Life keeps us busy. For some of us, being busy means being kept on our toes—literally—all day. Whether for recreation, daily living, hiking, or never-ending errands, most of us are on our feet.  Many of us are also on our feet for work, in which case your day may involve even more physical exertion.

No matter the reason for standing all day, you should have shoes that support you. Imagine how terrible standing in dress shoes or heels all day can make your feet feel. 

Kizik knows comfortable shoes and what to look for in them. That’s why, in this article, we’re diving into our must-haves for any shoe you expect to support you all day long.

But first, why are good shoes important anyway?

If you're on your feet for long periods, your shoes should be your best friend, not your worst enemy. Quality shoes help keep your feet and body aligned, reduce fatigue, and protect you from pain down the road.  

Here’s why investing in supportive, cushioned shoes matters:

Preventing foot pain

Foot pain can be a huge barrier to getting through your day. Well-made shoes help distribute weight evenly, preventing strain and pressure buildup. A wide toe box lets your toes move freely while cushioned insoles absorb shock, giving you the comfort to keep going.

Supporting your arches

Whether you have high arches or flat feet, your shoes need to provide solid arch support. Without it, your body compensates in ways that can lead to discomfort or even injuries in your knees, hips, or back. Fresh foam and memory foam insoles can help. They mold to your feet, offering personalized support for any arch type.

Avoiding slips and falls

Shoes with slip-resistant outsoles are essential in fast-paced environments or any setting where spills and slick floors can be a hazard. This feature is particularly important in work environments like healthcare or hospitality. 

Easing long days

Great shoes are designed to minimize fatigue so you can power through those 10-hour shifts or long days without feeling drained. Extra cushioning, breathable leather uppers, and shock-absorbing technology ensure your feet stay cool and comfy.

Good shoes are worth the investment because they provide functionality that keeps you moving without compromise. Find the right shoes, and you'll feel like you're walking on clouds—even after hours of standing.

What are the best shoes for standing all day?

Now that you understand how finding the right shoes can make standing for long periods a lot more bearable, let’s explore the top shoe options to keep you moving with ease and style:

1. Supportive arches

In daily use, the arches of our feet take the brunt of the impact from movement. They are our body's natural shock absorbers, making them essential in daily motion. That makes it especially important that our footwear supports our arches, especially when standing for long hours. There are plenty of ways to achieve this. 

For example, look at our Men’s Lima. This walking shoe features a springy, cushy outsole. This allows for a cushioned, comfortable fit that flexes to meet all your support needs.

If you need extra support, you can also look at the insole or midsole of your shoe. The midsole absorbs most of the impact, so it’s especially essential for protection. 

Flexible materials like those in foam insoles are more protective than plain fabric. This extra cushioning is often found in running shoes and dedicated walking/active shoes alike. This cushioning can also protect against issues like plantar fasciitis. 

Having low arches or flat feet and high arches can also contribute to certain issues like uneven wear on shoes and persistent pain. Visiting a healthcare professional like a DPM (AKA a podiatrist) can help with formal diagnoses. They may even suggest a change in footwear or formal support. 

Arch support can also help with pain associated with flat feet. These can be built into footwear or be part of customized orthotics.

2. An ideal fit

A great fit isn’t just important for workday shoes. It’s important for all shoes. For a long day, comfort matters, and the way a shoe fits matters, too. 

Ditching laces is one way to make shoes more comfortable. Laceless shoes and slip-on sneakers also have the benefit of being easier to put on and take off. 

You should also consider the shape of the footbed. Too wide, and you’ll slip out. Too narrow, and you’ll be constricted, causing risk for the shoe to overstretch and cause blisters. 

Regardless, having a little extra space in the toe box is excellent for work shoes, as they give you extra room to move. While some shoes are built for wide feet, you may find yourself sizing up a half size or so if you want to get that extra room. The better choice is to choose shoes that are designed with a spacious toe box to begin with. 

Finding the best-fitting shoes is essential to making sure you’re getting the support you need. Shoes that fit incorrectly can lead to pain and discomfort. 

3. Comfort and flexibility

Daily standing shoes shouldn’t just fit well. They should also be wonderfully comfortable and flexible. In many cases, the two go hand-in-hand. Kizik’s Roamer shoe prioritizes fit, comfort, and flexibility. 

Laceless shoe entry technology allows you to put on and take off the shoes totally hands-free. The bounce-back technology is a game changer. No more crushing the backs of your shoes trying to get them on. 

The upper material is also essential for day comfort since it’s vital to determining the breathability of your shoe. Especially if you’re in an active or warm environment, breathability can impact both the comfort of the shoe and how quickly it dries. Many materials can help, though mesh uppers, in particular, are a great choice for active shoes. 

Insoles impact your level of support since they are in direct contact with your feet. Our shoes use contoured insoles to support everything from the heel to the forefoot. 

In general, memory foam padding can also help improve the feel of your comfy shoes. It contours to your foot shape and adjusts to your gait and how you naturally move. Since you’ll be engaging your feet all day, it matters that your footwear supports your motion. 

4. Style

The shoes you’re standing in all day make an impact on your style, so you should make sure any shoes you pick fit with your personal style. 

If you’re wearing a pair of shoes in a fairly unathletic work environment, feel free to play around a little more. Materials like suede and more relaxed styles are great if they won’t be undergoing exposure to the elements. 

If you’re looking for something better for hiking or other more active endeavors, consider athletic shoes or sporty-inspired activewear shoes. No matter your taste, there are plenty of options to help you find your perfect day wear. 

5. Slip-on, slip-off technology 

When we get home after standing all day, the last thing most of us want to do is bend down. Shifts longer than eight hours can leave us feeling exhausted, and not needing to unlace your shoes makes things easier. 

Many of us just want to kick off our shoes, so why not wear something that allows for that? Well, taking lace-up shoes off and not unlacing them can damage them in the long term.

For Kizik shoes, this isn’t a problem. Thanks to our Cage™ technology, all you need to do is slip your foot into the shoes, and the heel contorts to allow easy access. Once your foot is in, the heel springs back. There’s no crushing or retying necessary, making these great for kicking your shoes off when you walk in the door and useful for anyone who, for any reason, is unable to tie their shoes. 

It’s a small detail that makes a daily part of our lives easier. 

6. Slip resistance

If you’re working in a fast-paced environment or somewhere grip matters, slip-resistant shoes are essential. Non-slip shoes use rubber outsoles to ensure stability. 

Slip and fall accidents are a major threat to people of all ages, and within the workplace, they are one of the biggest contributors to accidents. 

It’s one thing to wear a pair of shoes that grip poorly for a special occasion where you’re not moving. However, to stay on the go, your shoes should support every activity, even the ones that might cause tripping or slipping. 

This doesn’t necessarily mean you need a pair of running shoes. Even casual shoes can take you from work to errands to everything else, so long as you choose a pair with enough traction.

7. Shock-absorbency

If you’re standing all day, the chances are you’re also walking all day, which means that with each step you take, you’re getting a little shock. On their own, our feet handle regular flooring well. The wrong pair of shoes, however, can alter that shock absorption. 

Heel pain is often one of the first serious signs that your work shoes or “comfortable” shoes could be better at absorbing shock. 

It all comes down to the midsole cushioning of your shoes and how they generally fit your feet. Take heels, for instance: they center all of the gravitational force from your body on one single fragment of your foot. They also, unsurprisingly, don’t have the same extra cushioning that active shoes do. 

8. Easy care

Our last goal goes more for when your shoes are off than any other time: They should be as easy to care for as they are to slip on and off. When it comes to footwear care, Kizik makes it simple.  

Our footwear features a removable insole that can easily be taken out and washed to keep it clean and extend its lifespan—it doesn’t get easier than that.

Handy tips for all-day standing

Spending long hours on your feet can be tough, but with the right strategies, you can make your day a lot more manageable. 

Here are some tips to keep your feet comfortable and your energy up:

• Stretch often: Take a moment every hour to stretch your calves, ankles, and feet. Stretching keeps your muscles loose and reduces the chances of cramps.
• Elevate your feet: Whenever possible, take short breaks to prop your feet up. This reduces swelling and relieves tension.
• Opt for insoles: An extra layer of comfort can go a long way. Our Arch Form Insole provides firm support and a natural contour for all-day rebound. Our Super Squish Insole will mold to your foot for ultimate cushiness.
• Rotate shoes: Avoid wearing the same pair daily. Switching up shoes prevents uneven wear and tear. It also gives your shoes time to air out.
• Stay hydrated: Drinking water helps maintain muscle health and reduces the risk of cramps.
• Wear moisture-wicking socks: These socks keep your feet dry and help prevent blisters.
• Maintain a healthy weight: Keeping your weight in check reduces pressure on your feet and joints.
• Rest and recover: After a long day, give your feet the TLC they deserve with a warm foot soak, gentle massage, and some stretching.

Closing note: Choosing the right shoe for you

What makes the best shoes for standing all day? It comes down to one crucial element: Ease.

Your daily shoes should be easy to get on in the morning and take off in the evening. They should support and cushion your feet at all times while being breathable and spacious enough to relax in.

No matter what you value most, Kizik is here to support you and your feet. Need comfort more than anything? Our contoured insole and spacious toe boxes are created to better fit and support your soles.

Want something that grips while remaining flexible? Our tech does both at once.

And if you just want stylish footwear, we have that too. Shoes for men, women, and children can be found at Kizik.