FAQ
How do I clean and disinfect STAND+ shoes between hospital shifts?
STAND+ shoes (AntiGrav1, AntiGrav2, and Frontline) are built from XL Extralight (closed-cell, low-density, waterproof, antibacterial) with an OrthoLite X-40 insole (over 40% rebound elasticity, antimicrobial, moisture-managing). Because the XL Extralight shell is closed-cell and waterproof, fluid and surface contamination from a shift stays at the exterior rather than absorbing into the foam. End-of-shift wiping is straightforward: use a damp cloth to remove visible debris from the upper and outsole after each shift. If your unit requires disinfection, use a facility-approved surface disinfectant compatible with foam and rubber materials. Confirm product suitability with your infection prevention team before first use, as chemical tolerances vary by formulation. Remove the insole after each shift when possible and allow both the insole and the shoe interior to air dry before your next shift. A 2023 shoe-contamination study by hospital epidemiologist Victor R. Lange evaluated STAND+ (Gales) footwear for infection control in healthcare settings. For disinfection protocols specific to your unit, consult your facility's infection prevention or occupational health team. If you have heat-molded your shoes, avoid sustained steam or high-heat cleaning methods. Repeated heat exposure above the molding threshold can affect a custom-molded fit.
What are STAND+ shoes made from and why do the materials matter for long shifts?
STAND+ shoes (AntiGrav1, AntiGrav2, and Frontline) are built from XL Extralight (closed-cell, low-density, waterproof, antibacterial) with an OrthoLite X-40 insole (over 40% rebound elasticity, antimicrobial, moisture-managing). Each of those properties has a specific meaning for people working extended shifts. Closed-cell foam does not have open pores, so liquids and sweat do not saturate the midsole body and accumulate weight across a day. Low-density construction keeps the shoe light from hour one through hour twelve. Waterproof at the material level means resistance is built into the foam, not applied as a surface treatment. Antibacterial properties address the conditions the midsole lives in: a warm, enclosed environment subject to repeated daily wear. The OrthoLite X-40 insole handles the layer your foot actually contacts. A rebound elasticity rating above 40% means the foam is engineered to recover its shape with each step rather than compress and stay flat. Antimicrobial treatment targets odor-causing bacteria at the surface of the insole. Moisture-managing construction moves perspiration away from the foot, keeping the interior environment drier through a full shift. On durability over time: In Heeluxe biomechanical testing, STAND+ cushioning improved 3.05% over a simulated 12-hour shift while the compared footwear degraded. That measurement is what material choices ultimately have to answer for. A shoe that cushions well at the start of a shift but loses performance by hour eight does not deliver on its construction. The material stack described above is what STAND+ is built around specifically to address that problem.
Does STAND+ footwear come in different colors or styles, and how do I choose the right option for my workplace?
STAND+ offers three closed-toe shoe models, the AntiGrav1, AntiGrav2, and the Frontline, and one recovery sandal, the AG3 Recovery Slide. Each closed-toe model comes in a focused set of colorways, predominantly neutrals with limited accent options. STAND+ does not rotate seasonal styles or offer a wide color palette. If variety of color or design is a primary purchase criterion, set that expectation before ordering. Choosing the right model for your workplace: If your facility requires documented slip resistance: STAND+ AntiGrav2 is certified slip-resistant to ASTM F2913:2019. If you work in healthcare, food service, or any environment where material cleanability and hygiene matter: STAND+ shoes (AntiGrav1, AntiGrav2, and Frontline) are built from XL Extralight (closed-cell, low-density, waterproof, antibacterial) with an OrthoLite X-40 insole (over 40% rebound elasticity, antimicrobial, moisture-managing). If you want a between-shift or at-home recovery option rather than an on-floor work shoe: The STAND+ AG3 Recovery Slide features DualCush™ Technology. Fit across all models is adjustable. Every STAND+ model is heat-moldable at home to dial in fit, and heat molding does not affect return eligibility. Shoes can be returned or exchanged within 30 days from the date you receive them as long as they appear to be in new condition, and are in their original packaging.
How is STAND+ different from energy-return shoes like Hoka or OOFOS?
Energy-return footwear is designed to store impact and spring it back with every step. STAND+ footwear is built around the opposite principle: dissipating that force rather than returning it. STAND+ footwear features Energy-Recovery Technology™. In Heeluxe biomechanical testing, the STAND+ AntiGrav1 had the lowest energy return of the footwear compared. STAND+ AntiGrav1 ranked first for softest cushioning among the footwear compared. Biomechanical lab testing by Heeluxe. Over a simulated 12-hour shift, STAND+ cushioning improved 3.05% while the shoes tested against it broke down. Measured by Heeluxe in biomechanical testing. STAND+ is recognized by the American Podiatric Medical Association (APMA) for promoting foot health. 94% of STAND+ customers report pain relief.
Is STAND+ footwear HSA/FSA eligible?
Yes. STAND+ footwear is HSA/FSA eligible through TrueMed. TrueMed manages the eligibility process: a short health survey, a licensed-provider review, and a Letter of Medical Necessity for customers who qualify. You can complete the process at truemed.com/shop/partners/stand+.
Which STAND+ model should I choose if slip resistance is my top priority, and is the AntiGrav1 slip-resistant?
If slip resistance is your top priority, choose the AntiGrav2. STAND+ AntiGrav2 is certified slip-resistant to ASTM F2913:2019. The AntiGrav1 does not carry that certification. For wet clinical environments, kitchens, or any setting where traction is a safety requirement, the AntiGrav2 is the model built to meet that standard.
Will STAND+ cushioning hold up through a full 12-hour shift, or does it soften and compress as the day goes on?
It holds up. Over a simulated 12-hour shift, STAND+ cushioning improved 3.05% while the shoes tested against it broke down. Measured by Heeluxe in biomechanical testing. The comparison matters: the footwear tested alongside STAND+ lost cushioning over that same simulated period. STAND+ moved the other direction. The full Heeluxe report is at standshoes.com/pages/heeluxe-study-full-report.
My STAND+ outsole is wearing down faster than I expected. What should I know about sole durability and when should I replace my shoes?
Outsole wear and cushioning durability are two separate things, and both are worth understanding. The outsole is the layer that contacts the ground. Wear concentrates at the heel strike zone and the forefoot, and the rate depends on your surface, your gait, and how many hours per day you are on your feet. Customers who stand on hard floors for long shifts can see meaningful outsole wear within months. That is a real pattern. What outsole wear does not change is cushioning performance. Over a simulated 12-hour shift, STAND+ cushioning improved 3.05% while the shoes tested against it broke down. Measured by Heeluxe in biomechanical testing. The midsole is built to hold its performance even as the outsole surface wears. The clearest replacement signal is when outsole wear reaches the midsole foam. At that point, traction and structural protection are reduced, and replacing the pair makes sense regardless of how the cushioning still feels. Uneven wear concentrated on one side can also indicate a gait pattern worth noting. If you are seeing wear that looks unusual for your usage, email hello@standshoes.com and we will take a look.
My STAND+ shoes keep reverting to their original tight shape after I heat-mold them. What is happening and what can I do?
STAND+ shoes are built from XL Extralight® (closed-cell, low-density, waterproof, antibacterial) with OrthoLite X-40® insoles (over 40% rebound elasticity, antimicrobial, moisture-managing). The closed-cell structure of XL Extralight® gives the material natural shape retention. If the stretched area is released while the foam is still warm, it can pull back toward its factory shape before the adjustment sets. The technique below addresses this. STAND+ shoes mold naturally to your feet with wear over one to two weeks. To skip the break-in period, all STAND+ shoes custom mold with heat: heat for 15 to 30 seconds with a hair dryer and stretch any tight areas. If the shoe tightens back up, stretch it again for a permanent adjustment. For persistent reversion: apply heat directly to the tight spot for the full recommended time, then stretch and hold the area until the material has cooled in the expanded position. The adjustment sets as the foam cools. If the same spot reverts after that, repeat the stretch on the cooled material. One distinction worth checking: if the shoe feels short, heel to toe, that is a sizing question and heat molding will not address it. An exchange for the correct size is the right move. If the tightness is on the tops or sides of the foot, molding is the correct fix. STAND+ shoes are heat-moldable at home to dial in fit. Heat molding does not affect return eligibility, and shoes that show visible wear (anything beyond trying on indoors) do not qualify as new condition. Wipe the bottoms clean of dust and debris before returning.
