When I first looked into getting a standing desk, one of the first bits of advice I found from the standing desk community (aka Reddit) was to make sure you wear shoes. The idea of wearing shoes hadn’t even occurred to me. Let alone the best shoes for standing desks.
It’s not that I thought I would be standing barefoot, I’m a socks kind of girl, but I guess I didn’t realize that supportive shoes would be essential for the prolonged standing I would be doing by working at a standing desk.
The advice to find suitable shoes for a standing desk came from a Reddit thread about investing in an anti-fatigue mat. Again, something I hadn’t even considered.
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What is an anti-fatigue mat?
An anti-fatigue mat is a firm and supportive mat that promotes subtle muscle movements to increase blood flow in your legs and feet while standing for prolonged periods.
A lot of members of the standing desk community recommend an anti-fatigue mat as a “must-have” for your standing desk setup.
If you already use a standing desk and you find you’re having discomfort in your legs or feet then an anti-fatigue mat should help resolve this issue.
It is important to note that even with an anti-fatigue mat, you should still wear shoes at a standing desk.
Why are shoes important when using a standing desk?
Much the same as anti-fatigue mats, wearing the correct shoes for a standing desk can help improve blood flow and circulation.
It’s important to wear shoes at a standing desk because otherwise, you will notice discomfort when standing for prolonged periods. And surely the whole point of your standing desk is to, well, stand for long periods while you work.
But it’s not enough to wear shoes, you have to make sure you are wearing the right shoes if you want to remain comfortable at your standing desk.
How do I choose the right shoes for standing desks?
I wear running shoes at my standing desk because they offer the same level of support you need for prolonged standing.
The right shoes for standing desks need good arch support and strong soles to support your shoes for the entire day.
So you definitely don’t want to wear flip-flips at your standing desk!
You need to wear comfortable shoes, like tennis shoes or running sneakers, to make sure you have the proper support you need for your feet when using a standing desk.
What shoes are best for standing desks?
If you already own a quality pair of running sneakers or tennis shoes, you should be fine to use those with your standing desk. Fortunately for me, I took up running in 2020 (didn’t keep it up though!) so I had a mostly unused pair of sneakers that were perfect for the job.
But if you don’t, then I’m going to share with you my “wish list”.
Now, I’ve made this wish list because I’ve read that using treadmill desks can seriously damage the soles of your sneakers. So I am expecting I will need to invest in some new sneakers in the next few months… and naturally, I have been browsing already.
To make this a more comprehensive list, I’ve included unisex options where possible.
These shoes just scream comfort, even before you check out the reviews. They are a traditional style of sports sneaker which is typical of New Balance shoes and highly rated within the standing desk community. These would be my number one choice if I was in the market for new shoes for my standing desk right now.
We’ve got another shout-out for New Balance shoes here because I want to share unisex options and these are the next most popular standing desk shoes. I feel like these sneakers, and the ones above, are the “his and hers” of the standing desk community! Between these and the women’s version above, I feel these are the best shoes for standing for a prolonged period daily and the fact they are super breathable is a huge plus if you decide to invest in an under desk treadmill.
These Sketchers come in a very close second for me. Even the name of this sneaker makes you feel like you’ll be standing on pillows all day. I will admit that I am a Sketchers fan and generally find their shoes very comfortable, so I’m not surprised they’ve made this list.
There’s definitely a running theme here with his and hers but if you are going to wear shoes at your standing desk you want to make sure you are wearing the highest rated, right? These Sketchers sneakers remind me of hiking shoes which is great if you are looking to invest in a pair of long-lasting shoes. The memory foam is a nice touch here too!
If you are looking for comfortable shoes that won’t break the bank then these are the best shoes for your standing desk setup. Any shoe that is designed for walking will work great when standing for prolonged periods and at under $30 for a pair, you can’t go wrong!
I. Love. Puma. And for under $50 this is another great option for comfortable shoes on a budget for your standing desk. Puma sneakers are known for being super comfortable and long-lasting so if you want to invest (without investing too much), these would be a great option!
You will notice a running theme here.
All the shoes I have chosen for this roundup are cushioned, which is great for shock absorption, and have supportive arches. This is because it’s essential that you wear supportive shoes at your standing desk and most of the time you will find these shoes are running sneakers.
Sure, a high quality pair of tennis shoes may do the trick, but if you are going to invest then you may as well invest in the best shoes. Right?