From home cooks all the way to professional, 5-star sous chefs, anyone in the service industry deserves an exceptional pair of shoes. Why? Simple, because unlike most professions, kitchen staff and chefs don’t have time to sit around and relax. They’ve got hungry people to feed all day and all night long and about 12 to 16 hour shifts to kill on their feet. That’s why.
Chef Shoes That Get You Through The Worst Spills
So while a chef is required to have creativity, skill, curiosity, and commitment, all these are useless without an extraordinary pair of non-slip shoes to help the service industry army get through their shifts safely and comfortably. You heard me right; wearing the wrong type of shoes in the kitchen is like trying to dance with a sharp pebble in your shoe or a cheetah trying to hunt with a thorn in its paw. See, no matter how skilled or fast you are, there’s always be something killing your grove and slowing you down. So if you’re ready to take the proverbial thorn out of your foot, then check out the top best slip resistant footwear, made just for kitchens and restaurants.
Non Slip Shoes for Male Chefs
It’s no secret here guys; women used to dominate the food, beverage and service industry in general. Whether it was a big restaurant or the average American home, women could be found doing their thing in kitchens worldwide. But times have indeed changed. Today, some of the best and most famous chefs on the planet are actually men!
Just tune your TV to the food channel as we speak and you’ll find a lot of dudes who know their way around a kitchen. But just like any other profession, the right shoes are a must have in this fast paced kitchen and restaurant environment. Getting a pair of shoes with non-slip outsoles will not only help you keep your footing in a wet, grimy kitchen, but they’ll also let you work better, faster and more confidently. We know there are millions of styles out there; so to take the guesswork out of your shopping, we’ve already compiled the top best non slip shoes for men. Have a look and see which style fits your lifestyle.
1. AVIA Men’s Avi
You’re probably wondering why our first style is also one of the most popular shoes in the athletic field. Well, if you even have to ask, then it’s clear that you don’t know all the rigors that come with trying to survive a day in the food industry. Let me tell you; you’re going to need to be as agile, flexible and as athletic as possible if you’re looking to keep all your customers well fed. The AVIA Avi-Union Service Shoe allows our hard-working boys to turn the kitchen or restaurant floor into their very own playground.
Much like a true sports shoe, the Union service shoe comes in a traditional lace up design that gives wearers a more secure and firmer fit which I promise you has a lot to do with the slip resistance. See, by working in conjunction with the non-slip outsole, the firmer fit means that your feet will not also move while inside the shoe. The outsole is also a work of art. Thanks to a specially designed tread pattern that actually pushed liquids away from your foot, you’ll get as good a grip on wet kitchen floors as dry ones. The interior is properly padded with a removable FOM sock liner for custom comfort.
2. Skechers Soft Stride Galley
Here’s another incredibly stylish and durable sneaker from an award-winning leader in lifestyle footwear. The brand is already globally renowned for their high quality, affordable and highly diversified products that actually make life easier for men and women. Today, we’ll be looking at something that is built for guys over in the service industry; the Skechers Galley Work shoe. Boasting of a century of research and development as well as high-quality craftsmanship, this shoe is worth giving a second and third glance. But what exactly makes it the perfect match for chefs?
Well, I’m glad you asked. For starters, the Galley Skechers Work shoe is made with tough, sleek, black uppers that are built to survive all the daily rigors of a restaurant environment. However, the uppers are also surprisingly flexible to help you keep up with the fast-paced environment. And speaking of keeping up, you won’t be doing much of that if you can barely stand. Lucky for us, the Soft Stride incorporates OSHA compliant, soft rubber, slip resistant outsole that lets you maintain your footing even in the slipperiest of conditions.
3. KEEN Utility Destin
By now, everyone and their grandma already know who Keen is, so we won’t get into all that for now. The only thing you need to know about today’s style is that it is more than ideal for chefs who want something easy going, protective and super comfortable. I’m talking about the KEEN Utility Destin Work Shoe has literally been gaining traction all over the states. The shoe obviously carries all the top features and qualities you would expect from Keen. That’s no doubt. But why on earth should professional chefs and stewards go for this particular style?
Perhaps it’s the fact that the PTC slip on is quite the reliable pair of service shoes with all the right features in the right places to keep you safe and comfortable all-day long. These include fully waterproof, leather uppers that keep you safe from wet messes in the kitchen. So if there’s any soup flying around or water spills all over the place, your feet will still remain as dry as a twig. The interior is also quite roomy and impressive thanks to more spacious toe box with excellent arch support. As for the rubber outsole, it comes rated as oil and slip resistant according to ASTM Mark II non-slip testing standards.
4. New Balance Mid626K2
Just when you thought that men could use fewer sneakers in the kitchen, here comes New Balance with the ultimate training shoe. It’s our last traditional lace up design for men here, so savor it while it lasts. The New Balance Mid626K2 Work Shoe might be designed to help athletes achieve all their goals in the field, but our busiest chefs in the country have definitely found a better use for it right in the confines of their kitchens.
First off, let me point out that New Balance has been in business for more than a century. That’s why it’s no surprise that their products carry decades of improvement, research, and development. Before we even get to the slip resistant features of this bad boy, it’s worth mentioning some of its other high points as well. Most notable of them is the full EVA footbed that creates a plush, inviting environment and an absorb crash pad that absorbs all the shock and impacts of a typical day in the kitchen. Now for the outsole; New Balance incorporates a soft rubber, non slip, nonmarking outsole that won’t give out even under high pressure or wet floors.
5. MOZO Forza
Let’s be completely honest here guys, don’t you just love wearing a free, open and casual shoe to work whenever you can? Yeah, nothing beats the inviting feeling of being semi-nude from the ankles down. Unfortunately, you just can’t go to work barefoot because of all the hazards lying in wait in the average kitchen. Well, we’re here to give you the next best thing our working men could wear without exposing their feet to other work hazards. You guessed it; we’re talking about the MOZO Forza Slip Resistant Work Clogs. Now, I could rant onwards about how the Star Wars force will be with you when you wear these Forza’s, but the only real force here will be the high-friction, rubber soles keeping you firmly grounded.
These Clogs are manufactured to offer as much comfort and support as they do protection. But then again, protection is just a matter of perspective. If your biggest worry is comfort, support and slip resistance in the kitchen, then these Clogs from Mozo are made just for you. Apart from the high-traction, rubber slip and oil resistant outsole, these men's clogs incorporates an ergonomic, anatomical shape for a better fit as well as some gel insoles for extra cushioning and all the flexibility you need to install your own custom orthotics. Definitely a shoe worth every penny.
Non Slip Shoes for Female Chefs
Hey girls, I see you’re looking for something gorgeous and functional to wear in the kitchen. If that’s the case, then don’t even bother with the styles above. Sure, guys may be thumping their chests trying to cook up a storm in the kitchen, but we all know the honest to God truth. When it comes to food, cooking, the kitchen and anything related to sustaining human life on earth with good nourishment, then women take the cup hands down.
There’s just something about the touch of a woman that gives any dish a special something. It’s that one particular ingredient that no man can truly replicate. However, we still have to admit that men are far more resilient when it comes to licking up their wounds. Most dudes will survive some ghastly cuts and nasty spills without as much as an ouch. But for the fairer sex, all precautions have to be taken, and it starts from the ground up. Here are our most popular non slip shoes for women that excel in the kitchen.
1. Skechers Sure Track Trickel
As always, we start with only the best for our hard working girls. Skechers has always had an eye for quality, diversity and low-cost products. It’s nice to know that all these features still come to play in their new line of women's non slip shoes. The Skechers Sure Track Trickel Shoe is quite the sight to behold. But why should serious, professional chefs give a hoot?
For starters, the Trickel boasts of a stocky construction that is excellent protection in a tight, cluttered and extremely busy kitchen or restaurant. But that’s just the half of it. These women’s shoes boast of smooth, solid leather uppers that are as durable as they are stylish. However, it’s the outsole that really grabbed our attention. It’s smart design and multi-lugged pattern that gives it one of the strongest grips in the industry.
2. Reebok Work 'N Cushion 2.0
Ladies, you’ll also be glad to hear that the know your brand rule still applies to you too. I’m sure you’ve heard of Reebok at one point in your life; that’s because the company was founded back in the 1890s with the sole purpose of being a running shoe brand. What the founder didn’t know was that the spiked outsole would be the platform for some of the best styles on the planet. Today, we’ll be checking out the Reebok Work 'N Cushion 2.0 shoe.
If you believe in working hard and being the best at what you do, then you obviously need a shoe built for the job. This Reebok shoe gives you all the cushioning comfort and support you need to rumble with the best of them. As the name suggests, this shoe is packed with a ton of cushioning for the ultimate comfort and DMX ride technology for a smoother ride. As for the outsole, it’s ASTM rated as oil and slip resistant.
3. New Balance WID626V2
Now, we all know New Balance for their highly athletic styles that are always up to date. However, today’s style is for the modern girl who treats the kitchen like her very own playground. If your primary concern is comfort, flexibility, and a solid, firm footing on the job, then you’ll enjoy hearing what we have to say about the New Balance WID626V2 Work Shoe. These trendy sneakers offer superb levels of cushioning and support since they are actually designed for people who have to be on their feet behind a stove or n the kitchen all day.
Since you’re here for more grip, we’ll start with the most important part. The New Balance Work Shoe boasts of one of the most intelligent designs for an outsole I’ve ever come across. Thanks to a lugged and multi-directional pattern on the outsole, it is entirely non-slip and non-marking. But that’s not even half of it. This outsole sits on an ABZORB crash pad that gives you the ultimate form of comfort and arch support.
4. Bogs Stewart Health Care & Food Service Shoe
While lace up designs do offer the most safety and protection, the kitchen is not always a battlefield. There are times when business is low and customers are not really streaming in. It’s in these less busy shifts that you need something casual and freer for your footsies. If you still haven’t caught on, I’m talking about the Bogs Stewart Health Care & Food Service Shoe. These Bogs are so meant for the kitchen that it actually says so right in the name. But is this another case of a bark being worse than its bite, or is this shoe worth it?
We’ll let you be the judge of that. For starters, this comfortable shoe is constructed using 100 percent waterproof rubber that is perfect for a messy day in the kitchen. And that’s not all; the manufacturer went ahead to incorporate stabilizers on the interior that provide women with a more natural fit and underfoot support. The icing on this cake comes in the form of a BioGrip outsole that combines exceptional standard anti-slip features as well as chemical resistance. The price tag is also not too extravagant considering the quality you get.
5. Crocs Mercy Work Clog
If there’s one thing we love about Crocs is their unusual shape. I tell you, once you spot one of their shoes, it’s hard to mistake them for anything else. Crocs offers numerous distinct shoe collections that carry that typical Croslite material; a proprietary, groundbreaking technology that gives each pair of shoes the croc touch. Today, we’ll be looking at something that has had women in the food industry going crazy. We’re talking about the Crocs Mercy Work Clog.
Engineered for all-day, on-the-job comfort these clogs are perfect for a shift in the hot room. Thanks to Croc’s unique design, women can look forward to a roomier design with generous dimensions all around the foot. As a bonus, the clogs also come with the patented Crocs Lock tread for the ultimate slip-resistance that exceeds industry standards. For a more secure fit and better performance on a tight schedule, the manufacturer included a Heel-hugging back strap with a closed heel. However, there’s one feature that really makes the Mercy Work Clog stand out in a crowd. This nifty clog features tiny nubs all along each footed that actually massage your feet while you’re working; how cool is that?
6. Skechers Albie - Relaxed Fit
We started the piece on a high note, and that’s exactly how we’re going to end it. Skechers have already proven themselves as one of the best brands in the industry, and this style puts a stamp of approval right on the money. If you’re the type of girl who doesn’t get out of the kitchen until the fat lady sings (pardon the pun), then you’ll need a shoe that will get down and dirty without coming apart. And that’s none other than the Skechers Albie Relaxed-Fit work Shoe. So, why should our esteemed working ladies trust this particular shoe with the welfare of their lovely feet? I’m glad you asked.
Like all the other top styles, the uppers are made with tough, durable leather that is hardy enough to withstand a barrage of hot soups and dropping machetes. But hopefully, you won’t be dodging too much of those. The traditional lace-up design guarantees a firm, secure fit that won’t let your feet fidget inside the shoes. Looking inside, women will be excited to hear that all steps have been taken to ensure a smooth, comfortable ride. This is all thanks to memory foam topped cushion insoles that feel like plush pieces of clouds. Now for the most important part; the Albies come complete with OSHA compliant, slip resistant, high traction flexible outsoles that hep you firmly rooted in place even on wet or grimy kitchen floors. What more could you possibly ask for in a non-slip shoe?
If your job requires you to be in a kitchen, chances are your footwear choices may be rather limited. They have to grip through the worst spills, be comfortable enough to permit long term standing or continual movement, and be casual yet professional enough to match the environment without standing out.
DO YOU HAVE A review for women’s shoes that are comfortable????
Thank you
Hi Victoria,
You can have a look as some comfortable women’s shoes on this page – findmyfootwear.com/5-best-shoes-for-women-who-stand-on-their-feet-all-day/
I have been looking for timberland pro Mourice for quite some time and it’s sold out everywhere… Are they still being produced?
Hi David, I am afraid the Timberland Meurice shoes are not in production any more. I can recommend the Dansko Men’s Wayne Slip-On. These shoes are very comfortable and slip resistant. Have a look here – http://amzn.to/1qi9iIO