Hey there my fellow nurses and healthcare fashionistas! If you‘re anything like me, you‘re always on the hunt for that perfect shoe that will keep your feet happy during long hospital shifts while still looking cute enough to show off on the ‘gram. Well, I think I may have finally found the holy grail of nursing footwear with Bala Twelves.
What are Bala nursing shoes?
In case you haven‘t heard the buzz yet, Bala is a new shoe startup that is shaking up the nursing world. The company was founded by a team of former Nike designers who wanted to create a sneaker that was specifically engineered for the needs of healthcare professionals.
Bala spent over a year doing intensive research, shadowing nurses on the job and gathering detailed feedback to learn exactly what we need to perform our best. The result is their first shoe, the Bala Twelve, named for the 12-hour shifts it‘s built to power through.
I first came across Bala while deep in an Instagram rabbit hole and was immediately drawn to their fresh, modern aesthetic. As someone who has tried just about every nursing shoe on the market, I was intrigued by the unique look of Bala compared to the typical clunky clogs. The more I read about their innovative features designed for nurses, the more I knew I had to try them for myself.
Putting Bala to the test
When my Bala Twelves arrived, I was impressed before I even put them on. The packaging was so chic and included a handwritten note from the founders which was a nice personal touch. Slipping them on, I was struck by how lightweight and breathable the knit material felt compared to my normal heavy duty shoes.
The real test would be wearing them for a full 12-hour shift, so that‘s exactly what I did. I work in a busy urban ER, so my shoes need to keep up with a lot of running around, standing, lifting and unpredictable messes. Here‘s how Bala performed:
Comfort & cushioning
From the moment I stepped into my Balas, I could feel the difference from my regular nursing shoes. The responsive foam midsole provided just the right balance of cushioning and support, almost like walking on a cloud. Even after being on my feet for 12+ hours, I didn‘t experience the usual aches and pains in my arches, heels and legs.
According to Bala, this is thanks to their proprietary HRS (Healthcare Responsive System) cushioning. It‘s engineered to absorb impact, return energy and provide joint stability for the healthcare-specific movements we do all day. All I know is my body felt better after a shift in Balas than it has in years!
Arch support
As a nurse with high arches, I often struggle to find enough support in shoes to prevent pain. The "Arch M-Brace" in Bala Twelves is a game-changer. It‘s a pre-molded insert that gently hugs your arches to provide long-lasting stability.
Research shows that nurses walk an average of 4-5 miles during a 12-hour shift, which puts a lot of strain on the arch of the foot. Bala‘s built-in arch technology actively fights fatigue so your foundation stays strong no matter how many miles you log. I definitely noticed feeling more energized than usual in my Balas.
Fluid-resistant & easy to clean
Okay, real talk: we all know nursing can be a messy job. Between bodily fluids, cleaning solutions, food spills and everything in between, your shoes can take a serious beating. The last thing you want is for them to get soggy or stained.
That‘s why I love that Bala Twelves have a fluid-repellent knit upper they call the "Shift Shield." Liquids literally bead right off it to protect your feet. At the end of my shift, all I had to do was wipe them down with a sanitizing wipe and they looked good as new. Easy peasy.
Slip-resistance
Slippery hospital floors are no joke. One wrong step can lead to dangerous falls, which are the second-most common accident among healthcare workers according to the CDC. Thankfully, Bala Twelves have legit slip-resistant soles. The special tread pattern really grips the floor, even when it‘s wet or slick. I felt totally sure-footed wearing my Balas, even when running to a code.
Style
Let‘s be real, most nursing shoes are not known for being cute. One of my favorite things about Bala is that they actually look like stylish sneakers I would wear in my off-duty life. I have the Bala Twelve Nocturnal in all black and get so many compliments on them! People are always shocked when I say they‘re actually nursing shoes.
Bala has 4 core colors that are both fun and surprisingly versatile. There‘s the classic Nocturnal black, a fresh Daybreak teal, a crisp Shade grey, and a limited edition Defy crimson. They go with pretty much any scrubs and pair well with athleisure for a sporty-chic off-duty look. Finally some nursing shoes I‘m proud to rock outside of work!
How Bala compares to other nursing shoes
Trust me, I‘ve cycled through my fair share of popular nurse footwear over the years. Here‘s how I think Bala Twelves stack up to some of the other major players:
| Brand | Pros | Cons |
|---|---|---|
| Dansko Professional Clogs | Durable, easy to clean, lots of colors | Heavy, stiff, unstylish |
| Crocs Classic Clogs | Lightweight, affordable, slip-resistant | Unsupportive, flimsy, unfashionable |
| Alegria Paloma Slip-Ons | Cushioned, arch support, comes in wide sizes | Expensive, bulky, limited colors |
| Nike Revolution Sneakers | Lightweight, breathable, good traction | Not fluid-resistant, less arch support |
| Bala Twelve Sneakers | Designed for nurses, supportive, fluid-resistant, stylish | Pricey, limited size range |
Ultimately, the best nursing shoe for you comes down to personal preference and your specific foot needs. But if you‘re looking for a shoe that is actually made for healthcare and looks good doing it, I think Bala Twelves are totally worth checking out.
The bottom line
To sum up my thoughts, I‘m pretty dang impressed by Bala nursing shoes. It‘s clear that a ton of thought and intention went into every detail to make them a great choice for healthcare professionals. From the comfort to the performance to the style, they check all my boxes.
Like any shoe, they may not work for everyone. The main downsides are the $130 price tag, which is definitely an investment, and the fact that they currently only come in women‘s sizes 5-12 and men‘s 4-11. But Bala does offer free shipping and a 45-day return policy, so you can always try them risk-free.
As someone who happily spends on high-quality shoes that keep my feet comfy, I think Bala Twelves are 100% worth the cost for nurses who are on their feet all day. Plus, you can usually find Bala promo codes to save a few bucks (I snagged $20 off my first pair by signing up for their emails).
Since I started wearing my Balas to work a few months ago, I honestly can‘t imagine going back to my old nursing shoes. I feel so much more energized after my shifts and just better overall, which helps me show up as my best self for my patients. Not to mention I get a kick out of all the shoe envy from my coworkers when I stroll in rocking my cool "nurse Nikes."
So if you‘re a nurse, CNA, caregiver or anyone else whose job keeps you running around all day, I highly recommend giving Bala a go. Your feet will thank you! And if you do decide to try them, make sure to tag me in your Bala pics on IG – maybe we can be twinsies.
Stay comfy and cute out there,
Your Favorite Nurse Fashionista
