Best Shoes for Walking, Standing, and Working on Concrete for Long Hours
You can't walk on concrete floors for long hours without the best walking shoes.
Shoes with thin outer soles and saddles that wear and tear fast can’t do your feet any good on hard surfaces either.
And while you might walk a mile or two – or maybe more – just fine, you put your feet to the risk of an injury the same way you would if you walk without shoes on hard floors.
Here’s probably what you don’t know:
Concrete surfaces are the most unfriendly surfaces to walk on. In fact, a study conducted by Hill Runner shows that concrete is 5 times harder than asphalt and therefore not human friendly.
Unlike softer floors, concrete surfaces concentrate all the impact pressure on your body’s joints every step of the way.
So without proper footwear, you might end up suffering from chronic joint injuries.
A good pair of shoes for concrete has two advantages.
With that said, let's look at some of the most comfortable shoes that you can wear on concrete all day.
Our Top Recommendations
After spending more than 40 hours on research, weighing different customer feedback, and following up on community discussions, we are more confident that New Balance 928v3 for men and for women are the best shoes for walking on concrete all day.
The mid-foot cushion, the flexible ROLLBAR motion-control design, and the strong outsoles provide the comfort and safety your feet need when you are too busy to stop. The 928v3 comes only in two colors: black and white. And although there aren’t many color options to choose, the two should complement your casual outfit and professional wear quite well.
Best Shoes for Walking on Concrete All Day in 2020
1. Asics Gel Tech Walker Neo 4
Asics Gel Tech Walker Neo 4 not only protects your feet from possible injuries but also minimizes the chances of your feet developing blisters and calluses.
The brand uses a simple design approach to make Neo 4 suitable for sports and casual outfit.
And although the Neo 4 isn’t as flashy as some classy models on the market, they are up to standard and good enough for long periods of walking.
Solid Design
Asics implements their footwear’s Gel Cushioning System to make these shoes easy on feet and comfortable for long hours of walking especially over a long distance.
Because Gel Tech-Walker Neo 4 provides adequate arch support when walking, they can soothe collapsed arches and ease plantar fasciitis.
The breathable upper improves air circulation around the feet and the medial window helps to ease pressure on feet.
Comfort
The Gel Cushion System is good enough to protect your feet against impact from concrete floors. Moreover, the Neo 4 is quite easy on foot problems and often recommended for people suffering from chronic arthritis.
Pros
Cons
2. New Balance Women's 847v3 Walking Shoe
New Balance implements a motion control technology to bring out a pair of shoes suitable for women who spend a lot of time on their feet, especially during busy shifts.
Designed to offer stable feet support even on unleveled ground, these New Balance walking shoes are a good fit for women who have issues with instability.
They also feature a Rollbar system, which provides excellent support to prevent supination as well as overpronation.
Durability
Built to last for years before you can think of a replacement, you can walk in these athletic for a very long time without noticing any trouble.
Thanks to the walking strike path technology built-in, you get total foot stability and body balance while walking.
ABZORB is another special technology built-in into these shoes to protect your feet from stink, suffocation, and sweat.
The shoe collar and tongue have ortholite foam, lightweight enough to reduce stress levels on your feet. These shoes are, therefore, good for women who always walk for long distances every single day.
Orthopedic Inserts
The New Balance 847v3 models have an edge over many athletic shoes on the market because of their orthopedic inserts.
Thanks to these inserts, these shoes can be used even by people who have spinal cord issues. Patients currently undergoing gait correction therapy will also find the 847v3 useful.
Pros
Cons
3. Skechers Performance Men's Go Walk 3 Slip-On
Designed with men who suffer from neuropathic pain in mind, Skechers Performance Men’s Go Walk 3 dress shoes remain easy on achy joints and can help to ease knee discomfort.
These shoes are made of materials taken from yoga mat through the GOga mat technology.
And they are well cushioned to handle impact from concrete surfaces.
GoImpulse Technology
The GoImpulse technology, together with GOga pillar technology and a 1.5” cushioned heel, provides the comfort you need to move around for long hours.
The mesh design makes the shoes more breathable, allowing for more airflow throughout the day. So you do not have to worry about your feet getting sweaty or wet from walking for long distances.
Lightweight Shoes
Skechers Performance Go Walk 3 falls into the category of the most comfortable work shoes for walking on concrete all day, weighing only 1.9 lbs. That’s because they are made from lightweight materials, including memory foam and Resalyte.
The mesh design also contributes to the lightweight aspect of this pair. More importantly, it boosts the comfort of your feet for longer period when walking.
Pros
Cons
4. Ryka Women's Dash Walking Shoe
If you are looking for tennis sneakers for concrete floors, pavements, and occasional dirt trails, go for Ryka Women’s Dash Walking Shoes.
Designed for our female friends who walk long distance during their busy schedule, Ryka Dash holds up great and should last for a couple of years if well taken care of.
These shoes feature a breathable mesh upper, which allow more air circulation around your feet throughout the day. Because they are lightweight, they can get you through the day without adding extra weight to your feet.
Ortholite Footbed
Ryka Dash walking shoes have rubber outsoles that provide your feet with maximum flexibility and traction.
The ortholite footbed provide your feet with all-around comfort, making these shoes the most ideal option for regular fitness walkers as well as busy women who keep on their feet all day.
Also, these shoes are good for bunions because they have a good width at the metatarsal joints.
Easy to Clean
Ryka Dash walking shoes are easy to clean, so it shouldn’t take you more than an hour. Remove the insoles, wash them in the shower or basin, and then air them to dry.
If you don’t want to dip them in a bowl full of water, you can dust them with a wet washcloth and a bit of soap and then dry them in the sun.
Pros
Cons
5. CLARKS Men's Cotrell Step Slip-on Loafer
If a combination of style and comfort is anything to go by, CLARKS has created a perfect tradeoff between both.
This design approach brings out cool slip-on loafers that you can walk in on concrete surfaces.
Featuring a lightweight ventilated body with solid cushioning, the Cotrell Slip-on Loafers are arguably the right shoes to wear when you are too busy to stop, particularly during long shifts that require you to walk a lot.
Sturdy & Flexible Soles
Because these loafers have flexible, synthetic soles, they add to the shoes the responsiveness your feet need to stay in proper contact with the hard floors.
The slip-resistant, smooth outsole eliminates the chances of falls and slips, so you do not have to worry about foot and knee pain from walking on concrete.
Proper Padding and Leather Upper
The undersides and the insides of these loafers are well padded with foam to give your feet the comfort you need to walk with ease.
Given that the leather upper is breathable, there’s some good airflow to prevent feet sweat. The upper doesn’t stain easily and it is so easy to wipe up.
The Deal Breaker
CLARKS Cotrell Loafers are hands down the perfect pair to wear when you are too busy to stop.
Although they are easy on the wallet, they might run half-a-size smaller if you choose a size you normally would when buying other type of shoes.
Pros
Cons
6. ASICS Men's Gel-Foundation Workplace Shoe
Every time I look at these shoes, I see a pair that’s easy to clean, perfect for standing on concrete environment, and easy on feet.
The pair is made of synthetic leather, and it features a dual memory foam layer with a perfect cushioning for extreme comfort.
I love the flexible lace up closure, because they are easy to tighten and loosen. And, how loose or tight you would want them to be is completely up to you.
Strong Midsole
It’s about strength and proper balance as far as the midsoles of these shoes go. Because the midsoles are sturdy and supportive enough, they act as the perfect foundation for the body.
So, with these shoes, you can maintain a good balance on concrete surfaces without feeling too tired to remain standing.
Adequate Shock Absorption
ASICS Men's Gel-Foundation Workplace Shoe uses a dual cushioning system at the back and front to provide maximum shock absorption in the event of an impact.
Add this to the almost perfect liner designed to keep your feet dry, and what you get is a pair that you can stand in for long hours.
Health Advantage
If you have ever developed foot pain because of working on concrete floors, you will find these shoes quite helpful.
Also, they are available in three colors: black, brown, and neutral colors. So, you can choose what’s good for you depending on your taste of color.
7. New Balance WID626v2 for Standing on Concrete
Here is the hard cold truth:
There will never be a 100% perfect pair of tennis sneakers for a woman that stands on her feet all day.
But, the New Balance Women’s WID626v2 Work Training Shoes are good option to try.
In terms of design, the WID626v2s are perfect for three types of female audiences: those who have normal arch, those who have high arcs, and women with flat feet.
They are properly cushioned and the outsole is slip resistant to provide stability and comfort during movements.
Detailed Cushioning
In my opinion, New Balance WID626v2 is the most detailed shoe in terms of cushioning.
The brand combines EVA and ABZORB foam technology to bring out a pair that provides the maximum shock absorption in the event of an impact from the hard floor.
And besides the Phantom lining that make the surface smooth, the WID626v2 has a sew lining that helps to protect your feet from blisters.
Comfort and Support
Note that this option is available in four widths: D, 2E, 4E, and 6E. And all of them provide the stability and arch support that your body needs.
Because the heel section is cushioned, they do make a good pair for women who are in search for plantar fasciitis shoes.
Overall Design Goal
Although New Balance 6262v2 was designed for women who stand all day in mind, you could also use them as your cross-training shoes.
At the end of the day, these aren’t really tied to a single use, although in my opinion you shouldn’t for exercising nearly as much as you use them for standing and walking.
8. CLARKS Women's Everlay Elma Oxford
CLARKS is a perfect brand for women who love shoes with graduated heels for a tight and comfortable feel.
It’s among the top shoes in the CLARKS series that fit so well. It features a graduated slope that inclines towards the sole.
The slope guarantees all-day comfort for a woman standing for long hours or working her shift throughout the day.
A Softer Interior
Everlay Elam features a soft interior, which keeps the feet warm all the time. You will love Everlay Elam Oxford because the heel height isn’t too big, just around 1.5 inches. So, it’s comfortable enough for the day.
Better Traction
The shoe features moisture management system by OrthoLite, which has two advantages.
The system ensures that your feet have a cooler, drier, and healthier environment. And with a dry and healthier environment, these shoes provide the most ideal traction for you to get by.
The insoles are not removable. Even then, they still give your feet maximum arch support without adding anything to it.
It’s entirely a personal choice to add some removable insoles, and I would recommend you do that if you find it necessary.
9. Rockport Men’s Eureka Shoe for Working on Concrete
If we bring technology in the footwear industry for a minute, I’d say Rockport does its job quite well.
These shoes look casual, but that’s the fun part about having something that stands out.
The outsoles are biomechanically engineered, a technological creativity that goes a long way to make sure the outsoles provide the maximum support your feet needs to withstand concrete environment.
The outsoles are biomechanically engineered, a technological creativity that goes a long way to make sure the outsoles provide the maximum support your feet needs to withstand concrete environment.
These shoes even support extended periods of walking, thanks to the rubber outsole that guarantee solid grip.
Solid Construction
Not all the shoes I have bought feature solid construction. In fact, I have had to throw away a couple of pairs because of their weak design and poor quality.
What I love about the Rockport Men’s Eureka Shoes is they are designed with heel and forefoot stability in mind.
The flexibility and comfort these shoes offer to the sensitive areas of feet is definitely a plus.
Breathable Enough
Rockport Men’s Eureka shoes are good for standing, walking, and working because they are breathable enough to stand humid and hot weather.
They also have a flexible leather upper, which is necessary for relaxing your feet as you walk on hard and rough floors.
Sufficient Protection
Concrete floor can be cruel to your feet. That’s why these shoes have collar and tongue padding to provide the maximum protection your feet needs against the hard, harsh floor.
10. Skechers Soft Stride Slip Resistant Lace-Up Shoes
Whether you want to move faster on concrete or walk with caution because you fear you might trip, Sketcher Women’s Soft Stride-Softie Slip Resistant Lace-Up shoes can help. With a lightweight midsole, solid slip-resistance power, and breathable lining, you can move around freely, while keeping your feet dry and cool.
High Quality Outsoles
The outsoles are designed to last, so you can use these shoes for a very long time. The durability of the outsoles might not be as important as the function of the outsoles themselves, if you ask me.
What’s important to know is how significant they are to your feet.
Because they are designed through the abrasion resistance technology, Sketcher Soft Stride Slip Resistant Lace-Up shoes are good for changing conditions.
Creatively Designed
In terms of design, the shoes are made of flexible leather, and they have a full lace up panel, a padded tongue, and a perforated vent.
The soft padded, pull tongues make the shoes easy to wear and take off, and the perforated vent ensures the breathability of these shoes whether you have them on or not.Unlike many women’s sneakers out there,
Sketcher Slip Resistant Lace-Up features wide soles that provide sufficient body support that a woman needs to stand comfortably.
In addition, the outsoles are slip resistant, so they will provide the maximum traction a woman needs to get through the day.
Solution to Fatigue
This pair doesn’t squeeze a wearer’s toes, so there is free movement in the toe box. And if you need wiggly feet, these one are well rounded to provide just that.
And by the way, they are suitable for people with wide feet. More importantly, they are designed in such a way that you can walk or stand in them all day without getting tired.
What Should I Consider Before Buying Shoes for Walking on Concrete Floors?
With more than a dozen shoe brands out there, and hundreds of pairs to choose, it seems obvious that you are spoiled for choice.
But the problem is:
Choosing the right type of shoes for unfriendly surfaces isn’t anything like choosing the most fashionable shoes.
So before you spend your money on a pair, consider the following factors.
1. Comfort
Just because a pair of shoes is pricey doesn’t mean it is comfortable enough to get you through the day.
And even cheap ones can be somewhat disappointing if used for work on concrete floors.
Go for a pair of shoes that creates a perfect tradeoff between cost and comfort.
Lightweight shoes are always better, but make sure they have a flexible midsole and durable outsole that can stand up against hard surfaces well enough with every step you take.
2. Breathability
Shoe breathability has always been underrated, but it’s one of the features to consider before spending your money on any footwear.
It doesn’t make sense to walk in shoes that don’t allow air to flow around your feet and expect to get through the day.
Choose breathable shoes because they allow air to flow easily around your feet to keep them cool and sweat free.
Moreover, breathable shoes keep soggy socks and hotspots at bay while protecting your feet from blisters.
3. Arch support
The ability to stand comfortably, walk freely, and work with ease on concrete floors for long hours isn’t the only thing you should care about, to be frank.
It is also important to consider your arch when selecting a pair.
Go for shoes that offer solid arch support, as they improve your overall comfort on hard surfaces for a long period.
4. Flexible Uppers
Do not concentrate too much on the support the shoes give the bottom of your feet to forget that the upper part needs sufficient movement for complete comfort.
The shoes you choose should provide both bottom of the feet comfort and have flexible uppers.
Shoes with flexible uppers give the parts of your feet that need to move the freedom to do so all the time.