There are many professions where you have to stand all day and walk from one place to another. Such movements are rarely dynamic and are often pretty limited. However, standing on your feet all day is more complicated than it appears. It can be straining for your feet, and they may feel sore after you are done for the day.
Therefore, it is essential that you wear shoes that are comfortable and do not put an excess strain on your feet. When you wear appropriate shoes, you will automatically feel less tired throughout the day and won’t be at risk of serious injury.
Factors to Consider
When choosing shoes that you will be wearing on days, you need to be on your feet, and careful consideration is required. There are many options in the market, but not all of them are designed specifically for those who intend to stand all day. Therefore, you should consider certain factors before choosing a shoe to purchase.
The Outsole Design
The outsole design of your shoe is fundamental, and you should ensure that the shoe you buy has a wide, flat outsole. Shoes with such an outsole have complete ground contact and are able to spread the pressure evenly.
Having the pressure distributed evenly is essential, especially over long periods of time, because it reduces the risk of your feet being sore around the ankles or near the toes. You should avoid shoes with protruding outsole lugs at all costs because they quickly become uncomfortable.
The Midsole Design
The midsole of the shoe you intend to but should be cushioned. When you plan to stand all day, your shoe should have the maximum comfort level, which comes with cushioning. Furthermore, the forefoot and heel of the shoe should have ample cushioning so that your body weight is distributed evenly.
Having cushioning in the front and back also ensures that your body weight is not zeroed in on one spot but is instead being transferred from the heel of the foot to the balls.
However, having a chunky midsole to account for the cushioning may make the shoe heavier. You should also aim to choose lightweight shoes.
Spacious near the toes
Having narrow-fitted shoes is a recipe for disaster if you need to be standing all day. You will feel highly uncomfortable and restricted when your toes have less space to move around. Therefore, you need shoes with a wide toe box so that your toes have ample room to wiggle around.
Some shoes are generally narrow, to begin with but get better over time as you wear them down. Thus it is always good to know whether or not a shoe will loosen up with time.
Good Grip
Jobs that require you to be on your feet for the better part of the day are located indoors. Many such places have artificial floors that are rather slippery compared to outdoor terrain with natural bumps.
Therefore, you must ensure that the shoes you buy have outsoles and good traction. Such shoes ensure that you do not slip even on smooth floors.
Best Shoes for Standing All Day
1. Adidas Men's Ultraboost 22
The Adidas Men's Ultraboost 22 are 100% synthetic shoes that are comfortable for long periods. They are smooth and flexible with an upper that is foot-hugging and wraps around the foot, allowing a supportive fit and enhancing movement.
The outsole of these shoes is made using a stretch web with continental rubber outsoles. These ensure that the outsole flexes naturally. Such shoes fit the feet very well and feel very natural when worn. The rubber on the outsole also increases traction, which is excellent for those who have to stand all day long.
Ultraboosts have always been excellent casual shows as they have a broad base, which makes the shoe supportive and stable. The toe-box has a snug fit, but because of the shoe's overall flexibility, many don't find it to be an issue.
Pros:
- Overall flexible with a stretch web outsole
- The upper shoe is foot-hugging and supportive
- It has rubber soles which increase traction
- Its broad base provides stability
Cons:
- Toe-box has a snug fit which may be uncomfortable.
2. New Balance Men's Fresh Foam 1080 V11
The New Balance Men's Fresh Foam X 1080 V12 are excellent sneakers to wear if you know you will be on your feet standing all day long. These shoes are highly supportive and have extra cushioning to ensure that you are comfortable at all times of the day.
Having extra cushioning also ensures that your weight is evenly divided throughout your shoe and is not concentrated at one part as it may cause it to become sore. The shoe's insole has Fresh Foam, making it feel like you are on a cloud.
Overall the sneakers have a snug style that keeps your foot in place. The design is also stylish and is made to hug your foot with the midsole; therefore, it helps disperse the pressure. These shoes also have an ortholite sock liner that provides added comfort.
The sole of the shoe is also made of rubber and thus provides ample traction to prevent any actions. The Ultra Heel design is another comfort feature that hugs the back of the foot, providing a snug and supportive fit.
Pros:
- Extra cushioning with Fresh Foam
- Bootie upper for a snug fit
- Rubber soles for traction
- Flexible
Cons:
- It takes time to get used to
3. ASICS Women’s Gel Venture 7 Running Shoes
The ASICS Women’s Gel Venture 7 Running Shoes are perfect for those who experience aches in their arches after long days of standing at work. They have gel tech in the rear foot area, and when combined with the EVA midsole, they are extremely comfortable.
These shoes also feature an Ortholite sock liner which adds an additional layer of cushioning underfoot. Therefore, they are perfect for those who have flat feet. Extra cushioning also ensures that there is adequate shock absorption and pressure is divided evenly across the foot so that no one area is bearing more.
The Rearfoot Gel technology also helps attenuates shock during impact, so you can easily use these for activities that require more complex movements.
Pros:
- Gel tech in the rear foot areas
- Provides extra cushioning
- Has an ortholine sock liner
Cons:
- Sizes run small
4. YHOON Women’s Walking Shoes
Having lightweight shoes is extremely important when you know that you will either be standing or walking all day. The YHOON Women’s walking shoes are made using breathable and lightweight air fly woven material that ensures that they add no extra weight to your feet. The material is also flexible and comfortable.
The shoes also have an easy-to-wear design as they are slip-on and remove the need to tie laces multiple times a day. They also have soft cushion soles, which provide ample cushioning between the feet and the ground to ensure comfort throughout the day.
Furthermore, there is enough room for your feet to move around, so they don’t feel cramped after a day of standing and moving around.
Pros:
- They are lightweight
- Easy slip-on design
- Breathable
- Ample cushioning
- Not too tight and cramped
Cons:
- Footbed is narrow
5. Dansko Professional Clog
The Dansko professional clogs are great for individuals with jobs requiring them to be on their feet all day long. They are made from leather, are quite roomy, and allow space for movement. The toe-box has ample space to prevent cramped toes, which may make the wearer tired much sooner.
These clogs also have a comfortable platform with an antimicrobial lining that helps ward off odors that accumulate after all-day wear. The sole is made of polyurethane and provides ample traction, which is necessary for indoor floors.
The Dansko professional clothes also have a padded instep collar that provides cushioning so that there is no discomfort when the wearer is walking.
Pros:
- Durable
- Ample traction
- Comfortable 0.75-inch platform with antimicrobial lining
- Padded instep collar
Cons:
- They are stiff at first
6. Martens Men's 8053 Oxford
Dr. Martens Men's 8053 Oxfords are made using 100% leather, giving them an extremely luxurious look. Despite the fancy outer, the shoes are overall highly comfortable and perfect for those who have to stand around all day long.
This model of the Dr. Martens Oxfords has the signature Air Cushion sole, which is a translucent outsole. It is resistant to oil, acid, and fat and has adequate levels of slip resistance as well. Therefore, they are pretty durable and look pristine even after they have been through a day's worth of standing and waking.
The insole and sole of the shoes have a hollow chamber that makes these shoes extremely comfortable so that you can wear them on days when you will be walking or standing for the majority of the time.
Dr. Martens also has a lace-up feature with eight eyelets, which help provide better protection and ankle support. This level of support is excellent for individuals who have to stand all day. The sole is also textured and made of rubber. Therefore, it provides ample traction for artificial floors.
Pros:
- Comfortable
- Has Air Cushion on the outsole
- Lace-ups provide ankle support
- Provides ample traction.
Cons:
- Hard to break in
At a Glance
| Adidas Men's Ultraboost 22 | New Balance Men's Fresh Foam 1080 V11 | ASICS Women’s Gel Venture 7 Running Shoes | YHOON Women’s Walking Shoes | Dansko Professional Clog | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Material | Synthetic | Synthetic Material | Synthetic and Mesh | Fly woven material | 100% leather |
| Support | Upper foot-hugging feature | Snug Style and supportive insole with ortholite sockliner | Ortholine sock liner, Rearfoot GEL technology | Lightweight, MD platform sole | Has a comfortable platform |
| Comfort Features | Flexible, Uses stretch web, and has a wide base | Uses Fresh Foam on the insole and provides stretch and support | Cushioning in multiple areas | Breathable material with Air Cushion Soles | The instep collar is padded |
| Durability | Durable | Not very durable | Durable | Durable | Durable |
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| Martens Men's 8053 Oxford | |
|---|---|
| Material | 100% leather |
| Support | Has a lace-up feature and textured rubber sole |
| Comfort Features | The insole and sole have a hollow chamber |
| Durability | Durable |
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Conclusion
Having comfortable shoes is necessary when you know you will be on your feet. Uncomfortable shoes will make you feel irritated and tired much quicker than if you wore shoes that had ample cushioning.
Furthermore, with the ample amount of choices on the market, it can be overwhelming to choose one, but if you know what you want and assess the shoes based on your requirements, you can easily find a shoe that will serve you well.