The part of footwear that is most in charge of the comfort level you will get is the sole. Comprised of three sections – the outsole in contact with the ground, the midsole in charge of shock absorption and the insole that touches your feet – the soles can be made in various ways to provide you with different benefits.

There is quite a difference in features needed by a teacher and a professional cyclist, and to maximize your comfort levels, you need to make sure you are wearing the correct type of footwear.

These shoes were developed to provide the people in need with beautiful options that could be just as easily worn to the office as to a picnic. All of their footwear is made with a variation of the same sole which includes the following parts:

• Mild Rocker Outsole – Made out of non-slip rubber, these outsoles provide you both with the safety features needed for a professional environment and with technology that maximizes comfort and promotes proper alignment. This means that joint and back pain associated with long hours of standing can be avoided by simply wearing the right pair of shoes. The rocker bottom is designed so as to promote a more natural gait cycle, aiding the push-off phase and making each step easy to take, regardless of how many hours you have spent on your feet.
• Polyurethane and Cork Midsole – This part is the one that is in charge of providing you with shock absorption. Every step you take can lead to putting too much stress on the heel or metatarsal area, so a good midsole is a must. In addition, users who have foot problems need proper arch support. This allows their feet to have the necessary elasticity which is part of the natural shock absorption required in every walking or running motion. Coupled with the proper alignment, a pair of supportive shoes can help alleviate pain associated with low arches, overpronation, heel spurs, shin splints, and other issues.
• Memory Foam Lining – Memory foam is one of the best cushioning materials in footwear, seeing that it is made out of compounds that are not just highly elastic but are able to spring back to their original form, minimizing flattening and maximizing comfort. In addition, it is a material that will conform to the contours of the foot, giving you a customized fit that is just as good as wearing custom orthotics.
• Leather Lining – Finally, the part that comes into contact with your feet must be made out of a material that is not only breathable and soft, but that also won’t cause irritation, promote sweating or help the growth of bacteria and development of odors. All footwear options made by the brand feature a leather insole that will promote a better wearing experience with a soft, natural touch.

It is also important to note that all models on our list also feature a removable footbed which is an excellent option for numerous reasons.

If you wear custom orthotics, you can substitute the insoles for your own, giving you the opportunity to further customize the fit and feel. But even if you love the original insoles that come with your purchase, this is an excellent feature that allows you to prolong the comfortability and lifespan of your favorite pair of shoes.

Whether you’re looking at replacing your insoles because you’ve worn them out, or simply for hygienic reasons (podiatrists recommend replacing insoles as often as every three months), you will always be able to get a new set of insoles that will have you up and running after just a simple change.

When you’re on your feet all day, most footwear can get quite sweaty and smelly. But this brand fights to ensure that you have a breathable choice that gives you enough room to be comfortable but still fits properly.

The leather insole is made from naturally breathable leather. This means that your feet will be in touch with a natural material that hasn’t gone through any excessive chemical treatments, and that has natural properties which have been lauded for centuries.

Being a porous material, leather not only allows fresh air to enter your shoes, but it also allows for generated hot air and moisture to escape. This results in a heightened level of comfort, without having to spend hours in damp footwear.

Furthermore, the level of ventilation provided by leather lining has health benefits in that it won’t retain moisture, thus it will prevent fungal and bacterial infections. Plus, you will have the peace of mind to know that your feet won’t get smelly, no matter how hard you work and how long you walk in your favorite pair of shoes.

The level of breathability these shoes will allow your feet also depends on the model you choose. While open styles such as sandals will ensure more airflow, others will not perform as well when it comes to this aspect. Nonetheless, being made out of high-quality materials, even the closed styles of these shoes – such as boots or clogs, will ensure that you are comfortable no matter how much time you spend in your footwear.

Flexibility is one of the most important characteristics of a pair of shoes, as it determines how your feet will be allowed to move in your footwear. While sandals or running shoes are made to allow as much free movement as possible, work boots or protective footwear has as its goal to stabilize the foot, thus reducing its ability to naturally flex and move inside the shoes.

You should never wear anything that is stiff for two main reasons:

• It immobilizes the foot while moving, which can lead to deterioration of muscle and soft tissue in the feet.
• It can prevent the arch of the foot to store usable energy, making it harder to be comfortable for longer periods.

These shoes are made with a leather upper that allows plenty of movement and molds to your feet with use. However, its main advantages lie in the sole which is made with a combination of natural materials chosen to comfort and support.

The combination of polyurethane, cork and memory foam won’t be too stiff underfoot, but will, instead, ensure soft and long-lasting support.

The mild rocker outsole is another excellent feature which aids the foot in all walking motions, ensuring not just a properly aligned landing, but also an easier toe-off.

Shoes are made to protect your feet from outside influences such as cold, snow and rain, as well as extremely hot surfaces that many of us have to walk on a daily basis. But in addition to this first level of protection, it is also important to note that footwear can greatly contribute to overall physical health through ensuring that we are standing and walking in a correct way, thus preventing muscle and joint pain often associated with long hours of standing and walking.

Footwear that is supportive does several things that have important health benefits.

The most important of these, of course, is the arch support which is featured in all of these shoes. By hugging the underside of your foot, these can contribute to a better level of shock absorption, reducing muscle fatigue and joint pain in the long run. But even more, they can prevent overpronation or under pronation, thus ensuring proper alignment of the ankles, knees, hips, and back.

Another area that requires support in the heel, as it can easily become overused or injured if proper shoes are not worn. The best way to support the heel is to lock it securely into place, and to give it a stable surface to land on, preventing any chance of slippage that can lead to a sprained ankle.

For people who spend several hours a day on their feet, the support offered by their footwear is crucial to prevent any injuries or discomfort that can occur. All styles on this list feature plenty of support and stability and even have removable insoles that allow you to use your footwear with any custom orthotics you may need. This will ensure that you have long-lasting comfort for all those busy days.

Alegria shoes are made to be walked in, which warrants a good amount of durability. Using a combination of both natural and synthetic materials, you will get a shoe that will stand up to the test of time and which was designed with lots of use in mind.

In order to ensure a long life span, however, there are a few things you should pay attention to.

First and foremost, like with any other type of footwear, moisture is the leading cause of material deterioration. If you wear your footwear for long periods or have sweaty feet, it is important that your footwear is thoroughly dried between uses. Stuffing it with newspaper and storing it in a ventilated place away from direct heat or sunlight is the best thing you can do.

Cleaning and conditioning on a regular basis is also a good idea, as is replacing the insoles once they’ve lost their cushioning, support, or have become dirty or smelly.

The PU outsole is a no-fuss feature, as this material is quite resilient. Nonetheless, if you spend a lot of time walking on highly abrasive surfaces such as concrete, do be ready for the tread to wear out. Once this happens, you should know that you won’t get the same amount of grip, and walking on highly polished or wet surfaces may become a problem. Once it’s come to this, it is best to replace your footwear.