Shoes can make or break your day, especially at work. Sometimes spending several hours at work can feel like an eternity if your feet are aching. Footwear that fits poorly or is worn out will create a lot of discomfort every time you wear them. Pointed toed or high-heeled shoes are particularly dangerous when it comes to work shoes because they cause a lot of issues. Other common causes of foot problems in the workplace are a lack of arch support, lack of cushioning or non shock absorbing shoes, and shoes that are too loose or too tight.

When shopping for appropriate work shoes, there are some things to consider before going in too far into the benefits (or potential drawbacks) of a certain style of shoe. You will first need to know the location that you will use your shoes in. For example, you would not wear slip-ons or dress shoes on a construction site. Likewise you will not meet business-casual dress standards if you are wearing boots or sneakers into an administrative office. The next thing you should think about is how long you will be walking, standing, or sitting while at work and how the shoes will do if you have additional activities outside of work.

You may be surprised that some foot pain or disorders can be caused by your “working position”, especially ones that require long periods of standing. The human foot is designed for movement and mobility, so your feet can actually be hurt by remaining stationary for too long. Continuous standing can cause the joints in your feet to become misaligned, flat feet, inflammation (which may lead to rheumatism and arthritis), and put strain on the fat pad of your heel. Sitting at a desk can have a similar effect on your feet. So finding a shoe that can adapt to your needs is particularly important if you are in this position. Another contributor to foot problems on the job is poor ventilation. A hot and humid environment or vigorous activity will cause sweaty feet or even fungal infections (such as athlete’s foot) if the footwear has non-porous uppers that do not allow enough air-flow.

Now we can go into detail about how to choose the right shoes for the job and provide some suggestions of specific KURU shoes that would work in each setting.

Business Casual or Dress Shoes (Offices, Retail or Sales, Teaching, Medical etc.)
If you are held to a business casual or dress “uniform” there are some specifics you need to think about.

• Do you have any foot injuries or problems that you need to consider? (such as plantar fasciitis, or ball of foot pain)
• What are the major colors of your wardrobe that you will be matching these shoes to?
• Is a non-slip outsole important, will you be primarily in one area or often moving from place to place?

Work Shoes (for Engineering, Construction, Warehouses, Contract Work, etc.)
If you need to wear “work shoes” to a job, find out which attributes are most important.

• What is necessary for safety?
• Do you have medical needs that require certain footwear?
• Do you need thick cushioning and outsoles because of the terrain?
• And do you want to have ankle-guards or is a standard-cut work shoe able to do the job?

Whatever your job, you spend time on your feet and time on the go during the day and long after you get home. Below, you will find

KINETIC

The KINETIC is here to answer the call of hard workers everywhere asking for a comfortable, anti-slip, all-day, everyday shoe that trades the term “ordinary work shoe” for “stunning business kicks.” Our new KINETIC is actually a follow-up to our original best-selling KINETIC. A well-loved shoe that gained a lot of admirers, the original KINETIC was our most advanced shoe at the time. It was light, stylish, and astoundingly comfortable thanks to the deepest heel cup we’d created up to that point. The good thing is the new KINETIC brings all of that back with a few clever updates. SEE MEN'S KINETIC | SEE WOMEN'S KINETIC

AALTO CHUKKA

For the man of action: the AALTO CHUKKA looks dapper in the office or around town, but it’s no sedentary shoe. Underneath the hood, it has all the components of an athletic KURU shoe. It has the same EVA midsole and KURUSOLE as our running shoes, with a TPE strobel board and springy cushioned soles under the toe for a powerful stride. SEE MEN'S AALTO CHUKKA

WARHOL

We know the feeling well—the feeling of dashing in the door at the end of the day so you can pull off your dress shoes and give your achy feet a little relief. It’s the inspiration behind the sophisticated WARHOL. We dreamed of a classic-meets-modern oxford shoe with enough built-in KURU power to not only stay comfortable all day, but also promote foot health. Underneath its sleek looks, it has the interior construction of a trusty running shoe. It means it’s the shoe you’ll look to for a long day on your feet—and you’ll probably keep it on when you get home to play catch with your kid. SEE MEN'S WARHOL

GRACE

Poised and polished in its looks, the GRACE stands up to the test of any workday. It pairs with any work or travel outfit and keeps your feet happy in spite of a blocked-out calendar and after-work to-dos. With its KURUSOLE™ construction, the GRACE is much more than a pretty face. SEE WOMEN'S GRACE