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Ask HN: Standing Desk Folks – What shoes do you wear?

6 points by morepyplease ↗ HN
I've been using a standing desk for about 6 months now, I'm inside of the standard BMI healthy range for height/weight as a male, and have a CumulusPRO Commmercial grade pad.

Not EVERY week, but many times towards the end of the week or some particularly bad standing days where I am not moving around enough I am starting to get some aches and pains in the heel and ball of my foot.

I typically wear your standard Vans brand shoe with some Dr Scholl's full foot inserts.

Today I experimented with wearing some fitness shoes to the office instead since it's casual Friday. The difference in comfort is night and day already. I can't wear them on a daily basis because they don't fit the dress code -- but I am curious what other alternatives I might have M-Th that other people have found success with.

Are there any good business casual appropriate shoes that have great support like a fitness shoe?

Cheers!

15 comments

[ 0.24 ms ] story [ 48.9 ms ] thread
cyberpanther
No shoes is the best
ljk
is this just on carpet? doesn't stand for a long period of time without shoes hurt your heels?
cyberpanther
i have a thin squishy mat but in the long run it is better for your feet in my opinion. Shoes often offer too much cushion and thus weaken our feet.
ljk
> Shoes often offer too much cushion and thus weaken our feet.

interesting, wasn't there a lawsuit for the vibram five-finger because there wasn't any actual benefit?

what shoes would you recommend?

DichromaticAnt
Agreed. I take my shoes off as soon as I get to work, and walk around barefoot all day. No one has said anything to me yet..
morepyplease
Interested to hear more on this. My feet absolutely kill me around the house in the evening if I go barefoot too much. How long does it take to really build up this foot strength and do you have any support for this?
OWaz
I have a gel mat that is similar to a kitchen standing mat. I forgot what brand it was but it was less than $35 on Amazon. I stand on that without shoes and it's very comfortable. I have a National Public stool to sit on when I need to give my feet a break.
cyberpanther
another good point, even when you have a standing desk, changing positions is still key.
theWold
I wear my hiking boots. I can stand in those things all day. (Vasque is the brand, but I can't seem to find the exact pair on REI). They are plane leather, and look decent in a pair of slacks (though I only wear slacks when my jeans are dirty). Plus they'll last longer than any other business casual shoe you will ever wear.
bowlich
+1 for Hiking Boots.

I wear a pair of keens most of the time. If I am standing for a long time then I switch over to a pair of over-ankle boots -- which I happen to think are Vasque brand a well -- put a layer of polish on them from time to time and they'll last for years. My pair is starting to approach a decade of use at this point.

mod
FWIW most hiking boot soles don't hold up well on pavement.
DrScump
But would hiking boots meet this dress code, if sneakers won't?
gonyea
None at the desk. I have a nice gel floor mat and comfy socks.
e15ctr0n
This is really the key to comfort at a standing desk.

Order the best gel mat on the market: the Wearwell Ultrasoft Diamond-Plate Anti-Fatigue And Safety Mat - Black With Yellow Chevron Border. http://www.amazon.com/dp/B00VEF51E0/

My company was happy to pay for it once I explained the productivity benefits to them.