Ultimate's Buyer's Guide To Choosing The Best Shoes For Standing On Concrete (Men And Women)

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A Buyer's Guide To Choosing The Best Shoes For Standing On Concrete All Day

There are many factors that you should consider when trying to determine the best shoes for standing on concrete for long hours. It goes without saying that we are all very different and in reality, there isn’t one shoe that is going to work for everyone. Some of us have flat feet or low arches, others have knee or hip injuries, and of course, we all have different circumstances in which we need the shoes. Maybe you are outside standing and walking on concrete in cold slippery weather for most of the day or maybe you are only inside on concrete or other hard surfaces for part of the day. Regardless, it is important for your comfort and for your long term enjoyment to find the right pair of shoes for you.

Accordingly, here are the factors that you should consider when trying to find the best shoes for standing on concrete all day.

Support: Best Shoes For Standing On Concrete 

There are three key areas of your foot that require support when standing on concrete for long hours. Those are your arches, heels and ankles. 

Arches

Some people may already be aware if they have flat feet or fallen arches. Most likely, they will have insoles or other orthotics to help address these issues. However, if this is a concern, it is a good idea before deciding on a shoe to specifically read the reviews about arch support. If you purchase a shoe that has excellent arch support, but your feet may still ache, you may wish to see a specialist to determine whether you have an undiagnosed issue. 

Heels

With respect to heels, for dress shoes, trainers and boots, you want to make sure that they provide a comfortable fit with limited movement to avoid rubbing. Clogs are different. They are designed to be slip on and slip off with reasonable movement around the heels. In this case, you will want to make sure that there isn't so much movement that you run the risk of tripping from lack of support when you are walking. Also, if you do have a job that requires standing on concrete for long hours, you may wish to find a shoe that has extra cushion in the heel.

Ankles

Ankle support is probably the trickiest. Sometimes you need a lot of support, especially if you are on uneven surfaces and you are at risk of turning your ankle. In this case, a boot could be the best answer. However, the flip side is that a boot can be too constraining or make you feel excessively hot which causes other issues. However, either way, you should make a proper assessment of what kind of challenges you are likely to face before choosing a shoe.

Slip or Skid Resistant

If you work outside in all kinds of weather or inside where you may run the risk of slipping or skidding on water or oil, you must pay attention to the type of outersole on the shoe. You want one that has lots of traction, preferably one that has a slip resistant sole. 

In addition, if you think that you will be faced with slippery conditions, you may wish to focus on those shoes that provide more security and stability in the ankle and foot, like boots or laced up trainers, rather than slip on shoes or clogs, to avoid your foot moving around in the shoe.

Wear And Tear: Best Shoes For Standing On Concrete For Long Hours

You work hard for your money so when you spend it, you want to make sure that you are spending wisely. When you have narrowed down your choices, make sure that you look for reviews that address the durability of the shoes. If you wear them every day, it is reasonable to expect them to last a minimum of one year before you need another pair.

That said, don’t throw the baby out with the bathwater. One or two bad reviews out of dozens and dozens, should not undermine what would otherwise be a fantastic option for you. You never really know how the reviewer actually used the shoe. 

Once you find a good comfortable shoe for standing on concrete all day and you have had an opportunity to use them for a couple of months, I would recommend purchasing a second pair right away. If you have found a pair that you like, there is nothing more frustrating than waiting until the last minute to replace them and finding them out of stock, more expensive, or the model has been modified.

Style: Best Shoes For Standing On Concrete All Day

There are five main style choices for the best shoes for standing on concrete for long hours. Those are closed toe business looking shoes (dress shoes), trainers, boots, clogs, and sandals. (I do not include sandals in this or my other articles about the best shoes for standing on concrete all day because sandals are rarely, if ever, acceptable at work.) Which ones you choose as the best shoes for standing on concrete all day will either be a purely personal choice of style mixed with comfort, support and durability factors, or work directed. Either way, in this day and age, there is a lot to choose from in every category so spend the time finding a shoe that looks as good as it feels. 

Boots, Trainers, Dress Shoes and Clogs

The order from the most stable and best support to least is: 

• boots;
• trainers,
• dress shoes
• clogs. 

The Advantages Of Boots

Properly fitting boots will most likely ensure the foot is secure in one place with lots of ankle support. 

The Advantages of Trainers

Trainers do not normally provide direct ankle support, but provide a lot of foot support from laces and thick rubber soles. Another added benefit is normally there is lots of breathable material to help with air flow to keep your feet cool and dry. 

The Advantages of Dress Shoes

Dress shoes could have buckles or laces that would help secure the foot, or could be slip-on with less support. You need to consider how you will use the shoe before choosing one type over another. You also need to make sure the sole is durable and thick as concrete will wear out soles faster than most other surfaces. 

The Advantages of Clogs

As for clogs, they are designed so that they are roomy and for your foot to comfortably move around in them. Support and stability will have to be found in the sole and cushion in the toes and heels. 

Comfort: Best Shoes For Standing On Concrete For Long Hours

Comfort is the ultimate goal in acquiring the best shoes for standing on concrete for long hours. Related to this is the amount of support that you need or the shoe offers, and the style of shoe, both of which have been discussed above. However, there is much more when considering what makes a comfortable shoe. 

• It would be best if the shoe is “breathable”, especially if you are working in a hot climate. This can be accomplished by purchasing shoes with natural materials, like leather, or finding a shoe that includes “breathable” man-made material, so that you can try to avoid sweating and overheating.
• Some shoes offer “shock absorbers” in the heels or the soles. These could be very beneficial for standing on concrete for long hours.
• Extra padding in the heel or the toes also help with comfort.
• The insole should be soft, offer cushion and be flexible, but also easily removed if you need to replace it with your own orthotics. 
• The shoe should fit snug around the heel without pinching or you may get cuts and bruises from your heel rubbing against the material as you walk on the concrete. Of course, if you need a clog or some other slip-on shoe, the fit around the heel is less important. Instead, you need to focus on the comfort of the sole and the cushion around the toes and the heels. 

Safety

If you have a job in construction or in a commercial kitchen, you may want to make sure your shoes have soft cap, steel toes or other types of protection in case heavy or sharp items land on your feet while standing on concrete for long hours. Obviously, this factor is not relevant for everyone who is looking to purchase the best shoes for standing on concrete all day. However, if there is any such risk in your employment, you should make sure those protective measures are included in the shoes.

Electrical Hazard Protection

If you will be employed in a commercial kitchen, construction or industrial site, you may also wish to find shoes that offer Electrical Hazard protection. These shoes may include materials within the shoe or in the outersole that would provide limited protection from certain levels of electrical currents from open circuits. 

Best Shoes For Standing On Concrete For Long Hours