Looking for good shoe recommendations

[Scooter Read]

Hello
Now that my new shop expansion is almost completed, I plan on spending long hours standing on the concrete.
What shoes work best for comfort and foot health?
My wife and I talked about mats at each station, but I thought I would try looking for the better shoes first.

what recommendations from the guys here?

thanks in advance

[Steve Eure]

Ii like Sketchers. I tried the mat route, but found them to be in the way and did not do much for my feet. The Sketchers I wear are ordinary walking/casual shoes. They do make a work shoe and even steel toed shoes. I'm looking hard at them for my next pair.

[roger wiegand]

I've been enjoying my Keen boots and "work sneakers" since discovering them a couple years ago. Better selection in wide sizes than many other companies, with a fair number of US-made options. My oldest ones are still going strong.

[Rich Engelhardt]

I spent close to 25 years - give and take - working on my feet in retail, mostly on concrete and/or asphalt tile covered concrete.

Boots - heavy soled work boots - work the best out of anything.

Avoid steel toes if you do much bending down. They can try to chop off your toes if they aren't a perfect fit.

Recently (within the last few years) I've gone over to wearing Sketchers and plopping my ample backside on a bar stool type seat I got from Sears that says 'Craftsman",,,a lot more than I care for.
Being old sucks. I loved getting old, but, being old flat out sucks.

[ChrisA Edwards]

I'm also a Sketchers wearer. They cushion well and are light weight.

[John K Jordan]

The best shoe may depend on your feet, arches, etc. I had foot pain (plantar fasciitis) and tried many things over the years. What really worked for me are Oofos: https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B00AECHSZ4

I wear these in the shop on concrete floors, outside around the farm, everywhere, and no more foot pain after years. They are soft, flexible material with good arch support. I think they are like having rubber mats everywhere in the shop.

I’ve recommended these to several people who said they helped a lot. One guy said they are a miracle, the pain he had for years went away and didn’t come back!

I’ve followed lots of discussion about footwear and bought several others recommended but they didn’t work for my feet.

JKJ

[Greg Parrish]

Don't forget to consider your pronation. Some shoes specify which type they are best for, like Asics for example, which can help with comfort. https://www.asics.com/us/en-us/shoe-pronation-guide/?CATARGETID=120223060000867441&CAPCID=587421711088&CATCI=dsa-19959388920&CAAGID=130950374040&CADevice=c&gclid=EAIaIQobChMI_am71YPK_QIV0P_jBx2-JAyGEAAYASAAEgKnP_D_BwE

[Jim Becker]

There actually have been a lot of threads about this and there are a variety of things that folks like and recommend on an individual basis.

I keep things simple...I wear Sketchers Go-Walk with Dr. Scholl's "custom" inserts that were selected by a measuring device long ago in a Bed, Bath and Beyond store, for additional support. They are extremely lightweight and comfortable. For Me. I honestly cannot wear any kind of "work" shoe/boot and many other kinds of regular shoes. They all make my feet ache and the weight is bothersome, too.

[glenn bradley]

Shoes are so specific to the person but I'll toss in that Merrell MOAB 2 (https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B01HFPP6JW/ref=ppx_yo_dt_b_search_asin_title?ie=UTF8&psc=1) boot and shoe have been real favorites for long hours in the shop. I also use mats; nothing fancy, just the interlocking stuff from Sam's Club.

[Jim Koepke]

As with many others who have posted above, my favorite everyday or in the shop shoe is Sketchers.

My only point against them is my tendency to build up static. It seems Sketchers seem to produce more of a build up than some other brands like Vans.

My way of dealing with this is to always carry a metal tape measure and use that to discharge myself before touching anything that might cause a discharge. I discharge through the case, not the tape, DAMHIKT.

Another observation when grocery shopping indicated some shopping carts will cause more static charge build up more than others. My regular grocery store has about four distinctly different carts. I always pick the ones that cause the least static build up.

jtk

[Thomas McCurnin]

I wear what nurses wear, New Balance walking shoes.

[Bruce Wrenn]

I wear New Balance, with roll bar sole. Get them thru foot doctor due to type II diabeties. Custom inserts. Current pair have been worn seven days a week for the last FOUR YEARS. Time for a new pair as soles are wearing out.

[William Lessenberry]

Anther vote for Keen. My shop is all concrete floor except for a mat for the dog.
BillL

[Bob Borzelleri]

The shoes I grab when I know I will be on my feet for extra hours are SAS (San Antonio Shoemakers). Easily the most supportive and comfortable shoes I have worn.

[Ron Selzer]

custom insoles are a big help

[Jack Frederick]

The best shoe may depend on your feet, arches, etc. I had foot pain (plantar fasciitis) and tried many things over the years. What really worked for me are Oofos: https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B00AECHSZ4

I wear these in the shop on concrete floors, outside around the farm, everywhere, and no more foot pain after years. They are soft, flexible material with good arch support. I think they are like having rubber mats everywhere in the shop.

I’ve recommended these to several people who said they helped a lot. One guy said they are a miracle, the pain he had for years went away and didn’t come back!

I’ve followed lots of discussion about footwear and bought several others recommended but they didn’t work for my feet.

JKJ
Well, John, I won’t buy a grapple on your recommendation but upon looking at the oofos site I have ordered the Oofos Clog. I like Clog styles at about all times and am very comfortable with them in the shop. Thanks for that!

[Stan Calow]

After two close calls with dropped sharp chisels falling too near my feet, I usually wear Army boots. Unless I am just doing finishing or sanding.

[Lee DeRaud]

The shoes I grab when I know I will be on my feet for extra hours are SAS (San Antonio Shoemakers). Easily the most supportive and comfortable shoes I have worn.
I've been wearing them for decades, but the prices just keep going up and heel wear can be a problem.
So I keep a pair of New Balance cross-trainers for times (dog-walking mostly) when I know I'll be on abrasive surfaces.

[Stephen Rosenthal]

Feet are such an individual thing, so one person’s preference is another’s pain. I reached a point where almost every shoe hurt my feet. Then I tried HOKA because of a friend’s recommendation. Expensive running, walking, trail shoes, not really shop shoes. Lots of style options. Great support and extremely comfortable.

[Curt Harms]

I just bought a new pair of sneakers from Tractor Supply. I have high arches so finding comfortable shoes can be an issue. I added some Dr. Scholls heavy duty insoles. I have yet to find a shoe that's comfortable without an insole. The Dr. Scholls are thicker than usual so I bought a 1/2 shoe size larger than normal. So far so good.

[Bob Borzelleri]

I've been wearing them for decades, but the prices just keep going up and heel wear can be a problem.
So I keep a pair of New Balance cross-trainers for times (dog-walking mostly) when I know I'll be on abrasive surfaces.

The prices have certainly changed with the times. Not sure if they have out stripped the pricing on similar well designed/built shoes but they are getting up to a level where you gotta pause and think a bit before paying up.

[Bernie Kopfer]

The best shoe may depend on your feet, arches, etc. I had foot pain (plantar fasciitis) and tried many things over the years. What really worked for me are Oofos: https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B00AECHSZ4

I wear these in the shop on concrete floors, outside around the farm, everywhere, and no more foot pain after years. They are soft, flexible material with good arch support. I think they are like having rubber mats everywhere in the shop.

I’ve recommended these to several people who said they helped a lot. One guy said they are a miracle, the pain he had for years went away and didn’t come back!

I’ve followed lots of discussion about footwear and bought several others recommended but they didn’t work for my feet.

JKJ
I followed your advice John and must say the slippers are comfortable in the shop hours at a time. Wish they came in widths because I have skinny feet.

[Roger Feeley]

I used to like Eco a lot but they wear out fast.
— As I aged, I guess my feet got wider. I’m wearing my very first wide shoe and that has really helped.
— I’m prone to plantar fasciitis so high arch support is a big deal.
— I wear orthotics by Birkenstock that I built up with leather. The bottom of the orthotic is not solid which leads to it sinking into the shoe. I filled in the voids to spread the force. On the advice of my podiatrist, I added another 1/8” under the arch.

[Rob Luter]

I have wide feet (EEEE) so I’m a tough fit. New Balance always comes through. Walkers (928V3) runners (840) or safety toe (V412V1) all fit right and are good on concrete. If you prefer a non athletic shoe, consider Propet Village Walkers. The are a diabetic approved walking shoe with a generous fit and wide toe box. The feel like walking on marshmallows, even on concrete.

[Kyle Stiefel]

You could consider clogs. You frequently find them in the healthcare setting for people on their feet all day. This is a steel toed version, couldn't be happier with them. These type of shoes usually last a very long time.

Haha, looks like someone already mentioned clogs.

497559

[Tom M King]

In the ER with my mom for second time in three days. Dr.’s and Nurses still moving good at end of Q12hr. Shifts all wearing On Cloud running shoes. I can’t move freely in clogs. I live in running shoes, so ordered some OC’s to try. Wearers here say they fit similar to Nike’s with better cushioning.

[Bill Dufour]

Search tip: looking for velcro shoes? look for hook and loop. Velcro is a trademark name. After my hip replacement bending over to tie shoes is a hard so I use mainly velcro shoes now.
Bill D

[Tom M King]

Back at the hospital this morning. Different workers, but lots more OC shoes.

[Paul Wunder]

New Balance Walking Shoes #928v3. Been wearing them for at least 10 years foe shop and everyday wear

[Alan Lightstone]

I've been wearing Asics for years. I just reflexively buy this year's version of the same sneakers. With bad plantar fasciitis they've been great. Unfortunately, this year they seem to have changed them, and they look much more cheaply made and now hurt my feet. Hugely disappointed. Wondering what I'll try next for very cushioned sneakers with VERY flat feet.

[Jack Frederick]

The day this thread popped up I was going to order Oofos but my wife found a local store carrying them. I picked up the Clog model and have been very happy with them. I’m generally a size 9-9.5. In Oofos, I’m and 8.