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Hiking shoes / boots are good for standing around for hours, especially ones which support your ankles as well. So, yea they tend to look like boots, but who knows with your work-pants over most of the shoe?
Keep in mind, hiking shoes are meant for hours of walking over shit terrain. On a perfectly flat surface, like the floor of a retail store, they actually feel like you're walking on clouds. They make ones designed to look like running shoes, and ones that look somewhat like dress shoes. Just look online or at stores like Mark's Work Wearhouse. They sell all kinds of comfortable work footwear.
I'm just saying look into something other than lightweight sports shoes, or those wonky-looking toe shoes. The impression of being barefoot seems like a bad idea to me.. For a retail environment.
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Bad advice here. I do not know alot about feet but I know that converse shoes screwed my feet over royally when I walked with them for a week.
Running shoes are usually the best, you could consider buying some improved soles with silicone for example to make them better.
EDIT: Dont listen to me, listen to guy underneath. Buy some shoes that are actually meant to be used for work.
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I'll second that you want some good boots. I'm stuck standing with steel toed boots for the whole day and I recommend you go marks work warehouse or some similar store in the USA. My personal pair has a very nice memory foam sole and it's ridiculously good for standing for 8+ hours. As a suggestion working retail, if possible, keep moving. If you stand still and lock your knees for a while, it'll actually make your legs feel like shit really fast.
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When I was in retail, we had this stupid rule that only wearing black business shoes. No snickers allowed.
It fucking killed me. I guess the biggest benefit is trying find boxes or chairs that you can rest in when its quite.
One chick that I was working with had to resign and now undergoes physio because apparently one of her leg is marginally shorter than the other and long hours of standing screwed her bones to the effect that it now becomes a chronic pain that can only be corrected with therapy. It wasn't noticeable before because no body really do 8 hours of standing except at this place...
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http://www.thewalkingcompany.com/keen-austin-black/4085 + The walking store insoles. Used to work concessions at a baseball stadium 6-8 Hours on concrete never really sitting down. Went from 30$ target shoes to these and my feet never hurt again. Normally shoes last me 6 months as I just wear them down, I still have these, a little beat up and a bit worse for the wear, but I consider them to be the only reason I could get through a year+ of work on the concrete stadium floors. When I switched jobs to retail and needed shoes that weren't so beat up, i switched the insoles to the 30$ pair of target shoes and it still has been a huge help.
If those aren't your style/you want to try other stuff I'd recommend at least going in to a Walking Store near you and hopping on the silly machine and trying on multiple pairs of shoes with the insoles and without em. Took half an hour to find something that I liked and walking with and without the insoles in the shoes. If you do find something you like, hop online and see if it's on sale and have it delivered to you/the store (should be free shipping to the store).
6'1, 220-230 lbs.
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On July 30 2011 15:33 NotSorry wrote:Oh god no, I made the mistake of wearing a pair of allstars my first week on the job by the end of it I felt like a cripple
Hehe yeah, Converse = no comfort at all! Just very very good looking!
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Just a tip: The shoes with the most cushion are usually the most unhealthy, I would go for a cheap pair you can buy at walmart since they normally don't have much cushion. They may not be as stylish as these other shoes, but they are the most healthy.
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On July 30 2011 14:28 Mtndrew wrote:
Vibram Fivefingers. You have to measure your feet with a ruler, but they're so comfortable. It's like walking barefoot, but your feet are protected.
That is...
horrible...
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Go to a running store and have them fit you for a pair of asics for your specific gait type, you will never go back.
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It really depends on your own foot. What I think is amazingly comfortable may feel like crap to you (also evidenced by some of this thread). Go try some on yourself.
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On July 30 2011 15:07 Dotemup wrote:I've worked at Footlocker for a while now, go with some Nike Air Max 2011's for what is currently out there. Yes one of the more expensive shoes out there but for the comfort you're getting they're the best out there. Trust me. Air Max 2011'sYou could also go with a decent pair of Asics, you'll be looking for a model that has Gel if you're looking for comfort. Although they're are cheaper versions out there the more expensive models are going to generally be comfortable as long as you know what to look for. AsicsAlso a big thing when buying shoes is getting the right size. Don't buy online, go to a store make sure you try them on before you buy them. When you buy online and you have no idea how brands sizes run or how the shoe is made you're never going to get the right fit and will most likely have a lot of problems. Those would be my suggestions, personally I love Max's, with the Air Max 2009's being the best ones they've ever made but the 2011's are a close second. Stay away from 2010's they're a lot harder on wider feet and are a lot less flexible and the Flywire on the 2010's are no where near as durable as the Hyperfuse on the 2011's. Not to bash other suggestions out there but: Jordans are always going to be more for style and fashion than comfort. (exceptions being Jordan 3's Jordan 11's and a few other "rarer" Jordan's) New Balance are good but just like Asics the more you spend they better result you're going to get, personally I don't like them as much as Asics but some people swear by them. It's just something else you might want to look into when you go to shop around. Air Force ones.... Are you kidding me... for comfort... really? About as flat a shoe you can get, maybe with an Insole replacement they might be somewhat comfortable but just stay clear of them if you're going to be on your feet all day. (goes for a lot of "skate" shoes as well) As for the "lightweight" movement shoes are going through, you'll probably want to stay clear of them for an everyday shoe, they're more designed for actually running in and even working out. If I wear to suggest any they would be the Reebok RealFlex, Nike Free Run 2's, Nike Lunarglide 3's and Adidas Climacool's. But that being said you're going to want something with a lot more cushioning and support so I'd stay away from these unless you're going to be working out or running in them. As far as the Fivefingers and other imitation foot gloves out there, I really wouldn't recommend them for the workplace, maybe as a workout or gardening shoe but in public they're just weird and really aren't all that awesome. Yes it's like being barefoot, but being barefoot sucks remember the last time you stepped on a rock barefoot? Or maybe that time you got a splinter running across an old wooden deck? If you do want to try them on go to your local Dicks and see what the hype is all about but personally I am not a fan.
Do you have any suggestions for someone who can't afford fucking $170 for a pair of shoes? That's like a weeks paycheck...
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Even if there is no dress code for shoes, I wouldn't get anything flashy or tacky. On that note, look towards low top sneakers as opposed to athletic shoes. Converse looks good but are not well made. Something like this is very similarly styled, but much better made. Not too much cushioning, but leather lining breathes well.
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On July 30 2011 14:28 Mtndrew wrote:![[image loading]](http://www.vibrams-fivefingershoes.com/images/FiveFingers/Vibram_FiveFingers_Mens_Kso_All%20Black_Shoes_1.jpg) Vibram Fivefingers. You have to measure your feet with a ruler, but they're so comfortable. It's like walking barefoot, but your feet are protected.
I haven't laughed out loud like that in a while.
These are definitely unwearable in almost any circumstance except for maybe hiking in the woods.
They may look a bit odd if working in a retail store... =]=]
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On July 30 2011 17:52 ZaaaaaM wrote:Show nested quote +On July 30 2011 14:28 Mtndrew wrote:
Vibram Fivefingers. You have to measure your feet with a ruler, but they're so comfortable. It's like walking barefoot, but your feet are protected. That is... horrible...
The barefoot thing is a bit of a personal taste. I got some VivoBarefoots and love em. It did take a month or so to get used to it, but after that they feel great. They also do some more normal styles to avoid scaring people. Supposedly made from recycled stuff and vegetarian leather so Artosis would approve 
Normal looking barefoot shoes
![[image loading]](http://www.terraplana.com/media/catalog/product/cache/7/image/300x/dc093176c7d263d2d3e91b81d4bf1b5e/l/i/listing_image_oak_brown.png)
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On July 30 2011 14:28 Mtndrew wrote:Vibram Fivefingers. You have to measure your feet with a ruler, but they're so comfortable. It's like walking barefoot, but your feet are protected.
my god those are the most hideous things I've ever seen
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i love those toe things! i think they look awesome, i wonder how they'd feel / how well they'd hold up
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Most of the comments on this thread are very very horrible.
People should not post what they do not know.
If you are working long hours standing, you definitely want a pair of shoes with heel and overall feet support.
What you definitely don't want is one of those barefoot shoes.
I'm not talking against barefoot walking - correctly done, they can be wonderful.
But unless you are going to be working on top of soil and grass, they won't work for you.
In other words, your barefoot aren't meant to be walking/standing on top of concrete, which is what I'd imagine you'd be standing on.
If you are gonna be standing a long time, I'd definitely suggest getting a pair of custom fit orthotics.
They will make sure your arches (transverse, medial and lateral longitudinal arches) are well supported, as well as preventing hyper-pronation/supination. (among couple other things)
Yes they cost $150 and upwards. But they will be worth their weight in gold.
On top of the orthotics, having correct gait/stance posture would help you a lot.
It would not only save your feet, but your overall body alignment and joints as well.
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On July 30 2011 18:35 hifriend wrote:Show nested quote +On July 30 2011 14:28 Mtndrew wrote:Vibram Fivefingers. You have to measure your feet with a ruler, but they're so comfortable. It's like walking barefoot, but your feet are protected. my god those are the most hideous things I've ever seen
I would never ever and I mean ever get caught dead in those shoes. Could you imagine this guys boss if he came in on his 1st day in those? Haha. Thanks for the laugh buddy.
Honestly man you can't go wrong with a good pair of van's or air walks. They are usually $50 bucks and last a couple years. Very comfy.
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The Rod Laver Tennis shoe is the best tennis shoe ever made..... they come in green and blue... if you ever want to treat yourself to the most comfortable shoe ever made... consider giving these a google.
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On July 30 2011 18:57 Odyssey wrote:Show nested quote +On July 30 2011 18:35 hifriend wrote:On July 30 2011 14:28 Mtndrew wrote:Vibram Fivefingers. You have to measure your feet with a ruler, but they're so comfortable. It's like walking barefoot, but your feet are protected. my god those are the most hideous things I've ever seen I would never ever and I mean ever get caught dead in those shoes. Could you imagine this guys boss if he came in on his 1st day in those? Haha. Thanks for the laugh buddy. Honestly man you can't go wrong with a good pair of van's or air walks. They are usually $50 bucks and last a couple years. Very comfy.
Why? Are you insecure? They improve posture and promote proper gait. Do their health benefits not outweigh your vanity?
On July 30 2011 18:55 LuciferSC wrote:
Most of the comments on this thread are very very horrible.
People should not post what they do not know.
If you are working long hours standing, you definitely want a pair of shoes with heel and overall feet support.
What you definitely don't want is one of those barefoot shoes.
I'm not talking against barefoot walking - correctly done, they can be wonderful.
But unless you are going to be working on top of soil and grass, they won't work for you.
In other words, your barefoot aren't meant to be walking/standing on top of concrete, which is what I'd imagine you'd be standing on.
Wrong. I'd like to direct you to the Prof Lieberman's webpage regarding his research into evolutionary bio-mechanics: http://barefootrunning.fas.harvard.edu/index.html
Under to the FAQ tab it states:
"What about surface hardness? Our ancestors didn’t run on pavement.
A common perception is that running on hard surfaces causes injuries, but runners typically adjust leg stiffness so they experience the similar impact forces on soft and hard surfaces. Further, forefoot and some midfoot strikers hit the ground in a way that generates almost no collision forces even on hard surfaces like steel. You can run barefoot and heel strike on a soft beach or lawn, but most natural surfaces are much harder and rougher. With proper forefoot or midfoot strike form, running on hard, rough surfaces can be comfortable and safe."
Multiple recent studies suggest that arch support is detrimental for the typical individual. I suggest you take your own advice and "not post what they do not know."
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EPT![[image loading]](http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/thumb/a/a8/A_classic_Black_pair_of_Converse_All_Stars_resting_on_the_Black_%26_White_Ed._Shoebox_%281998-2002%29.JPG/450px-A_classic_Black_pair_of_Converse_All_Stars_resting_on_the_Black_%26_White_Ed._Shoebox_%281998-2002%29.JPG)
