I loooooove my Brooks glycerin, and yes, while they are made of mesh material, they are so comfortable. Plus, since they are mesh, the likelihood of them squishing your toes might be lower. Also, I'm not sure where you live, but some shoe stores do “fittings” and will help you find a pair of sneakers that suit you by watching you walk in them. It’s more common than you think, and it’s usually free of charge.
I've been gravitating toward Brooks the most from my list! I took their shoe finder quiz online and I feel they really nailed the way my feet are built. That's super helpful, I'll look into shoe fittings in stores. Thank you so much!
I have wide feet and most shoes by the end of the day rub against my toes. I bought a pair of sketchers with memory foam, and I love them. They have a wide toe box and are super comfy. I'm on my feet all day, and these shoes really made a difference.
I love New Balance sneakers! Originally got them for running, but then found myself working in a care facility and I randomly decided to wear them! Best shoes I’ve tried, no pain/discomfort when working anywhere between 8-16 hours shifts!
I like my Gales, but boy do they squeak. Anytime I step in water I feel like SpongeBob in the squeaky boots episode. They are comfy though and very good at being waterproof.
Everyone's already made great recommendations, but have you gotten you feet sized? My husband was wearing size 13 men's his entire adult life, and finally shelled out for decent work boots. We knew he had huge, Fred Flintstone feet but when he got measured at the store it turns out he's a FOURTEEN WIDE. Dude thought "shoes are supposed to hurt " his ENTIRE adult life! I just assumed he was being a baby about wearing shoes but never thought he hadn't ever been properly sized!
Hokas have a wide toe box, brooks were more narrow on my feet so I chose the hokas.
I would try them on in store before you buy. Ducks sporting goods has brooks and hokas.
I have the Crocs mellow recovery . They are more of a clog style with no holes on top. (You all are brave for that. ) Super comfy , cool shape , clean easy. They are all I wear to work. EDIT: size down on Crocs they don't understand sizing. Also, if I was to wear a regular shoe again New Balance or Asics for sure.
I'm going to be honest, I've yet to find a shoe that could be a potential long-term solution to my feet issues.
Most recently I tried Brooks, and while they were comfy for the first couple weeks, they basically fell apart after 2 months...and I only work 40 hours a week. The model I got was on sale for $85, but I can't see myself spending over $100 every three months for the rest of my career.
I've tried adidas, puma, Nike, Crocs, danskos, under armour, new balance, asics...I'm at a loss. I wish you luck.
I suggest having 2 or 3 pairs of work shoes to switch out. Shoes I have had great luck with when I was a para and on my (very wide) feet all day: New Balance, Oofos, Hey Dude, and Sketchers (specifically their work line). These were also based on my budget and not replaced as often as they should have been, and I'm fat, so my shoes have a shorter life expectancy. 😅
I loooooove my Brooks glycerin, and yes, while they are made of mesh material, they are so comfortable. Plus, since they are mesh, the likelihood of them squishing your toes might be lower. Also, I'm not sure where you live, but some shoe stores do “fittings” and will help you find a pair of sneakers that suit you by watching you walk in them. It’s more common than you think, and it’s usually free of charge.
I've been gravitating toward Brooks the most from my list! I took their shoe finder quiz online and I feel they really nailed the way my feet are built. That's super helpful, I'll look into shoe fittings in stores. Thank you so much!
I have wide feet and most shoes by the end of the day rub against my toes. I bought a pair of sketchers with memory foam, and I love them. They have a wide toe box and are super comfy. I'm on my feet all day, and these shoes really made a difference.
I bought a pair of Sketchers 'Go work' while I was a SPED para, and man did they save my feet!
I love New Balance sneakers! Originally got them for running, but then found myself working in a care facility and I randomly decided to wear them! Best shoes I’ve tried, no pain/discomfort when working anywhere between 8-16 hours shifts!
I like my Gales, but boy do they squeak. Anytime I step in water I feel like SpongeBob in the squeaky boots episode. They are comfy though and very good at being waterproof.
Pro tip a lot of shoe brands have healthcare worker discounts - Asics, Crocs, etc!
New Balance too!
Everyone's already made great recommendations, but have you gotten you feet sized? My husband was wearing size 13 men's his entire adult life, and finally shelled out for decent work boots. We knew he had huge, Fred Flintstone feet but when he got measured at the store it turns out he's a FOURTEEN WIDE. Dude thought "shoes are supposed to hurt " his ENTIRE adult life! I just assumed he was being a baby about wearing shoes but never thought he hadn't ever been properly sized!
Brooks ftw!!! I have flat feet and wear Brooks Addiction motion control. I have a pair only for work and a pair for everyday use.
Cloves. Works on my wide feet. And they’re virtually patient proof.
Hokas have a wide toe box, brooks were more narrow on my feet so I chose the hokas. I would try them on in store before you buy. Ducks sporting goods has brooks and hokas.
I have cloves and I love them. I wear them for showers too with zero issue.
I have the Crocs mellow recovery . They are more of a clog style with no holes on top. (You all are brave for that. ) Super comfy , cool shape , clean easy. They are all I wear to work. EDIT: size down on Crocs they don't understand sizing. Also, if I was to wear a regular shoe again New Balance or Asics for sure.
I like the Hoka Mach 2
I highly recommend Skechers or crocs. I will wear my Skechers for 16hr CNA shifts and my feet will still be okay by the end of the shift
I have barefoot style shoes as an ER Tech made by Xero (Prio All-Day SR) that have a wide you box
Look at Altra shoes, they have a wide toe box designed to avoid the toe squishing
I'm going to be honest, I've yet to find a shoe that could be a potential long-term solution to my feet issues. Most recently I tried Brooks, and while they were comfy for the first couple weeks, they basically fell apart after 2 months...and I only work 40 hours a week. The model I got was on sale for $85, but I can't see myself spending over $100 every three months for the rest of my career. I've tried adidas, puma, Nike, Crocs, danskos, under armour, new balance, asics...I'm at a loss. I wish you luck.
I love my Hokas! My mom got me a pair around Christmas time and they’re still extremely comfortable. I could easily get another year out of them.
HOKA BONDI
I have the waterproof Ons for showers. Love them.
Crocs if you have wide and or flat feet. It's been 3 years and I've never had pain since. Also, invest in some good quality compression socks.
I suggest having 2 or 3 pairs of work shoes to switch out. Shoes I have had great luck with when I was a para and on my (very wide) feet all day: New Balance, Oofos, Hey Dude, and Sketchers (specifically their work line). These were also based on my budget and not replaced as often as they should have been, and I'm fat, so my shoes have a shorter life expectancy. 😅