The best shoes for standing all day in 2026

Best overall: Brooks Ghost 18

They're the most comfortable Ghosts yet. I've now tested four generations of the Brooks Ghost sneakers, and they just get better every time.

They have every feature our podiatrists recommend. These have lightweight cushioning, heel stability, a relatively rigid sole, and an airy mesh upper. Plus, the insoles are removable if you need to add more arch support.

Importantly, they lace up. Priya Parthasarathy, DPM, a Maryland-based podiatric surgeon with Foot Ankle Specialists of the Mid-Atlantic, says lace-up shoes offer better support for standing all day compared to slip-ons.

They're comfortably cushioned, but firm enough for long shifts. We had a chef test different models of the Ghost sneakers through over a dozen 10-hour shifts, multiple 12-hour travel days, and long days of cleaning and remodeling while standing on a concrete floors, and Brooks always remains at the top of our list. The Ghost 18 has the same lightweight, slightly springy DNA LOFT v3 midsoles, offering plushness without sacrificing stability. Our chef tester especially appreciated the structured heel support, which helped keep his knees and lower back comfortable.

The small design upgrades make a big difference in comfort. The Ghost 18s are very, very similar to their predecessors, but the small tweaks in the new model feel worthwhile. The mesh uppers breathe better and have a softer tongue that's plush where the laces press against your foot. They're also thinner around the edges to minimize rubbing.

Brooks also lowered the heel collar, eliminating the stiff Achilles area that felt slightly irritating in the 17s. They also have a new OrthoLite X-60 sockliner insoles, which makes them a little softer underfoot without any actual changes to the support I felt after more than 8 hours of walking.

There are more options for everyone. The Ghost 18s come in four widths as well as waterproof Gore-Tex versions (Men's│Women's). The new colorways also feel more on-trend, with soft neutrals and more understated color combinations replacing Brooks' traditionally bold and bright designs.

Best cushioned: Asics GEL-Nimbus 28

While the GEL-Nimbus 27s were my go-to walking shoe for nearly two years, the new GEL-Nimbus 28s are the most comfortable version yet.

They're lightweight and breathable. Weighing in at 9.8 ounces, this model is slightly lighter than its predecessor. Even after spending 6 hours walking on concrete floors, my arches, calves, and knees still felt supported and fresh (well, as fresh as can be expected) by the end of the day.

They're softly cushioned, but not overly so. I'm conscious of highly cushioned shoes that end up feeling packed down or "muddy" after long walks. And while these are slightly less stiff than my previous pair, their 2mm of FF Blast Plus foam in the midsole area gives them a supportive, structured feel.

There's still firm structure to help support your stance. The gel heel counter helps limit movement in the foot's tendons (which is why they're some of the best shoes for plantar fasciitis). The new knit uppers are also better at holding their shape snugly and firmly, while still allowing my toes to splay naturally.

The trade-off is that these are still very plush shoes. If you prefer a firmer, more grounded feel, the Brooks 18s may work better for you than the Asics.

Best for walking: On Cloudtilt

Their soft-but-rigid cushioning stays springy after standing all day. I've tested a lot of different walking shoes, and the On Cloudtilts strikes a perfect balance between cushioned and supportive. On's signature technology, CloudTec, builds the midsole out of firm foam cutouts, or "clouds," to provide structured support. These clouds are organized in a sequential collapse pattern, so they compress gradually in away that offers just the right amount of give. This allows for better balance and disperses the impact of walking all day, thereby reducing fatigue in your legs.

The uppers feel super stretchy and breathable. The Cloudtilts use a knit upper made from 100% recycled polyester that feels more elastic and forgiving — especially if your feet tend to swell. It hugs your foot like a sock without trapping heat. One downside: The sock-like upper means you lose some structure and lateral stability, so it's not ideal if you pivot a lot on the job.

The secure laces are easy to slip on and off. Dr. Parthasarathy says she finds lace up shoes are more supportive for standing and walking all day compared to one-size-fits-all slip ons. That said, sometimes you want a shoe that slips on and off easily. I love that this lace system lets you tighten across the top of the foot as needed, but has enough stretch and a simple stopper knot so you can slip them off without having to untie and re-tie every time.

Best clogs: Dansko Platform Pro

Their legendary support earns them podiatrists' praise. There's a reason "Dansko" is pretty much synonymous with "supportive clogs": The brand's shoes are built with a footbed like no other — contoured specifically to reduce strain on the feet, ankles, and lower leg and made with memory foam to learn your foot's curves the more you wear them.

I wore the Platform Pro clogs for over six hours of standing at an outdoor concert, as well as many all-day stints at my standing desk. They support my arches and are cushioned in the forefoot to prevent metatarsal pain. The heel counter is very firm, and there's a slight 0.5-inch heel-drop wedge — two features podiatrists recommend for lessening foot fatigue.

They're slip-resistant. Designed with an outsole that grips on wet, dry, and oily surfaces, the Platform Pro is ideal for kitchens, hospitals, or anywhere with slick floors. The chrome-free, breathable lining keeps your feet from overheating through long shifts.

The leather is super versatile and ages well. I particularly love how chic and versatile the leather Platform Pros are over any other Danskos. They pair nicely with jeans or slacks, so they're great for any dress code.

They're not too clunky — though they're a bit loud, and not the most lightweight. The platform on these clogs gives them a bit of an elevated look, but they're also designed with Dansko's signature rocker sole to promote natural movement as you walk. This helps to minimize the clunkiness. That said, they aren't quite as lightweight as, say, the Sorel Caribou Clogs. They're also a little noisy to clomp around in on hardwood or concrete floors, so if you work in a quiet office, these might not be the best pick.

Best non-slip: Crocs On the Clock Work Sneaker

They're made for spills and easy to clean. Our chef tester wore these on multiple 10+ hour standing kitchen shifts — including one at a very messy oyster station — and only had good things to report. These sneakers, which are part of the Crocs At Work collection, have a synthetic Nubuck overlay that's good at preventing spills from seeping inside, and it's very easy to wipe clean.

They're actually slip-resistant. Testing confirms: The Crocs Lock outsole is reliable at preventing a wipe out on slick kitchen floors.

They're comfortable and breathable. These sneakers are built with Crocs' premium LiteRide footbed, which is why they're beloved among cooks, nurses, and other professionals who are on their feet all day. Our tester reported that his feet felt well-supported and free of aches after long shifts on hard kitchen floors. The lace-up sneakers are ideal for most restaurant workers who need ankle security as they pivot during busy shifts. Our tester also appreciated how breathable the upper material of these sneakers are, especially with their waterproofing overlay.

They're well-priced. I hear so many cooks complain about how the expensive, orthopedic non-slip shoes may be worth the price once, but eventually they get too stained and smelly to keep. The Crocs On the Clock Work Sneaker is easy to clean and rewear for longer, and at $70, they aren't too painful to replace when the time comes.

They're polished enough for front-of-house service. We decided to rank these sneakers slightly above the Crocs Bistro Work Clogs (which are worth an honorable mention) because they offer a more clean, understated look for servers and bartenders.

Best for working outdoors: Wolverine Overpass CarbonMax 6" Boot

They're proper work boots — durable, weather-ready, and grippy. Wolverine has been making work gear since the early 1900s, with a long-standing reputation for quality and durability. While my husband has torn through other boots within half a landscaping or construction season, this pair showed no wear-and-tear (besides dirt stains) after two and a half months of heavy use. These boots are made with premium waterproof leather, an abrasion-resistant toe, and a ContourWelt construction that feels both flexible and secure.

They have a composite safety toe.Wolverine's Overpass CarbonMax boots are made with a composite safety toe made from lightweight carbon fiber. This meets the ASTM standards for impact and compression, and feels more lightweight than steel-toed boots. Unlike steel, it also won't conduct heat or cold, making it a better choice for extreme weather. It's also thinner than traditional steel toes, giving your toes more wiggle room without sacrificing protection.

They're comfortable for standing on soil or concrete. These boots required zero break in time and were comfortable for an all-day shift right out the box.Their shock-absorbing midsoles and removable Ortholite footbeds minimized foot fatigue, even after standing on concrete or uneven ground for 8+ hours. They also have a slight lift in the heel to take the pressure off your foot tendons.

They're lightweight and breathable. Despite being incredibly durable and having that protective composite toe, these boots weigh just 1.63 pounds. And even though they're waterproof, they're still quite breathable thanks to a moisture-wicking mesh liner.

They're backed by a 30-day comfort guarantee. Wolverine offers a 30-day money-back guarantee if you don't find these boots comfortable once you've worn them on the job.

Best sandal: Fitflop RELIEFF Recovery Toe-Post Sandals

These combine the ease of flip flops with orthotic-level support. These look like your average poolside flip-flops, but they're secretly built like a recovery shoe. They combine a firm, supportive sole with a plush recovery foam footbed that absorbs shock and relieves pressure at key points like your heel, arch, and ball of the foot.

The wide toe box also lets your foot spread naturally, and the slight 1-inch heel takes pressure off your plantar fascia — a feature recommended by our podiatrists. I've worn the Fitflop RELIEFF Recovery Sandals for over 8+ hours walking and standing in museums and shops around Spain, as well as over four straight days out and about in New York City, and my feet felt as comfortable as if I were wearing sneakers.

They're surprisingly stylish for orthotics. With their slight heels and regular-width straps, these flip flops blend in perfectly with a casual summer outfit without screaming "sensible footwear."

They do rub a little in the humidity. I don't think this is a deal breaker because no blisters formed, and they felt fine when I wore them for shorter stints in drier West Coast climates. But after two days of standing on subways, in line at museums, and walking around a humid late-June New York, the straps caused some friction between my toes and outer edge of my foot. I wore preventative Band-Aids, which fixed the issue.

Other shoes we tested

Honorable mention: Crocs Bistro Work Clogs

Many cooks and chefs prefer shoes that slip off easily in case of hot liquid spills. The Crocs Bistro Work Clogs do just that — and kept our kitchen tester's feet supported on countless 10+ hour shifts — while still offering Crocs Lock slip-resistant tread, toe protection, and a heel strap to keep your foot secure as you move around the kitchen.

• Hey Dude Wally Work CE Classic Slip Resistant: These non-slip shoes are lightweight, have removable insoles, and are overall pretty comfortable, but they aren't breathable enough.

• Hoka Gaviota 6: While these are our favorite walking shoes for extra arch support, the Gaviota (and most Hokas, for that matter) aren't rigid enough to off-set the high cushioning. They started to feel too squishy after a few hours of standing in them.
• Nike Motiva: With a breathable upper, wide toe box, and balanced cushioning, the Nike Motivas proved to be comfortable for hours on your feet — though not quite as supportive as the Brooks Ghost 17s or Asics Gel Nimbus 27s.
• Oofos OOmy Zen: A slide-on, high-cushion sneaker from a great recovery footwear brand, these shoes are very comfortable for walking all day. They run a full size small and may be a little too cumbersome for some people, but if you're not a fan of the Asics Gel Nimbus 28s, these are a solid high-cushion alternative.
• Wolverine Rev UltraSpring DuraShocks Vent CarbonMax Work Boot: These lightweight boots are made with the same top-tier durability, composite toe, and high-traction outsoles as the Wolverine Overpass boots, and come with a cushioned, energy-returning footbed. They just take a little longer to break in.
• 5.11 A/T 6" Non-Zip Boot: These work boots are super comfortable, breathable, and have great traction, but the toe box wore through with holes after just four months of landscaping.

What to look for in the best shoes for standing all day

"Wearing high-quality, comfortable footwear for standing all day lowers your risk of injury and other foot issues, such as plantar fasciitis or neuromas," says Dr. Parthasarathy. Conversely, choosing unsupportive footwear can create inflammatory conditions that may take months to resolve, Dr. Oldani adds. Here's what both experts recommend:

A shoe that matches your activity. If you're walking a lot during your shift, you'll want something with more ankle support than clogs. If you're working construction, you need a boot durable enough to withstand flying debris.

Cushioning. This is crucial to increasing shock absorption and reducing stress on your ankles.

Rigidity. When you hold the shoe by heel and toe, you shouldn't be able to fold it in half.

Supportive heel counter. A solid heel counter cradles your Achilles tendon and prevents you from excessively rolling your feet inward as you step (also called "overpronation").

Breathability. When you're in an active profession, even air flow prevents overheating.

A slight wedge. A slight lift in the heel (half an inch, ideally) takes pressure off your Achilles and plantar fascia.

Removable insoles. Ideally, you can place a custom orthotic in your shoe as needed.

Secure straps. Some people find a lace-up shoe provides better support for standing all day because it keeps your foot in place.As for sandals, look for styles with adjustable ankle straps, including one over the toes for better stabilization.

FAQs on the best shoes for standing all day

What are the best shoes for standing all day?

After testing 25 pairs of shoes, we think the Brooks Ghost 18s are the best shoe for most people who spend hours on their feet. They're cushioned to absorb shock, but rigid enough to not fold in half, with a firm and supportive heel counter.

Are flat shoes good for standing all day?

No, flat shoes aren't ideal. You actually want a shoe with a slight 0.5-inch heel, as this helps take strain off your foot tendons, and one with a supportive footbed, Dr. Parthasarathy says.

Are HOKAs good shoes for standing all day?

It depends on which model, but for the most part, HOKAs are too flexible to support your joints for hours at a time. If you want a similar high-cushion shoe with a more rigid midsole for better support, opt for the Asics Gel Nimbus 28s.

What should I do if my feet hurt after a long day of standing?

If your feet hurt after standing all day, Dr. Parthasarathy recommends rotating your shoes to provide different levels of cushion and support, stretching during and after your shift, and icing to reduce inflammation. She adds that wearing compression socks may also help.