TheCrossFitShoes is reader-supported. When you buy through links on our site, we may earn an affiliate commission.

10 Best Kitchen Shoes for Chefs of 2024: [ Review & Buyer’s Guide]

Being a chef is not a very easy job because it not only requires very careful attention to the food that is being prepared, but you also have to stand and walk in the hot kitchen for up to 12 hours a day.

Moreover, there is also a danger of slipping and falling due to the spilling of oil on the kitchen floor.

So the best kitchen shoes must not only have the content with the slippery surface but it should provide the support and stability to the chef as well.

In this article, we will provide you complete guidance on the best kitchen shoes that are available in the market. We will give you a complete review of our top 10 kitchen shoes and we will also provide you the buyer’s guide.

The best kitchen shoes which we will review will be capable of providing you the lasting comfort and durability.

You must also keep in mind the safety standards which you must follow while wearing these shoes. Most of the people ignore the safety standards and wear their sneakers which I do not suggest.

Wearing the best kitchen shoes will not only increase your productivity but also keep your feet pain-free whether you are a professional chef or an amateur cook.

Products:

So without delaying further, here is a list of the 10 best kitchen shoes which are surely perfect for any given situation.

PreviewProductDetails 
Merrell Encore Gust

Merrell Encore Gust

Brand: Merrell
Color: Black
Materials:
Rubber sole

Skechers Flex Advantage McAllen

Skechers Flex Advantage McAllen

Brand: Skechers
Color: Black
Materials:
Synthetic sole

Mozo Finn Slip-Resistant

Mozo Finn Slip-Resistant

Brand: MOZO
Color: Black
Materials:
Manmade sole

Crocs Specialist Vent Clogs

Crocs Specialist Vent Clogs

Brand: Crocs
Color: Black
Materials:
Synthetic sole

Merell Jungle Moc Pro-Grip

Merell Jungle Moc Pro-Grip

Brand: Merrell
Color: Midnight
Materials:
Man Made sole

SensFoot Slip-resistant Clogs

SensFoot Slip-resistant Clogs

Brand: SensFoot
Benefits: Soft foam in the footbed

Skechers Felton slip-resistant

Skechers Felton slip-resistant

Brand: Skechers
Color: Black
Materials:
Rubber sole

Crocs Unisex Bistro Clogs

Crocs Unisex Bistro Clogs

Brand: Crocs
Color: Black
Materials:
Thermoplastic Elastomers sole

Keen Utility Men's PTC Slip-On

Keen Utility Men's PTC Slip-On

Brand: KEEN Utility
Color: Black/Black
Materials:
Rubber sole

Skechers Work Sure Track Trickle

Skechers Work Sure Track Trickle

Brand: Skechers
Color: Black
Materials:
Rubber sole

1- Merrell Encore GustMerrell Encore Gust

The top product in the list of the best kitchen shoes is the Merrell Encore Gust. This is a fantastic kitchen shoe that will surely become your great kitchen companion.

we have placed these shoes on the top of our list because of the wonderful features which it provides. These shoes don’t consist of any cheap faux stuff and are made up of full-grain leather upper.

This leather upper consists of the soft fabric lining. Moreover, it has a removable EVA insole, which makes these best kitchen shoes very easy to clean and maintain.

It has a slip-on design which makes it very easy to take off and on these shoes without getting into any trouble of wiggling your foot in.

While discussing its midsole, these are considered the best kitchen shoes for the shapes when we talk about its softness and compression-molded EVA midsole.

You will feel very comfortable and plush even if you keep on wearing these shoes for more than 12 hours.

Its outsole has the Merrells trademark, while it’s sticky rubber provides you the non-slipping grip and traction which is best for the wet kitchen floors.

Moreover, these best kitchen shoes have the Merrel Air Cushion technology in their heel which provides you the perfect stability and shock absorption.

The only problem with these great shoes is that its size runs large usually if you are having narrow feet. But it comes with the toe box which provides you the sufficient room with which you can easily maneuver your toes around.

Wrapping it all up, these best kitchen shoes must be on your list, if you are finding a workhorse kitchen shoes because of its wonderful features and satisfying reviews.

Pros

  • Easy slip-on design
  • Extremely comfortable
  • Extra cushioning for shock absorption and stability
  • Premium quality full-grain leather

Cons

  • Sizes run large

2- Skechers Flex Advantage McAllenSkechers Flex Advantage McAllen

Sketches is a very well-known brand in the shoe industry and is famous for providing you the most comfortable work shoes.

These shoes are worn by a very large number of the people that are working in the different service industries. Skechers Flex Advantage McAllen is no different and it provides us with all the wonderful features without any ambiguity.

This best kitchen shoe has the Skechers signature memory foam insole as well as the soft fabric lining which keeps your feet pain free and comfortable throughout the day.

Moreover, it also consists of a slip-resistant and synthetic outsole which keeps these shoes planted firmly on the ground while giving you the perfect stability and support and keeps you working for long hours in the kitchen.

It has a stretchy and minimalistic mesh upper which gives it a very beautiful look. The perfect thing about these shoes is its muted design elements.

This best shoes further provides you the comfort with its sleep on the padded collar with which you can easily take on and off these shoes.

The only area which needs improvement is its durability, as its upper and sides showed signs of wear and tear. So if you are someone with narrow feet it might cause a problem for you.

Wrapping it all up, these are one of the best kitchen shoes available providing you the perfect stability and support. If you are the one who can easily overlook the durability issues, then you must surely go for this product.

Pros

  • Stretchy upper
  • Very comfortable footbed
  • Slip-on padded collar

Cons

  • Durability issues

3- Mozo Finn Slip-ResistantMozo Finn Slip-Resistant

Coming to our next best kitchen shoes. Mozo is one of the very well-known brands that are famous for providing this solid pair of work shoes that are really affordable and surprisingly comfortable.

The Mozo Finn slip-resistant best kitchen shoes are available in the market. The best thing about these shoes is that these are extremely durable.

Their durability is such that sometimes you will wish that they would break down so that you can buy a new pair of shoes for yourself.

They feature a gel insole that will provide you a very comfortable cushioning ride for the people who have to work in the kitchen for very long hours.

Moreover, it is also having an internal heel counter which provides you the perfect stability and support.

Coming towards its full-grain leather upper which is very soft and supple. This pair of shoes are famous for slip-resistant outsole which provides you a very wonderful grip.

More you will get additional ankle support if you go for its high top version. These ankle support are perfect for the people who usually have pain in their ankle if they stand for long hours.

These shoes are made for the narrow feet and if you are a person having a wide foot then you will want to go up half a size.

So if you are a person who is having a narrow foot and wants the most durable and the best kitchen shoes then you must be considered this one because this product will never disappoint you.

Pros

  • Incredibly durable
  • Slip-on design
  • Water-resistant
  • Trendy looking shoes

Cons

  •   It is suggested to go up half a size

4- Crocs Specialist Vent ClogsCrocs Specialist Vent Clogs

The next in the list of the best kitchen shoes is the Crocs Specialist Vent Clogs which are the famous workhorse shoe and can be used in any kitchen environment.

The metatarsal area of the clog these shoes are made up of very thick material. This material will protect the top of your feet from spills.

Moreover, this pair of shoes has a patented croslite footbed, which provides conforms to the shape of your feet and a customized fit.

This best kitchen shoe has a closed heel design with which you can easily take on and off these shoes and its hill straps will keep your feet in its place.

If you talk about compatibility, then this pair of shoes will cross many others in its competition. Its design is also very beautiful and strategic.

Tiny nubs are located along with the midsole in such a way that it increases the blood flow of your feet and will provide you a massage-like feeling.

So you will enjoy it whenever you wear these shoes. Moreover, these shoes are very easy to clean and maintain. All you have to do is to rinse them with soap and water and you are good to wear them.

So if you are looking for the best kitchen shoes then you must surely stop at this product and give it a chance. The only drawback of these shoes is that if the floor your kitchen is loaded with gunk and scraps of food then it can get lodged inside your shoes which can be quite annoying.

You can overcome this thing by keeping the floor of your kitchen clean. So if you go out to buy the kitchen shoes for yourself then you must surely consider this product.

Pros

  • Easy to clean and maintain
  • Croslite footbed
  • Lightweight and flexible
  • The open design which provides ventilation

Cons

  • Gunk from the floor gets into your feet.

5- Merell Jungle Moc Pro-GripMerell Jungle Moc Pro-Grip

The next pair of shoes in the list of best kitchen shoes is the Merell Jungle Moc Pro-Grip which is no doubt one of the best and comfortable shoes available in the market.

Honestly saying, that most of the workshops have unforgiving and stiff midsoles which do also not slip-resistant and provide you and uncomfortable experience. Moreover, these shoes also do not meet the required safety standards.

But if you give a try to Merell Jungle Moc Pro-Grip then I am sure that you will be amazingly surprised by its wonderful features.

I am sure that you will become a fan of these shoes for a long time because these are some of the best durable shoes available.

Talking about its midsole, it is made from compression-molded EVA foam which provides an enhanced cushioning to your feet.

Moreover, its insole has a molded soft lining which gives an additional underfoot plush and comfort to your feet.

The best thing about these shoes is that the inside of these shoes has an odor-fighting technology with which you can easily spend more than 12 hours in them comfortably.

Moreover, its soles also have air cushioning which gives you excellent shock absorption. Because of its excellent comfort and superior build quality they are considered one of the best kitchen shoes in the market.

The pair of these shoes other comes in leather or a suede-fabric variant. You can choose the variant of your liking. But I will recommend that you go for a leather one because it is easy to clean and maintain.

These kitchen shoes have an elastic on the upper which helps with slipping. Moreover, you can easily take on and off these shoes. You need not worry about wiggling your feet inside your shoes.

As nothing is perfect, so it only draws back is that it sometimes gets squeaky. But regardless of this and I will highly recommend this pair of shoes to the chefs because of its wonderful features.

Pros

  • Superior build quality
  • Stylish look
  • Comfortable midsole
  • Elastic on upper

Cons

  • Sometimes gets squeaky

6- SensFoot Slip-resistant ClogsSensFoot Slip-resistant Clogs

Coming towards our next product. The next in the list is the SensFoot Slip-resistant Colgs which are considered one of the best kitchen shoes due to its imported environmentally friendly EVA materials.

The clothes of these shoes are extremely lightweight. They weigh less than 0.6 LB for a shoe of size 9, so you need not worry about the heavy shoes.

Moreover, its midsole is very comfortable and I am sure that you will not have any problem spending more than 10 hours on them.

The cogs of these shoes are of great value as they are customizable with the removable strap. Moreover, it gives you excellent breathability with this side vents it has.

It has been claimed by the manufacturer of these shoes that the clogs of these shoes will meet the highest level of slip-resistant for the people who are working in the service industry.

We cannot dispute that claim as they have been proved to perform exceptionally well on the greasy kitchen floor as well as the wet linoleum surface.

These are the shoes that are made for the people who are having narrow feet. So you must keep in mind that if you are someone with flat feet or wide feet then this might not be the best kitchen shoes for you.

Foot health is very important so if you are having wide feet then you must pick a different option. But if you are the person with narrow feet then this will surely be your perfect option.

Pros

  • Removable straps
  • Lightweight
  • Environmentally friendly EVA material
  • Durable non-slip outsole

Cons

  • Not recommended for wide feet people

7- Skechers Felton slip-resistantSkechers Felton slip-resistant

As we know that sketches are famous for providing the best quality of the work shoes so undoubtedly Skechers Felton slip-resistant is one of the best kitchen shoes with you can opt.

It is perfect for people who prefer a conventional lace design and traditional footwear.

This pair of shoes have a rubber outsole that is slip-resistant and OSHA compliant. They are proved to perform exceptionally well on both wet and greasy floors.

Moreover, its outsole is extremely durable and I am sure that you will want them to break in so that you can try another for yourself.

This pair of shoes requires a break-in period and when you get them broken in then they will become very comfortable and soft.

If you are a person who requires a full foot coverage and a complete safety standard, then and this is an ideal choice for you.

It has a faux leather upper, which has a padded collar and tongue with which you can put your feet inside very gently and easily.

It has very soft foam in the footbed which provides you a great firmness and softness and comfortability for all the day.

Moreover, it has a soft fabric shoe liner so you will not have any problems if you wear this pair of shoes without any socks.

Its upper is not water-resistant but I can assure you that it will provide you all the adequate protection from the accidental spills.

The only drawback of this shoes is that it has a bulky construction, but if you are a person who loves to have traditional footwear with a lace design and if you want a full foot coverage with all the safety standards then believe me you should not go for any other pair of shoes. Just buy this one and I am sure that you will like this great product.

Pros

  • Soft foam in the footbed
  • Full foot coverage
  • Traditional footwear
  • Complete safety standard

Cons

  • Bulky construction

8- Crocs Unisex Bistro ClogsCrocs Unisex Bistro Clogs

The next product in the list of our best kitchen shoes is the Crocs Unisex Bistro Clogs which are undoubtedly a staple for any chef who works for long hours in a busy kitchen. This pair of shoes come up with many wonderful features.

The most wonderful feature among them is that they are priced affordably. Moreover, there are very easy to maintain and it’s a slip-on slip of design that does not require any advanced skills.

So if you are a person who is looking for a cost-effective and the best kitchen shoes then believe me that this is a perfect choice for you without all the bells and whistles.

These kitchen shoes provide you a contoured footbed which is made up of croslite material. This makes these shoes very lightweight and durable.

It consists of a heel strap that performs an adequate job of keeping your feet secure and at its place. It also protects you from the slippery kitchen floor.

Talking about its outsole, it has a synthetic outsole that is perfectly slip-resistant and durable. You can easily wear them if you are working in a place where there is no spilling of any hot liquids.

But if you are working in a place that deals with hot liquids then you must pick a different option because the shoes are not very immune to the accidental spills.

Pros

  • Affordable price
  • Durable and lightweight
  • Easy to clean and maintain

Cons

  • Not very immune to accidental spills

9- Keen Utility Men’s PTC Slip-OnKeen Utility Men's PTC Slip-On

The Merrell leather shoes are famous for providing you premium quality but let me tell you that there are other issues as well which provides you the equal quality that chefs like.

I am talking about Keen Utility Men’s PTC Slip-On which gives you equally and premium quality.

This pair of shoes are famous for its unique design in which the outsole wraps up to provide extra protection to the toes against the bumps etc.

It has a slip-on design that protects you from any wet and greasy kitchen floor. It has sufficient padding which makes sure that your heel doesn’t get irritated.

Moreover, its midsole is made up of compression-molded EVA material. Its manufacturers call this technology KEEN.

Cush because it is made up of a blend of things just as Cork, memory foam, and recycled PU. This pair of shoes are very easy to clean and maintain and also waterproof.

So you can easily clean them up with a wet towel. Its manufacturers claim that this pair of shoes meets the highest specifications of non-slip testing standards.

It has been proved that these shoes do not sleep on any oily surface. The only drawback is that the heel portion can widen with use and it can cause heel slippage.

So if you are a person who is looking for high quality and unique design kitchen shoes then you must consider this one. I am sure that it will satisfy you.

Pros

  • Durable construction
  • Easy to clean and maintain
  • The outsole extends to the toe

Cons

  • Heel portion gets widen

10- Skechers Work Sure Track TrickleSkechers Work Sure Track Trickle

The last in our list of the best kitchen shoes is the Skechers Work Sure Track Trickle which is a women’s shoe.

let me tell you that there is no shame in wearing a quality women’s shoe as everything today is unisex. You should not let the woman fool you that these are only for the women.

These are considered one of the best kitchen shoes that are constructed from genuine leather. They come up with an affordable price. They have a casual lace-up design but it doesn’t require any time in putting on.

It has a mini perforated strip on its sides which provides you excellent breathability and cooling. It has the highest security standards so you can easily use it in the hot liquids environment.

I am sure that you will not get any injury if any hot liquid falls on these shoes. It has a perfect streamlined feature.

Moreover, its midsole is very lightweight and flexible and gives you very perfect shock absorption and ground impact.

Its insoles have a removable memory foam which gives you an additional layer of underfoot comfort and cushioning.

You must keep in mind that these are made up of the people having the narrow feet and it is suggested to have half a size up for a comfortable fit. If you are having a wide feet, then you must avoid this option.

So if you want the perfect and best kitchen shoes then you must surely consider this one as well. I am sure that this product will satisfy you and you will become of it.

Pros

  • Rugged construction
  • Highly cushioned
  • Slim and subtle form factor

Cons

  • Recommended for narrow feet.

What are the Most Comfortable Chef Shoes?most comfortable chef shoes

As we know that chefs have to be on their feet throughout the day, which is a very challenging thing. So it is necessary to have the most comfortable shoes so that you can work properly and it is worth every cent you spend on them.

Chefs always look for lightweight and comfortable shoes. Many brands in the market are famous for providing you the most comfort levels. These comfort levels are provided by the insoles.

So you must give great attention to the insoles when you are looking for the most comfortable kitchen shoes.

You must always go for the product which allows you to replace your insole with a customized orthopedic one.

You can also add the insole of your own choice to make it comfortable according to your liking. This may also correct any foot issues such as pronation callouses and others.

Many other factors give comfort. So the most comfortable kitchen shoes will come down according to your likings in shoes.

What are the Top Shoes for Sore Feet?

If you are a person who is having sore feet then all you need is an orthopedic insole. It will make a great difference and will provide you great comfort during your working hours.

These are designed to provide you the comfort you need and the concentration that your feet require. They also provide you with cushioning and stability.

Many brands in the market give you the replaceable insoles, but the most particular among them are the Sketches and the Merrill in which you can replace the inner soles of your shoes with the insoles of your likings.

Another aspect that causes these sore feet is that if you’re wearing lace-up shoes then you usually do not lace them correctly.

This makes your feet most restricted and when you work in these shoes for the whole day it causes extreme pain and arches in your feet.

So if you come up with this issue then you must surely go for the Sketches and Merrill.

What are the Most Popular Chef Shoes for Flat Feet?Most Popular Chef Shoes for Flat Feet

First of all, let me tell you that what flat feet are. The people who have a low arch or no arch at all are said to have flat feet.

The purpose of the arch in your feet is to absorb the shocks whenever you are walking, standing, or for any other movement. Moreover, it also helps to question the impact from your feet, ankles knees, and hips.

The people who are having deflect it has more chances to get injured and suffers pain whenever they wear these type of shoes for long hours.

Not only their feet but their body suffers pain due to a lot of pressure and stress.

It is very important for the people who are having flat feet to select the right shoes for themselves which gives them the required support without hurting themselves.

They must buy the shoes which are having the capability of replacing the inner sole with the one which provides them comfort. These inner soles must give them the required support, stability hand motion control.

One of the most popular shoes that are perfect for people who have flat feet is sketches and Merrills.

They provide you with the replaceable inner soles so that you can easily adjust it according to your liking. So you must be very sensitive when selecting these shoes if you are having flat feet.

What to Look for In Kitchen Shoes?best kitchen shoes

 

In this article, we will also provide you the things which you must consider before buying the best kitchen shoes for yourself.

There are a few qualities that you need to consider in the product. These things are best in the kitchen environment to provide you the required comfort, support, stability, and the best grip.

Buying lightweight shoes is also one of the very important factors because you have to wear these shoes per main working hours and you do not want to be weighed down by your shoes.

These things are:

 

Material:

This is the most important factor to consider. The material of the product which you are buying will determine its breathability, support, and durability.

When you are working in a kitchen for a long time, you probably get a lot of strain on your shoe which ultimately results in a lot of wear and tear.

So so you require the material that is capable of handling this type of pressure and strain. Moreover, the material should also provide you the breathability.

We know that there is a very hot environment in a kitchen that results in the swelling off your feet and makes you uncomfortable.

So so it is also very important to select a water-resistant material so that you must get rid of these issues.

The material should have all the safety precautions so that you can easily work in a hot environment with an oily or greasy kitchen floor.

Comfort:

The next important thing to consider is the comfort of the footwear. You need comfortable feet for your working hours.

If your filled or not comfortable then it will result in poor performance in cooking. So if you want to cook a great meal then you must focus on the comfortability of your feet.

When you are standing for a very long time then it may result in it and the joint pains muscle and bone pains and the damage to ligaments of your knees as well.

So whenever you go out for buying the kitchen shoes for yourself then you must make sure to wear them and if they are comfortable according to your liking then you must buy it, otherwise, look for another one.

Gender:

This factor may seem simple, but believe me, selecting gender-specific footwear makes all the difference. There is a great difference between a man’s and a woman’s foot.

So always go for the product which is specifically made for your gender. If you go for the shoes of the opposite gender, then you will experience a lot of problems.

A man’s foot is probably wider whereas a women’s foot is narrow and shoes for both are made according to their sizes.

Grip:

This is another important factor to consider because many of the accidents which happen in the kitchen are caused due to the slips and falls.

These slips and falls are caused due to the bad grip off your kitchen shoes. So if you do not want any accident to happen then you must ensure to buy the shoes which offer the best grip and stability.

There are many issues in the market which are made in a way to avoids this type of accident. Most of the kitchen floors tend to have water oil or grease on them which are the reason to cause these slips and falls.

First of all, you must make sure to clean your floor. And the second thing is to wear slip-resistant shoes that provide the highest grip.

Weight:

The last factor to consider is the weight of the shoes. If you are wearing heavy shoes then it will ultimately cause you more labor and result in the pain in your feet, ankle, or knees.

This will also lower your kitchen performance. So you must always go for lightweight shoes so that it is very easy for you to move and it also reduces the amount of wear and tear and labor. Lightweight shoes are often very durable.

So when you go out for buying the best kitchen shoes for yourself then you must keep in mind buying lightweight shoes for yourself.

Are all Kitchen Shoes Slip-Resistant?kitchen shoes slip-resistant

First of all, you must keep in mind that all the kitchen shoes must be slip-resistant.

They must have the OHSA standards for slip-resistant. Most of the kitchen accidents and injuries are caused due to shoes that do not slip-resistant. 

So many shoes do not have the capability of being slip-resistant and ultimately result in slipping and falls. Most of the kitchens have either water, oil, or grease on their floors.

Therefore, you always need shoes that will prevent you from slipping, falling, or sliding. There are many shoes in the market which do not provides you the safety of slipping.

So you have to be very careful regarding the slip-resistant capability when buying the best kitchen shoes for yourself.

How do You Clean Kitchen Shoes?

The cleaning and maintaining of your kitchen shoes are also very important. If you do not clean your kitchen shoes regularly then it will result in the discomfort which ultimately will lower your kitchen performance.

So you must always clean your shoes as it is very simple and do not require any labor. Firstly, all you have to do is to apply some plain water so that it can remove all the dirt and debris in your shoes.

Then you have to remove the insoles of your shoes and wash them separately with the clean water. Then allow them to dry in the sunlight.

Then you have to fill a bucket with warm water and put a small amount of liquid detergent in it. Then place the main body of your shoes in the bucket to soak.

You can also try a top-rated shoe cleaner kit if you want to have a top-notch cleaning.

Remove your shoes when they have soaked for a while and place them in an area having adequate sunlight to dry. You must keep in mind that you do not have to pat or rub it as it could damage your shoes.

Then place the dried insoles inside your shoes and you are done and will get a clean and new pair of kitchen shoes.

Conclusion!

When you are going to buy the best kitchen shoes for yourself you have to look for many things. It is not as easy as it seems.

I hope that I have made this task very easy for you by providing you detailed guidance on the kitchen shoes.

All you have to do is to read this article carefully and I am sure that you will be able to buy the best kitchen shoes for yourself according to your requirement and likings.

All the information that is provided is completely authentic and researched.

Every aspect is covered in detail. Yet if any ambiguity is left, then you must not hesitate to ask us.