New Balance is one of the most popular brands in the footwear industry. It's known for making quality products, especially when it comes to work shoes. During their first years in business, they started designing shoes with arch support for supinators and overpronators. Today, that's what they're known for in the footwear market.

New Balance work shoes come with excellent cushioning that ensures comfort with every step you take. Added to that, the shoes include midsole cushioning, heel inserts, and stability posts to provide additional arch support. Their shoes are lightweight in nature and have a lace-up design that you can customize for a better fit.

They also have slip-resistant outsoles to ensure that you are safe on any slippery surfaces you might encounter at work. Some also come with a breathable mesh upper to ensure your feet don't heat up and sweat. New Balance working shoes are made with high-quality materials, including foam for comfort. Some also have waterproof features and flexible rubber outsoles.

If you're someone who fits wider widths, New Balance shoes are perfect for you too since they come with different width options. That said, they may not have fit every single foot type, and their waterproof abilities are not the best in the market. If you're in search of the best alternative to New Balance work shoes, however, keep reading to find out what we recommend.

Pros of New Balance Work Shoes

• Flexible soles
• Durable construction
• Great arch support
• Different width options
• Breathable uppers
• Slip-resistant
• Designs for both men and women
• Lightweight
• Amazing designs

 

Cons of New Balance Work Shoes

• Not 100% waterproof
• The manufacturing process is not sustainable

Best Alternative to New balance Work Shoes: Vessi

Why Vessi?

Vessi is a new footwear brand known for being not only good quality but also stylish. The brand uses patented waterproof technology in all their shoes to ensure they have the highest level of performance and can withstand different conditions.

Vessi features multipurpose sneakers that have eliminated the need to buy shoes for different occasions or seasons. One shoe that does it all. Their work shoes are perfect for every season and feature a trendy look with some beautiful styles and designs.

However, the true beauty of the brand is how they use a sustainable, environmentally friendly, and vegan-friendly manufacturing process. On top of that their products use waterproof technology to produce 100% waterproof shoes that can withstand even the toughest conditions. If that's not enough, they also don't use any animal by-products, consume less energy and water during production than other brands, and have an overall lower carbon footprint.

All their shoes, for both men and women, feature a Dyma-tex membrane that has been woven into the knitting. Their fabric also has layers of engineered material for additional stretch. They come with antibacterial insoles, a slip-resistant herringbone grip, and moisture-wicking fabric.

Their work shoes come in three main styles to match different needs and preferences. Below is a review of all of them to help you find the best alternative work shoe for standing or walking - depending on what you're looking to get.

1. Vessi Everyday Sneaker

For men

For women

Vessi's Everyday sneakers are a great alternative to New Balance work shoes because they're designed with extra cushioning for added support during your work activities. They feature a lace-up system that's both trendy and stylish. It's an aesthetic design with a fashionable athletic feel.

They feature sportier soles that provide comfort even when wearing them all day at work. The bottoms of this sneaker have feature zones that push water away, providing better traction in the rain or snow. They have removable and antibacterial insoles that ensure good hygiene, especially when wearing shoes for a long time.

Vessi sneakers are also very lightweight. They're not only perfect for work, but also for active or casual lifestyles. This makes them an amazing addition to your closet.

Like all Vessi shoes, the Everyday sneakers also have a breathable knit, are 100% waterproof, and are also made of vegan materials and sustainable manufacturing processes. This fashionable shoe comes in five different color options.

Pros

• 100% Waterproof
• Lightweight
• Different colors and sizes
• Vegan materials
• Breathable knit
• Fashionable
• Great cushioning
• Multipurpose

Cons

• Not machine washable

2. Vessi Weekend Sneaker

For men

For women

The Vessi Weekend sneakers are the newest design from the brand. These lace-up shoes have a bulkier shape compared to the other two options for added support. They have a breathable upper, semi-circle knitting, and micro air pockets that ensure your shoes remain as comfortable as possible.

They also feature a wide toe box that offers enough room for your toes to move without friction. Other outstanding features include all rubber threads, molded insoles for additional support, and a pull tab at the heel that makes the shoe easy to wear.

These sneakers are also machine washable and 100% waterproof thanks to the Dyma-tex knitting that helps keep water away.

Pros

• Vegan-friendly materials
• Easy to wear
• Wide toe box
• 100% waterproof
• Lightweight
• Breathable and secure fit
• Anti-slip bottom
• Machine washable
• Lightweight

Cons

• They're a bit bulky than the other types
• Can't be machine dried

3. Vessi Cityscape Sneaker

For men

For women

Another great alternative to New balance shoes is the Vessi Cityscape sneakers. Featuring a stylish design with a minimalistic aesthetic, they're perfect for any attire. They are exceptionally lightweight, which makes them a great choice for wearing every day.

Unlike the New Balance shoe, these Vessi sneakers are a great option for outdoor activities and rainy weather since they are 100% waterproof. This prevents puddles, rain, or mud from getting in the shoe. They also have a breathable and stretchy upper for convenience and comfortability, especially when your feet expand after walking long distances.

However, these Cityscape sneakers may not be the best when it comes to ice protection because they offer less traction than other styles. Unlike the Everyday sneakers, these shoes don't have extra arch support. And, they come in only two color options.

Pros

• Super lightweight
• Breathable upper
• Stylish and fashionable
• Available in different sizes
• Made from vegan materials
• 100% waterproof
• Stretchy
• Great for outdoor excursions

Cons

• Less traction
• Not machine washable

Factors to Consider When Buying Work Shoes

1. Material

While most good work shoes are made of leather, they can be a bit expensive for some people. Leather is widely known for its durability. However, there are still other materials like mesh and synthetic leather that make amazing shoes.

The material of the shoe determines how well they can protect and provide comfort in different work environments. It also determines the durability and breathability of the shoe. For example, a pair of shoes that features a mesh upper is more breathable than those with leather uppers.

Check for the quality of materials in the shoe upper, outsole, midsole, and insole to ensure they are not only durable but also comfortable.

2. Arch Support

Arch support dictates how your muscles move as you walk on different surfaces. Different people have different arch support needs to help distribute weight evenly when they're on their feet. Here are some common types of arches:

• Low arch or flat feet- A low arch means that you overpronate while walking. Overpronation can cause stress on the foot joints and muscles. This is why a shoe with straight last and motion control features is recommended.
• Neutral arch- Neutral arches mean you have normal pronation where you neither bend the foot inward nor outward. For this reason, you need a work shoe that features a firm midsole and a semi-curved or straight last design.
• High arch- A high arch occurs when you use the outside of your foot only during landing, which leads to supination. This means that more pressure is felt on the ankle, toe, and other joints and muscles. A good shoe should include a soft and thick midsole for high arches and a curved or semi-curved last.

3. Comfort

Since you will be spending at least eight hours a day in the shoes, you need to ensure that they are as comfy as possible. However, remember that different work shoes come with different levels of comfort. Some are meant to be worn for short periods, while others are all-day wear.

While some high comfort shoes may sacrifice durability and protection, you should never consider getting low comfort shoes, especially for work. This is because an uncomfortable shoe may cause injuries or foot problems.

Comfortable shoes include built padding or cushioning, and some have specialized soles that absorb impact to minimize the pressure placed on your feet muscles. Such shoes provide great comfort for all-day wear.

4. Design and Style

The design and style of the shoe affect the comfort and protection. To determine if the design of the shoe is best for you, you should check the following:

• Insole- For work shoes, the insoles need to be cushioned to provide stability and comfort. Some shoes come with removable insoles, which means you can customize the fit to your liking depending on your foot size and arch type.
• Outsole- The outsole is the area that is in direct contact with the ground. Rubber outsoles are recommended because they provide better traction on different terrains. Flex grooves also offer better strides. Another feature to look for is a tread pattern that zones out water and particles to help prevent slipping.
• Midsole- The midsole is the area between the outsole and insole. A midsole that promotes flexibility and absorbs shock is recommended to ensure you can make strides with ease. Some of the best midsoles have materials like foam or gel.
• Toe box- The toe box is the area that surrounds the toes. It needs to be roomy enough to prevent friction that could cause painful blisters. However, it shouldn't be too much because it might make one feel uncomfortable.
• Heel collar- This is the area that protects your ankles from friction, and can cause painful blisters. You want to ensure that the area is soft to help you feel comfortable while wearing the shoe.

5. Size

While some shoes are true to size others may require you to size up. That said, extra-large sizes may cause bad issues like sprains and fractures. But, shoes that are too small may cause friction which in turn leads to blisters.

Some shoes may require you to go a half or one size up to create more room for toe movement. Choose a shoe size and width that is fitting, not too tight, not too loose.

6. Breathability

Double-check our breathable your work shoes are before buying them. You don't want to end up with something that won't let your feet breathe. Mesh is a great option when it comes to breathability, but the construction also matters. Find shoes that are breathable to avoid feeling sweaty or potential injuries.

7. Safety

Any good shoe should include plenty of safety features to help prevent injuries. Such features may include being waterproof, slip-resistant, anti-static, and fire retardant. You also need to check the height of the shoe because high ankles will offer ankle protection, unlike low cuts.

You also want to consider toe safety. There are three types of toe protection including steel toe, alloy toe, and composite toe. Steel toe provides extreme protection but might make shoes feel heavy. Alloy toe offers lightweight comfort and protection, while composite toe will have soft materials.

Frequently Asked Questions About Work Shoes

1. What are the best work shoes?

The best work shoes are Vessis sneakers, with our favorite one being the Everyday. These shoes come with extra arch support, great cushioning, are slip-resistant, and 100% waterproof. If you're in search of work shoes for both indoor and outdoor use, you will definitely love these sneakers.

2. Are New Balance shoes good for work?

Yes. New Balance shoes are great for work settings because they are comfortable and slip-resistant. However, they may not work for all work environments as Vessi shoes do.

3. How do you make your feet not hurt at work?

Whether you're standing, sitting, or walking, there are a number of ways to make your feet not hurt at work. For example, wearing the right types, size, and material of shoes, stretching, elevating your feet while seated, massage, etc.