Like any other job, teachers need to look representable but they also need comfy clothes that are suitable for their job. As said, comfort starts from the feet, so, now, we’re in search of the best shoes to teach in. If you work in teaching by any means, this review is for you. Whether you’re a man or a woman, we have a couple of options to show you here. From sneakers to espadrilles and flats, all of these options are considered to satisfy all tastes.
After you check the 13 shoes we have personally tried for at least one long day, check out the buying guide to know the features we searched for in the shoes we picked. Then, check out some of the FAQs related to teachers’ shoes.
Table of contents
- ILLUDE Women’s Platform Lace up Sneaker
- Clarks Women’s Cora Daisy Loafer
- Shaire Men’s Casual Leather Slip on Shoes
- OLUKAI Men’s Nohea Mesh Shoes
- Skechers Men’s Gowalk-Athletic Hook and Loop Walking Shoes
- CUSHIONAIRE Women’s Sasha Slip-On Chelsea Boot
- Columbia Men’s Bahama Vent PFG Boat Shoe
- Dansko Fawna Mary Jane
- Dansko Women’s Paisley Sneakers
- Dr. Martens Unisex Bonny Chukka Boots
- Rockport Men’s Eureka Walking Shoe
- Adidas Cloudfoam Pure 2.0
- Skechers Women’s Safety Shoes
- Our Verdict!
- How To Choose The Best Shoes for Teachers?
- Is it okay for teachers to wear sneakers?
- What kinds of footwear should teachers avoid?
- Are Dr. Martens good for teachers?
ILLUDE Women’s Platform Lace up Sneaker
13
Let’s start the list with something extra cool and fashionable for a trendy teacher. ILLUDE Women’s Platform Lace up Sneaker is a platform sneaker. It’s a bit bulky but sometimes this exaggeration in the look is what you really need. The sneakers look sporty, so, pick those if your school allows for casual looks.
When we saw the sneakers for the first time, we thought they’ll be very hard to clean considering that the colors are mostly light. However, after we read the description that says it’s 100% leather and after we tried the white sneakers (the lightest color of all), we knew we were wrong. With a proper leather cleanser, you can easily wipe off any dust and get a totally new-looking pair of sneakers.
Pros
- The footbed is cushioned for comfort
- The leather is vegan for pro-animal rights people
- The upper side is breathable
Cons
- They’re a bit heavyweight
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Clarks Women’s Cora Daisy Loafer
12
Clarks Women’s Cora Daisy Loafer is a pair of shoes for every job. These shoes look a bit classical, so, if you don’t have a pair of classical black shoes, these are the ones. They’re also recommended shoes for waitresses who stand all day and need to look in style as well. Some teachers might prefer to have a style, yet, they don’t want to compromise for their comfort, that’s why we’re recommending this pair.
With these shoes, we didn’t try to do extra effort to look elegant. These are enough to have a gorgeous style. Even more, the leather was soft and comfortable. We have already owned a pair of Clarks before but these ones felt a bit larger in size. We had some side gaps when trying these shoes.
Pros
- They look so elegant
- The footbed is Ortholite
- They’re made of 100% leather
Cons
- They run a bit large
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Shaire Men’s Casual Leather Slip on Shoes
11
Loafers are yet another option to consider for teachers. They’re so easy to wear and take off. Plus, they can be very comfy if you get the right loafers. Here we have Shaire Men’s Casual Leather Slip on Shoes the casual-classical shoes for those looking for the easiest to-go thing in the morning. Style them as you want, you got the shoes and the rest is easier.
We always tend to look for different designs and colors that allow for different styling options but maintain the neat look of a teacher. That’s what we exactly found in these shoes. The available colors made us a bit hesitant about which color will fit most of our clothes. The price was also another selling point as the shoes are affordable for what you get.
Pros
- They’re very easy to wear
- The shoes allow for different styling options
- You won’t pay that much to get the shoes
Cons
- The sizing is a bit off
Buy on:
OLUKAI Men’s Nohea Mesh Shoes
10
We know how preparing your stuff for the next working day might take time. From organizing your lunch box, bottles, papers, and every other smaller detail to preparing your outfit. Thus, we decided to go for the easiest and introduce these OLUKAI Men’s Nohea Mesh Shoes in their drop-in-heel design. They can be worn as loafers or slippers, so, even if you have a few seconds to get ready and look appropriate to teach, these shoes won’t fail you.
Apart from the easy-to-wear design, the shoes have supportive soles. The cushioning is dual-density with gel padding for extra comfort. We felt like we were walking on pillows with these slip-in shoes. One of our reviewers already suffers from plantar fasciitis, he went for these shoes once he knew that they have gel inserts in the insoles. Now, they’re his favorite shoes over all other options.
Pros
- The shoes have removable insoles to
- The material is very breathable
- They’re the easiest to wear
Cons
- The sizes might feel bigger
Buy on:
Skechers Men’s Gowalk-Athletic Hook and Loop Walking Shoes
9
Skechers Men’s Gowalk-Athletic Hook and Loop Walking Shoes are one of our favorites as we love this hook and loop design more than laces. The shoes of this style are more comfortable, easier to wear, and more practical to teach in. Yet, this wasn’t the only reason why we picked these shoes to be included in our list.
The shoes are extra comfortable with padded insoles. Further, the straps were very supportive and they held our feet tight without being stiff. Also, these shoes are mainly designed for walking, so, we expected that they’ll be perfect for standing as well. And yes, this was true, the shoes absorb shocks and relieve the feet for those who stand for long hours.
Pros
- They offer good shock absorption
- The insoles are cushioned
- They fit wide feet very well
Cons
- The straps are a bit short
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CUSHIONAIRE Women’s Sasha Slip-On Chelsea Boot
8
Chelsea boots are a never-ending trend every fall and winter. Besides being very comfortable shoes, they make perfect matches with most outfits. CUSHIONAIRE Women’s Sasha Slip-On Chelsea Boot was the boots we tried and chose for teachers to complement a chic fall outfit during work. These boots looked amazing with jeans and a lightweight leather jacket and you can make up your own styles as well.
Coming in three basic colors, any choice can be your everyday boots for work. We also didn’t forget to test the cushioning of the insoles and how comfortable they’re. We found that the insoles are memory foam for extra cushioning and the outsoles are rubber. Thus, they passed the comfort test, and even more, they’re one of the easiest to slip on. So, standing all day to teach in these shoes shouldn’t be a problem at all.
Pros
- They look cute and chic
- You can match them with different outfits
- They have memory foam padding
Cons
- They aren’t designed for narrow feet
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Columbia Men’s Bahama Vent PFG Boat Shoe
7
Best breathability. As the name suggests, Columbia Men’s Bahama Vent PFG Boat Shoe is a boat shoe. This means they’re designed to be worn on boat trips and similar occasions. However, we believe these shoes are more than just boat shoes. They can be one of the best shoes to teach in. What do you need as a teacher? Comfort, breathability, good design, and quality. All of these features are available in these shoes, so, why not wear them while teaching?
We decided to give them a try, so, the first thing is to choose a suitable color and size. Luckily, these shoes are found in multiple sizes including wide sizes. As expected, they were very comfortable and slip-resistant. Plus, the shoes were lightweight offering all-day comfort. Watch this video from The House as it has more info about padding, outsoles, and upper material.
Pros
- The shoes are lightweight and versatile
- The soles are slip-resistant
- They wick away any moisture and don’t produce bad odors
Cons
- The style might not appeal to all men
Buy on:
Dansko Fawna Mary Jane
6
For classy teachers who care about their overall look but still want a comfortable pair, Dansko Fawna Mary Jane is one the best options if these are the two main criteria you’re looking for. The shoes are already named comfort shoes for a reason. They’re made to stand all day while providing the proper arch support you need.
Since we don’t work as teachers, we tried this Dansko pair for another thing. We paired them with a maxi dress to see how they look and feel during the day. We immediately fell in love with this stylish look and the comfort was something else. Regardless of the arch support these shoes provide, the genuine leather material adds to their comfort. If you have tried genuine leather and aesthetic leather, you’ll know the difference in the comfort feeling both can lead to.
Pros
- They offer great arch support
- The shoes look so classical and stylish
- They’re made of genuine leather
Cons
- You need to give them lots of care
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Dansko Women’s Paisley Sneakers
5
Dansko Women’s Paisley Sneakers are versatile sneakers for all seasons. We wore them on a rainy day while it was raining and were surprised by how waterproof the sneakers were. Another day, it was sunny and we didn’t feel our feet were toasty. The material is breathable and this is one of the merits of these shoes and why we would love to teach while wearing them.
“These shoes were the best we tried to walk in because of the triple-density footbeds. They did a great job in absorbing shocks, we never regretted what we paid for these shoes.”
Dizzzi
Now, we know these shoes aren’t very affordable, but think of them as one-for-all shoes. Wear them during winter, summer, and every other season. Also, they don’t need to be working shoes only, you can still wear them for everyday outings and they won’t wear out quickly. If you want a larger or a smaller size, you can remove the insoles and insert yours.
Pros
- The shoes are waterproof and breathable
- The footbed is removable
- They don’t produce bad odors
Cons
- They’re a bit pricey
Buy on:
Dr. Martens Unisex Bonny Chukka Boots
4
Best quality. You probably have heard of Dr. Martens before as they’re widely known for their classical style that makes perfect shoes for working. Dr. Martens Unisex Bonny Chukka Boots are some of the classic options both men and women can wear. Pair them with one of these backpacks for businessmen and you’re ready to take your teaching career to another level.
We wanted to know what was different about these shoes that made them so popular. We started by checking the material which was leather, yet oily grainy leather that appears to be top-quality. Next, we checked the soles and they were very durable with groovy edges for a style. For these boots, there are heel loops to help you wear the shoes easily. You’ll find it enjoyable to teach in these shoes.
Pros
- The shoes are made of premium quality
- They are unisex for both men and women
- There are sizes for men and women
Cons
- The sizing guide is a bit confusing
Buy on:
Rockport Men’s Eureka Walking Shoe
3
Best for versatility. Teachers don’t have to go for too casual or too classical footwear. They can be something in-between, so, you can match them with whatever you want That’s what Rockport Men’s Eureka Walking Shoe comes to prove. Before we tried these shoes ourselves, we wanted to check others’ reviews and we barely found someone complaining.
With these shoes, we could stand all day without having any foot pain. Eureka uses special technology to design their shoes’ insoles to give this utmost comfortable feeling. Teachers need a comfy pair to stand for hours without feeling any pain, with this pair you can also walk for miles with no pain. To know more about the shoes, check out this video from The Internet Guy.
Pros
- You can pair these shoes with casual and classical outfits
- The insoles are so comfortable and well cushioned
- The leather material is high quality
Cons
- The laces aren’t the best
Buy on:
Adidas Cloudfoam Pure 2.0
2
Best lightweight. For a barefoot feeling, Adidas Cloudfoam Pure 2.0 comes as a running-inspired pair of shoes for the most comfortable feeling ever. These Adidas shoes aren’t only a masterpiece of the known Adidas brand, but also a highly-rated piece on Amazon. Thus, choose them blindly because thousands of buyers already tried these shoes before and found them the best.
We were one of those hundred buyers as we also tried the shoes before recommending them to teach in. They were so lightweight and felt like we were just wearing socks. Further, the slightly stretchable textile material is very convenient when it comes to wearing and taking off the shoes. We can interest you more in the shoes through this review from RunRepeat.
Pros
- The shoes are very lightweight and comfy
- They have cloud foam memory footbeds
- The shoes are very breathable
Cons
- They get dirty quickly
Buy on:
Skechers Women’s Safety Shoes
1
Skechers Women’s Safety Shoes are described as work shoes. No wonder, as they’re one of the best and most comfortable shoes you’ll ever wear in your life. Skechers is already known for the comfort of their shoes and this pair isn’t an exception. Their idea of comfort isn’t just about a cushioned footbed everything else in these shoes is comfortable.
One of these features of comfort is the slip-on design the shoes come with. We took a couple of seconds to get dressed in these shoes. Another feature we noticed is the flexible sole, especially the midsole. The shoes fold and squeeze in our hands as if they’re a piece of cloth. Above all, we didn’t suffer from breathability, so, you can teach in these shoes in all seasons.
Pros
- The insoles are cushioned and feel like pillows
- They’re very supportive shoes
- The shoes are flexible
- They’re easy to slip on
Cons
- They might loosen over time
Buy on:
Our Verdict!
All of us have preferences but ours are based on certain features. So, you can have an honest review of the best and most comfortable shoes.
- Best breathability: Columbia Men’s Bahama Vent PFG Boat Shoe
- Best quality: Dr. Martens Unisex Bonny Chukka Boot
- Best for versatility: Rockport Men’s Eureka Walking Shoe
- Best lightweight: Adidas Cloudfoam Pure 2.0
How To Choose The Best Shoes for Teachers?
Teaching is one of the toughest jobs ever but searching for a suitable pair of shoes doesn’t have to be that difficult. So, we’re sharing the main features you need to look for when buying a new pair of teacher shoes.
Comfort
Needless to say that the first thing to look for is comfort. All of us want to feel comfortable during our long work days, yet, teachers need this feeling more because their work requires standing all day. From our point of view, sneakers are so comfy but slip-on shoes are the comfiest. Also, we found some boots that are equally comfortable for winter days. Thus, with some searching, you can find a comfy pair of shoes in your own style.
Style
Moving to the style, here it isn’t only about your own preferences. That’s why we didn’t only review the styles we personally love. We know that some jobs require a special dress code and this might be the case in some schools. Thus, searching for a pair of shoes in an appropriate style is a must.
Quality
The best shoes to teach in have to be very high-quality and durable to last for years. Shoes aren’t one-season pieces that are made to be worn for a couple of months and that’s it. Actually, we have shoes that we have been wearing for years and they still look like new ones. The trick here is to go after quality, not just the design.
Is it okay for teachers to wear sneakers?
Sneakers are so comfortable, so, we believe teachers can wear them as long as they feel comfy in them. However, it all depends on the dress code of the school you’re working for.
What kinds of footwear should teachers avoid?
We don’t recommend you teach in any shoes that feel uncomfortable including high-heeled shoes. Also, those without enough arch support and very tight shoes should be avoided.
Are Dr. Martens good for teachers?
Dr. Martens is known for its comfort and quality. Hence, they’re one of the best options to go for if you have an open budget.