The evolution of hydrodynamic shocks generated by nanoflares in coronal loops is investigated in order to suggest requirements for future observations. The shocks produced by nanoflares of 1024 ergs decay within a few seconds, which sets stringent requirements for Doppler or transverse velocity measurements. With feasible improvements, the Normal Incidence X-ray Telescope could observe the time-averaged emission from a nanoflare, however. We also consider collisions between shocks and show that these could also be observed.