Best Work Shoes for High Arches

If you’re in a hurry and just want to find out what the best work shoes for high arches are, then I recommend the Skechers Women’s Bikers Fiesta Mary Jane Flat for women and the Dockers Men’s Agent Leather Dress Casual Loafer Shoe for men.

Being active, I spend a lot of my time on my feet. When I didn’t have shoes that supported my feet enough, my feet began to ache and I started to develop additional issues. 

If you stand for hours a day, you’ll require some high-quality shoes for comfort. Alternatively, if your current 9–5 footwear leaves you with aching feet, it’s time to upgrade.

I’ve searched the Internet for the best work shoes for high arches. These are specifically designed to prevent pronation.

These are my top selections for the best work shoes for high arches in 2020:

• Skechers Women’s Bikers Fiesta Mary Jane Flat
• Clarks Women’s Cheyn Madi Slip-On Loafer
• Dockers Men’s Agent Leather Dress Casual Loafer Shoe
• Crocs Women’s Busy Day Strappy Wedge
• Skechers Men’s Porter Zevelo Oxford Shoes

Features to Look for in Work Shoes

Deciding on the right pair of work shoes goes beyond simply choosing a suitable style for your work environment. Here are some important features to consider throughout your search.

Durability 

The exterior material directly affects your shoe’s durability. The most preferred material is leather, as it’s long-lasting and resistant to rain and excessive heat.

Consider the outsole, too. A rubber outsole offers excellent traction—helping to prevent the shoes from wearing easily. On the other hand, synthetic outsoles are best for those on a budget but are more likely to wear when walking outdoors.

Don’t forget about cleaning them, though. How do you remove dirt? Do they require a special cleaning solution, or are the shoes suitable for the washing machine? Those that are easier to clean will last longer in the long haul.

Style

How the shoes look determines if they’re suitable for your work environment. For the ladies, avoid large heels or high platforms. This lacks a sophisticated style and can make them more bar-friendly than suitable for the office.

I’ve selected work shoes that are easy to slip on with no complicated lace system. Many are suitable for a range of weather and outfits, allowing you to feel fashionable in your work environment. 

Are the shoes suitable for a range of seasons? If you like to wear socks, will the shoes still look stylish? Or, will you have to adapt your wardrobe to cater for your new footwear?

Cushioning

Cushioned shoes help to eliminate pain on your joints. A high level of cushioning provides a padded feel, so the shoes absorb any shock as you walk.

I suggest investing in an EVA footbed, which is a soft, yet firm, material that absorbs every step you make.

For those with high arches, your work shoes should offer layers of cushioning around the midsole. This feature helps to eliminate any pressure put on your feet and prevent pronation.

Fit

You could own shoes from the most trusted brand in the world, but if the fit’s off, this can impact the comfort and protection they offer. Specifically, check if the brand typically runs sizes small or large. 

Compare the size measurements to your feet, too. Wide shoes are often well-suited to those with high arches, so if shoes tend to pinch your toes, consider going wide or extra-wide.

Heel

If you spend a large portion of workdays walking around the office, you’ll likely want footwear with a minimal heel and/or platform. Ensure you check the measurements of the platform to see if the shoes are suitable for your working conditions.

If you experience foot pain and aches when standing on your feet for long periods, it’s best to limit the platform to 1 inch. Otherwise, you’ll be adding excess pressure onto your feet. Although, completely flat shoes can also cause discomfort.

This mainly applies to the ladies, but watch out with some men’s shoes. Even the slightest heel raise can cause discomfort.

The Five Best Work Shoes for High Arches

While these shoes aren’t the most trendy out there, they offer high levels of support for high arches. This ain’t no fashion shoot!

1. Skechers Women’s Bikers -Fiesta Mary Jane Flat

These shoes have a casual feel and are easy to put on and take off, making them great for busy workers. 

The textured knitted fabric upper adds a sophisticated touch while ensuring the shoes are comfortable against your skin. Thanks to the hook-and-loop strap, they add a casual vibe around the office. 

The shoes have a shock-absorbing feature, which is great if you’re on your feet all day, every day. Plus, this aids your comfort and protection if you walk to and from work, too. With a flexible rubber outsole, these shoes are long-lasting and won’t break at the first sign of uneven surfaces.

The memory foam lining adds a high level of support for those with high arches. This helps to cushion your arches to prevent your feet from aching after a long day.

These shoes are available in sizes 5 to 11.

Pros

• Memory foam is air-cooled.
• Available in an extra-wide fit.
• Low feel to prevent aching feet.
• A great alternative to sneakers.

Cons

• Not waterproof.
• Expensive for the quality you receive.
• Some reported that they’re not long-lasting.

2. Clarks Women’s Cheyn Madi Slip-On Loafer

Designed from 100 percent leather for durability and comfort, these Clarks women’s loafers are the ideal pair of work shoes. 

Thanks to the cushioned technology, these work shoes are comfortable to wear for long periods. They contain extra padding around the midsole to protect high arches with every step. Clarks also designed these with cushioning on the heel, which adds another layer of protection if you have a busy career.

The slight heel height of 1.2 inches provides a professional feel, without impacting your comfort or encouraging any pain. Plus, it makes them suitable to take you from a 10 am work meeting to 7 pm cocktails.

The shoes are available in sizes 5 to 9.

Pros

• Easy slip-on style with no laces.
• Available in a wide fit.
• Reasonably priced.
• Button detail for a stylish touch.
• Textured exterior is great for winter weather.
• Well-cushioned all over.

Cons

• No ankle support.
• Sizes are narrow.
• No laces can make the shoes easy to slip off.

3. Dockers Men’s Agent Leather Dress Casual Loafer Shoe

These casual work shoes for men have a synthetic sole, which makes them durable for walking outdoors while also offering water-resistant qualities.

I love the cushioned footbed, which keeps your feet comfortable and cozy. The amount of cushioning makes them perfect to wear in cold temperatures.

When I looked at customer reviews, the arch support is the greatest benefit of these shoes. They’re also the perfect combination between a casual and professional appearance—making them perfect for around the office.

Designed with 100 percent leather, these work shoes won’t break apart easily, and this material also makes them efficient to keep clean.

With a slight heel, this provides relief for those with high arches. The shoes also feature a supportive back that won’t rub against your foot. 

These shoes are available in sizes 7 to 17.

Pros

• Supportive back for your heels.
• 100 percent leather.
• Casual yet professional style.
• Cushioned footbed for support.
• Excellent price.

Cons

• Heavier than other work shoes on this list.

4. Crocs Women’s Busy Day Strappy Wedge

Looking for work shoes that exude practicality while offering a zest of style? If you’re tired of boring flat shoes, then look no further than these.

They’re designed to protect those with high arches, thanks to the high level of cushioning around the midsoles. Also, Crocs designed this footwear with a 0.75-inch platform that provides a level of professionalism. They also work well with skirts, dresses and trousers, helping to expand your fashion tastes.

These work shoes have additional cushioning to absorb shock, making them perfect if you’re constantly on the go with your work. This puts a limit on painful feels after a long day at work. Plus, the stretchy straps adjust to your feet size and are soft against your skin—reducing any irritation.

The shoes are available in sizes 5 to 11.

Pros

• Excellent price.
• Platform for height, yet practicality.
• Don’t have a wear-in period.
• Easy to wipe down and clean.
• Ample cushioning to help with poor posture.

Cons

• Only available in black.
• Synthetic sole, not rubber.
• Sizes run large, so the heels can sometimes slip off.

5. Skechers Men’s Porter Zevelo Oxford Shoes

Skechers designed these shoes to look stylish with all the practical features you need for high arches.

Equipped with an air-cooled memory foam footbed, these work shoes offer cushioning primarily around the midsole to aid high arches. This helps every step to get absorbed—so your feet don’t feel the impact. 

Designed with a synthetic sole, these work shoes are durable and offer excellent traction, making them suitable for walking outdoors on uneven surfaces and in wet conditions. The selection of wide and extra-wide fits makes them suitable for a range of foot sizes and shapes, too.

These work shoes are ideal for around the office, but can also extend to spring walks in the park, thanks to their lightweight materials. Plus, they’ll keep your feet cool.

The shoes are available in sizes 6.5 to 16.

Pros

• Available in wide and extra-wide fit.
• Stylish design.
• Air-cooled memory foam.
• Lightweight.

Cons

• Canvas material can be difficult to maintain.
• Expensive.
• Limited ankle support.

Conclusion

We spend most of our lives working, so it’s important that we feel comfortable in our work shoes.

If you’re looking for the best-quality work shoes for women, I recommend the Skechers Women’s Bikers Fiesta Mary Jane Flat. The air-cooled memory foam makes them highly versatile and durable for a range of weather conditions.

They also feature cushioning technology—improving the level of comfort and support you receive. This is great for those with high arches, as well as if you spend hours a day on your feet.

From a man’s perspective, I can’t skip beyond the Dockers Men’s Agent Leather Dress Casual Loafer Shoe. While it’s a very bland work shoe, the arch support and cushioned sole make these extremely well-suited for a busy office environment.