I’m going to a convention / trade show thing and I’m going to be on my feet for 12+ hours for 3 days. As I get older this really takes a toll on my feet.
I have a comfy pair of Sketchers that are great for general walking about, and considering some insoles for more padding.
Anyone do this for a living and can recommend what’s comfortable? They don’t have to be super dressy – anything that’ll go with chinos, jeans, etc without looking too trashy. NO CROCS 🤣
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New Balance
Move all day insoles if you don’t want to spend too much/buy new shoes.
Any OnClouds, New Balances, Ultra Boost, Nike Pegasus Premium. Pricey shoes but worth it.
I have a pair of Solomon’s that I love. Wear them for every day use, but also do a lot of hiking and backpacking. Have never had a problem or ever found them uncomfortable. Even after a 22 mile hike up to 14,000 feet they were still great.
Get orthotic insoles. Power step
I have a pair of Sketchers Max Cushioning shoes. They’re *not* good for walking, but they’re perfect for standing around all day. It’s like floating on little clouds. They also come in a bunch of styles.
I’ve got some plain, black Vans that are really comfortable — I think the style listed on the box is Doheny
Merrels all day for me at conference and trade stands
ASICS quantums (almost any quantum model). Or the gel nyc’s but i did swap out the insoles with some cloud insole thing and no shit it feels like I’m on clouds. Big improvement.
Brooks walkers for me.
Nike Vomero 18. Most cushion you can get. Great for walking and standing.
Get some Goldtoe recycled crew socks with whatever shoes you pick( I’m curious about the recs as well). These socks truly are game changers and they look businessy enough – I’ve gone through at least 4 pairs and they certainly improve any shoe I throw my feet into. Next runner up would be darn tough socks.
I think that a good pair of running shoes will help here. After mine are worn out I wash them and they become my walking around shoes. Brooks Adrenaline comes in colors like grey and black that would be fine in a business casual setting.
I’ve made the switch to barefoot/foot shaped shoes and won’t be going back. If you like the comfort of Crocs, a lot of that comes from the shape of them, which is foot shaped. This is a longer term solution though as it takes some time to adjust. If you can find some altras that are dressy enough for what you’re going for that would be my suggestion.
I 100% would go with Kuru. Here’s what I wear: https://www.kurufootwear.com/products/mens-quantum-2-jetblack-slategray?_pos=11&_fid=64854382e&_ss=c
https://www.orthofeet.com/products/leo-brown?currency=USD&variant=39933269311559&stkn=e27b4697b002&gad_source=1&gclid=CjwKCAjwwqfABhBcEiwAZJjC3sX-oK_62G1625BBUFeu66Gocevx_2iWgGCW5gOA-M60obApUWlmThoCAIIQAvD_BwE. Shoes along the lines of this might do the trick. I had a pair of dress shoes somewhat like these and they were the most comfortable I’ve ever worn. I was so happy to have them, then we got a puppy and out of all the shoes he chose to eat those were the ones 🙁
I wear Brooks’s shoes with Superfeet insoles. I would recommend a pedicure the day before the show starts.
Crocs and socks.
Or a support insole but I think the Crocs are a stronger look
Get custom insoles from a podiatrist
My most comfortable shoes are memory foam sketchers. They have some very lightweight sneakers.
Hokas. I’m on my feet 10-12 hours a day 5 days a week. I’ve tried new balances and Hokas are better. Just get all
Black ones
I just got a pair of Adidas sneakers that are REALLY comfortable. I purchased them at Famous Footware, a discount shoe outlet. They were $50.
You may want to go with more than 1 pair and ALTERNATE during the convention.
Good luck! ….and remember what Steve Martin says; ‘Every time you put your foot on the break, you’re taking your life into your foot’s hands.’
Clark’s have shoes that have extra cushion
Rockports are comfortable to wear for a long time. They aren’t overly priced either.
Nike walkers. And get yourself some proper orthotics made by a professional that are molded to your feet.
I wear Allen Edmonds 5th avenues with nice wool socks for stuff like that. They are comfortable and look good. Also Gucci loafers but they might convey a message I am not trying to put out.
Skateboard shoes. Seriously.
Depends on your feet. I like wide toe box so over time it doesn’t cause toes to bend in that angle.
Secondly is wide foot for comfort.
Thirdly, sole comfort which is zero drop and nice padding.
Hoka or on cloud.
I work standing up: walking and inspecting. I take 8 to 12 thousand steps a day.
Most comfortable for me: not gym shoes like people think. They’re not supportive of the forefoot all day under the metatarsals.
Keen Targhee is what I wear with Form blue insoles.
I’ve been on my feet six hours a day for eight years. I’ve tried all sorts of shoes. I really recommend Keens, and even more so Form insoles. Factory insoles are rarely good enough.
Hear me out: try wearing Heelys
Ecco has some dressier shoes that are softer with a tennis shoe type sole
Try Asics, gel-nimbus line. Lots of cushion and super light. Orthopedic surgeon recommended them after a relative’s knee replacements. Got a pair and love them.
Hoka. Expensive, but amazingly comfortable. My feet are trashed, and I can Forrest Gump my ass off in my Hokas.
Bought some New Balance walking shoes and they’re the most comfortable thing I’ve ever put on my foot
New Balance for vacations and intense walking in cities.
I was in Madrid and my feet were hurting with some Nikes, stopped by a store to buy some imported New Balance and holy molly.
Danner Arcadia. They’re boots, but they’re cosy. Also goes well with jeans. If you’re looking at anything else on the Danner site, look at the “law enforcement” category, as the “army” category is mainly for walking on mud. The lifespan of the sole differs when I looked into it last.
I went to a shoe store and asked for comfortable walking shoes to wear all day and they said “oh you want dad shoes?”. I was a little insulted but tried what they suggested. New Balance shoes. I love my dad shoes.
Hear me out: I bought a pair of Olukai golf shoes two years ago. I started out wearing them to play golf…then I wore them to the office in days when I was planning/hoping to play golf, then I was just wearing them to the office…now that they are kinda beat up I just wear them when I go for walks, when I’m traveling to walk through airports, sometimes even still to play golf. They are just super comfortable.
Hoka makes great shoes
I spent two weeks in Japan with an insane amount of time walking and on my feet. After a heap of research I went with the Sketchers with arch support (what they call ‘arch fit’?) and I’d say this was a great choice. From what I read online, they’re cheaper and better than may of the more commonly recommended options.
I work 13 hour shifts, and often stay 4 hours over. I’ve tried all sorts of shoes since I don’t really need boots for my job but the only think I can wear that long without any aching are Blundstone boots.
Also, don’t skimp on socks, they will make a world of difference. I wear Darn Tough socks. Pricy, but also a lifetime warranty.
I used to wear Skechers slip on to work. I would change them every 6months or so due to the base of the shoe wearing out and the insoles wearing out. They gave me foot pain too. For walking/traveling, I wear my hokas Clifton’s and ON. New balances are getting up there for comfort and style. Spend a little on them and you’ll save money on your foot/posture doctor.
Read the first half, and instantly thought “I’m going to say CROCS” I have lots of joint issues from knees to ankles, I volunteer to cook for 50+ people at occasional weekend events. the only way I can do this is with my CROCS. the correct answer is CROCS – I refer you to the Shawshank Redemption, “no-one looks at a man’s feet” – get black ones
Adidas ultra boost and Hoka They’ll look kind of goofy to ypu if you’re older, but those soles save my feet in that exact scenario. Hips, ankles, knees too.
Rockports
When I worked trade shows they saved my feet.
If you do it often enough I’d get orthotics made it’s worth it. I work in construction and it’s well worth the money.