If the shoe fits

April 30, 2011 8:53 AM

Recommend a new shoe for my job that requires high speed continuous walking for about 10-15 miles per day.

I have a job filling orders in a warehouse that requires about 10-15 miles worth of walking per day at a fairly high and continuous rate of speed. The restrictions (to steel-toed or saftey shoes) were lifted this week, hallelujah. I can wear basically anything now, but I don't know where to start.

What kind of shoes should I try? And what's the best way to try?

posted by santojulieta to Clothing, Beauty, & Fashion (13 answers total)

When I worked in a warehouse with cement floors, there were stress mats where I would usually be standing.
But.... even so, I ended up developing heel spurs on one of my heels... which then caused me to walk crooked... which then eventually led to sever back pain to the point where I could barely walk.


Long story short: went to the doctor. He told me to go and get a pair of New Balance sneakers. I did.
Two days later I was fine.
They have several different size combinations for width and size to accommodate most people.
I bought mine online at a New Balance oulet shop online for $24 after going to a local store figuring out what size I was.
posted by KogeLiz at 9:17 AM on April 30, 2011

(Btw, when I got the heel spurs, I was wearing Converse One Stars back when the soles were heavy rubber)
posted by KogeLiz at 9:18 AM on April 30, 2011

I worked in this type of environment for several years. I saw a lot of athletic shoes, NB and Reebock seemed to be the favorites. As a manager, I couldn't rock the athletic shoe look, so I wore leather Clarkes, somthing like these or these. The thick rubber soles are what you're looking for. They go on sale at department stores regularly. Adding gel soles really did work great for me.

Advice: make sure you set aside a block of time on your days off to elevate and rest your feet. Those concrete floors are murder, my feet hurt for two years after I moved on to another job.
posted by raisingsand at 9:25 AM on April 30, 2011

When I was running a warehouse, I had lots of success with the dressier versions of some Sketchers, but finding the perfect size, fit, and look took a long time. I ended up checking out some dressier trail running and hiking shoes. I went with a lightweight and professional looking pair. They were comfortable to wear and I had no problem finding a nice brown or black leather pair that looked, felt, and wore great. REI, Campmor, EMS, and similar outdoors stores will have a wide selection and plenty to try out on various types of fake terrain.

If looks do not matter, my size 13, 4E feet have always been very comfortable in some of the Adidas sneakers. While they look deceptively thin, they have always worn well and comfortably.
posted by Nackt at 9:42 AM on April 30, 2011 [1 favorite]

The stagehand and movie folks I work with swear by Keens or Merrels. Keens for wide feet, Merrels for narrower feet. I used to have horrible feet troubles at work, but now I can do 15 hour days in my Keens with no troubles at all.
posted by mollymayhem at 9:58 AM on April 30, 2011

Seconding the Keens/Merrels. They are a little pricey, $70-$100 a pair but, like toilet paper, this is one thing I never scrimp on. I have had a pair of Merrels for a little more than a year and I work in a warehouse where I do a shit ton of walking and they are showing little to no sign of wear. I also have a pair of Keens that I wear for everything except work and I have had them for about three years and they are still in great shape. You can't go wrong with either of these.
posted by holdkris99 at 11:59 AM on April 30, 2011 [2 favorites]

I don't have to walk nearly as much as you, but found the Timberland Pro Renova clog amazingly comfortable. So much so that I own two pair, and have a hard time wearing anything else. The insole and the cushioning inside the shoe are remarkable. The link is to the Timberland site, but you can find them cheaper if you shop around on line.
posted by dbmcd at 1:31 PM on April 30, 2011

Second that whatever you get don't scrimp.

I've spent years working in large airports around Asia walking 8-15km a day, plus standing up for much of the rest of the time. Keens are good. Personally I swear by Eccos (have 5 pairs) and know quite a few others who do.

Plus 2 lovable old pairs of Dr Martens.
posted by Dr Strange at 2:09 PM on April 30, 2011

My wife used to work as a waitress, and then later in retail, and was on her feet all day. She and a lot of her coworkers swore by Danskos.
posted by starvingartist at 5:55 PM on April 30, 2011

Alegriashoeshop.com

Severe arthritis in my feet - and these are like walking on marshmallow clouds.
posted by crankyrogalsky at 7:28 PM on April 30, 2011

Whatever you do, if you like them, go a buy a second pair and alternate between them (number a pair 1 and the other pair 2 and wear the odd numbered pair on days that are odd and even number pair on days that are even). Your shoes will last longer and they'll have time to dry out better so you're less likely to get anything funky.

I also swear by Eccos.
posted by furtive at 10:02 PM on April 30, 2011 [1 favorite]

Thirding Merrells. I have a couple pairs and they are amazingly comfortable for walking. I got both my pairs off the clearance rack at DSW for under $40 each. : )
posted by SisterHavana at 10:13 PM on April 30, 2011

Going against the running shoe grain, I picked up a pair of redwing work books several years back, they came with a anti fatigue sole on them and I heart them so much. They are basically like standing on one of those rubber mats all the time. They aren't cheap, but they will restitch them for free, and the service has been great. Mine have held up to about 3 years constant wear, being hit by welding sparks, molten bronze, lots of lumber etc.
posted by Pink Fuzzy Bunny at 12:24 PM on May 1, 2011