What are the best shoes for standing all day? The best standing desk shoes should be comfortable, durable but most importantly supportive.
In this post, we’ve done the research, checked the ratings from actual buyers, and relied on expert input in addition to my own personal experience, so that you have the most genuine, accurate, and authentic recommendations to help you select the best option for your situation.
There are so many benefits to using a standing desk while you’re working, but part of using one is that your feet can really start to ache after long hours of working while standing.
Sometimes an anti-fatigue mat isn’t an option so you need to find a good pair of shoes that will keep your feet comfortable and supported while working while standing at your standing desk.
So if you’re looking for the perfect pair of shoes to wear while standing at a desk and you still want to look professional while also being comfortable, you’re in the right place.
In addition, we’re not only talking about business dress footwear, but we’re also talking about casual and blue collar footwear too.
There are many types of shoes available for standing while you’re working at your standing desk.
The shoes we’re talking about here are designed specifically with standing as you work. You can use them as regular everyday shoes or even wear them on days when you’re not at your desk. The best part is that most won’t break the bank either. So if you want to get yourself some new shoes for work, these are the ones we recommend.
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Best Shoes to Wear When Standing at a Desk?
Standing on a hard floor for extended periods of time can make even the most active and health-conscious people writhe in agony.
Your feet ache.
Your lower back aches.
Your legs ache.
Trust me – I’ve been there, done that and got the t-shirt.
That’s why getting good shoes that are the right size is a good idea to counter these negative effects for anyone who plans on using a standing desk.
The most important thing to remember about all this is that when it comes to picking the best shoes to wear when you are using a standing desk, it all comes down to context.
If you are using a standing desk in a traditional office, it is unlikely you will be able to get away with wearing informal shoes, like Nike running shoes, or Birkenstock sandals. You will definitely want to consider shoes that are made for standing all day.
Best Standing Desk Shoes For Business Formal Wear
If you decide to use a standing desk at the office, you might think that you will have to sacrifice your sense of style for the comfort that you will need. Luckily, that is simply not the case. There are plenty of options for fashionable formal shoes that are made specifically for standing all day. Whether you are a man or a woman, you should not have to sacrifice your foot health to look professional while you are working at your stand desk. Check out these fabulous options for business formal shoes below.
Best Standing Desk Shoes For Business Professional Wear
If your office is a little less formal, you may be more interested in business professional shoes. Usually, business professional shoes include shoes such as loafers for men and heels or flat shoes for women. Let’s look at some examples of these shoes.
Best Standing Desk Shoes For Business Casual Wear
Business casual is a much less formal type of fashion than other types of business wear. As a matter of fact, it is usually seen as the least formal type of clothing that most businesses allow in their dress code. Clothes-wise, business casual usually includes khakis, slacks, polo shirts, and fitted blouses. There are generally more color options available in business casual wear when compared to more formal attire. Here are some examples of business casual shoes:
Best Standing Desk Shoes For Blue-Collar Work
Blue collar work shoes are made for those who work in high activity, and sometimes downright dangerous jobs. That is why these shoes are usually equipped with additional benefits such as protection features like steel toes or fire resistance. Since blue-collar workers are, as a rule, on their feet most of the day, their choice of shoes is very important. Here are some of the most popular blue-collar shoes available.
Even when it comes to working from home a really basic comfortable shoe like Crocs (like the ones I’m wearing right now) are a great choice to use while standing.
Factors To Consider in Standing Shoes
There are several factors that you should look for in a shoe that you are expecting to stand in all day. There are many foot health benefits to reap by considering all of these factors and choosing your shoes based on these factors. Here are some of the most important factors to consider when choosing the most comfortable shoes possible:
- The outsole-Your shoes should have full contact with the ground. This will spread the pressure evenly throughout your entire foot, rather than concentrating the pressure in one area, which is sure to cause foot pain.
- The midsole- The midsole of your shoes should have enough cushioning, and even extra cushioning if you feel like you need it.
- Enough space- No matter what your foot size is, narrow shoes may still pinch your feet after standing in them all day. Make sure your new shoes have enough space inside for all of your toes to spread out.
- Good grip- A good grip and strong soles are crucial in order to avoid slips and falls in the workplace. Durable soles with a good grip will also help make standing less exhausting.
- High offset- A higher heel-to-toe offset will set your heel higher than your toes. This means that less stress will be placed on your Achilles tendon and your calf muscles. This will be useful for long periods of standing.
While there are many benefits to using a standing desk, it can also be tough on your feet. After all, standing for a long amount of time can lead to fatigue, discomfort, and even pain. So what type of shoes are considered anti-fatigue shoes that you can wear if you are going to be spending most of your day on your feet?
There is no single best shoe style for standing at work. Some people prefer sneakers while others like dress shoes. But there is one thing everyone agrees on: You need proper footwear.
A good pair of minimalist shoes — such as Vibram Five Fingers or Merrell Moab Trail Shoes — is better than wearing nothing. And your office flooring makes a big difference too.
People should choose the type of shoe they want to wear depending on whether they are standing or seated. If you spend most of your time walking around, it is important to pick something comfortable enough to walk in all day long.
If you work out regularly, a good pair of running shoes will help prevent injury. However, if you sit down frequently, you might consider getting some orthopedic insoles or more supportive shoes to protect your feet from the pressure you are putting on your feet.
Adjustable standing desks are great if you exercise regularly. They can cause injury if you do not take care of them properly, though. Make sure you use a stool or chair that provides adequate support for your legs and back.
Essential Truths about Using a Standing Desk
I have been using an adjustable standing desk in conjunction with a standing mat and good shoes for years now, and here are four things that I have learned along the way.
1. You do not have to stand all day long. If you do, you might feel tired, stiff, sore, and cramped. But there are ways to work comfortably while standing. For example, you could use a laptop on a table beside you, or you could even sit down occasionally.
2. Your body gets used to it. After a few days, you will not notice how much better you feel when you are standing. And your muscles adapt quickly. In fact, some studies suggest that people who spend most of their working hours sitting outgrow the ability to walk properly.
3. It makes you smarter. When you are standing, you are forced to move around more often. This helps keep your brain active. Plus, it improves blood circulation and reduces stress levels.
4. You save money. Studies show that employees who spend less time sitting at their desks save $2,500 per year in healthcare costs. So standing does not just help your health; it saves you money too.
Wearing Shoes at a Standing Desk is a Must
Standing all day is hard on your body. You might think it does not matter what type of footwear you choose, but there are some things you should know about standing all day. If you are not knowledgeable about your choice of footwear, you could end up hurting yourself.
Make sure you have a couple of pairs of good shoes—or better yet, slippers—to protect your feet. They are called orthotics because they help keep your foot aligned properly, which will help tremendously with sore feet and add additional comfort to your feet. Orthotics are especially important for people who spend long periods of time sitting down, such as drivers or office workers.
Do not forget to take regular breaks every half hour or so. Your body needs rest, too. Take a few minutes to stretch and move around after standing or sitting for extended periods. This helps release tension, keep you limber, and increase your comfort levels.
In addition, desk mats create a soft surface and are great to use in combination with the right shoes for shock absorption, especially if you have a hard surface like tile or hardwood floors in your home office.
Standing desk users, like myself, will often use a combination of a good supporting shoe in combination with an anti-fatigue mat.
But even then, the best standing desk mats can even enable you to go with bare feet while standing.
As someone who’s been working at home for a long time and regularly deals with the discomfort that can come from standing for a long time, going barefoot on a good desk mat is often a welcome relief.
When Using a Standing Desk Stretch and Move Regularly
Standing desks are great for people whose workday consists mostly of sitting down. But there are many benefits to stretching regularly after a period of standing, too. Here are some tips to keep you moving without hurting yourself.
1. Start slow. If you are just starting out, it is best to start with light stretches. You do not want to overdo it, because you will end up injuring yourself. Also, it takes about 30 minutes for muscles to adapt to movement. So, if you do a full-body stretch every hour, you will likely feel sore for the next few hours. Instead, try doing gentle stretches every half hour. This way, you will not hurt yourself, while still getting the benefits of exercise.
2. Do what feels good. Do not worry about how long you hold each pose; just focus on feeling comfortable. When you stretch, you want to make sure that your joints are not locked into place. You do not want your muscles to become tense, either. Try holding poses for 10 seconds, then relaxing for 5 seconds. Repeat several times.
3. Keep it simple. For beginners, it is best to stick to basic stretches. These include things like leg lifts, arm circles, shoulder rolls, and hip rotations. They are easy enough to learn, and they will give you immediate relief. As you gain experience, you can add more complex moves.
4. Get creative. Some people prefer to use props such as yoga blocks, foam rollers, or even books. You can use whatever works for you. Just make sure that you are not putting pressure on specific areas of your body.
5. Go for variety. One of the biggest mistakes people make when trying to stretch is sticking to one move. Doing the same thing over and over again does not provide much benefit. Instead, mix it up. Try different positions, different speeds, and different levels of difficulty.
6. Be patient. Once you have been stretching for a while, you will notice that your range of motion gets better. But it might take weeks or months before you see significant improvements.
Understanding Basic Ergonomics is Key
Your body should feel stable and balanced when you are standing. This is the basic concept of ergonomics and is important to remember for your own personal health. This helps prevent injuries and improves your performance.
Make sure your monitor is at the correct height so you do not have too much neck strain. You will want to make sure it is positioned so that your eyes are not looking down at the screen. Also, try to avoid having your arms hang over the edge of the desk. If you do, you might find yourself leaning forward and putting pressure on your wrists.
A comfortable keyboard will help prevent RSI, carpal tunnel syndrome, and other issues. Look for keyboards designed specifically for ergonomic use. Some companies offer keyboards that adjust based on how tall you are. Others have adjustable armrests and wrist supports.
If you work on multiple screens, try to position one next to another so that you can see both simultaneously without causing unnecessary strain on your eyes and neck strain
Alternate Between Sitting and Standing
Standing desks are becoming increasingly popular among office workers around the world. Standing up all day long can help you burn extra calories, boost energy levels, reduce stress, improve focus, and even increase productivity. However, it is important that you take regular breaks throughout the day. But what happens when you do not take enough sitting breaks throughout the day?
A study published in the journal Ergonomics found that people who stood continuously for five hours had lower blood pressure, heart rates, oxygen consumption, and carbon dioxide production compared to those who sat down every hour. In addition, the researchers observed that participants who took frequent breaks throughout the day tended to move less frequently and spend longer periods of time standing still.
The researchers concluded that it is crucial to take breaks during the day to avoid muscle fatigue and cramps. If you choose a standing desk, make sure you regularly stretch out your legs and arms to keep them limber. Also, consider investing in a good pair of shoes that fit well. These shoes will help prevent foot aches and pains while you’re standing all day.
Next Steps
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