Nurses And Chefs Swear By These Comfy Shoes For Standing All Day (2024)

With a podiatrist-approved low, chunky block heel, latex padded insole, and an outsole made of shock-absorbing thermoplastic rubber, these pumps from one of Woolmer’s favorite brands will feel and look great whether you’re standing all day or dancing all night. Even better? You can snag a pair for less than $50.

Rave Review: "Just what I wanted: an attractive, comfortable shoe with sturdy heels. Thin heels no longer give me the stability I need, so a shoe like this works fine and looks good. I may buy another pair."

Whatever your personal feelings about Crocs may be, you can't deny their comfort. But if you need more convincing: Spicewalla culinary director Alyse Baca is on her feet all day long, testing recipes and taping video demonstrations—and she loves her Crocs.

“I’m a huge fan of Crocs and have been wearing them in the kitchen for almost a decade. They’re comfy, lightweight, supportive, and keep my feet cool during hours of standing,” she says. “The exterior traction minimizes slipping and the heel strap adds extra support, but my favorite thing about these is that they’re waterproof and easy to clean.”

Okay, so maybe you aren't just standing all day and you want something you can comfortably hike in all day. These waterproof leather and suede boots are made of a seam-sealed construction (meaning the sole isn’t just glued to the top—it’s molded to the rest of the shoe to prevent water from sneaking in) and come with a lightweight midsole, interior cushioning, and a flexible mesh tongue.

Pro Tip: “For the best fit, be sure to try on hiking boots with the socks you plan on wearing,” advises Woomer, a fan of this brand.

This bootie, with its lightweight sole and leather covered insole, is a favorite of Freight House chef Sara Bradley.

“I’ve worn a lot of different shoes in the kitchen, but these are my go-to pair as they mold to my feet and provide amazing arch support,” she says. “Plus, the outside zipper and pull tab make it easy to take them on and off. They’re so comfortable, I own multiple pairs in different colors and leathers.”

“Shoes that are too flat can lead to over pronating, resulting in a widening of the feet, heel spurs, and shin splints,” explains Minara, who suggests looking for arch support cushioning when shopping for flats.

With its wide toe box, pressure-reducing ergonomic sole, and arch-boosting orthotic insoles, these soft leather Mary Janes have hundreds of five-star ratings from happy customers.

Rave Review: “This may not be the most beautiful shoes, but they are the most comfortable for me. I'm a teacher and work on my feet all day. I also have pain in the arch of my foot (plantar fasciitis). These shoes allow me to be standing all day without pain.”

For those days you want to go straight from your AM run to work, this is the sneaker that'll carry you through.

Winner of the Women's Health 2022 sneaker award for best overall running shoe, multiple WH editors love this sneaker because of its ability to relieve foot pain, plantar fasciitis, and ankle tendinitis. Rearfoot and forefoot gel technology cushions the foot during the toe-off phases, allowing movement as the foot transitions through the gait cycle.

Rave Review: "I suffer from constant foot pain. I researched what shoe might help, and the Nimbus 24 popped up as a good shoe. My standard size was a good fit, and I was surprised at the cushion in the sole. Most importantly, my pain is significantly less so I can go for walks."

“Some days I stand for 10 hours straight and find my feet simply do better with some type of heel,” says senior hair stylist Corinne Ugarte. “These boots not only look great, but they’re super comfortable, with their zip-up side to make for easy removal after a long day.”

With its three-inch block heel, midsole arch support, and heel cups (inserts that provide extra support to the heel), these boots were made for standing. Plus, the Vionic brand gets the thumbs up from the American Podiatric Medical Association.

This loafer goes beyond informal lounging and can be dressed up depending on the occasion. As for its feet-friendly features: It's got seven layers of cushion in the sole, an elevated arch support, and an insole made of memory foam.

“The sturdy rubber sole is a bonus so I never have to worry about slipping outside like with other loafers,” says nurse Cindy Luer, RN. “I go from house-to-house all day long as a visiting healthcare worker, and these are my go-to shoe when I know I need a day of pain-free travel.”

When it comes to sneakers, Markinson suggests looking for a rigid heel counter, a.k.a. the little plastic insert used to reinforce the heel cup of a shoe that increases support.

This lightweight running shoe from beloved brand Hoka has that along with a cushioned insole, open-weave mesh upper, foam sole, plush collar, gusseted tongue, and a base with rubber plugs for traction. “These are my all-time favorite for work and jogging,” says dental hygienist Tiffany Zhang. “I feel like I’m walking on a cloud.”