The Very Best Shoes for Standing All Day, Whatever Your Plans Are

What do attending the Eras Tour, waiting seemingly forever at the airport, cooking a 12-person dinner, and working an overtime shift have in common? They all call for the best shoes for standing all day—ones that are comfy, supportive, and won’t leave your feet feeling leaden and lifeless by the time you get home.

Luckily, lots of walking and running shoes also work well for long periods of standing, but there are still some key features to look for before you pick your pair. Here, we talked to a podiatrist about what makes a shoe well-suited for standing to find the styles that stand out from the rest.

Our top picks

1. Best Overall: Dr. Scholl’s Feel Good
2. Runner-Up: Skechers Max Cushioning Elite 2.0
3. Best Budget: New Balance Fresh Foam Arishi V4
4. Best for Plantar Fasciitis: Hoka Bondi 8
5. Most Supportive: Brooks Adrenaline GTS 23
6. Best Sandals: Chaco Z/1 Classic
7. Best Work Shoes: Snibbs Spacecloud 2.0
8. Best for Travel: On Cloud 5
9. Best Slip-On: Vivaia Urban
10. Best for Wearing Around the House: Birkenstock Boston Soft Footbed
11. Best Clog: Dansko XP 2.0

What makes a shoe well-suited for long periods of standing?

Elizabeth Daughtry, DPM, FACFAS, a podiatrist based in North Carolina, tells SELF that a shoe’s arch support and materials will tell you if it’s a good choice for long days on your feet. Here’s what to look for:

Without these features, you risk developing plantar fasciitis, lower back pain, foot pain, or joint pain in your lower body, Dr. Daughtry says. Already deal with these issues? Standing all day in thin, flimsy shoes can make them worse. A good rule of thumb: If you can bend or fold the shoe in half, it’s not supportive enough for long periods of wear.

Shop the best shoes for standing all day

As Gloria Estefan once said, get on your feet—it’s time to find your new favorite shoes. Check out our favorites below from brands like Brooks, Asics, Hoka, and more (all get a thumbs up from podiatrists, SELF editors, or reviewers).

Best Overall: Dr. Scholl’s Feel Good

• Cute, casual look
• Odor-resistant insole
• Supportive arch

• Runs slightly large, according to the brand

The 2024 SELF Sneaker Award–winning Feel Good from Dr. Scholl’s is an office-appropriate, goes-with-everything white sneaker that kept our testers’ feet happy for hours. One logged 25,000 steps in one day in their pair, and no one dealt with any chafing, blisters, or pressure points. True to the brand’s claim, the Feel Good is definitely made for all-day comfort, with a supportive arch, a flexible sole, and a shock-absorbing heel cup.

“The shoe is lightweight and comfortable—I could easily be up on my feet all day with no pain or discomfort,” one of our testers said, adding that they’d happily recommend the Feel Good to health care workers and others who need a reliable shoe for lots of walking and standing.

Runner-Up: Skechers Max Cushioning Elite 2.0

• Very comfortable
• Stable feel
• Machine-washable

• May run slightly narrow

This 2023 Sneaker Award winner impressed our testers with its incredibly long-lasting comfort—they stood for hours, ran errands, commuted to work, and took leisurely walks in this pair without feeling a hint of foot fatigue. “They have outstanding arch support that keeps my arthritic knees cushioned and feeling amazing all day,” one said.

The rubber outsole is on the chunkier side, but you don’t have to worry about it throwing you off balance: One tester who expressed concern over the two-inch stacked sole ended up loving how it felt underfoot. Plus, it’s rare to come across a high-quality sneaker for $100 or less these days, especially one that can log hours (upon hours) of wear like the Max Cushioning Elite 2.0.

Best Budget: New Balance Fresh Foam Arishi V4

• Under $75
• Lightweight

• Runs small, according to Zappos reviewers

Looking for a shoe you can wear all day, but don’t want to drop a ton of money? People who work on their feet for nine hours at a time and folks who deal with plantar fasciitis are singing the praises of New Balance’s Fresh Foam Arishi V4. They love how good these sneaks’ cushioned soles make their feet feel, even at the end of a long day. Another reviewer wrote that they felt like they were “walking on air” in these shoes.

Best for Plantar Fasciitis: Hoka Bondi 8

• Heavily cushioned
• Approved by the American Podiatric Medical Association (APMA)
• Available in lots of cute colors

• May feel too clunky for some

Sneaker Award-winning and expert-approved several times over, the Hoka Bondi 8 is an all-around stellar shoe if you spend most of your time on your feet. One Sneaker Award tester wore theirs to a four-hour concert with no complaints. Our director of editorial operations says his Bondis feel like “cushiony-yet-firm mattresses” under his feet. “I can walk and stand for hours on end without getting sore,” he adds.

This pair is also our top choice for people with plantar fasciitis (which is usually characterized by a stabbing pain in the heel), thanks to its heavily cushioned sole. The heel is loaded with two inches of shock-absorbing foam and flares out slightly, creating a wide, sturdy base for your foot. As SELF has previously reported, this design can help reduce strain on your lower body.

Most Supportive: Brooks Adrenaline GTS 23

• Built for stability
• Available in a range of widths

• May feel a little firm for some

The Brooks Adrenaline has a seal of acceptance from the APMA, meaning podiatrists consider it beneficial for foot health. Plus, SELF’s director of fitness and food calls it her “legit savior.” “I’m an overpronator, and if I’m not careful about my shoe choice, I way-too-frequently end up sidelined with some annoying lower leg injuries,” she says, adding that the Adrenaline is her go-to for activities well beyond running. “They’re also great for any time you’re going to be walking around a lot (say, at an amusement parks) because they give your feet the support and ‘guidance’ you need.”

The shoe’s heel is lined with firm pieces of foam—a feature that Brooks calls GuideRails—to limit your foot’s range of motion. This helps your foot feel aligned and supported as you go about your day. Plus, for anyone who shies away from trendy maximalist shoes, you’re in luck. Our staffer says the Adrenaline has a “light to moderate” amount of cushioning that feels good, but never excessive.

Best Sandals: Chaco Z/1 Classic

• Supportive
• Thick yet flexible sole
• Adjustable fit

• On the heavier side for sandals

Podiatrists, outdoor experts, and a large chunk of SELF’s staff highly recommend Chaco’s Z/1 Classic Sandal for hiking, strolling, and staying cool in warm weather. We also consider it an excellent option for standing all day, thanks to its APMA-accepted contoured footbed, which provides arch support through the midfoot and a thick base under the heel. SELF’s senior commerce writer says her pair absorbs the impact from her steps and bends with her foot, but still feels sturdy and substantial.

It’s definitely on the firmer side, so don’t expect your foot to sink into the shoe too much (it’ll feel cradled, rather than swallowed). The adjustable straps that criss-cross over the top of your foot and wrap around your ankle add to that sensation, so your whole foot feels secure—SELF’s director of editorial operations says they’re easy to wear during a day at the beach or a hike on wet trails.

Best Work Shoes: Snibbs Spacecloud 2.0

• Water- and slip-resistant
• Designed specifically for standing
• Available in a range of sizes

• Somewhat heavy

Outfitted with a grippy, non-slip sole; a pressure-relieving insole; and durable materials, this water-resistant shoe was made for people who spend hours on their feet. “I work in a laboratory and I walk and stand all day long. These are perfect,” writes one reviewer, adding that their pair was pretty easy to break in.

Other reviewers note that, after switching to the Spacecloud 2.0, their legs and back hurt less while they were on the job. This is another shoe that feels firm rather than plush, and that’s by design—it should support your feet over long periods of time. (That said, if you want a more marshmallowy shoe for work, you might want to try the slip-resistant version of the Hoka Bondi instead.)

Best for Travel: On Cloud 5

• Lightweight
• Good for people with sweaty feet

• Not as sturdy as other options on our list

Time spent wandering through museums, stopping by scenic lookouts, and simply waiting in line at airport security adds up. You need a lightweight, breathable sneaker that won’t let your feet down on vacation, and the On Cloud 5 is our top pick.

It’s stylish, streamlined (so you can wear it with pretty much any outfit you pack), and easy to slip on, thanks to its elastic laces. It has a springy midsole that’ll come in handy when you’re walking or hustling to make your connecting flight, but it also provides a fantastic foundation for standing, according to Zappos reviewers. “I could live in them,” one wrote. “The best shoe for all day wear, walking or standing!”

Best Slip-On: Vivaia Urban

• Extra padding in the heel
• Lots of color options
• Machine-washable

• Heel-to-toe drop feels very noticeable and may take some getting used to
• Not as breathable as other options on our list

“These have become my go-to shoes for concerts and other standing-room only events,” our senior commerce writer says. “I deal with lower back pain, which can sometimes get worse with long periods of standing, but I didn’t notice it as much in these shoes—even after standing on hard concrete floors for hours.” She notes that the heel counter feels stiff, secure, and supportive. It keeps her foot safely inside the shoe, which is key for a slip-on style (after you lace them up the first time, you can pull them on and off in seconds).

Our writer tested the all-black Vivaia Urban and lovingly refers to them as “Homer Simpson shoes”—basic, and perfect for when she wants to blend into a crowd. If that’s not quite your vibe, this shoe comes in almost three dozen other punchy colorways.

Best for Wearing Around the House: Birkenstock Boston Soft Footbed

• Long-lasting
• More supportive than a slipper

• A little pricey for a house shoe

This version of Birkenstock’s always-popular Boston clog is a SELF editor favorite for traveling, but the features that make it well-suited for long flights also make it a lovely choice for cleaning, cooking, and tackling other housework on your to-do list. For one thing, our associate director of special projects notes that the adjustable midfoot strap helps keep the clog flying off her foot. For another, the soft footbed is cushy and comfortable right out of the box—but in classic Birk fashion, it still breaks in to fit your individual foot over time. The footbed also has some podiatrist-approved features, like a raised toe groove and deep heel cup, both of which can help your foot relax and fit comfortably in the shoe.

Best Clog: Dansko Clog

• Very sturdy and supportive
• Stylish in their own way
• Easy on-and-off design

• Heavy

The OG (and arguably most-loved) ugly shoe, Dansko’s APMA-approved clogs are the stuff of dreams for chefs, retail workers, nurses, and beyond. “I love my Dansko clogs! Been wearing them loyally since the 1980s,” Stephanie Sauer Pasternak, certified birth doula CD(DONA), certified lactation counselor (CLC), and Lamaze certified childbirth educator (LCCE), tells SELF. “When wearing Danskos, I find my posture is better, my feet are comfortable and experience no pain, and most importantly, they don’t get tired as I'm standing for many, many, many hours at a time.”

They have a firm, contoured footbed; a thick, non-slip sole; and a sturdy overall shape that helps you feel stable and move swiftly when it’s time to hustle. One Zappos reviewer, a nurse of 24 years, writes that her feet feel “cradled and supported perfectly” by the XP 2.0. Another, a chef with decades of experience, shouts out the added cushioning in the heel. We’ve also previously recommended this style for pregnant people, since it’s easy to slip on and comes in two widths.

More great options

Did none of our top picks stand out to you? There are plenty more pairs to choose from, including the expert- and editor-approved options below.

Asics GT-1000 13

• Designed for stability and support
• Cushioned, but won’t cause your feet to sink

• Some Zappos reviewers found the padding around the heel collar uncomfortable

A previous model of the GT-1000 won a SELF Sneaker Award for its supportive fit, firm yet springy sole, and ability to keep our testers comfy all day long. Asics has only improved those features with its latest version, upping the stability and enhancing the cushion (that’s what we call a win-win).

It’s a great pick if you deal with overpronation (meaning your feet roll inward when you run or walk) or if you want a little more structure in your shoe. Clocking in at just over eight ounces, it’s also relatively light for a shoe designed with stability in mind, which should help your feet feel fresher longer.

Naot Okahu

• Very easy to wear
• Gets comfier with time

• Upper lacks structure (according to Zappos reviewers)

Dr. Daughtry says the APMA-accepted Naot Okahu is “the ultimate lightweight, slip-on sneaker” in her book. She especially likes its supportive cork and latex footbed, which should mold to the shape of your foot over time. (It’s also removable if you use orthotics or over-the-counter inserts.) Even with such a sturdy insole, the shoe is a nice and lightweight six ounces, and the upper is made of breathable knit fabric—always a welcome feature for those of us in the sweaty feet club.

Crocs On the Clock Slip Resistant Work Sneaker

• Slip-resistant sole
• Under $70

• Runs slightly small

Our tester wore Crocs’s On the Clock sneaker for a long day of errands and found it very comfortable and sturdy. They pointed out that, in addition to the treaded, slip-resistant outsole, it has a textured insole too—which prevented their foot from sliding around inside.

Nike InfinityRN 4

• Wide toe box
• Water-repellent

• Runs small, according to the brand

We previously recommended this pair of Nike walking shoes for its exceedingly plush ride, which is the main reason why we’re highlighting it here too. “They’re truly the most comfortable shoes I’ve ever worn,” one Nordstrom reviewer wrote. “They hold up really well and make a day full of standing and walking feel like nothing on your feet.”

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Related:

• The Best Flip-Flops for the Beach, Running Errands, and Beyond
• 9 Expert-Approved Hiking Boots for Plantar Fasciitis
• The Best Walking Shoes for Flat Feet