Spending hours on your feet is a reality when you work in healthcare. It’s essential, then, that your chosen footwear offers maximum comfort and support. We’ve put all our industry expertise behind our new line of women’s shoes to bring you best-in-class designs that work as hard as you do. Here, we ask the Workwear Group’s senior footwear designer, Emma Shirgwin, for the inside scoop on the range and find out why they’re set to become your new favourite shoes.
A. “The right shoe is everything. Well-fitting, fit-for-purpose footwear can eliminate work related pain and fatigue by providing the necessary support and protection from workplace hazards. It can even help you develop good posture and help prevent future issues such as chronic back pain and arthritis.”
Q. What attributes should you look out for when making your selection?
A. “Comfortable, so they can be worn all day during long shifts; a secure fit, for a safe and supportive feel; lightweight, to minimise leg and body fatigue; and slip resistant, for when you’re working on wet vinyl floors.”
Q. What makes NNT’s new healthcare shoes so different?
A. “They’re a specific women’s fit, which is key for comfort and safety – while most sneakers are unisex. Uniquely, they are tested to a 25 gauge hypodermic needle drop [tested to ASTM F2878], offering protection against a needle or sharps drop onto the foot. They are also super lightweight at just 285 grams, which is similar to a professional runner’s shoe. And they have an SRC rated outsole for maximum slip resistance. Finally, with a removable footbed, they can be machine washed, and make it easy to fit orthotics, too.”
Q. How did you decide on the designs?
A. “First, we carefully researched the industry to ensure the line was fit for purpose. At the Workwear Group, safety and comfort is key, so we studied what the most common workplace injuries were. We found slips and trips, needle or instrument drop injuries and overexertion - causing body and muscle fatigue - were most common. We also explored current styles being worn and observed the day-to-day functions of wearers. We then incorporated all of this knowledge into the shoe design.”
Q. What are a few of the unique features wearers will love?
A. “There is a hidden lace pocket to tuck shoelace ends into, alleviating any potential trip hazards. The Verve shoe has an added toe bumper for extra protection, plus a transparent textile upper which offers water and pathogen resistance. In addition, we have added reflective stripes to the back of the shoes to add greater visibility, as many nurses work night shift.”
Q. What materials did you use and why were they specifically chosen?
A. “Recycled yarn in our breathable Fly Knits uppers for good foot health, comfort and sustainability. EVA midsole at the correct Shore hardness for ultimate comfort plus rebound. Rubber SRC outsole for the ultimate slip resistance. Finally, a memory foam footbed, which moulds to the wearer’s foot and feels super comfy.”
Q. How many styles feature in the new range?
A. “There are six styles for different customer needs. For example, the Zest is well suited to front-of-house roles, while the Vigor is ideal for wearing with scrubs, thanks to its pathogen-resistant upper.”
Q. Do you have a favourite from the range?
A. “I love them all but if I had to pick one it would be the Next Gen Vigor in grey. I love the colour and the textile upper is very cool.”
Q. How should you care for your new shoes to keep them looking and feeling fresh?
A. “They can be machine washed, which is great to revive the shoe while upholding good foot health. You can also easily clean the outsole with a soft toothbrush if any build-up occurs, to ensure maximum slip resistance.”
Ready to give your feet a well-deserved upgrade? Shop our game-changing new healthcare shoe range right here.