Looking for the best shoes for walking on concrete? you have come to the right place. Wearing proper footwear is important for anyone regardless of what you do or where you work. But if you work in a place where you’re on your feet for 10 hours or more on concrete floors, you need something a little more special to keep your feet from getting exhausted
Below we’ve compiled a list of the best shoes for walking on concrete. We tried to include a variety of styles, so everyone can find what they need for their specific activity or occupation.
Reviews of the Best Shoes for Walking on Concrete
1. KEEN Utility Atlanta Cool ESD Steel Toe Work Shoe
Quick Facts:
- Best for: Warehouse work, construction, electrical work
The KEEN Utility Atlanta Cool provide men and women with a stylish work shoe that provides comfort and superior protection around the toes. The ESD feature (Electro Static Dissipative) keeps the wearer grounded by reducing the flow of electricity through the shoe and into the ground.
The mesh lining makes these shoes extremely breathable, keeping your feet cool and dry even in the hottest of conditions. Also features reflective webbing for safety in low-light conditions.
Many reviewers report that even after an 18-hour day on their feet these shoes are still comfortable, and their feet don’t hurt as much. Others follow up on the manufacturer’s claim of durability, stating that they easily held up for a year of wearing them to work every day.
Pros
Cons
2. Asics Men’s GEL-Tech Walker Neo 4 Walking Shoe
Quick Facts:
- Best for: Walking for exercise, factory work, working at a store like Target, Walmart, or Costco
This quality walking shoe offers the user an exceptional upper fit and an ortholite sock liner, bringing added support and internal comfort. Complete with DuoMax and Trusstic technologies, your feet will feel supported and cushioned with every step.
Users rave that they use these shoes for work and normal everyday wear. Where other brands and shoes failed, these have excelled in bringing comfort and support whether you’re going out for a run or are working on concrete floors for 10 hours a day.
Pros
Cons
3. New Balance MID 626V2
Quick Facts:
- Best for: Serving, factory work, warehouse wor (Walmart, Target, Amazon, etc)
Real leather and a non-stick sole make the New Balance MID626V2 series a stylish shoe that looks great and is easy to clean. The foam cushioning is incredibly comfortable and the midsole is designed to support the foundation of the body.
User say that the shoes are exceedingly effective and keep their feet comfy after hours on the concrete. The soft leather is very easy to clean which is great if you work some place like a restaurant or warehouse. They are very durable too and can easily last a year with 40-hour weeks working on concrete
Pros
Cons
4. Dansko Women’s Emma
Quick Facts:
- Best for: Nursing, warehouse work, walking
A favorite brand among nurses, the Dansko Emma Oxford shoe is great for women who need to walk across hard tiled surfaces all day. The great arch and heel support shield your feet knees and spine from the damages of concrete floor. There is also a removable insole so you can put in custom insoles if you want.
The slip resistant sole is a nice touch, specially if you work around water and potential liquid spills. According to users, the sizing and fit are perfect and exactly what you would expect.
Pros
Cons
5. Skechers for Work Women’s Squad SR Food Service Shoe
Quick Facts:
- Best for: Restaurant and hospitality
A leading brand in quality and comfortable work shoes, Skechers has done it again with the Work Women’s Squad SR Food Service Shoe. These shoes are Electrical Hazard (EH) safe and provide excellent traction on wet or oily surfaces.
Skechers are best for restaurant and hospitality work, giving you hours of padded comfort and support.
With a full length, cushioned memory foam insole, it molds to your feet for the perfect fit. The stretch laces and padded collar and tongue make them easy to slip on and off.
Pros
Cons
6. Dr. Comfort Men’s Stallion Casual Shoes
Quick Facts:
- Best for: Casual walking, walking on concrete all day
Although the Dr. Comfort Stallion shoes are marketed as therapeutic shoes for diabetics, they’re great for anyone who wants a comfortable shoe. Since it’s designed to ease foot pain, it also helps to prevent foot pain, which makes them great for walking on concrete all day.
With a stylish look good for work or walking around town, these shoes come with an extra gel insert for added comfort.
Pros
Cons
7. Caterpillar Men’s 2nd Shift Steel Toe
Quick Facts:
- Best for: Industrial or Construction work
The CAT Second Shift Steel Toe Work Boot has everything you need to keep your feet safe and comfortable on the work site: Goodyear Welt Construction, certified steel toe cap and electrical protection, leather uppers for breathability and style, and anti-slip soles.
Pros
Cons
8. Nurse Mates Women’s Velocity
Quick Facts:
- Best for: Nurses and healthcare workers truction work
Nurses are on their feet anywhere between 10-18 hours a day, taking care of sick and injured patients. Nothing is worse than trying to tend to the needs of so many people when your feet are on fire, but that’s where the Nurse Mates Women’s Velocity shoes come in.
The soft leather uppers let your feet breath and the soft footbed hugs the foot very naturally. it keeps your foot in an optimum position so your knees don’t get tired from standing.
Pros
Cons
9. REEBOK Men’s Work N’ Cushion 2.0 Walking Shoe
Quick Facts:
- Best for: Walking, working on concrete floors or in kitchens
Great for either casual walking or working on concrete floors, the Reebok Men’s Work N’ Cushion 2.0 bring you superior comfort and arch support. They are extremely lightweight and comfortable, with removable memory foam inserts.
Along with being comfortable and breathable, these shoes are also slip-resistant, easily making them the most versatile shoe available. Available in white or black
Pros
Cons
10. Skechers for Work Women’s Synergy Sandlot Alloy Toe Lace-Up Work Shoe
Quick Facts:
- Best for: Warehouse, factory, anything requiring steel or composite toe, also good for walking
With these work shoes made by Skechers, you’ll feel like you’re wearing tennis shoes on the job. But in fact, you’ll be wearing shoes that are both comfortable and safe.
The flat laces avoid snags, while the printed reflective side stripe adds safety in low-light conditions. These shoes are also EH safe and meet Mark II and OSHA standards for slip resistance in water or oily surfaces.
Soft fabric lines the inside of the shoe while the tongue and collar are padded for extra comfort. These shoes are also available in four different color options. Comes in medium or wide widths.
Pros
Cons
11. Dunham Men’s Bryce Oxford
Quick Facts:
- Best for: Walking on concrete floors in formal setting
As some of the most stylish shoe around, the Dunham Men’s Bryce Oxfords are great for men who work all day walking on concrete floors but need shoes with a more formal look. These shoes are designed for comfort and come with and removable Ortholite foam footbed that’s breathable and helps reduce odor.
This shoe features extra padding at the heal for shock absorption as well as superior arch support to keep your feet comfortable all day.
Pros
Cons
12. Avia Women’s Avi Union Service Shoe
Quick Facts:
- Best for: Fitness walkers, restaurant workers
Probably one of the most affordable options yet, the Avia Women’s Avi Union Service Shoe have a padded collar and tongue for additional comfort. The shoes also feature a breathable mesh lining, as well as a removable sock liner so you can easily use your own orthotics.
A traditional lace-up front on a mesh-lined tongue adds to the comfort and breathability of this work shoe. This will help keep your toes cool and dry.
Water and stain resistant due to the Defender by Scotchgard applied to the synthetic leather upper, this shoe is very easy to clean and maintain. (If you need a serious solution for water, check our waterproof work boots post)
Pros
Cons
13. SAS Men’s Bouttime Lace Up Shoes
Quick Facts:
- Best for: Working all day on concrete floors
The SAS Men’s Bouttime is a stylish, moccasin-style shoe that provides all day comfort for men who work around and on concrete floors. It’s three-point cushioning system provides good shock absorbency to the balls of the feet and the heel.
These shoes come with CoolStep insoles that are removable, washable, anti-bacterial, and anti-fungal. So not only will they keep your feet safe and comfortable, your feet will be healthy as well.
According to reviews, anything made by SAS is made to last. Some have gone 8 years or more. Others felt like they were wearing super comfortable slippers rather than work shoes.
Pros
Cons
14. ASICS Women’s Gel-Quantum 360-w
Quick Facts:
- Best for: Nurses, healthcare workers, PE Teachers, runners
The ASICS Women’s Gel-Quantum shoe provides cushioning and comfort. Recommended for women who walk long distances all day, this is a great shoe for teachers, nurses, and other healthcare professionals. Could also be great for retail workers that don’t have to follow certain color requirements.
Featuring a rear and fore foot GEL cushioning system, this helps with shock and “toe-off” phases, supporting the foot during different gait transitions. The Trusstic system delivers stability and support to the feet while also keeping the shoes lightweight and breathable.
Pros
Cons
Buyer’s Guide for Finding the Best Shoes for Walking on Concrete
Finding the best shoes for walking on concrete depends on the level of activity you engage in on concrete floors. Some people are casual walkers while others go for jogging or powerwalking on concrete sidewalks. Others work in a place where they are constantly standing and walking on concrete floors, some of which require special shoes (non-slip, steel-toed, white nurse shoes, etc.).
It’s important to make sure you shop for the right shoe for your activity. You don’t want to be wearing a shoe designed for the casual walker when you work in a factory where you need steel-toed boots and are walking on concrete 40 hours a week.
With that in mind, there are some key features to look for when looking for the best shoes for walking on concrete.
Comfort
Comfort is probably one of the most important features that people look for when shopping for shoes. Especially for those who walk on concrete or hard surfaces all day, they want something that isn’t’ going to make things worse by being uncomfortable.
You want to find shoes that are breathable, especially the upper area as it will help your toes remain cool and dry. You also need shoes that have some sort of shock absorbers to help with those long walks on concrete floors. Extra padding in the heel and toe can’t hurt either.
Support
Along with comfort, you’re going to need shoes that support your arch and ankles. Sometimes you won’t really know just how well a shoe supports you until you’ve been able to wear it past the “break-in” period.
Therefore, we’ve done our best to provide insight into the shoes listed above as to how supportive these shoes are for all day wear on concrete surfaces.
Stability
If you work in a place where the concrete floors tend to get wet or oily, having shoes that offer stability is essential to avoiding any foot injuries. Even the most supportive and comfortable shoes won’t help if you’re around slippery floors without decent traction.
Style
Ultimately the choice on style is up to you and your preferences, provided they meet the above requirements for comfort, support, and stability. Some professions, though, will dictate the style of footwear you get.
For instance, if your job is in a warehouse, factory, or road construction, tall boots with steel toes will be what you need. While jobs as nurses or restaurant workers may require something more sneaker-like.
Additionally, formal business careers may mean you look for something more stylish. Many companies also require that your footwear meet certain color guidelines, which can sometimes limit what you look for.
Durability
One last feature you need to be aware of when searching for work shoes is durability. If a shoe is comfortable and supportive, but falls typically falls apart in a few months, it isn’t going to help you in the long run. You want something that has a good record of lasting at least a year so you can get your money’s worth.
That said, not every company is fool proof, and sometimes a bad pair goes out. That doesn’t mean that every pair from that company is going to be defective. This is where investigating reviews come into play. If there’s hundreds of reviews, and only one or two say something about the shoe falling apart, then you should be fine.
Frequently Asked Questions
What Shoes are Best Support Shoes for Walking on Concrete?
The best supportive shoes will offer comfort with cushioned insoles and shock-resistant outsoles. They’ll also be soft and flexible, allowing your feet full range of movement.
How Do I Know When to Replace My Shoes?
If your shoe starts falling apart, or your feet start to hurt more and more, this is a good indication that the shoes’ support and comfort have worn out. This is a good time to start looking for a new pair.
The general rule for replacing shoes is every 300-500 miles of mileage. Something that some people will do is when they find a shoe that works well, they’ll by a 2nd pair immediately so that they’ll already have a new pair waiting when the first pair wears out.
Conclusion
Finding the best shoe for walking on concrete floors shouldn’t be rocket science. Just look for shoes that offer you the best in comfort, support, stability, and durability, and you’ll have exactly what you need.
Sources
- Mayo Clinic Staff, MayoClinic, Article, February 4, 2017