The 10 best shoes for standing all day in 2024

Cost: $165 | Materials: Knit upper, EVA foam midsole and rubber outsole | Sizes available: Women's 5-12 with half sizes up to 10.5; men's 7-15 with half sizes up to 12.5 | Widths: Regular and wide

Hoka’s eye-catching, oversized midsole shoes are impossible to ignore — and so are the legion of die-hard fans who credit the brand’s ultra-cushioned styles for saving their joints, saving their stride, even saving their running careers. But as it happens, Hoka’s super-plush shoes are also podiatrist-recommended for people on the feet all day too, no running required. In fact, we think Hoka’s Bondi 8 shoe is the best shoe you can get for standing all day.

The brand’s Bondi style is a neutral shoe, meaning there’s not an aggressive built-in system of foams and inserts adding structure to the midsole. For most people who stand (as opposed to run) in the shoes, this is enough support. But where the Bondi 8 really shines is in the cushioning: This eighth iteration of the popular style keeps all its predecessor’s underfoot comfort. The Bondi 8 however debuts a new, softer foam for the brand, with a rearfoot crash pad for added comfort on the heel strike and a cushier feel overall.

Cost: $140 | Materials: Leather, PU, suede, nubuck | Sizes available: Women's 4.5/5-12.5/13; men's 7.5/8-14.5/15 | Widths: Narrow, regular and wide

There’s a reason that the Dansko Professional clog has been a cult favorite go-to for chefs, restaurant workers, nurses, and hair dressers since 1990 — it’s the single best clog for people who stand all day.

The stapled clog silhouette is what makes the Dansko Professional so beloved by people who are on their feet all day. The molded rocker outsole cradles the foot and holds it in the right position to minimize stress on your feet and joints, and the beefy PU material absorbs shock as you walk and stand. The style’s characteristic roomy toebox means your toes can wiggle and flex all day. And while the smooth uppers (available in a rainbow of colors and a wide variety of materials, from glitter to patent leather to full grain leather to vegan leathers) don’t allow the custom fit of a laced shoe, the clogs do come in narrow, medium, and wide widths so you can find the model that fits best.

I swear by Professionals, too. I’ve worn the Professional and other similar clog style shoes and boots for more than 15 years, and they’ve kept me comfortable at trade shoes, long days of travel, and any time I know I’ll be on my feet. My husband wore the Dansko Professionals exclusively for more than 10 years as a chef and store manager and recommended them to his colleagues for one reason: They just work.

Now we know: A clog can be a polarizing look. The style, for all its legions of fans, isn’t universally beloved the way a sneaker or loafer might be. But for people who are on their feet all day, they’re an unbeatable pick.

Cost: $140 | Materials: Suede upper, EVA sole | Sizes available: Women's 4/4.5-12/12.5; men's 7-15 with half sizes up to 12.5 | Widths: Regular/wide and medium/narrow

I can’t be impartial about Birkenstocks: I’ve worn the German brand’s sandals for nearly 20 years, and as far as I’m concerned, they’re the perfect shoe.

But Birkenstock sandals – and especially the classic Arizona style – aren’t just my favorite: They’re famously loved by hippies, fashion editors, teens, podiatrists, and everyone in between. It’s a reputation that’s been years in the making: Birkenstock was founded in 1774 (yes, that’s before the Declaration of Independence was written) and the now-famous contoured footbed was launched in 1896. (Talk about timeless.)

It’s the footbed that Birkenstock lovers rave about, and it’s what makes the style the ideal style for standing: Contoured to support the toes and arch and with a deep heel cup, the sturdy sandal cradles the foot and keeps the foot and ankle in a comfortable, ergonomic position hour after hour. Some models – including this Arizona – feature a slightly-softer-than-standard version of the footbed, which can add some comfort, too.

The Arizona style offers two broad straps that keep the footbed locked securely to the foot while walking, but the same footbed is available in a variety of upper styles, including sandals, clogs, and even shoes. (I personally also have a shearling pair of Arizonas I use as cold-weather sandals; that’s how loyal I am to this foodbed.)

The highly structured footbed can be uncomfortable for wearers with very high (or very flat) arches, and even customers who eventually love them can find that they need time to get used to the feel. But there’s a reason the style has legions of fans worldwide, and the long-term comfort year after year is why.

Cost: $140 | Materials: Knit upper, EVA foam midsole and rubber outsole | Sizes available: Women's 5-13 with half sizes up to 11.5; men's 7-15 with half sizes up to 12.5 | Widths: Narrow, medium, wide, extra wide

Sneakers were designed for runners, but some of the characteristics that make a great running shoe make a great shoe for standing all day too. Cushioning — the amount of EVA foam under the foot – is the first thing most wearers notice when they put on a sneaker, and the medium support Brooks Adrenaline GTS 24 has a particularly good package. The brand calls its midsole technology GuideRails: denser EVA foam around the edge of the shoe paired with softer EVA foam underfoot helps gently guide the foot into the correct position and absorbs the force of walking and standing to keep you comfortable doing either.

I’m a longtime Brooks fan who has relied on the brand for running shoes, trail shoes, and shoes for just about every athletic pursuit I’ve done. My current go-to sneaker is the Adrenaline GTS 23, a model I love for its plush, supportive feel, excellent fit, and outstanding comfort. The Adrenaline GTS 24 is the newest upgrade to the franchise, and has the same breathable upper and underfoot experience as the 23, making it an outstanding choice.

Cost: $145 | Materials: Leather upper, EVA foam midsole and slip-resistant rubber outsole | Sizes available: Women's 5-12 with half sizes up to 10.5; men's 7-16 with half sizes up to 12.5 | Widths: Regular, wide, extra wide

It takes a tough shoe to stand up to nursing’s demands. Nurses are on their feet for hours at a time – standing, but sometimes moving and running, too. In addition, many hospitals and practices require slip-resistant outsoles for traction, and experienced practitioners know that easy-to-clean, preferably wipeable uppers are a professional necessity. For all those reasons, New Balance’s Fresh Foam X 840 Slip Resistant style is the best shoe for nurses that stand all day.

Part of what makes this style the best choice is the cushioning: New Balance has taken the FreshFoam EVA foam cushioning from its performance running shoes to make the shoe feel bouncy and responsive all the way through a long shift. The ASTM-tested slip resistant outsole keeps the wearer stable, and a leather upper means easy care and less staining.

New Balance is famous for its wide range of sizes and widths, and the Fresh Foam X 840 Slip Resistant is no exception, with three widths and extended sizing for both men and women. The style is only available in black, but this is a classic workhorse of a shoe that can take what nurses on their feet dish out.

Cost: $145 | Materials: Leather or suede upper, removable microfiber/EVA midsole and synthetic rubber outsole | Sizes available: Women's 5-13 with half sizes up to 10.5 | Widths: Medium and wide

The perfect office shoe is the loafer, and the Vionic Uptown loafer just might be the perfect one for workers who stand all day. While it has a stylish exterior — an on-trend chunky outsole with a classic penny loafer upper that comes in a catalog of materials and finishes, from classic leather to pastel suedes to metallic — it’s the thoughtful details and best-in-class comfort features inside that pack such a punch.

A contoured arch support in a removable footbed provides a structured underfoot experience for long hours on your feet, and shock-absorbing cushioning adds comfort. The shoe is also designed to be flexible in the forefoot so the shoe moves with you, and a deep heel cup keeps the foot firmly in place. The style has the APMA Seal of Acceptance, and it comes in both medium and wide widths, too.

The result is an ultra-packable, easy-to-wear style that’s incredible for office wear or travel that feels as comfortable as a shoe but looks chic with both casual and dressed up looks. The aggressive outsole might not fly at the most conservative bank offices or white-shoe law firms, but I have a previous version on this loafer, and during a recent four-day business trip I couldn’t find a single outfit or occasion the style didn’t work with, from the airport to meetings to dinner to a walk in the park. If you’re going into the office and need style even though you’re standing, this is the shoe for you.

Cost: $150 | Materials: Mesh upper, EVA foam midsole and rubber outsole | Sizes available: Women's 5-11 with half sizes up to 10.5; men's 7-14 with half sizes up to 12.5 | Widths: Regular

On Running’s Cloudrunner 2 stability running shoe is the latest upgrade to its popular original Cloudrunner franchise, and it’s got a new story to tell. Traditional stability running shoes use different densities of foam in the midsole to create support underfoot — stiffer, more rigid foams are placed to subtly guide the wearer’s foot, with softer, more pliable foams are added in to make shoe more cushion-y and comfortable.

On Running says the new Helion Superfoam midsole material it uses in the Cloudrunner 2 can be tuned to give the same combination of stiffer and softer but using only the single foam for a smoother feeling that delivers both more cushioning and more energy return.

Of course, the Cloudrunner also features the brand’s CloudTec outsole – the eye-catching channels in the outsole that On says are responsible for improved impact absorption and comfort. Together, they combine for a Goldilocks shoe that has a little something for everyone: Structure and support with comfort and cushioning for a shoe that could be just right.

Cost: $98 (Normally $130) | Materials: Polyester webbing upper, EVA foam midsole and rubber outsole | Sizes available: Women's 5-11 with half sizes up to 10.5; men's 7-17 with half sizes up to 11.5 | Widths: Regular

Keen’s Newport 2.0 sandals are instantly recognizable to anyone who’s spent time on the trail or around the water—and the same traits that have made them a staple for the outdoor lovers make them a great choice for long days on your feet. While not a highly cushioned style, the rugged construction of the Newport 2.0 is very supportive, with a lightweight foam midsole and insole for shock absorption, and robust arch support.

The added value in the Newport is in the travel-ready features: The soles are razor siped for sticky traction on the slickest surfaces, and the bungee cinch closure is easy to adjust for maximum stability, even one handed.

The most common critique of the Newport 2.0 style is that it can be too wide in the toebox for some wearers, but I’ve found that the adjustability of the closure goes a long way to making sure a foot is secure in the shoe. The style also comes in kids’ sizes, so the whole family can enjoy on-foot comfort no matter where the adventure takes you — and the shoes themselves are machine-washable, for easy cleanup once you get there. I’ve worn my Newports for water days, hot weather hikes, and outdoor travel for years, and so have my kids, and we can say with confidence, this is a style that will keep you comfortable on your feet for the long haul.

Cost: $60 | Materials: Leather and manmade upper, PU foam insole and rubber outsole | Sizes available: Women's 6-11 with half sizes up to 9.5 | Widths: Regular and wide

Dr. Scholl’s is a name you probably already associate with foot comfort: The brand was founded in 1906 by podiatrist William Scholl to market foot care products of all kinds, and is well known more than a hundred years later for its insoles, orthotics, and foot care.

The Kimberly II slip-resistant sneaker is a low-profile sneaker in that foot care tradition. It has classic athletic lace-up styling for a secure fit, and a shock-absorbing foam midsole.

The Kimberly II also has a leather upper and an oil- and slip-resistant outsole, making it a great, wallet-friendly choice for restaurant workers, hair dressers, or other wearers who need to stay stable in sometimes-slippery situations. It also comes in half sizes and in both regular and wide widths, sometimes a rarity in budget-friendly footwear, making it easier for shoppers to get a fit that will truly support their foot for long days standing.

Cost: $60 | Materials: EVA Foam | Sizes available: Women's 5-16; men's 3-14 | Widths: Regular

If it’s cushioning you need, Oofos is the brand for you. Created as a recovery shoe designed to refresh and energize tired muscles in the foot and legs, Oofos sandals are made with Oofos’ proprietary OOfoam, an ultra-plush closed-cell foam that feels uniquely soft but bouncy underfoot — and that Oofos claims absorbs 37% more impact than traditional footwear. The result is a very cushy, instantly comfortable shoe that feels incredibly soft and makes an outstanding shoe for standing and walking, around the house or around town.

A broad slide-style strap keeps the foot more secure than many house shoes and sandal styles, and the shape of the footbed is designed to cradle the foot and support the joints. They also come in a massive range of sizes and a variety of colors.