20 Best work shoes to walk and stand all day compared in 2022

Posted at 11:00 • 08th Feb • Bernardo Carreira• Hemp

Different people need different things, so we made sure we added a good variety of footwear ranging from heavy-duty to more stylish options, some formal dress formats, and everything in the middle that can be used as work shoes.

Are you looking for good work shoes that are compatible with your long work hours? Does your work-life involve a lot of standing on hard surfaces all day long? Are you coming back home every day with aching feet and severe back pain? If your answer is ‘yes’ to all these questions, then you are in the right place.

A comfortable pair of shoes is a must-have for any busy person, who has to stay up on their feet the whole day. A shoe can be a game-changer when it comes to productivity. Here we have a list of the top 20 good shoes for working and standing all day in 2022. These are some of the best work shoes you’ll find.

Different people need different things, so we made sure we added a good variety of footwear ranging from heavy-duty to more stylish options, some formal dress formats, and everything in the middle that can be used as work shoes.

Comparison criteria:

Materials: this is directly related to what type of shoe they are and what type of design and use they have. We have some brands focusing on sustinability in the workplace, and some options focusing on safety.

Trust Pilot: There are many online review websites. Trust Pilot is the Golden standard of reviews, the Trip Advisor of products and services. And the main reason is because it is independent and free, unlike other websites where reviews are curated by brands.

Weight: One of the most important factors when comparing work shoes and their comfort to walk long hours.

Stylish: When picking an option you probably want something and good lookinga as possible. We tried to bring the best in each category.

Comfortable: Probably the most important criteria here since we are writing about shoes to stand all day.

Sustainable: It's the XXI century and this is a very important factor in every consumer decision.

Price range: Not all wallets are created equal, and price defines the value range on the website.

This is the world’s first waterproof hemp shoe. Hemp is a super material that is used in the home insulation process because of its temperature regulating properties, and that can help estimate how comfortable the shoe is. Hemp has antibacterial and antimicrobial properties as well, which keeps the feet fresh and the bad odour out.

The shoe is perfect for wearing at home, work, or any other occasion. It is stylish and available in a variety of different colors. The shoe’s insoles are the world’s first made-in-hemp which are revolutionary in terms of comfort, and they will definitely prevent you from reaching your home with sore feet. These are really good shoes for walking all day, and they might be the best work shoes out there.

The bottom of the shoe is constructed using algae, making it very light and durable. The shoe has a waterproof coating which makes it easy to clean, and then a waterproof membrane that keeps water out no matter what. In terms of sustainability, it’s 100% vegan and only 4.1 kg of CO2 emissions is produced per shoe.

Pros:

• Waterproof
• Sustainable with super low Carbon footprint
• Easy to clean
• Antibacterial and antimicrobial qualities
• Lightweight

Cons:

• No half sizes

Another addition to the best work shoes is the Seeker, a new model by 8000Kicks, that has just launched. It is made using the same material - water repellent hemp, but with recycled rubber outsoles instead of the algae outsoles like the Explorer V2. The new recycled rubber soles have unique speckled colors from the recycled fragments inside and are also more slip-resistant, because of the rubber.

These are not waterproof as the original Explorer but are much more stylish and casual. The Seeker is a flat sole sneaker with modern lines, perfect for cruising around the city, for those long-standing workdays, or just working behind the bar.

Because they are made out of hemp they have a temperature-regulating fit and are anti-bacterial and anti-microbial by default. The Seeker comes with the same unique hemp insole developed by 8000Kicks that reduces unwanted smells. They are a perfect pair of work shoes if you need something towards the stylish side.

Pros:

• Water repellent
• Sustainable with super low Carbon footprint
• Easy to clean
• Antibacterial and antimicrobial qualities
• Lightweight

Cons:

• No half sizes

This shoe is a product of a collaboration between the brand Veja and sole maker Vibram. It is definitely one of those shoes which prioritize the comfort of their customer over other factors.

These are good for walking all day long because they were specifically created for those who like to spend their time outdoors and traveling. If you’re one of those people who’re always on the go, running errands outdoors, these will be a good option.

The main material for this shoe is Alveomesh, which is a material made out of recycled polyester. This material is light, flexible, and breathable, making the shoe wearable on a daily basis. This proves these are indeed good work shoes.

These shoes aren’t waterproof though which might cause a huge hassle if you are working in wet conditions.

Pros:

• Sustainable
• Lightweight
• Flexible

Cons:

• Not waterproof, hence inconvenient in cases of rain
• Harder to clean
• No half sizes

If you’re looking for good shoes for walking all day, this might be a good option. It has an air-cooled memory foam insole which makes it very comfortable and relaxing to wear throughout the day.

The midsole of the shoe is translucent and air-cushioned, and the relaxed fit of the shoe provides room for the toe and foot to breathe in.

This pair of trainers are really good work shoes as they’re flexible and breathable. They ensure comfort throughout the day, whether you’re sitting or on the run. Moreover, they have a lace-up front, suede and leather upper, and a rubber traction outsole, making them the perfect shoe for a long day on hard surfaces.

These can be considered good work shoes. However, they’re not waterproof and they might be harder to clean as well.

Pros:

• Memory foam insole
• Air-cushioned Midsole
• 1 ¼ inch heel which provides support to the heel

Cons:

• Not waterproof
• Not sustainable
• Not easy to clean

These shoes aren’t just good work shoes, but also good shoes for walking all day. They’re stylish, trendy, and versatile.

This shoe is made using Nubuck, which is bovine leather, produced in Uruguay. This leather is later tanned in Brazil and during the whole process, water usage is controlled. The high-quality Nubuck makes these shoes durable.

The shoes are coated with water repellent oils, enough to protect them from light rain.

The soles are made out of Amazonian rubber, this ensures a comfortable walking experience but might be a bit heavy after a while.

Pros:

• Sustainable but not vegan
• Durable
• Water repellent

Cons:

• Can be a bit heavy
• No half sizes

These shoes are made using a knit from the brand ‘Rothys’ signature thread. This thread is spun from recycled water bottles, making this shoe a sustainable and eco-friendly choice. It comes in many prints like olive camo, mocha spot, navy, and a few others. Moreover, it is even machine-washable.

They are better for the environment in more than just one way. The knit material is made using recycled plastic water bottles, which have kept 100 tons of marine plastic out of the water. The soles are made using algae blooms, making the shoe comfortable and reducing the number of harmful algae out there.

These shoes are a great option for women, as they are very stylish, but not really a great option for men. They are very comfortable, but they are also very simple and without arch support, which might cause foot pain after a while.

Pros:

• Made using recycled and renewable materials
• Very stylish
• Machine washable

Cons:

• Not waterproof
• No arch support
• Not appropriate for men

If you’re someone who works in a factory or warehouse and you need a comfortable shoe that is full black, discrete and comfortable, this might be a good option.

This lace-up shoe has a polyester upper and plastic overlays, with an added street-style look. On the inside, this shoe has arch fit insoles that give you good support during the day. The midsoles are lightweight and the soles are slip-resistant. Not only are these good work shoes, but these are also really good shoes for walking all day if you plan on being on the go.

Pros:

• Slip-resistant
• Arch fit

Cons:

• Not sustainable
• Not waterproof
• Available in only one color

Nae Vegan Shoes’ Edda Micro Chunky sneakers are among the most stylish shoes to have on your feet all day long. They’re lace-up and low-top and have a chunky ridged sole. The material of this shoe is water-resistant and vegan leather, which is a sustainable and cruelty-free replacement for real leather.

This shoe features a padded moisture-wicking footbed that provides arch support to your feet. The lining of the shoe helps increase flexibility, and also prevents blisters and sore feet. It will also help keep your feet fresh, and pain-free. They’re suitable for all-day wear, indoors and outdoors, making them good work shoes.

Pros:

• Made out of vegan leather
• Flexible
• Water repellent

Cons:

• Only available in two colors
• No half sizes

These shoes are made using a knit from the brand ‘Rothys’ signature thread. This thread is spun from recycled water bottles, making this shoe a sustainable and eco-friendly choice. It comes in many prints like olive camo, mocha spot, navy, and a few others. Moreover, it is even machine-washable.

They are better for the environment in more than just one way. The knit material is made using recycled plastic water bottles, which have kept 100 tons of marine plastic out of the water. The soles are made using algae blooms, making the shoe comfortable and reducing the number of harmful algae out there.

These shoes are a great option for women, as they are very stylish, but not really a great option for men. They are very comfortable, but they are also very simple and without arch support, which might cause foot pain after a while.

Pros:

• Made using recycled and renewable materials
• Very stylish
• Machine washable

Cons:

• Not waterproof
• No arch support
• Not appropriate for men

The shoe upper is made of full-grain leather and the sole is made using a combination of natural and recycled rubber, with a 100% recycled polyester lining. The leather is very easy to clean, using water and mild soap.

This is a versatile sneaker that is perfect for all destinations. It’s comfortable and durable, which makes it one of the best work shoes. If you plan on being out and about, these are a good choice.

The sneaker comes in three color combinations. This can be considered a drawback because all three combinations have a white base. This shoe also doesn’t have any form of extra cushioning or padding.

Pros:

• Versatile and easy to style
• Sustainable - as the sole is partially made using recycled rubber
• Easy to clean

Cons:

• No extra cushioning
• Only with White base available

The Allbird’s Women’s Wool Runner Mizzles is among good shoes for walking all day long. Its warm premium Merino wool provides a comfort level that will prevent back pains and sore feet. These shoes will be a good option for their water-repellent puddle guard technology, which is fully bio-based.

The shoe has a SweetFoam midsole made from sugarcane-based green Ethylene Vinyl Acetate (EVA) and the outsole is made from natural rubber. The insole foam is castor bean oil-based. This makes the shoe eco-friendly and comfortable.

This shoe is available in a variety of colors ranging from black to navy. The main drawback here is the fact that wool might be too warm in the summer and peel off fast.

Pros:

• Carbon neutral and sustainable
• Water repellent

Cons:

• Wool might be too warm in the summer
• Wool might peel off fast.
• No half sizes

This shoe features a leather upper that contains 50% recycled leather and 50% non-leather substances. These tennis shoes are good everyday work shoes, but they might get a bit uncomfortable if you wear them for a long time, because of their heavy rubber outsole.

This product is available in many playful colors running from lily green to orchid, making them super stylish, maybe a bit too much if you need something more discreet.

This shoe is a completely new take on leather. This leather is made of recycled leather straps, this is why no new tanning and dying is required. This minimizes water waste and usage, which makes the production process of this shoe eco-friendly.

Pros:

• Many colors available
• Minimal water usage

Cons:

• Slightly heavy
• Stylish but not really discreet in some workplaces.

This shoe uses renewable materials to make the production process eco-friendly. Eucalyptus tree fiber makes the shoe very breathable and keeps the bad odour away from your feet. But these shoes do have a downside, they’re more suited for summer, and in winters they might make your feet cold.

Time on your feet tends to get your shoes dirty, that is why being machine washable comes in handy and gives these shoes a brand new look.

Pros:

• Machine washable
• Made from renewable materials

Cons:

• Cannot be used all-year-round, because the shoe is not compatible with cold conditions.
• No half sizes

This slip-on shoe is certainly among the convenient best work shoes when you’re in a hurry and don’t want to tie and untie your laces every time. This shoe features a microfiber upper and a removable insole, with lightweight cushioning.

The podiatrist-certified arch fit design of the shoe definitely solidifies its comfort levels. The insole system and the shape of the shoe are both podiatrist-designed. The removable sole helps to shape your feet to reduce shock and increase weight dispersion.

Other features include being machine washable and the flexible rubber outsole.

This shoe is also too casual for work. They might be good shoes for walking all day, but they’re certainly not the most stylish.

Pros:

• Machine washable
• Podiatrist approved design and arch fit
• Flexible

Cons:

• Not sustainable
• Not really stylish

These ballet flats are part of the Eco selects lines at Rockport’s. The upper part of the shoe is made out of partially recycled content and natural fibers. The shoe features a knit material that makes the shoe stylish and the spine of the shoe is constructed in a manner that ensures comfort.

The shoe has a textile lining and a footbed cover to help make it breathable, retain moisture, and keep the bad odour away. The footbed is removable and it provides lightweight breathability and cushioning to keep your feet comfortable. These are made for you if you plan on standing on concrete the whole day, as they will keep you far away from blisters.

Although these are super comfortable for walking all day, they might not be a good fit for all work environments because they’re too casual and they are not a good option for wearing in the winter either.

Pros:

• Machine-washable
• T Ortholite footbeds
• Lightweight

Cons:

• Cold in the winter
• Too informal
• Not a good fit for men

Timberland introduced these shoes as Powertrain work shoes with alloy safety toes, static-dissipative protection, enhanced durability, and protection. Contrary to most options above, these shoes are a great option if you need something more robust for a more heavy-duty kind of job. They are great for the outdoors, but not a great fit if you work in the office.

The upper part of this shoe is made from nylon, and the outsole has built-in anti-fatigue technology for energy return and shock absorption. This shoe provides structural support to the foot using the fiberglass shank.

These are one of the best technical work shoes and even after a full day of work and hustle your feet won’t smell because of the moisture-wicking lining with antimicrobial treatment.

However, these shoes aren’t waterproof and sustainable. They’re also only available in three color options.

Pros:

• Anti-fatigue features
• Antimicrobial treatment
• Durable

Cons:

• Not a good fit for the office.
• Not sustainable

This shoe is a perfect combination of sporty and everyday. Its upper is made from Nubuck. Also, it has a waterproof shell membrane that keeps the feet dry. The shoe features a cushioned footbed for arch support and ankle padding for maximum support.

The midsole is lightweight and is made from renewable sugarcane. The outsole is full-grip rubber which is partially recycled and increases traction. Additionally, the insole isn’t removable but is sculpted and shock absorbing. It spreads pressure and weight and results in a much more comfortable walk. The shoe has a 3 cm heel height, which might be problematic to some people.

Pros:

• Waterproof
• Cushioned footbed provides arch support
• Comes in different widths
• Sculpted and shock absorbing insole

Cons:

• Insole isn’t removable
• 3 cm heel height might be too high for some people.

The McCarren Tech is a very stylish sneaker from the Brooklyn startup, Greats. It has a recycled mesh and premium leather upper and is breathable and lightweight. The footbed of the shoe is made using algae bloom foam from overpopulated algae ecosystems, hence the shoes are sustainable in addition to being durable.

These shoes are available in a variety of colors but aren’t waterproof, and cleaning them can be a tricky process. They can be styled in many different ways which makes them a great option for the office.

Pros:

• Stylish
• Available in half sizes
• 95% recycled cotton laces add to the sustainability

Cons:

• Difficult to clean

This formal shoe is a front runner in the list of the best work and walking shoes. It has a full-grain leather upper. The unstructured air circulation system provides breathability in the shoe, helps circulate air and cool the feet down.

The leather lining and sock liners make the shoe comfortable. The footbed is removable, it reduces impact and wicks moisture. The cushioning and open-cell foam technology absorb impact and increase the comfort level.

The shoe isn’t very versatile though, as it is mostly used for professional or formal attire unless that is exactly what you are looking for. Moreover, it isn’t sustainable.

Pros:

• Air circulation system
• Open-cell foam technology

Cons:

• Not sustainable
• Not very versatile

The best work shoes for every single person might differ as it depends on your personal preferences, your style needs, and your budget.

You might want to go for something a bit more versatile and all-rounded, like 8000Kicks Explorer V2, or maybe with a shoe more leaning to the formal side like Clarks’ Unsherdian Go Brown, or maybe even something more informal, like Rockports’ ballet flats.

Hopefully, this list was able to help you pick the best shoes for your needs. Happy shopping!