Discover supportive, stylish footwear for men and women, designed for those who spend hours on their feet – perfect for teachers, nurses, retail workers and more….
If you are on your feet all day for work, it is essential that you take certain steps to take care of your feet but also to ensure your footwear is fit for purpose.
The best shoes for standing all day should provide a combination of cushioning, support and stability, in order to reduce foot fatigue and joint strain. There are a few key features you should look for when shopping for footwear for long hours on your feet:
Cushioning and shock absorption
A shoe’s midsole is critical for all-day comfort as it absorbs the impact from hard surfaces like concrete and hard floors. Vionic shoes are made with a midsole made from EVA – a lightweight, flexible and shock-absorbing layer made from foam containing thousands of tiny, compressed gas-filled bubbles, which contribute to its lightweight and cushioned feel. Its primary functions are to provide cushioning, comfort and impact absorption for your feet.
EVA is softer and more flexible than traditional materials like rubber and cork, allowing for more natural foot movement. Its foam-like structure excels at shock absorption, which is why it is popular in running shoes and other athletic footwear.
EVA is a closed-cell foam, meaning it does not absorb water, making it highly suitable for footwear in all conditions – whether your work prone to spills or if you’re likely to be dashing through puddles.
Arch support and stability:
Proper arch support – standard in every pair of Vionics – helps to distribute your body weight evenly across your feet, which is especially important for those with flat feet or overpronation, which is when the foot rolls inward too much when walking or running, causing the arch to flatten excessively. This is a natural movement that helps absorb shock, but when it’s exaggerated, it can lead to pain and injuries in the feet, ankles, knees and back.
Vionic is dedicated to harnessing science, ingenuity and input from medical professionals, athletes and fans to make shoes that bring balance to our lives, with each pair built to include its exclusive VIO MOTION technology, delivering cushioning, arch support, flexibility and stability, providing total body balance – from the ground up.
Roomy toe box:
Your feet naturally swell throughout the day, so a shoe with enough space for your toes to spread out will prevent cramping, pinching and blisters.
● Breathability: think about choosing a breathable upper, typically made of mesh or perforated leather, which will allow for air circulation, therefore preventing sweat and odour build-up
● Secure fit and heel counter: A secure-fitting upper and a stiff, well-padded heel counter will hold your foot firmly in place and prevent heel slippage, rubbing and instability. Lace-up styles generally offer the most secure and adjustable fit.
● Low heel-to-toe drop: A shoe with a slight heel lift can alleviate strain on the Achilles tendon and calves
If you’re on your feet all day, you are more likely to suffer from plantar fasciitis – a condition causing pain on the bottom of the foot, around the heel and arch, due to irritation of the plantar fascia. Symptoms include pain that is worse with the first steps after rest, tenderness and a sharp pain that may ease with movement but worsen with prolonged activity.
Causes of plantar fasciitis often relate to repetitive stress from several factors – including prolonged standing – and treatment typically involves self-care and rest. Wearing unsupportive shoes can lead to or worsen the condition.
A trial showed that patients wearing Vionic contoured footwear were 68% more likely to report improvement in symptoms of heel pain compared to those wearing flat flip flops. Results also showed that the contoured footbed provided similar relief to best-selling Vionic orthotic insoles in alleviating heel pain.
Supportive walking shoes or trainers, such as the 23 Walk 2.0 for women (above left) and men (above right), are a style favoured by health care professionals. This fan favourite, an upgrade on a Vionic bestselling shoe style, features a breathable, moisture-wicking mesh liner which reduces friction, making this the perfect all-day trainer.
Made with a premium leather or suede upper, its durable rubber outsole provides excellent traction. Its moisture-wicking liner has a PU foam base that helps reduce friction against skin. With an EVA midsole with built-in 0.5″ elevation for a smooth transition in heel-to-toe strike zone, it has an easy-to wear 1.75 inch heel height. Explore the range of Vionic trainers for women and men.
If you’re dashing from classroom to assembly and then to parents’ evening, you need a shoe that looks smart but delivers on all-day comfort. Vionic has you covered.
For women, the Orinda square toe ballet flat (above) is a sophisticated, classic style, which can be worn with trousers or a skirt. Orinda’s supportive removable orthotic will keep you balanced and moving day and into night. Available in leather or suede, it’s biomechanically designed to hug your arches, with Vionic’s VIO Motion Technology helping support natural alignment.
Fancy a heel? No big deal. The Barstow heeled ankle boot (above) has a sweater knit shaft and water-repellent construction, featuring a back zipper and 2 ¼ inch heel. Arch support is perfectly pitched for a balanced stride while Vionic’s Meta Dome technology – designed to alleviate pain and discomfort in the forefoot – ensures even contact, reducing pressure.
For men, the Uptown Chukka boot (above) is Vionic’s take on a classic style – the perfect modern hybrid. It’s versatile for every day and engineered for all day. This updated lace-up ankle boot features premium leather uppers, our supportive Vio Motion Technology footbed and our lightweight, flexible Uptown outsole and a removable microfibre wrapped EVA footbed.
Retail workers need to be comfortable and supported on their feet. Vionic has a range of styles for shop or hospitality workers too, providing all the benefits you would expect from the brand.
For women, there’s the Walk Gia (above left) trainer which combines the same contour, support and comfort of a Vionic walking trainer, with a sleek, low-profile casual shoe. For a more polished look, opt for the Cleo loafer (above right) – a heritage style with a modern edge. Cleo updates the traditional loafer with an almond-shaped toe, subtle stitching, and a sleek saddle detail—grounded by a flexible mini lug sole for everyday wearability. It’s a fresh take designed to step effortlessly into today’s wardrobe.
For men’s work shoes, we recommend the Lucas II lace-up (above left), featuring luxe leather uppers, a padded collar for extra comfort and unbeatable support with Vionic’s exclusive orthotic footbed. For a more formal look, the Lombard Oxford lace-up (above right) features wingtip styling and broguing detail with a rugged sole for a more casual look.
Explore all-day comfort styles now: www.vionicshoes.co.uk
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