The best shoes for swollen pregnant feet

shoes for swollen pregnant feet

by Hannah Carroll |
Updated on

If you're pregnant, you may have started thinking about maternity clothes and shoes for swollen pregnant feet. Nothing is more beautiful than growing a baby. Your body will do the most extraordinary thing - grow a human being. We have all heard of the pregnancy glow and whilst this is true for some mums, are a fair few unspoken pregnancy side effects that aren't as glamorous: heartburn, hair loss and tiredness, to list a few. Arguably, one of the worst and most challenging by-products of creating a baby is swollen pregnant feet.

Nothing will make you feel more fed up that hobbling around as you try to prep for your bundle of joy, and reducing the swelling may not be on the cards. You might even find that those trusty trainers aren't as comfy as they were before. So, instead of feeling fed up, why not treat yourself to some new footwear because you deserve it, Mama.

Shoes for swollen pregnant feet will give you added support and comfort while you walk around, giving your hard-working feet some much-needed relief. When you select some shoes for swollen pregnant feet, as long as you choose a pair that will work for your budget and style (plus in your size, obviously), you'll be able to feel your best, whether you love boots, trainers, or sandals. They'll be handy for puffy ankles too.

Editor's Choice

• Best comfortable trainers for swollen feet: Slip-Ins Ultra Flex 3.0 Trainers, £80.10
• Best winter boots for swollen feet: Classic Mini II Boot, £165
• Best slip on shoes for swollen feet: Birkenstock Arizona Narrow Fit Birko Flor Double Strap Sandals, £80
• Best wellington boots for swollen feet: Women's Original Chelsea Boots, £115

On the hunt for some stylish and comfy, swollen feet friendly shoes? We have scoured the internet to find the best shoes for swollen pregnant feet so you no longer have to feel fed up and limited when trying to walk. We have taken price, design, style, and size range into consideration when selecting our favourites below.

The best shoes for swollen pregnant feet 2024

Best winter boots for swollen feet

Classic Mini II BootUggs

Uggs have been hailed as one of the most comfortable shoes by women. It's like wearing your favourite slippers out of the house, but without the funny looks. Getting long boots on can be a nightmare when you have a big bump and even worse if your legs have become swollen. The Classic Mini II Boot is great for pregnancy as they are easy to slip on and off but still offers comfort and support.

One reviewer said: "Love the mini boot! It takes a tiny bit more effort to get your foot in the boot but the boot feels great. Got the same size I have in the classic boot, works well. Happy with my purchase."

Pros

  • Warm comfortable boot
  • Trendy design
  • Lots of colour options

Cons

  • Not suitable for all weathers
Size Range: UK 3-10
Colour Options:8
Material:Twinface sheepskin, suede, nylon binding, and Treadlite by UGG™ outsole

Best comfortable trainers for swollen feet:

Here at Mother&Baby, we are partial for a little bit of simplicity. Who says because you are pregnant things need to be boring. These cool wine coloured trainers are both stylish and comfortable in equal measure. They are easy to slip on and can be a great way to spice up a cool outfit.

One reviewer said: "These shoes are very easy to slip on, very comfortable and very stylist. I purchased them at the outlets. Service was excellent. Just recuperating. From hip replacement and it's difficult to bend down to put your shoes on, but with these shoes, I can just slip them on without any difficulty and I don't have to bend down."

Pros

  • Wine colour design
  • Very comfortable
  • Sock-like fit

Cons

  • Won't be to everyone's taste
Size Range:UK 4
Colour Options:1
Material:Fabric, air-cooled memory foam, and flexible rubber

Best soft leather sandals for swollen feet

Women's Knox lo Sandals BlackKickers

These leather Women's Knox lo Sandals Black sandals have a slip-on design making it much easier for a pregnant mama to wear. These signature sandals have three stylish metal buckles. They have been made from soft matte leather with a contrasting chunky sole. These are perfect for a rock chick mum-to-be.

One reviewer said: "They are a great quality and a great price. Unfortunately I have super wide feet and one shoe didn’t fit me so had to return them. But for the majority of people they would fit absolutely fine! I loved them and would certainly recommend them."

Pros

  • Comfortable
  • Lightweight
  • Easy slip-on design

Cons

  • Wide-fit
Size Range:UK 6.5
Colour Options:1
Material:Leather and rubber

Best slip on shoes for swollen feet

Birkenstock Arizona Narrow John Lewis
Price: $80
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Alternative retailers
Blain Farm & Fleet$109.99View offer
Journeys$109.99View offer
Macy's$110.00View offer
Backcountry$110.00View offer

Birkenstocks are highly regarded as one of the most comfortable sandals and they're made from natural materials. Birkenstock sandals have become a firm favourite of A-Listers like Gigi Hadid and Kendal Jenner. These Birkenstock Arizona Narrow Fit Birko Flor Double Strap Sandals can be easily paired with any outfit and will feel great on your feet.

One reviewers: "Very pleased with my new Birkenstocks. They are really comfortable as well as being stylish. I bought the narrow fit which surprised me as I would say my foot is on the wide side. This could be useful information for other purchasers. Love the rose gold buckles that are on the brown leather that I chose. Seem very hard wearing and so hope to be wearing them for a few summers to come. Highly recommend."

Pros

  • Different colour options
  • Easy to put on
  • Bang on trend

Cons

  • No half sizes
Size Range:UK 3-7
Colour Options:4
Material:Birko flor, leather, EVA

Best wellington boots for swollen feet

Women's Original Chelsea BootsHunters

Getting wellington boots on and off is a struggle we are all familiar with. They are often easy to get on but a nightmare to get off. On top of this, wellington boots are notoriously uncomfortable. These Hunter wellies break both these stereotypes. The Chelsea Boot has been improved for a comfortable fit - meaning that these shoes can be worn all day. These handcrafted waterproof shoes are perfect for trips in the countryside or wet day walks.

Please note that if you are in-between sizes or planning to wear them with thick socks, Hunters recommend that you size up.

One reviewer said: "Soft and comfortable to wear, easy to put on and off due to elastic band. Colours are amazing. Eye catching when walking. Warm and dry keeping your toes and feet happy."

Pros

  • Vegan and handmade
  • Snug and comfortable
  • Large colour choice

Cons

  • Can stretch after long wears
Size Range:UK 3-8
Colour Options:Others available
Material:Rubber

Best vegan shoes for swollen feet

Vionic Playa Laguna Women's Slip on Espadrille Vegan Sustainable Shoe 
Price: $69.95

These vegan podiatrist-designed shoes deliver unique support to wearers. The Vionic Playa Laguna Women's Slip on Espadrille Vegan Sustainable Shoe has a deep heel cup, forefront cushioning and arch support. This means that your feet are going to be kept comfortable whilst keep your eco-foot print as small as possible.

One reviewer said: "Love Vionic brand. Cute shoe. A little roomy in the toe box, but summer heat and swollen feet, they'll be fine. Exceptional arch support famous for this brand. I will stay with scotch guard."

Pros

  • Washable
  • Cute design
  • Orthotic insole

Cons

  • Sizing can be a little small
Size Range:UK 3-9
Colour Options:4
Material:Canvas and Ethylene Vinyl Acetate

Best budget sandals for swollen feet

Skechers Women's Reggae Slim Vacay Sling Back Sandals
Price: $70.86 to £89.88

These Skechers Women's Reggae Slim Vacay Sling Back Sandals are great for warmer days. We like that they have adjustable straps that can be tightened or loosened for the upmost comfort, plus they comes in multiple colours to match whatever outfit you choose to wear, making them a winning choice.

One reviewer said : "I bought these for long day trips for my tired pregnant feet. I wore then for the third time at Kings Island yesterday and they were perfect. My feet did not hurt at all. The straps are thin enough to not make my feet look huge, even though I am a size 10. They are easy to adjust the back straps, with basic velcro. When you pull the back straps, it tightens the top two criss-cross straps also. That helps give them more adjustability. I really love them!"

Pros

  • Comfortable
  • Adjustable straps
  • Great for wide feet

Cons

  • Not practical for cold weather conditions
Size Range:UK 2-9
Colour Options:7
Material:Faux leather and rubber

What should consider when picking shoes for swollen pregnant feet?

Size - You may want to size-up if you're really struggling swollen feet, plus you might need a wide-fit design for comfort while you're pregnant.

Design - You'll need to think what you need those shoes for. Are they breathable? Are they warm? Are they designed to be easy to put on?

Style - Of course, you'll want your shoes to fit with your personal sense of style, plus you'll want them to work with the weather and occasion.

Budget - There are many affordable shoe options for swollen feet out there, so set a budget for yourself and stick to it. Shoes don't have to break the bank.

What causes swollen feet in pregnancy?

The NHS website explains swelling is caused by your body holding more water than usual when you're pregnant. Basically, your growing bubba is putting more pressure on to your growing womb which can affect the blood flow in your legs. This may leave them feeling swollen, sore and heavy. Fluid will often build up in your legs, ankles and feet. It is important to try to do little bits of exercise to elevate the pain as they will improve your blood circulation.

How to reduce the swelling

  • Wear comfortable shoes and socks

  • Drink lots of water

  • Put your feet up - literally, try to rest with your feet raised

Do you go up a shoe size when pregnant?

Many women do actually go up a shoe size when they're pregnant, so don't worry if you have to, regardless of swelling. Your feet may stay that new size too, which may seem weird but is actually more common than you think. You may need to get your feet measured if you're unsure of how much they have grown.

What shoes should I wear at work while pregnant?

If you're on your feet all day, comfortable shoes may be already part of your work uniform, but if not, pregnancy may force you to cave and get some. Luckily, comfortable doesn't have to mean not stylish. If your work place allows trainers, that would be ideal as they're incredibly comfy and durable, but if not, it's best to stick with flats with sturdy insoles and a flexible structure. As long as you have support and comfort, the specific shoe can be whatever you want.

Hannah Carroll is a Parenting and Lifestyle Writer working across Mother&Baby, Yours and Grazia. As a mother of three, Hannah lives, breathes and consumes all things family orientated. When she’s not tapping away at a desk, Hannah is diving for dummies, fixing toy fire trucks or attempting to make a healthy family dinner.

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Mother & Baby is dedicated to ensuring our information is always valuable and trustworthy, which is why we only use reputable resources such as the NHS, reviewed medical papers, or the advice of a credible doctor, GP, midwife, psychotherapist, gynaecologist or other medical professionals. Where possible, our articles are medically reviewed or contain expert advice. Our writers are all kept up to date on the latest safety advice for all the products we recommend and follow strict reporting guidelines to ensure our content comes from credible sources. Remember to always consult a medical professional if you have any worries. Our articles are not intended to replace professional advice from your GP or midwife.