When I go out to shop or out for lunch, I often wear my running shoes. They are fairly comfortable and can be nice to walk in. But how long can you stand in them comfortably?
In general, running shoes are fine for standing all day for a day or two but are not always suitable for everyday use. Most running shoes are made to help you fall forward when running, yet some can work for standing for long periods.
Many running shoes have raised heels and curved up toebox. This can be helpful when running but may translate to muscle strain and joint pain. It all depends on how the shoe positions your feet and what your muscles need to do to compensate.
Can Any Running Shoes Can Help Me Stand All Day?
Some running shoes are fine to wear all day because they place your feet in a more natural heel-and-toe position. If you get zero-drop shoes, with some good cushioning, these can help you maintain proper posture and still feel cushioning on your feet for all-day comfort.
When you are standing all day (article), you want your shoes to feel comfortable over time. You can prevent muscle strain and bone misalignment by wearing the right shoes that place your feet in a fairly natural position.
Things To Avoid If Wearing Running Shoes All Day
- Avoid tight shoes and tight toeboxes that squeeze toes.
- Avoid high heel-to-toe drop. I would avoid heel-to-toe drop 5mm or higher.
- Thin midsoles. While it may be natural for some to not need much cushioning in their shoe, a majority of people will need a good cushioned shoe for standing all day.
- Sometimes, when we sit or stand for long periods, we don’t realize what our posture is like. Note if your posture is different with your running shoes, and stop using them if you feel like they may cause you to stand with bad posture.
Things To Do If Wearing Running Shoes All Day
- Supportive shoes. Your foot should feel cradled somewhat, without arch strain. Some people need arch support while others may not, depending on foot strength.
- Get soft cushioning. While thick, soft cushioning may decrease foot muscle strength over time, it can help you have a good experience standing all day.
- Get the right fit. Make sure there’s no rubbing on any area of the foot.
- Make sure they are suitable for the situation. Restaurant workers (article) will need good gripping shoes when working around water and grease.
What Type Of Running Shoes Are Best For Standing All Day?
According to solereview.com shoes that have about an 8-12mm heel drop are good for standing all day, yet I disagree.
Any shoe that places your heels in a high position will require you to adjust the way you stand. Some people start to compensate for this steep foot angle, which may feel a little less steady, by using their back muscles.
Those who need a thick-soled shoe should consider one that is about the same thickness at the heel and ball of the foot.
Some of solereview.com’s other suggestions I do agree with are the following:
- Wide Toe Box – When your toes are free to move in the toe box, you can articulate them and create more stability and reduce any pain and rubbing.
- Wide Sole – A wider sole brings stability, increasing your ability to stand in a more solid correct posture. Your foot feels more supported which translates to the rest of your body.
- Get Enough Cushion – While I advocate for foot muscle strengh through less cushioning, when standing all day, most people need extra cushioning to support their arch, provide comfort, and absorb impacts that might affect the joints.
- Smooth, Flat, and Grippy Sole – My trail runners are knobby and not so comfortable on flat ground, so getting a shoe with smooth, flat, yet grippy tread can help provide stability and comfort.
Here are a few more items to consider that can help you find the best shoe for standing all day:
- A Stretchy / Roomy Shoe – When your standing all day your feet tend to swell a bit, so have room to expand or stretch will help.
- A flexible sole – A thick midsole can be very cushioning, yet it should also be able to flex as you walk. A rigid sole restricts movement which can reduce comfort.
- Lightweight – The lighter the shoe the more likely you won’t even notice you are wearing a shoe. As long as it is comfortable, light shoes can provide extra comfort.
So the best running shoes to wear for standing all day will be stable, roomy, comfortable, cushioned, and have a wide flexible grippy outsole.
Start With A Test
Some of the best shoes for standing all day can be running shoes, but not always. Try on your running shoes, stand still on flat, level ground for one minute, and see how your body naturally reacts with them.
It’s important to just stand still for a while to start to notice how they will affect you. Ask yourself:
- Do I feel any strain in my back or a need to stand differently than normal?
- Do my arches feel comfortable while standing for a while?
- Do my knees or ankles feel any strain?
- Do I feel stable standing in these shoes?
If your shoes pass the test, then try them for a day or two and do a body check to see if your feet, knees, and or back are feeling achier than they should be. If you don’t notice anything, then these may be the right shoes for you.
If you feel achy after wearing them, this might be normal if you are new to standing all day. However, it could also be in part due to your shoes. You can then try on a different pair of shoes to see if you notice a difference.
Foot Health And Standing All Day
When you wear shoes for standing all day, you should also consider your foot health. If you are active, have a normal arch, and have an average weight, there are a wide variety of shoes that should work well to help you stand all day.
Those with various foot issues, including some knee and back issues, will need to be more selective when wearing shoes all day. They will likely need to find just the right arch support for their foot and body type.
Unfortunately, finding the right arch support or insole is usually a matter of testing out shoes and arch supports.
Because each person is different, even very similar body and foot types may need different types of arch support. Those buying new shoes can test which shoe and which type of arch support feel right before they purchase the product.
What most people with foot issues will likely need to do is find a shoe that has plenty of room in case you need to insert an arch support and one that has a squishy form-fitting midsole.
A squishy midsole in a roomy shoe might work for many people because shoes like this tend to form to the individual’s foot somewhat. This can help support the foot and relieve the stress of impacts when walking.
A thick squishy insole may also be helpful in creating a more custom fit when wearing a shoe. That being said, squishy midsole and insole don’t work for everyone because some people need more rigid arch support.
Which Running Shoe Work Well For Standing All Day?
There is no one shoe for everyone because everyone’s foot is different. Trying out several different shoes that meet the criteria for a good all-day shoe is what some people may need to do.
Below are four different running shoes that could work as standing all-day shoes for many people. Focusing on comfortable foam and a roomy shoe should help you find a fairly good daily all-day standing shoe.
Thick Squishy Foam
Many running shoes now come standard with thick foam. Running like the feel and comfort of the foam and how it protects them from joint impacts. Here are two shoes with thick foam.
1. Hoka One One Bondi 7
People like this shoe a lot because
- It is comfortable
- Cushioned
- Soft
- Breathable
- Stable
- Moderately flexible
This shoe is not for everyone but runners love it for the incredibly soft feel they get when running.
2. Saucony Endorphin Shift
People like this shoe a lot because:
- It is durable
- Cushioned
- Has good grip
- Breathable
- Comfortable
- Moderately Flexible.
This shoe is not for everyone but runners love it because of its stable feel and durability.
Wide Toebox
These shoes offer a wide toebox that can be helpful for stability and when your feet swell during the day.
3. Saucony Kinvara 12
People like this shoe a lot because:
- It very flexible
- Lightweight
- Good for wider feet
- Great fit
- Breathable
This shoe is not for everyone, especially because it might not be the most comfortable shoe as far as cushioning but it is lightweight.
4. Hoka One One Bondi 6
People like this shoe a lot because
- It is very comfortable
- Cushioned
- Breathable
- Supportive
- Moderately flexible
This shoe is not for everyone because it is not the most durable when running. Some may find it not very flexible.
Remember that once you get new shoes, it may take a week or two to break in. In addition, your feet need time to adjust if the shoes are very different from the shoes you normally wear.
The main goal should be to find shoes that fit well and are comfortable the first time you put them on.
Conclusion
Having some great running shoes that also work for standing is a great combination. I often go out shopping in my running shoes. If I wear my cushioned running shoes, it definitely makes a difference.
The most important thing to consider is cushioning and comfort. Make sure they are stable and your posture is correct while wearing them and you’ll be able to use them long into the future.
Thanks for visiting Helpshoe.com
References