10 Best Work Shoes for Teachers in 2023

Last Updated on February 8, 2024 by Azad Asf

Teachers are known for having to deal with severe issues daily in respect to their feet, such as:

• Finding work shoes that are both comfortable and look professional
• Working a the better part of their workdays on their feet on hard surfaces
• Most work shoes recommended for teachers are made without taking into consideration the physical differences men and women have in terms of their feet
• Falling when walking on slippery surfaces

Due to this, I spent weeks testing many work shoes to arrive at the list of the best shoes for teachers. I hope it helps.

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The Best Work Shoes For Teachers

This is the list of the best work shoes for teachers I arrived at after extensive research:

1. Clarks Men’s Escalade Step Shoes for Teachers
2. Dr. Scholl’s Shoes Women’s Madison Fashion Shoes for Teachers
3. Merrell Men’s Encore Gust Slip-On Shoes for Teachers
4. Clarks Women’s CloudSteppers Sillian Paz Slip-On Loafer Shoes for Teachers
5. Skechers Men’s Glides Calculous Slip-On Loafer Shoes for Teachers
6. Dansko Women’s LT Pro Clogs for Teachers
7. Skechers Women’s Lasso-Petrol-Western Influenced Ankle Boots for Teachers
8. Merrell Women’s Jungle Moc Waterproof Slip-On Shoes for Teachers
9. KEEN Women’s Sienna MJ Canvas Work Shoes for Teachers
10. Skechers Women’s Go Walk Joy Walking Shoes for Teachers

1. Clarks Escalade Step Shoes For Teachers

The experience with these Clarks work shoes starts with their comfort footbeds that efficiently cushion the feet in every step. This makes a big difference for teachers used to dealing with long work shifts standing on their feet.

Teachers are sometimes exposed to hot environments, which is why I like their breathable 100% leather which keeps the feet dry and smelling fresh at all times.

Also, their flexible, non-marking outsoles provide the traction necessary to walk on any surface at school without the worry of slipping and getting injured.

Last but not least, the shoes have an easy-care leather that is not only easy to maintain but is also very professional-looking which teachers appreciate.

Customer Reviews and Scores

There are more than 2143 reviews in Amazon.com about this product at the time of writing and they have given it a 4.4 out of 5 rating on average.

Check price at Amazon.com

2. Dr. Scholl’s Shoes Women’s Madison Fashion Shoes For Teachers

These Dr. School Madison work shoes have memory foam footbeds with extra cushioning in key zones of the feet which makes them particularly good for teachers as they spend most of their workdays on their feet.

There’s nothing worse than slipping and falling on hard surfaces which is why I love how the guys at Dr. School come with rubber outsoles with slip-resistant capabilities which provide perfect traction on all surfaces without adding too much bulk.

Finally, the shoes have rubber sidewalls and rubber soles that, in combination, create a rugged but flexible structure that makes the shoes very durable and comfortable.

Customer Reviews and Scores

There are more than 3,148 reviews in Amazon.com about this product at the time of writing and they have given it a 4.3 out of 5 rating on average.

Check price at Amazon.com

3. Merrell Encore Gust Slip-On Work Shoes For Teachers

These work shoes come with compression-molded EVA midsoles and ortholite footbeds with air cushioning in the heel which makes the user experience as they provide superior comfort.

Moreover, their breathable mesh linings are essential in letting air flow, keeping the feet cool, dry, and free of odors.

Slipping and falling on hard floors is a huge risk that teachers must deal with on a daily basis. This is why I love how these shoes come with M-select Grip outsoles that deliver extreme traction on slippery surfaces.

Durability is what all teachers look for in their next pair of shoes as they don’t want to see their hard-earned money wasted in shoes that don’t last them more than a few months.

Luckily, these Merrell shoes come with a 100% full-grain leather which is a great indicator for durability.

Customer Reviews and Scores

There are more than 2,468 reviews on Amazon.com about these shoes at the time of writing and they have given them a 4.5 out of 5 rating on average. The reviews of this pair of shoes are positive overall.

Check price at Amazon.com

4. Clarks Women’s Cloudsteppers Sillian Paz Slip-On Loafer Shoes For Teachers

In terms of comfort, they have ortholite footbeds which make the experience of wearing the shoes while standing all day long much better.

On top of that, these shoes come manufactured with soft fabric linings that maximize airflow and maintain the feet dry at all times.

Additionally, the shoes have midsoles that provide great shock absorption which is key for teachers who spend more than 10 hours on their feet.

I can’t think of a worse sensation than watching your 100+ dollars pair of shoes breaking apart after only a few months of light use.

In that context, features such as these Clarks’s shoes great quality soft fabric linings provide that level of quality that gives the guarantee the shoes are going to last AT LEAST a few years.

Customer Reviews and Scores

There are more than 2432 reviews in Amazon.com about this product at the time of writing and they have given it a 4.3 out of 5 rating on average.

Check price at Amazon.com

5. Skechers Men’s Glides Calculous Slip-On Loafer Shoes For Teachers

The shoes come with gel-infused memory foam footbeds and shock-absorbing midsoles that allow teachers to deal much better with the task of walking or standing all day on hard surfaces.

To improve even more on comfort, they have a relaxed fit design, padded collars, and dual side elastic fabric panels that make the experience of using these shoes much more enjoyable.

To maintain teachers safe from injuries, features like flexible traction outsoles were added to deliver perfect traction on all surfaces commonly found at schools and universities.

Durability is essential for teachers as they are more than used to see their expensive shoes frustratingly break apart after a short period of time.

This is why I’m always happy to see when features like smooth oiled leather uppers and stitching accents as they not only give the shoes an impressive look but also make them rugged and durable.

Customer Reviews and Scores

There are more than 1345 reviews in Amazon.com about this product at the time of writing and they have given it a 4.5 out of 5 rating on average.

Check price at Amazon.com

6. Dansko Women’s LT Pro Clogs for Teachers

Teachers are used to spending 8 to 10 hours standing on hard floors which puts tremendous stress on their joints.

In that context, these Dansko work shoes come with EVA midsoles and dual-density PU footbeds that provide excellent shock absorption and cushioning to reduce the chances of dealing with severe foot pain at the end of the day.

Additionally, they come with rocker bottoms which are essential for improving on stability and ergonomics.

Regarding protection, they have slip-resistant outsoles which substantially reduce the probability of teachers slipping and falling when walking on slippery surfaces at their workplaces.

Customer Reviews and Scores

There are a bit more than 3,484 reviews on Amazon.com about this product at the time of writing and they have given it, on average, a 4.5 out of 5 rating, approximately. These reviews are positive overall.

Check price at Amazon.com

7. Skechers Women’s Lasso-Petrol-Western Influenced Ankle Boots for Teachers

No teacher wants to spend their workday dealing with unbearable foot pain, right?

Well, this is why these Skechers ankle boots come with air-cooled footbeds which provide awesome cushioning thanks to their memory foam element.

Also, they’re manufactured with a breathable fabric that maintains the feet cool and free of odor build-up.

Their rubber outsoles are flexible and grippy enough to guarantee teachers they’ll enjoy comfortable and safe work shoes.

Customer Reviews and Scores

There are more than 297 reviews on Amazon.com about these shoes at the time of writing and they have given them a 4.3 out of 5 rating on average. The reviews of this pair of shoes are positive overall.

Check price at Amazon.com

8. Merrell Women’s Jungle Moc Waterproof Work Shoes for Teachers

Working all day on hard floors is something all teachers must deal with from time to time.

This is why I like how these Merrel work shoes come with really great comfort features such as their:

• Compression-molded EVA footbeds that cushion the feet to reduce the likeliness of dealing with foot pain
• Merrel Air cushioning in the heel area improves the experience of wearing the shoes
• Breathable mesh linings that wick moisture away when exposed to hot and humid temperatures

Even though teaching is not a high-risk job, teachers must be protected too. At least that’s what I think.

This is why these shoes come with slip-resistant outsoles with deep 3mm lugs that grip the surfaces to provide maximum traction and avoid nasty slips and injuries.

Customer Reviews and Scores

There are more than 677 reviews on Amazon.com about these work shoes at the time of writing and they have given them a 4.4 out of 5 rating on average. The reviews of this pair of work shoes are positive overall.

Check price at Amazon.com

9. KEEN Women’s Sienna MJ Canvas Work Shoes for Teachers

With long work shifts standing on their feet, teachers need the best out of their work shoes.

This is why I love how these Keen Sienna shoes come with excellent comfort features that aid teachers in dealing with these issues.

I mean, they’ve got:

• Elastic gore instep straps that maximize fit and comfort
• Breathable and flexible canvas as the shoes’ main material
• Variegated synthetic uppers

Last but not least, the shoes have natural latex and cork footbeds that cushion the feet to avoid dealing with severe foot pain at the end of the workday.

Customer Reviews and Scores

There are more than 893 reviews on Amazon.com about these shoes at the time of writing and they have given them a 4.3 out of 5 rating on average. The reviews of this pair of work shoes are positive overall.

Check price at Amazon.com

10. Skechers Women’s Go Walk Joy Work Shoes for Teachers

The unbearable foot pain teachers must deal with after spending 8 to 10 hours on their feet on hard floors is something that can easily be solved with the right work shoe.

Luckily, these Skechers Walk Joy work shoes stand as the perfect solution as they come with excellent comfort features such as their padded top collars and breathable leather sock linings. These two features work together to maintain the feet dry and cushion them in key areas.

Moreover, they’ve got PU outsoles with rocker bottoms which aren’t only great for stability but are also very flexible.

Lastly, their TPU heel counters deliver added protection in the heel area and awesome lateral stability to prevent nasty injuries from happening.

Customer Reviews and Scores

There are more than 34,644 reviews on Amazon.com about these work shoes at the time of writing and they have given them a 4.5 out of 5 rating on average. The reviews of this pair of work shoes are positive overall.

Check price at Amazon.com

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What Are The Best Work Shoes for Teachers?

Dr. Scholl’s Shoes Women’s Madison Fashion Shoes For Teachers

I selected these Dr. Scholl’s Madison work shoes as the best shoes for teachers overall mainly because of the following features:

• Breathable leather that maintains the feet fresh when exposed to humid and hot exterior conditions
• Grippy outsoles that help in avoiding nasty injuries
• Memory foam footbeds that cushion the feet when standing on hard surfaces

If you’d like to read the full review, you can click the button down below.

Review

What Are The Most Comfortable Work Shoes for Teachers?

Skechers Women’s Go Walk Joy Work Shoes for Teachers

I chose these Skechers Go Walk work shoes as the most comfortable shoes for teachers as they have attributes such as their:

• Breathable fabric and leather that keeps the feet fresh at all times
• Cushioned footbeds
• Padded instep collars for maximum comfort when walking
• PU outsoles aren’t only grippy but also very flexible

If you’d like, by clicking the button down below you’ll be able to read the full review.

Review

Quick Comparison Table

Name	Material	Outsoles	Footbeds
1. Clarks Escalade Step Shoes For Teachers Review	100% breathable leather	Non-Marking outsoles	Comfort footbeds
2. Dr. Scholl’s Shoes Women’s Madison Fashion Shoes For Teachers Review	Breathable leather	Grippy outsoles	Memory foam footbeds
3. Merrell Encore Gust Slip-On Work Shoes For Teachers Review	Full-grain leather	M-Select GRIP outsoles	Ortholite footbeds
4. Clarks Women’s Cloudsteppers Sillian Paz Slip-On Loafer Shoes For Teachers Review	Leather & soft fabric	Ortholite footbeds	Shock-Absorbing EVA outsoles
5. Skechers Men’s Glides Calculous Slip-On Loafer Shoes For Teachers Review	Smooth oiled leather	Flexible traction outsoles	Gel-infused memory foam footbeds
6. Dansko Women's LT Pro Clogs for Teachers Review	Full-grain leather	Slip-resistant outsoles	Dual-Density PU footbeds
7. Skechers Women's Lasso-Petrol-Western Influenced Ankle Boots for Teachers Review	Sueded leather	Slip-resistant outsoles	Air-Cooled memory foam footbeds
8. Merrell Women's Jungle Moc Waterproof Work Shoes for Teachers Review	Waterproof pigskin	Slip-resistant outsoles	EVA footbeds
9. KEEN Women's Sienna MJ Canvas Work Shoes for Teachers Review	Canvas	Rubber & cork outsoles	Natural latex & cork footbeds
10. Skechers Women's Go Walk Joy Work Shoes for Teachers Review	Breathable fabric & leather	PU outsoles w/ shock absorbing rocker bottoms	Cushioned footbeds

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Must-Have Features of The Best Work Shoes For Teachers

There is a certain combination of features teachers should look for in their next pair of shoes.

This is my attempt to let you know what those features are so you can save a lot of time and money in the process.

Shock Absorbing Footbeds & Cushioned Midsoles

I bet if someone told a teacher they could avoid the foot pains they get after spending 8 to 10 hours standing on their feet, they’d do it in an instant.

The good news is that if teachers get work shoes with shock-absorbing midsoles and cushioned footbeds most of the stress generated by standing on their feet will be absorbed and their feet will be able to rest and recover.

Professional-looking Design

Teachers need shoes that not only are comfortable but that also look professional. Otherwise, they might not be well-looked-at by their colleagues.

So, my advice is for teachers to take their time and find the right pair of shoes that actually look good and feel good too.

Slip Resistant Outsoles

Have you ever slipped and felt at school? Well, I have, and let me tell you it’s not funny at all!

This is why I recommend teachers to get shoes with slip-resistant outsoles as these will provide the mental calmness that, no matter what, they’ll have the best traction possible on all surfaces to avoid slips and falls on hard surfaces.

Good Quality Material & Solid Construction

Knowing that you spent your money correctly is an assurance most teachers look for when they’re about to drop 100+ dollars on a pair of shoes.

This is why I’d say going for work shoes with good quality materials and reliable construction methods is the best way to get the guarantee that their hard-earned money is destined into shoes that are actually going to last for years instead of a few months.

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How Did I Test The Best Shoes For Teachers

For those who are curious, these are the test I performed to find the best shoes for teachers.

Comfort Test

During the comfort test, I made sure to carry a notepad all day at the school and write down exactly how comfortable the shoes being tested felt every hour.

Protective Test

In the protection test, I threw some liquids on different floors and tested how well their traction was by walking on them.

If they didn’t give me any sense of security, that specific pair of shoes was written off of the list.

Durability Test

Finally, to test each shoes’ durability features, I made sure to beat each pair as hard as I could during my daily routine.

If the shoes ‘survived’ to this test with flying colors, then I took that pair of shoes and proudly added it to the list of the best shoes for teachers.

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Frequently Asked Questions

These are the most frequent questions teachers ask about their next work shoes and my respective attempt to answer most of them.

Should work shoes for teachers have safety toe caps?

I don’t think so.

I mean, safety toe caps are destined for workers that work next to heavy tools and machinery that could fall at any moment and injure their toes. That’s not what most teachers are exposed to, so I’d say no, the best work shoes for teachers shouldn’t have safety toe caps.

How do you maintain work shoes for teachers?

Well, If your work shoes are made of leather I’d say following the next guide is going to be very helpful in maintaining your shoes in a pretty nice state:

1. Brush off dust with a soft brush
2. Clean the shoes with saddle soap and rinse them
3. Let them dry for about an hour
4. Apply a light layer of leather conditioner and let it nourish the leather
5. Remove excess leather conditioner with a clean cloth
6. Buff the leather work shoes with a brush
7. Done!

If your work shoes are mainly made of fabric or a similar material, I’d say you should follow the next video of this nice man to make sure you take care of your shoes:

What Are The Recommended Heights For The Best Shoes For Teachers?

In terms of height, I think your shoes should not be too tall at all as you want to maximize their comfort features, and if the shoe is too tall then your ankles will feel trapped and your experience using the shoes will substantially decrease.

If you want to avoid the anxiety that comes with working next to really heavy objects that, if they were to fall, could seriously injure your toes, you have to get work shoes with safety toes. This is why I liked these

How Do I Take Care Of The shoes?

Shoes are pretty difficult to take care which is why I made the following guide to make it easy for you to follow and maintain your shoes:

First, clean your shoes with a damp cloth. Make sure the shoes are clean as much as possible as it is essential for the following step. If you have to repeat the process many times, then do it.

Then, let the shoes dry in a hot and dry environment.

After that, if the shoes are made of leather, apply a thin layer of leather conditioner and massage the shoes with a dry and clean cloth.

After the massage is done and the conditioner is mostly gone, let the shoes dry for 2 to 5 hours, and voila! they are done.

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Benefits of The Best Shoes For Teachers

There are considerable benefits that come with selecting any of the shoes listed in this article. The following list speaks about the most important ones:

Be Professional And Comfortable At The Same Time!

The best pair of shoes for teachers should not only be comfortable but also have proper looks for a school or university, right?

The good news is that if you pick any shoe out of this article, you’ll find footwear that won’t only be comfortable but will also look very professional for a teacher.

No More Pain

The long hours that teachers spend standing on their feet have a very negative impact on their bodies which ultimately brings up all sorts of consequences (i.e. bad knees or plantar fasciitis).

Luckily, the best shoes for teachers have the right features that provide enough shock absorption to let the feet and joints rest, thus, avoiding those consequences.

Prevent Injuries

Finally, teachers constantly face the risk of slipping and getting injured pretty often.

Luckily, any of the work shoes reviewed in this article have features aimed at guaranteeing the best traction possible on any surface which is key in clearing the teacher’s mind of any fears related to getting injured!

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Pro Tips For Teachers

If you want to make your life much better in regards to your feet issues, then I think you should follow at least three of the following five tips.

Use Comfy Footwear (Duh!)

There’s nothing more efficient at making your feet happy than using comfortable and ergonomic work shoes.

Your mind will never be clear to do your job right if you’re not comfortable, which is why I put so much effort into researching and writing this article.

Take Seating Breaks

Taking rests is as essential as using comfortable footwear as it’s the only way to make sure that your muscles and joints will get the rest they need after teaching all day on your feet.

So, make sure to sit down at least 15 minutes for every hour you stay on your feet.

Stretching

The sole activity of stretching might also be a life savior in terms of preventing teachers from dealing with severe knee and foot pains as it allows for a better blood flow through the muscles letting them recover at a much faster pace.