The most comfortable shoes for standing all day
Foolproof tips on picking comfortable women shoes.
If you are like most women, you have many pairs of shoes in your closet. Of course, we all have statement shoes or stiletto heels that look amazing but are not so comfortable. Women have been known to tolerate a fairly high pain threshold to look good. There are times and places for these kinds of shoes, I get it. But then there are times when you need a shoe for standing all day; a time when a sneaker is not an option. Any modern woman needs a shoe that falls in the feels-great-and-looks-awesome category. I am talking about the kind where your feet are forgotten after you slip them on. These types of shoes are harder to come by. That led me to take a deep dive into the essentials of a comfortable shoe that you could stand in all day.
The most comfortable and supportive shoes have these things in common:
- Flexibility. Pick up a shoe and twist and bend it. It needs to have some give. This is critical in comfort footwear. Throughout the day your foot moves in many directions and you don’t want your foot fighting with a shoe that is too structured.
2. Rubber soles. Buy shoes with rubber soles for optimum shock absorption. This is very important if you are standing all day.
3. Insoles/footbeds. Choose shoes that have breathable and pliable insoles. A good one will provide support and cushioning to the foot. Insoles help prevent chafing and blistering. A well-designed insole will mold to the foot. Test a shoe for cushioning by pressing your finger into the ball area. It should have give or a slightly padded feel.
4. Leather or suede upper. Leather and suede form to your foot so the more you wear it, the more comfortable it will become. Leather is breathable and is an ideal choice for footwear. Avoid synthetics, these materials don’t breathe and will cause the foot to sweat and you will have a higher chance of blistering and foot odor.
Mary Sue Papale is the co-founder of Ashbury Skies and the Bendy: a modern, comfortable shoe with a conscience. She is based in San Francisco.
