The kitchen is one of the busiest places in the house or a restaurant. Therefore you need the right shoes on your feet to walk on the slippery floor with oil spills and hot liquids. Therefore, getting the best kitchen shoes will not only prevent injuries but also help you work effectively. Besides, the kitchen shoe will be important after a long day of cooking.
Furthermore, if you suffer backaches after standing for endless hours in the kitchen, you need comfortable footwear. They should be comfortable to wear for a long period of working and standing, slip-resistant to ensure you won't slide on the oily floor, and heavy enough to protect you if you drop something sharp on your feet. Besides, wearing the right type of shoes to support your body properly is as vital as having your favorite kitchen knife with you on the job.
The market is flooded with different types of shoes, and when it comes to choosing, it might be overwhelming. This article will guide you in finding the best kitchen and chef shoes on the market. Read more!
1. Skechers Squad Shoe for Women, (Sr Food Service)
- Light Weight Slip on
- Slip Resistant
- Electrical Hazard
- Memory Foam foot bed
- 3M Scotchgard
If you are looking for one of the best kitchen shoes on the market, we recommend the Skechers Squad Sr Shoe. These shoes are 100% synthetic, flexible, and synthetic sole that makes them feel super lightweight. The lightweight feature allows for ease of movement in the kitchen. Furthermore, they feature arch support that reduces pain and fatigue associated with flat feet.
The Skechers Squad Sr Women's Shoes have a shaft that measures approximately low-top from the arch to provide adequate arch support during long work hours. The support is essential, especially for people with flat feet. Besides, the insole foam gives additional support to the shoe and minimizes the pain in the foot and knee.
The shoes are slip-resistant because they have a steady tread lock making them ideal for the kitchen since hazardous spillages might occur in the kitchen and cause injuries. The design of these shoes also contains a memory foam footbed that adds extra comfort to them.
2. Dansko Women's XP 2.0 Clogs
- Leather uppers
- Padded instep collar for extra comfort when...
- Roomy toe box to allow toes to move comfortably...
- Lightweight EVA midsole reduces fatigue for...
- Removable, dual density PU footbed includes Dansko...
If you are looking for the best kitchen shoes that are long-lasting, you can count on the Dansko XP 2.0 Clogs for women. This type of shoe has a strong quality, especially in the platform and heel. The heel is about 1.5 inches, while the platform measures 1 inch. Besides, the Dansko clogs are made of a rubber outsole and leather uppers that are sturdy and water-resistant.
The shoe design also comes with a shock-absorbing sole and a reinforced toe case. The insole and reinforced arch support are made from polyurethane foam designed for breathability and temperature control. In addition, the Dansko comes with a special design outsole, an oil and grease resistant outsole, and a cushioned breathable insole that can survive a harsh kitchen environment.
Additionally, the comfort of these shoes is unmatched. You can get the option of creating a fashionable look with over 30 different colors available and prints to choose from
3. Crocs Bistro Clog Work Unisex Shoes
Bistro unisex Clog Work Shoes have a synthetic sole that provides a lightweight feel to the shoes. They are supportive enough to get you through long working hours in the kitchen. Also, the shoes have treads that are resistant to slip. Furthermore, these treads come together to serve up the non-slip unisex shoes.
The slip-resistant work shoes are designed with hospitality industry workers in mind making them suitable for kitchen purposes. The shoe has an enclosed toe design with a roomy toe-box. The thicker metatarsal area and the toe design help protect your feet from spills. In addition, they provide a roomy fit; therefore, we recommend you to order a size down to your next largest whole size when purchasing.
4. Birkenstock (Profi Birki) Professional Slip Resistant Unisex Work Shoe
If you are looking for the best kitchen shoes unisex, we recommend you Professional Unisex Profi Birki Work Shoe from Birkenstock footwear brand. With these work shoes, you get a rubber and thick exterior that can bear heavy work. Besides, this shoe will keep your feet feeling comfortable with the cotton-lined cork footbed.
The Birkenstock Professional Unisex Work Shoes are very easy to clean, making them the right shoes for chefs in a work environment filled with grease, flour, and cheese. Moreover, they have arch support, which is great for most chefs. However, this might be an issue for people looking forward to getting a relaxed fit and need not much support on the soles.
The two most Birkenstock models are Profi and Boston, which come with slip resistance ability, oil, and grease-resistant outsoles to prevent you from any fall and slip accidents. The Professional Profi clog is made from polyurethane and comes with a removable, washable insole, while the Boston clog has a leather upper and the brand's signature cork footbed. Additionally, both chef shoes are highly rated when it comes to durability, safety, and comfort.
5. KEEN Utility Destin Slip-On PTC Low Food Service Shoe for Men
If you are a man and love cooking or spending much time in the kitchen, we recommend the KEEN Utility Destin Shoe. The shoe comes with all the top features and qualities you can expect from Keen. Additionally, the shoe is PTC slip, so it is reliable pair of service footwear with all the proper features in the right places to keep you comfortable and safe all day long.
This shoe features fully waterproof leather uppers that keep you far and safe from wet messes in the kitchen. So if there are water spills or any soup mess around all over the place, your feet will still be dry as a twig. The shoe's interior is also roomy and impressive, thanks to a more roomy toe box with great support. Additionally, the rubber outsole is slip and oil-resistant.
Factors to Consider When Buying the Best Kitchen Shoes
1. Fit and size
When shopping for the best kitchen footwear, avoid buying a small-sized shoe since it brings about blisters. The blisters cause pain and discomfort. Conversely, a large-sized shoe is also uncomfortable and does not provide support, plus it slows down movement. Conversely, a good fit has spacious toe space, provides arch support, and has a strong grip.
2. Comfort
If you spend more hours standing and walking in the kitchen, you then need to consider comfort. Also, since these many hours will be spent on your feet, having a quality kitchen or chef shoes means having a comfortable pair of shoes that ease movement.
Otherwise, when comfort is compromised, you can easily be distracted from your main focus. As a result, you can get tired fast and be at risk of making mistakes in the kitchen. Hence, safety and comfort should always go hand in hand when thinking of a kitchen work shoe.
3. Design
The design also matters when it comes to proper footwear. Again, the design choice depends on the kitchen environment or the work in question. For example, if you prefer to feel compact and supported, lace-up shoe models would be best for you. Conversely, if you prefer something easy to wear and take off, slip-ons are the best options.
4. Breathability
Breathability is a crucial factor since a kitchen environment is usually hot, and sweat accumulation is normal. A good kitchen shoe, therefore, should be breathable to allow for any moisture to evaporate freely. In addition, sweaty footwear is usually uncomfortable and causes a bad odor. Therefore it worth investing in a breathable shoe, especially if you work long hours.
5. Ease of cleaning
When looking for the best kitchen shoes, we recommend you look for easy to clean-up. This shoe is often covered in oil, dirt, and grease from spills build-up from the kitchen. Since you might be working long hours, the shoe should also be easy to dry for use the next day.
6. Non-slip Outsole
When shopping for a chef's shoe, ensure it is slip-resistant. Kitchens have greasy floors that can cause accidents and slips. Outsoles are usually made from rubber and leather materials to make slip-resistant shoes since they are oil-resistant and non-slip. The outsole should also have shock absorption capability. This feature makes movement easier.
Testing standards such as ASTM have been put in place to ensure that you can wear shoes with the right traction as a chef. Dirt from spills and grime build-up on the shoes' outsole might affect the traction of the footwear. Therefore, cleaning the footwear often can highly help reduce the grime.
7. Upper
It would be best to consider spillproof chef shoes since hot liquids are very common in the kitchen and can easily spill and cause injuries and accidents. We recommend you look for footwear with a leather or synthetic upper to achieve this resistance. Also, the upper should be water-resistant to ensure no water or liquids get inside the shoe. Additionally, it helps keep your feet comfortable and dry.
8. Protection
The right kitchen shoes should offer protection from injuries. Besides having a slip-resistant outsole, the uppers of your shoe should be hard enough to protect you against injuries caused by sharp or heavy objects falling on your feet. Also, the shoe should protect you from water; there is nothing more unattractive than wearing water-soaked footwear. Therefore, it is important to purchase a shoe that will protect you from water, preferably water-resistant ones.
9. Durability
If you spend most of your time on your feet, your footwear might wear off fast. Therefore look for long-lasting shoes. Good quality chef shoes should be made of materials that last long, like leather and rubber. Conversely, since durability varies from person to person, we recommend replacing the footwear whenever the outsole wears off. By doing this, your feet will remain safe and comfortable. Moreover, it will reduce the risks of fall accidents and slip due to a worn-out outsole.
Frequently Asked Question on the Best Kitchen & Chef Shoes
1. Are crocs good chef shoes?
Most chefs prefer to wear crocs in the kitchen since they offer comfort. In addition, crocs are usually designed to reduce the stress of a long working day by relieving pressure on your foot. Therefore, in kitchen and restaurant environments, crocs are considered one of the best chef footwear.
2. What type of footwear should I wear in the kitchen?
It depends on your preference; most chefs prefer wearing the clogs over the laced-up shoes since there is no chance of your pair of footwear getting untied serving food in a restaurant. Nonetheless, lace-up shoes are known to offer extra grip in a busy restaurant kitchen
3. What is the durability of chef shoes?
Chef shoes can last up to twelve months when worn daily. Nonetheless, some factors like the material used to the upper sole and outsole determine the shoe's durability. For example, leather uppers usually last longer than synthetic uppers.
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