As a waitress, you have to put a lot of pressure on your body, especially your feet. They are what carry you around for the whole shift. From fetching what the customer needs to take orders, you have to make a lot of trips to and forth to various places in the restaurant.
There is not much that can help you in this matter, it’s your job. However, certain things can make the shift easier. And, one such thing is your shoes. It can support the part of your body that suffers the most in your job- your feet.
This is why choosing your work shoes is not easy. There are a number of special things you have to consider when choosing one. Furthermore, there are so many options available it just makes everything even harder.
Let us try and find the best shoes for waitressing through the buying guide and the reviews of the few bests. Because ‘the best is a very subjective matter.
Work Wonders by Dansko – Best dress shoe for waitressing
Want shoes that will never let your feet stink?
Then, these Dansko Work Wonders Women’s Coral shoes may be what you are looking for. It wins the Premium Place on our review list.
This pair comes with ample linings, even microbial ones to provide you with both comfort, protection, and an odour-free experience.
You will find these shoes very easy to put on and take off. Furthermore, it is usually very comfortable because of the lightweight EVA midsole. This midsole not only gives you a soft place to keep your feet on but also provides you with the necessary support and a shock-absorbing backup.
However, if you do not find the right fit for yourself then you won’t find the shoes fit very comfortably. It comes with round soft toes so you may feel that the shoe is a bit tight for you. And. As we know, the wrong size will make all the other features go to waste.
This pair has leather in the build and the top is very easy to clean. What you may have a bit of a concern with is the quality of the leather. With time, the leather may not last very well. Apart from all that, the shoe offers premium value for the money.
| Pros | Cons |
| Quite easy to put on | May not be very durable |
| Prevents bad odour build-up | Hard to find the perfect fit |
| Lightweight nature | Not the most comfortable |
| Comfortable midsole that absorbs shock | |
| Quite slip-resistant | |
| It offers premium value for the money | |
| Easy to clean |
Shoes For Crews Women’s Vitality – Best Sneakers for Waitressing
If your feet are not very wide then these Shoes for Crews Women’s Vitality II may be able to delight you. In fact, it kind of gives you the best of all worlds as long as you find the correct fit for yourself. What it provides you at the very first is a slip-resistant sole.
The traction in the outer sole is so great that you will never slip unless you deliberately are trying to do so. Furthermore, the shoes are fully water-resistant. So, pills and water on the floor will do neither your service shoe any harm nor your feet.
Apart from these safety features, these shoes have comfort features as well. Firstly, it is very lightweight. So, you won’t have to put extra energy in to carry your feet around.
Secondly, it has enough cushions inside to keep your feet in a soft bubble. Apart from that, the rubber soles keep it comfortable on your feet as well.
Also, the shoes are quite breathable so you can stay cool throughout your whole shift. The whole build is strong and the materials used in the build are of top quality as well. So, these shoes will last which makes their affordable price carry even more value and fully worth it for the best sneakers for waitresses.
| Pros | Cons |
| Very slip-resistant | Not a great choice for people with wider feet |
| Quite comfortable in build with all the extra cushioning system | |
| Resists water very well | |
| Great value for the money | |
| Durable build with great materials | |
| Looks great |
MOZO Mavi – Best Comfortable Shoes for Waitresses
Do you want to put on your waitress’s shoes as fast and easily as you can?
Although this pair comes with laces, its elastic nature lets you put it on like a slip-on as well. Therefore, you can be fast even after taking a relaxing shoe-free break.
Apart from that, the cushioned insoles make your shift more comfortable than you expect it to be. Furthermore, this pair offers really good slip resistance. So, you get both comfort and safety from it and your shift feels a lot easier.
The rubber soles not only make you’re run more stable but its texture helps you be comfortable as well. The stable leather upper construction gives this pair a high quality look and feel. And it is here to last.
However, the pair may not be the best at providing good arch support. The elastic nature may work against you by being a bit too tight and being hard on your feet. But, most of the time, does a great job.
The shoe look quite plain and completely appropriate for work. As for the price, it is quite affordable.
| Pros | Cons |
| Very easy to put on and take off | It does not provide very good arch support |
| Quite a durable build | |
| Resists slipping | |
| Quite comfortable | |
| Affordable price |
Fila Memory Runtronic – Best Non-Slip Shoe For Waitresses
Are you a runner at work? Doing things fast and gaining praise for it?
Then, this Fila Runtronic shoe may be what you are looking for. Because with all that running, the chances of slipping are high and this pair of slip-resistant shoes will protect you well.
In fact, it has a synthetic outsole with enough grip to keep your feet glued to slippery floors. Furthermore, it is a comfortable pair. It has a well-cushioned midsole and good liners that keep your feet both supported and comfortable.
However, the pair is not very breathable. It may leave your feet feeling a bit hot. Also, if you cannot find the right size, the soft toe area may hurt. The comfort depends a lot on finding the right fit for yourself.
Other than that, the leather and synthetic combination make these shoes quite durable and the build top quality too with that makes them the best shoes to wear for waitressing. So, these shoes will last for quite a while. When it comes to the price, it is one of the budget-friendly pairs.
| Pros | Cons |
| It will not let your slip | Not very breathable |
| Quite water-resistant | Finding the right size can be tough |
| The midsole and liners provide ample support | Not comfortable if not in the right fit |
| Build top quality which makes it very durable | |
| Budget-friendly shoe |
Avia Women’s Avi-Union Ii – Best Black Shoes for Waitressing
If you are looking for shoes that not only resist water but also stains then the Avia Avi-Union shoe may be the ones you are looking for. However, that is not all these shoes resist. It helps you resist pain in your feet after long shifts at work as well.
The rubber sole that this pair comes with will resist both slips and oil. In restaurants slippery floors can be prone to both water and oil spills. However, this pair does a better job at resisting water slips than the oil ones- so better be a bit careful. It will do its job but it may not do the best job.
Other than that, the pair has a memory sock liner that will help to keep you more comfortable and also protected against bruises or blisters. The problem with this pair is that it may not be the most durable one available. The sole and the soft toe area may come off after a bit of rough use easily.
However, its budget-friendly price kind of justifies the lack of high quality so the value you get from it is not that bad. You have to be a bit careful when choosing the size as well as it can be a bit inconsistent.
| Pros | Cons |
| A budget-friendly pair of shoes | Can be too curvy in the front |
| Resists both slips and oil | May not be very durable |
| Resists water and stains too | Finding the right fit can be a bit difficult |
| Protects from blisters | |
| Budget-friendly shoe | |
| The lacing system offers a good and comfortable fit |
Shoes for Crews Energy II Low Slip Resistant – Best Women’s Shoes for Waitressing
If you want to add a more athletic look to your work uniform while also feeling very athletic then these Energy II Athletic-Sneaker may be what you need in life. Apparently, sneakers have a way of making you feel more sporty, fast, and motivated. This particular one is quite comfortable as well.
Firstly, let’s get the restaurant-y requirements out of the way. This pair is very slip-resistant. The outer sole makes sure that you will not be slipping on anything. Furthermore, it has a special design on it to resist water.
Whether it is water getting spilt or water on the floor, nothing will be able to bother you. Apart from that, this pair of shoes has an ample cushioning system in the ole to keep you fully comfortable.
If you are looking for something lightweight, this can be a great choice. However, according to many, the lightweight may come as too flimsy. Also, you may be looking for more comfort than what this pair offers. But, finding the right size for yourself will be easy.
Apart from that, the problem with the lacing system is that it will take some time to put on and take off. Other than that, this pair lasts and comes at a reasonable price.
| Pros | Cons |
| It gives you a sporty look and makes you feel much too | A narrow fit can get tight |
| Quite comfortable to wear | |
| Slip-resistant sole | |
| Water-resistant features are quite efficient | |
| Good value for the price | |
| Built to last | |
| It usually fits easily |
Skechers for Work – Best Fast Food Work Shoe
It’s not only people you need support from but when you are working long hours in the restaurant, you need support from your work shoes as well. And, such support is exactly what the Skechers 76492 shoe provides you with. Apparently, it has specific parts in the build that is dedicated to supporting your feet in different ways.
For example, it has a lightly padded tongue and collar for providing you with support right there. Apart from that, the outer sole is quite slip-resistant but it may not always do the job so well. What this shoe may be capable of doing very well is keeping your feet cool. Because it has not only a mesh lining but also perforations to let air in and out.
So, you can keep cool, the shoe can dry fast, and bad odour can go away super-fast or never show up at all. Now, when it comes to comfort, you may or may not have a good experience. This is completely subjective.
Apparently, when you find the right size, it may work well for you. However, in other cases, you may find these shoe incapable of providing you with comfort for long hours at work.
When it comes to price and durability, this offers good value. Because it is quite long-lasting and the price is affordable as well.
| Pros | Cons |
| It provides a lot of support to your feet | May not be very comfortable |
| It is quite a water-resistant pair | |
| It will not let you slip with its sole | |
| Very breathable and will keep your feet cool | |
| Good value for the price | |
| Meant to last |
How To choose Waitresses SHOES: The Buying Guide
Here are a number of factors that you have to put extra attention to when looking for shoes as a waitress. Again, there are certain factors that you just have to check out because you are buying shoes.
The Anti-Slip Outsole
There is quite a number of things you have to check but as a waitress, the anti-slip feature of service and work shoe is probably the most important. A restaurant is a place where spills and broken glasses are quite common. You may be open to feeling tired but it is a different matter to be in pain.
In other words, the last thing you want is to fall and get injured. This is why you need a shoe that has outsoles with a good grip on slippery floors. In fact, this way random water on the floor will not make you slip.
Other than that, you will have to move around a lot, possibly at a very fast pace. Thus, you need the traction grip more than ever in this case. Shoes with grip and traction sometimes or some shoe makes a bit of sound the first few days of buying. Sooner or later it will stop making sound.
Don’t worry!!!
Waterproof Nature
It is very important that your waitress shoes are waterproof in nature. You won’t possibly be stepping in water but water may fall on your shoes. Thus, it is especially necessary that the top of your shoes is waterproof.
It could be the material itself that makes it waterproof or it could be an additional layer that makes your shoes waterproof. Whatever it is, the waterproof nature should work perfectly with work shoes.
The Comfort The Shoe Provides
This is something many people ignore as they get too busy checking out the extra features. But, since you will be working a lot and for a long time, you need to feel comfortable. Comfort comes in the form of soft padding and support that your shoes can be capable of providing.
In fact, the comfort starts from the midsole. You may find EVA foams or other filling in the midsole to provide you with the necessary comfort. Apart from that, these foam insole may even be removable.
You can look for such comfort in all parts of the shoes. Like, you may want extra padding on the side or soft toe area.
Apart from that, the outsole, even though not in contact with your skin, should not be too hard or too high. It contributes to comfort as well.
Support The Shoes Provide
Without proper support from the shoes, you may as well feel like you are walking barefoot. One of the most important supports a shoe can provide is arch support. In fact, you may get support just from the structure of the shoe or by the way you wear it.
For example, some shoes provide you with better support with their lace system that somewhat extends a bit more than others to provide centralized support.
So, look for such support when looking for shoes.
The Breathability of Shoes
You will be wearing the shoes for quite a while and you will not be going easy on your feet. Now, all the parts of our body are connected and when your feet get overheated, it makes the rest of your body feel restless too. Therefore, you want a nice breathable pair of shoes to keep your feet cool.
There are two ways you can get such breathability. One mesh in the build and the other is pores in the build. Whichever way it is, you will find out that the more breathable the shoes are, the faster they will dry up.
Furthermore, they will resist odours as well.
The Ease of Putting Them on
You may want to take your shoes off when you take a break. In these cases, you need to be fast, Thus, you want the shoes to have a design that lets you put them on easily and also take them off easily.
That is why many people prefer slippers but that is not ideal as they may come off too easily when you are working.
So, settle for a design that feels convenient for the way you work.
The Right Size
Every one of the features you pin down as necessary for yourself will go to waste if you do not choose the right size. You need to make sure that you have found the perfect and comfortable fit. Or else,
The shoes will not only cause discomfort but also irritation and blisters.
The Material Building The Shoes
Whatever builds the shoes, they should be durable and comfortable on the skin. It is mainly leather, mesh and rubber that make shoes, but, you have to check what kinds of these materials are used in the build.
Apparently, there are many fake and synthetic leather shoes available as well that do not last. So, be careful. Other than that, make sure that the quality of the stitches is top-notch as well.
Benefits of wearing the Best Shoes for Waitresses
What do you get by buying shoes specifically for doing your job? Here’s what you get:
Protection
Your shoes will be able to protect you from slipping and more by having the right features. If shoes materials are not made of genuine leather or putting shoes for long time foot becomes sweaty and sliding forward in shoes. 2.
Added-Comfort
The long hours at work will feel shorter and also more comfortable when you get shoes that provide your feet with the comfort it needs for working so much.
Durability
Such shoes will have features to protect them from specific restaurant environments. For example, water spills and rips. So, they will last longer.
Related Article: Can Waitresses Wear Open-Toe Shoes
Frequently Asked Questions
How do I get the best shoe for waitresses when shopping online?
Shopping online for shoes comes with its own challenges. You have to check the description very well first. Then, you have to check the reviews to see what kind of problems you may face. Lastly, check the option to return the product or ask for a different size if you order the wrong size.
How do I ensure a proper fit?
Different brands often have different standards for measuring shoes. What you can do is keep your size noted in every standard. Then, you can check out the dimension of each part of the shoe when buying online.
How to be a good waitress?
You just have to be very sincere, honest, active, attentive and fast to be a good waitress. And, your shoes can help you with that!
Final Thoughts
Choosing shoes to wear to a party is different from choosing shoes to work in. You see there are so many things you have to consider when choosing work shoes. Finding it online, and getting the right size is even tougher.
Since you are going to do it anyway, better get started by using your knowledge first.
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Reviewed Products
Last update on 2023-06-06 / Affiliate links / Images from Amazon Product Advertising API
