Whether a chef or a server in a restaurant, as a professional restaurant worker you will be on your feet for most of the day.
Walking miles and running back and forth is a given for restaurant professionals, so selecting a good pair of work shoes is vital for preventing back pain, knee pain, fatigue, and above all slips in the workplace for bartenders, chefs, cooks, hostesses or hosts, and servers.
Most workers will spend the majority of their shift on their feet and take well over 20,000 steps in a single workday, so shoes must be carefully selected especially for the long term.
We went to the source and asked a group of restaurant professionals representative of all categories to help us research the best shoes for restaurant work.
We also spoke with medical professionals about the importance of footwear for pros that spend an entire work shift on their feet and what to look for.
Our top overall choice are the Dansko XP2.0 Clogs. These work shoes offer ergonomically designed lightweight construction, a removable PU footbed, and a rubber outsole that is slip-resistant on both wet and oily surfaces.
If you require footwear that fits a limited budget, the Croc’s Bistro Clog also got high votes for thicker toe and metatarsal protection.
What’s Important When Selecting a Restaurant Work Shoe
Because food servers and restaurant pros are on their feet most of the workday, if not all of it, good footwear needs to be supportive, very comfortable, slip-resistant in the event of food or beverage spills, and shock absorbent.
Finding the proper fit and size factors into the requirements for comfort and protection.
How to Ensure Choosing the Correct Fit
A good recommendation from medical experts is to buy your shoes at the end of the day if your feet tend to swell. Selecting a comfortable pair of shoes when feet are tired and swollen, means they will most likely always be comfortable. Also, consider shoes that offer roomy toe boxes so that toes can move somewhat and wiggle if necessary.
Insoles are also fundamental when searching for the correct fit. Cushioned footbeds that offer arch support can make all the difference on long days and shifts. Memory foam insoles or insoles made from ethyl vinyl acetate, commonly referred to as EVA will offer anti-compression comfort.
A Basic Characteristic of the Best Work Shoes for Restaurant Work: Foot Support
If you asked a group of restaurant professionals, as we did, what is their main complaint at the end of their work shift, the overwhelming answer is “sore feet”. One way to combat soreness is by finding work shoes that support your feet.
Altered Gait and Medical Consequences
The common human gait tends toward pronation meaning that we tend to place most of our weight on the inner edges of our feet. If shoes do not offer sufficient support, we do this for longer periods, and this type of gait will alter weight distribution and pressure. If this continues without correction, deformities of the feet generally follow. Conditions like hammertoes, bunions, Achilles tendonitis, tibial tendonitis, or plantar fasciitis may result, all of which can be extremely painful, further altering gait to compensate for pain, and leading to backaches and joint pain in knees and ankles.
To check if shoes offer adequate support, try bending them. If they can be bent in half, they probably are not offering sufficient support.
Arch Support
For those workers that are required to stand for prolonged amounts of time, arch support becomes crucial to both support and comfort. The role of good arch support is to enable the correct distribution of weight throughout the foot, including the foot’s bottom or plantar.
The Importance of Outsoles
The outsoles play an equally important role in foot comfort. Rubber outsoles aid in mitigating impact much more than a simple leather sole. For workers constantly on their feet or in movement, the amount of impact absorption a shoe offers can determine just how comfortable shoes end up being.
Safety
Restaurant professionals can fall at any time while involved in food preparation or serving while carrying plates back and forth. Often because of plates or pans being carried, they will not be able to see where they are going and can easily fall because of spilled liquids, food, or wet floors in general. Slips can result in serious injuries including ankle sprains, leg injuries, or even spinal cord fractures among others. Slip-resistant rubber outsoles are fundamental and should be equipped with high-traction interlocked tread patterns. Also, look for soles that are larger providing extra contact with the surface for better traction
Shoe Uppers
Another consideration should be made for waterproofing or water-resistant shoe uppers. You may also want a sturdy or hard upper because of the risk of things being dropped or spilled on your feet. A shoe that offers some protection can prevent injury or at least limit the damage. Waterproof or water-resistant uppers will also be much easier to keep clean. It’s important if you select waterproof shoes, for this footwear to guarantee breathability. Waterproof shoes will prevent liquids and moisture from entering, but you may find your feet drenched in perspiration before your shift has ended. Common water-resistant materials include neoprene, polyurethane, and nylon.
Don’t Negotiate on Durability, Quality, or Safety
By selecting shoes that are manufactured with high-quality materials and construction methods, you’ll be investing in work shoes that are made to last. You don’t want to be purchasing new work shoes continually. Get a good return on your investment by searching for the best quality product within your budget.
Avoid buying the least expensive shoes on the market. Cheap shoes will equate with cheap everything from materials to make. They may not protect you, they may end up being uncomfortable, and they may not last.
Also, avoid buying open-toed shoes even in summer, because they offer no protection.
Our Favorite Best Restaurant Work Shoes
Best Overall Work Shoes for Restaurant Work
These work shoes are ergonomically designed with lightweight construction. They feature a removable footbed in dual-density polyurethane that integrates Dansko’s proprietary Natural Arch technology™ for increased foot support. This shoe will accommodate most custom or standard orthotics. The rubber outsole is slip-resistant on both wet and oily surfaces for safety.
A roomy toe design characterizes the shoes’ leather uppers, so toes can wiggle. The midsole is produced in lightweight EVA to absorb shock from impact, provide stability when moving, and reduce foot fatigue. The shoe design features rocker bottoms against fatigue and the heel is made to be high abrasion in Thermo polyurethane. Shoe uppers can be wiped clean.\
Pros
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- Wipe-clean surface
- Slip-on
- Slip-resistant
- Removable memory foam insole
- Wide toe box
- Stapled construction
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Cons
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- Expensive
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Best Water-Resistant Work Shoes for Restaurant Workers
Birkenstock Professional Slip-resistant Unisex Work Shoe
Birkenstock offers simply designed clogs that are made in a single molded piece of polyurethane. Lightweight and slip-resistant, they boast durability and good water resistance. This particular model was created by Birkenstock to guarantee surface grip for sure-footedness on any work surface. The foot is entirely covered and protected, while the design stimulates a rolling motion that is natural to your feet.
This shoe is an excellent option for hygiene as well, as the shoe can be washed in temperatures up to 175°F while the removable insole can be washed in temps as high as 140°F. The Profi Birki boasts a safety certification of EN ISO 20347:2012 ON E (SRB cat.).
Pros
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- Anatomically designed removable, washable PU insole
- Water-repellent
- Dirt-resistant
- Lightweight
- Comfortable
- Affordable
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Cons
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- Sizing may run small
- May require some breaking in
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Best Budget-friendly Work Shoes for Restaurant Workers
Known for their exceptional comfort, these open-back clogs from Croc’s are increasingly popular, especially at their budget-friendly price. Designed with food workers in mind, they offer good support but are lightweight at the same time so you can easily weather long work shifts on your feet.
These clogs feature Croc’s Lock™ tread designed to be super slip-resistant as well as increased protection at toes and in the metatarsal area. One nice option is that they are available in a variety of color choices. Contoured footbeds add comfort, and the clogs can be cleaned with soap and water. They are compliant with ASTM safety F2913-11 requirements and meet or exceed EN ISO 20357:2012, OB, and SRC certification requirements. Finally, the production of these shoes has a low carbon footprint for the ecologically sensitive.
Pros
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- Budget-friendly
- Slip-resistant
- Comfortable
- Lightweight
- Durable
- Very easy to clean
- Open heel with strap for breathability
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Cons
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- Sizes run large
- Strap rivet can break if moved
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Best Grip Work Shoes for Restaurant Workers
Merrell Jungle Moc AC+ Men’s Pro Work Shoe
If you are in the market for something that resembles a traditional shoe, this work shoe by Merrell is impressive. With a refined but relaxed style, this work shoe has been created to provide comfort and protection. Uppers are made in full-grain waterproofed leather, while the outsole is a Merrell M Select ™ PRO GRIP rubber outer sole that is both oil and slip-resistant offering superior grip thanks to increased surface contact.
Comfort is a priority as Merrell has integrated its Air Cushion+ toe to heel comfort and strategically positioned lugs for lightweight cushioning. As the leather uppers are waterproof, this shoe comes with a breathable mesh lining. An EVA midsole guarantees comfort and stability together with a molded nylon shank for arches offering flexibility and support. Merrell’s Kinetic Fit ™ base is a contoured insole in blended EVA and boasts added support in the heel and arch areas.
Pros
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- Stylish and refined
- Comfortable
- Slip-resistant
- Lightweight
- Breathable lining
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Cons
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- Sizes may run a bit small
- Need some breaking in
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Best Relaxed-Fit Restaurant Work Shoes
Skechers for Work Slip-Resistant Relaxed-Fit Women’s Work Shoe
Comfortably wearable for extended periods, these women’s work shoes by Skechers are ideal for restaurant professionals that spend most of the day on their feet. The relaxed-fit design takes into account that feet may swell at the end of the workday. Featuring a nice fit with the support that hugs arches and a wide toe box, foot fatigue will be a thing of the past. Shoe uppers are in 100% leather on a synthetic anti-slip outer sole with memory foam footbeds and these are waterproof.
Pros
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- Leather uppers
- Waterproof
- Anti-slip sole
- Relaxed fit with good toe room
- Memory foam insoles
- Slip-on style
- Affordable
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Cons
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- Sizing may not be exact and require a larger size
- Need breaking in
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In Conclusion
A good pair of work shoes, if you are a pro in the restaurant business, will make a difference in terms of health as well as your safety. Good fit, quality materials, solid construction, anti-slip capabilities, but above all excellent foot support are what you need for those long days on the move. We recommend our top overall choice of the Dansko XP2.0 Clogs, but any of these work shoes are worthy of consideration.
| Products | Uppers | Outsoles | Style | Extras |
| Dansko XP2.0 Clogs | Leather | Polyurethane
Slip-resistant |
Slip-on closed clog | Wipe-clean surface
Slip-resistant Removable memory foam insole Wide toe box |
| Birkenstock Professional Slip-resistant Unisex Work Shoe | Molded polyurethane | polyurethane | Slip-on closed clog | Anatomically designed removable, washable PU insole
Water-repellent Dirt-resistant Lightweight |
| Croc’s Bistro Clog | Synthetic | Thermo-plastic Elastomers
Slip resistant |
Open heel clogs with strap | Easy to clean
Thicker toe and metatarsal protection |
| Merrell Jungle Moc AC+ Men’s Pro Work Shoe | Full-grain leather | Rubber
Oil and slip-resistant |
Slip on | Waterproof
Mesh lining EVA contoured insole |
| Skechers for Work Slip-Resistant Relaxed-Fit Women’s Work Shoe | 100% leather | Synthetic
Anti-slip |
Slip on
Relaxed fit |
Memory foam |
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