Best shoes for walking and standing in for long periods?

[Richard]

Hi I was wondering if anyone could help me choose a new pair of shoes. My work requires me to be on my feet for very long periods and walk around a lot, so I need some shoes that will keep my feet comfy but also I don’t want to look like a complete goof in them. Help would be greatly appreciated, thank you.

[shoewawa]

Hi Richard. There are loads of different shoes that you can pick that are great for walking and standing in for long periods.
There are a few things that you should look out for before buying a pair of shoes which are:

Are the shoes breathable? The breathability of the shoes is very important. A pair of well ventilated shoes will help to keep your feet dry, odour and bacteria free and will help to better regulate temperature in your shoes keeping your feet warm in winter and cool in summer.

Do the shoes have shock absorption? If you are on your feet all day shock absorption is very important. Even the smallest shocks can cause severe aches and pain in your feet and heels and can even cause lasting damage not only to your feet but to bones, ligaments and tendons found across your entire body. A good pair of walking shoes should stop shock in its tracks when you walk by absorbing the shock energy and depleting the shock energy quickly and efficiently.

Do the shoes have proper arch support? Arch support is one of the most important features of walking shoes. Arch support helps to keep the strain off your arches when you walk by correcting biomechanical imbalances which can cause foot fatigue and injuries such as plantar fasciitis. If your shoes do not have arch support you can buy arch support insoles (RRP £10-£20) that will help to give your feet the support that they need.

Are the shoes the right fit? One of the biggest mistakes people make when buying a pair of walking shoes is that they buy shoes that are simply too tight for them. It is a good idea to buy a pair of shoes that you are going to wear all day that are a little bit bigger than normal. This is because your feet will tend to swell under the pressure of being on them all day so you will need to buy shoes that will fit all day and not just at the start of the day! Buying shoes that are too big can also become a problem. Shoes that are too big will cause your feet to move around inside them. This can cause the skin on your feet and toes to rub against the surface of your shoes causing friction which can cause damage and blisters to develop.

Now that we know what features to look out for here is a list (in my opinion) of the top 5 best walking shoes that you can buy…

1.Asics GEL-Foundation Walker 3 $49

Retailing at only $49 these are extremely affordable and are ideal for walkers and for people who find themselves on their feet all day. These shoes have excellent shock absorbing gel rubber soles use asics very own rear foot and forefoot gel cushioning system that helps to protect your feet from shock during the gait cycle. These shoes also feature broad based platform with DuoMax® and Trusstic® technologies which will help o keep weight off your heel and give your feet stability and support no matter how long you are wearing them for.

Pros:
Gel cushioning system helps to prevent damage to your feet.
Keeps weight off your heel preventing foot fatigue and heel pain.
Extremely affordable.

Cons:
Not the most stylish of shoes around.
Only available in black or white.

2.New Balance 990v4 $164

New balance have created some of the most stylish walking and running shoes around and they have not disappointed with their new New Balance 990v4 shoes! These shoes may cost a lot at $164 but if you are looking style and substance then these shoes are for you.
These shoes have been made to be extremely light weight and have been made to make the most of new balances premium cushioning and support technology. These shoes are also extremely breathable and will surely keep your feet feeling good no matter what the the climate is like.
These newbalance shoes have excellent shock absorption which is provided by there rubber soles which also help to support your feet in a controlled and natural position when running or walking!

Pros:
Very stylish.
Excellent arch support and stability.
light weight.
Provides the foot with plenty of room.

Cons:
quite expensive

3.NIKE FREE run 2 iD $135

If you want shoes that are super lightweight but have very good cushioning then these shoes are just the ticket for you. The nike free 5.0 shoes offer super low profile cushioning and have a rounded heel to promote a more natural foot strike when running or walking. These shoes also have a Hexagonal flex grooves which will work with the biomechanics of your foot helping it to move naturally.

Pros:
Very light weight.
The best shock absorbing nike shoes that you can buy.
Helps to position your feet in a more natural way to prevent foot injuries.
Available in just about every style imaginable.

Cons:
Tight fitting.

4.Ultra Boost ST running Shoes $162

Even though these shoes have been designed for runners there is no question that these shoes are perfect for anyone who is on their feet all day. These shoes come with Adidas STRETCHWEB outsole technology that helps to provide your feet with the ultimate heel to toe gait transition. What is more these shoes have an adaptive Adidas Primeknit upper and ergonomic heel which helps to stop the build up of pressure under your heel and support your feet where they need it the most.

Pros:
Excellent shock absorption.
Provides your feet with stability and support at the heel.
Light weight.

Cons:
Quite expensive.
Look a little “chavvy”.

5.Rockport Men’s We are Rockin Chranson Walking Shoe $59.99

These shoes are not as stylish as the others but are just as comfortable. These shoes have been specially designed to flex in just about every position helping to give your feet the full range of motion that they need to avoid injury. These shoes also have been made with biomechanics in mind and will support your feet during the gait cycle in the places that they need support the most. The outer sole is made out of shock absorbing rubber to help prevent damage from shocks and to keep you on your feet all day long without any aches or pains arising.

Pros:
Light weight.
Inexpensive.
Roomy and plenty of wiggle room for your feet.
Shock absorbing outer soles.
Breathable.
Available in a range of different sizes and colours.

Cons:
A bit on the ugly side.

[Author]

Posts