11 Best Shoes for Standing All Day, Reviewed by Women Who Are Always on Their Feet

Shoes with plenty of arch support can help alleviate the pain of plantar fasciitis. CCO and lead hairtylist at RPZL salon, Stephanie Angelone shares that she avoids anything too flat for her long six- to eight-hour shifts on her feet—a pair of shoes with a bit of lift (better shock absorption) always serves her better. “My favorites are sneakers with arch support or a platform,” she says, pointing to the retro-inspired Nike Court Legacy as a recent favorite for all-day wear. “I love them because the platform provides ample support for the longest of days.” Luckily the streamlined, vintage-y style also happens to look amazing with trousers and skirts alike.

• Sizes: 5–12
• Colors: 13 options
• Pros: Huge color selection and there’s half sizing
• Cons: Good luck trying to pick just one

As far as slip-on styles go, dainty mules (particularly of the heeled variety) rarely offer the sturdiness needed to walk and stand for a long period of time. Comfy, chunky clogs, however, are a different story. Something like this high-quality Dansko pair is beloved both for its durable stacked sole and the ease in which it slips on and off. It’s also, according to Tracey Shepos Cenami, the lead chef at Kendall Jackson, the ultimate choice if you’re spending hours in the kitchen. “When I’m in the kitchen I wear Dansko clogs because they provide great support, come in different styles and colors so they offer some flair to my uniform,” she notes. “There's even an extra bonus of height; they add a few inches so I can reach things on higher shelves in the kitchen.”

• Sizes: 36–42EU
• Colors: 1 option
• Pros: Long-lasting, and doesn’t require hands to put on.
• Cons: It has a roomier fit, so not always ideal for narrow feet.

I acquired these on a whim last year because I liked the wider strap (as well as the way it elegantly sloped on my foot) and the slight blocky heel. They felt like a more sophisticated alternative to most everyday sandals, and went with everything I owned. What I was surprised to discover, though, was that I could also stomp around New York City in them for hours on end—once I walked six miles, no problem—and my feet will feel okay at the end of the day (and night). For reference, though, I have a very high arch and shoes with a bit of a lift are easier on it. For someone with flat feet, I’d recommend a lower sandal with structured footbed or a flat with added inserts.

• Sizes: 5–11
• Colors: one option
• Pros: Easy to get on and off and goes with everything.
• Cons: Not great for flat feet.

“I’ve suffered from bunions for years, so I have to be really choosy with my footwear. I recently wore these slip-ons during a trip to Paris, and they were an absolute game-changer for all those long hours on my feet sightseeing. They were cushioned enough throughout that my bunions weren’t aggravated, and they had great arch support so even after standing for long periods waiting to enter museums (and yes, waiting on line for croissants), I didn’t have lower back aches,” says Glamour's fashion curator, Leilani McQuay.

• Sizes: 5-12 US
• Colors: Multiple options including black, white, navy, and gray
• Pros: Pre-tied slip-on, great arch support
• Cons: Pricey, limited half-sizing

Sometimes support is not enough—if you have a career in, say, the health care or service industries, you need work shoes that can withstand being doused with all manner of messes during a long shift. That’s where, love or hate ’em, good old-fashioned Crocs are your best most comfortable shoe option. “I love that they’re cheap and comfortable and come in so many colors,” says Biana Suarez, a registered nurse at Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center. “They also have an option with no holes so fluids can’t get in.” Made with practicality in mind and easy to clean, they’re actually much higher fashion than you might think: Big brands like Simone Rocha, Christopher Kane, and Balenciaga have all sent versions down the runway. There’s a vast selection on Amazon, but I personally think the classic model in a neutral, like white or tan, has the most potential to be chic footwear for nurses.

• Sizes: 4–17 (women’s)
• Colors: 11 options
• Pros: They’re water resistant and easy to slip on and off.
• Cons: They require more styling work to look cute.

“If you're looking for a shoe you can walk in all day that’s versatile enough to go with your summer dresses or jeans, Converse have never let me down. These are my go-to shoes for trips to Disney World, which often means standing on long ride lines for hours at a time (not to mention walking miles). I never get blisters, and while by the end of the trip I’d be lying if I said my feet weren’t sore since the top of the shoe is stiff, I’ve tried many other brands and this is the only “fashion” shoe that doesn’t leave me with aching back,” says Glamour commerce director, Brie Schwartz.

• Sizes: 5–10
• Colors: 4 options
• Pros: Stylish enough to wear with anything
• Cons: Works best for long and narrow feet.

“I have basically stood for eight hours a day, five days a week, in various retail positions since 1999,” Natalie Haddad, the owner of Monty Boutique in Montclair, New Jersey, tells me. “Often also walking to and from work each day.” And if her schedule also involved an after hours party or get-together? She’ll probably go for a heel from Intentionally Blank. “They do an amazing job of creating playful shoes that you can stand, walk, dance in at a very friendly price point,” she notes. This strappy style in particular would be a fantastic versatile and comfortable heel option for the summer wedding circuit.

• Sizes: 6–11
• Colors: 1 option
• Pros: Thicker footbed than more slip-on heels.
• Cons: No strap in the back—so while good for standing at events, not great if there is much walking involved.

“When I am outdoors in the garden or the vineyard, I love my Blundstone boots,” says Shepos Cenami, explaining how she spends a great deal of her working day hosting guests for outdoor meals. “They are great for all different surfaces and weather, and actually hold up perfectly in the rain and mud, which is helpful for me at the winery!” For those who are stomping more on concrete than dirt and grass, though, the rugged, slip-resistant design is an equally smart selection: for all its durability, the timeless shape and color looks amazing with a pair of jeans or casual dress.

• Sizes: 6–10
• Colors: 3 options
• Pros: Looks even better with wear and versatile
• Cons: The higher shaft will require a little extra styling coordination to get your look right. (Tip: You can’t go wrong with a crew sock and slightly cropped mom jean.)

As a hair colorist, IGK co-owner Olivia Casanova says she spends roughly 10 hours standing every day. And if she was in a world where fashion didn’t matter, she’d go for running shoes like Asics, her salon definitely has an unspoken dress code of effortless downtown Manhattan cool. During the summer, Casanova relies on the mega cushioning of these luxe and comfy sandals to see her through occasions when boots won’t do. “These are the most comfortable and fashionable shoes I wear to work,” she says of the design, which is a better choice than most open-toe pairs due to its durable midsole and outsole, which hug and support the bottom of the foot. They’re also fantastic on the weekend when you need something cute that’ll go from brunch to shopping to errands with ease (plus good airflow).

• Sizes: 35–41.5EU
• Colors: 2 options
• Pros: They are Italian-crafted and go with everything.
• Cons: They’re a big financial investment.