Restaurant workers, whether they are FOH (front of house) or BOH (back of house) workers, spend their whole day on their feet, which may increase leg problems like swelling, pain, numbness, and cramps. Restaurant shoes may help.
Restaurant work shoes are required by many foodservice businesses. I worked at a fast-food restaurant when I was young and was required to have rubber-soled shoes. Restaurant shoes are now made with many helpful features that make working on your feet more comfortable and safe.
Here are 10 high rated restaurant work shoes to check out:
- Skechers Women’s Squad SR Food Service Shoe
- Skechers Women’s Ghenter Bronaugh Work Shoe
- Fila Men’s Memory Workshift Slip Resistant Work Shoe
- Skechers Men’s Cessnock Food Service Shoe
- Crocs Unisex-Adult Bistro Clog | Slip Resistant Work Shoes
- Crocs Unisex-Adult On The Clock Clog | Slip Resistant Work Shoes
- Skechers Men’s Nampa-Groton Food Service Shoe
- New Balance Men’s Slip-Resistant 626 V2 Industrial Shoe
- Shoes for Crews Men’s Freestyle II Non-Slip Food Service Work Shoes
- Skechers for Work Women’s Kincaid II Slip On Slip Resistant Loafer
I know how slippery floors can get with grease, water, and other spills in the kitchen and around the eating area. Having some nice non-slip shoes can make a big difference. I hope you can find the type of shoes that are best for you.
What Are Restaurant Work Shoes?
Restaurant work shoes are relatively new to the world of shoes. Since shoes have been here for thousands of years, but restaurant-specific work shoes are comparatively new. Restaurant work shoes are born with the rise of the hospitality industry that serves them.
These shoes are specifically designed for restaurant workers who work in the kitchen, that wait tables or even manage the establishment. Today, we can see major brands that are making stylish shoes specifically designed for restaurant workers.
Benefits of Restaurant Work Shoes
For spending a successful day at work at a restaurant, you need to ensure that your uniform is both high quality and comfortable. And the most essential part of your wardrobe is your shoes since you need to spend most of your time on your feet.
Proper restaurant work shoes not only take care of your comfort but also protects your health. These shoes give you numerous benefits, from giving comfort to preventing trips and falls.
The right shoes not only complete your look but provides major other benefits such as:
- Provides Comfort
If you are a restaurant worker, you know that you are on the move for long periods so getting the right shoe is crucial. These footwears provide proper arch support, reduces pressure on your foot, and protect your feet against blisters.
- Prevents Serious Injuries
Food industry workers are more prone to injuries than workers in other industries. The reason being the slips and falls on greasy and wet kitchen floors. Therefore investing in good quality restaurant shoes that offer proper grip can save you from potential hazards.
- Protects Feet
Quality restaurant work shoes protect your feet from the injuries caused by large objects, heavy boxes, hot liquids falling on them.
- Saves Money In The Long-Term
Having proper restaurant footwear results in saving a lot of your money that you may spend on any medical bills resulting from the injury. A durable shoe pair will reduce your total cost of ownership over the long term.
Though you will need to invest money while buying a good quality restaurant shoe but in the long term, you will save since you won’t be replacing them often.
The Cost of Restaurant Work Shoes
The prices of restaurant work shoes vary depending on brand and quality. They can be affordable, expensive, or very expensive. You can consider it as an investment in your job or career.
Let’s suppose a restaurant shoe is $150, you might think it is a lot of money, but if you wear this shoe daily for two years, that may not seem that expensive. Contrary to this, a cheap restaurant shoe which is $50 might be an affordable option initially, but that will last you only for six months, and you will end up spending more money. In my opinion, you should spend once but on a good quality pair of shoes.
How to Choose a Restaurant Work Shoe
If you are working in a restaurant, you may be given a uniform to wear; if not, you can wear whatever you want. But what about the shoes? It might not be a fun task to choose your restaurant work shoes, but it is the most important decision to make.
Choosing the right shoes is the key to keep you safe and comfortable. Here are few important things to consider for making a wise decision.
- Comfort Comes First
The most important thing while choosing any type of shoe, especially restaurant work shoes, is to consider how comfortable they are. To choose the most comfortable shoe, a pro tip is to buy them at the end of your working day when your feet are most swollen. If the shoes feel comfortable at the end of your day, they’ll probably feel great every day.
- Arch Support
If you are a restaurant worker, you know you’ll log long hours on your feet. Every aspect of your job requires you to stand on your feet. Therefore your restaurant work shoes should offer comfortable arch support.
Standing and walking around for a longer period may lead to pain and discomfort in your feet, legs, toes, and hips. Without proper footwear, these issues can cause heel pain, blisters, alignment issues, plantar fasciitis, ingrown toenails, Morton’s neuroma, and other foot problems.
Your feet should be your last concern while working at a restaurant. Your restaurant work shoes should provide support from the time you clock in, to the moment you take your shoes off. Proper restaurant work shoes need to have arch support, deep heel cups, comfortable contouring, and soft cushioning.
While choosing your restaurant work shoes buy shoes that support the natural arch of your foot. This will improve the comfort level and also prevent ankle sprains and injuries. Find the shoes with a rubber outsole to soften the pressure and impact on your feet while walking and an anti-compression insole.
- Slip Resistance
The restaurant’s workplace is usually wet, slippery, or greasy; therefore, restaurant work shoes need to be slip-resistant to avoid trips and falls. Slip-resistant shoes should have a resistant rubber outsole and patterned tread for a safe grip and added traction. These shoes will help you stay focused on your job without worrying about losing balance or slipping and hurting yourself.
- Water and Moisture Resistant
Your restaurant work shoes should also be water and moisture-resistant. Restaurant kitchens are hot spots for drips and spills, so look for a slip-resistant shoe with a moisture-resistant upper.
- Stand Up To Spills
No matter how good your restaurant management runs, it will ends up with something on the floor. Be it melted ice cubes, grease slicks, or lemon wedges. So spills happen, splatters happen, all you need to do is be prepared!
For restaurant workers, both FOH and BOH, non-slip shoes are non-negotiable since food service workers are more prone to injuries than others. If you want to protect your body and have a healthy, long career, you need to get yourself non-skid shoes right away to avoid spills and pitfalls.
- Stands Up To Splatters
In restaurant kitchens, hot oil and grease splash every other minute. A restaurant kitchen can be a hazardous place for both FOH and BOH running in and out; therefore, choosing the right shoes is crucial. Your shoes should stand up to splatters.
Many restaurant workers are aware of the danger of burning or cutting their hands, but they often neglect the protection of their feet. Hot oil, water, or food can burn your legs and feet, so to save yourself from a hospital trip or a severe burn, it is essential to choose shoes that can stand a bit of impact and a hot spill.
- Easy To Clean
Easy-to-clean restaurant work shoes are especially crucial for FOH (front of house) workers where you deal with guests. Of course, clean shoes are important for BOH workers as well since clean and tidy shoes scream professionalism. So while choosing your restaurant work shoes, consider if the shoes are easy to clean or not. Restaurant workers who are well pulled together, with clean shoes, give the impression of better overall service.
- Do Not Compromise On Grip
While looking for restaurant work, shoe material is the most important thing to consider. The restaurant work shoe’s outsole should be made of soft rubber to help the shoe grip the floor. The shoe should have interlocked tread pattern to channel away water from your foot; in this way, it will provide better grip.
- The Right Protection Is The Key
Water Protection: the most uncomfortable feeling is walking around in a pair of wet shoes. Therefore it is essential to buy shoes that offer water protection and are water-resistant but not waterproof.
Injury Protection: along with slip resistance, your shoes should have uppers that are hard enough to protect your feet from damages caused by heavy objects falling on them.
- Durability
Your restaurant work shoes should be made of quality materials, are durable, and are built to last.
Things to Avoid When Buying Restaurant Work Shoes
Now you also need to know a few things that you should avoid while buying your shoes.
- Do Not Buy Cheap Shoes
Do not go for the cheapest shoes; you will probably end up with uncomfortable ones, cost you more in the long term, and increases the risk of injury. Saving a few dollars is really worth the risk?
- Waterproof Shoes
As I have already mentioned, choose water-resistant but not waterproof shoes; they are impervious to water, so they don’t allow any water through.
Getting waterproof shoes may seem a great option, but actually, it’s not because, just like they don’t let any water in, they also don’t let any moisture out. This causes problems since moisture naturally builds up in your shoes with time. So go for water-resistant shoes that are designed to resist water. Some of the common water-resistant are polyurethane, nylon, and neoprene.
- Open Shoes
Do not go for open shoes like sandals, flip flops that do not offer protection. You should also avoid heels and boat shoes.
10 Restaurant Work Shoes
Though restaurant work shoes are newly born many brands, have introduced them. You can get them in any price range from affordable to expensive and very expensive depending on your choice.
Here is my list of top 10 restaurant work shoes that I would suggest you invest in.
1. Skechers Women’s Squad SR Food Service Shoe
The first one on my list is Skechers Women’s Squad SR Food Service Shoe. First, let’s see a few major attributes of these shoes, and then I will discuss some of their special features in detail.
Main Features:
- The material of the sole: Synthetic, flexible sole
- Insole type: Memory foam
- Arch type: Low-top from arch
- Special features: Lightweight, Slip-resistant
- Brand: Skechers
Reasons to Buy
- Skechers Women’s Squad SR Food Service Shoes are slip-resistant, so you won’t slip or slide in them on the wet or greasy floor.
- These shoes are extremely comfortable, which makes your feet feel better even on a hectic day.
- These shoes look small but have enough room to let your feet breathe along with the cloth design. Also, they do not have laces to tie, but still, they fit nicely. These are good options for people suffering from plantar fasciitis.
- The bottom part of these shoes has insulation against electric hazards, so they are ideal for outdoor snowy or icy conditions.
2. Skechers Women’s Ghenter Bronaugh Work Shoe
The next pair of restaurant work shoes that I’ll be talking about are Skechers Women’s Ghenter Bronaugh Work Shoe.
Main Features:
- The material of the upper part of the shoe: Mesh fabric upper
- The material of the sole: Rubber sole
- Insole type: Memory foam
- Special features: Slip-resistant
- Brand: Skechers
Reasons to Buy
- Skechers Women’s Ghenter Bronaugh Work Shoes are slip-resistant, so you can work, walk and run in them on slippery floors and they will save you from slipping.
- These shoes have enough room for your bunions so you won’t suffer from any blisters or aches.
- These shoes are ideal for people who have the issue of sweaty feet.
- Skechers Women’s Ghenter Bronaugh Work Shoes fit perfectly and are especially suitable for people with wide feet.
- These shoes are comfortable, durable, and water-resistant.
- They are easy to clean. You can easily clean them with just a wipe.
3. Fila Men’s Memory Workshift Slip Resistant Work Shoe
Fila Men’s Memory Workshift Slip Resistant Work Shoes are the next one on my list of top 10 restaurant work shoes.
Main Features:
- The material of the upper part of the shoe: Leather
- The material of the sole: Solid rubber sole
- Insole type: Memory foam sock liner and midsole
- Fit: Lace-up front closure
- Special features: Solid performance, Slip-resistant, comfortable
- Brand: Fila
Reasons to Buy
- Fila Men’s Memory Workshift Work Shoes are slip-resistant and ideal for the winter season. They are a great companion for your long hectic days where you can walk, run, and hill climb in them without worrying about slipping.
- They provide you a comfortable fit. These shoes are especially great for people who have wide feet across the toes and low ankle bones that are often rubbed by high sneakers.
- These shoes are made with a lightweight memory foam sock liner to provide you extreme comfort.
- Fila Memory Workshift comes in with built-in perforations for breathability.
4. Skechers Men’s Cessnock Food Service Shoe
The next pair of restaurant work shoes that I will discuss are Skechers Men’s Cessnock Food Service Shoes.
Main Features:
- The material of the upper part of the shoe: Breathable mesh, bungle lacing
- The material of the sole: Rubber sole
- Insole type: Memory foam insole
- Arch type: Low-top from arch
- Special features: Slip-resistant
- Closure Type: Lace-up
- Fit: Relax fit
- Brand: Skechers
Reasons to Buy
- These sketchers are big both in length and width but give adequate fit.
- They are lightweight and comfortable, ideal for people who are on their feet all day.
- Skechers Cessnock is easy to slip on and off and fits quite well. They have bungee laces, so you don’t need to tie them on and off but are as secure as with laces shoes.
- Their anti-slip is awesome, so you can wear those crossing rocks in rivers.
- They are breathable and provides adequate support to your feet, so you work in them all day long.
5. Crocs Unisex-Adult Bistro Clog | Slip-Resistant Work Shoes
So the next pair of restaurant work shoes on my list are Crocs Unisex-Adult Bistro Clog Slip Resistant Work Shoes.
Main Features:
- The material of the upper part of the shoe: Synthetic
- The material of the sole: Synthetic sole
- Insole type: Memory foam footbed
- Special features: Easy to clean, Slip-resistant, lightweight
- Closure type: Enclosed toe design
- Brand: Crocs
Reasons to Buy
- Crocs Bistro Clog Slip Resistant Work Shoes are specially designed for food services health care workers. They serve great as chef shoes.
- These shoes are lightweight to accompany you in the longest shifts.
- Crocs Bistro clogs are easy to clean and quick-dry; you can clean them by just using soap and water.
- These are great non-slip, lightweight, comfortable, and durable shoes for both men and women.
- These shoes are extremely comfortable with an enclosed toe design providing complete protection to your feet from spills.
- Its heel strap allows your ankles to breathe and protect them from getting heel blisters.
6. Crocs Unisex-Adult On The Clock Clog | Slip Resistant Work Shoes
The next pair of restaurant shoes on my list are Crocs Unisex-Adult on the Clock Clog Slip Resistant Work Shoes.
Main Features:
- The material of the sole: Synthetic sole
- Arch type: 0.85 arch
- Special features: Easy to clean, Slip-resistant
- Closure type: enclosed toe and heel
- Fit: Relax fit
- Brand: Crocs
Reasons to Buy
- Crocs On-The-Clock are perfect for both men and women for long hectic days and nights.
- They are fully molded and easy to clean just with water and soap.
- These shoes are slip-resistant with an enclosed toe and heel to protect your feet from spills.
- The Crocs On-The-Clock Work shoes are specially designed to keep hard workers and chefs in mind.
- They consist of a tapered fit in the back to give you a secure and relaxed fit.
- Crocs on-The-Clock shoes are ideal for those at risk of falling since they are made with slip-resistant materials.
- These shoes can be a great option for people with wide feet. You can wear them with or without socks. They will still give you a good fit, not too tight, not too loose.
- Crocs on-The-Clock work shoes are “shallow” waterproof since they have two small breathers whole at the base.
- These shoes provide enough arch support to combat plantar fasciitis.
7. Skechers Men’s Nampa-Groton Food Service Shoe
The next pair of restaurant shoes on my list are Sketchers Slip Resistant Work Shoes.
Main Features:
- The material of the upper part of the shoe: Black Polyurethane
- The material of the sole: Synthetic sole
- Insole type: Memory foam
- Arch type: Low-top from arch
- Special features: Lightweight, Slip-resistant
- Fit: Relaxed fit
- Brand: Skechers
Reasons to Buy
- Skechers Men’s Nampa-Groton Food Service Shoes are non-slip comfortable work shoes with adequate support for those who stand for long periods.
- These shoes are liquid-resistant, so there are no worries about getting your feet wet.
- They are easy to clean with just wipes.
- These shoes are slip and skid resistant, so you can work in them on slippery and greasy floors without worrying about falls.
- Skechers Nampa-Groton Shoes won’t cause your feet any blisters or ache.
- These shoes are extremely lightweight, just as you have no shoes on.
8. New Balance Men’s Slip-Resistant 626 V2 Industrial Shoe
The next pair of shoes on my list are New Balance Men’s Slip-Resistant 626 V2 Industrial Shoes.
Main Features:
- The material of the upper part of the shoe: Leather
- The material of the sole: Rubber sole
- Insole type: ABZORB Crash Pad
- Arch type: Low-top from arch
- Special features: added stability and support, Slip-resistant
- Brand: New Balance
Reasons to Buy
- These shoes have all0-leather upper to provide the last durability and secure fit.
- They offer a comfortable fit and are a great option for people working in manufacturing and food services.
- New Balance Slip Resistant shoes have an ABZORB crash pad with proper cushioning to absorb the impacts in long walking hours.
- These shoes have a slip-resistant outsole along with a non-marking lug to protect you from falling on precarious floors and surfaces.
- They come with an internal shank to provide added support and stability, so you feel comfortable throughout the day.
- These shoes provide exceptional comfort and support even if you walk on the hardest surface for several hours.
9. Shoes for Crews Men’s Freestyle II Non-Slip Food Service Work Shoes
Let’s discuss some major features of Shoes for Crews Men’s Freestyle II Non-Slip Food Service Work Shoes.
Main Features:
- The material of the upper part of the shoe: synthetic
- The material of the sole: Rubber sole
- Arch type: Low-top from arch
- Special features: Slip-resistant, water-resistant, lightweight
- Brand: shoes for crews
Reasons to Buy
- Shoes for Crews Men’s Freestyle II Non-Slip Food Service Work Shoes are water-resistant to repel any liquid on the floor.
- These shoes are lightweight, ventilated, and slip-resistant, thus avoiding any slip or fall.
- They come with advanced anti-slip technology providing you sturdy foot grip and the traction you need to stay safe.
- The best thing about these restaurant workshoes is that they are stain-resistant, so they won’t get stained if something spills on themed.
10. Skechers for Work Women’s Kincaid II Slip On Slip Resistant Loafer
The last pair of restaurant work shoes on my list are Skechers for Work Women’s Kincaid II Slip-on Slip Resistant Loafer.
Main Features:
- The material of the upper part of the shoe: Synthetic
- The material of the sole: synthetic sole
- Insole type: Memory foam insole
- Special features: Slip-resistant, lightweight
- Brand: Skechers
Reasons to Buy
- These restaurant work shoes are multifunctional because they are lightweight, slip-resistant, and comfortable, and look cute as well, so you wear them outside your work.
- The best thing about these shoes is that they are affordable, so you get super comfortable, soft padding, and slip-resistant shoes on a low budget.
- They do not look bulky, fit quite well, and you will never get hot even wearing them for 10 hours straight.
Still Need More? 5 More Restaurant Work Shoes
Here are 5 more Restaurant Work Shoes you can consider while choosing one for yourself. Let’s discuss them in detail one by one:
– Dansko Women’s Professional Clog
The first and one of the best restaurant work shoes on this list are Dansko Women’s Professional Clog. So let’s see its main attributes first and then reasons to buy them.
Main Features:
- The material of the upper part of the shoe: Leather or fabric uppers
- The material of the sole: Polyurethane sole
- Insole type: Breathable PU Foam Footbed
- Special features: Slip-resistant
- Fit: Roomy toe box
- Brand: Dansko
Reasons to Buy
- Dansko Women’s Professional Clog shoes come with a memory foam footbed to give your feet increased support and comfort.
- These shoes have a padded instep collar to prevent friction that may cause any blisters.
- Another reason to buy these shoes is the material used in their outsole that acts as a shock absorber.
– Birkenstock Professional Unisex Profi Birki Slip Resistant Work Shoe
The second pair of restaurant work shoes that I will be talking about are Birkenstock Professional Unisex Profi Birki Slip Resistant Work Shoe.
Main Features:
- The material of the upper part of the shoe: Alpro-Foam
- The material of the sole: Alpro-Foam Sole
- Insole type: Alpro-Foam Footbed
- Special features: Slip-resistant
- Fit: Relax fit
- Brand: Birkenstock
Reasons to Buy
- Birkenstock Professional Unisex Profi Birki Slip Resistant Work Shoes are extremely comfortable that you won’t feel you have shoes on since they are made from polyurethane.
- These shoes are especially useful for those suffering from back pain from being on their feet all day.
- The best thing about these work shoes is that they do not accumulate any odor over time, unlike other restaurant work shoes.
– Birkenstock Unisex Professional Tokyo Super Grip Leather Slip Resistant Work Shoe
The pair of restaurant work shoes are the Birkenstock Tokyo Work Shoe. This unique shoe has a lot to offer and gives you a sandal-like feel.
Main Features:
- The material of the upper part of the shoe: Leather
- The material of the sole: Synthetic sole
- Insole type: Contoured cork footbed
- Special features: Slip-resistant
- Closure type: Two adjustable buckles
- Fit: Relax fit
- Brand: Birkenstock
Reasons to Buy
- These shoes do not look bulky at all and fit you perfectly. You can wear them with or without socks and leggings, and they will still look nice.
- These shoes are especially ideal for people with plantar fasciitis or bunions because of their enhanced comfort level.
- The toe bed of these shoes is shallow but wide enough to provide your feet excellent arch support.
- Another unique reason to buy these shoes is the leather uppers that prevent moisture-soaking socks during your long shifts.
– KEEN Utility Women’s Kanteen Clog Non-Slip Chef Food Service Shoe
The pair of restaurant work shoes are the Keen Service Shoe. This shoe made for the kitchen and has several features that help service workers.
Main Features:
- The material of the upper part of the shoe: Leather
- Reinforces toe cap
- Water and stain-resistant
- The material of the sole: Rubber sole
- Special features: Slip-resistant
- Brand: Keen
Reasons to Buy
- These shoes are aesthetically pleasing as compared to other restaurant work shoes, so you can wear them outside your work as well.
- They are supremely comfortable and will make you feel like you walk on soft pillows.
- The ergonomic design of these shoes will alleviate your feet, back, hips, and knees ache that may cause during long shifts at work.
– Dr. Scholl’s Women’s Kimberly Slip Resistant Work Shoe
The last pair of restaurant work shoes on this list are Dr. Scholl’s Women’s Kimberly Slip Resistant Work Shoe.
Main Features:
- The material of the upper part of the shoe: Leather
- The material of the sole: Rubber sole
- Insole type: breathable mesh lining, Massaging gel insole
- Special features: Slip-resistant outsole
- Brand: Dr. Scholl’s Shoes
Reasons to Buy
- These are some of the most durable shoes on my list; you can wear them for many, many hours a week, every week, and for months and they won’t wear out.
- The best thing about these shoes is their inserts, which make them even more comfortable and keep them away from smelling after long shifts in the kitchen.
Conclusion
Restaurant work shoes are great for many reasons; the most important thing is that they protect your most valuable asset: “Your Body.”
These shoes are specially designed to give you adequate support and comfort. They are your companions that ensure your safety by protecting you against spills and slips.
Thanks for Visiting Helpshoe.com
References
- https://www.vionicshoes.com/blog/best-shoes-for-restaurant-work/
- https://restaurantaccounting.net/10-best-restaurant-shoes-for-front-back-of-house/
- https://pos.toasttab.com/blog/on-the-line/restaurant-shoes
- https://www.touchbistro.com/blog/10-best-restaurant-shoes/
- https://upserve.com/restaurant-insider/restaurant-employees-how-to-choose-the-best-shoes/