The Best Kitchen Shoes | Non-Slip Footwear for Chefs

No-slip oil-resistant shoes are a must when working in the kitchen due to the oily and watery slippery floors. Kitchen shoes come in all types and styles, and you may assume that many are slip-resistant. This assumption is time and again wrong and contributes to many slip-and-fall injuries.

You have to evaluate the features (sole material, tread pattern, and wear performance) of the outsole for its slip-resistant qualities. In my top 9 selections, I have considered all the important features you would want the best kitchen shoes to have. This includes slip and oil-resistance, superior support, cushiony comfort, and long-lasting durability.

The Best Kitchen Shoes Are:

Product	Details
1. Crocs Bistro Graphic Clog Shoe	Top Pick	Slip-resistant tread Contoured footbed Fully molded design Enclosed toe design Variety of colors/ patterns	Check Current Price
2. Klogs Footwear Zest Chef Clog Shoe		Autoclavable up to 140 degrees Contoured footbed and outsole Microfiber footbed Slip-resistant outsole Molded construction	Check Current Price
3. Skechers for Work Men’s Flex Advantage Mcallen Shoe		Slip-resistant traction outsole Durable, smooth synthetic upper Slip-on sporty style Electric hazard safe design Memory foam comfort insole	Check Current Price
4. Birkenstock Professional Boston Clog		Natural leather upper An anatomically shaped cork-latex footbed Non-slip rubber and EVA sole Suede footbed lining Single strap with an adjustable metal pin buckle	Check Current Price
5. Skechers Women’s Ghenter Bronaugh Work Shoe		One-piece sporty mesh fabric upper Slip-resistant rubber traction outsole Air-cooled memory foam insole Smooth synthetic overlay Electric hazard safe construction	Check Current Price
6. Avia Women’s Avi-Union Strap II Food Service Shoe		Synthetic leather upper Compression-molded EVA midsole A soft gel heel unit Cantilever for cushioning Oil and slip-resistant outsole	Check Current Price
7. Shoes for Crews Men’s Freestyle II Food Service Sneaker		Innovative low-profile design Water-resistant upper Slip-resistant outsole Padded collar and cushioned insole Traditional lace-up closure	Check Current Price
8. Skechers Women’s Squad-Sr Food Service Shoe		Knit mesh fabric upper Slip-resistant rubber traction Shock absorbing midsole Memory foam comfort insole Electric hazard safe design	Check Current Price
9. Birkenstock Women’s London Shoe		Premium leather upper Foundational footbed Neutral heel profile Contoured cork footbed Adjustable buckle	Check Current Price

1. Crocs Bistro Graphic Clog Shoe – Best Non-Slip Shoes for Kitchen Jons

Avoid the leading cause of kitchen falls and injuries with these best shoes for kitchen work from Crocs. It’s the most slip-resistant shoe in the market.

This incredible shoe from Crocs features a fully molded design, which is great because it offers excellent support and better mobility for food service. It’s built to keep your foot feeling comfortable throughout the shift. This design also provides you with a steady stride when moving around the kitchen.

The shoe is constructed from thermotic EVA, which is durable and very lightweight. The enclosed toe box is roomy and comfortable and it’s accompanied by a thicker metatarsal area for protecting your foot from spills.

There’s plenty of padding throughout the contoured footbed for superior comfort. The most impressive part of this shoe is the outsole, which features Crocs-Lock slip-resistant tread that will keep your stable on those slippery floors. My main disappointment with this shoe is the lack of perforation on the upper. This could make the shoe more breathable.

Verdict

It lacks perforations, yes, but this shoe is extremely slip-resistant and comfy.

Overall Rating – 4.6

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2. Klogs Footwear Zest Chef Clog Shoe – Best Autoclavable Shoes

Are you a cook working long hours in the kitchen? The Klogs Footwear Zest is what you should be looking for. It’s the perfect shoe for all-day kitchen work.

The shoe is crafted with a polyurethane leather upper, which is great because this material is soft, supple, lightweight, waterproof, and can easily be dry cleaned. It does not fade or crack when exposed to sunlight. The molded construction offers exceptional fit and comfort, making it ideal for standing all day. The metatarsal area is raised for directing spills downwards.

The collar of this shoe is slightly padded to improve fit and comfort. Inside, you’ve got a microfiber footbed that provides superior cushioning, arch support, and all-day comfort. The footbed is also lightweight, antimicrobial, and odor-resistant.

The shoe has a great slip-resistant outsole that will give you good gripping and traction on kitchen floors. The sole is also non-marking, so it won’t leave marks on your floors. But here is the thing, polyurethane rubber tends to tear more easily.

Verdict

The shoe is perfect for standing on your feet all day when working in the kitchen. But make sure you get a size that doesn’t run small.

Overall Rating – 4.6

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3. Skechers for Work Men’s Flex Advantage Mcallen Shoe – Most Sporty Style

Get all-day comfort in the kitchen and a cool sporty style for outdoor strolls with this incredible shoe from Skechers.

This great-looking shoe features a synthetic and textile upper, which is durable and stain-resistant. It has reinforced stitched seams and overlays accents to provide structure and shape to the shoe. The shoe has goring in front for added flexibility and to make sure you have a customized fit. The upper design is also electric-hazard safe.

You’ve got a fabric lining on the inside with a cushioned insole that’s going to make your foot feel great all day long in the kitchen. The padded collar improves fit and comfort. I appreciate the dual side elastic fabric panels on the shoe because they allow for an easy slip-on fit.

It has a super shock-absorbing FlexSole midsole that’s lightweight, flexible, and comfortable. Another good feature is the durable slip-resistant rubber outsole for superior traction. But the cushioning at the heel may wear out faster than usual and it’s possible to experience inconsistent quality control from one shoe to another.

Verdict

The sporty style of the shoe is awesome and so is its cushioning, support, and slip-resistance for all-day standing in the kitchen.

Overall Rating – 4.5

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4. Birkenstock Professional Boston Clog – Best Unisex Model

If you are looking for a veritable classic kitchen shoe that offers superior comfort and support, look no further than the Birkenstock Professional Boston Clog.

This clog has a fairly stiff flex right out of the box, but once you break in the shoe it’s going to contour to your natural foot shape.

The upper is made out of a natural style leather, which is great because it has a fairly thick cut to it and it hugs your foot for a sock-like fit. The toe and the metatarsal areas of the shoe are roomy to improve balance and comfort. You’ve got a single strap with an adjustable metal pin buckle for a customized fit.

Most of the padding and comfort of this clog comes from the cork-latex footbed that’s anatomically shaped. The outsole is durable and non-slip. This clog; however, is a little bit stiff and the leather upper may crack when dry.

Verdict

This unique clog has a very simple low-profile design, but the footbed is designed to contour with your foot for maximum support and comfort.

Overall Rating – 4.5

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5. Skechers Women’s Ghenter Bronaugh Work Shoe – Best Kitchen Shoes for Women

The Ghenter Bronaugh is an incredible shoe for women working in the kitchen all day. The shoe is sporty as it’s supportive, comfortable, and steady on slippery floors.

The Ghenter Bronaugh features a nearly one-piece sporty mesh upper that’s stain and water-resistant. The lace area is reinforced with smooth synthetic overlays for added durability. The textured air mesh has a grid underlay for added support. The tongue and collar are slightly padded to the comfort.

The inside features a relaxed fit design, which is great because it’s roomier and very comfortable to wear for long hours. The air-cooled memory foam insole offers the ideal arch support and comfort.

The slip-resistant rubber traction outsole keeps you stable on all types of kitchen floors. Another good feature is the pull tab on the heel counter for easy put-on. But the thing is, the quality control of this shoe seems to be inconsistent from one model to another.

Verdict

Ladies! This is a shoe that will give you all the support, comfort, and slip-resistance you need in the kitchen.

Overall Rating – 4.5

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6. Avia Women’s Avi-Union Strap II Food Service Shoe – Best Value Model

This is a great shoe for ladies who want to strengthen their footing when working in wet or slippery kitchen environments.

This unique shoe from Avia has a mesh and synthetic leather upper that is covered by Scotchguard for stain and water resistance. It has two hook-and-loop Velcro straps, which is great because they allow for quick put-on and take-off without the inconvenience of laces. The collar is lightly cushioned to improve fit and comfort. You’ve also got a few perforations to improve breathability.

There’s plenty of comfort on the inside. It has a very soft fabric lining that’s going to feel great next to your foot. You have an EVA midsole and a removable sock liner for extra cushioning and superior energy return. The one thing that I can complain about this shoe is the fact that it tends to run large.

Verdict

This shoe has it all in terms of comfort, support, and slip-resistance, but make sure you get a size that doesn’t run large.

Overall Rating – 4.5

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7. Shoes for Crews Men’s Freestyle II Food Service Sneaker – Best Kitchen Sneakers for Men

Get the all-day support and comfort you crave for when working in the kitchen with this incredible sneaker from Shoes for Crews.

The shoe has a durable leather upper with a lace-up closure for a secure fit. The upper is treated to repel water and accidental spills. There’s an innovative lace garage for securing the lace. The collar and tongue have a touch of padding to improve fit and comfort.

The toe box is spacious to allow you toes to stretch freely when working long shifts in the kitchen. On the inside, there’s a breathable textile lining for a great next-to-skin feel. There’s a cushioned footbed that’s removable so you can add your custom orthotics.

Down at the bottom, there’s a non-marking oil and slip-resistant outsole. What seems a little bit off about this shoe is the footbed it comes with, which some people may not find to be most supportive.

Verdict

This shoe’s slip-resistance is unmatched, which is what you need in the kitchen. But you may have to settle for custom orthotics for superior comfort.

Overall Rating – 4.4

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8. Skechers Women’s Squad-Sr Food Service Shoe – Best Kitchen Sneaker for Women

Do you want to avoid the dangers of wet and slippery floors of the kitchen? Get yourself a pair of this incredible shoe from Skechers.

Squad-Sr has a knit mesh upper, which is great because it stretches easily to give you a sock-like fit with no break-in period. The knit upper is also lightweight, smooth, and breathable. The shoe has synthetic overlays at the laces, heel, and toe for added durability. Another good thing on the upper is the stretch laced front panel that allows for an easy slip-on fit.

The shoe comes with a comfy insole made from memory foam for superior cushioning and support. The padded midsole is lightweight and highly shock absorbing. The rubber traction outsole offers unmatched slip-resistance. My main concern is the insole, which is not removable. This makes it harder to use custom inserts or orthotics.

Verdict

This shoe offers reliable comfort and protection, especially when working in slippery kitchen environments.

Overall Rating – 4.3

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9. Birkenstock Women’s London Shoe – Best Model for Most Foot Types

It doesn’t matter what your foot type is because this shoe is designed to mold to your foot for maximum support and comfort.

This shoe is available in a bunch of different colors and materials. The one I have here has a premium leather upper for durability and a sock-like fit. It has cutouts on the top near the vamp to give you superior breathability. There’s an adjustable buckle with a strap going through the tongue to give you that customized fit. The metatarsal area is slightly raised to repel spills.

On the interior, you have the contoured anatomically correct footbed made of cork. This footbed won’t just contour to your foot, but will also offer all-day support and comfort in the kitchen. But here is the thing, Birkenstock doesn’t make half sizes for this shoe and the shoe might run large for some women.

Verdict

For reliable support, comfort, and stability on slippery floors, get a pair of Birkenstock London.

Overall Rating – 4.3

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How To Pick The Best Chef Shoes

You will never be able to elude slip and fall accidents when working in the kitchen if you don’t get yourself a pair of the best kitchen shoes. I have compiled the following list of things to look for to make your search easier.

Popular Types Of Shoes For Working In The Kitchen

While certain shoe types are specifically designed for kitchen footwear, there are still other shoe types that can be used in the kitchen. Here are the various types that you can consider.

Clogs

These are very interesting and unique shoe types. Traditionally, they used to be made of wood. But nowadays you will come across plastic and molded clogs. These shoes can be closed or backless. The best chef shoes are usually clogs of some kind.

The modern-day kitchen clogs are designed to contour to your feet for maximum support and comfort. But what’s most impressive is their slip and oil-resistant outsole, which is usually incredible.

Mule Shoes

Mules, although sometimes called slippers, are backless shoes that can be worn indoors or outdoors. You can easily confuse them with clogs, considering the shape of the upper and toe box. Unlike most backless clogs, mules don’t necessarily need to have a strapping system (even though some do).

Sneakers

These are the go-to shoes for most people around the globe. Whether they are for kitchen or hospital footwear, workout, gym, walking, and running among other things. They are among the most stylish footwear in the industry. These shoes; however, come in different sole designs. So, you have to choose sneakers that are not only designed for flat surfaces but are also slip and oil-resistant.

Oxford Shoes

These are the most popular shoes for men’s official outfit. Not all oxford shoes are slip-resistant, but there are a few that are. These shoes normally offer a good amount of support and comfort, thanks to their padded footbeds and supportive heel counter. But they may probably be your last choice when looking for the best chef shoes.

Outsole Materials and Tread Patterns

Sole Materials

The material of the outsole of a kitchen shoe is a major factor in its performance as slip and oil-resistant. As a general rule, softer compounds are more slip-resistant compared to harder materials. Most outsoles are made from a combination of compounds, including natural or synthetic rubbers, vinyl plastics, and EVA.

Generally, rubber outsoles provide superior slip and oil-resistance compared to PVC outsoles. Although PVC soles wear longer than rubber soles. Rubber outsoles tend to conform better to a floor’s natural texture compared to PVC.

Tread Patterns

Tread patterns can significantly affect slip and oil-resistance. The main factors that affect tread patterns are the impact of wear, contact area, contaminant runoff, and directionality.

When choosing the best kitchen shoes avoid models that have tread patterns running in the direction of travel. This is so since they tend to encourage rather than discourage forward motion. The best chef shoes should have perpendicular or random tread patterns to the direction of travel for the best slip and oil-resistance performance.

Avoid tread patterns that produce enclosed areas because they tend to trap and collect water and other liquid contaminants. If the liquid has no flow pat, it will be squeezed and not able to disperse. This will lead to hydroplaning, which can lead to serious slip and fall accidents on slippery kitchen floors.

The contact area refers to the portion of the shoe that comes in contact with the kitchen floors when you are walking. The larger the contact area the higher the slip and oil-resistant. But large unpatterned areas don’t allow for water and liquid flow.

For better traction, choose an outsole that has small incisions that divide the tread pattern into several movable parts. This unique tread pattern channels more water and liquid to the outer parts of the sole, increasing slip and oil-resistance.

Support and Comfort

Apart from slip and oil-resistance, you need kitchen shoes that will offer you the ideal support and comfort. The footbed is supposed to provide you with the ideal support and comfort. The shoes you choose should have footbeds that are more stable and impact-resistant or shock-absorbing.

You don’t need to have foot problems to benefit from comfortable footbeds. High-quality footbeds help prevent more than one problem before it starts. The best footbed is one that contours to the shape of your foot for maximum support and comfort during long shifts.

Fit and Size

Kitchen shoes are supposed to fit snugly and not tightly because an improper fit can lead to a slip and fall accident. It’s only you who will know when the fit is proper. Here are a few things you need to take into account. Choose a shoe that has a wide toe box.

This will provide your toes with enough room to wiggle for improved balance and comfort. You may also want to make sure that the metatarsal area isn’t too tight or too wide, especially when choosing clogs. The space in between your heel and the heel counter should be small enough to provide stability.

I always prefer to measure my foot size annually because foot sizes tend to change, especially with age. There is always a possibility that one of your feet is slightly larger than the other. So, make sure the shoe size fits your larger foot.

The ball of your foot must fit properly into the widest part of the shoe. Don’t expect a given shoe to stretch to fit your foot.  If it doesn’t fit initially, it will not fit later. So, judge the shoes you want to buy by fit and not by the labeled size because sizes tend to vary by style and brand. Always go for a shoe that conforms to the shape of your foot.

Final Thoughts

The winner of this roundup is Crocs Bistro Graphic Clog Shoe. What makes this shoe stand out is its hard-wearing upper that prevents injury from falling objects and knives and its slip-resistant outsole that provides you with unmatched stability on slippery floors.

The clog design is the preferred footwear of countless chefs because of its seemingly endless benefits. This clog is shaped so that the enclosed foot experiences a slight gradation to the toe to improve your standing posture throughout your shift or time in the kitchen. Not forgetting that it offers a universal fit because of the footbed contouring to the shape of your foot.