comfortable work shoes

[Mr_Amazing]

I just started a new job and will be on my feet for long amounts of time. I went in today wearing a pair of work boots I have had for a few years, but with about an hour left, my feet were aching a little bit. Tomorrow I'm going to wear some sneakers and they'll probably give me a few more minutes. The work is at a post office, so I'll be walking around a little bit as well as standing still for some stretches of time.

My question is pretty simple. What is a great shoe for standing long periods? My recent searches have directed me towards a brand called Dansko. I'm sure there are more. What do you recommend?

 

[Klarion]

Danskos actually have hard *** soles. Of course, the staple clogs are all I'm familiar with, and didn't even consider them for work. I'll be honest, I work at a hospital, and can be on my feet a lot running studies around, going from bed to bed examining people, or if I get tossed into surgery. Instead of sneakers, I'm currently depending on Doc Martens - the Zak and Javan models.

 

[Leche]

Great, comfortable, with or without steel toe, and designed by a podiatrist from our Aussie friends.

Redback Boots

 

[mark the shoeshine boy]

Redback look pretty comfortable....I know that I can walk around all day in the Ecco and SAS brand shoes without any foot pain at all....

 

[Mr_Amazing]

I also saw the Ecco. New Balance is another I'm looking at. Thanks for all the help.

Klarion, the soles were what made me think twice about Dansko. It looked like some of their shoes had unusually high heels for shoes.

 

[nwman]

if you have narrow feet like me, i recommend stopping by a new balance store and seeing what they can do for you.

i'm wearing a pair right now as i get ready to take my dogs for their evening stroll. i've only tried their running shoes but they make casual styles, hiking, etc. as well.

ecco's are very good for all day comfort as well and i've read v. good things about the brand 'born' from sweden i think...

 

[dpm802]

I bought a pair of RedWing safety shoes when I started my current job. Since I work in a warehouse, I needed safety shoes, and they had exactly what I needed. They're are very well made, extremely comfortable, and will stand up to lots of rough use.

The nice thing about RedWing is that the salespeople there are very knowledgeable about their products, and will ask you a lot of questions to narrow down the choices to make sure you get the right style of shoe.

Then, they have you stand on a computerized measuring device that will ACCURATELY measure your feet. Not just one of them, but both, left and right, in case they are slightly different sizes. It shows which part of your foot bears the most pressure, which may suggest you need additional insole supports for arches or heels, etc.

BTW, seek out a company-owned RedWing store, even if you have to drive an hour or two to get there. You won't get this kind of service from a place that carries RedWing as one brand among many. You have to go to the store where they carry RedWings, and nothing else.

Another benefit of going to a company owned RedWing store is that you get free "tune-ups" for life. This includes cleaning, polishing, waterproofing, new shoe-laces, and minor repairs for as long as you own the shoes.

RedWings are not cheap. I paid $165 for my first pair, with their best orthotic inserts. All of my co-workers laughed at me when I told them how much I had spent on my shoes. But I get the last laugh, because at the end of the day, my feet feel good.

 

[Timmy Dee]

I worked in a shoe/workboot store for almost 4 years - I have nothing but high praise for both Redbacks, Doc Martens and Australian-made Blundstones (they are no longer made in Tasmania....China now, I think).

The docs take the longest to break in (esp if you choose the standard leather) but will reward you with the best longevity and dressiest look.

 

[Leche]

All of my co-workers laughed at me when I told them how much I had spent on my shoes. But I get the last laugh, because at the end of the day, my feet feel good.

Quality well made and well designed shoes/boots will not only make you feel comfy, but will also help prevent injuries, joint problems, back pain, posture issues, etc. All my work boots are worth every dime and the extra cash and time to properly maintain them.

 

[mansquatch]

Currently, my favorite work shoe is made by a company called Pothia, found here: http://www.pothia.com/category/cat_a/ I work 12 hour shifts as a nurse and am pretty much on my feet all day. Been wearing the clog style and they have held up really really well. I did notice that there was a small break in period for the upper ridge that goes along the top of your foot but once broken in they are crazy comfortable. I picked mine up at Costco, but they don't carry them all of the time so you need to check the "special events" section of the costco web site to see if they are doing a demo in your area. Even without the discount, I would consider paying full retail for them if I were forced to. Regarding Danskos, there are many male and female staff that swear by them, I just haven't felt like shelling out the dough for them.

For a number of years I worked as a casino table games dealer. During this time I was doing 10 hour shifts, standing in basically the same position and had good luck with: Ecco, Merrell Slip ons, and Clark's. I guess you just remember the shoes that have made your feet happy. On a side note, I currently wear Clark's on a daily basis as my go to shoe away from work.

Anyways, hope that helps a little on your quest to find that perfect shoe.

 

[Rudy Vey]

Clarks would be a good choice if you are up on your feet all day long! If you need a safety shoe, I can recommend Florsheim safety shoes, these are the only safety shoes I can wear all day long. Mine do not have steel toes, but some made from Kevlar (I think). Make sure the shoe fits well, never buy a shoe in the morning, always in the evening! Your feet will slightly get bigger during the day! Also make sure to wear the same kind of socks you will be wearing during work, heavy socks or thin socks can be the difference of 1/2 size.
Nothing is worse than a too tight shoe when you up on your feet all day long.

 

[Luc]

Doc Martens are great, you need to be careful on the model. They have a soft leather model (Nappa - http://www.drmartens.com/ProductDetail.asp?PID=11822002) that I bought here in Oz. The harder leather is more difficult to break but the soft one is good to go right away. I have a pair of black and blue for the Nappa.

I also have the mighty Solovair. I haven't broken those yet. The sole is the same than Doc Martens (I should say Doc Martens have the same sole than Solovair as Solovair used to make the boots for Doc Martens).

Clarks are great shoes too, I still have my pair, classy and nice.

If you want the classic work boot. The only one what I know that always last me for ages is Terra Wild Sider, however, I'm unsure how available they are outside Canada...

 

[CaribbeanSoul]

Another vote here for Doc Martens. Spent my 20's working as a retail manager which meant lots o' time on my feet (especially between Thanksgiving and NYE). Heels and arches killed me until a Skinhead friend turned me on to Docs in 1990. Still wearing them today....

 

[Sal]

I have been wearing DMs for years. Love em. Recently ordered a new pair with life time replacements.

http://www.dmusastore.com/t-madeforlife.aspx

 

[Casey]

I bought a pair of RedWing safety shoes when I started my current job. Since I work in a warehouse, I needed safety shoes, and they had exactly what I needed. They're are very well made, extremely comfortable, and will stand up to lots of rough use.

The nice thing about RedWing is that the salespeople there are very knowledgeable about their products, and will ask you a lot of questions to narrow down the choices to make sure you get the right style of shoe.

Then, they have you stand on a computerized measuring device that will ACCURATELY measure your feet. Not just one of them, but both, left and right, in case they are slightly different sizes. It shows which part of your foot bears the most pressure, which may suggest you need additional insole supports for arches or heels, etc.

BTW, seek out a company-owned RedWing store, even if you have to drive an hour or two to get there. You won't get this kind of service from a place that carries RedWing as one brand among many. You have to go to the store where they carry RedWings, and nothing else.

Another benefit of going to a company owned RedWing store is that you get free "tune-ups" for life. This includes cleaning, polishing, waterproofing, new shoe-laces, and minor repairs for as long as you own the shoes.

RedWings are not cheap. I paid $165 for my first pair, with their best orthotic inserts. All of my co-workers laughed at me when I told them how much I had spent on my shoes. But I get the last laugh, because at the end of the day, my feet feel good.

Just so, all the way.

My Red Wing 202s are 5 years old, and are a polish and a re-sole from looking new. Considering I'd kill Caterpillar or Wolverine workboots in a year, five years is an incredible run.

Mine were $170 plus tax. Split out over 5 years, that's about $36 a year, or less than half of what I would have paid for a new set of cheap boots every year over that time. Add to it that they're the most comfortable boots I've ever worn, and they're worth every penny.

Got married in them, worn them in surgery, seen patients with them on, gone to med school interviews, hiked chunks of the Appalachian Trail. They're perfect all-rounders. Saved me from a broken ankle once, too.

 

[Doc4]

I just started a new job and will be on my feet for long amounts of time. I went in today wearing a pair of work boots I have had for a few years, but with about an hour left, my feet were aching a little bit. Tomorrow I'm going to wear some sneakers and they'll probably give me a few more minutes. The work is at a post office, so I'll be walking around a little bit as well as standing still for some stretches of time.

My question is pretty simple. What is a great shoe for standing long periods? My recent searches have directed me towards a brand called Dansko. I'm sure there are more. What do you recommend?

Part of the problem is, your feet are not used to so much standing and walking. As the days go by, they will get used to it more and more ... get 'into shape' as it were. Those work boots of yours are probably a good choice (assuming they fit the 'appropriate attire' question for your workplace) as doubtless they are broken in by now, and thus comfortable.

Don't get too concerned about finding the "giant pillow disguesed as a shoe" solution. All you need is a good quality shoe (or boot, as required) that fits your foot well. Get a pair like that broken in, and you are golden.

 

[schweeb]

I'm a big supporter of Ecco. Every show I've gotten from them has been well constructed, and very comfortable.

 

[Uncle Erik]

I don't work on my feet any longer, but spent some time as a bank teller and a cashier at a movie theater. I found leather-soled shoes to provide the best support. I bought a few pairs from Florsheim to be best. The new ones aren't as good as the old ones - if you can find vintage Imperials, those are wonderful. I've also gotten good leather soled shoes from Barker, Cheaney and Loake. Take a look for used ones at eBay; they're much more reasonable than new ones. You can always have them resoled if they're worn.

 

[DFrancis]

I have a pair of Australian-made steel-toed Blundstones and am on my feet all day at work, they are probably some of the most comfortable things I have ever had on my feet.

 

[T.Ryan]

Keen boots are extremely comfortable imho. The are ankle-high and lace up.