7 Best Shoes For Walking And Standing All Day in 2024

Laci
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7 Best Shoes For Walking And Standing All Day in 2024
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Shoes for standing all day are not only meant to take good care of your feet but also keep your entire body supported. Be it an 8-hour shift at work or just a busy day on your feet. Here you’ll find a shoe with all the stability and plushness to keep you upright and pain-free.

Maybe you need a shoe for flat feet and overpronation or a shoe that accommodates wider feet? Or perhaps you prefer a mix of style and comfort or a more budget-friendly option? 

We recommend the best models in several categories based on the results of our tests - both wear tests and lab tests. 

How we test walking shoes

Given the number of options available, how do you choose that perfect shoe that helps you walk and stand all day long? Don’t worry, we’re here to do the dirty work for you. With our extensive knowledge of what makes perfect footwear and a scrupulous shoe-testing methodology, we've selected the best options out there:

  • To keep our reviews honest, we avoid sponsorships and buy all tested shoes ourselves.
  • We spend hours and sometimes days, walking around in the shoes to check every essential aspect, from cushioning to breathability.
  • We take everything up a notch and do mad testing in our lab. We measure almost every imaginable parameter so we can give you the most complete shoe evaluation. We even cut the shoes into pieces for an all-out perspective.

Best walking shoes for all-day wear overall

Nike Motiva
90
Great!

What makes it the best?

It’s hard to find a walking shoe that can match Nike Motiva for all-day wear. As our ultimate pick in this category, it delivers unparalleled comfort, effortless strides, and surprising longevity. Whether indoors or outdoors, at work or at leisure, these shoes provide an exceptional and pain-free experience that makes us forget about time altogether.

Taking our strolls to new heights is Motiva’s generous 34.9/25.6 mm stack made of ultra-plush foam. We felt like we were on cloud nine, and our durometer confirmed this sensation with a 15.0 HA reading. Its leg-saving nature made the miles roll by while its unique wave design underfoot helps with weight distribution.

Each stride forward feels silky smooth thanks to its standout rocker design. While its geometry is evident, it truly comes alive in motion. To maintain this movement, Motiva incorporates a rigid midsole, which registers a stiffness level 43.1% beyond the average in our flex test.

The outsole features Nike’s signature waffle pattern, offering traction from dry to wet pavements. It barely showed signs of wear after extensive testing, and our durometer confirms its durability with a high 92.0 HC reading and a thick 3.0 mm rubber.

Due to its soft midsole, we advise overpronators to opt for a more supportive shoe, as Motiva may lack the additional stability required for their gait.

Pros

  • Rocker makes for effortless walks
  • Audaciously plush cushioning
  • Out-of-the-box comfort
  • Very wide and stable base (for walking/jogging only!)
  • Durable and grippy sole
  • Amazing wear resistance in the upper
  • A Nike shoe that's NOT tight and narrow

Cons

  • Lacks breathability for hot weather
  • Sole develops wrinkles easily
  • Rocker takes time to get used to
Full review of Nike Motiva

Best slip-on walking shoes for all-day wear

On Cloud 5
88
Good!

What makes it the best?

The On Cloud 5 outclasses all the other slip-on walking shoes for all-day wear because its no-tie mechanism hits the ‘convenience’ spot we like in a walking shoe. What’s unbelievable is that we felt a fantastic lockdown without the need to adjust the shoe’s fit. Hours after hours of wear is also something we didn’t mind with this shoe, as we found it very lightweight and flexible. We also realized that On Cloud 5 is gentle on our feet, whether or not we wore socks – we never got blisters or hot. 

Wearing this shoe felt like nothing was on our feet, and this was supported by the small number we got when we turned the scale on. The On Cloud 5 only weighed 7.5 oz (212g), which is 24% lighter than the average. Furthermore, superb air circulation is also something to look forward to with this shoe based on our test. The amount of smoke we filled the insides of On Cloud 5 with was also the amount of smoke that cleared out insanely quickly, scoring 5/5 on our breathability test. 

As much as we admire the non-heel-slip fit of Cloud 5, we did not like its tightness, especially around the toe box. This snugness manifested in our caliper measurements of the upper, reading 89.5 mm as the widest part of the forefoot (7% narrower than the average), which incidentally is also the tightest among other walking shoes we have measured and evaluated. Due to this, we suggest checking out wide selections if you do not belong on the slim footers' side. 

Pros

  • Perfect for all-day wear
  • Unbelievably lightweight
  • Can do low-impact workouts
  • Amazing in-shoe feel
  • Very breathable
  • Super easy on-off
  • Great flexibility
  • Regular laces are added
  • Sustainable materials (44%)

Cons

  • Not for wide feet
  • Lacks durability
  • Outsole catches pebbles
Full review of On Cloud 5

Walking shoes for all-day wear with the best cushioning

Hoka Transport
83
Decent!

What makes it the best?

Hoka Transport edged out every other walking shoe in terms of cushioning and overlong wear. We found that overall, its footbed is unequal – lushness, softness, and support included. During our round-the-clock travels, exhaustion and discomfort are out of the shoe’s vocabulary! 

In our lab, we dove in deeper and sliced the shoe in half, revealing a liberally cushioned Transport. Furthermore, our caliper clocked in heel and forefoot stack heights of 34.1 mm and 26.1 mm, which are thicker than the averages by 3.2 mm and 4.7 mm, respectively. 

We were even more pleased when we pressed our durometer to the midsole, as it showed a superb level of softness of 21.9 HA – 25.5% more plush than average. This translated to a phenomenal feel during our extended city strolls. 

Even though it is incredibly soft underfoot, this didn’t lead to any wobbliness. Upon investigating, we discovered that Transport’s stiffness led to a stable platform, along with a wide base.

In our lab, we measured the resistance to the bending of 30.4N, which is 59.2% stiffer than average. However, for people who prioritize flexibility over everything else, we advise seeking other pairs that allow for more natural bending of feet while walking.

Pros

  • Unbelievably comfy
  • Spacious toe box
  • Adequately cushioned
  • Superior traction
  • Reliable outsole durability
  • Easy to slip in and out
  • True-to-size fit
  • Easy to clean
  • Sustainable

Cons

  • Not great for warm weather
  • Squeaky during break-in
Full review of Hoka Transport

Best rocker-bottom walking shoes for all-day wear

KEEN WK400
79
Decent!

What makes it the best?

The KEEN WK400 undeniably stands out as the best-rockered shoe for all-day walking. In our actual wear tests and meticulous lab assessments, it truly solidifies its status. With a design that encourages movement, we could mindlessly be on foot for hours thanks to its matched comfort, stability, and resilient outsole.

A defining element is its KEEN CURVE midsole. A sturdy full-length plate beneath the midsole preserves its rocker design, enhancing our surefootedness with every stride. Our bend test indicates it's 60.8% stiffer than the average walking shoe.

The unique midsole attracted our attention, leading us to dissect the shoe. Our caliper reveals a skyscraper 45.7 mm heel, delivering luxurious comfort. Paired with a 24.3 mm forefoot, the resulting drop of 21.4 mm facilitates smooth forward transitions and notably reduces pressure on our lower limbs. This kind of drop is one of the steepest we’ve ever measured. We also loved its velvet touch and springy nature, enhancing a forgiving ride.

Beneath our feet lies a very protective outsole—12.7% tougher and 2.4 mm thicker than the average walking shoe. Our lab results emphasize its resilience and longevity even on off-the-beaten paths.

On the flip side, it's also among the heaviest walking shoes we've tested. Tipping the scales at 13.4 oz (381g), it's 40.1% above average.

Pros

  • Rocker sole propels you forward
  • Copious amount of cushioning
  • Takes stress and pressure off the feet
  • Amazingly comfortable step-in feel
  • Highly durable and abrasion-resistant
  • More stable than it seems!
  • Can go from road to trail

Cons

  • Needs some getting used to
  • Heavier than average
Full review of KEEN WK400

Walking shoes for all-day wear with the best arch support

What makes it the best?

Enjoying all-day comfort with Skechers Arch Fit 2.0 makes the nine-to-five grind a delight as it offers the best arch support. The lab and the streets witnessed its remarkable stability and balanced cushion, ensuring our feet were well taken care of to prevent discomfort, uneven collapsing, and potential injuries.

Time quickly passes by as our feet melt into the skyscraper cushioning. Our heels and lower legs felt free from strain due to its chunky rear area, which our caliper shows is a mind-blowing 39.2 mm thick, 6.6 mm above average. To bolster our form, AF2 maintains a dense foam so that it doesn’t compress unevenly, which our durometer confirms is 21.6% firmer than average.

Its reinforcing presence even got stronger with its vast landing base and stiff midsole. Our lab reveals a wider-than-average 114.5/90.9 mm forefoot and heel and a midsole that’s more resistant to bending than average by 15.7%. These elements guide our foot alignment without much intrusion.

For whole-day trips, enduring materials are a must. However, the upper, heel, and outsole didn’t make the cut, wreaking havoc in our Dremel test. If a long shoe lifespan is a priority, we suggest exploring further.

Pros

  • Amazing support for overpronation
  • Wide and stable platform
  • Tons of cushioning
  • Lighter than the Arch Fit 1.0
  • Perfect for all-day wear
  • Padded and cozy interiors
  • True to size and fit

Cons

  • Very poor breathability
  • Lacks durability
Full review of Skechers Arch Fit 2.0

Best slip-resistant walking shoes for all-day wear

Hoka Bondi SR
84
Decent!

What makes it the best?

When it comes to non-stop use during the day, the clear winner in having divine comfort and unbeatable traction is the Hoka Bondi SR. This shoe got us out of many slippery situations plus it carried us through hours of walking and standing without leaving us with any displeasure. 

No wonder Bondi SR provided us with a home-like environment for our feet, especially with its bulk of cushioning and padding inside. Working with our caliper, we identified exactly how substantial the cushioning is: 39.4 mm at the heel and 31.2 mm at the forefoot. This amount exceeds the typical stack heights of walking shoes by 25.9% and 48.6%, respectively. The tongue, on the other hand, punched in a thickness of 11.1 mm, which makes the 3.9 mm average nothing in comparison, or 184.6 thinner, to be specific! 

Moving on to the outsole, we established that it is 0.8 HC harder than the average at 73.1 HC. A softer outsole corresponds to stickier traction. However, its slight difference from the standard still afforded us safety whether we were walking on wet floors or smooth tiles. The only thing holding us back was the shoe’s weight, which we recorded to be 14.25 oz (404g). If you care about the 57.8% weight increase from the usual walking shoes, then we advise skipping the Bondi SR.

Pros

  • Comfort is off-the-charts
  • Extra thick cushioning for all-day support
  • Smooth heel-to-toe transitions
  • Alleviates foot discomfort (podiatrist approved)
  • Stable for a neutral shoe
  • Slip-resistant outsole
  • Superior material quality
  • Water-resistant leather upper
  • Accommodating toebox

Cons

  • Heavy and bulky
  • Not breathable
Full review of Hoka Bondi SR

Best budget walking shoes for all-day wear

Skechers Summits
91
Superb!

What makes it the best?

Does not empty the pocket? Check! The epitome of perpetual indulgence? Yes! These are the highlights of our experience while using and testing the Skechers Summit, which is why it is our number one best-budget walking shoes for all-day wear.

Summits set us back by only $65. Relative to the usual price of walking shoes, we found that this shoe has a 26.6% price advantage. But the cheap cost didn’t stop it from having a jampacked cushioning. In fact, we measured the stack heights in our lab to be 36.4 mm in the heel and 20.6 mm in the forefoot. This resulted in a 15.8 mm drop, which is 53.4% higher than average. It seemed like we were stepping on plump pillows, so we never mind being on our feet the whole day.

Another test that confirms its cushiony and pillowy characteristics is the midsole hardness test using our durometer. We discovered that Summits’ midsole is 16.3% softer than most at 21.1 HA, turning our day-outs into incredibly comfy trips.

One factor that affected the shoe’s wearability from day to night was its lack of proper ventilation. The upper released a little volume of smoke compared to the amount we injected inside, so we scored its breathability a 2/5. If your future all-day travels involve strolls at high temperatures, we suggest switching to other breathable walking shoes.

Pros

  • Like walking on soft clouds
  • Super lightweight
  • Easy to put on and off
  • Very affordable
  • Highly flexible
  • Surprisingly durable upper
  • Suitable for casual attire

Cons

  • Lacks breathability
  • Exposed foam wears out fast
  • Memory Foam doesn't last long
Full review of Skechers Summits
Author
Laci
Laci
Laci is a contemporary dancer turned shoe aficionado. She is the most knowledgeable person when it comes to athletic shoes, size conversions and details people nitpick about footwear. She keeps the RunRepeat content gears turning 24/7. And she walks 20miles/week.