10 Best shoes for standing all day in 2024, tested and reviewed

Cost: $145 | Materials: Knit upper, EVA foam midsole and rubber outsole | Type of arch support: High | 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 and wide

Since its inception in 2009, Hoka has become one of the most popular footwear brands around, and for good reason. Known for their chunky, maximalist look, Hokas are often dubbed the most comfortable shoe in the world, loved by trendsetters and podiatrists alike.

While you can't go wrong with any pair of Hokas, when it comes to standing all day, the Clifton 9 is our top choice. Like most of the brand's shoes, the Clifton 9 has earned the APMA Seal of Acceptance, which is awarded to products deemed beneficial for foot health. That said, the plush comfort is what really makes this shoe stand out.

"Hoka shoes feature unique cushioning that reduces back pain and improves posture and gait," says certified pedorthist Jerick Sobie, co-owner of Lucky Feet Shoes in Southern California. "The Clifton 9 is especially good for standing all day because of its excellent stability and shock absorption."

When test-driving this shoe, I found that the compression-molded EVA midsole gives it a soft, springy feel that basically feels like walking on a cloud. On top of that, the Clifton features Hoka's signature meta-rocker bottom and a wider base that provides additional stability. As such, it "effectively combats foot fatigue during extended periods of standing," says Sobie.

At less than 8 ounces, the Clifton 9 is also surprisingly lightweight, despite how bulky it looks. All in all, it's perfect for anyone who regularly spends a lot of time on their feet.

Cost: $135 | Materials: Eucalyptus tree fiber upper, foam midsole and rubber outsole | Type of arch support: Neutral | Sizes available: Women's 5-11 with half sizes up to 10.5; men's 8-14 with half sizes up to 13.5 | Widths: Regular width only

I first discovered Allbirds about five years ago and they've been my go-to shoe ever since. The B-Corp-certified footwear brand is well known for creating sustainable, minimalistic and ultra-comfortable shoes. For easy, everyday use when running errands, I'm a fan of the Tree Runners, but for periods of prolonged standing, the Tree Dasher 2 is your best bet.

Like most of the brand's shoes, the Tree Dasher 2 is made with eco-friendly materials, including eucalyptus tree fiber for the upper, sugarcane-based midsoles and a natural rubber outsole. But what really sets this shoe apart is the added cushioning.

The Tree Dasher 2 features an improved SweetFoam midsole that's softer and more supportive than previous models. The shoe also has a deeper, more cushioned heel cup for added shock absorption and a flared heel shape for extra stability.

Cost: $105 | Materials: Leather upper, EVA midsole and rubber outsole | Type of arch support: Moderate | Sizes available: 5-12 with half sizes up to 11.5 | Widths: Medium, wide and extra-wide

Orthopedic shoes are often a necessity for those with certain foot conditions, such as plantar fasciitis, bunions and neuropathy, but they're also beneficial for alleviating pain, preventing future issues and offering extra support for prolonged standing.

For women looking for a comfortable, work-appropriate shoe, the OrthoFeet Emily is your best bet. It may not be the most stylish shoe around, but with supple leather and a classic silhouette, it's perfect for the office while still being exceptionally comfortable.

Like all OrthoFeet shoes, the Emily features a removable orthotic insole, an arch booster and two fitting spacers so you can easily customize the fit to your feet. These shoes also provide all-day comfort thanks to a wide toe box and a highly cushioned heel.

Cost: $140 | Materials: Leather upper, EVA foam midsole and rubber outsole | Type of arch support: Moderate | Sizes available: 8-14 (no half sizes available) | Widths: Medium only

Dansko is famous for its iconic clogs commonly praised by teachers, chefs and health care workers, but the brand makes more than just clogs, and all of its footwear is created with comfort in mind.

The Men's Walker is a classic, all-black Oxford shoe that offers unparalleled support and stability for a long day at the office. The EVA-molded footbed and contoured polyurethane midsole provides extra arch support, cushioning and shock absorption. For those who need more customizable support, the insole is removable so you can easily add your own orthotics.

Plus, if you work in the restaurant industry or medical field, these shoes are waterproof, easy to clean and slip-resistant.

Cost: $75 | Materials: EVA foam | Type of arch support: Neutral | Sizes available: Women's 5-18; men's 3-16 (no half sizes available) | Widths: Regular width only

Billed as an active recovery shoe, the Kane Revive is an innovative, eco-friendly and affordable option perfect for a 12-hour nursing shift, a day on the water or just lounging at home. 

Recovery shoes are specifically designed to help tired, achy feet recover after strenuous physical activity, such as an intense workout session or a period of prolonged standing. They work to reduce pain and inflammation, improve circulation and prevent injury. Plus, they're just downright comfy.

The Kane Revives have ample cushioning and an anatomical design with neutral arch support. This means the shoes are designed to allow for the most natural movement of your foot during walking, without added stability features to prevent over-pronation (excessive internal rotation of your foot). 

The footbed features raised nodes that are meant to help stimulate blood flow and aid recovery, offering a gentle massaging sensation as you stand or walk around. The shoe also has a 10 mm heel-to-toe drop, which takes pressure off the Achilles tendon and encourages proper walking form. All of that equals an easy, lightweight pair of shoes that feel great for prolonged wear.

With that said, they aren't exactly the most stylish option, although they're far sleeker and more attractive than Crocs. Plus, they come in 15 different colors.

Cost: $140 | Materials: Mesh upper, exposed foam midsole and rubber outsole | Type of arch support: Neutral | 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 width only

On, one of the fastest-growing footwear companies in the world, is typically associated with running shoes, but the Cloud 5 is our top choice for all-day walking.

The trendy Swiss shoe brand is easily recognizable thanks to the distinctive CloudTec sole featured on all of its products. This patented technology gives On shoes their signature bottoms, which consist of hollow pods that run along the length of the sole. But it's not just a marketing gimmick — it's an innovative cushioning system.

The hollow pods, called "clouds," compress on impact and then release, absorbing shock and providing a springier response. Landings are softer, takeoffs are more powerful and the overall ride is smoother. All in all, it works to give you the feeling of walking on clouds. I used these on several all-day walking tours during a family vacation, and they helped keep my feet and legs from feeling the strain of the extra activity. 

Aside from that, the Cloud 5 is incredibly flexible, and at around 7 ounces, it's one of the lightest running or walking shoes on the market.

Cost: $145 | Materials: Knit upper, EVA foam midsole and rubber outsole | Type of arch support: Stability | 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

Generally speaking, sneakers are the best option for prolonged periods of standing, and Bruce Pinker, DPM, a board-certified podiatrist and foot surgeon, says he often recommends Hokas.

Along with comfort, the best running shoe should offer stability, which is why the Hoka Arahi 7 is our top pick. Classified as a moderate stability trainer, the Arahi 7 features the brand's proprietary J-Frame midsole. This is essentially a J-shaped strip of foam that's firmer than the rest of the midsole and wraps around the heel and along the medial (interior) side of the shoe. The added J-Frame works to prevent the foot from rolling too far inward, a mechanism known as overpronation.

Overpronation is common in those with flat feet and can lead to various foot conditions such as plantar fasciitis, bunions and heel spurs. Unsurprisingly, it's important to prevent overpronation when running or walking. Although the Arahi 7 is a less "plushy" ride than some of Hoka's shoes, for those who are on their feet all day, it provides the support and stability needed to maintain proper foot health.

Cost: $60 | Materials: Closed-cell foam | Type of arch support: Moderate | Sizes available: Women's 5-16; men's 3-16 (no half sizes available) | Widths: Regular only

Flip-flops are just about the worst possible footwear for prolonged periods of standing or walking, but there's no denying their appeal, particularly during the summer. Luckily, if you want a comfortable, convenient flip-flop that also provides support, there's a shoe for you.

The Oofos OOriginal Sandal, the brand's most popular shoe, is made from OOfoam, a proprietary closed-cell foam that absorbs 37% more impact than the EVA typically found in other shoes. Because of this, they feel exceptionally comfortable and cushy underfoot. (If you're like me, after putting them on you'll find yourself saying, "oooooo" — the idea behind the brand's name.)

While most flip-flops are flat, unsupportive and flimsy, Oofos are designed to provide proper arch support. The thick, slightly curved sole also works to take pressure off the heel and allow for a more natural range of motion. Admittedly this creates a slightly wobbly sensation that takes some adjusting to, but once you get used to the feel, you'll never want to go back to regular flip-flops again.

Cost: $110 | Materials: Suede upper, sheepskin lining, foam midsole and sugarcane EVA outsole | Type of arch support: Low | Sizes available: Women's 5-12; men's 7-18 (no half sizes available) | Widths: Regular width only

Ugg, the original ugly shoe brand, attained mass-appeal status thanks to its iconic and notoriously comfortable boots. It's not surprising, then, that it's used that same talent to make the coziest slippers around.

The Tasman has an easy, slip-on silhouette, a plush footbed and a durable outsole, so it can seamlessly transition from lounging at home to outdoor use. Uggs are known for their signature shearling interior, and the Tasman features the classic shearling with a thick sheepskin and wool lining that also keeps your feet ultracozy and warm.

Cost: $140 | Materials: Leather upper, EVA foam midsole and rubber outsole | Type of arch support: Moderate | Sizes available: Women's 4-10; men's 6-14 (European sizes) | Widths: Regular width only

Some sandals are meant to be stylish, like a heeled wedge to wear with a sundress, but for all-day walking, you need something a bit more robust.

The Ecco Yucatan Sandal, a hiking sandal available for men and women, provides the right amount of support and comfort for days spent on your feet. It has a contoured footbed with thick, EVA foam cushioning to provide a soft, supportive fit and a microfiber cover to help absorb sweat. The three-strap design and thick, durable rubber outsole help to offer extra grip and stability.

With all that comfort and support, though, comes the downside in terms of style. While these sandals are perfect for hitting the hiking trail, they have a chunky aesthetic that may not be everyone's cup of tea. So if you're looking for a slightly more feminine sandal for everyday use, the Ecco Flowt may be a better option.