Unfortunately, there are some occupations out there that require you to be standing or walking all day. This can be really tough on your feet and can make you miserable by the end of your shift. That’s why choosing the best shoes for standing all day is extremely important. Although most shoes are designed to offer a little bit of support for standings and walking, they are not designed to offer that support all day. That’s why you specifically need to look at shoes that were engineered to be comfortable all the way throughout an eight-hour – or even a ten or twelve hour – shift.
Who Needs These Types of Shoes?
The question is: who really needs these types of shoes? The answer really is anyone who is planning on spending a lot of time on their feet. However, more specifically, there are certain occupations that need these shoes much more than the casual user. For example, nursing is an occupation that requires you to be on your feet up to 12 hours per day – as well as have shoes that are non-slip and look good too. Retail is another industry that requires a lot of standings as are many types of direct sales. Because of the extended shifts, nursing is generally the occupation that the industry focuses on.
Factors to Consider When Buying Comfortable Shoes
Of course, no matter whether you are getting shoes for casual wear or you are buying them to wear at work there are going to be certain factors that you want to keep in mind as you shop. The size of the shoe is definitely a consideration and is probably the most important part of choosing shoes that you are going this be spending the entire day in. Make sure that you not only choose the right size for your foot, but also go a little bit larger because feet can swell and if you are on them for several hours during the day it is possible that you will need a larger size by the end of the day.
Comfort is also something that can be evaluated at the same time you’re looking at sizes. Your own personal comfort is important – such as whether you prefer shoes that are easy to slip on and off for you like your shoes to fit tight and snug and overall comfort even after wearing them for several hours.
The arch support is something you will want to evaluate carefully as well. This is one of the factors that differ considerably between men’s and women’s shoes, because men tend to have lower arches and suffer from related conditions like flat-footedness more often than women do. Women have higher arches and may need shoes specifically designed that way.
The construction of the shoe and the quality of the material is definitely a consideration when you are talking about a shoe that you are going to be using for the better part of your walking day. You want something that is going to last for a long time, because buying high-quality, comfortable shoes can be a bigger investment than say, a pair of flip-flops. You also want the sole to be thick, durable and the material to be non-slip.
Finally, you want to make sure that you choose a style and color that you will like. While this might not be as important as the other factors, you are still going to be wearing these shoes all day so you might as well look as good as possible in them. Sometimes, you may need to get shoes to match a particular uniform, and other times you will have more freedom in design.
Choosing The Best Shoes for Standing All Day Shoes for Men & Women
There are a few differences when it comes to men’s and women’s shoes and so these recommendations have been divided up accordingly. Things like: arch size, shoe width, design and several other factors can different between men’s and women’s, so it is much easier to start your search for the perfect shoe within the ones designed for your particular gender.
Most shoes in our list come in multiple colors and styles. Be sure to check out their product page to get and idea of the full look and feel of the shoes listed!
Best Men’s Shoes for Standing All Day
Here are six of the best shoes out there for men when it comes to a comfortable, durable shoe that will allow you to stand for as long as you need to.
K-SWISS Men’s CMF Training Shoe
First on the list of men’s shoes that are perfect for standing all day is the case Swiss Men’s CMF Training shoe. This comfy shoe features leather construction with a sense of synthetic sole. This is designed as an athletic shoe but it is also comfortable enough and durable enough for you to spend the entire day wearing. The heel is engineered to absorb shock and the footbed is made out of memory foam and you will notice immediately when you put this shoe on that it offers an easy, great funeral interior design for maximum comfort. Whether you’re walking or standing, this is the perfect shoe for wearing hours on end.
Skechers for Work Men’s Balder Slip Resistant Work Clog
Skechers is one of the most well-known shoe companies in existence today, and they are definitely a brand that you can trust when it comes to designing a shoe that is both durable and comfortable enough to wear all day. This work clog is Sketchers’ foray into men’s nursing shoes and they certainly know what they are doing, according to the customers who have purchased it. With a heavily padded footbed and collar, this shoe keeps your feet from hurting even after hours of standing and prevents chafing at the ankle as well. The airflow is as good as with other clogs and it is one of the lightest clogs that you will probably ever wear.
Crocs Unisex Bistro Batali Edition Clog
When it comes to shoes that you can wear all day long, and brands that you can depend upon to know how to design such a shoe, you don’t get much better than Crocs. The Crocs brand has become such a standard in the nursing field that even textbooks and nursing manuals mention the brand as a recommendation for footwear.
These Bistro Batali edition Crocs are both stylish and comfortable, featuring the Batali signature logo on the outside and a comfortable strap to keep the shoe on without making it too restrictive. The midsole is made from EVA foam, which makes for a very comfortable feel when walking or standing and it has Croc’s ‘Opti-Flex’ zone technology to make the front of the shoe flexible and easy to wear whether walking, running or standing. These shoes were designed with occupations in mind where people have to stay on their feet all day – namely: food service, nursing, retail and any job that allows you almost no time to sit.
Crocs Men’s Tummler Work Shoe
Another Crocs shoe that is perfect for men who work in healthcare occupations, retail or food service is the Men’s Tummler work shoe. It again comes from the Crocs brand so you know that this is one of the best shoes for standing all day, it is also one of the best-looking shoes on the list here. In fact, you can wear this shoe with slacks, a shirt and tie and look just as classy as if you were wearing an expensive and uncomfortable pair of dress shoes.
This is a 100% synthetic shoe with a really low price. This is a higher arch shoe than some of the other men’s shoes that are on this list, so it may not work for those who have flat feet, but it is comfortable because of this arch design and has a sole that is perfectly designed to resist slipping. The leather upper looks amazing and these are one of the best men’s shoes on the market for comfort and support.
Dansko Men’s Pro XP Clog
The next men’s shoe that we will discuss is the Pro XP Clog from Dansko. If you have done any research on nursing or food service shoes in the past, you have probably heard of the Dankso brand. They are well-known for providing quality shoes that are extremely comfortable and last for a very long time. These are definitely not the least expensive men’s shoes on this list, but that’s because the style and leather construction makes them such a great looking shoe so that you can be stylish as well as comfortable every time you wear these.
The footbed of these shoes is designed to be extremely comfortable, even under the extra weight of men wearing them. That’s why they have been fitted with memory foam that contours to the shape of the foot and holds the shoe securely into place. Dansko is a brand that started when a couple stumbled upon the perfect shoe at a tiny shoe store in Denmark. Since then, the technology developed has been at the heart of some of the most innovative and comfortable shoes on the market today.
KEEN Utility Men’s PTC Oxford Work Shoe
Another great men’s shoe that you can be comfortable all day in is the men’s PTC Oxford work shoe from the KEEN company. This is a high-quality shoe that is made of leather and features a non-slip rubber sole. Just looking at this shoe you can tell that it is high quality, with laces that are engineered to tighten up around the foot and keep it secure without any pinching. The midsole is EVA molded and the curvature of the front of the shoe helps to protect the toe box even further.
In addition, the shoe is stylish and professional. It is actually one of the nicest looking shoes on this entire list. It also is engineered to Mark II non-slip standards put forth by the ASTM. The footbed is cushioned and made up of memory foam and the rubber sole doesn’t leave marks even on highly polished floors. Finally, it is both water and stain-resistant. This is simply an all-around perfect shoe for those who require dependable footwear and is especially good for food service occupations where there is a danger of grease or other hazards on a slick floor; perfect for all day comfort and on-the-job safety.
Best Women’s Shoes for Standing All Day
Of course, now that we have covered the men’s shoes that are perfect for the support and comfort of standing all day, we have to cover the women’s shoes that do the same. There are just as many women working in most of the occupations out here that require these types of shoes and in some occupations – like nursing – women make up the majority of the workforce. So, here are some of the best women’s shoes that you can wear all day long and not feel as if you are in agony by the end of the day.
Cherokee Women’s AnyWears Exact Slip Resistant Clog
The first of the women’s shoes which are perfect for standing all day are the AnyWears from Cherokee, a shoe that was designed to be both comfortable and slip-resistant. This shoe has a platform of about half an inch, and the heel is 1 ¼ inch high. The clog can be easily slipped on and off and it has a lot of ventilation for maximum airflow so that it can be worn with or without socks, as you see fit.
In addition, this is a handcrafted shoe, with a terrific design. The sole is synthetic and has a very good traction technology included, with a flexible traction pod that allows almost no slipping even in hazardous areas. The insole is removable as well to make it easy to clean and it is made of a flexible DBL compound that makes it comfort to your feet and feel very light as you are wearing it. You can simply wash it with water when you need to which makes it perfect for nursing and food service in particular, where spills are the norm.
Alegria Women’s Keli Professional Slip Resistant Work Shoe
The Alegria Women’s Keli Professional shoe is slip-resistant and made to be a work shoe. This is definitely footwear that you can use all day without having pain and soreness by the end of your shift. In addition, this is a great looking shoe with a lot of good features. The measurements of this shoe are 1 ½ inch for the heel and the platform is about half as wide. You can tell just by looking at this shoe that it is high-quality and very solid.
One of the things that make this shoe unique is that the patterns and designs that it comes in are very eclectic and artsy. This is different than quite a few of the other work shoes on this list and in workplaces where this is allowed or even encouraged, many people will choose a shoe like this to express their style. The shoe is composed of Nappa leather, embossed and printed, with a latex insole that is made from memory foam and allows for comfort all throughout the day.
Crocs Women’s Mercy Work Clog
You have almost certainly heard of the Crocks brand before if you work in the food service, healthcare or any other industry where your footwear is a major concern. Crocs are a brand that has gained a major reputation for high-quality and comfort and this Women’s Mercy work clog is no exception to that. Although it is only available in black at the moment, black goes with just about everything.
As for the specifications of this shoe, the shaft of the shoe is 2” from the arch, so they are perfect for those who have high arches and the heel is a standard one inch. The platform is half-inch and solidly constructed. In addition, the sole has been engineered for maximum slip resistance. It features proprietary Crocs technology that exceeds ASTM standards for commercial footwear. The quality of the shoe and the sole means that this shoe will last for years and be able to handle any work you put it through.
Skechers Sport Women’s Loving Life Memory Foam Fashion Sneaker
We have discussed Skechers shoes several times throughout this list. Skechers has done very well with work shoes, gaining a reputation for manufacturing durable shoes that are some of the most comfortable ones on the market right now. That is definitely the case with this pair of shoes. These sporty shoes are called ‘Loving Life’ and they are synthetic construction with fabric overlay, fitted with a heavy duty rubber sole.
These sneakers are great because they combine the best of both worlds when it comes to comfortable work shoes. They have a breathable mesh that allows for nearly as good airflow as Crocs or some of the ventilated shoes and because of the bungee laces and reinforced collar, they can be easily slipped on and off even when they are tied. The insole is made of memory foam and that allows for maximum comfort. On top of all of that, these shoes look amazing. They are in the same general style as other Skechers products, but they are professional enough for work wear. This is a good looking, solid and comfortable pair of shoes.
Timberland PRO Women’s Renova Professional Slip On
Timberland began more than two decades ago, quickly rising to the top as a manufacturer of some of the best work boots on the market. Now they have branched out to address the comfort and durability needs of service workers in health care, the food industry and more. There is a lot of included technology with these shoes and even with all of the features and such a high-quality brand behind it, the price is not so far out that they aren’t affordable.
These Timberland shoes are treated with a Scotchgard solution which protects them against staining, something useful in commercial settings. In addition, they have Timberland’s exclusive anti-fatigue technology, which is engineered to provide support to the ankles, legs and back all day without pain. They are also able to withstand shocks extremely well, which is useful in occupations where running is occasionally required. Finally, Timberland is so confident that you will find these to be the most comfortable work shoes that you have ever worn, that they are offering a money-back guarantee within 30 days, so that you can get used to the shoes and find out if they are right for you.
Alegria Women’s debra Slip-On
Next up is the Alegria debra slip-on shoes. One of the unique things about these shoes is just how many styles and colors there are available. There are various leather patterns, floral patterns and a great deal more. The heel of this shoe is about an inch-and-a-half, and the platform is one inch. The edge of the shoe has very attractive stitching but the goring is elastic and that makes for a very comfortable fit as well as making them easy to slip on and off.
The footbed is made of foam, which is very comfortable under the insole, and the leather coating is stain-proof, making it very useful in commercial applications. The insole is cushioned cork which is very soft and the shoe gently rocks your foot as you walk so you can spend hours in it and not even realize you are wearing it.
New Balance Women’s WX626 Slip Resistant Cross-Training Shoe
Finally, the last shoe on the list is the New Balance cross-training shoe. This is a very good-looking shoe with a rubber sole and a padded collar and tongue, making it as comfortable on your ankles as it is on the bottom of your foot. It also features a lining that is mesh to provide airflow, and the footbed is made of EVA foam, cushioning your foot and allowing you to stand for hours on end without pain. This is also a very good shoe for healthcare and food service because the sole is non-marking and completely slip-resistant.
We hope our list of the best shoes for standing all day was helpful to you.
