The 10 Best Women’s Shoes for Being on Your Feet All Day
Whether you are in retail, the service industry, have an office job, or just spend the majority of your time walking around, being on your feet all day can be tiresome. The best way to avoid pain and long term injury is to find a great pair of shoes that keep you comfortable all day long.
The 10 best women’s shoes for being on your feet all day include New Balance Women’s FuelCore Nergize VI Sneaker, LifeStride Women’s Giovanna 2 Pump, and Dr. Scholl’s Shoes Women’s Harlow Ankle Boot. From casual to formal and dress-code approved, this list has you covered.
Having the right shoes is important, but choosing them does not have to be difficult. Today, this list will give you a few options for comfortable shoes that make being on your feet a little easier.
Things to Consider When Choosing Shoes if You’re Standing All Day
Standing on your feet all day in the wrong kind of shoe can cause a myriad of physical issues down the road. Here are some things to consider for your next shopping trip:
- Is the toe of the shoe narrower than your toes? If so, you could be cutting off circulation, which can lead to tingling, swelling, or even varicose veins.
- When was the last time you shopped for shoes? Feet can lengthen and become wider as you age, so it is best to shop often and go up a size if needed. Standing on your feet in shoes that are too small is a sure way to develop problems.
- Can you walk comfortably on a variety of surfaces? When you try on your shoes, do a few laps on both hard and carpeted surfaces. Stand on your tip-toes to make sure the soles are flexible and allow your feet to move naturally.
- Be aware of how comfortable you feel. Sizing can vary by country and manufacturer. Just because you bought your size does not mean it will be the most comfortable fit for you.
The 10 Best Women’s Shoes for Being on Your Feet All Day
As mentioned previously, there are a number of problems that come from wearing a shoe that does not fit you properly. Whether it be in the short-term or the long-term, the problems only get worse if you are on your feet for an extended period of time in the wrong shoes.
Therefore, it is important to make sure you wear shoes that not only fit but are comfortable for extended periods. Consider the following options if you plan on being on your feet for extended periods.
1. New Balance Women's FuelCore Nergize V1 Sneaker
With over 17,000 5-star reviews, the New Balance Women’s FuelCore Nergize V1 Sneaker will have you feeling like you are walking on clouds.
This sneaker comes in 34 color combinations, so you are sure to find a pair that matches your style. Also being incredibly lightweight, this shoe features both midsole cushioning and a New Balance Memory Sole Comfort insert.
Many reviews warn that they run small, so be sure to size accordingly if you order online.
(And sneakers are one of many shoes to wear with skinny jeans! To find out the other types of shoes that can be paired with your skinny jeans, follow that link!)
2. Naturalizer Women's Flexy Ballet Flat
Featuring N5 comfort technology, these breathable flats come in 22 colors and finishes.
Benefits of Naturalizer’s N5 technology include:
- Latex foam in the insole, under the ball of the foot, and along the full length of the lining.
- Breathable lining to wick moisture and heat away from the foot.
- Heel shapes are designed for a natural gait, leading to less pain and posture issues.
- Flexible material relieves pressure.
- Lightweight and sturdy materials are used to lessen weight on the foot.
(Wondering what the difference between ballet shoes and slippers is? Find out in that amazing article!)
3. Dr. Scholl's Shoes Women's Ruler Loafer
Faux leather with a soft lining gives these slip-ons a sophisticated style and comfort for all-day wear. Meanwhile, anatomical cushioning throughout the shoe, per Dr. Scholl’s standards, keeps feet supported and insulated.
Although made of microfiber, many buyers have pointed out that the look and feel are more suede-like, so unless you clean your shoes often, these are best for dry weather.
4. Clarks Women's Juliet Petra Pump
This casual pump made from 100% leather features an OrthoLite Molded footbed and Cushion Soft technology.
OrthoLite is one of the leading manufacturers in eco-friendly foam insoles, and it boasts an array of benefits, including:
- Foam compresses less than 5% over the lifetime of the product, so you can rest assured your comfort levels will stay consistent over time.
- The open cell structure of the foam wicks away moisture and provides a dry, comfortable environment for your feet.
- The foam is washable.
Although only available in four colors, this low-heeled pump has fantastic reviews and is sure to last for a long time.
5. LifeStride Women's Giovanna 2 Pump
True-to-size with over 1,300 5-star ratings, this cute and classy heel is perfect for someone with a higher-end dress code.
Available in both medium and wide widths and with 5 color and pattern options to choose from, it is likely these shoes will meet your needs.
LifeStride boasts their “Comfort by Design” three-step, all-day comfort system. It provides comfort through their breathable cushioned insoles, support with extra arch and heel support, and an ultra-flexible outsole.
(If you are looking for the perfect heels for work to dress classy and stylish, then these are the shoes!)
6. LifeStride Women's Pascal Dress Pump
While being a slightly more casual variation of our previous LifeStride pump, this round-toe dress pump is perfect for business casual offices.
The heel size is only 1.5 inches and, according to reviews, traction on the outsole is strong, fit is true-to-size, and these were generally a dream for all-day wear.
Although this shoe is more low maintenance than the previous one, it also features LifeStrides “Comfort by Design” system and also comes in a multitude of widths.
7. Franco Sarto Women's Frankie Pump
If a designer style is more to your taste, check out these Franco Sarto wedge pumps. They come in five neutral colors and are made of real 100% leather.
Reviews are very positive, with several women stating they wore these shoes upwards of 10 hours with little to no discomfort, although they do also recommend that you go at least one size up, as these tend to run small.
8. Dr. Scholl's Shoes Women's Harlow Ankle Boot
This slip-on lightweight wedge ankle boot is a favorite amongst reviewers with almost 1,700 5-star reviews, with one reviewer referring to them as actual clouds.
These shoes are available in 5 colors in either leather or microfiber, and the majority of reviews state that they are true-to-size, so you can feel confident ordering the size you are accustomed to.
The heel size is 3 inches, and as always, Dr. Scholl’s products are proven to provide comfort for the entire time you wear them. Plus, they are a great shoe to wear with leggings.
9. Skechers Women's Cleo-Sherlock-Engineered Knit Loafer Skimmer Ballet Flat
With air-cooled memory foam and a knit upper fabric design, these Skechers ballet flats will provide you breathable cushioned comfort all day.
Other buyers have noted that these are great for women with wider feet, with one reviewer even claiming that these are the perfect Rothy’s dupe if you are looking to save a little cash.
True-to-fit size and available in 5 pattern combinations in various shades of black and grey, these lightweight flats are perfect for both business and casual wear.
10. Sam Edelman Classic Hazel Pump Women's Shoes
Our final selection is another designer look if you are looking for something less casual and more upscale.
Sam Edelman designs luxury shoes for the woman who desires form and function. A 3.5-inch heel is enough to make any woman cringe, but with their patented down curve, this shoe allows your foot to be placed evenly from heel to toe, alleviating all pressure from the ball of your foot.
Made of 100% genuine leather and available in 7 colors and textiles, these high-heels are sure to give you exactly the style and comfort you are looking for.
What Can You Do if Your Shoes Give You Heel Pain?
You have followed all the advice and bought what you thought was going to be the perfect pair of shoes. But here you are after a long day, and all you want to do is throw back a couple of aspirin and put your feet up. Here are some further tips if you are still experiencing heel pain after being on your feet all day.
- Wear the Right Shoes: Can you imagine playing basketball in a round-toe pump? If you cannot, you should not be wearing a dainty flat with no cushioning for your heel if you are going to be on your feet for more than a couple of hours at a time. Ensure you use the proper shoe for the day at hand.
- Adjust Your Shoes: Buy Inserts. If it is absolutely necessary to wear impractical shoes, buy some cushioned inserts to ease your heel pain. You can also buy quality shoe trees that stretch and widen shoes overnight.
- Consider a Personal Cause: Sometimes, our bodies simply rebel against us with no justifiable cause at all. If it does not seem to matter what kind of shoe you wear, make sure you ice and rest your feet often, and consider wearing a special foot splint at night that can help stretch your feet while you sleep.
How Do Shoes Affect Your Feet?
Shoes affect your feet by completely changing the shape of them, unless you are wearing flip-flops.
The human foot is, for the most part, wider at the toe end, and it comes to a point at the heel. Have you seen a shoe other than a scuba flipper that mimics this shape? You would be hard-pressed to. In fact, most shoes are going to squeeze your toes together unnaturally.
Shoes, although necessary most of the time, change your anatomy in a way that can cause extreme pain and discomfort if steps are not taken to mitigate the damage.
Can I Wear Dress Shoes if I Have Bad Knees?
The short answer is yes. However, there are some concessions that you will have to make. For the most part, though, you can absolutely wear dress shoes if you have bad knees. Some of the concessions you will have to make include:
- Wearing Cushioned Shoes: You are going to want a shoe that will absorb as much shock from the ground as possible in order to protect your knees.
- Wearing Firm Shoes: In most cases, you would want to buy a shoe with a flexible outsole, but in the case of bad knees, you are going to want to make sure that your shoe is firm around your foot so that your gait does not change, which could lead to unnecessary strain on your knees.
- Wearing a Flatter Shoe With Arch Support: Try to stay away from heels or pumps, as they exert pressure on the knees. A pair of dressy flats with arch support is best if you have bad knees.
Lastly, keep your other bones in mind. You may have bad knees, but what are you doing about the joints connected to those knees? Wearing shoes like heels can put strain on your lower back and stress on the balls of your feet, causing you to put even more weight onto your knees.
Conclusion
At the end of the day, you know your feet and body best, so go with what feels right to you. Remember to size up if necessary, buy a shoe that is shaped as close to a real foot as possible, and test them on a variety of surfaces before buying.
If your feet decide they just were not built for shoes, no matter how much you spoil them, invest in a good footbath, buy some cozy slippers, and hope for the best in your next shopping trip.
