnancy.
Loeffler Randall Glitter Ruffle Slides
Best for: a cute summer slip-on
Loeffler Randall’s glitter ruffle slides are a great summery slip-on shoe, and I love them so much I bought a second pair secondhand. They look cute with jeans and dress up easily, and you just step in. I wore them all through my fourth pregnancy, year-round. Mine are from a few summers back and I still wear them all the time. That exact style isn’t sold now, but I love their Daphne pleated bow slide, which can go casual or dressy and is a timeless style you’ll wear for years.
Steve Madden Hadyn Slide
Best for: quick errands, school pickup and dinner out
I wore these a lot through my third and fourth pregnancies, and they show up in a lot of my pictures from then. There’s no cushion, so I wouldn’t wear them for a day of walking, but they look good and slip right on. They’re perfect for a grocery store run, picking the kids up from school or a dinner date.
Quince Leather Flip-Flops
Best for: quick summer errands
I have Quince’s leather flip-flops, and if I had a summer pregnancy now, they’d be in my rotation. They have a little cushioning, so they aren’t what I’d wear for a full day on my feet, but you just slide them on and they dress up or down easily. I’ve worn mine to the pool, to dinner and on travel days.
Best Boots for Pregnancy
If you’re pregnant through fall or winter, these are the two boots I’d wear. My winter maternity clothes post covers what to wear with them.
Vivaia Regina Pro Boots
Best for: a comfortable everyday boot
The square-toe Regina Pro is my number one Vivaia boot. It’s comfortable and supportive enough to wear all day, and I wear it with dresses and full-length jeans. Vivaia boots are what I wore when I was pregnant in cooler months.
Vivaia Ryan Slip-On Chelsea Boots
Best for: a boot you never have to bend over for
These would have been a game changer. Vivaia’s Ryan slip-on Chelsea boots have a reinforced back, so you can step all the way in without using your hands (I can slide them on while holding a toddler), with the same comfort as the Vivaia boots I wore while pregnant. I own them and love them, but I didn’t have them during a pregnancy because they hadn’t been made yet. If I were pregnant this winter, these are the boots I’d buy.
Everlane City Boot
Best for: an elevated leather boot under jeans
I wore my Everlane leather boots during pregnancy, and on trips and just about everywhere else, and I still have them now. They’re great under jeans. Think of them like my Vivaia boots in a more elevated leather. Everlane now calls this style the City Boot.
Insoles: The Cheapest Upgrade for Pregnancy Shoes
An insole is how you make shoes you already own work for pregnancy. Slip one into a flatter sneaker like a Samba and you add the cushion and arch support the shoe doesn’t have on its own.
Fulton Insoles
Best for: a basic insole with a little arch support
For a basic insole, I use Fulton. They give you a little arch support and comfort, and they’re what I’d slip into a flat sneaker like a Samba or any shoe that’s short on support. I keep mine in my Sambas.
Shoes I’d Skip While Pregnant
- Sandals with an ankle clasp. Once you can’t see your feet, buckling a strap around your ankle is a project.
- Flat lace-up sneakers without an insole. Sambas and Gazelles look great, but you have to tie them and there’s not much support underneath.
Did My Feet Grow During Pregnancy?
My feet did grow and swell, and they mostly went back. What changed more was my tolerance for tight shoes. I can still wear all the heels I wore before pregnancy, but they aren’t quite as comfortable, and a thin stiletto pump was really hard to wear at the end of pregnancy. That’s why a block heel became my go-to.
The Best Shoes for Pregnancy, by Situation
- For walking and everyday: On Cloud 6
- For a polished slip-on: Vivaia Audrey loafers or Birdies
- For swollen feet: Vivaia Audrey loafers or open slides
- For summer: Kork-Ease, Birkenstock or Loeffler Randall ruffle slides
- For work: Sam Edelman loafers
- For dressing up: a block heel like my Kate Spades, or Jack Rogers kitten heels
- For fall and winter: Vivaia’s Ryan slip-on boots or the Regina Pro
- For shoes you already own: add a Fulton insole
Pick shoes you can get on without bending over and that give your feet real support, and you’ll feel the difference by the third trimester. If you’re building out the rest of your pregnancy wardrobe, start with my favorite maternity pieces on Amazon.
Pregnancy Shoes FAQ
You don’t need shoes labeled for pregnancy, but you do need more support and less fuss than before. A cushioned shoe you can slip on without bending over covers most of it, and an insole can upgrade shoes you already own.
Yes. By the third trimester, bending over to tie laces is hard, so elastic laces, loafers, mules and slides make life easier. Look for a slip-on that still has a cushioned, supportive sole.
Shoes with give: woven or knit uppers, elastic laces and open slides. Avoid stiff shoes and sandals with straps you buckle around your ankle, which get tighter as the day goes on.
A cushioned sneaker you don’t have to tie. My pick is the On Cloud 6, the newest version of the On slip-on sneakers I lived in during my fourth pregnancy. The elastic laces mean no tying, and the cushioned sole gives you real support for walking.
Many women do, but keep them low and stable. A low block heel you can slip into is much easier than a stiletto. If your balance feels off, ask your doctor.
They can make a big difference in shoes that are short on support, like flat sneakers. An insole with arch support adds cushion where your feet are taking extra weight.
My feet grew and swelled during pregnancy and mostly went back afterward. Instead of sizing up across the board, I leaned on slip-ons and shoes with stretch or a roomier fit, which leave space for swelling as the day goes on.
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