Did you know that about 87% of Americans have had foot problems at some point in their lives?
Long work hours need you to be on your feet a great deal, even if you sit behind a desk the whole day. Therefore, finding the perfect pair of work shoes is usually ignored, particularly when you have other things in mind. However, having the wrong pair of shoes means that you’ll be bearing discomfort during work hours.
If you buy uncomfortable shoes, it could distract you from having good results at work. This pinching pain might put you in a bad mood that may restrict your professional relationship. Finding a reliable, good pair of work shoes can help boost your perspective during a murky workday.
So keep reading as we give you our five professional tips on finding the ideal work shoes.
1. Pick a Lightweight Work Shoe
Unless you have a boss who doesn’t care, it’s not likely you can take off your shoes during work or office hours. So be clever with how you prefer to choose when buying work shoes. Going for the more lightweight choices will always compensate in the long run.
Heavy work shoes take an awful lot of energy to drag around and could leave you feeling stiff and tired. Furthermore, heavy shoes are less flexible, which gives a more squeezing feel. However, you may choose a heavy pair of shoes when you need work protection like steel toe caps are necessary.
The following tips don’t dive into distinguishing materials or styles of shoes you must buy. Instead, these are general tips for any work shoe type to make sure you are comfortable every work day. So the main thing to remember is to get lighter work shoes.
2. Choose a Well Cushioned Supportive Shoe
Having to find well-cushioned work sneakers may exclude some athletic shoe types. These shoes have cushioning, which takes the form of mesh-covered foam or some fabric. As well as the mesh uppers and thicker soles, this buffering around the heel offers the shoe its style.
However, it’s not a formal shoe style. Other multi-use casual sports shoes have a leather upper but thicker sole. These are shoes you could wear out at the mall or even on casual nights out.
They have great cushioning around the shoe heel with a comfortable sports-style leather upper. Casual shoes with formal type uppers include a sole Brogue or Oxford and an all leather upper. Finally, there are proper shoes with shiny leather uppers and, before, flimsier leather soles.
The leather soles now are with rubber soles which provide better cushioning and grip. These shoes with a hybrid rubber sole have a superior cushion and supportive insoles. In addition, the level of buffering manages to reduce formality.
So if you can’t wear a sneaker at work, look for a hybrid shoe to get the most comfort. These types of shoes are appropriate for all working environments. Again, women have more choices than men since there are a more significant number of formal styles accepted.
However, instead of stiletto high heels, go for chic shoes with a lower heel but still look amazing. The options are countless, but then again, it depends on your work dress requirements.
3. Custom Insoles, Orthotics, and Cushioning
If you work eight hours a day, nothing is worse than shoes with stiff and unsporting insoles. One cheap and easy way to add support to your work shoes is to buy insoles and cushions. These pieces are very soft and comfortable, letting you get on with your day with no discomfort in your feet.
However, with overpronation, you may need custom orthotics which are a little expensive. However, orthotics shoes are a better solution to foot pain, made with the most supportive and softest insoles. So when you have a shoe you love but don’t have the support you need, add customized orthotics.
Though your shoe must have removable insoles, otherwise, the shoe will become way too tight. Therefore buying shoes with a more open style will be necessary. So if you plan to get your shoe customized, buy a bit roomier and broader for good fitting once you do the swap.
4. Arch Support and Pronation
Our feet have an arc that allows us to harvest kinetic energy while jumping, running, or walking. Having flat feet need arch support as well, as both overpronators and supinators need arch support. The contrast is that overpronators need motion control to stop the foot from rolling too much to the inside.
Supinators need the shoe to let inward rotation balance the supinator’s shortage. Supinators are generally people with a high arch foot. People with a high arch must consider buying sneakers with arch support.
These pair of shoes can ease pain during long work hours of sitting. Moreover, people with a neutral or average arched foot must use work shoes with a solid midsole. Most work shoes have very firm midsoles and are comfortable if they have good cushioning.
People with low arches or flat feet usually suffer from overpronation. Therefore, pick a pair of shoes with proper arch support and less flexibility.
5. Consider Foot Size
Wearing a pair of shoes with the wrong foot size will be uncomfortable throughout the whole work day. Either it’s too small and makes your feet feel squeezed for eight hours or a big shoes that fall off.
When buying work shoes, always measure foot size because as we age, feet size changes. Also, remember that shoe factories have different sizes, which means one brand size can be different from another. The best tip is to shop for shoes in the evening as that is when your feet are the biggest since they swell during the day.
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Choosing the Perfect Work Shoes
Finding the ideal pair of work shoes could be demanding, but it’s worth the effort. Always remember the things you ought to consider before buying. It’s essential to take your time and assess your option, as great shoes can take you to great places.
Furthermore, consider their uses and how many hours you’ll spend wearing them. Then, following our pro tips above, you will find the perfect pair of work shoes for you. Don’t forget to browse through the rest of our guides to learn more about foot care and other health tips.
