Our feet take us to plenty of disparate places. From the cozy floors of our homes to the earthy nature of the great outdoors, our feet encounter many surfaces. It’s such a given that we walk over different surfaces that we may not think about it. However, we should seriously consider where we walk and its impact on our bodies.

We’re going to explore how certain surfaces can impact our health. Specifically, we’ll highlight the good and bad of walking on concrete. Lastly, we’ll highlight a few of the best shoes for walking on concrete.

How does concrete differ from other surfaces?

The surface you walk on directly impacts your feet and, by extension, your whole skeletal structure. Different surfaces change the amount of pressure your feet endure by changing the amount of plantar pressure you experience. High pressure is associated with a variety of other adverse foot ailments. 

Take one guess which surfaces, between grass, carpet, and concrete, provided the highest plantar pressure. Here are hints one and two: It’s not grass or carpet. 

Walking on concrete results in the most pressure on the feet. This means that walking on it isn’t ideal for your feet and can even possibly lead to long-term health problems. 

This isn’t the only possible issue when it comes to concrete. Slipperiness is also a potential issue regarding sealed concrete, which has a smooth, shiny appearance. The lack of grit in the texture of this flooring can create slipping hazards, especially when wet. 

Knowing what concrete does and how it acts gives us the perfect opportunity to explore safety features. Next up, we’ll explore what to look for in walking shoes for concrete.

What to look for in shoes to walk on concrete

Remember the core issues highlighted above: Foot pressure and slipperiness. Fixing these problems sounds like a relaxation exercise: Reducing the pressure and helping you get a grip on things. 

Cushioning

In order to reduce the pressure on your feet, you can do a few things. Well-cushioned shoes can reduce the impact of walking on concrete. Wearing shoes that fit better can also help your toes spread comfortably. 

Fit

Look for shoes that fit well, meaning they’re neither too snug nor too loose from the start. Shoes don’t actually stretch out that much from being worn. Coping with a too-small shoe is, in the long run, not something that can be fixed by simply wearing it.

Roomy toe box

The best shoes for walking on any surface should also have a roomy toe box. With this feature, the toes will be able to adjust to these small changes. Especially if you’re standing on concrete for long periods, your feet may slowly spread out in a day. These changes are never permanent, but they can cause temporary discomfort if your shoes are too snug. 

Anti-slip features

Slipping isn’t an issue until, suddenly, it becomes one. A bad fall can have some dire consequences. In many cases, footwear can help prevent a nasty fall.

Rubber is the main component of anti-slip footwear. Rubberized soles and extra cushioning by themselves aren’t enough to make the best concrete-protecting shoes. It all comes down to what each specific shoe does.

Below, we’re finally going to explore a few of these shoes:

The three best shoes for walking on concrete

Roamer

Get ready to get going with the Roamer. Immediately, this shoe checks off every item on our list in an exceptional way. 

When it comes to slipping, the Roamer features traction grooves. These provide a better grip on concrete and any surface you may encounter. 

As far as the cushioning and fit go, there’s a lot to love in one roomy shoe. Roamer is designed with a large toe box and a comfortable fit. The Flex Foam™ outsole, in addition to the above grooves, is also lightweight and cushioning at once. Say goodbye to old, bulky casual shoes. 

The Roamer isn’t just a great shoe for concrete: It’s a great shoe in general. 

The first thing you’ll probably notice about the Roamer is Unified™ tech. This helps combine the heel with the outsole of the shoe. The second thing you’ll notice when putting it on is that the Roamer is a totally hands-free shoe. 

There are no laces and no squeezing your feet in because of a crushed heel. Step into your shoe, and step out to wherever you want to go next. 

The Roamer isn’t the only laceless shoe out there. In fact, there’s not a single shoe produced by Kizik that uses laces at all. 

This comes from a desire for accessibility: There are a number of reasons why someone may have difficulty using laces. There are also a number of reasons why someone might not want to use laces. For that reason, we produce laceless shoes for adults and children alike.

Our list continues with another five-star option for concrete-friendly footwear: 

Prague

One of the most famous architectural styles to emerge from the 20th century was Brutalism. The architectural style can be seen worldwide but is particularly prominent in Eastern Europe.

Stark lines and an extensive use of concrete and other harsh materials make Brutalism immediately recognizable. It makes sense, then, a shoe named after Prague, known for vivid architecture, handles concrete phenomenally. The upper is made from a mixture of canvas and genuine suede for a unique look and long-lasting style. 

A unique type of outsole, using Rabbit Foam™, powers the Prague. This foam responds to everything you do. It offers both durability and comfort in a single shoe. 

As for staying level, the Prague doesn’t use traction grooves. Instead, carefully crafted traction pods offer a bit of assistance. These run along the heel and the toe, offering grip at the most critical points of articulation.

Nine styles make the Prague a versatile shoe for pairing with any outfit. Neutral and cool shades and delicate pastels come together. It’s not only meant for concrete. It’s made for all elements.

The knit upper allows for breathability, keeping your feet dry and shoes comfortable in warm conditions. Removable insoles make cleaning your shoes a breeze—even after wearing them for a long time. Simply pop them out, and pop them into your washing machine. Then, the insides of your shoes can be as fresh as if they were new.

The Prague is a second highlight in shoes for walking on concrete. It’s far from the last: Check out the Athens next. 

Athens

We round out this list by showcasing a classic design from Kizik. The Athens is all about classic comfort and fashion-forward design. 

Like the Prague, Athens turns up the comfort by introducing Rabbit Foam™ on the outsole. The slightly higher degree of Rabbit Foam cushioning at the heel helps protect the whole foot. It subtly elevates the back of your foot to help avoid any added heel pain. 

Once again, we have a totally hands-free shoe. This time, it is achieved by utilizing our iconic Cage™ technology. A subtly color-contrasting heel cage flexes in when you put your foot in the show. It quickly bounces back when your foot is in all the way, fitting the shoe to your foot. 

These particular shoes are available in men’s, women’s, and kids' sizes. Additionally, it has the most extensive options when it comes to stylistic versatility. Seventeen styles come with colorful uppers and outsoles for the perfect fit in comfort and color. 

Choosing your shoes for walking on concrete

When it comes to protecting your feet, footwear is the most essential detail. The right shoes can completely change shopping trips, school visits, and work days. If you deal with concrete on a daily basis, as many do, concrete-friendly footwear can help.

Kizik shoes aren’t only ridiculously comfortable and phenomenally supportive. Those things are both really important, but Kizik shoes take everything one step further. 

Elevated ease of wearing doesn’t just make them easier to put on initially. Without laces or straps, you’ll never have to worry about them coming undone at inopportune moments. 

Some shoes you use for special occasions—dress shoes, heels, and others. Then you have the shoes that keep you at your best every single day. With Kiziks, you’ll have an everyday casual shoe that more than deserves everyday use. For more information and tips about accessible footwear, check out Kizik today. 

Sources:

The Effect of Terrain on Foot Pressures During Walking I National Library of Medicine

Wearing Cushioning Shoes Reduce Load Rates More Effectively in Post-Fatigue than in Pre-Fatigue During Landings I National Library of Medicine

Brutalism | Washington State Department of Archaeology & Historic Preservation