When Pregnancy Made My Feet Swell a Full Size, These Sneakers Were the Only Pair I Could Wear ‣ Diverse Daily

These Hokas helped with my balance, too

Shop Hoka Sneakers at Amazon:

My Favorite Pegnancy Pick: Hoka Bondi 9, $170
Cushy Without the Clunk: Hoka Mach 6, $157
Walk-All-Day Comfort: Hoka Clifton 10, $150
Stay Light on Your Feet: Hoka Rincon 4, $119 (orig. $125)

I gained over 50 pounds when I was pregnant, so I was desperate for relief when it came to footwear. The swelling and joint-widening caused my narrow, size-8 feet to widen and go up a full size, and my shoes? Yeah, they didn’t fit anymore. I needed new sneakers, ASAP.

As someone who practically lives in sneakers — even sporting Adidas Sambas to my baby shower — I knew I needed a good replacement pair. Since I was already in love with my now-too-small Hoka Bondi 9s, I figured I would just get the next size up, and that was the right move. They gave my swollen feet and ankles the support and comfort I’d been craving.

Keep scrolling to see why the Hoka Bondi 9 shoes were my go-to maternity footwear, as well as a few other customer-loved options (one of which is on sale).

Hoka Bondi 9

Related: Podiatrists Agree These Are the 7 Most Comfortable Walking Shoes for Summer — Plus, Which Styles to Avoid

The most impressive feature of these shoes is the balance they provided me during my pregnancy (surprising, given their thick soles and how disrupted my center of gravity was). With each waddled step, my heels were amply cushioned and my arches and toes were softly cradled by the shoes’ dense EVA foam insoles. During my first trimester, I was also training for a half marathon in these shoes and loved the bouncy yet plush foot-to-concrete feel. I felt the same effect when I sized up for walking during the latter months of pregnancy.

The sneakers are designed with a “rearfoot-focused active foot frame” to give generous support to your arches and heels. It also actively cushions the midsole for a balance of bounce and squish when walking, thus creating smooth strides. And when your ankles inevitably swell, the 3D molded collar doesn’t mind the extra pressure, won’t cause blisters, and actually provides added support while your joints are looser and more sore (IYKYK).

One shopper admitted they hesitated to buy a pair because of the price, but their nurse sister convinced them to give the shoes a chance. Now they call them “easily the most comfortable” pair they own and credit them with providing the arch support they need for “long stretches of time” on their feet.

The best part? I wore these shoes endlessly when I was pregnant and still reach for them now — they’ve held up tremendously, but I definitely should grab another pair soon.

While the Hoka Bondi 9s are my pick for the best sneakers for pregnancy, here are a few other Hoka favorites to check out if these aren’t fully piquing your interest.