Most people spend about four hours a day on average standing on their feet, which is almost half the time they spend seated. However, many other professionals spend twice or thrice the amount of time on their feet. Standing for long hours can put a lot of pressure on your lower back, knees, and feet and lead to chronic back and joint pain. It can also lower your productivity and health in the long run. Therefore, you may want to consider investing in a good pair of footwear that takes care of your feet and posture as you work. The best shoes for standing all day are also ideal for everyday activities to help you maintain the health and well-being of your back and lower extremities.
What are the Best Shoes for Standing All Day?
We have compiled for you the top 6 Best Shoes for Standing All Day in 2024. In this article we go through the products that we have used ourselves, checked what other users thought about them and we ranked them accordingly.
With years of experience with footwear for standing all day and having used several shoes for standing all day you can trust our review.
Moreover, you can scroll to the end of this review to see our mini buying guide as well as the answers to some of the frequently asked questions about shoes for standing all day.
1. Skechers D’Lites
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| Price: 💲💲💲 (fewer 💲 = cheaper) Material: Synthetic Mesh |
The Skechers D’Lites for Women are my top choice and feature an attractive design in many colors that makes them ideal for any occasion. They also feature a low-profile heel which makes them suitable for medical professionals who are always on their feet all day. The sneakers come with a thick midsole for impact protection and a memory foam insole for stability and comfort. However, the insoles are not removable and difficult to replace with custom insoles for flat feet. The D’Lites are athletic shoes and ideally should feature good arch support for your feet. However, some overpronators have noted the lack of arch support in these sneakers. But they offer excellent lateral support for stability with leather inlays on the mesh upper for high arches. The upper also features a synthetic breathable mesh that helps to ventilate the feet and a lace-up closure that allows you to adjust the fitting. The sizes come with an option for wide feet, and most users advise buying half a size up because the shoes run small.
Pros
- High-quality and attractive style,
- Comfortable midsole for all-day comfort,
- Versatile for work, casual and athletic wear,
- Flexible rubber soles with excellent traction,
- Breathable upper with lateral support
Cons
- Non-removable insole
2. Altra Torin 4 Premium
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| Price: 💲💲💲💲 (fewer 💲 = cheaper) Weight: 0.5 pounds (0.23 kg) Material: Synthetic Mesh |
Altra Running is a top apparel company that is notable for manufacturing zero drop running shoes that feature a gender-specific design. The Torin 4 sneakers are the premium choice on my list and feature a lighter construction upgraded from the Torin 3. The shoes feature the Quantic midsole, up from EVA, which reduces the cushioning stack by 2mm but offers a firmer platform for stability when walking or standing. However, Quantic lacks adequate arch support for flat feet, but you can replace them with a more comfortable insole. The shoes feature a mesh upper that is great for breathability, but it does not have overlays for support. However, it does provide a secure fit reinforced by the lace-up closure, a padded heel collar, and an external heel counter. The outsole features a generous toe-box that allows room for your toes and FootPod technology that mimics the bone structure for natural movement.
Pros
- Balanced, zero-drop platform,
- Non-slip tread for wet surfaces,
- Firm midsole for standing long hours,
- Gender-specific shoe design
Cons
- No arch support
3. Skechers Men’s Segment
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| Price: 💲 (fewer 💲 = cheaper) Weight: 1 pounds (0.45 kg) Material: Leather |
Away from reviewing sneakers, the Skechers Segment Loafers are casual dressing shoes that are also ideal for work due to the comfort they offer. The loafers feature a gel-infused memory foam midsole that provides adequate cushioning for all-day comfort with a perforated Dual-Lite footbed that contours to your foot. Its moisture-wicking insole helps to keep your feet dry as the perforated footbed improves breathability. The Loafers come with an oiled mohawk leather upper that features stitching and overlay accents with dual elastic panels. However, many users have noted how tight the opening is for slipping on the shoes. On the other hand, the relaxed fit interior space features a soft fabric lining and a canvas padded collar. The loafers are not ideal for hot weather as the leather upper is not breathable. Also, some buyers are unhappy with the color variations on the Dark Brown shoes. The black ones are comparatively more costly.
Pros
- Attractive design for any occasion,
- Roomy interior with soft lining for comfort,
- Gel-infused midsole for cushioning,
- Flexible traction rubber sole
Cons
- Color variation in the dark brown shoes,
- Hard to slip on
4. Clarks Sillian Paz Loafers
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| Price: 💲💲💲 (fewer 💲 = cheaper) Material: Synthetic Nubuck |
The Sillian Paz CloudSteppers are slip-on loafers for women that are ideal for any occasion. Buyers who have bought these shoes for work commend them for the EVA midsole comfort and support. However, EVA wears down quickly and needs replacing every couple of months. The loafers feature a nubuck leather upper that is more durable than traditional leather and more breathable, a feature that many users applauded. Nubuck leather does not require a breaking-in period, so the shoes are comfortable right out of the box. It also maintains structure and ages better than leather. The loafers also feature a soft lining that helps regulate heat, while the Ortholite insole helps keep the feet dry. Another notable feature is the roomy interior that allows your toes generous space. However, the heel may slip if you have narrow heels. The outsole is also EVA which gives you additional padding while keeping the shoe lightweight. It also offers excellent traction for any work surface and flexibility to move naturally. Overall, the shoes feature a minimalist design that provides relief to people who suffer from chronic foot ailments such as plantar fasciitis and arthritis.
Pros
- Flexible outsole with excellent traction,
- Simple and lightweight design,
- Robust and breathable upper,
- Decent cushioning with arch support
Cons
- Can be narrow for some
5. Skechers WorkSure
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| Price: 💲 (fewer 💲 = cheaper) Weight: 0.7 pounds (0.32 kg) Material: Leather |
The Worksure Track sneakers are comfortable, non-slip work shoes and are my budget option. The rubber outsole design features technical details that make it electrical hazard safe, slip-resistant on wet and oily surfaces, and flexible and thick for the work environment. The FlexSole midsole provides excellent shock absorption, which users recommend is suitable for standing and walking all day. The sneakers also feature a smooth leather upper that is easy to clean and features stitching accents and perforated panels for breathability. The shoes feature a Relaxed Fit design that offers more space for a comfortable fit while the laces secure the foot inside the shoe. Other notable features include a soft inner lining that keeps your feet cool and a memory foam removable insole that you can replace with orthotics.
Pros
- Comfortable midsole for working feet,
- Features a thick and flexible outsole,
- Durable and easy to clean,
- Provides arch and ankle support
Cons
- Bulky and heavy construction
6. Fila Memory WorkShift
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| Price: 💲💲 (fewer 💲 = cheaper) Material: Faux Leather |
The Fila Workshift sneakers are the ideal work shoes for any industry. They feature a leather upper that gives them durability and lateral support while protecting the forefoot in the work environment. The upper also features synthetic overlays for breathability and a lace-up closure to adjust the fitting. The sneakers come with a slip-resistant rubber sole with a heel height of 1-inch that makes them ideal for standing all day without hurting your back. However, most users have noted that the soles slip on wet concrete floors and peel off quickly. I wrote an article on Best Shoes for Walking on Concrete if you often find yourself on such flooring.
The memory foam midsole is comfortable but it wears out pretty quickly, with some users noting that it gets stiff, which may cause pain on the heels. However, you can replace the insoles to improve the cushioning and arch support.
Pros
- Easy to clean and breathable upper,
- Comfortable midsole with removable insoles,
- Ideal for long hours of standing and walking,
- Lightweight construction with lateral support
Cons
- No arch support,
- The outsole is not durable
Verdict
To summarize, we have gone through dozens of shoes for standing all day and decided that 6 are worth your consideration. Out of these, the absolute Best Shoes for Standing All Day is Skechers D’Lites which we highly recommend as our overall best.
If money is not an issue, you can consider Altra Torin 4 Premium as this is our Premium Pick.
Otherwise, there’s no shame in spending prudently, Skechers Men’s Segment is the Budget Option.
Our other reviews you may find useful in your research:
What You Should Know Before Buying shoes for standing all day
Overview
Before you buy any footwear for standing all day, there are a few key features you need to look out for highlighted below.
Material and Breathability
Materials determine the durability and stability of the shoes. There are various types of materials which include leather, textiles such as cotton, and synthetics. Leather is a robust and sturdy material that molds to the shape of your foot for flexibility and comfort. However, it is expensive, heavy, and not breathable. Textiles are available in various styles and include cotton, wool, polyester, nylon, and polypropylene. Each fabric offers its advantages and disadvantages, which you will need to consider when buying. Synthetic materials are typically found on athletic shoes in dual layers for a supportive fit. Although they are comparatively cheaper than textiles or leather and offer the best breathability, they are not as durable.
Cushioning and Shock Absorbency in Midsoles
Cushioning and shock absorbency is dependent on the type of foam used for the midsoles. Unlike running shoes that require a thick stack, standing shoes need a firm midsole for stability to prevent your foot from twisting at the ankle. There are various types of foam generally categorized as open-cell foam and closed-cell foam. Open-cell foam is softer and breathable for use on the shoe collars, tongue, and uppers. Closed-cell foam is denser and is ideal for making midsoles and insoles. This type of foam includes EVA, Polyurethane, Neoprene, and Latex.
EVA (Ethylene-Vinyl-Acetate) is one of the most commonly used midsoles for athletic footwear. It is favored due to its lightweight nature, is versatile and available in many colors, and is affordable. Its biggest drawback is that it compresses over time and loses the shock absorbency and cushioning effect. That is why you need to replace your athletic shoes every 3 – 6 months. In contrast, Polyurethane (PU) is much more resilient and robust, which means it does not compress over time, so the midsoles last much longer. However, it is heavier than most other types of midsoles and more expensive.
Outsole and Heel Height
Rubber is the most common material used for making outsoles. The most critical feature to look out for is traction. Traction determines how safe the shoes are for your workplace, especially if you are in a wet or greasy work environment. However, the outsole should be flexible at the toe area to reduce tension on the arches and give you a natural gait. Another consideration when looking at the outsoles for standing is the heel height. Ideally, the best footwear for standing all day should feature zero-drop heels or heels that are less than 2 inches. Heels higher than this could add stress to your lower back, knees, and the balls of your feet because it alters the center of gravity. Low profile heels allow the foot to be in a more natural position which helps your posture and reduces pressure on the back and knees. Additionally, shoes with a wide toe box are better because it gives your toes space to splay and move naturally.
Insoles and Arch Support
Athletic shoes generally feature good arch support, whereas casual and work shoes usually do not have it. Arches help to distribute the weight of your body along the foot to reduce pressure on your joints. However, you may need to understand how your foot pronates to determine if you need the extra support or not. Foot pronation is categorized into three types which are neutral feet, high arched, and low arched or flat feet. Neutral pronators ideally do not need arch support as much as people with flat feet, also known as overpronation. In overpronation, the foot is misaligned inwards due to collapsed arches and adds pressure to the ankles, knees, and hips. When buying footwear for standing or walking for long hours, you can replace the insoles with orthotics to give your feet arch support.
Underpronators or people with high arches roll their feet outwards, and it can cause ankle sprains and plantar fasciitis. Flexible soles with cushioned insoles usually help to provide adequate stability for high arches.
Comfort and Fit
Although cushioning is necessary to reduce fatigue and prevent heel injuries, how the shoes fit is equally important. Some of the features that determine comfort include a wide toe box that allows the forefoot to fit comfortably and a flexible outsole that bends naturally at the forefoot. Other features include a low-profile sole that keeps your foot almost parallel to the ground and padded insoles and orthotics that provide arch support. Breathable upper materials help with ventilation that keeps your feet cool to prevent swelling. The lacing structure provides lateral support for stability. Having two pairs of standing shoes allows aeration to reduce odor and blisters. On the other hand, wicking socks help to prevent moisture and foot fungus.
