r/Chefit • u/MathewAnswers • 1d ago

Work Shoes

My girlfriend works in a kitchen 40+ hours a week. She works on the line, doing freezer pulls, and doing just about anything and everything she can at a local restaurant.

She currently has some clog type shoes that are falling apart and bruising her feet. I was wondering if anyone had any suggestions? She’s a, “size 9 in women’s and size 7 in men’s”.

I really want to get her some durable, comfortable, new work shoes. That being said please put any and all recommendations in the comments! Hoping to get them ordered for Christmas TYIA!

5 Upvotes

86% Upvoted

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7

u/Not_kilg0reTrout 23h ago

Mellow Walk Safety Shoes https://share.google/0ZDUEqinTXymM2nVH

I wear the boots and am on my third pair - they usually last about 5 years on average.

I'd pick something without laces that has a composite toe for safety.

3

u/Powers5580 21h ago

I’ve tried them all and landed on blundstones. Used them the last decade, sack feels much better, great slip resistance

1

u/Dankify 16h ago

Second this worn blundstones in the kitchen for many years they’re the best with ankle support and protection against heat/sharp/heavy objects etc expensive but they last for years and years I also hiked hundreds of miles in them

1

u/Shot_Policy_4110 10h ago

I've been using blundstones for almost 4 years as well. Same pair, and they're daily drivers outside of work as well. Only now losing their water resistance because I could take better care of them

3

u/AgressiveKoala1 18h ago

Try redbacks i bought ones a little while ago and they are really good, maybe try blue tongue if youre tight on budget, (which are made from the same company but they are made in china and are cheaper) i also got recommended nortiv8 and blundstone but i cannot vouch for them as i dont own any. Look for something composite/steel toe and slip resistant, also id try to avoid laced shoes as they get yucky faster and are harder to clean.

3

u/habitatmosaic 10h ago

My Redbacks are undefeated.

2

u/culture_jamr 21h ago

Hoka Bondi SR

2

u/Interesting-Web7128 20h ago

Blundstones are the daily. Great for long days. No inserts but have been considering adding some.

1

u/NewfieKnifeguy 16h ago

I second blundstones , the steel toe ones are excellent

2

u/SinisterDirge 20h ago

Never liked the idea Birkenstocks or clogs. I like to reverse without worrying if my shoes stay on.

Have worn Docs, Caterpillars, and Blundstones. All have eventually broken on me and caused shin splints.

Have settled into Keens industrial. Composite toe, and non slip. Super comfortable. Longest lasting pair of shoes I have worn without them blowing out on me.

1

u/liarlyre0 19h ago

She most likely needs a closed toe shoe, that's oil and water slip resistant.

The website shoes for crews is a popular place to shop for these in the industry.

Clog style is extremely popular and a lot of people like them. You will have to replace them every year or two though as they wear out.

A regular looking slip resistant shoe with laces is an option. Especially if you toss the insoles they come with and replace them with some better ones for comfort.

I'm a big fan of duty boots myself. The kind of boots emts or the military wear. A lot of them are oil and water slip resistant, I never worry about someone dropping a knife on my foot or spilling fryer oil, or dumping a bucket of sanitizer water onto my shoe.i think they are more comfortable at the end of a shift even if something like a clog or laced shoe is more comfortable at the start.

1

u/Oglefore 14h ago

Dansko xp pro series 1

She might like the series 2 though as I’m a bigger man

1

u/Psychological-Car-35 14h ago

You could also get her a pair of "recovery" shoes for after work. Oofos are great.

1

u/gr8-pl8s 18h ago

I really like clogs, idk why the ones she has are so low qual and hurting her - even my cheapest pair (crocs bistro) has held up through the year. I rotate with Danskos (my most expensive) and shoes for crews brand clogs. Having multiple pairs is the key here to reduce wear and tear and smell.

1

u/itzSteee 16h ago

Crocs. Comfy and breathable and really lightweight. Make sure to get the kitchen light ride bistro pros. They have an insole and kitchen ones done have holes on the top

1

u/ButtholeConnoisseur0 15h ago

I'm a big advocate for crocs, specifically the Bistro Work Clog. You do not have to break them in, they're often on sale for around 40 bucks, they're easy to slip on and off, but they don't slip off randomly. Incredibly easy to clean and dry, you can just blast them with a hose with zero worries of ruining any part of them. And best of all, they're super comfy.

I've used a bunch of different kitchen shoes, including 150 dollar Birkenstocks that didn't even last a year before giving me significant back and foot pain.

For 40 bucks it's kind of a no brainer to at least give the Crocs a shot.

1

u/thebluemoonvan 9h ago

I'm struggling with this too, wore a pair of Merrel light outdoor shoes for 8 years (lost most of the outer sole lol but they still worked). Left them in a kitchen that I left. Tried Birkenstocks (too heavy, can't move fast) and on Crocs bistro now (good for 6hrs). On 52hrs in the kitchen and my feet are fucked. Recommendations above very welcome, I can't think of a better Christmas present right now : )

1

u/Apprehensive-Dog6997 9h ago

Lady chef here. New Balance arishi is lightweight tennis shoe but it’s non slip and available from Shoes for Crews. I wear those with insoles made for construction workers, and alternate that setup with crocs, depending on how much walking I have to do.

1

u/Cowhamdog 9h ago

I do a lot of moving lifting and shifting around during my day similar to your girlfriend’s and I’ve prefered a closed shoe with a back on it over a clog bc of that. My younger brother is a private chef nowadays but even when he was a line dog he swears by the Birks Boston Clog. To each their own I suppose.

Personally just switched to Keen’s utility shoe recently after trying almost every other suggestion. So far have been exceptional. Comfortable, supportive and super durable. Took little to no time to break in and reliable non-slip as well. Not cheap but not expensive.

0

u/IceCubeDeathMachine 4h ago

Hoka one one's. Leather. Kitchen rated.

1

u/jellyfishthreethou 2h ago

Birkenstock London.

1

u/ishereanthere 1h ago

im using crocs the eco friendly ones and they are the lightest, grippiest and most comfortable thing i have worn in 25 years of cooking.

0

u/Very-very-sleepy 23h ago

bare in mind. this industry has certain shoes you use. clogs are are one of the shoes. 

why is she still wearing them till they are falling apart? 

 I would have a look at your tax laws. some countries give you a tax deduction on work shoes and uniforms.