The Best Work Shoes

Many women have very demanding jobs that require their shoes to hold up to various types of working conditions. Having the right shoe for the job makes all the difference, not only during the workday, but at the end of the day and over the long-term. Work shoes that do not fit well or are not ideally suited for the job may not only be uncomfortable, but they may also be a safety hazard. That is why it is so important to find a work shoe that is safe, durable, and comfortable. Work shoes can be found in department stores, specialty shoe stores, as well as online and can be expensive when special features are necessary. This guide explores the best work shoes for various working conditions and the features that need to be considered before making such an important purchase, as well as how to find affordable high-quality work shoes online.

Work Shoes for Different Jobs
There is a large variety of environmental conditions that women are exposed to during their daily work routines. Many of these work routines require long hours of standing, walking, and other physical activities that can take a toll on a woman's body if she does not wear the proper footwear. Other jobs involve dangerous conditions that require special footwear in order to minimize the risk of injury. Listed in this guide are a some of the features of work shoes that can meet the tough requirements of any job that a woman might face.

Shoes for Extensive Walking
There are many jobs that require extensive walking on a daily basis. Shoes worn by someone who walks on tile floor all day need to have adequate cushioning and arch support. They should also have features on the bottom of the shoe that help to absorb shock since this style of shoe is normally chosen by women who do a lot of walking. The physical condition of the wearer may also play a key factor in the features the shoe needs to have as well. For example, if a woman has problems with her ankles, she may need to purchase walking shoes in a high top sneaker style that add additional support for her ankles.

Work Shoes for Slippery Surfaces
Other women make have to work in areas that are slippery because of wet or greasy floors. The best work shoe for this type of work environment are non-slip work shoes. They should also have adequate cushion and support the arches and ankles to help minimize the risk of slips and falls in the workplace. This style of shoe should also have features that support the foot and can minimize shock. Since many of these kinds of shoes leave marks behind on the smooth surfaced floors, it would be an additional benefit to find a shoe that has a non-marking feature. This style of work shoe is normally chosen by women who work in healthcare professions, restaurants, and many other jobs that have the potential to be hazardous due to slippery conditions.

Waterproof Work Shoes for the Outdoors
Many women have jobs that require them to hike in steep terrain and be exposed to wet conditions. The best work shoe for this type of waterproof shoes that have features such as deep tread on the bottoms can grip slippery surfaces and yet still have enough support that the feet and ankles have adequate support. Some styles of waterproof shoes are available with boot and galoshes features that have rugged tread for unpredictable terrain. There are also other types that have available features such as laces to help ensure that the walking shoes stay securely on the feet. If a woman already owns the perfect pair of shoes for the job but they are not waterproof, this problem can be solved by applying waterproofing materials to the shoe and giving them the proper amount of time to dry.

Protective Work Shoes
Steel toe footwear is a type of footwear that offers some of the best features for safe work performance. Although there is a wide variety of steel toe footwear on the market, most of them come with standard safety features that protect the feet of the wearer from things like falling objects, stubbing their toes on dangerous surfaces, electrical shock, and unsafe or unsteady terrains. The "steel toe" is a metatarsal guard that protects the toes and upper areas of the foot and it is located in the upper toe portion of the shoe. This type of work shoe comes in various styles such as boots, oxfords, and even sneaker styles. They usually also feature cushioned insoles and thick sole tread on the bottoms.

Another common feature of steel toe footwear is waterproofing. Since this type of work shoe is often used outdoors, it protects the wearer from harsh weather conditions. This shoe type also commonly comes with non-slip soles and shock absorbing tread. It is important to note that if the purchaser is looking for steel toe footwear that protects against certain hazards such as the risk of electrical shock, they must make sure that the footwear is designed to specifically protect them from that type of hazard. Many industrial models meet these specifications.

Foot Support Accessories for Formal Shoes
Shoes that are worn in a formal setting, such as in an office environment, not only need to appear attractive, but they need to be functional and comfortable as well. One of the biggest problems with shoes that have heels, particularly high ones such stilettos, is that they tend to position the body in a more upward position at the heel. This can not only lead to sore feet, but to cramps in the calves as well, particularly for a woman who is not used to wearing them. High heel shoes that have straps or laces offer protection from the foot slipping around in the shoe, but they can also lead to blisters. That is why it is important to have work shoes that fit the foot well.

If a woman finds a pair of shoes that she just cannot live without, it is possible to alleviate discomfort by adding a heel insert. There are also arch support inserts that can be purchased to give the foot additional support which is a much-needed asset for women who spend many hour on their feet or who walk a lot during their business day.

Although flat shoes can be much more comfortable than ones with heels, if they do not offer the foot support they are not doing the wearer any favors. These types of shoes by design usually have flat insoles, such as ballerina flats. These shoes are attractive, but standing or walking for long hours in a flat shoe will also give wearers sore feet in no time if they do not pick out the right pair. For this type of support problem it would be best to add a feature that will make the shoe more comfortable, such orthotic insertable arch support insoles.