Most Comfortable Dress Shoes to Wear for Work Mens
Spend entire days on your feet for work? When our job requires us to be standing all day on hard, concrete floors, they can get pretty tired. Therefore, we've tested many a shoe to bring you the ultimate guide to the best men's dress shoes for standing all day:
- Oxford Shoe: Wolf & Shepherd Crossover Longwing
- Oxford Shoe: Beckett Simonon Dean
- Brogue Shoe: Ace Marks Vincent
- Hybrid Shoe: Amberjack The Original
- Formal Boot: Beckett Simonon Lopez
- Brogue Shoe: Allen Edmonds Strandmok
- Brogue Boot: Allen Edmonds Dalton
- Business Casual: Mephisto Cap Vert
- Brogue Shoe: Rockport Tanner
- Derby Shoe: Ecco Citytray
Looking for a particular style that's listed above? Use the links to jump ahead or keep scrolling to read more! Furthermore, this guide will also cover the features to look for in dress shoes for standing all day.
What Are The Best Men's Dress Shoes For Standing All Day?
1. Wolf & Shepherd Crossover Longwing [Oxford Shoe]
- Style: Oxford Shoes
- Formality: Business Casual
- Pricing: $250 [Buy From Wolf & Shepherd]
A young albeit celebrated premium footwear brand, Wolf & Shepherd first garnered a cult following thanks to their innovative construction and radically comfortable shoes. More recently, partnerships with professional sports figures have landed them in the spotlight.
However, you shouldn't let the fanfare overshadow the contemporary designs that Wolf & Shepherd is releasing. For instance, with their Crossover line, they've created an engaging middle-ground between traditional styles and modern materials that slips cozily into the present-day workplace.
Most importantly, all of their dress offerings possess comfort-ensuring materials like a memory foam footbed and full-grain Italian leather. As a result, they're literally made for being on your feet. Although we were initially skeptical, we've tried enough of their shoes to realize how beneficial they are when standing all day!
2. Beckett Simonon Dean [Oxford Shoe]
Should you have a preference for traditional craftsmanship, Beckett Simonon is an alternative and more affordable brand that we would recommend instead. Indeed, Beckett Simonon shoes are benchmade in a Colombian workshop using time-tested techniques.
Beckett Simonon craft their shoes using a Blake stitch construction. Although Goodyear-welted shoes are often regarded as being a better choice, Blake stitched shoes tend to offer greater flexibility as well as a faster break-in time. Both of these are quite beneficial when on your feet all day.
3. Ace Marks Vincent [Brogue Shoe]
- Style: Brogue Shoe
- Formality: Business Casual
- Pricing: $299 [Buy On Ace Marks]
Produced in a family-owned Italian workshop outside of Rome, Ace Marks shoes bridge the gap between artisanal craftsmanship and modern footwear. They're made with excellent-quality full-grain leathers and a Black stitch construction.
As mentioned above, Blake stitch shoes have a number of benefits compared to Goodyear welting when you're standing on your feet all day. Indeed, Ace Marks shoes are lightweight and feature a cushioned insole.
Ace Marks has a variety of shoe styles, which offer different levels of formality. Nevertheless, we have a preference for the Vincent as it's not quite as tight around the top of the midfoot. It's available in a number of colourways but the contrast cognac and tan does look pretty stylish!
4. Amberjack The Original
- Style: Derby
- Formality:Business Casual
- Pricing: From $179 [Buy On Amberjack]
When John Peters created Amberjack, he sought to introduce a versatile shoe that was both affordable and comfortable. He teamed up with designer John Kraljevich who had worked with brands like Allen Edmonds and Coach. Learn its full story with our review.
While The Original isn't strictly a dress shoe, it's a great business casual option that marries traditional craftsmanship with the latest athletic footwear technology. As well as its distinctive aesthetic, the shoe features a removable footbed that's three times thicker than similar brands and offers heat-activated arch support.
Just bear in mind that Amberjack runs a little large so be sure to order a half-size smaller than usual.
5. Beckett Simonon Lopez [Formal Boot]
Taking inspiration from the original First World War service boot, Beckett Simonon have rendered the Chukka boot more formal. Indeed, unlike most boots in this style, the Lopez is quite a dressy option.
Constructed with the same Blake stitching and calfskin leather, it's beautifully made and offers additional ankle support. Furthermore, the rubber outsole provides some shock absorption and a vachette lining prevents rubbing.
6. Allen Edmonds Strandmok [Brogue]
- Style: Brogues
- Formality: Business Casual
- Pricing: $345 [Buy Now On Zappos]
Thanks to Allen Edmonds' own 360° Goodyear welt, the Strandmok is surprisingly cosy! Indeed, it's considerably less stiff and quicker to break in than most other Goodyear welted shoes. Furthermore, the Dainite rubber outsole adds significant additional shock absorption with every step.
We've been very fond of the Strandmok ever since we reviewed it and it continues to perform well all these years later. The calfskin leather patinas beautifully and becomes effortlessly supple with time.
7. Allen Edmonds Dalton Wingtip [Brogue Boot]
- Style: Brogues
- Formality: Business Casual
- Pricing: $445 [Buy From Allen Edmonds]
Brogue boots are particularly popular these days. While there are many options on the market, we're extremely fond of the Dalton by Allen Edmonds. Like the Strandmok, they're constructed using a 360° Goodyear welt as well as calfskin uppers.
Furthermore, they're available in a variety of styles. You can opt for leather or Dainite soles and there's even a model in Cordovan leather. Whatever your choice in upper, we'd insist that you opt for the Dainite soles in order to benefit from their additional shock absorption.
8. Mephisto Cap Vert [Business Casual]
- Style: Penny Loafer
- Formality: Business Professional
- Pricing: $350 [Buy Now On Zappos]
Although we appreciate Mephisto's quality, we tend to avoid them as they're not particularly attractive. However, the Cap Vert is certainly an exception. As penny loafers, they're a business casual option. Therefore, we wouldn't pair them with a suit but they're an excellent choice when being up on your feet all the time.
The padding tongue reduces pressure points. Meanwhile, an extra soft leather lining is designed with a special Air-Relax cushioned insole for additional breathability. Therefore, they're an excellent option in any season.
9. Rockport Tanner [Brogue Shoe]
- Style: Brogues
- Formality: Business Professional
- Pricing: $100 [Buy Now On Zappos]
While admittedly not the most elegant choice, Rockport is a great brand when you're on a budget, especially if you're on your feet all day. It features a removable OrthoLite footbed and a durable rubber outsole.
OrthoLite is a well-known brand of shoe inserts and those supplied with these brogues won't let you down. Meanwhile, the rubber outsole provides good shock absorption and traction on slippery surfaces. As a result, it's a great choice for those working in catering.
10. Ecco Citytray [Oxford Shoe]
- Style: Oxford Shoe
- Formality: Business Professional
- Pricing: $170 [Buy Now On Zappos]
Ecco is renowned for producing shoes that are favoured among the hospitality and medical sectors for good reason! It's more affordable than other brands like Mephisto and its styles are a little more subtle, too.
However, they do tend to look a little boxy and lack elegance, to say the least. That said, the Citytray conforms well to dress code standards with an understated Derby design.
The shoe features a removable leather-covered insole, which can be replaced with orthotics. Meanwhile, the brand touts its Fluidform soles, which are lightweight yet provide excellent shock absorption.
Finally, the rubber outsole features Ecco's "Tray" technology, which is what has earned the shoe its name. This addition offers extra stability and grip.
Standing All Day In Dress Shoes
Whilst many of us spend our eight hours sat firmly behind a desk, which isn't particularly healthy either, there are other professions that require being on your feet all day.
Catering, retail, security and education are but a few where you can find yourself standing for hours on end. Although standing and walking are indeed healthy activities, there gets to a point where it becomes too much.
In fact, prolonged standing is a major cause of disorders such as Plantar Fasciitis, which can become a chronic condition. Otherwise, you may suffer from sore and tired feet, which puts you out of action by the time you clock out.
Additionally, many of the professions where you'd be required to stay on your feet may also have relatively strict dress codes. As such, you'll be obliged to remain rather formal, which rules out footwear such as sneakers.
Dress Shoe Features For Standing All Day
Shoe brands have learned to change with the times and are now catering more towards ergonomics. Once a shoe that was associated with rigidity, many now feature characteristics reminiscent of athletic shoes.
From PU footbeds to EVA midsoles, we're beginning to see a revolution in modern footwear where the traditional dress shoe is easier to wear.
However, whilst cheap dress shoes tend to skimp on quality, which can make them quite uncomfortable, the traditional construction of premium footwear can actually be quite soothing too. Nevertheless, here are a few modern features that the best dress shoes for standing tend to feature:
- Cushioning:Cushion has been around for a long time but has only recently become serious. Originally, just a few symbolic pads were found on the heel, which didn't do much. Today, quality shoes for standing offer deep cushion, which take pressure off the contours of your feet.
- Stability:Although best for when walking, lateral stability makes it easier for standing too. This means that your feet don't need to strain themselves to stay upright.
- Shock Absorption:Thin leather soles don't offer much shock absorption and can feel very hard over a period of time. Quality shoes tend to have thicker leather and rubber soles as well as newer materials like EVA and PU, which offer some bounce and padding when on your feet.
- Arch Support: Absolutely essential for preventing disorders like Plantar Fasciitis, arch support cups the bottom of your feet so they aren't strained when standing. Just make sure that they match your foot shape as too much arch support can cause bruising.
- Natural Materials: Although some synthetics can breathe quite well, the best option for dress shoes still tends to be leather. This is because it works as a membrane and actually exchanges moisture. Most fake leather shoes don't do this and the build up of sweat can cause blisters.
- Ankle Grip: Features like ankle notches or collars prevent your feet from slipping out of your shoes. This reduces friction and prevents blistering when walking.
What Next?
Now that you have read about the best men's dress shoes for standing all day, take a look at our related footwear guides:
- All Best Shoes For Standing All Day
- All Men's Dress Shoes Buying Guides
- Best Men's Dress Shoes For Walking
- Best Men's Dress Shoes For Flat Feet
- Best Shoes For Plantar Fasciitis
- Bespoke Unit Shoe Homepage
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4 Comments
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Source: https://bespokeunit.com/shoes/dress/standing/
Good afternoon…
I wear prescription orthotics for flat feet and need both men's dress and casual shoes that can both accommodate the orthotic and that provide ankle stability, so that my foot stays in the orthotic.
Can you provide me with any suggestions please?
Great list! Am a shoe nut so own a lot of these brands. Hadn't heard of Amberjack before, but just bought a pair (after seeing your review). Love them so far. Excellent find. Comfort is phenomenal.
Great to hear it! Glad that our review helped you find them!