We discuss comfort as criteria in many of our guides. That is because when it comes to our feet comfort is always important. Different jobs and walks in life require different features to ensure your feet aren’t under too much stress from the moment your day begins all the way to the end. Shoes for teachers need to offer superior support and cushion to provide the desired outcome of comfy feet.

The more we wear a pair of shoes the more they break down and can become very uncomfortable. Finding footwear with a replaceable or removable insole can really add to the overall comfort you feel day to day. When the insole breaks down it does not absorb shock as well nor does it support sensitive areas of our feet the way they did when they were new. By replacing your insole as it wears down or removing it all together, for your custom orthotics, keeping fresh, thick soles will keep you feeling good for days to come.

Another factor in comfort is break-in time. Shoes for teachers need little to no break in time because from the moment they are worn they need to perform or you may be in for a long painful week. Long break-in periods can lead not only to pain but also to blisters, ingrown toenails and areas of the foot may have skin breakdown due to excess rubbing. The less break-in time required the better.

Whether a sufferer of flat feet, high arches, plantar fasciitis, corns, or even if you don’t currently have issues with your feet, the support your shoes give you is critical to making sure all the miles you walk are walked as comfortably as possible. We aren’t only talking about your feet. Your entire body will feel the effects of a shoe that doesn’t support you.

So, how do you find the correct support for your feet? A great place to start is to look at the bottoms of your favorite shoes and see where they are worn the most. The most worn area at the bottom of a shoe is the part that is taking the most pressure.

When your ankles are properly aligned they sit over the heel of your foot or in a neutral position. If this is how your ankles sit, you experience the least amount of foot pain as well as a decreased chance of rolling an ankle if not wearing supportive shoes.

Unlike pronation, supination is when the ankle rolls to the outside and the heel tilts inward. This is a common problem for people with high arches or tight tendons between the back of the leg and the heel. The outer part of your foot is now taking all the force from pounding the halls and pain is sure to ensue. If ankle sprains, knee pain, and muscle tightness are common for you, supination may be the culprit. Supporting supination requires extra cushioning for added impact absorption. Allowing your feet to move with a flexible shoe will also aid in supported feet. Lastly, look for a straighter instep, this will help correct the supination.

Like over-pronation the ankle rolls in and the heel tilts out, but in this case, it is to an extreme. You may experience repeated ankle injuries, stress fractures, or painful arthritis you may be in the severe over-pronation category. You will want to find a shoe that offers motion control. These shoes will have a very stiff heel and a straight shape. This adds support to the arch. They also usually have a very firm midsole to ensure your feet stay in the correct position.

Shoes for teachers require a shoe that can take the pressure and reduce the shock your body takes on the daily. If your shoes aren’t absorbing and helping disperse the shock, it still has to go somewhere, and your body pays the price. Not all material is created equal when it comes to shock absorption.

Different pieces of your shoes work hard to absorb shock. A huge part of it is the insole of your shoe. EVA insoles are very popular among the top manufacturers because of their durable, supportive, and shock absorbing traits. Memory Foam is another common insole that does a good job at supporting your feet and keeping the shock where it belongs. Another insole that offers good shock absorption is those made of cork or a cork mixture.

The outsole of your shoe also plays a huge part in absorbing shock. The softer the outsole of the shoe the more shock it will be able to absorb. Materials like blown rubber, cork, and synthetic blends are not only lightweight, helping to keep muscles from fatigue but they also do an excellent job absorbing shock.

Arch support and the heel cup in footwear for teachers also play their part in shock absorption. Heel striking when you walk causes a ton of the shock that is received. Finding a model with good padding in the heel or the ability to slide a gel heel guard under the insole can really benefit absorbing all the force you put on your feet. Likewise, supporting your arch or lack of arch will help to disperse pressure evenly.

Shoes can be expensive, and should be treated as an investment. They serve an important role in supporting your entire body throughout the day. As a teacher, you'll likely be on your feet a lot, which can quickly put wear and tear on your shoes. As such, it's important to choose a shoe that is going to be durable.

Consider what class you'll be teaching. A math teacher's footwear needs are going to be different than that of a PE or woodworking teacher. If you're on your feet constantly, you should priortize the sole, as this is the part of the shoe that is usually first to show wear and tear. Teachers in vocational positions such as engineering and woodworking will likely need soemthing with all-around durability; features such as steel toes and an oil-resistant upper come to mind.

Also consider the time of year and climate. While mesh and canvas are some of the most breathable materials in shoes, they have little in terms of waterproofing. If you live in an area that is prone to a lot of precipitation, you may want to opt for something less permeable. Likewise if you live in a hot or dry climate, leather may not be an ideal choice as it can crack and break down in dry conditions.

Let's come back to the sole. A poorly-made outsole can sometimes result in holes, which will allow water into the bottom of the shoe and compromist overall durability. We've made it a point to only list products with durable rubber outsoles.

Style is a quality that is sometimes overlooked in shoes for teachers, in favor of other factors like durability and comfort. However, it is an important thing to consider for one major reason; dress codes.

Like students, teachers must follow certain guidelines in regards to how they dress or potentially be subject to disciplinary action. These guidelines can vary based on many factors: the type of school, the position that the teacher is in, and even the day of the week (casual Fridays, anyone?). Dress codes are also subject to change on a case-by-case basis, due to things such as weather and special events such as field trips. Let's take a look at some of these in a little more detail.

There are three common types of schools in the US; public, private, and parochial (religious). Private and parochial schools will often have more stringent dress codes than public schools, for both students and teachers. It's important to read up on these guidelines, and reach out to your leadership with anyquestions or concerns you may have.

The position a teacher is in will also have an impact on this. Classes such as PE will typically call specifically for sneakers or other athletic shoes, as these are the best fit for the teaching environment. Vocational courses like woodworking and engineering will emphasize safety, so boots and steel-toe shoes may be preferred. Even science courses such as chemistry may call for a specific type of footwear.

Special events such as musical performances and field trips may also have their own guidelines. Performances will often call for a more formal shoe, while field trips may allow for more comfortable styles, depending on the trip.

Regardless, open-toe shoes are almost always not allowed. This is a safety measure in the event that something falls or is dropped, such as a heavy textbook or computer equipment. Most schools will also call for non-marking soles, as they will reduce the wear and tear on hard flooring. Again, look at your specific guidelines carefully, and discuss any questions you may have with your leadership.