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If you are in a hurry and just want to know our top recommended shoes, then we suggest you check out Allbirds Tree Runners for Women and Allbirds Wool Runners for Men.
If you’re someone who often walks or stands all day, then it’s imperative to wear good, quality shoes.
Unfortunately, when it comes to choosing shoes specifically for standing or walking all day, our tendency is to buy a pair based just on aesthetics and price.
We usually don’t stop to consider important features like comfort, durability, and our specific foot type. So what often happens is that our feet are sore and tired whenever we spend all day walking and/or standing.
For people whose jobs require them to be on their feet the whole time, using the wrong kind of footwear puts additional strain on the muscles and ligaments, causing leg and back pain that could potentially lead to injury.
When you’re traveling, the usual dilemma is how to look stylish and feel comfortable at the same time. You may find that your go-to pair of shoes may not necessarily be the most practical for touring a new city the whole day. Nonetheless, you balk at the idea of wearing something that shouts orthopedic.
In this post, we’ve reviewed the eleven best walking shoes for walking and standing all day. We’ve categorized the most ideal pair of shoes based on which meet the needs of women and men who walk and stand the whole day.
Before we move on to our recommended brands in all categories, let’s first discuss why it is necessary to have the best walking shoes for walking and standing all day.
Don't have time to read the entire review?
If you're a busy person who doesn't have time to read this entire review, we've simplified everything. Here is a table to provide you with a quick rating of the best walking shoes for walking and standing all day.
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Top Women's Shoe Option: Women's Tree Runners | CLICK HERE FOR PRICE |
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Runner-Up Option for Women: Skechers Performance Women’s Go Walk 4 Pursuit Walking Shoe | CLICK HERE FOR PRICE |
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Best Value for Women: Slow Man’s Women’s Walking Shoes Platform Loafers | CLICK HERE FOR PRICE |
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Most Budget-Friendly for Women: Dansko Women’s Hazel Flat | CLICK HERE FOR PRICE |
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Best for Maximum Cushion for Women: Hoka Women's Bondi 6 | CLICK HERE FOR PRICE |
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Top Men's Shoe Option: Men's Wool Runners | CLICK HERE FOR PRICE |
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Runner-Up Option for Men: Skechers Men’s Afterburn Memory-Foam Lace-Up Sneaker | CLICK HERE FOR PRICE |
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Best Value for Men: Adidas NEO Men’s Cloudfoam Race Running Shoe | CLICK HERE FOR PRICE |
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Most Budget-Friendly for Men: Saucony Originals Men’s Jazz Low Pro Sneaker | CLICK HERE FOR PRICE |
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Most Comfortable for Men: Skechers Performance Men’s Go Walk 3 Slip-On Walking Shoe | CLICK HERE FOR PRICE |
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Best for Maximum Cushion for Men: Hoka Men's Bondi 6 | CLICK HERE FOR PRICE |
11 Best Shoes for Walking and Standing All Day
1. Top Women's Shoe Option: Women's Tree Runners
These sustainable walking shoes hit the market in 2018 and changed the game when it came to caring for the environment while making comfortable shoes. Allbirds, the direct-to-consumer brand behind these shoes, has a strong commitment to environmental sustainability, which led them to release the “tree” collection of shoes.
These breathable walking shoes feature a mesh knit upper and are made with a silky-smooth–yet textured– fabric, offering a comforting and cooling feel.
All of these materials are made from responsibly grown and sustainably harvested eucalyptus pulp, responsibly sourced from FSC® Certified forests, hence, the “tree” collection.
According to Allbirds, this material uses only 5% of the amount of water and about 30% of the amount of land to manufacture when compared to typical sneaker materials.
The material used to make these shoes is noticeably cooling and can wick moisture away, making these shoes ideal for summer travel and all-day wear.
You can toss these shoes into the washing machine to clean them (hand wash the insoles and laces), and the breathability of the fabric reduces any possibility of odor that may occur during the day if you’re wearing them without socks (which many people do).
The insoles provide the utmost comfort, keeping users coming back to buy multiple pairs. Because these shoes are so flexible, they’re able to conform to your every move, giving them that “second skin” feel that people want if they’re on their feet all day.
The midsole, which is made from Brazilian sugarcane (which is appropriately called “SweetFoam”) is contoured to naturally fit your feet, while also being comfortably bouncy. It is made with the world’s first carbon negative sourced EVA.
When it comes to style, you can choose from eight colors, which allows you to pick the style that best suits you.
The thick laces offer a stylistic contrast to the form-fitting shoes, and the semi-muted colors allow these to match pretty much anything in your closet. Users report that these shoes (and their color) hold up well with time and show very few signs of wear.
Allbirds offers a 30 day, no questions asked return policy. Any shoes that have been lightly worn upon return are donated to Soles4Souls, which further demonstrates this company’s commitment to sustainability.
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2. Runner-Up Option for Women: Skechers Performance Women’s Go Walk 4 Pursuit Walking Shoe
These shoes are a great option based on price, versatility, and a wide array of features. They are made from 100% mesh fabric, which makes them very breathable. They also have rubber soles, which make them slip-resistant. These Skechers are very lightweight and easy to have on your feet all day long.
These shoes offer stabilizing, heel-fabric overlay panels with the classic side “S” logo. You can easily slip these shoes on and off, as they have an easy-pull tab on the heels. The tapering midfoot design offers better arch support than other options, which also helps keep you stable.
These Skechers offer an innovative, highly responsive, and specially designed midsole cushioning and a high-rebound footbed that gives you extra energy with each step you take. The soft mesh upper offers a seamless construction for the ultimate comfortable fit.
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3. Best Value for Women: Slow Man’s Women’s Walking Shoes Platform Loafers
These shoes are ultra-comfortable for walking and standing all day. The mesh upper ensures air circulation around your toes, so no more sweaty feet, and the slip-on design allows you to easily put them on and take them off.
The shoes’ wide, rounded toe ensures comfort while standing or walking. The soles are manufactured with the company’s standard air cushion technology, providing flexibility and relief from impact while you’re on the go.
There are 30 colors to choose from, and each pair is extremely lightweight and comes with non-slip soles. The design is versatile enough for daily use just about anywhere, such as at work, in the garden, in the gym, and while shopping.
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4. Most Budget-Friendly for Women: Dansko Women’s Hazel Flat
These are the best shoes for traveling. This particular model of Dansko shoes has been given the American Podiatric Seal of Acceptance due to the fact that they promote good foot health.
These lightweight Mary Jane-style shoes have a sporty silhouette that can easily go from work to a nice dinner or a long walk. They come with stain-resistant Scotchgard protection, which makes it easy for you to keep them looking new.
These shoes have a very breathable and comfortable interior, so they can easily be slipped on without having the need to wear socks.
These shoes also come with a removable footbed that is made with memory foam, as well as built-in arch supports so your feet remain comfortable all day. These Danskos can easily accommodate most orthotics if you wish to add your own.
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5. Best for Maximum Cushion for Women: Hoka Women's Bondi 6
The cushioning that these shoes offer have awarded them an American Podiatric Medical Association award. This seal of approval was created to inform both podiatric physicians and consumers about shoes whose quality, safety, and effectiveness promote healthy foot function and proper foot health.
Unlike some past versions of Bondis, the Women’s Bondi 6 comes with a rocking chair-like shape in the sole, giving users a smooth stride while they’re walking.
The Bondi 6s also come with updated cushioning that has been described as feeling “marshmallow-like”, offering a softer step, and making this the best shoe on the market if you’re looking for maximum cushioning.
Moreover, the thick, double-layer midsole adds the perfect amount of forgiveness, minimizing the impact of each step.
With a 36 mm midsole, these plush shoes offer users a high lift, however, with a more precise fit than previous versions of this shoe, they feel very stable–even if you have to take a sharp turn.
The heel collar offers more padding in addition to heel-stability, allowing you to feel secure when wearing these shoes. Users have even noted how great these shoes are in the snow because the amount of lift that they give you help your feet stay dry.
The redesigned upper is very breathable, made using a combination of engineered mesh and lycra. This keeps the front of your feet feeling especially cool, and your feet maintaining an airy feeling throughout the day.
HOKA also redesigned the Bondi 6’s rubber outsole, making it wider and more durable than before without compromising the shoes’ lightweight feel.
These forgiving shoes work well if you need an everyday training shoe, but they’re also great for those who want to try to keep running in the face of overuse pain or while going for a slow recovery walk or run.
Users note that they have been recommended to wear these shoes by podiatrists, chiropractors, and orthopedists.
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6. Top Men's Shoe Option: Men's Wool Runners
This might be the best option for you if you're looking for a pair of sneakers that are comfortable, stylish, eco-friendly, and affordable. From the moment you receive these shoes in the mail, you will notice the eco-friendly box, which is made from 90% recycled cardboard.
The unique design of the box allows the shoes to be shipped to you directly in the box that they come in, eliminating the need to waste extra materials. The box simply unfolds with each shoe protected and packaged safely to eliminate potential damage from shipping mishaps.
Allbirds’ original sneakers are ethically made using Merino wool to give you a soft, moisture-wicking shoe that’s ready to go anywhere with you. Now, while you may be thinking that shoes made from wool would be scratchy and hot, Allbirds uses an innovative blend of dual-faced wool that's incredibly soft and itch-free on the inside, and repels dirt on the outside.
This comfort is especially great for those who like to go sockless–and, since you can toss these shoes in the laundry with the rest of your dirty clothes, they won’t retain any odor. Merino wool has natural anti-microbial properties anyway, so they won’t really absorb any odor in the first place.
With this proprietary construction, the natural properties of these shoes’ material makes them quite unique. They're great for travelling because they’re lightweight and breathable, helping keep your feet cool in the heat, yet warm in the cold.
The design of these shoes mimics the natural flexibility of your feet, helping with the proper distribution of your weight as you’re walking, making these perfect for a long day of sight-seeing.
The Allbirds are more trendy than other walking shoes and look great with all types of outfits, which means there is a good chance they will fit your style. And, with 13 available colors, you may even opt to buy these shoes in several colors like many others do.
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7. Runner-Up Option for Men: Skechers Men’s Afterburn Memory-Foam Lace-Up Sneaker
These shoes are the best option for support and comfort while standing all day due to their memory-foam insides. They offer a cushioned platform to walk or run without wearing down quickly.
This sneaker keeps men's feet comfortable and supports your entire foot so you feel good during your walk and your foot and leg muscles experience very little fatigue.
These shoes are made from a mixture of synthetic and leather materials, creating a supportive design that keeps your arch in shape while still keeping your foot relaxed. These shoes also help give you support for improved posture maintenance.
With a lace-up vamp on the upper, these shoes have a snug fit and customized fitting through laces. The top part of the shoe is made from mesh fabric with a synthetic leather overlay to keep your foot supported appropriately, while also keeping it cool and dry with sufficient ventilation and air-flow.
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8. Best Value for Men: Adidas NEO Men’s Cloudfoam Race Running Shoe
If you are looking for both comfort and a casual look, these might be the right shoes for you. They are visually simplistic and stylish, but they're made in a complex way to ensure your comfort.
This lightweight shoe is perfect for running or walking. It has a gummy-style sole with Adidas boost technology that gives you additional comfort and support.
The uppers of these shoes are made with mesh synthetic leather, and the midsoles are made from Adidas Cloudfoam Technology. Due to the seamless toe cap that this shoe has, it is both durable and supportive.
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9. Most Budget-Friendly for Men: Saucony Originals Men’s Jazz Low Pro Sneaker
These shoes provide you with the utmost comfort while still being stylish. They have a lace-up front with a padded collar and tongue and a cushioned insole.
People love that this shoe is true to size and lightweight, which helps ensure its comfort for long walks. Unlike some other shoes, these do not require a lot of time for breaking in, and they are perfect for everyday use.
The shoe has a retro and fashionable style that is perfect for men of all ages, and most people are pleased with its overall performance (especially when it comes to comfort and style)—so much so that they often get more pairs of this shoe in different colors.
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10. Most Comfortable for Men: Skechers Performance Men’s Go Walk 3 Slip-On Walking Shoe
This is the best option for men who are often on their feet traveling. They offer a seamless blend of performance and aesthetic style, while offering the utmost comfort for those who are on their feet all day. These shoes are made with mesh fabric and can easily be slipped on and off of your feet while on the go.
The fabric trim and cushioned footbed are made from a proprietary technology that cushions your foot all day long. They also feature a high-tech midsole, which makes sure your feet get optimal impact absorption. These shoes also offer a padded heel cup made with memory foam to give you a comfortable, cushioned fit.
One of the best features of these shoes is the excellent flexibility and responsiveness the soles offer to improve your walking experience. The Skechers Go Walk 3 walking shoes are sought out for their utmost comfort and endurance.
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11. Best for Maximum Cushion for Men: Hoka Men's Bondi 6
Triathletes or other serious runners who are used to training on exhausted legs have long appreciated the benefits of the Hoka Bondi, and the latest version provides just as much comfort as its predecessors.
Anyone who favors plush cushioning will love the Bondi 6 as an everyday shoe, but it is also great for long runs.
The unique rolling ride is refreshing and fun, allowing anyone who has suffered overuse (or any other type of) injuries the opportunity to run without the detrimental effects of the harsh repetitive impacts of heel-striking.
These shoes will help your feet roll from heel to toe with the sole’s rocking chair-like shape, making for a smooth stride and enhanced feel. They offer a high cushioning to give you a noticeably soft step.
In fact, these upgraded Bondis offer one of the highest cushion-to-weight ratios out of all of the shoes on the market.
The thick, double-layer midsole adds the perfect amount of forgiveness–yet the firm cushioning offers a maximalist shoe while minimizing the impact of each step. This means you will have a smooth and consistent journey on every walk that you take.
These shoes offer users 36 mm of lift without compromising their precision, so they feel very stable. One of the best parts of these shoes is the coupling of a semi-firm flex pattern and a concave design, which gives you a reliable rolling sensation as your feet transition from heel to toe. The reliability and support are increased even more by the stability-providing padding in the heel collar.
The breathable upper is made with a mesh and lycra combination material that keeps your feet feeling airy and cool throughout the day. HOKA’s new redesigned rubber outsole also makes these wider and more durable than previous versions without compromising the shoes’ lightweight feel.
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Why Is It Important to Have the Right Shoes for Walking and Standing All Day?
For maximum comfort
Have you ever gotten part of the way through the day and realized how uncomfortable your shoes are, and then started to dread having to get up for the rest of the day?
You put a lot of strain on your lower extremities when you’re walking and standing all day, so it is important to have the most comfortable shoes (within reason).
Your shoes take you everywhere you need to go. But despite the amount of use, people often fail to pay attention to the full comfort of their shoes until it's too late.
People think about design and style before comfort when they're shoe shopping. But wearing comfortable shoes is important because it reduces your risk of becoming injured.
You also reduce the pain you may feel while you're walking, running, or just standing up. It is important to find shoes made with high-quality materials that can support your body weight (specifically on your heels and ankles).
For good arch support
Different people have different types of foot arches, and it’s important that they’re well supported when walking to prevent unnecessary strain on the foot.
With proper arch support, your shoes can absorb the shock that can impact your foot each time you take a step. Good arch support will also help you stand with better posture and more stability.
Proper arch support also helps reduce pronation, which directly reduces the rate of injury in your legs and feet. Further, a reduction of weight on your Achilles tendon will also reduce your chance of getting an ankle inversion or eversion.
Finally, having proper arch supports in shoes can reduce your body's need to output metabolic power because the shoes will work with your body to propel you forward.
For cushioning
People who frequently walk or stand all day need the right type of cushioning for better shock absorption to prevent bone and muscle injuries.
Every time your foot hits the ground, it feels a shock of high-impact pressure that wears out your joints over time. However, if your shoes have proper shock-absorbing capabilities, your joints will not suffer as much.
Some shoe models provide your feet with more cushioning than others, making them last longer. However, you should always replace your shoes once they become worn down, which is about every 300-500 miles of use.
If you are walking, you probably need less cushioning than if you are running because your foot hits the ground with less force. However, if you walk mainly on hard surfaces like concrete, or you are walking several miles a day, you will need to make sure that your shoes have adequate cushioning.
For peace of mind
Although many people consider style to be the least of their priorities when choosing shoes for standing or walking all day, having shoes that make you look pulled together boosts your confidence.
If you look good, you will feel good. So try to find shoes that make you feel good both physically and mentally. Because there are a lot of options out there, take the time to find the right pair for you.
What Are the Other Benefits of Wearing the Right Pair of Walking Shoes?
The right pair of walking shoes can improve or prevent the occurrence of the following:
Prevents back and leg pain
With over 31 million Americans experiencing back pain at any moment and 50% of workers claiming to have moderate to severe back pain each year, it is important to get shoes that help improve your posture and align your spine correctly.
Your shoes can make or break your hip and spinal alignment because your feet create the base for your entire body. Having supportive shoes that work with the biomechanics of your feet can prevent back and leg pain.
Prevents blisters
Blisters are common among walkers. Especially if you have new shoes or you have just started your walking routine, you may develop blisters on your feet and toes. Having the right shoes will prevent your feet from getting these obnoxious injuries.
Minimizes wear of knee cartilage
The more you walk, the more your knee cartilage will start to wear down, leading to long-term knee pain. With proper support, your shoes will help reduce the amount of wear and tear that your walking puts on your knees and other joints.
Improves posture
Shoes that are made to improve your posture are often designed with the toe higher than the heel so that the user is constantly walking on an incline. The height difference is sometimes emphasized with more arch support in the shoe.
Supports gait and balance
Your footwear has a large impact on your mobility, and with proper footwear that supports gait and balance you will be able to walk faster and have longer strides. Without these features in a shoe, you will be more prone to falls and injuries.
Gives you self-confidence
You want to wear shoes that you love. Feeling good mentally is a huge part of making your days positive and rewarding.
Now that you know the important features of a shoe that you will be wearing all day, let's look at some individual features that you want to personalize for your specific shoe.
What Are the Things to Look for When Choosing a Pair of Walking Shoes for Standing and Walking All Day?
The walking shoe must be the right fit for your foot size: Poorly fitting shoes can lead to health concerns such as bunions, blisters, corns, calluses, hammertoes, plantar fasciitis, and stress fractures.
Everyone's feet are shaped a bit differently, so the shoes that are perfect for your friend might not be perfect for you. Have both of your feet measured by a professional before buying shoes—it is common for one of your feet to be larger than the other.
There must be ample and good support for your type of arch (high, neutral, or low): Having proper support for your entire foot is important so you aren't putting undue stress on one part of your foot, which can lead to injuries.
When you get your feet measured to size, talk about your arch and learn if it is high, neutral, or low.
They must have a cushioning system that grips your feet for stability and extra comfort: This will help reduce your chances of falling while you're walking.
It will also help you walk faster and take longer strides because your steps will be more solid. This is especially important if you walk on hard surfaces.
The walking shoes must be versatile enough in design that they can take you to different venues without you feeling conscious about your footwear: You want to be able to go from your desk to a meeting and then out to dinner without bringing a bunch of different shoes with you for your day.
Prioritize comfort, but also keep your style in mind when you are looking for a shoe that you will be in all day.
What Extra Features Should You Consider When Buying Walking Shoes?
There has to be enough room in the toe box to prevent blisters or calluses: Shoes that have a wide toe box provide extra depth in your shoes and therefore more room to help relieve any pressure you are putting on your feet from standing or walking all day.
A wide toe box will provide you with comfort, correct toe alignment, more balance, and a reduced likelihood of getting injured.
The pair of shoes has to be fairly lightweight: Because you will be walking or standing in these shoes all day, you don't want to get a heavy pair that will weigh you down. Wearing light footwear will help you move faster and with more precision, allowing you to glide rather than trudge.
It will also help you walk more miles using the same amount of effort because you're lifting less weight with each step. Having heavy weights on your feet is a quick way to tire out your legs.
The cushioning system has to be sufficient to absorb shock each time your foot strikes the ground: Otherwise, you will be putting undue pressure on your joints, muscles, and bones. If you have a good cushioning system, your shoes will work with your body to help you move throughout the day.
Insoles designed for your type of foot arch protect your feet, and removable insoles can be taken out to dry or to be laundered between walking sessions: Having insoles that fit your feet helps you have a balanced foundation and stable pelvis.
Because the shape of your feet is so unique, having insoles that are made to fit your specific needs is an important part of having comfortable shoes.
The material has to be breathable, which allows for good air circulation: When your shoe material is breathable, the heat and humidity that your feet create during the day gets pushed out of your shoes so it can escape, which helps your feet stay comfortable.
On the other hand, if the material is not breathable, the heat and moisture become blocked inside of your shoes, making your feet hot and leading to an odor in your shoes.
The design has to have an aesthetic appeal and versatile function: This is important so you can pick one pair of shoes for the day and be on your way.
Final Thoughts on the Best Shoes for Walking and Standing
All of these featured shoes for walking and standing all day are the best picks for their categories. However, today’s overall winners are the Allbirds Tree Runners for Women and Allbirds Wool Runners for Men as the best walking shoes for women and men.
Not only will these shoes provide you with comfort all day, they will last you a long time and are versatile enough to go with the many looks you wear throughout the day.
Other Walking Shoes Reviews
An interesting suggestion would be to try walking barefoot!
Or try on minimalist / barefoot shoes like Vibrams.
I think that thick soles are “baby-ing” our feet over time.
The thicker the sole, the weaker our ankles and feet become because we’re so used to the support that thick soles provide.
So try getting a pair of minimalist shoes for a change and feel the difference.
You might like it!