Best Non-Slip Shoes for Cooks and Chefs - Chef's Pencil (2024)

Whether a stay-at-home cook, a private chef, or an industry guru, it is a fact, we all need proper equipment to complete the job. Without the right sized pan we cannot make a delicious frittata and forget making 100 cakes without an industrial oven. Proper equipment matters.

We are here to give you some industry insight, tips, and brands on a tool that every chef/cook needs to be a success. It is reliable against chemical spills, protects against the blow of that weighty 4-inch pan of bechamel from last night, and even makes standing for 15 hours a breeze. What is this essential tool? Why, of course, its shoes!

Yes, you read that right, shoes. The non-slip, firm gripped, arch supporting best friend of every chef. While shoes may seem an afterthought for most, they are extremely valuable to the endurance, safety, and stamina of a chef/cook.

So how do we know which shoes to choose? Well, here are some factors to consider when choosing the best pair for you.

Fit (corns are no fun)

Let’s face it, chefs work on their feet for many hours so having a well-fitting shoe is high on the priority list. Many brands boast that their product fit every size. Very few brands we looked at were able to show off a custom-made size 15 shoe.

Mozo, however, is one such brand that truly “fits” the bill, and they allow free movement of toes, another important point. Corns and bunions are no fun, no matter what profession you are in. While polyester is breathable, it chafes just as much as rayon. Therefore, also consider the material the shoe is made of.

Comfort (working on the railroad)

We all know the song and it rings true. Chefs work “all the live-long day”.

As chefs/cooks are on their feet for extended periods (8 hours on average), it is imperative that you wear a comfortable pair. Also, lifting a 50lb bag of flour is taxing when focussing on how your shoe is too narrow for your feet.

Having one flop off while carrying a hot pot of soup could be cause for disaster. Footwear should provide seamless comfort, allowing focus to remain where it’s required – on preparing delicious meals.

Safety (All accounted for)

Kitchen safety is something chefs take very seriously. From food preparation to knife skills, safety is imbedded into the day to day routine.

The same principle should be applied to our feet. Pans drop, sauces splatter, wet-floor signs go unnoticed, and your best friend (your knife) can turn out to be your worst enemy some days. While accidents do occur, shoes that limit risk are imperative.

Steel toed shoes are popular among industry chefs for this reason. Though a home cook or a private chef may not be as inclined to this type of shoe technology, it is still a weight off the mind to know your feet are safe.

Nothing beats the functionality of having all 10 toes.

Chef Andrew Smith

Support (My aching back….and feet)

The right pair of shoes allows for great spine alignment and the minimization of spinal injuries (back pain). An incorrect fit can lead the cook/chef to developing issues linked to poor foot arching and placement whilst standing, carrying weighty objects, or walking for extended periods. Brands like Dr. Scholl’s and Dr. Martens tend to have the right prescription to prevent and even remedy this.

Durability (In it for the long haul)

No one enjoys wasting their hard-earned money on a product that breaks or wears easily. $100 per month is a pretty penny to spend just on footwear, no matter the occasion. So, since the average person will spend approximately $50 on shoes every quarter, it needs to be an informed decision.

Having your sole rip off in the middle of a 1,000 guest, plated dinner is not good one month into your purchase. Brands like Chefskillshk and Birkenstock are known for their durability in the workplace.

Budget ($$$$)

Not all budgets are made equal. There are many statistics as to what chefs/cooks earn. On average, chefs make $50,000 annually, and cooks roughly half of that, with higher paid chefs geared toward specific niches (Nursing Homes, Private Chefs etc).

No matter what your income, there is a shoe for you. Whether you are fresh out of college, or have spent a decade in the biz, sometimes your budget dictates the other criteria on this list. What’s important to remember is that only you know what you truly need: do what is in your best interest.

Just note that you don’t want to have a bad back at 35 because of poor decisions at 22.

Style (I want one in every color)

While industry chefs/cooks usually wear a standard (depending on their employer) black shoe, style is a factor that should not be ignored. While you may not get the option of color (like a private chef or home cook would), style gives chefs/cooks freedom to express themselves and be comfortable on the job.

Whether you have “cherry bombs” on your chef pants, palm trees on your clogs, or simply have a steel toed boot, style lends an heir of “this is me” to the workplace.

After all, style is the difference between “eew” and “ooh”. Brands like Lily, Mozo, and Crocs have some cool, funky designed products that we’re confident you’d enjoy browsing.

1. Birkenstock

Voted as the most popular kitchen shoe brand, Birkenstock is undeniably a great choice for professional kitchen footwear. It’s not cheap, though.

• Budget: $$$$
• Pros: Comfort, Safety, Support, Durability, Budget, Fit
• Cons: Budget

What Chefs Say About BirkenStocks

Chef – Birkenstock’s are the best shoes. Just keep in mind that during the first week of wearing them your feet will scream. For me the Birkenstock’s are my champions. I’ve had to change them twice in the past ten years. Just swap out the inserts and they are good as new.

Chef Oskars Kastolaizin

Birkenstock Boston clog is my favorite. That’s what I always wear. Comfiest shoe on the market as it moulds to the shape of your feet with the cork bedding. And is proven to help posture and your back alignment.

Shane Whittaker

Dr. Scholl’s

• Budget: $$$
• Pros: Support, Comfort, Safety, Budget, Fit
• Cons: Durability, Style

With Dr. Scholl’s, I spent about $60 and I got a year out of them.

Marc

Dansko

• $$ SR rating: 4
• Pros: Style, Fit, Budget
• Cons: Comfort, Support, Durability, Safety

I loved my Dansko clogs, but they aren’t for everyone. some people don’t like the arch support, others think they are too heavy. I love mine. I’ll be buying another pair soon.

Mellie

Vangelo

$ SR rating: 3
Pros: Support, Comfort, Budget, Safety
Cons: Durability, Fit, Style

I work in a kitchen in Vegas. Shoes came after work so wore them around to break them in. I’m a big guy and while I typically wear 15, I ordered size 16. The shoes are surprisingly comfortable and have room for my toes. They are light and fit securely around the ankles, so they don’t fall off. They clean off easily, just some water and a towel are required. The grip is also very sturdy.

Eric

New Balance

• $$ SR rating: 4
• Pros: Durability, Fit, Safety, Budget, Style
• Cons: Comfort, Support

I’m a fan of New Balance running shoes and thought these shoes would be perfect – they’re ok. I’ve had them for several months and they have held up well: the sole grips the floor well, no splits, separated soles, etc. The problems I’ve had with the shoe are they don’t breathe so my feet sweat, and the shoes feel flat with no arch support. I started having pain issues on the heal of my right foot after wearing these for several months. I swapped out the insoles and that mitigated the pain for two days and then the pain returned.

Danielle

Lila

• $SR rating :4
• Pros: Style, Durability, Comfort, Budget, Safety
• Cons: Fit, Support

Well made. Cute. Just didn’t fit my foot correctly.

Kat

Dewalt

• $$SR rating
• Pros: Comfort, Durability, Fit, Safety, Budget
• Cons: Style, Support

I originally bought these because I had been buying “shoesforcrews” sneakers/shoes for a few years, and they would always fall apart. Working in a kitchen, shoes are constantly getting wet. The soles would typically come off long before the shoe was actually worn away. I bought these boots because I figured they could take a little more beating. They outlasted every other pair of shoes/sneakers I’ve gotten over the last 6 years. I am currently purchasing a 2nd pair. The boots have flexibility, and don’t have too much arch support. I feel fine being on my feet all day.

John

Sketchers

• $ SR rating: 4
• Pros: Budget, Support, Safety, Comfort
• Cons: Durability, Fit, Style

A nice kitchen work shoe but fit runs small. Get the next size up so you can wear socks.

April

ACE

• $SR rating:3
• Pros: Budget, Safety, Fit, Durability
• Cons: Style, Comfort, Support

The shoes fit great and are high quality. They do need better arch support. Everything else is nice.

Howie

Crocs

One of the most beloved shoes brands, Crocs are also a favorite among cooks and chefs. Make sure to buy a pair with arch support, as some crocs may be bad for your feet.

• $ SR rating: 4
• Pros: Comfort, Support, Durability, Budget, Safety
• Cons: Style, Fit

Comfortable, I got 2 pairs and rotate them weekly. Non slip is the best I have ever used, and I have used a couple of brands. Crocs are ant-slip, oil resistant, and light weight, comfortable even if you work 15hrs in the kitchen.

Phil

Mozo

• $$ SR rating: 4
• Pros: Comfort, Support, Safety, Durability, Style, Fit
• Cons: Budget (depending on shoe size)

These are great professional kitchen shoes. They have a fantastic non slip base, and the air holes on each side are great for the long days to stop sore or sweaty feet. The rubber material seems durable; however, it does wrinkle quite quickly.The sole of the shoe is probably the best I’ve come across. They last quite a few months before showing wear and tear or beginning to get uncomfortable.The fit is exactly as advertised.

Connor

Fila

• $ SR rating: 4
• Pros: Comfort, Safety, Support, Durability, Budget, Fit
• Cons: Style

My wife needed a shoe like this for her job in an industrial-sized kitchen at a college. She said they are super comfortable and meet all kitchen staff regulations.

Ray for Lisa

Tredsafe

• $ SR rating :3
• Pros: Budget, Fit
• Cons: Durability, Support, Style, Comfort, Safety

I had to use these my first year in industry (fresh out of college). Within the first month the soles ripped apart. The slip-resistance was also lacking, it was like skating on ice. I had to tough it out for almost 6 months. Upgrading to Vangelo was the best decision I ever made.

Shannon

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