Wait Staff Essentials: Finding the Perfect Shoes for Comfort and Style

Vionic Shoes

6 months ago

Restaurant servers know there are four key things to bring to work: a warm smile, a cheerful attitude, a boatload of energy…and a really great pair of shoes.

It’s not just the 23,000 steps servers typically take per day, either. Restaurants are ripe with opportunities to stub a toe, sustain a spill, or dodge a fall, which always seems 10 times more likely when you’re holding a tray piled sky-high with plates of food. You need shoes that will pivot with ease and offer lasting protection. Shoes that look stunning. Most of all, you need shoes for standing all day that can support you from the second you clock in, to the moment you tip out.

But finding the best shoes for wait staff isn’t as straightforward as waltzing into Foot Locker and opting for the first reasonably priced pair that matches your uniform. Let’s step into the leading features you should search for, why finding the right shoe with slip resistance is vital for servers, and the most suitable choices on the market.

Why Comfortable Shoes Are Crucial for Wait Staff

Experts indicate that restaurant workers are particularly susceptible to a variety of foot problems due to two well-known factors: the long hours they spend on their feet and their choice of footwear.

To get a clearer idea of why foot issues tend to occur in wait staff, it’s important to think of the foot itself.

Composed of 26 bones, over 100 ligaments and tendons, and an astounding 7,000 nerve endings, your feet act as shock absorbers, prop up your skeletal structure, and support your weight, balance, and walking gait. The proper pair of shoes has the power to aid these ever-critical functions, while poorly made, ill-fitting shoes may negate them and even contribute to a host of issues ranging from chronic to acute. These might include run-of-the-mill foot pain, foot swelling, and discomfort, as well as:

Arthritis
Blisters
Calluses
Plantar fasciitis
Bunions
Ingrown toenails
Nail fungus
Hammer toe
Bunions
Poor blood circulation
Back and knee pain
Hip and pelvic strain
Fatigue

Will even the best shoes for restaurant workers guarantee you’ll never experience these problems? Not necessarily. But appropriate footwear is one of the savviest ways you can stave them off and ensure you have the ease—and stamina—to persist long past the dinner rush.

Key Features to Look For in Shoes for Wait Staff

Whether your station is four tables in a leisurely-paced, high-end venue or eight tables in a buzzy, turn-and-burn breakfast cafe, you know that serving during peak hours rarely allows you enough time to grab a drink of water, let alone kick up your feet.

In other words, as a restaurant worker, your shoes need to perform as swiftly and reliably as you do. This calls for quality-crafted shoes that offer excellent:

Arch support – Sore feet shouldn’t be an occupational hazard if you select a shoe that provides premium arch support. Indeed, podiatrists say that arch support can help you refrain from pronating, or walking with the lion’s share of your weight on the inside edge of your feet. Shoes without support may cause you to pronate longer and lead to an imbalance in weight distribution that could result in foot deformities, backaches, and knee pain.

Durability – From the spills you try to sidestep in the kitchen to accidentally hitting your foot against a piece of heavy equipment, working in a restaurant can feel like you’re in a fast-paced video game (and for eight straight hours at that). This alone demands durable shoes that promise exceptional support. A few signs that pair you’re eyeing have top-notch resilience: superior materials (like genuine leather, suede, or canvas), great stitching, and strong bonds.

Additionally, you may want to search for shoes that are a cinch to clean and have:

Built-in safety features, such as toe guards (either reinforced toe caps or steel toes)
Sound traction
Breathable material (especially for those summer shifts!)
A timeless style that pairs well with your restaurant uniform and your eatery’s overall vibe

Above all, prioritize fit. When it comes to determining how your shoes should fit, an ideal pair should give you between ⅜ to ½ of an inch of space between your longest toe and the front of the shoe but be snug enough at the back that your heel doesn’t slip or slide. They shouldn’t rub or chafe your feet either, just provide that Goldilocks’ this is just right feel.

10 Top Shoe Models for Wait Staff Recommended by Vionic

So, how do you go about finding the best shoes for working at a restaurant? It may entail some in-depth research and a touch of trial and error.

We’ve taken care of the first task for you. Here are 10 of the best shoes for restaurant servers like you:

#1 Winny Sneaker

If your personal aesthetic tends towards simple but stunning, give the Winny Sneaker a whirl. Legendary for its elegance and classic, heel-to-toe design, this jewel of a shoe has a strong rubber outsole and a cozy footbed constructed out of removable microfiber-covered EVA.

#2 Uptown Knit Skimmer Flat

For those of you looking for slip-on comfort, there is the Uptown Knit Skimmer Flat. Enmeshed with an ultra-flexible outsole, this pair provides all-day comfort for those on the move. Its arch support technology reduces pressure on your feet throughout your shift and its thick cushioned insole acts as a shock absorber that minimizes impact on your whole body.

#3 23Walk Classic Sneaker

Vionic’s 23Walk Classic Sneaker has become one of the most popular shoes known for its slip resistance in our collection for a reason. Made out of robust (and striking) leather grain or suede, they’re equipped with an action lacing system and a thermoplastic heel. This translates to the ultimate in comfort and support, to say nothing of the whistle-worthy, retro look they boast.

#4 Walk Max Stretch Lace Up Sneaker

Dreaming of sinking your feet into a pair of walking sneakers that are divinely cushioned?

Consider the Walk Max Stretch Lace Up Sneaker. These gems possess:

A water-repellent upper to outsmart even the most chaotic BOH scene
A nitrogen-infused midsole that supplies superb rebound
Moisture control for those long, sweaty shifts and a perforated heel for extra breathability

#5 Walk Strider Sneaker

Picture striding from your section to the kitchen and back again with absolute ease, so much so that your entire shift goes by in seemingly half the time, and you walk out pumped to decompress with friends.

This is precisely what you’ll find in Vionic’s Walk Strider Sneaker. Crafted specifically for performance walkers (aka, you), these sneaks have a slight heel height to add length to your frame, firm cushioning and support for all-day (and all-night) wear, and, perhaps most alluring of all, Vio-Beam anti-roll and lateral rigidity technology, which may help you ward off injuries.

#6 Kearny Platform Slip-On Sneaker

Prefer not to worry for even a second about your laces?

Consider the Kearny Platform Slip On Sneaker the best shoes for working in a restaurant for you. These trendy sneakers are made with stretch goring to give your feet just the right amount of flexibility to take care of guest after guest.

#7 23Walk 2.0 Sneaker

This revamped style—based on our iconic 23Walk 2.0 Sneaker—provides everything you might hope to find in the kicks you’ll wear day in and day out, such as:

Vio-Motion support
A moisture-wicking, 100% polyester mesh liner to minimize annoying (and ouch-inducing) friction
Terrific traction

#8 Kimmie Court Sneaker

Supreme arch support and incredible cushioning define these hip leather lace-ups known as the Kimmie Court Sneaker. A padded collar and a dapper combination of leather and suede round out their appeal (to say nothing of how easily they can go from clocking out to a night out with your coworkers).

#9 Walk Max Lace Up Sneaker

On the hunt for a statement sneaker with a heavenly, freeing feel? Look no further than the Walk Max Lace Up Sneaker, a version of our powerhouse mentioned above but without the added stretch. Instead, these shoes star:

Vionic’s lightest midsole
Cushioning created to last for the entirety of your shift and beyond
Enhanced rebound technology
Enriched stability

Plus, the Walk Max Lace Up Sneaker is available in an array of colors, so you’re bound to find a shade that compliments your uniform (and personality).

#10 Wave RX Recovery Clog

The best shoes for restaurant workers also include footwear that can help your feet recover from all of your hard work.

Enter the Wave RX Recovery Clog. Not only are these healing clogs built with Vionic’s advanced recovery system (VRX), but they also feature double-density cushioning and a texturized, massaging footbed, perfect for any restaurant worker after a long day on their feet.

Leading Tips for Optimizing Shoe Longevity and Hygiene

A pillowy but supportive pair of shoes is downright priceless for servers who may be on their feet up to eight (or more) hours per day. Nonetheless, who doesn’t want to save money?

Prolong your shoes’ functionality and longevity by:

Cleaning your sneakers regularly according to the manufacturer’s guidelines (such as brushing off dust and debris with a dry, clean cloth)
Testing cleaning products on a small, discreet section of the shoe
Allowing shoes that have gotten wet to dry naturally, rather than tossing them in the dryer
Shielding shoes as best as you can from elements like snow and excessive sun exposure
Replacing your insoles as needed
Storing your shoes in a cool spot away from sunlight will help preserve their color and material

Podiatrists also recommend rotating between shoes and avoiding wearing the same pair to work two days in a row. Why? To fend off bacteria and give your kicks a chance to air out. Besides, with the styles outlined above, who wouldn’t want to stock up?

Glide Through Life With Vionic

Finding the best shoes for working in a restaurant can feel as serendipitous as discovering that the quiet couple you’ve waited on for years left you a life-changing tip. Indeed, the ideal pair of shoes for work can be positively transformative, particularly if you go with a brand famous for their shoes’ comfort, attractiveness, and endurance.

Vionic is one such brand. Our suite of shoes for men and women fuse the latest in footwear science with key insights from medical professionals, exquisite craftsmanship, and unbeatable designs.

Give your feet the love they deserve with Vionic.

Sources:

Healthline. How many steps do people take per day on average?

https://www.healthline.com/health/average-steps-per-day#occupation

Las Vegas Review-Journal. Keeping in step: foot problems common in service industry.

https://www.reviewjournal.com/life/health/keeping-in-step-foot-problems-common-in-service-industry/

Midwest Orthopedic Specialty Hospital. 6 common foot problems caused by shoes.

https://www.mymosh.com/orthopedics/foot-problems-caused-by-shoes/

Advanced Podiatry Group. The risks of working on your feet.

https://www.apgpodiatry.com/blogs/item/56-the-risks-of-working-on-your-feet

Lightspeed. The 19 best shoes for servers and chefs and where to buy them.

https://www.lightspeedhq.com/blog/restaurant-employees-how-to-choose-best-shoes/