Fit For Purpose: Walking vs Standing Roles

Feb 08, 2021

Fit For Purpose:

Walking vs Standing Roles

Did you know...Your body can spend over 14 hours per day on your feet walking & standing!

You may believe that sore, tired and achy feet at the end of the day is normal but it doesn’t have to be.

Finding a work shoe that is comfortable, fit for purpose and fits well will reduce fatigue and increase your productivity throughout the entire workday.

Comfort Levels

Footwear with anti-fatigue properties can help relieve the stress of being on your feet all day. The level of comfort a shoe should provide depends on the type of activity you do on a daily basis. 

STANDING Comfort - footwear designed for standing comfort will include a broad outsole to disperse pressure, multiple layers of cushioning on the forefoot & heel, and soft leather uppers.

WALKING Comfort - footwear with great support throughout the gait cycle have a bevelled heel to assist at heel strike, a firm heel counter and midfoot stabilisers.

Support Types

The type of support required depends on your foot type, daily activities and time spent on your feet. 

NEUTRAL support (highly cushioned) footwear works to reduce the impact on the foot at heel strike and disperse pressure during long periods of standing. Shoes with more cushioning properties will have multiple layers of foam under a raised heel to take the pressure off the lower leg.

STABILITY support (highly supportive) footwear helps prevent excessive stress on particular areas of the foot. They usually feature more stability properties including having a broad base, stability features in the heel and midfoot, along with medial and lateral support. 

(Click image to view in full)

Don't Slip Up!

23% of accidents in the Australian workforce are classified as slips, trips & falls. (SWA Statistics, 2015-16)

Having a slip-resistant outsole is an essential feature to help prevent accidents in the workplace.

When selecting the level of slip resistance required in your work shoes, ask yourself the following questions...What type of environment will you be working in? What floor conditions will you be working on? What materials or liquids might you come into contact with?

Our highest level of slip resistance is the SRC rated Diamond Grip outsole. 

About Diamond Grip Slip-resistance

Workplace Requirements

Uniform requirements can also affect which shoes you can wear to work. 

For this reason, we have designed work shoes that suit both casual and formal styles for healthcare workers, educators, delivery staff, hospitality, retail & office workers.