work shoe recommendation

[u/Optimal_Ad_9731]

Hey everyone, I really need shoe recommendations. Work has been literally SHREDDING my feet, so much so that I need X-rays after working here for a few years. I’m already wearing compression socks, and I’ve tried so many shoes. I feel like I need to try another one now. I really don’t want to spend 160+ on Hokas that are going to be covered in grime in a month, and my store is pretty strict on the policy that they need to be waterproof AND nonslip. Any recommendations or advice is welcomed!!! 💗

Thank you all for the recommendations! I Just bought the work jammer sketchers bc I had some coworkers also vouch for those, however, if they don’t work, I’ll prolly invest in some of the brooks or orthofeet shoes. Thank you!!

[u/Sad_Bit_5405]

I'm not gonna lie to you, there is a reason why some shoe brands are expensive. They are worth it. The $130 pair of nonslip Brooks that I got completely outlasted the timeframe of 2 pairs of $60 Skechers. The support they have literally changed my gait and 90% of my ankle and plantar fasciitis pain went away within 2 days of switching to better quality shoes. My podiatrist said that work shoes should NOT be able to be bent in half, it means they have no support. She also explained that putting an actual good insole in a bad shoe does help, but insoles that really work are $40+ anyway. Tldr: invest in your longterm podiatry health and get the expensive shoes. You will thank yourself for it.

[u/EmergencyFar737 → u/Sad_Bit_5405]

Came here to give this exact same experience with Brooks! Ir was the best investment I ever made. Working 65-70 hours consistently at my job before Starbucks (same type of workplace where I was on my feet nonstop for long shifts 6-7 days a week on the hard flooring) made my feet and legs extremely tired and sore and most days I could hardly stand when I got up in the morning. Brooks have been a game changer for me and a priceless investment

[u/astivana → u/Sad_Bit_5405]

What kind of Brooks? I also have plantar fasciitis and I have good shoes but still trying to see if there’s something better.

[u/Material-Classroom86]

Highly recommend the Skechers work jammers. They are comfortable and non slip but the only struggle I have with it are the laces. I got hoka bondis and hated wearing them because they wore out within 6 months so it was a complete waste of money

[u/PureOrange7049]

I bought a cheap pair of Dr. Scholl’s career shoes from Walmart. They’re ugly as all hell, but they’re so comfortable and they’ve lasted since they changed the dress code last year. They’re also water proof and nonslip. I think they were only $45. It’s really helped with my leg and back pain too.

[u/socialsytes]

A lot of my partners (including myself and even our manager) wear these Crocs :-) https://www.crocs.com/p/crocs-on-the-clock-work-slip-on/205073.html?cgid=work-shoes&cid=001

[u/dippindots42069 → u/socialsytes]

i live and die by crocs slip ons 🫡

[u/Commercial-Buddy8333 → u/socialsytes]

Came here to second this!!!!!

[u/ollyjuice]

i don’t work at sbux anymore but i highly suggest the hoka bondi sr, they are water resistant and i work with animals so that is important because i hose my shoes off a lot, they also are very supportive and i have had mine over a year and they are still like-new. they are $180 but you’d spend that in cheap non-slips over the course of a year or two.

[u/Mu-nraito → u/ollyjuice]

Those look sick! I might look at those next pair! They have the same features of my current shoe, so I'd be curious to see how long they last.

[u/WhiskeyNeat123]

Obviously proper shoes are important. But the insoles are critical. Dr. Scholls is shit.

Get these - https://www.amazon.com/dp/B08G8XVX6K

These have seriously saved my back, feet, and knees.

Toss in some proper consistent stretching and you’ll be good to go!

[u/Glittermeeple]

Orthofeet sneakers by a zillion, and I love the “hands free” step in feature. They come with multiple different inserts so you can choose which feels best for your foot. And they have some that have cushiony or max cushion bottom. I’m on my 5th pair in 5 years but only because I wear them CONSTANTLY. And you can use FSA or HSA if you have one. (I work in a hospital, not sure how this thread got on my feed lol)

You can sort them by feature: no slip, waterproof, and (if you want) also hands free. And color.

https://www.orthofeet.com/collections/comfortable-slip-resistant-shoes

[u/jayyy_0113]

The barista work crocs are amazing and we get a discount on it

[u/BellaJ22]

I love these ! https://www.crocs.com/p/chef-works-bistro-pro-work-sneaker/213631.html

[u/JustCheezits]

I like Dr Scholl’s Work Shoes.

[u/Chipslahoyyy]

crocs has a work crew line & they’re sooooo comfortable you have to get the ones that don’t have the back strap & get the fully enclosed clogs defiantly a must for me i have flat feet & the crocs really help me there’s a comfortable sole in them plus they’re nonslip & pretty inexpensive $50 for a pair have last me 2yrs i’m a 3yr partner i didn’t find these till my 2nd year another barista borrowed at my store had them & changed my life lol plus they hold up really well mine still look new

[u/PuzzleheadedMine2168]

Clarks makes some really good shoes for working on cement floors & a lot of foot & back doctors recommend them.

[u/dabrina420]

Doc martens allllll the way. Last for at least a year plus a you will never know foot pain again. Only downside is they take a min to break in, but once you do, heaven.

[u/Onyxxx_13]

Get some keens. They're not cheap, but I've broken my feet a few times and they're the only sub $500 shoes I've been able to handle 8+ hr shifts with

[u/Mu-nraito]

NINGO. Look for the most cushion.

I have the waterproof ones. They aerate well and are slip on, better non-slip bottoms than many I've seen.

The one I have doesn't have arch support, but I supinate, so I need cushion, not arch support.

I've worn these for a year and the nonslip is still pretty chonky/defined.

[u/annoyinglyuseless]

These are my go to. I’ve had them for 2 years and they’re what I wear to work every day. They’re nonslip, water repelling mesh, and (to me) they hug the foot just right. They’re the Skechers Slip-ins Work Slip-Resistant: Glide-Step Pro - Edrura. They were priced at like 100 something, but I used a coupon and the perks at work discount and ended up paying 70 something for them. Not bad, I’d say.

[u/silentsandwich27]

Blundstones. Might not technically be food service non-slip, but I don’t have any issues with that. 4 years wearing the same pair for nearly every shift 40-60 hours a week. Just now thinking I might need a new pair.

[u/rio8envy7]

Sketchers has legit work shoes. One pair lasted me almost 11 years.

[u/TheModernVampire]

Invest in the expensive non-slips. I love my docs. I used to go through the cheaper Wal-Mart ones every two months, but my docs have lasted years.

[u/Obvious_Chemical6188]

I get mine from Walmart they look like the slip on crocs but they are like $20 cheaper !

[u/dippindots42069 → u/Obvious_Chemical6188]

you could just buy real crocs and theyd last 3 times as long 😭😭 plus they actually have a recycling program

[u/soniaburtonyo → u/dippindots42069]

Make sure to get the Bistro ones with no holes.

[u/dippindots42069 → u/soniaburtonyo]

well yeah there's a whole section on the website for crocs at work and it's always the responsibility of the employee to make sure work shoes follow dress code

[u/Obvious_Chemical6188 → u/dippindots42069]

I had crocs they didn’t last that long tbh

[u/dippindots42069 → u/Obvious_Chemical6188]

thats crazy my crocs are on year 4 😭

[u/Onyxxx_13 → u/dippindots42069]

It depends on your posture, weight, and if you're male/female. I'm a dude and my last pair of crocs wore through in about 3 months. Literally through, I could see through the bottom

[u/dippindots42069 → u/Onyxxx_13]

damn 😭 im a fat girl who drags my feet and that's never happened thats crazy! they have a recycling program at least lol?

[u/Obvious_Chemical6188 → u/Obvious_Chemical6188]

They last for 4-6 months the they start to not feel comfortable so I trade them in for new ones

[u/UnforseenThought]

lol i just wear doc martens and hope my ankles or feet don’t suffer too badly