The phrase “just standing around” is often associated with being lazy, but if you have ever had a job where you are on your feet all day, you’ll know how wrong that is. Even in an occupation where you are literally just standing—not moving around at all—such as on an assembly line, or on a workbench all day, the added stress on your muscles over seated jobs is significant.
Few areas of our body feel this kind of stress quite as acutely as our feet—your ankles and arches in particular. The entirety of your weight rests on those relatively small parts of your body, so it is critical that you look after them for your long term health. Particularly if you are likely to be in a standing job for the foreseeable future.
There are several things you can do to mitigate the stress on your feet, such as stretching and moving around whenever possible. But the most significant way to look after your feet is to ensure they are properly supported by adequate footwear. That’s why we’ve put together a handy list of our top eight best shoes for standing all day.
How to Choose the Best shoes for standing all day ?
Choosing the best shoes for standing all day is not as simple as you might think. Many people look for the best running shoes and call it a day. And, while there is certainly some crossover between the ideal footwear for running and the ideal shoes for standing, they are not necessarily interchangeable.
Running is a strenuous, dynamic activity that involves a lot of impact on your joints. Through a combination of cushioning and optimal shaping, running shoes work to minimise that impact to reduce the wear and tear to your body. Conversely, smart business shoes are built with a keen eye towards form over function. That is to say, they might look great, but they won’t necessarily be comfortable for long periods of standing.
You will need to consider the grip. Very few running shoes are meant for smooth surfaces, which just so happens to be the most common surface you will find yourself standing on. You also want to make sure your potential shoe has plenty of room, something that your average pointy-toed business shoe will probably lack.
Be sure to get a shoe with plenty of cushioning, but be aware that the shape of the outsole is essential. For long periods of standing, it should be broad and flat to help disperse the pressure of your weight evenly. Many running shoes are designed for a “rolling” motion as the foot lands, pivots, and takes off again. If your job involves a good deal of walking this could be a good thing, but if you are literally standing all day, the inversed arch of the sole could strain your feet.
So without further ado, here are the
Best Shoes for Standing all day For Men in 2020!
1. Saucony Triumph ISO 5 Men’s
One thing that helps in a shoe for standing on your feet all day, perhaps more than anything else, is cushioning. The Triumph ISO 5 has that in spades, with one of the thickest midsoles you’ll find in this class of trainer. Primarily designed for runners, this trainer is built to keep your feet comfortable even under high impact situations, so it can handle most standing jobs with ease.
It is quite a roomy shoe which will suit the wider footed workers among us—though it may feel a bit loose on those people with narrow feet. On the outside, you will find a synthetic rubber tread that can provide plenty of traction on most surfaces. The upper part of the shoe features plenty of breathable mesh, which should keep your feet fresh even on harder days.
There are a variety of colors available, including plain black, which should make it a viable option for most standing jobs with a dress code. These shoes are a little on the heavy side, but not so much so that it should cause problems for most people.
2. Clarks Men’s Bushacre 2 Chukka Boot
There is a particular type of footwear that usually springs to mind when you think of work shoes, and for many people, Clarks Men’s Bushacre 2 will fit that mental image. From the outside, the Bushacre 2 is a solid looking boot in supple leather on top of a rubber outsole. Despite its rugged appearance, it still manages to be stylish, and would easily double up as smart-casual wear.
The sole is made from a dense rubber that is durable yet flexible. You will still need to waterproof your Bushacre 2 boots if you are going to be splashing around in any puddles, but the soul shouldn’t give you any problems due to moisture.
The upper part of the boot is made from supple leather, while the lining is made from soft suede. They are not the most breathable of boots, so factor that in if your job involves a lot of walking around or hot weather. Size-wise, the boot falls into the narrow-to-medium part of the width
3. ASICS Men’s Gel-Venture 6 Running Shoe
ASICS Gel-Venture 6 runnings shoes feature a rugged design that is intended to provide a great deal of support under some of the more extreme circumstances.
The Gel-Venture 6 is designed for rough terrain on trails and other outdoor pursuits, so it has more than enough comfort and protection for your average active job. Rearfoot GEL cushioning works to absorb the shock from your footfalls. At the same time, a removable sock liner allows you to use custom orthotics, making them even more personalized to your specific situation. And, as you’d expect from a shoe designed for trail-use, the Gel-Venture 6 has outstanding traction thanks to the high-abrasion rubber used in the outsole.
4. Under Armour Men’s Micro G Assert 7 Sneaker
Under Armour’s Micro G Assert 7 sneaker sports two attributes that should be considered essential for any piece of footwear that will be worn for long durations: lightweight and breathable.
With ample cushioning and generous amounts of mesh material used in the upper parts of the shoe, the Assert 7 won’t keep your feet dry in the rain, but they will keep them fresh and dry at work. Leather overlays and a durable outsole round out the features of a very capable work sneaker.
5. Sketchers for Work Men’s Flex Advantage Mcallen Food Service Shoes
There’s not much to say about this shoe that name doesn’t already tell you. Very much designed for the food industry, these shoes are slip-resistant, electrical hazard safe, and sport an easy slip on and off design.
They are water and stain-resistant, but still features a breathable mesh design that should keep your feet fresh on those long shifts. Underfoot you will find memory foam insoles for supreme comfort and a lightweight shock-absorbing midsole. These shoes are sided by elastic panels, making them a comfortable fit on most feet.
6. Brooks Men’s Ghost 11 Running Shoe
Primarily designed for road running, Brooks Men’s Ghost 11 running shoes are a lightweight, highly supportive shoe that makes light work of high impact use.
Featuring an integrated system of shock absorbers, the Ghost 11 boasts supreme protection from footfall impact no matter how your foot lands. The upper part of the shoe is constructed from stretchy, engineered mesh that makes for a comfortable fit while maintaining breathability. There is additional support around the heel, making for a sturdy shoe despite its lightweight nature. If your job involves a lot of walking around, Ghost 11 is an excellent option.
Best Shoes for Standing all day For Wonmen in 2020!
1. Mizuno Women’s Wave Rider 23 Waveknit Running Shoe
The Wave Rider 23 is a running shoe aimed at providing for road-use. It achieves this with a combination of midsole foams that keep your feet cushioned. The cushioning is on the firmer end of the spectrum, with a durable rubber outsole to ensure the excellent grip provided by the Waver Rider 23 is maintained for as long as possible.
Up top, there is an abundance of breathable mesh fabric to keep your feet cool and fresh. Of course, this means that the shoe is not waterproof, but you have to make trade-offs somewhere. There are several colors available, but it should be noted that the sides of the outsole are a little on the visible side, which may pose a problem for workplaces with strict dress codes.
A strong contender in our list of best shoes for standing all day, the Wave Rider 23 is definitely better suited to the more active standing jobs, though it will do the job just fine for more sedate jobs, as well.
2. Adidas Women’s Cloudfoam Pure Running Shoe
As you’d expect from a shoe with “Cloudfoam” in the name, the Cloudfoam Pure is a very lightweight running shoe. The upper part of the shoe is breathable and available in a variety of patterns and colors. If you have a dress code at your place of work, you should be able to find a design here that will suit.
The sole gives a very spongy feel which leans towards comfort over performance, but as we are looking at these shoes as workwear, that’s not a problem.
3. Brooks Women’s Addiction Walker Walking Shoes
Breathability has featured heavily on this list. And, while the Brooks Women’s Addiction Walker shoe does offer a reasonable degree of breathability, the full-grain leather upper provides more protection than some of the lighter shoes we’ve mentioned.
These shoes feature BioMoGo foam in the midsole, adding additional comfort and support underfoot. Brooks Extended Progressive Diagonal Rollbar (PDRB) support system ensures that your arches are supported naturally. Moving down to the tread, the outer soles of the Addiction Walker are certified for slip-resistance—a particularly useful trait in any work shoe.
4. Clarks Women’s Everlay Romy Loafer
For more formal occupations, in particular where strict dress codes are employed, Clarks Women’s Everlay Romy Loafer is an excellent choice. The upper section is made from leather and sports a pleating and button combo for a sophisticated yet understated look.
The shoes are of slip-on design with an elasticated segment for some flexibility. The sole makes use of Clarks Cushion Soft™ padding for added comfort. The outsoles are made of rubber and provide excellent grip on most of the kinds of surfaces you’re likely to be wearing this kind of shoe on.
5. Sketchers Women’s D’Lites Memory Foam Lace-Up Sneaker
Sketchers are known for their sneakers, and the D’Lites Memory Foam Lace-Up Sneaker has a traditional sneaker look and feel that is in keeping with that heritage.
The upper part of the sneaker is constructed from soft Trubuck leather with mesh fabric overlays, providing a nice blend of strength and support with lightweight, breathable materials. Being a laced sneaker, there is a lot of flexibility regarding foot size and shape. The insoles are made from cushioned memory foam, while the outsoles are flexible rubber with a high grip tread. The padded collar and tongue ensure that the whole shoe is as comfortable as possible.
6. New Balance Women’s Fresh Foam 1080 V10 Running Shoe
The 1080 V10 is a shoe with a lot of sole, pun intended. The chunky midsole creates a significant 30mm height above the floor at the heel. As you can probably imagine, this is a shoe designed for comfort. Many wearers report that the shoe actually feels more comfortable while walking around than it does when running, which is another point in its favour with regards to standing jobs.
The profile of the shoe reveals an aggressive “rocker” design, making it more suited to movement than stationary work. If your job involves walking around a lot, this would be a great shoe for you.
The design is very distinctive, with the midsole sporting a honeycomb-like design, and the upper part of the shoe is almost entirely meshed fabric. This shoe should keep you as fresh as it does comfortable. It also sports a relatively thick tongue, which helps the shoe achieve a snug, sock-like fit. The Fresh Foam 1080 V10 is available in a range of different designs.