Nurses And Chefs Swear By These Comfy Shoes For Standing All Day

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If your job constantly keeps you on your toes—literally—you’ve probably experienced the all-too-familiar feeling of sore feet. You might chalk it up to just another occupational hazard, but “foot pain should never be the norm,” says Dr. Ryan Minara, DPM, chief of podiatric medicine and surgery at Mount Sinai. “The foot and ankle are made of dozens of bones, joints, tendons, ligaments, and muscles that work in concert, so it’s important to find shoes that are comfortable so your feet stay healthy.”

In fact, comfortable shoes protect more than just your feet. "Your feet are your foundation, and if your foundation is faulty, it can affect your whole body," says Bradley Schaeffer, DPM, a board-certified podiatrist, foot surgeon, and founder of Central Park SOLE. “When properly supported and cushioned, pressure on our feet should decrease and therefore will protect your back, as well as your knees and hips.”

Though many consider flats the perfect standing shoes, but if your job requires heels, there are options for you, too. “Like anything in life, think moderation: not too tall, not too flat, not too wide, not too tight,” says Dr. Schaeffer. The right shoe should have good arch support, breathable fabric, enough cushioning, and a strong, stable heel with a non-slip tread, he adds.

But the problem may not just be your shoes—size is a factor, too. “Our feet lengthen and widen over time, and most of us don’t measure them regularly to catch these changes,” says podiatrist Dr. Fay Woolmer, DPM. Not to mention that your feet swell the longer you’re on them.

To find the best shoes for standing all day long, WH asked podiatrists, healthcare workers, chefs, hair stylists, and more to share their expert picks, from sandals to sneakers.

Chunky Low-Block Pumps

With a podiatrist-approved low, chunky block heel, latex padded insole, and an outsole made of shock-absorbing thermoplastic rubber, these pumps from one of Woolmer’s favorite brands will feel and look great whether you’re standing all day or dancing all night. Even better? You can snag a pair for less than $50.

Rave Review: "Just what I wanted: an attractive, comfortable shoe with sturdy heels. Thin heels no longer give me the stability I need, so a shoe like this works fine and looks good. I may buy another pair."

Kyla Metatarsal Low Heel Sandals

Not only are these casual flat sandals super cute, but a built-in orthotic insole ensures all-day arch support and comfort. The Metatarsal insole option is designed specifically for high arches and this wear-anywhere summer style is available in four colorways.

Bryce Slip-On Sneaker

“The cushiony insole in these slip-on sneakers is made of recyclable materials, and the suede upper and flexible elastic goring just adds to their overall comfort,” says Melinda Maddox, beverage director and lead mixologist at The Reserve in Fort Collins, Colorado. She swears by these shoes when she’s serving drinks behind the bar on concrete floors for hours.

Classic Clog

Whatever your personal feelings about Crocs may be, you can't deny their comfort. But if you need more convincing: Spicewalla culinary director Alyse Baca is on her feet all day long, testing recipes and taping video demonstrations—and she loves her Crocs.

“I’m a huge fan of Crocs and have been wearing them in the kitchen for almost a decade. They’re comfy, lightweight, supportive, and keep my feet cool during hours of standing,” she says. “The exterior traction minimizes slipping and the heel strap adds extra support, but my favorite thing about these is that they’re waterproof and easy to clean.”

Newton Ridge Waterproof Hiking Shoe

Okay, so maybe you aren't just standing all day and you want something you can comfortably hike in all day. These waterproof leather and suede boots are made of a seam-sealed construction (meaning the sole isn’t just glued to the top—it’s molded to the rest of the shoe to prevent water from sneaking in) and come with a lightweight midsole, interior cushioning, and a flexible mesh tongue.

Pro Tip: “For the best fit, be sure to try on hiking boots with the socks you plan on wearing,” advises Woomer, a fan of this brand.

Zip Bootie Sneaker

This bootie, with its lightweight sole and leather covered insole, is a favorite of Freight House chef Sara Bradley.

“I’ve worn a lot of different shoes in the kitchen, but these are my go-to pair as they mold to my feet and provide amazing arch support,” she says. “Plus, the outside zipper and pull tab make it easy to take them on and off. They’re so comfortable, I own multiple pairs in different colors and leathers.”

Arch Support Mary Janes

“Shoes that are too flat can lead to over pronating, resulting in a widening of the feet, heel spurs, and shin splints,” explains Minara, who suggests looking for arch support cushioning when shopping for flats.

With its wide toe box, pressure-reducing ergonomic sole, and arch-boosting orthotic insoles, these soft leather Mary Janes have hundreds of five-star ratings from happy customers.

Rave Review: “This may not be the most beautiful shoes, but they are the most comfortable for me. I'm a teacher and work on my feet all day. I also have pain in the arch of my foot (plantar fasciitis). These shoes allow me to be standing all day without pain.”

Gel-Nimbus 24 Running Sneakers

For those days you want to go straight from your AM run to work, this is the sneaker that'll carry you through.

Winner of the Women's Health 2022 sneaker award for best overall running shoe, multiple WH editors love this sneaker because of its ability to relieve foot pain, plantar fasciitis, and ankle tendinitis. Rearfoot and forefoot gel technology cushions the foot during the toe-off phases, allowing movement as the foot transitions through the gait cycle.

Rave Review: "I suffer from constant foot pain. I researched what shoe might help, and the Nimbus 24 popped up as a good shoe. My standard size was a good fit, and I was surprised at the cushion in the sole. Most importantly, my pain is significantly less so I can go for walks."

Zipper Ankle Boot

“Some days I stand for 10 hours straight and find my feet simply do better with some type of heel,” says senior hair stylist Corinne Ugarte. “These boots not only look great, but they’re super comfortable, with their zip-up side to make for easy removal after a long day.”

With its three-inch block heel, midsole arch support, and heel cups (inserts that provide extra support to the heel), these boots were made for standing. Plus, the Vionic brand gets the thumbs up from the American Podiatric Medical Association.

Starling Loafer

This loafer goes beyond informal lounging and can be dressed up depending on the occasion. As for its feet-friendly features: It's got seven layers of cushion in the sole, an elevated arch support, and an insole made of memory foam.

“The sturdy rubber sole is a bonus so I never have to worry about slipping outside like with other loafers,” says nurse Cindy Luer, RN. “I go from house-to-house all day long as a visiting healthcare worker, and these are my go-to shoe when I know I need a day of pain-free travel.”

Clifton 8

When it comes to sneakers, Markinson suggests looking for a rigid heel counter, a.k.a. the little plastic insert used to reinforce the heel cup of a shoe that increases support.

This lightweight running shoe from beloved brand Hoka has that along with a cushioned insole, open-weave mesh upper, foam sole, plush collar, gusseted tongue, and a base with rubber plugs for traction. “These are my all-time favorite for work and jogging,” says dental hygienist Tiffany Zhang. “I feel like I’m walking on a cloud.”

V-10 Sneaker

Fashion meets function in these Veja sneakers, beloved by active celebs like Meghan Markle and active workers like hair Lori Chica alike. “I’m on my feet all day long and simply love these leather and suede sneakers that give me a lot of ankle support,” says Chica. “The perforated toe box really allows my feet to breathe.” Not only does these comfy kicks feature soft mesh lining, treaded synthetic sole, and a cushioned footbed, but they're sustainably made, too. Note: They come in whole sizes only.

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