Jobs where you have to stand or walk a lot can be tough on your feet. Just think about it for a moment - your feet carry all your body weight for 6 to 14 hours. People who work in stores, hospitals, restaurants, and post offices know this well.
Doctors and nurses often work long shifts, sometimes 12 hours. Wearing regular shoes for that long can make your feet feel tired and strained. You can't wait to get home and take your shoes off, even after shorter shifts of 6 to 8 hours. We get a lot of questions about shoes from readers who work in healthcare and retail jobs.
When picking shoes for standing all day, there are some important things to think about.
- It's better if the bottom of the shoe (outsole) is wide and flat: This helps to spread the weight evenly, making it more comfortable for long periods of standing. Shoes with big bumps on the bottom might cause discomfort after standing for a while.
- The middle part of the shoe (midsole) should be soft: If you're on your feet all day, you'll want a comfy shoe. The front (forefoot) and back (heel) parts of the midsole should have enough soft padding because your body weight is always shifting between them.
- Make sure the shoe has enough room for your toes to spread out: Shoes that squeeze your toes can be really uncomfortable when you're standing for a long time, so it's better to choose shoes that give your toes some space.
- Choose shoes with a good grip, especially on smooth floors: Many jobs where you have to stand are inside buildings with artificial floors. So, the bottom of your shoes (outsole) should have good traction.
- Look for shoes with a higher heel at the back compared to the front: The 'heel drop' or 'offset' is the difference in thickness between the back (heel) and front (forefoot) of the shoe. For shoes that are comfortable for standing, it's better to have a higher heel drop, like 8-12 mm. This helps reduce pressure on your Achilles tendon and calves.
Do sports shoes meet all the requirements for standing all day? Well, it depends.
In our view, most walking and running shoes are fine for standing, but only if it's for a shorter period, like 6-8 hours. People working in sporting goods stores, where shifts are relatively brief, fall into this category. In some cases, employees in these stores get to choose a running shoe as part of their uniform, which makes sense.
However, if the standing period exceeds 6-8 hours, it's wise to consider a different footwear approach. Here are a couple of reasons why:
Many running shoe outsoles have rubber lugs and grooves that apply pressure from underneath. While this may not be a problem for a few hours, it tends to cause discomfort over an extended period.
The narrow design of some running shoes isn't ideal for standing. The midsole is slim around the middle, leading to a snug upper fit. Running shoes are designed this way to secure the foot during runs. However, the same snugness that benefits running may become uncomfortable during shifts lasting 12 hours or more.
Also, depending on where you work, you might need to think about other things when picking your shoes. Here are a few examples:
- Plain Colors: If you work in a fancy place, shoes with lots of bright colors might not be okay. Most sports shoes are super colorful, so it's better to go for simple colors like all-white or all-black.
- Easy to Clean: Some jobs, like in restaurants, mean your shoes might get messy. Shoes with a mesh top that's hard to clean won't be great. Instead, shoes with a cover that you can wipe clean easily, like leather, are better.
- No Marks on the Floor: In some jobs, your shoes can't leave black marks on the floor. If your work shoes don't leave marks, you might need to find new shoes, because most running shoes can leave marks.
- Good for Greasy Floors: Some shoes don't work well on greasy kitchen floors, where there might be a bit of cooking oil. So, it's important to find shoes that are okay for that kind of floor.
So, picking shoes for standing all day isn't as easy as it seems. You have to think about a few things to make sure your shoes are just right for your job. We've compiled a recommendation list of the most comfortable tennis shoes for extended standing:
Sursell Ultra-Comfy Sneakers
These slip-on sneakers are designed with a memory foam footbed and elastic-gore insets, making them easy to put on and walk around in.
Sursell Breathable Sneakers
With a wider toe box and higher instep, these sneakers provide ample room for your toes, ensuring day-long comfort.
Sursell Rhinestone Stretch Sneakers
Featuring both a wider toe box and a higher instep, these sneakers give your toes more freedom to move for all-day comfort.
Sursell Casual Sneakers
Designed with a wide fit, these sneakers offer plenty of space for your feet to breathe and your toes to move freely. The breathable upper material keeps your feet dry and fresh all day long.
Sursell Walking Sneakers
Lightweight yet with a wedge design, these sneakers provide greater stability for walking and standing for hours without discomfort or imbalance.
