What are the best shoes for standing all day?
Running is a physical practice that involves dynamic movement, whereas standing is about being restricted to a small space. But it’s much more complicated than it appears, particularly if you’re on your feet the whole day.
People who work in retail and those who work in restaurants and hospitals are aware of this. Jobs that require you to walk or stand put a lot of strain on your feet. Consider this: your entire body weight is supported by your feet for a span of anywhere from 6 to 15 hours.
Several ER staff, doctors, and nurses work 12-hour long shifts daily. If you do this in regular shoes, the feeling can quickly become uncomfortable. You can’t wait to return home and take off your shoes because the sole is sore and strained.
Also, 6- to 8-hour shifts can be exhausting. Readers working in the healthcare and retail sectors often ask about footwear.
Things to consider
There are some quality features to look for when selecting shoes for standing on your feet the whole day.
Broad and flat outsoles are preferred. It’s critical to have an outsole that makes complete contact with the ground because it uniformly distributes pressure. Protruding outsole lugs may become a source of pain and discomfort after a long period of standing.
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A cushioned midsole is recommended.
If you’re likely to be standing every day, you’ll need a comfy shoe. Since you can continuously shift weight between the heels and the balls of your feet, both should have plenty of cushioning.
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A roomy upper that allows for foot splay
A too-narrow shoe can be hellish to wear for extended periods, which is why you need shoes with a roomy interior.
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For artificial floors with a smooth surface, a good grip is essential.
The majority of standing work is performed indoors on artificial floors. As a result, the outsole must have sufficient traction. Slip-resistant shoes are a perfect solution to this problem.
Do running shoes meet all of the requirements for standing for long periods? It is debatable.
Many running shoes, in our view, are acceptable for standing – but only for 6-9 hours. This group includes people who work in sports stores, where shifts are typically shorter. Employees of sporting goods stores often get to pick a product to wear as part of their outfit, so getting a running shoe makes sense.
You should change your footwear plan if your shifts are longer than 6-8 hours. This is what we mean for a bunch of reasons.
Rubber lugs and grooves like patterns on the outsoles of most running shoes add pressure from below. This isn’t a problem for a few hours, but it appears to last for a longer time.
A running shoe’s small waist is also a stumbling block. The midsole is narrow in the center, which results in a more conforming upward fit. Running shoes are designed in this manner because the foot needs to lock down when running. However, the exact snugger fit beneficial for running can be counterproductive to comfort during a 12+ hours shift.
Also, depending on the job, there may be additional footwear requirements. Consider the following example:
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Simple hues and colors
If the workplace is formal, wearing brightly colored running shoes might not be appropriate.
Many modern running shoes have more colors than a colored donut, rendering them inappropriate for formal occasions. As a result, simpler colors like all black or all white are preferred. Such aesthetic requirements are addressed in the second section of this guide.
However, this is merely an opinion, not a requirement. The color of the shoes is the last aspect on anyone’s mind in a more casual office environment.
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Design that is simple to maintain
Some professions require standing for long periods, such as those in the restaurant industry, where the shoe is likely to contact splashed liquids and other potentially hazardous materials. Instead of a mesh upper, opt for a completely covered plain upper that is easier to wash. The majority of running shoes don’t meet this criterion.
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Non-marking outsoles
Non-marking footwear is required in some workplaces. Outsoles with this functionality leave no black scuff or skid marks on the surface. If the shoes that come with your uniform have non-marking outsoles, you’ll need to find a suitable substitute. Non-marking outsoles are not common in running shoes.
As you can see, choosing a shoe that is supportive enough to stand all day is not as easy as it sounds.
Our choices
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Adidas UltraBoost 21 shoes
Adidas UltraBoost 21 @Amazon
Previously, the Ultraboost’s full-length Boost midsole rendered it a perfect standing shoe. It only gets better from here in 2021.
The Ultraboost 21 features a larger and relatively high Boost than the Ultraboost 19 and 20, which results in increased underfoot support. The extensive base provides comfort; additional stability is provided by the polymer heel clip and the revamped Torsion shank, which stiffens the midsole.
If you have big feet, try before you buy. Because of the plastic midfoot panels, the top part is stiffer than that of the Ultraboost 20, and the forefoot/toe-box fits snugly.
Since the Boost is crafted of extended polyurethane, it is resilient to temperature fluctuations (such as in freezing winters) and has a long lifespan.
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Asics Gel-Kayano Lite shoes
Asics Gel-Kayano Lite @Amazon
The Asics Kayano Lite isn’t as soft as the Adidas Ultraboost. Instead, the wide midsole offers a cushioned and supportive base that can be worn for long periods.
The soft insole and full-length Flytefoam midsole combine to provide a comfortable top layer and a supportive foundation for the foot to rest on. And, if you’re curious how it compares to the regular Kayano 27, the response is that the Lite version is a softer, smoother texture.
The upper level is large and comfortable. The roomy forefoot helps the toes to splay when standing, and the shapely heel and tongue grasp the foot comfortably.
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Asics Gel-Cumulus 22 shoes
Asics Gel-Cumulus 22 @Amazon
The Cumulus is an everyday shoe among runners and walkers and is often compared to the Asics Gel Nimbus.
One of the most beautiful Cumulus models is Version 22. The midsole has a smooth, cushy feel to it, providing excellent underfoot comfort. This is beneficial when standing for long periods.
The upper doesn’t have many frills, but it’s comfortable and fits true to form. The Cumulus is based on a tried-and-true formula. To put it another way, take a supportive midsole with a balanced nature and add it to a smooth-fitting top with a roomy fit.
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Nike ZoomX Invincible Run shoes
Nike ZoomX Invincible Run @Nike.com
Are you hunting for a somewhat softer shoe than Adidas Ultraboost 21, as well as one that is lightweight and has more space in the upper?
The Nike ZoomX Invincible Run is a shoe that we suggest. For total comfort, Nike has molded its lightweight ZoomX foam into an incredibly high-volume midsole. Since the midsole is very broad in the heel and forefoot, the softness does not come at the expense of stability.
The Invincible is a great shoe for long days because of its cushioned and supportive platform. The fully-sleeved brace is also very comfortable, and the cushioned heel and tongue help to hold the foot in place.
The outsole is made from a single piece of rubber, with a thick colony of lugs for traction.
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Mizuno Wave Sky Waveknit 4 shoes
Mizuno Wave Sky Waveknit 4 @Amazon
The Wave Sky Waveknit 4 is the perfect standing shoe, thanks to several design details. The riding is still very accommodating, even though the rigid ‘Wave’ plate is no longer present in the midsole. It’s also cushioned.
The Wave Sky 4 has a double midsole with a PU sheet instead of a rigid insert. This set-up provides a cozy layer that makes wearing for the whole day a pleasure.
The inside of the knit upper is smooth, and the foot is tightly locked down. If you’re using a pair of Waveknit 3s from the previous version, there’s no need to update to the V4. The midsoles of both models are identical.
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New Balance Fresh Foam 1080 V11 shoes
New Balance Fresh Foam 1080 V11 @Amazon
The New Balance 1080 has been delivering what it promised for the past few years: a mega cushioned and smooth walk. Not that the previous models were poor, but they had no cushy feel that Fresh Foam anticipated.
The Fresh Foam 1080V11, like the V10, is a cozy shoe. The soft, deep cushioning of the high-volume midsole makes standing on your feet less taxing. Under the forefoot, the outsole is made of blown rubber, which blends with the midsole rather than a rigid, resistant sheet.
The knitting upper is exceptionally soft and comfortable. The mesh in the toe box is gentle, as are the moderately stretchable laces. The sleeved tongue aids in the creation of a comfortable midfoot fit.
If the regular width isn’t wide enough, the 1080V11 is available in three different widths, varying from narrower to extra-wide.
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Saucony Triumph 18 shoes
Saucony Triumph 18 @Amazon
The Triumph 17’s super tight forefoot was among the things we didn’t like about it. Because of the toe-box layout and the unnecessarily plush heel, the foot was pushed forward.
The 18th edition makes adjustments by adding a (more) welcoming toe box and a curvaceous collar to the upper. In a nutshell, the interior spaces are plush and comfortable.
The Triumph 17’s Pwrrun+ midsole made it a perfect standing shoe, and the 2020 edition is no different.
The midsole’s enhanced Polyurethane foam is suitable for long hours of weight-bearing. Tenderness and resilience are balanced in equal measure, both without sacrificing longevity. Since the PU material is significantly failure resistant, this shoe can last a long time.
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Brooks Glycerin 19 shoes
Brooks Glycerin 19 @Amazon
The same attributes that helped the Glycerin 18 win a spot on this buyer’s guide also help the Glycerin 19.
Brooks’ midsole is made of DNA Loft, an EVA-blend material that strikes a balance between all-day ease and rides support. The long-lasting swappable insole and padding provide step-in softness.
The Glycerin 19’s padding isn’t as soft as some of the other shoes on this list, such as the Adidas UltraBoost and the New Balance 1080V11. Multi-hour convenience, on the other hand, is extensive, with a plush upper to fit.
The bottom of the shoe is covered in outsole rubber, which provides excellent grip on different surfaces.
Read more: 17 Best Women Perfumes Under $100
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Hoka Clifton 7 shoes
Hoka Clifton 7 @Amazon
It was long overdue for a Hoka shoe to appear on this index. The Clifton 7 is that stuff. This famous version has worked out its minor flaws over time, and the Clifton we get currently is refined. It’s almost perfect.
This implies that the shoe has a lot of extra protective padding under the foot in this guide’s scope. The high foam layer gives it a kind of “endless cushioning” feel that doesn’t budge after several hours of weight-bearing.
On the other hand, the oversized midsole provides a stable surface for the foot to balance on. The upper fit is spacious, breathable, and seamless, which improves the cushioning experience overall. The forefoot and toe box are appropriately contoured in case the foot swells up after long periods of standing.
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Nike Monarch IV shoes
Nike Monarch IV @Amazon
It’s easy to see that the Monarch IV has been one of Nike’s most famous shoes. The full-length Airbag provides sufficient structural support, while the solid and durable outer midsole offers protection. The rubber sole is long-lasting and provides good traction without leaving a mark.
The top is made of leather and fabric and comes in two styles: all-leather or mesh-leather. Not to mention the Monarch’s outstanding value for money.
Another advantage of the Monarch is its workplace-friendly color(s).
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Brooks Addiction Walker 2 shoes
Brooks Addiction Walker 2 @Amazon
While we prefer the initial Addiction Walker for its ‘Hydroflow’ padded feature, the V2 is a comfortable and reliable option for standing the whole day.
Unlike the (more) colorful shoes on this list, the Brooks Addiction Walker 2 comes in subdued and solid colors, making it appropriate for the office.
It is easy to wipe the shoe due to the leathery texture.
The Addiction Walker 2 would be a safe choice for those who work at Walmart, restaurants, or healthcare since the outsole is rated slip-resistant.
