The importance of closed footwear
In the hospital setting, there are no secondary elements, and footwear is an essential part of the basic safety equipment. The use of closed shoes is not a matter of aesthetics or individual preference, but rather a clearly identified preventative necessity. During a workday, healthcare professionals are continuously exposed to biological fluids, chemicals, slippery surfaces, and sharp objects, and evidence in occupational risk prevention indicates that a significant proportion of preventable accidents are associated with the use of inappropriate equipment, including footwear.
The level of risk increases significantly when footwear has openings, perforations, or permeable materials. These characteristics facilitate the entry of biological fluids and contaminants, hinder effective disinfection between shifts, and leave the foot exposed to accidental drops of needles, scalpels, or other sharp instruments, with potentially serious clinical and occupational consequences. For this reason, safety guidelines for healthcare settings agree that footwear must be closed, waterproof, slip-resistant, and easily washable as a minimum requirement.
Protection must be integrated with appropriate biomechanical criteria. At Nibo, footwear development incorporates specific work on the insole, considered a key technical component. Each pair comes with two removable anatomical insoles: one designed as a transition to minimalist footwear and the other optimized for barefoot walking. Both are made of SBS thermoplastic elastomer, a flexible material with antibacterial, breathable, hypoallergenic, and skin-friendly properties, capable of maintaining and recovering its shape after each step.
The aim of this solution is to support the complex biomechanics of the foot without interfering with its structure, allowing for natural movement during extended periods. Choosing footwear specifically designed for healthcare settings is not just a matter of comfort, but a preventative measure that helps reduce unnecessary risks and reinforces a safety culture consistent with the demands of the hospital environment.
