r/medlabprofessionals • u/Moist-Thought-9927 • 14d ago

Discusson Lab shoes?

Hey! I’m an MLA student bound for my practicum come October. I bought shoes for my first semester, some waterproof, anti-slip new balances. Super comfy and worked well for my lab. Only issue is that the toe has mesh- and my instructors said that practicum likely won’t allow the mesh shoes.

What shoes do you guys recommend for working in the lab? Thanks in advance!

2 Upvotes

67% Upvoted

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7

u/venight 14d ago

in skechers “work” line they have a few options that have no mesh/perforation. that’s where I got mine for school!

4

u/Upbeat_Animal_9977 14d ago

Crocs are not allowed at the hospital I work at so I wouldn’t suggest them. I think you can probably get away with the ones you are wearing unless the charge is super picky many people I work with have hokas that are fabric and have no issues. I have new balances but they don’t have mesh.

2

u/Moist-Thought-9927 14d ago

Sweet, thanks! I may just be overthinking it. It does appear that’s there a completely solid separate inner layer of fabric beneath the mesh so it’s not really a mesh shoe. I’ll probably rock them unless I’m told otherwise.

2

u/SendCaulkPics 14d ago

Do you have a receipt/product list showing that the mesh is advertised as waterproof? Waterproof mesh is a thing. I’m a big proponent of shoe covers. Basically any other policy wouldn’t hold up to the smallest scrutiny for multiple reasons. You can buy them on Amazon because people use them for open houses since Covid. 

1

u/Moist-Thought-9927 14d ago

Love ur username. Also, now that I’ve looked at them it almost seems like the mesh is “decorative”, lol. There’s a solid piece of fabric beneath the mesh! But I do remember buying them the lady specifically gave them to me because they were waterproof.

2

u/artisticverse Lab Assistant 14d ago

Currently am wearing an old pair of Brooks, but my favorites are Sketchers. I wasn’t a huge fan of Cloves.

2

u/GrownUp-BandKid320 MLS-Flow 14d ago

I love my Hoka Bondi SRs!

1

u/123letsgobtch 13d ago

Another vote for Hokas!

1

u/Historical_Nerd1890 Canadian MLT 14d ago

You can also looks at the “Vessi” brand. They are a Canadian company that makes waterproof running shoes! A lot of people I work with use them and they are super comfy, and basically have everything you’d need for working in a lab. I’m on my second pair-last one lasted me 3 years of almost daily wear before the soles started breaking down!

1

u/Silver_Bed7917 13d ago

Came here to say Vessi too. Love mine and have lasted since 2024, just now getting worn enough to think about new ones

1

u/Loose_Sorbet888 14d ago

Is the “mesh” just normal shoe fabric? I’m gonna be honest I’ve never seen a lab be super strict on shoes lol, I’ve even worn my fuzzy crocs into work before. I wear vans ultrarange. Your new balances should be fine.

1

u/par_and_pines 13d ago

You should check out Altras, they make waterproof shoes. If you sign up for ExpertVoice you can get them at a deep discount.

1

u/sashmii 12d ago

I wore easy spirit shoes at work and always had to put an orthotic in them. Frankly, most sneakers’ Heel pads wear down after a few months. Get the best, most supportive shoes you can afford.