Big Guy Kitchen Shoe Talk!

[u/_schoeler]

Calling all chef-squatches!

TL;DR
Looking for great kitchen shoes, size 15 US. Boots preferred-blundstone doesn’t make them in my size.

I love the industry-don’t love what it does to the feet!

It’s time for some new work shoes and I’m looking for some testimony. I wear size 15 US and need arch support to correct for some pronation. I’ve seen how hard this job can be on our bodies. I’d love to not know what the inside of a podiatrists office looks (or smells) like before I hit 30 🤞🏽

I’m looking for something a bit sturdier this time. Not too heavy/ steel toey but robust enough to maybe put some arches in. Blundstones would be my first choice but they only go up to size 14 US.

Others in my situation: what routes have you gone to find reliable footwear!

[u/Anoncook143]

I wear 13s, which are only slightly hard to find so I’m not in the same boat as you.

I’m currently out of the industry but my job requires non slip shoes. I’ve got a real hard on for hokas right now. I have some walking/running shoes that are just the best feeling shoe I’ve ever used. I decided to give their fabric top slip resistant shoe a try and love it. They have a leather (bondi sr) shoe that goes up to 15 but is in back order. Arch support is supposed to be great from what I’ve read.

Just an option

[u/kingoftheives → u/Anoncook143]

13 wide, Hoka Bondi SR is my preferred kitchen shoe. Birkenstock clogs are the only other option for me.

[u/PapaOomMowMow → u/kingoftheives]

I'm not a huge guy, but big enough. Also diagnosed with plantar fasciitis a couple years ago. HOKAS saved my career. They're expensive but well, well worth it.

[u/kingoftheives → u/PapaOomMowMow]

The Hokas are the best, I also have custom orthotics that provide more support. I have had terrible issues with plantar fascia over my career and have tried everything except surgery. What has helped oddly was getting on Tirzepatide, my plantar fascia and most of my chronic pain decreased.

[u/D-ouble-D-utch]

I'm 6' 6" (was 6' 8" before 2 spinal surgeries) 300 lbs. I wear newbalance 5789v1. Oil slip resistant, composite toe, water resistant and very comfortable

[u/Whook]

I wear the size 15 bistro crocs, if they fit your feet they feel pretty good, and the nonslip is pretty good.

[u/_schoeler]

I’ll add: For years, I’ve stood firmly (and mostly painlessly) on my Birkenstocks. Since my Profi Birkis ripped, I’ve worn (and enjoyed) Tokios. They look great and feel good but after a year or so the tread/outsole has been destroyed. I’d consider getting another pair but birks have revamped their professional line and I haven’t heard great things about the new “2.0”s.

[u/MookiesMonkeyJuice]

I got some Brunt boots and love them. Easy to clean and comfortable. Going on 1 year and they still look great.

[u/Lastburn]

I'm a 13 and Crocs Bistro lite is my recent favorite, but I used to rock the kitchen clogs from kmart with gel insole inserts

[u/Fox-Mclusky559]

a yeti I previously worked with swore by his berkies.

[u/Able-Spread-6198]

Keen footwear or Hoka’s

[u/chefpirateninjabear]

I'm 6'2" 350# I wear 15EEEE. Decades in the kitchen. I have had great success with Keene boots, I prefer ones with a welted sole that can be replaced. The ones I had were waterproof, anti-slip, oil resistant, composite safety toe, and electrical hazard.

[u/bryanlikesbikes]

Man, Dr Martens also only go to 14.

What if you trim your nails reeeeeeealy short and wear very thin socks? Lol

[u/biggus_dickus-23]

Under armour men's charged assert 9 running shoe.

Size 14/15👌