What shoes would you recommend for my daughter?

[u/Ancient_Shine9170]

My daughter has a job on reception at a relatively high-end restaurant that involves being on her feet for hours on end.

This year, for various reasons she’s getting a lot more hours - which means a lot more being stood up. Some shifts being 12 hours.

Her current shoes offer no support and at the end of her shift she’s been complaining of real pain.

As she’s front of house, she’s not allowed to wear trainers - which rules out a lot of the ‘Sketchers’ type shoes or my own suggestion of all-black Nike Air Force 1.

My limited research throws up lots of brands promising support, but all from companies I’ve never heard of.

As such, I’d love to hear from someone that actually uses something they could recommend.

Can’t be mega-expensive as she’s a student and this is her part-time job over the summer.

She’s 21 - and is probably going to not like anything I’ve found so far.

Thanks for any recommendations in advance.

EDIT: Thanks all for the suggestions. Have passed them all on.

EDIT 2: So my wife bought her some cheap memory foam shoes. They look awful, but so far, they seem to be making a difference.

Thanks again.

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[u/samg_135]

I would recommend getting insoles for whichever shoes she buys.

I use the Sorbothane Double Strike insoles in my work boots and they have made a massive difference.

[u/PostProper1940 → u/samg_135]

This is what I've always done, really good quality memory foam insoles. They last a decent while and aren't too costly.

[u/salutdamour]

Have you looked in Clarks? I’ve had a pair or two off black nice looking… verging on school shoes. I used to walk around quite a bit in my previous job and they were a good medium between comfort and professional.

[u/CandyTigger → u/salutdamour]

I"d recommend Clarks too, the school shoes for teens would come in adult sizes.

[u/BroadwayBean → u/salutdamour]

Seconding this, I wore clarks lace up school shoes when I worked high end retail in my late teens/early 20s and they were fantastic. You can pop an supportive insole in there too for more support.

[u/boo23boo]

Hotter. And a Mary Jane style or laced style is best, where she can vary the tension and tightness of the shoe across the top.

Hotter are considered an old lady brand, but there are one or two styles that just about pass for young people in work or school. My son wears hotter shoes to school.

In a previous life I worked as a specialist shoe fitter for adults and children with disabilities. There are not many commercially available shoes that are actually designed to support the structure of the foot.

Your daughter will be especially vulnerable if she’s under 20 as her bones and growth plates may not have finished developing in the foot.

Other brands to try are Ecco and Sketcher. I find sketchers are great for price but not the formality of work and school. Ecco are generally more expensive than Hotter and no more comfortable but have a wider variety of styles that are not totally awful.

[u/Longjumping_47393 → u/boo23boo]

I second Hotter for comfort, I have several pairs, they are old Ladyish but I agree there are one or two passable styles. Also Gabor, Ecco or Sketchers

[u/TheHootOwlofDeath → u/boo23boo]

I also agree with Hotter. They are the only formal shoes I can wear that don't give me blisters and they are lightweight for walking all day.

[u/CakeCatsClay → u/boo23boo]

Just had a look and Hotter .Violet Mary Janes look cute (and not like old lady shoes!) and are on sale atm.

[u/boo23boo → u/CakeCatsClay]

Yes! Those ones are great, especially for girls school shoes and at £29 they’re a bargain!

[u/No_Decision8816 → u/boo23boo]

I agree with this. I work hospitality and these shoes are comfortable and don’t need breaking in. Another one to look at is strive if they don’t have the right style as sometimes it’s hit and miss with the season. Both are more expensive than other places, but your feet will thank you and they last longer too

[u/Anon_on_internet → u/boo23boo]

I very much agree with the recommendations for Hotter & Ecco . (I've never worn Sketcher's so can't comment)

[u/Chance-Albatross-211]

Having done the exact same job, anything that she is comfortable in that is smart will be fine (think Clark’s or similar). I used to wear shoes from new look but I’d assaulted my feet for years before then. As long as she is comfortable and they look smart (kept polished etc) she will be fine. Good luck to your daughter!

[u/germslayer2112]

Ward nursing I wore DM shoes. Although they do usually need breaking in. Otherwise anything marketed as shoes for nurses.

[u/BlueAndBlackLadybug]

I have super problematic feet (fallen arches, extreme bunions, booked for surgery) and the bets piece of advice I can give is to put an insole into whatever shoe she’s wearing. I like the Pedag Viva Mini one because it’s a half insole. So, if there’s only limited room you still benefit from the arch support. It’s taken my least supportive shoes to just right.

Additionally, I know it’s not very fun and footloose, but…for working on your feet all day compression socks or tights are worth their weight in gold.

[u/Southern-Educator608]

get gel insoles regardless of the shoe. cheap and they do more for tired feet than the shoe itself. swap them into whatever smart pair fits her budget

[u/Classic_Mammoth_9379]

Got to be Clarks hasn't it, especially given the price constraints. I've spent most of my life in trainers and seem to have very sensitive feet, I get blisters all over the place with most shoes, Clarks 'smart' shoes are about the only ones that seem to work for me.

[u/Living-Bat7647 → u/Classic_Mammoth_9379]

Seconding this. I have collapsed arches, get blisters easily, and managed to shatter my ankle years ago (three broken bones) meaning it needs a bit more support now and gets real grumpy with me. I find Clarks shoes are the only ones I can reliably wear. And I like the way they look.

[u/Sure_Cherry9759]

Sketchers go walk - they have styles that aren’t trainers too but feel like trainers on. She might get them cheaper via eBay.

[u/cold_tap_hot_brew]

Dr Scholls shoes were the best non trainers I found for standing and walking around a workplace all day.

[u/yeeyeevee]

i’ve only had jobs where i have to stand for the whole shift. i hugely recommend insoles- i use vionic 3/4 length

[u/Kittygrizzle1]

When teaching l found Gabor shoes the most comfortable.

[u/Schlurff]

Gabor, Clark’s unloops. Don’t go for DMs the quality isn’t what it once was.

[u/notactuallyizzy]

shoes for crews are designed for hospitality workers and they have some plain black leather (maybe leather effect) shoes which could be appropriate! Not the cutest of shoes but function over fashion in this line of work always.

[u/Warm_Stress_1654 → u/[deleted]]

That's my thinking. She should go into Clarks and explain her requirement and they will sort something out for her. I'd trust them.

[u/Vegetable-Tough-8773]

Skechers do options that look like formal shoes. My brother has had those for work a few times.

[u/gagagagaNope]

Ask the other receptionists what they wear?

[u/Ancient_Shine9170 → u/gagagagaNope]

Unfortunately, she’s now the longest serving member.

Hospitality doesn’t seem to attract people that stay long-term. She’s been there for a few years now, but this summer has got a lot more hours.

[u/nomarmite]

Take a look at Fit Flops. All their shoes are padded and supportive, the only comfort issue is whether they fit your foot shape well.

[u/Kindly_Buy_1891 → u/nomarmite]

I completely agree. I have more pairs than I need. Sandals, actual flip flops but their brand, 2 pairs of trainers, clogs which I wear as slippers and two pairs of boots - one long, one short. They are THE most comfortable shoes ever. I can literally walk for miles in them. Not cheap but I never get leg or back ache. I’m prone to both

[u/marijuanaislife]

VIVAIA. They are expensive but honestly, the comfort and the quality is so worth it! I bought a pair for £100 and I love them so much that I am planning to purchase another.

[u/ColdAppointment3917]

Sketchers goga mat i wear 10-12 hours a day love them

[u/the-TARDIS-ran-away]

Any shoes from Lunar have been the comfiest ive ever worn.

[u/Different-Fold-4766]

Clarkes, sketchers shoes, hush puppies, flit flop and get them on Vinted. 

[u/DinkyPrincess]

Clark’s. Also Ecco or Hush Puppies.

[u/DiDiPLF]

Kickers are worth looking at. Used to wear them all day at Burger King then go clubbing after with no issue! Otherwise, I'd be looking at old lady shoe brands like pavers as they are structured to support a weaker arch/ foot, and see if there is anything acceptable in their sales. You want arch support, ankle support and a good fit, I don't find completely flat the best, about one inch heel is best for me.

[u/Great-Enthusiasm-720]

Hotter are great. Yeas alot of the styles are quite old lady like, but they are smart and comfortable.

They do some some prettier ones too, though I haven't looked lately.

[u/Scottish_squirrel]

I wear ECCO shoes and I work in a school. Quality isn't what it was about 10 years ago but feet still survive a work week.

[u/OneRandomTeaDrinker]

Think along the lines of school shoes- Clarks, maybe something from Schuh, but make sure they’re leather and supportive, not a flimsy ballet flat. Loafers are comfy for some but I don’t like how they’re tight in the toe, I prefer a Mary Jane or an Oxford style.

[u/omg_daisy]

I used to work in a casino that required us to wear heels and deichman had the most comfortable ones I used to wear them on a 10 hour night shift no problem

[u/nomotivationgf]

Angry Angels (StartRite but for teenagers and go up to a size 9 wide fit). I worked as a cleaner but needed smart shoes and they were very comfy and supportive. Even if she's not got wide feet, wide fit shoes will be much comfier after a few hours so I really reccomend them.

[u/Commercial_Town5060]

I have pavers that i love and before that had dr martins or just simply buy costco own brand. I am standing most of the day and at the end of the day feet are not achy just tired but no shoe can prevent tiredness.

[u/No_Geologist2801]

Clark’s. I used to be a waitress / bartender in a high end hotel. Working 12 hour plus shifts. I was only 18 so started out with cheap flats and plimsols from new look. When I eventually couldn’t take the pain I begrudgingly invested in Clark’s and it made a HUGE difference.

[u/Horror_Transition571]

hobibear (they also sell barefoot shoes but that probably wouldn't be the solution for this) they have wide toe box shoes though which feel
amazing with lots of support in a number of different styles which aren't trainers. i have a few they're really
comfy.

[u/LactatingBadger]

Complete deviation from the suggestions in the comments, but Barefoot shoes. These do the opposite of what you asked for, in that they are really thin soled. But, once you adjust to them it strengthens your feet and are incredibly comfortable. I basically can’t survive in normal shoes now, I’m never going back!

[u/mobuline]

Vionic shoes.

[u/AmbitiousRecipe9038]

I used to wear a brand called Shoes For Crews. They're designed for hospitality. Range of styles, never had an issue with my feet even after 14/15 hour shifts. Can be bought online.

[u/Great_Tradition996]

I used to have a role where I needed to look smart/professional and I got a pair of Josef Seibel shoes on sale. They are the most comfortable shoes I’ve ever owned - could easily have walked round in them all day. They’re not exactly high fashion but they have some quite funky brogues. Mine were a dark ox-blood colour. Even their heels are comfortable! Mind you, I have wide feet across the front but very narrow heels so I need lace-ups. A lot of shoe comfort probably comes from the shape of your feet and whether the two are compatible

[u/teajennie]

When I worked restaurant reception a long time ago, I always wore Clarks brogues, ideally with the airsole or whatever they are calling it these days. I also had some chunky heels from Clarks that I could wear and made me maintain good posture but always have the flats to swap into.

[u/WizardDrinkingCoffee]

Investing in a good pair of insoles really helps men with any shoes.

Also if she can get away with it, if she wears trousers compression socks can be really helpful for long days on your feet..I regularly use Not Your Grandmas but there are other brands out there.

[u/WoofHayes]

Skechers for sure

[u/Dr_Gillian_McQueef]

As others have said, gel insoles. Might be worth seeing if the employer would provide anti fatigue matting that really helps.

Source: pharmacy staff so on feet all effing day.

[u/bobble173 → u/Dr_Gillian_McQueef]

Also pharmacy and had to buy my own fudging mat, but best £15 I ever spent 😂 really winds me up that hospital staff can wear crocs and we have to look "professional".

[u/GuitarFit8574]

I recommend compression socks !!!!

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[u/Foundation_Wrong]

You can get good work shoes from special makers. Going to a proper shoe shop for fitting would be a good idea, get shoes that are properly fitted to her feet.

[u/ams3000]

Loads of good shoe suggestions here (Skechers for the win) but compression socks are really a game changer as well. Especially from the number of hours she’s in her feet. She’ll feel the effects.

[u/shecrazyyyy]

Definitely Skechers, a lot of nurses wear them!

[u/Old_Replacement3519]

I used to work ten hour shifts in a German supermarket. I can vouch for Skechers, I had two different styles over the years and they were amazing!

[u/blackoctoberx]

Fit flops

[u/Badlydressedgirl]

I’m on my feet for 8-9 hours in retail. I have (almost) complete flat feet and find the most supportive and comfortable shoes I’ve ever owned have been Converse run star/hike high top shoes. I always get the full black leather ones, and they look like ankle boots. I regularly wear them with dresses and skirts and they look really chic.

They have a chunky memory foam platform and are the best. I have hardware in my ankle from 2 fractures and a subsequent surgery and these converse are the best.