If you spend a lot of time on your feet, you already know just how important it is to find comfortable footwear. Whether you work in retail, assist customers as a bank teller, or put in 12-hour shifts as a nurse, long periods of standing can take a serious toll on more than just your feet.
No matter your profession, finding comfortable shoes for standing all day can not only help you feel better while at work, but can also support your overall health and wellbeing. That’s because the right footwear can support proper posture, boost your mobility, and help you stay comfortable throughout the day (talk about putting your best foot forward!).
In this guide, we’ve broken down what to look for in a pair of quality shoes if you spend hours standing and listed the top 10 shoes to help you keep your feet comfortable and healthy in the long run.
Why Choosing the Right Shoes Matters
When you think about taking care of your health, you may decide to increase your daily step count, add more vegetables to your favorite recipes, or spend more time outside. While diet and exercise are important aspects of maintaining a healthy and balanced lifestyle, don’t forget about your body’s foundation—your feet!
Wearing the right shoe can not only help your feet feel more comfortable, but it can help you keep your feet happy and healthy. A flexible and supportive shoe can prevent a variety of foot problems, from plantar fasciitis to bunions, which is especially important if you spend the majority of your day standing.
Aside from foot discomfort and disorders, well-fitting and supportive shoe styles can also prevent knee and ankle pain, promote good posture, and reduce the risk of various sprains and fractures. From staying comfortable to preventing injuries, what can’t the right pair of shoes do?
Key Features to Look for in Shoes for Standing All Day
So, you know that finding the right footwear is important, but what shoes are good for standing all day? Whether you’re looking for the best shoes for teachers, comfortable shoes for traveling Europe, or are just seeking a quality walking shoe for everyday wear, Vionic has a variety of options to cater to your needs. Here are a few key things you’ll want to look for when deciding whether a pair is right for you and your soles’ needs:
- Cushioning – While performance shoes are typically designed to take a hit and help absorb impact, the right shoes for walking and standing offer enough cushioning so your feet don’t feel uncomfortable or stiff, even after hours of wear. Shoe cushioning decreases the strain on your foot and body, providing much-needed support while alleviating any foot pain.
- Arch Support – Adequate arch support is another major player in foot health, helping to keep the soles of your feet flexible with full range of motion. When you stand for several hours at a time, it can flatten or put a strain on your arches, making it crucial to find a pair of shoes that keeps them lifted in optimal position.
- Stability – Another key feature of comfortable shoes for standing for extended periods is stability. Stability support can provide relief from excessive stress on particular areas of the foot, allowing for proper weight distribution. It typically includes a broad base and prevents overpronation and supination (excessive inward and outward rolling of the foot).
Types of Foot Support: What Works Best?
While you may think you’re spending several hours standing still, this phrase is actually pretty misleading. Even when you’re not active, the muscles in your feet, legs, and body need to constantly stay engaged to help keep you upright.
When you’re engaging in movement, you give each foot and leg a short break from weight-bearing so your muscles can relax. Instead, standing requires each of your foot and leg muscles to focus on keeping you steady (and preventing you from falling over).
While walking may boost your heart rate and blood flow, these activities are actually easier on your muscles, tendons, and ligaments, making it essential to help support your body with proper footwear while standing. So, what type of foot support works best at preventing foot fatigue and pain? Here’s a look at the types of foot support you’ll need in shoes for standing all day:
Orthotics
Orthotic shoe inserts will become your arches’ next best friend if you spend a lot of time standing. Since long periods on your feet can strain your arches and potentially lead to conditions such as plantar fasciitis, orthotics’ ability to apply targeted pressure and lift your arches helps keep your feet in the optimal position.
With the help of high-quality orthotic insoles, you can steer clear of pain, discomfort, and a variety of podiatric disorders.
Ankle Support
To keep your feet in their ideal alignment, you’ll not only want to make sure your soles are supported but also look for comfortable footwear that keeps your ankles secure. But what is the ideal alignment for your ankles and feet?
When you’re standing (or moving), you want your ankle bone to rest just over your heel bone, and misalignment can occur when the ankle moves too far over in any direction. While you may assume ankle support really only matters if you’re shooting hoops or on a hike, it’s also a crucial part of finding good shoes for standing all day.
To boost your mobility and maintain your balance, prioritizing ankle support is key.
Vionic’s Top Picks for All-Day Standing Comfort
Now you know what to look for in the right shoe, but what are the best shoes for standing all day? Here’s a breakdown of the top 10 shoes for standing all day (and steering clear of discomfort):
Comfortable Open-Toe Sandals
Whether you work in warm temperatures or you’re on the lookout for a pair of standing shoes that showcase your personal style, you can’t go wrong with comfortable open-toe sandals.
Our best-selling flip flop, the Bella Toe Post Sandal, offers supportive contouring that provides your feet with all-day support. Their soles are biomechanically designed to offer lasting support, reducing stress on your feet, ankles, and knees.
With Vionic’s Bella sandal, you can give your arches a hug no matter how long you’re standing.
Professional Flats for All-Day Wear
Gone are the days of sore, flat feet after a day in the office. Just because you spend long hours on your feet doesn’t mean you have to sacrifice your comfort or foot health to find sleek and professional footwear.
With Vionic’s Willa Slip On Flat, you can have the best of both worlds. This flat-style loafer features a seamless design that pairs well with slacks, skirts, and your favorite pair of jeans, making them easy to take from the boardroom to a GNO—all while preventing foot fatigue and discomfort.
Make sure to check out the Klara Ballet Flat for an option that’ll keep your look summer-ready and office-appropriate. These women’s work shoes are stylish and supportive, perfect for everyday wear.
Classic Loafers with Extra Support
No matter your ensemble, you can’t go wrong by finishing your look with a pair of classic loafers. This timeless shoe is easy to dress up or down, no matter where you’re headed (once you’ve found the perfect pair, of course).
Vionic’s Uptown Loafer features an unlined upper layer that’s buttery soft and easily collapsible, making them the best travel shoes. The perfect companion if you spend a lot of time standing, these shoes feature a lightweight, flexible sole with comfortable cushioning and the freedom to flex.
Can’t get enough of this dynamic style? Give the Uptown Knit Skimmer Flat and Uptown Ballet Slip On a try, made with breathable, recycled knit fabric for added comfort.
Stylish Sneakers for Standing
If you spend long hours on your feet, you probably already know there’s nothing better than a simple and stylish lace-up sneaker. This no-fuss footwear makes it easy to adjust their fit to your foot’s unique needs.
With Vionic, you can have the customizable ease of lace-up sneakers while sporting a chic and stylish design—meet the Winny Sneaker. This classic rubber sole sneaker gives an effortless edge to any ensemble, and it’s the perfect mat for both professional and casual ‘fits.
Funky Platforms with Lightweight Soles
Who says you have to skip out on strutting your stuff for the sake of healthy feet? If you love a pair of platform shoes (but don’t like how they make your feet and ankles feel) look no further.
The Kearny Platform Slip On Sneaker and Kearny Platform Lace Up Sneaker gives you the sky-high cushioning you’re after while featuring Vionic’s signature orthotic comfort and support.
Find Comfortable and Stylish Standing Support with Vionic
Searching for the most comfortable shoes for standing all day? Look no further. Whether you need office-ready footwear with stable heel support or comfortable sandals that show off your pedicure, we’ve got you covered.
At Vionic, all of our comfy shoe designs include built-in orthotics, so you can rest assured that they’ll keep you supported no matter how long you spend on your feet. When you stand a lot, comfort is key. Give your feet the TLC they deserve with footwear from Vionic.
Sources:
Addicted Magazine. The Importance of Cushioning and Stability in Shoes. https://www.weraddicted.com/the-importance-of-cushioning-and-stability-in-shoes/
Care-Med. Link Between Footwear and Foot Disorders. https://care-med.ca/the-link-between-footwear-and-preventing-foot-disorders/
Certified Foot and Ankle Specialists. Are You Wearing the Right Shoes for Your Feet? https://certifiedfoot.com/improve-ankle-feet-support-wear-right-shoes/
Heel That Pain. Heel Pain From Standing. https://heelthatpain.com/heel-pain/standing/#:~:text=Standing%20for%20long%20periods%20of%20time%20can%20flatten%20and%20strain,simultaneously%20relieving%20pain%20and%20discomfort.
Montana Foot and Ankle. The Importance of Proper Footwear: Choosing the Right Shoes for Your Feet. https://montanafootandankle.com/the-importance-of-proper-footwear-choosing-the-right-shoes-for-your-feet/#:~:text=Wearing%20shoes%20that%20fit%20properly,such%20as%20sprains%20and%20fractures.
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