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After standing or walking all day, you may be used to your feet being sore—especially if it's your job to be on your feet for many hours. But, I have news—according to experts, foot pain isn't actually something you should accept or have to live with. “Foot pain should never be the norm,” says Dr. Ryan Minara, DPM, chief of podiatric medicine and surgery at Mount Sinai. “The foot and ankle are made of dozens of bones, joints, tendons, ligaments and muscles that work in concert, so it’s important to find shoes that are comfortable so your feet stay healthy.”

But, the problem may not just be your shoes. It's actually very possible that you're getting the wrong shoe size. It's important for everyone to buy their right shoe size, but it's especially important for those of you who are standing on your feet all day, “Our feet lengthen and widen over time, and most of us don’t measure them on a regular basis to catch these changes,” says podiatrist Dr. Fay Woolmer, DPM.

Once you're sure you've got the right shoe size, it’s time to shop. To find the most comfortable shoes you can comfortably wear all day long, I asked podiatrists, healthcare workers, chefs, hair stylists, and more which shoes they swear by for comfy feet after a long, hard day on their feet.

See below for 17 expert-recommended comfy shoe picks, from heels and sandals to sneakers and stylish flats.

These flats have a wide toe box to prevent foot cramming, along with arch support and a cushioned heel. Perfect for commuting and traveling, they fold for easy storage and come in 14 gorgeous colors including denim, rose and teal.

Bonus: the knit upper is made from recycled plastic bottles and the shoes are machine washable.

With their podiatrist-approved low, chunky block heel, latex padded insole, and an outsole made of shock-absorbing thermoplastic rubber, these pumps, from one of Woolmer’s favorite brands, will feel and look great whether you’re standing all day or dancing all night.

Even better? You can snag a pair for less than $50.

The soft leather-covered arched footbed on these sandals comes with extra foam, and the lightweight rubber outsole makes for a softer impact when your feet hit the ground. Bonus: this brand has gained the American Podiatric Medical Association Seal of Acceptance.

“The cushiony insole in these slip-on sneakers is made of recyclable materials and the suede upper and flexible elastic goring just adds to their overall comfort,” shares Melinda Maddox, beverage director and lead mixologist at The Reserve in Fort Collins, Colorado, who swears by these shoes when she’s serving drinks behind the bar on concrete floors for hours.

These famous British boots have a long history of being comfortable and durable, and are a favorite of master mixologist Natasha Velez, the national director of education and advocacy at spirits company Davos in New York City. She often works 12 hour-long shifts creating cocktails.

“This soft suede version is more comfortable than the classic leather Doc Marten, plus it’s got a flexible sole, padded insole, and plenty of space for my toes to move around,” she shares.

Whatever your personal feelings about Crocs may be, you can't deny their comfort. But if you needed more convincing, Spicewalla culinary director, Alyse Baca, is on her feet all day long, testing recipes and taping video demonstrations. And, she loves her Crocs.

“I’m a huge fan of Crocs and have been wearing them in the kitchen for almost a decade. They’re comfy, lightweight, supportive, and keep my feet cool during hours of standing. The exterior traction minimizes slipping and the heel strap adds extra support, but my favorite thing about these is they’re waterproof and easy to clean.”

Ok, so maybe you aren't just standing all day and you want something you can comfortably hike in. These waterproof leather and suede boots are made of a seam-sealed construction (meaning the sole isn’t just glued to the top—it’s molded to the rest of the shoe to prevent water from sneaking in) and come with a lightweight midsole, interior cushioning, and a flexible mesh tongue.

Pro Tip: “For the best fit, be sure to try on hiking boots with the socks you plan on wearing,” advises Woomer, a fan of this brand.

“For maximum support and comfort, look for a small, wide heel close to the ground along with a firm sole,” says Minara. “The firmer the sole, the more stable the shoe.”

This mule features a 1/3-inch heel and custom padding in both the ball of the shoe and heel, while anti-slip technology on the rubber sole creates a better traction.

This bootie, with its lightweight sole and leather covered insole, is a favorite of Freight House chef Sara Bradley.

“I’ve worn a lot of different shoes in the kitchen, but these are my go-to pair as they mold to my feet and provide amazing arch support," she says. "Plus, the outside zipper and pull tab make it easy to take them on and off. They’re so comfortable, I own multiple pairs in different colors and leathers.”

“Shoes that are too flat can lead to over pronating, resulting in a widening of the feet, heel spurs, and shin splints,” explains Minara, who suggests looking for arch support cushioning when shopping for flats.

With its wide toe box, pressure-reducing ergonomic sole, and arch-boosting orthotic insoles, these soft leather Mary Janes have dozens of five-star reviews from happy customers.

For those days you want to go straight from your AM run to work, this is the sneaker that'll carry you through.

Winner of the Women's Health sneaker award for best overall running shoe, multiple WH editors love this sneaker because of its ability to relieve foot pain, plantar fasciitis, and ankle tendinitis. Rearfoot and forefoot gel technology cushions the foot during the toe-off phases, allowing movement as the foot transitions through the gait cycle.

“Some days I stand for 10 hours straight and find my feet simply do better with some type of heel,” says senior hair stylist Corinne Ugarte. “These boots not only look great, but they’re super comfortable, with their zip-up side to make for easy removal after a long day.”

With its three-inch block heel, midsole arch support, and heel cups (inserts that provide extra support to the heel), this brand gets the thumbs-up from the American Podiatric Medical Association.

Personally, I always find myself constantly saying yes to these shoes over others in my closet. They’re not only lightweight, they’ve got a knit upper that’s covered by a crisscross elastic strap, providing flexibility while still remaining sturdy during my daily two mile walks.

Pro Tip: Markinson says that when it comes to slip-on shoes, if you have one foot that's bigger than the other, you'll always want to opt for the shoe that fits your larger foot best so you're not cramming any of your toes.

This loafer goes beyond informal lounging and can be dressed up depending on the occasion. It’s got seven layers of cushion in the sole, an elevated arch support, and an insole made of memory foam.

“The sturdy rubber sole is a bonus so I never have to worry about slipping outside like with other loafers,” says nurse Cindy Luer, RN. “I go from house-to-house all day long as a visiting healthcare worker and these are my go-to shoe when I know I need a day of pain-free travel.”

When it comes to sneakers, Markinson suggests looking for a rigid heel counter, the little plastic insert used to reinforce the heel cup of a shoe that increases support.

This lightweight running shoe has that along with a cushioned insole, open-weave mesh upper, foam sole, plush collar, gusseted tongue, and a base with rubber plugs for traction. “These are my all-time favorite for work and jogging,” says dental hygienist Tiffany Zhang. “I feel like I’m walking on a cloud.”

“I’m on my feet all day long and simply love these leather and suede sneakers that give me a lot of ankle support,” says hair colorist Lori Chica. “The perforated toe box really allows my feet to breathe.” A soft mesh lining, treaded synthetic sole, and a cushioned footbed add to Chica’s comfort. Note: they come in whole sizes only.

This lightweight espadrille has an upper made of breathable cotton canvas, a removable twill-covered foot bed, and a thermoplastic rubber outsole for a softer impact.

Reviewers rave they can wear these espadrilles while walking for long periods of time without foot pain, and love the great selection of bright colors, including lemony yellow and a seafoam green. Bonus: this brand has gained the American Podiatric Medical Association Seal of Acceptance.