3 Best Work Shoes

Based on our intense scrutinization, the clear top dog in work walking shoes is the Hoka Bondi SR. Yes, being tireless for a whole day of busting our asses at work is great but what we especially loved about the shoe is the protection we got from various hazards. The whole time we tested the shoes, no fluke ever happened - no tripping, instability, wet feet, and unreliable quality.

Even if we spilled some liquid on the shoes, Bondi shielded our feet completely. We double-checked this in the lab and did the smoke test to verify its impermeability. The exiting smoke was almost non-existent compared to the amount that we pumped so we scored the breathability 1/5, proving how impassable the upper was.

We find moving hurriedly at work inevitable. Fortunately, with Bondi, this isn’t a big deal as it is so sticky that it made us surefooted 100% of the time. In our lab, we measured the hardness of the outsole at 73.1 HC. This isn’t only 3.7% softer than average but it’s also just the perfect degree for an outsole to clutch hard onto the floor, preventing any sliding on slippery areas. 

Another fantastic thing about Bondi for work is its robustness. Pressing our Dremel tool to its upper made us realize how hard it is to penetrate and wear out the shoes, as our tool only tapered the material very slightly. However, we can’t vouch for Bondi in terms of lightness. We weighed it at 14.3 oz (404.0g), which is 50.5% heavier than average.

Hoka Clifton LS offers the best comfort among all the best work shoes we personally experienced and lab-tested. With its insanely plush cushioning and stable platform, we feel surefooted and relaxed all day. We have no hesitations in bringing this to work daily because it’s made of high-quality and durable materials.

Clifton LS offers a generous 35.2/27.0 mm heel and forefoot stack. This leads to an 8.2 mm drop that protects our heels from landing impact and relieves the pressure off our Achilles. Our toe-offs feel extra smooth thanks to its slightly rockered structure. 

On foot, the foam feels mind-blowingly comfortable without bottoming out. It’s soft enough to absorb impact and firm enough to provide a supportive ride. Our durometer confirms a balanced 21.3 HA. Further enhancing our surefootedness is the extremely vast landing platform. We saw one of the highest lab measurements at 122.8/95.5 mm in the heel and forefoot.

Clifton LS is built with robust materials that ensure longevity — such as suede and real leather in high-wear areas, and an above-average 80.5 HC outsole as per our durometer. It surpassed the average in our toebox (5/5) and heel padding (4/5) Dremel tests. Underfoot, we felt that the Durabrasion Rubber grips well on any indoor and outdoor surface.

Unfortunately, all the foam and resistant materials tipped the scales to a heavier 10.8 oz (305g) vs. the average 9.5 oz (269g) walking shoe.

We searched through actual walks and lab tests for the best arch support for the whole day grind—and Skechers Arch Fit 2.0 delivered. We found that it’s the finest choice for being on our feet all day because of its generous cushioning and unwavering stability, all for an affordable $90 price.Upon dissecting the shoe in half, we measured the heel to be a staggering 39.2 mm, 6.6 mm above average. This softens landing impact, ensuring we can focus on work without foot discomfort. With an above-average yet still modest 24.0 mm forefoot, the drop turned out to be a steep 15.2 mm, which brings the advantage of smooth forward strides and reduced strain on our lower legs.

During our wear tests, we felt that AF2 maintains a level of firmness and stiffness to keep us balanced, saving us from bottoming out and excessive foot motions. The shoe has several features that enhance stability—such as its firm cushion, slightly stiff build, and wide platform. Our lab results reaffirm our observations with foam 21.6% harder and a midsole that’s 15.7% more resilient than average.

Disappointingly, we can’t expect AF2 to last long since its outsole, toebox, and heel padding showed heavy signs of damage after our Dremel test. Those who want a long-lasting pair should look elsewhere.