Teacher shoes come in all styles and forms. In fact, it can be easy to say that it highly depends on your personality and style (and, of course, the dress code of the school you work at).
There's a wide variety to select from: flats, sandals, slip ons or even tennis shoes. The list is endless; however, you need to consider a few key things when searching for your perfect pair.
Comfort should always be your priority, especially since you spend a lot of time on your feet. The best shoes should guarantee comfort first. A couple of other things to consider are if the shoes provide support and stability. It would be terrible to end the day with sore feet.
Finding your perfect pair can sometimes feel like quite a task. That's why we created this guide that outlines the 5 best shoes for teachers and features to consider when buying.
Best Shoes For Teachers
1. Dansko Women's Professional Clog
- Leather and or fabric uppers
- Padded instep collar for comfort when walking
- Roomy reinforced toe box for protection with...
- PU outsole with rocker bottom to propel foot...
- Wide heel strike for greater stability
The Dansko Clog is designed to keep your feet comfortable throughout the day. They are made from 100% leather and feature a padded collar with extra support elements that provide stability while you're on your feet all day.
The Clogs are quite roomy hence allowing for wiggle room for your toes. They also have a leather sock liner that prevents your feet from rubbing.
The Dansko Clog features a rocker bottom design and includes an anatomically contoured PU midsole. Additionally, it features a protective heel counter that provides extra support and stability. Hence, the shoes do a great job at guiding your feet while in motion without causing foot fatigue.
The shoe's platform measures approximately 0.75 inches and the heel around 2 inches. This is a manageable and acceptable standard for work shoes that won't put stress on your feet.
Lastly, the Dansko shoes feature a polyurethane sole which does a great job absorbing shock and impact while walking.
Pros
- Made of durable material
- Solid and sturdy
- Feature a wide toe box hence can be worn by those with wide feet
- Comfortable shoes for all-day wear
- Good arch support
Cons
- Requires breaking in
- Not stylish
2. Skechers Women’s Lasso-Petrol-Western Influenced Ankle Boot
- 3M scotch Gard(tm) treated upper
- Air Cooled Memory Foam insole
These Skechers boots are not only super cute but very comfortable. You can pair up these boots with almost any outfit, be it casual or professional wear.
The Skechers ankle boots come in three colors: black, dark brown, and light grey. These are great as they can be considered quite neutral.
The ankle boots feature a sturdy block heel; hence you're guaranteed optimum support throughout your day. Additionally, the heel is 1. 5 inches; hence, it won't add too much strain to your toes and back.
The stylish ankle boots feature a zipper and rubber sole and are made from synthetic fabric. The Skechers upper is treated with 3M Scotchgard, a coating that prevents textile damage and lengthens the shoe's life.
The super cute shoes feature a memory foam insole with cooling air technology designed to keep your feet dry with every step.
Pros
- Stylish and comfortable boots
- Features Air Cooled Memory Foam insole
- Offered in neutral colors that can easily be paired with many outfits
- Features a durable rubber outsole
- The uppers are treated with 3M Scotchgard to prevent textile damage
- It can be worn all-day
Cons
- Inconsistent Sizing
3. Alegria Women's Paloma Flat
- UNPARALLELED COMFORT. Experience unmatched comfort...
- PREMIUM MATERIALS. Crafted with high-quality...
- SLIP-RESISTANT OUTSOLE. Step with confidence,...
- CUSTOMIZABLE FIT. Achieve the perfect fit with the...
- VERSATILE STYLE. The Alegria Paloma combines...
These flats are not only comfortable but are a classic in that they remain timeless in overall styling.
They come in different patterns allowing you to match them and accessorize according to your personality and preferred style.
The footbed design provides sufficient arch and heel support to aid in relieving stress on the legs, back, and hips from long hours on the feet, making them ideal for teachers.
The Alegria footbed makes them special in that each pair comprises soft polyurethane, cork, and memory foam. It features an ergonomic design that caters to the natural contours of the feet. These flats are designed with Alegria's patented interlocking technology, allowing the removable footbed to be firmly secured into the slip-resistant, mild rocker outsole for use on any surface.
The flats feature leather uppers, thus guaranteeing high levels of comfort and durability. In addition, they have an appealing button strap with a Velcro closure that allows for a wider range of preferred suitable choices.
Pros
- Super comfy and cute
- Has a wide toe box
- Durable rubber sole
- The flats provide slip resistance
- Cushioned support
- Features a soft and ergonomically designed footbed
Cons
- Some reviews noted that the arch support might be too much for certain types of arch types e.g., high arches/flat-footed
4. Dr. Martens Women's Chelsea Boots
- Constructed for comfort on the iconic Dr. Martens...
- This boot is Goodyear-welted, meaning the upper...
- Good abrasion and slip resistance
- Lined with warm faux fur
- Retains essential Doc DNA, like yellow stitching,...
When it comes to Dr. Martens, you can never go wrong. These boots are considered to always be in style, but they are also ideal for the teacher who needs to battle the elements.
Dr. Martens are made from 100 % leather hence making them durable. They also feature an air-cushioned sole that is guaranteed to absorb shock.
The leather upper is waterproof hence is unlikely to wear down when exposed to conditions like snow. The interior of the boots features faux fur lining designed to keep your feet warm.
These teacher shoes would be a perfect addition to your winter collection.
Pros
- Comfortable for wearing throughout the day
- Perfect for winter
- Made of durable materials
- Feature a cushioned sole
- Waterproof upper
Cons
- They run a little small
5. Clarks Women's Gracelin Shea Ballet Flat
- OrthoLite Molded footbed
- Cushion Soft technology
- Smooth Textile Lining
- Durable TR outsole
- Full Grain Leather
The Clarks Ballet flats are perfect teacher shoes as they offer pretty good support, are comfortable and stylish.
The Clarks come in baby pink or black and are made of 100% leather. This means they are suitable for pairing up with almost any style but are also made of durable material.
The ballet flats feature a rubber sole that provides stability while walking. It also features a slight heel which is great as it means your feet are not fully flat on the ground. The Clarks feature an Ortholite molded footbed, thus encouraging airflow hence keeping your feet remain aerated.
The Clarks twin straps keep your foot supported while busy walking around school or standing in class.
Pros
- Made from durable material
- Very comfortable and stylish
- Feature an Ortholite molded footbed
Cons
- Not ideal for wet terrains/conditions
Features To Consider When Buying Best Shoes For Teachers
a) Comfort
When shopping for the best shoes, one of the key factors to look into is comfort. This is primarily because you're likely to spend most of your day in the shoes. Hence, you need to ensure that you're comfortable throughout.
When you're on all feet all day, be it walking around or standing, you need a comfortable shoe that can keep you going. Ideally, you don't want a shoe that's distracting you because of how much your feet hurt.
Additionally, investing in the right shoes prevents foot conditions that could develop further down the line. For instance, shoes without the right cushioning can lead to joint pain and plantar fasciitis, an inflammation of the heel. At the same time, shoes that are too narrow can pinch the toes, resulting in bunions over time.
The rule of thumb with shoes is always comfort first!
b) Ease of Cleaning
Having shoes that are easy to clean makes a big difference, especially if your type of teaching involves quite many messy projects. It's also great for when you encounter a muddy puddle or need to freshen up before heading on to class. A great example would be Crocs for art teachers.
Leather is one of the easiest to clean materials as usually all you need is a rag and warm water.
Textile-based shoes are not as easy to wipe down. However, some textile shoes are machine washable. Once they've acquired dust or grit, you can toss them in the washer. However, before doing this, it is important to confirm that the brand states that the shoes are actually machine washable.
c) Type of Teacher Shoes
The three most common styles of teacher shoes are Clogs, sneakers, and heels.
Clogs traditionally were wooden soles with a leather upper. Currently, they come in various styles and are made from different materials. They tend to be very comfortable; however, they are not great to run in.
Sneakers were initially designed for athletes; however, they now feature in professional environments where a mix of casual styles is allowed. Most sneakers come with inbuilt cushioning support hence making them comfortable. They are also quite stylish and can be paired up with different outfits. The only downside is that they are casual, and some dress codes do prohibit such styles.
Heels are considered to be the most stylish choice out of the three. Though they look great, not every pair of heels can provide the support your feet will need. They are best suited for short-term use since they concentrate your weight at the ball of your foot.
d) Arch Support
Arch support is crucial when searching for the best shoes for teachers. Lack of it can lead to foot conditions like plantar fasciitis and lower back pain.
It's essential to know the type of support you need:
- Neutral-arched feet – These types of arches are neither overly arched nor flat. If you have neutral arches, you're best suited with shoes with firm midsoles, straight to semi-curved lasts. The lasts refer to the shape of the sole and the footprint around which the shoe is constructed.
- Flat feet or low arched feet – This essentially means you either have a low arch or no arch. Hence you require shoes with a straight last and motion control to aid in stabilizing your feet. You can also consider shoes that allow you to include your own orthotic supportive insoles.
- High Arched feet – This arch type can add excessive strain on joints and muscles as your feet cannot fully absorb shock well. The right shoes are those with great cushioning and curved last that can aid in absorbing the shock to lessen the pressure in your feet.
Arch support comes in the form of foam cushioning. There are different types of EVA foam and memory foam that can conform to your feet. The key is to find comfortable shoes that prevent foot fatigue and cater to your arches.
e) Leather Material
Shoes made from leather are usually durable in that leather is considered to be high-quality material.
It is also water-resistant; hence if it happens to be raining or your feet get wet, you're guaranteed that your feet will be protected.
The downside to genuine leather is that it tends to be expensive. Additionally, it's an animal product; hence it's not sustainable and environmentally friendly for the planet. Most people prefer to look for vegan alternatives.
There are options of synthetic leathers which mimic the feel and properties of real leather. They're generally water-resistant, sturdy, and well-made. However, they're likely to wear and tear sooner compared to genuine leather.
f) Slip- Resistant
Teacher shoes should feature slip resistance. This is because you're likely to be walking on slippery floors or a newly waxed floor. Your shoes should provide the grip and traction to keep you grounded while walking, thus preventing you from losing your balance. Lack of slip resistance can lead to a nasty injury.
g) Style
Though it can sometimes feel that you have to sacrifice style comfort for style, finding the right shoes for teachers with both is possible. Currently, slip ons are among the trendiest styles available for teachers. You can also opt for sneakers with offer ample stability and support.
The goal is to find the right shoes that are both stylish and comfy.
g) Durability
The durability of a shoe is important as you'd want something that you can wear for a while. Most shoes that feature leather upper and rubber outsoles tend to rank highly in durability.
Ideally, the goal is to get a shoe that can last a year two from when it was bought.
h) Type of Shoe Material
You'll want to get shoes that are made from a breathable material. Most brands tend to use leather, mesh, or patented leather as they do not just cater to flexibility but are allow for ample foot movement.
The shoe material matters as you don't want everyday shoes that leave your feet bruised or hurt. The material should be lightweight, soft, and comfortable. This will ensure that there is great airflow, thus leaving your feet feeling fresh, aerated, and cool.
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