The Best Shoes for Retail Workers — Comfort for Working the Floor

If you work in retail, one of the most important things you need to do your job is the right pair of shoes. Since you spend most of your time on your feet, using the wrong pair of shoes can result in a lot of back pain for you, not to mention knee problems, and the resulting low productivity.

Because the shoes will also be subjected to a lot of pressure as you work, it is also crucial to ensure you wear only the high-quality and durable models. However, selecting the right shoes can be a challenge because of the long list of different models available in the market. Keep reading our reviews of the best shoes for retail workers and the buying guide at the end to help you choose the right pair.

The Best Shoes for Retail Workers Are …

Product	Details
1. New Balance Men’s 608 V5 Casual Comfort – The Best Shoe for Working Retail	Top Pick	Upper: Leather Outsole: Rubber Midsole: Injection molded Ethylene vinyl acetate midsole Drop: 10mm	Check Current Price
2. Merrell Men’s Jungle Moc Waterproof Slip-On Shoe – Runner Up		Weight: 15 oz Midsole: Compression-molded EVA foot-frame with air cushion Upper: Leather Outsole: Rubber	Check Current Price
3. Skechers Work Sure Track – Trickel		Upper: Leather Outsole: Rubber Closure: Traditional lace-up	Check Current Price
4. Timberland PRO Men’s Titan 6″ Safety-Toe Work Boot		Upper: Leather Outsole: Rubber Closure: Lace-up Heel: 1.5 inches	Check Current Price
5. Dansko Women’s Pro XP Waterproof		Upper: Leather Heel: Approximately 1.5-inch Outsole: Rubber	Check Current Price
6. Grasshoppers Women’s Windham Slip-On Flat		Upper: Textile Sole: Synthetic Footbed: Removable footbed	Check Current Price
7. New Balance Women’s 577 V1 Lace-up Walking Shoe		Outsole: Rubber Uppers: Leather Design: Hook-and-loop shoes	Check Current Price
8. Skechers Work Women’s Ghenter – Srelt		Upper: Textile Outsole: Synthetic Midsole: Memory Foam	Check Current Price
9. Ecco Men’s Track II High GORE-TEX Waterproof Outdoor Hiking Boot		Upper: Leather  Sole: Synthetic Shaft: approximately seven inches Heel: Approximately one-inch	Check Current Price

1. New Balance Men’s 608 V5 Casual Comfort – The Best Shoe for Working Retail

This New Balance Men’s 608 V5 shoe is one of the most comfortable options for retail workers and firmly grabs the first position on our list. From the footbed cushioning to outsole design, New Balance spared no effort in making this pair of shoes the best, and you can trust it for plush comfort all day at work.

As a retail staff member, you need a shoe that offers lots of cushioning to protect your feet all day, and New Balance thought of that too. They designed this shoe with a high-quality EVA footbed inner sole that provides supportive padding. We liked the midsole design because it extends from the heel to the toe box to help absorb shocks and spread your weight.

The upper of the shoe is designed with quality leather while the sole is made from rubber. Then, the two are sewn together firmly to make the shoe strong yet flexible when working in your retail premise. Furthermore, it features a lace-up closure that allows you to adjust the shoes for a perfect fit, depending on your foot size.

2. Merrell Men’s Jungle Moc Waterproof Slip-On Shoe – Runner Up

If your retail job involves spending some time in wet areas, you need a waterproof shoe Merrell Men’s Jungle Moc Waterproof Slip-On Shoe. The shoe was designed with a trail athlete in mind, but the same features that help to provide a firm grip also make it an excellent find for retail workers.

The shoe is designed with waterproof suede leather uppers that will help to keep your feet dry even when working in wet areas. On the inner part, the shoe is designed with a soft lining that serves two goals; hugging your feet to enhance the comfort and preventing odors.

When it comes to cushioning, Merrell used a compression-molded EVA foot-frame with air cushioning that makes the user feel like he/she floating on air. The cushioning also helps to spread your weight, especially if you use a lot of time on your feet, to prevent the development of knee or back problems.

3. Skechers Work Sure Track – Trickel

Skechers is one of the top-ranked brands in the footwear industry, and their commitment to quality is evident in this Work Sure Track – Trickel pair of shoes. The shoe is designed to provide optimal comfort and support, allowing you to work all day without suffering from fatigue.

The shoe is designed using supple leather upper, which makes it water-resistant, strong, and durable. On the inner part, it features a ventilated lining that helps to allow air to pass through easily so that your feet can feel fresh when using the shoes. We also liked the lining because it also provides a plush feel and prevents your feet from getting rubbed by the leather.

Another thing that sets this shoe from the pack is that cushioning. Skechers used memory foam cushioned removable footbed shock-absorbing midsole that makes working with these shoes the entire day enjoyable. Skechers went a step further to enhance the shoe’s comfort by including a padded tongue and collar for ankle support.

4. Timberland PRO Men’s Titan 6″ Safety-Toe Work Boot

If you are a salesperson who needs to deal with heavy materials or equipment in your stores, it is paramount to go for a shoe that provides good foot protection. One of the top options is this Timberland PRO Men’s Titan 6″ Safety-Toe Work Boot, a perfect piece designed with the latest technology and super-quality materials. Despite the rugged outlook on the outside, these boots are really comfy to wear.

The upper part of the boots is designed with full-grain leather that helps to make the shoe strong and water-resistant. Also, boots have a mesh lining that provides a soft feel to your feet, wicks away moisture when working, and helps to prevent bad odors.

Working with heavy materials of equipment means that your feet, especially the toes, are at risk of getting hit by falling objects. To help you with this, Timberland designed this shoe with a steel-toe, meaning that you can work with confidence knowing one thing, your feet are secure.

5. Dansko Women’s Pro XP Waterproof

Mention the brand Dansko to your fellow sales crew peeps and you are likely to get one reply, “Dansko shoes are the best.” One of the best pieces in their line is this Dansko Women’s Pro XP Waterproof pair of shoes. It is not just comfortable, but stylish too, and you can wear it with your work uniform or your outfits on your days off.

The shoe uses a memory foam footbed for optimal cushioning and support. The footbed takes to the shape of your foot, helping to spread your weight and absorb shock. To provide you with additional comfort, the shoe features a large toe box that allows the feet to spread comfortably as you work.

If your workplace is slippery or wet, falls can result in serious injuries or losses. But you can rely on this Dansko Women’s Pro X for a firm grip and stability because it is designed with a slip-resistant outsole.

6. Grasshoppers Women’s Windham Slip-On Flat

Next on our list is this Grasshopper Women’s Windham Slip-On Flat, a premium shoe designed to deliver excellent cushioning, breathability, and flexibility in one package. We liked its slip-on design that allows you to easily put them on and off even when in a hurry.

The upper part of the shoe is designed with a fabric that helps to provide maximum comfort. Besides, the upper allows ample air to pass through and keep your feet feeling fresh after a whole day at work. You will also like the innovative round-the-collar lacing and elastic gores at the tongue that helps you to adjust the shoe for a perfect fit easily.

If your work involves a lot of walking or you have to be on your feet for a long time, you can count on this flat because it comes with awesome cushioning. Grasshopper designed the shoe with a removable footbed that helps to absorb shock, support your foot, and keep you feeling comfortable. Because the footbed is removable, you can easily shift to a different footbed with heavier or lower cushioning.

7. New Balance Women’s 577 V1 Lace-up Walking Shoe

The next shoe for retail staff is this Women’s 577 V1 Lace-up Walking Shoe from New Balance, one of the top models that you can rely on to make your work experience unforgettable. New Balance designed these shoes to help tennis players improve their performance by enhancing their comfort and stability. We found this comfort equally crucial for retail workers, especially when they need to work for many hours.

To make the shoe strong and durable, it is designed with strong and waterproof leather upper. The leather is firmly joined to the rubber outsole with lovely stitching that makes it strong and stylish. We found the design impressive because you can use the shoe with any outfit.

This shoe is designed to deliver exceptional shock absorption to help make your work easy and enjoyable. New Balance used polyurethane midsole on the entire footbed and ABZORB technology on the heels for more shock absorption. We also loved the way the shoe helps to simplify the steps when walking, one of the most useful attributes in busy retail stores.

8. Skechers Work Women’s Ghenter – Srelt

The Ghenter Srelt Work Shoe for Women is a premium pair of shoes designed by Skechers with the primary goal being to offer the highest possible comfort for ladies. Its features make it a great pick even for retail employees who work in harsh conditions, such as machinery stores.

The upper is designed with a water-resistant jersey knit fabric on the upper part that makes the shoe a great option even when working in wet conditions. The mesh also makes it easy for air to pass through and helps to keep your feet fresh all day.

The shoe takes a casual design with a Relaxed Fit design that provides more room for enhanced comfort. Furthermore, it comes with memory foam cushioning on the footbed to protect your feet from shocks. If your retail work involves moving your ankle a lot, this shoe will be a great choice because of its excellent collar padding.

9. Ecco Men’s Track II High GORE-TEX Waterproof Outdoor Hiking Boot

The last shoe to make our list is this Men’s Track II High GORE-TEX waterproof outdoor hiking Boot from Ecco. Designed with some of the highest quality materials out there, this shoe is very strong, and you can expect to have it over a long time before requiring buying another one.

When designing this shoe, Ecco used high-quality leather on the upper part and GORE-TEX lining, meaning that the shoe is waterproof. This implies that if your retail center involves working in wet areas, your feet will not get wet. Unlike the inner part, the inner part of the shoe is designed with a soft lining that makes it feel comfy even when working for extended hours at your workstation.

If your retail work involves working in a harsh area or standing for many hours, this boot will be a great find because of its outstanding cushioning. It comes with a removable comfort fiber system insole that absorbs shock when working in your station. Furthermore, the large toe box makes it a great piece even for users with side feet.

Guide to Choosing the Best Shoes for Retail Workers

Foot pain, swelling, and plantar fasciitis are some of the common problems that retail sales workers experience. Luckily enough, you can address with our footwear picks above. If you’re still having trouble deciding, here are some things you should look for in your work shoe.

Fit

When you set off to buy a pair of shoes, it is important to ensure you go for the right fit because selecting a smaller size, even if the shoe is of good quality, is likely to cause a lot of pain, injuries, and reduced productivity.

To select the right pair of shoes, the first step is to understand your foot size. So, grab a tape measure and get the right size, both the length and width. You can also follow the instructions provided by many stores online on how to measure your feet.

If you still find it challenging to measure your feet, check into any footwear store, and their assistants will be ready to help. Note that even as you note the right size of your feet, you still need to leave some allowance because your feet expand significantly, especially after a long day at work.

Comfort

Here are the things to look for when looking for a comfortable pair of shoes for retail work:

Cushioning 

A comfortable pair of working shoes should be designed with good cushioning on the footbed. The aim is to get a shoe that will provide you with the right arch support and help to spread your weight to reduce the risk of developing foot problems. The cushioning should also help to provide cushioning from shocks as you walk and work.

The good thing about work shoes cushioning is that most brands have developed advanced technologies such as EVA, air cushion, and memory foam for top-notch protection. To be sure that the shoe will provide the right cushioning, make sure to read descriptions from the manufacturer, reviews by experts, and test the shoe before buying.

Inner Lining 

To design durable shoes, most brands prefer to use leather or synthetic uppers, but these materials can easily rub your feet, resulting in injuries. Therefore, you should always be extra careful and ensure to look for the shoes that come with an additional soft lining for a plush feel.

Most companies are now using the internal lining of the shoes to make the shoes more comfortable. So, it will be a plus if you get a shoe with an inner lining that helps to promote breathability, wicks perspiration, and helps to reduce bad odor.

Large Toe Box 

The shoe you select should also match the nature of your feet. If you have broad feet, using shoes with a small toe box will likely compress them, cause blisters, and cause injuries. Therefore, you should go for shoes that have a large toe box to allow the feet to spread well when working.

Materials 

Depending on the nature of your workplace, the materials of the shoes you select could go a long way in determining whether your feet are going to suffer. For example, if you are a person with very sensitive feet, shoes with rough leather might not be the best option for you.

Therefore, as you pick that pair of shoes from the shelf, take a moment to reflect on your daily tasks and only place the order if the shoe will provide the protection that you need. If you work in an area that is very hot, you should make sure only to select the shoes that provide awesome ventilation.

For employees who deal with heavy equipment, large tools, and loose materials in their retails sections, it is paramount to put a lot of effort into toe protection. So, consider going for shoes with strong toe steel for good protection.

If you find the shoes with steel toes too heavy, you should consider using composite boots. These are boots designed with hardened materials, other than metal, to protect the toes from falling objects.

Slip Resistance and Stability

As a retail staff, you are likely to be moving a lot, be it to attend to different clients or delivering products to clients. In other cases, you need to work through wet surfaces if you are dealing with liquids. This is why you should ensure to have a pair of slip-resistant shoes to help you remain firm on the ground no matter the nature of the surface.

Price

Price is another crucial factor that you need to get right when buying shoes for retail work. Although you should not solely use price to determine the shoe you will buy because it can be misleading, it is still important because you will finally end up there. The best way of dealing with the price is checking for the highest quality models and going for it even if it is offered at a higher price tag than others.

If you are purchasing shoes for retail workers on a budget, you should start by identifying high-quality shoes and selecting the ones with low price tags. You can also check the stores that are selling high-quality shoes at a discount and buy from them.

Brand

As the demand for quality shoes for retail work keeps growing, a lot of brands have taken interest and joined the market. However, some of them are not interested in delivering value, but only want to optimize profits from the soaring demand. This makes it very tricky to narrow down to quality shoes because even the poorly designed ones are still labeled “the best.”

One of the best ways to identify a high-quality piece of shoe for retail staff is buying from the brands that have won people’s trust. These are the footwear manufacturers that have been in the industry for some time, and their commitment to quality work is there for all to see. Good examples include Nike, Skechers, New Balance, Timberland, and Dansko, among others.

When it comes to the brand, you do not have to worry about it so much because the shoes for retail work that we have reviewed in this post are selected only from the most trusted companies.

Final Thoughts

If you work in a retail store where the bulk of the work involves standing or walking for the better part of the day, there is a risk of suffering from leg strain or back pain. Therefore, you cannot afford to compromise on comfort. Our reviews of the top shoes for retail work have captured the best that the market has to offer, and you can rely on them for optimal comfort and health.

The shoes are also made by top brands out there and come with a wide price range. So, whether you are on a budget or want something higher end, there is a perfect shoe for you.

While we stand by the best shoes for retail workers in our reviews (we liked them, really liked them), our New Balance pick was the most outstanding. The shoe is designed with quality leather, rubber outsole, and other advanced features that make it super-comfortable for retail workers.