Anyone who’s worked in professional kitchens knows it’s hard as hell on your body, particularly your feet.
It’s not just the insanely long hours of standing — although that’s definitely a source of blisters and foot pain — but your feet are constantly in harm’s way in a kitchen, with slippery floors, hot liquids, and sharp objects at every turn.
That’s why proper kitchen footwear isn’t just essential for comfort, it can literally save your life (or at the very least, your toes).
Fortunately, these days a lot of shoe brands offer non-slip work shoes designed specifically for the comfort and safety of culinary professionals and restaurant workers.
To help you find the best pair of kitchen work shoes, we’ve rounded up over a dozen non-slip shoes for chefs that serve up the cushioning, support, and protection your feet need each and every shift.
Whether your shoe preference is a clog, laceless slip-on, or a running shoe, the perfect pair for you is on the menu.
Ready to dig in?
Then bon appetit!
(It’s a figure of speech, please don’t try to eat this post.)
The (Absolute) Best Chef Shoes
Breaking Down the Best Shoes for Kitchen Workers & Chefs
The Top 10 Best Kitchen Shoes ↓
Snibbs Spacecloud
Rating:
- 4.7 Stars
- 1,371 Reviews
Advantages:
Snibbs was co-founded by an orthopedic surgeon and a professional chef, so it’s no surprise that their Spacecloud Work Sneaker tops our list of best shoes for restaurant kitchen workers.
They’re non-slip and water-resistant, so you’ll stay safe and dry in the slippery conditions common in commercial kitchens — plus the slip-on design means there’s no laces to trip on.
Built for standing for long periods of time, their custom formulated cushioned insole makes pulling a double shift bearable (well, almost).
But what really sets them apart is that they’re sustainably made with nearly 100% recycled materials, so not only are they good for your feet, but they’re better for the planet, too.
The only catch is the cost, which is around $150, but if you want supportive shoes with maximum traction, they’re a good investment.
Promising Review:
These are the best shoes for the commercial kitchen! Your feet will thank you. So glad I found them.
– Cindy S.
Crocs Bistro Clog
Rating:
- 4.5 Stars
- 33,855 Reviews
Advantages:
If, like many chefs, you prefer clog-style shoes, the Crocs Bistro Clogs are a great option.
Boasting Crocs Lock Slip-Resistant Tread (the brand’s trademarked non-slip sole), as well as being waterproof and easy to clean, they’ve earned a reputation for being the industry’s favorite shoes.
Unlike the majority of the Crocs line, the Bistro has a durable, closed toe box to protect your feet from the drops and spills chefs routinely encounter in a busy kitchen environment.
Plus, their rubber-like material is both supportive and lightweight, which means less foot pain at the end of a long day.
And at such an affordable price point, you can get yourself a few pairs without blowing all of your hard-earned cash.
Promising Review:
Executive chef here, been rocking’ Croc bistros for the last five years after trying countless other shoes. I was resistant to trying these because “they ugly”, but hands down the best kitchen shoe around.
Affordable, comfortable, durable and great slip resistance. Great product I will continue rocking’ bistros for the rest of my career and beyond.
Skechers Cessnock SR
Rating:
- 4.5 Stars
- 25, 096 Reviews
Advantages:
Famous for making incredibly comfortable shoes, Skechers is one of the more popular choices of footwear among workers who spend a lot of time on their feet (so prepare to see a few of them on this list).
They even created a Skechers for Work line, which includes the Cessnock SR, designed specifically with restaurant industry workers in mind.
It features a slip-resistant outsole, memory foam insole, and knit mesh upper for breathability and a relaxed fit.
(However the mesh fabric isn’t water resistant, so you may want to treat them with a water-repellent seal.)
Additionally, it meets the industry standard of electrical hazard requirements, meaning you get added protection against electric shock should you happen to step on a live wire.
One downside is they don’t offer a ton of arch support, so flat-footed wearers may need an orthopaedic insert.
Promising Review:
Love these shoes. As a chef spending 10+ hours in my feet 6 days a week these shies are the best I have had in a long time…
Skechers Flex Advantage Mcallen SR
Rating:
- 4.5 Stars
- 16, 272 Reviews
Advantages:
Also from the Skechers for Work line, the Flex Advantage Mcallen (who names these things?) is similar to the style above but with a laceless slip-on design.
Otherwise, it features the same slip-resistant soles and electrical hazard protection, breathable mesh fabric, and a cushy memory foam insole for comfort and support.
They also feature elastic gores on the sides to help your foot easily slide in and out, but feel secure on your feet while you’re wearing them.
Promising Review:
My husband’s coworkers raved about these shoes so he ordered a pair. He swooned over them. After being an executive chef for over 30 years, when he swoons over work shoes it means something!!
I did the calculation to convert men’s to a woman’s size and he bought me a pair (I am a cook). Good Goddess, I love them!! And although nonslip is never 100% these are amazing in water and oil!
Skechers Nampa SR
Rating:
- 4.4 Stars
- 9, 217 Reviews
Advantages:
Last one on our list from Skechers (I promise), the Nampa SR sneaker-style work shoe delivers the comfort and safety you need for a long shift at the restaurant.
It has the same slip-resistant rubber outsole, memory foam, and electrical hazard protection as the Skechers models mentioned above, but with an easy-to-clean synthetic upper.
Plus, the versatile style means you can hit the grocery store before work without changing shoes.
One quick tip: The fit is relaxed but reportedly narrow, so take advantage of the half sizes or wide options.
Promising Review:
I’m a chef and on my feet all day. These shoes provide comfort and non-slip safety. They fit perfectly and the sizes shown are spot on.
Shoes for Crews Freestyle II
Rating:
- 4.3 Stars
- 9,354 Reviews
Advantages:
Safety footwear for the workplace is this company’s bread and butter, so you know they’re going to make a good pair of shoes for chefs and kitchen staff.
The Shoes for Crews Freestyle II has all the all day comfort of your favorite athletic shoe, but with the safety features of a slip-resistant work shoe:
It features their patented anti-slip sole design for superior traction and stability, as well as water-repellent uppers to keep you safe and dry on slippery floors.
And at around $50 a pair, it’s a winner winner chicken dinner.
Promising Review:
Heavy set dude working in the kitchen 15+ years. I’ve had many kitchen shoes.. cheap and expensive. These are the best and can’t beat the price. Comfy and work great. My first pair lasted about a year while being covered in grease, degreaser and other cleaning chemicals. Just ordered another 👍
Dansko XP 2.0 Clogs
Rating:
- 4.3 Stars
- 1,180 Reviews
Advantages:
Clogs have long been ubiquitous in the food service industry because they provide the balance, arch support, and protection that you’re looking for in a good pair of kitchen shoes.
(They’re popular among healthcare workers for these reasons as well.)
Dansko’s XP clogs take these benefits to the next level with a padded instep for comfort and shock absorption, an anti-fatigue rocker bottom, and of course, slip-resistant soles.
And unlike most of the shoes on our list that are made from synthetic materials, Dansko clogs have a water-resistant leather upper, so they’re not only incredibly comfortable, but durable to boot.
Promising Review:
These are the best fitting work shoes I have ever owned ! I am an Executive Chef with over 30 years of experience and these by far are the best work shoes I have ever owned.
– Jerri
Birkenstock Super Birki Clogs
Rating:
- 4.0 Stars
- 3,010 Reviews
Advantages:
A trusted name in the world of shoes for well over a century, Birkenstock’s Super Birki clog is considered by many to be the most comfortable chef shoes on the market.
It’s made from water- and grease-resistant polyurethane, which can be washed in water as hot as 60° celsius, so disinfecting them after a shift is a breeze.
You’re also getting a roomy toe box and Birkenstocks’ legendary anatomically shaped cork footbed, meaning they’re going to be supportive shoes (say goodbye to low back pain).
Plus, it has a removable insole so you can throw it in the washing machine at the end of the day to keep them from getting smelly.
Promising Review:
Very comfortable, light, nice price! They are as you see them in the photo and the delivery was on time. I recommend them to professional chefs.
– Amalia
Avia Avi-Flame
Rating:
- 4.2 Stars
- 1,264 Reviews
Advantages:
If you’re looking for a cheaper clog-style shoe, the Avia Avi-Flame is similar to the Super Birki, but costs around half the price.
Designed for chefs and restaurant industry workers, its safety features include oil- and slip-resistant technology, plus water-resistant uppers for easy clean-up.
As for comfort, these slip-on shoes boast an anatomical footbed and molded foam sock for hours of stability and support.
You just might have to break them in before you go to your next shift — a few reviewers mentioned they were initially very stiff.
Promising Review:
Very nice shoes, good quality, size can be in .5 variants, it’s .5” large other than that excellent . Already recommended to my Colleague and he is also using the same.
HOKA One One Clifton 8
Rating:
- 4.4 Stars
- 315 Reviews
Advantages:
With its responsive midsole and breathable materials, the HOKA Clifton 8 might just be the most comfortable pair of shoes you ever wear.
Their standout feature is the proprietary early stage meta rocker (i.e. the placement of the curved sole), which is designed to reduce the pressure on your foot as you land.
Not only do they offer great support, but the deep protective cushioning is great for people with plantar fasciitis and heel pain.
They even got the seal of approval from the American Podiatric Medical Association.
Promising Review:
Most comfortable shoes I’ve ever owned. I’m on my feet a lot and these are the best shoes I’ve had. Has definitely made my feet feel better.
The Best of the Rest ↓
We’ve already covered some of the best non slip chef shoes on the market, but they’re far from the only game in town.
Keep reading for five more good shoes for chefs!
Dr. Scholl’s Intrepid Slip-Resistant Sneaker
Rating:
- 4.1 Stars
- 923 Reviews
Promising Review:
I like the design of it and oils don’t soak through. I work in a kitchen and it also doesn’t slip. Also, if someone that’s like 200 pounds steps on your toes, it doesn’t hurt!
Merrell Jungle Moc Work Shoes
Rating:
- 4.5 Stars
- 254 Reviews
Promising Review:
I first purchased these shoes because my feet were killing me in the ones I had been wearing. I went from having my feet hurting every day at work to pain free almost immediately.
Working in food service, I am on my feet for practically my whole 10+ hour shift and these shoes are by far the most comfortable I have ever owned! They have great non-slip soles that keep me upright in my kitchen.
Sanita Professional Cabrio Clogs
Rating:
- 4.2 Stars
- 311 Reviews
Promising Review:
Spilt hot water, grease, food, ect on them. Non slip fit perfect. Lasting a long time, my last pair, a diffrent brand, lasted only 3 months. And most important they are comfortable, after 17+ hours on my feet they still feel great.
Kuru Kinetic 2.0
Rating:
- 4.6 Stars
- 780 Reviews
Promising Review:
These shoes are amazing. my feet hurt so much in any other shoes while I’m at work all day.
With me working 16 hours a day these are by far the best work shoes I bought.
– Justin H.
Keen PTC Slip-On II
Rating:
- 4.3 Stars
- 481 Reviews
Promising Review:
Best Chef shoe I have ever had. I have arthritis in my ankles and this shoe is very comfortable and takes a lot of abuse in the kitchen like a pro. I would suggest to any chef to buy this shoe!
Emeril Lagasse Men’s Cooper Pro
Rating:
- 3.8 Stars
- 1,891 Reviews
Promising Review:
Honestly, these are just all around great shoes for anyone working in any field, minus maybe heavy construction. They’re durable, they’re easy clean, they’re comfy, and for someone who’s flat footed like me, they’re not a pain on the non-existent arches.
The Recap ↓
Summary
For restaurant workers who spend long shifts on their feet, the Snibbs Spacecloud Work Sneakers are a life saver (or should we say, feet saver?).
More Resources ↓
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Kirstyn Brown
For over a decade, Kirstyn has been a prominent writer and editor in the health and wellness space, with work appearing in STRONG Fitness Magazine (of which she is co-founder and former Editor-in-Chief), Oxygen Magazine, Girls Gone Strong, and more.
But don’t let those years behind a desk fool you, she’s no stranger to the food service industry.
Kirstyn started washing dishes in her dad’s diner at the age of 13 (is that even legal?), then later worked several years as a bartender and server at various restaurants and catering gigs.
Needless to say, she knows a thing or two about working double shifts.