The 11 Best Shoes for Standing All Day

These Hoka Bondi SRs are built not just for standing all day but for working all day. (The “SR” stands for slip-resistant.) They have the Bondi’s signature plush cushion, meta-rocker, and a comfortable heel drop at 6mm. In addition to that immediate comfort, though, these are made with a water-resistant leather upper and a slip-resistant outsole—all with service and medical jobs in mind.

The 9060 is a close second to the Bondi SR. It’s a little less functional (no water-resistance or added outsole grip) but it also looks that way. These are easier to wear and not feel like you’re wearing a Comfort Shoe and they are truly excellent for long travel days and the walking you might do there once you land.

If you’re doing a lot of standing but also need a shoe that doesn’t look orthotic or athletic, Thousand Fell’s low-top leather sneaker is a great option. Wear it for travel days punctuated by nicer events or long, boring conferences. It’s made with a soft vegan leather, which doesn’t have same break-in time demands leather does, and it is scratch- and odor-resistant.

There’s a reason why On’s sneakers have achieved a cult-like following, and it’s all in the name. Cloudmonster. These hgave a super high cushion and support system, but done with that signature airy structure that does its job without weighing you down. It’s great for standing on, of course, but we also like how soft the sockliner and upper is for top-of-foot comfort, too.

I try a lot of shoes all the time, all in my quest to find something I rely on more heavily than the Asics Gel-Kayanos. To no avail. These are running shoes, and they are great at that—the style is designed to absorb shock, support body weight, and increase stability—but it’s how they feel all over that makes them standout. They have a soft cushion underfoot but they also have a soft, cushioned collar and a stretchy upper. They are the only shoes I travel in right now because they are the ones that won’t get too tight when my poorly circulating feet blow up.

Sometimes, you gotta stand all day in a shoe that isn’t a sneaker, and you will be catching us doing it in a G.H.Bass loafer of choice. Although we love the Weejun, this lug loafer is a little softer and has a more supportive sole than the rather flat Weejun. They’re easy to throw on, particularly for nicer, non-sneaker occasions.

Don’t let the heavy-duty appearance of these Red Wings mislead you, because they are actually super comfortable. As I went to write this, I thought, hm, I feel like I have written this before. Turns out, I endorsed them back in 2019. And you know what? They have held up this entire time. They have a bit of a break-in point for the suede or leather (they are boots, after all) but they are worth it—and the soft midsole is everything.

Vionic produces some of the comfiest shoes around, and the Livermore boot is no different. It’ll look good in a professional setting, but provide you support needed to get you through your shift pain-free. This is because of both its EVA midsole and the removable VIO MOTION Technology footbed, giving the shoe anatomically engineered cushioning.

If you need shoes for standing all day but the standing all day is at your desk in a house, I cannot recommend an Ugg clog more. They have more support than a slipper but they are just as comfortable. No break-in period, no irritating ankle fabrics.

We at Esquire are big fans of Birkenstock, obviously, and they are extremely great for long days on your feet. That’s thanks to the signature cork, which is soft and molds to your foot over time. They don’t feel plush, necessarily, but that’s not the only kind of comfort there is.

Going to the beach? Standing outside, king of the grill? FitFlops are great. They are a sandal, which means you’ll naturally get less structure than a boot or sneaker. For anyone who needs support but finds a full upper constricting or irritating, these give you a ton of foot cupping and two straps to hold you down.