Are Doc Martens good for standing all day?
I’ve learned from experience that if you want a new pair of shoes for everyday use then you want to make sure that they are comfortable, give you great support, and look after your foot health.
So if you are intending to wear Doc Martens as your everyday shoes and will be wearing them for long periods of time when you are stood up they are going to have to give you superb comfort throughout the day otherwise you need to buy shoes from another brand
Here’s what you need to know about Doc Martens boots and shoes and whether they can give your feet the maximum comfort and support you need.
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Do Podiatrists Recommend Doc Martens?
I know that plenty of people ask do podiatrists recommend Doc Marten shoes and boots. Well, the answer is not straightforward and the answer will depend on the podiatrist you are speaking to, what shoes they are comparing them against and the foot conditions the person wearing them may have.
Are Doc Martens good for your feet? Well, there are a number of factors that you need to consider and if you read my post on the topic it should outline the good and the bad.
There are no shoes that are going to be suitable for every single person. So when you’re buying a new pair of shoes, whether it’s Doc Martens or another brand you will need to assess whether they are suitable for your feet and your needs.
What I can say? Is that the American Podiatric Medical Association does not specifically mention Doc Martens on its list of shoes that promote good foot health.
If you are unaware this organization gives a seal of approval to certain shoes which they believe promote good foot health. Doc Martens does not make the list. This doesn’t mean that they are bad shoes because plenty of other brands don’t make the list either. It just means that they haven’t been singled out as one of the best shoes for foot health on the market.
This may be because some of the original designs of Doc Martens shoes and boots haven’t changed significantly from the original designs created in the 1960s. Whilst other shoe brands are more up-to-date and have come up with innovative footwear designed by scientists and biomechanical experts.
Wearing Them Without Breaking Them In Causes Foot Pain
So with this in mind are Doc Martens good for standing all day? Well, the fact is that they do have some problems and many people complain about Doc Martens hurting their feet.
I know it is almost impossible to wear them for standing all day wen you first buy them. If you have a new pair of Doc Marten boots or shoes they need a considerable break-in period before they are really comfortable and suitable to wear for a prolonged period of time.
This break-in period can last up to two months and during this time you would need to wear the shoes for short periods of time only. This allows your feet to get used to them gradually and enables them to mold to your feet.
This break-in period for the brand’s footwear often puts people off buying their shoes. I know I found it frustrating and my niece ended up with blisters before hers became comfortable. However, if you take your time and you break in the shoes correctly they do become really comfortable for many people and give reasonably good support in comparison to some less sturdy shoes.
Are Doc Martens Supportive?
So let’s talk about whether the shoes give you the great support that you might need if you are going to be standing in them all day, particularly in a work environment.
The boots and shoes certainly have some great features that make them more supportive than many other types of shoes on the market. For example, most of their shoes have laces that can be adjusted so that the footwear feels good on your feet.
If you buy Doc Martens boots then you also get some great ankle support as the leather section of the boot extends past your foot.
They are also incredibly sturdy shoes with air-cushioned soles that have reasonably good traction. Many other brands don’t have shoes that offer these features however the shoe brand also has some negatives.
Firstly the sole is chunky, inflexible, and quite heavy. That means that you are going to end up with leg and foot fatigue at the end of a day wearing them.
The brand also doesn’t offer half sizes which can create problems as this means you can’t always get the best fit for your feet. I’ve also talked about the arch support in Doc Martens which is not necessarily sufficient if you have certain foot conditions such as flat feet. This means you may need to buy shop-bought or custom orthotics to help the footwear overcome any arch issues.
Are Doc Martens Good For Your Back?
If you are standing all day you may also be concerned about how Doc Martens Martins impact your posture and whether they create problems with your back.
The answer to this is not straightforward and will depend on any foot mechanical problems you may already have.
Whilst the sole of the shoes and boots is relatively flat arch support is what really counts when you are walking or standing all day. Good arch support helps with foot alignment which has a knock-on effect on your posture and the way that you walk.
The good thing about Doc Martens is that usually, they have sufficient room within the shoe to be able to fit inserts or orthotics. This means that if you buy the right inserts for your footwear you are preventing any biomechanical issues and that is going to be good for your back.
Why Doc Martens Are Good Work Shoes
If you are thinking about wearing Doc Martens in a work setting then at least you’ll be pleased to know that the brand created the shoes for someone like you. The original designs created in the 196os were primarily for factory workers.
The shoes are designed to be robust, sturdy and durable. They are designed to help the wearer use the footwear in challenging work conditions. So provided the shoes suit your feet and you have broken them in you should find them uncomfortable and they will work for ordinary work-type settings.
However, are Doc Martens good for standing all day if your workplace requires footwear with specific safety features? Well, the fact is many of the brand’s styles are probably not going to be suitable for this type of workplace. Safety shoes have features like steel or composite toes, oil or water resistance, safety from electrical hazards, and so on.
The Doc Martens Service Shoes are slip-resistant so those might work for some jobs whilst their Maltby shoes are oil, heat and slip-resistant. Doc Martens also have safety work boots but you will need to hunt for these as their ordinary boots don’t have that feature.
Disadvantages of Dr. Martens For Standing For Long Periods
Are Doc Martens good for standing all day? Well, there are some issues which might cause a problem and not make them the most comfortable shoes to wear. Here are some of the issues that I found to be problematic when I’ve worn them.
Insufficient Cushioning
This was a real problem for me when I wore my Docs. Yes, they have an air-cushioned sole but when I wore them on my feet without any sort of insert it felt like I was walking on hard concrete.
If you are planning to wear them all day at work I would definitely say extra cushioning is important if you want to avoid foot pain.
Weight
I’ve mentioned this earlier but it is worth stating again. The brand’s shoes and boots are not lightweight especially the leather ones which can be a problem if you are wearing them for long hours on your feet. There are many lighter-weight shoes available that might be better for your feet.
Breathability
Whilst leather is breathable Doc Martens are generally made from thick heavy leather and that can reduce the breathability of the footwear.
When you are standing or walking around in them all day sweat can build up and can’t escape easily which can cause shoe bites, blisters, and the foot odor.
Safety
I’ve also mentioned that the footwear might not meet the required safety standards required in many workplaces. Whilst they might be fine in some settings most styles can’t be used where specific safety footwear is required.
Flexibility
If you have ever worn Docs you will know that the soles of the shoes and boots are rigid and really inflexible. When you are standing or moving all day in them this can be a problem as they won’t move with your feet.
Finally, make sure they are adjustable so they have a good secure fit without being too tight. Your footwear should be snug and fit your foot shape but they shouldn’t cause any friction.
What is The Best Shoe For Standing All Day?
Are Doc Martens Good for standing all day? Well if you are going to consider a shoe for standing all day then there are some other great brands that are on the market that are probably better for your feet and extremely comfortable. My current favorites are:
Skechers Women’s Squad Sr Food Service Shoe
These trainer-style shoes have been specifically made for people in the service industry who are on their feet all day. These have memory foam insoles and plenty of room in the toe box for your feet to spread out properly.
Sketchers have built some safety features into these shoes as well such as the slip-resistant outsole that is great if you are working in an industry where there are hazards on the floor that might you slip or fall.
Plus these have an Electrical Hazard safe design tested to ASTM-F2892.
If that wasn’t enough they have a Scotchgard coating to resist water and stains plus the price is very reasonable for this type of footwear.
HOKA ONE ONE Men’s Sneakers
Hoka One shoes are another great brand that is known for their comfort and stability. These sneakers have a padded insole plus an EVA midsole so make them more comfortable.
These men’s sneakers have a leather upper which can be really useful especially if you are working in an environment where you might encounter spills and splashes. The leather upper will make these much easier to clean.
These are also breathable which means that your feet can stay cool and dry as they allow any moisture to escape.
Whilst these haven’t been built specifically for slip resistance they do have a rubber sole which should give them a reasonably good grip in most situations.
Doc Martens Information
Are Doc Martens Good For Walking All Day?
What To Do If Doc Martens Hurt Top of Foot
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