Choosing the best shoes for waitressing is not simply about a pair of shoes that are fashionable and fits the company’s dress code policy.
You will want more than that for your shoes to be comfortable, supportive and durable.
Of course, you want them to look great as well especially for the ladies. You will find that many restaurants require waitresses to have slip resistant or non-slip shoes.
Most often the same type of shoe is required for not only waitresses but also hosts, servers, chefs and bartenders as well.
As a waitress, you easily spend 8 to 12 hours on your feet every day serving your customers. You want to wear the right footwear to prevent foot injuries and back pain, and deformities of the toes and feet.
The best choice is those that provide cushioning along with great arch support. You need well fitting shoes and will need to replace them every six months to ensure you don’t damage your feet due to wearing worn out shoes. You will need your shoes to be slip resistant on both wet and oily surfaces.
Let’s take a look at the following 5 pairs of slip resistant waitress shoes for men and women.
| # | Image | Description | Men's or Women's | Features | Rating |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Merrell Women's Jungle Moc Pro | Women's | Breathable mesh lining, long-lasting traction even on wet surfaces | 4.9 out of 5 | |
| 2 | Timberland PRO Women's Renova | Women's | Ideal anatomical shape, shock absorption in key zones | 4.8 out of 5 | |
| 3 | Crocs Women's Mercy Clog | Women's | Slip resistant thread, adjustable back strap | 4.8 out of 5 | |
| 4 | Alegria Women's Classic Clog | Women's | Natural heel to toe roll, removable insole and footbed | 4.8 out of 5 | |
| 5 | New Balance Women's WX626 | Women's | Slip resistant and non-marking outsole, padded tongue and collar | 4.8 out of 5 | |
| 6 | Dansko Men's Pro XP | Men's | 2 inches heel and 1 inch platform, padded instep and collar | 4.9 out of 5 | |
| 7 | Alegria Men's Black Nappa | Men's | Stain resistant leather upper, insoles adapt to your feet’s shape | 4.8 out of 5 | |
| 8 | Skechers for Work Men's Rockland | Men's | Electrical hazard safe, casual lace up work oxford style | 4.7 out of 5 | |
| 9 | Dr. Scholl's Men's Hiro | Men's | Keeps moisture away, may help remedy aches and pains | 4.7 out of 5 | |
| 10 | Merrell Men's Jungle Moc | Men's | Smooth leather exterior, Suregrip outsole | 4.8 out of 5 |
Some tips before wir start:
Best Women's Waitress Shoes
1. Merrell Women's Jungle
The Merrell Women’s Jungle features a synthetic upper and a rubber slip resistant sole. It has a heel measuring approximately 1.5 inches in height.
Available in brown, black and white - you will be certain to find a color that fits in with your dress code.
It features a breathable mesh lining that allows for breathability for long hours of wear. The SureGrip outsole provides long-lasting traction even on wet surfaces.
You will love the EVA footbed which provides much-needed support. Best of all you can remove the footbed if you don’t need all that support. On the other hand, if you find you need more support, you can always add inserts to customize the shoe for the most comfortable fit.
VERDICT
Then there is the Merrell Air cushion which allows for the utmost in shock absorption to help with the reduction of friction and to provide you with a more relaxed stride.
2. Timberland PRO Women's Renova
The Timberland PRO Renova for women features an upper made of full grain leather and a rubber sole. Its heel measures 1.75 inches and it has a platform which measures 0.75 inches. Inside the shoe you will find a micro-suede lining.
It has a rocker sole that spans from heel to toe and is toe box is oblique shaped offering and ideal anatomical shape. There is also elastic goring on them.
Available in a chestnut brown color you will love the slip resistant capacity. The heel to toe rocker allows for effortless gait as well as less strain on your feet. You will love the anti-fatigue technology system that provides shock absorption in key zones to ensure your feet stay comfortable all day long.
VERDICT
You will also love how the contoured insole allows support at high impact points of the ball and heel of the foot to ensure your comfort on a long day on your feet.
3. Crocs Women's Mercy Work
The Women’s Mercy Work clog from Crocks is made with their proprietary Croslite material. It is designed to be roomy, allowing your toes splay space and wiggle room. The footbed is made with massaging nubs to help relieve fatigue through the day.
The outsole features a slip resistant thread – another proprietary feature found in Crocs footwear. The clog also features an adjustable back strap to ensure a snug and comfortable fit.
Available in black, white, navy blue and gold you will love that these shoes are designed specifically for comfort when you are on your feet all day.
VERDICT
You will love that the footbed is enhanced to provide added arch support and the heels strap is designed to be comfortable and not to cut into your skin. To top it all off, you will love the fact that these shoes are easy to clean and are resistant to odors.
4. Alegria Women's Classic Clog
The Alegria Women’s Classic Clog is made with a leather upper and rubber sole. It has a heel measuring 1.5 inches and a 1-inch platform.
The upper is embossed and the shoe comes in many fun designs.
It has a t-strap design and features a buckle closure that allows for a customizable fit.
The footbed aims to provide an anatomical fit for all day comfort. The outsole is outfitted with rocker technology which provides your feet with the most natural heel to toe roll to reduce pressure on the central metatarsal area of your feet.
If you use custom orthotics, you will love that these shoes have a removable insole and footbed that allows you to insert your own orthotics. The insole is made from natural leather making it very breathable as it provides enough arch support to make your feet happy.
VERDICT
If you are looking for stability, then this shoe with its flat bottom design will give you just that with increased stability thanks to maximum floor contact.
5. New Balance Women's WX626 Slip Resistant
Made with a leather upper and a rubber sole the New Balance Women’s WX626 is a great option for waitresses. It features a lace up closure with pull loop at the heel to help with putting on and taking off the shoe. It has a padded tongue and collar for comfort and cushioning.
A breathable mesh lining helps to keep your feet cool and the removable EVA foam footbed provides added cushioning. The outsole is slip resistant and non-marking so it is safe for the restaurant environment both inside and outside of the kitchen (important for restaurant servers).
VERDICT
These shoes have been certified slip resistant and are perfect for wear on wet and oily surfaces. You will love the shock absorption you get from the injection-molded EVA foam midsole and the footbed with the dual comfort insert footbed. There is an internal shank if you are looking for a shoe that offers arch support and stabilization of the gait as well.
Best Men's Waiter Shoes
6. Dansko Men's Pro XP
Made with a leather upper and a synthetic sole the Dansko Men’s Pro XP is an excellent choice for waitressing or other service workers in the restaurant and hospitality industry. It has a heel measuring 2 inches and a platform which measures 1 inch. The midsole is sturdy and stapled, and the shoe features a padded collar.
The insole is cushioned with dual density EVA memory foam and the shoe sports a metal shank. The Dansko Men’s Pro XP has been SATRA tested and is available in black and oiled brown.
You will love that these shoes are comfortable for all day wear but still have a trendy look. It features a padded instep that provides cushioning comfort to the toe box and ankles.
VERDICT
The insole is removable so that you can wear the shoes with them or with your favorite other insoles. A leather sock liner offers breathability and thus added comfort for all day wear.
7. Alegria Chairman
The Alegria Chairman is made with a leather upper and features a leather lining. It has the capability of accommodating some orthotics thanks to its removable memory foam, cork and latex insole. Inside the shoe also features a suede sock liner.
The sole is made of rubber and features a rocker design. It is also none marking as well as it is slip resistant.
You will love that this shoe is available in many color options included, dark brown, brown, black, white and navy blue. You will love that the leather upper is stain resistant so you can have food items drop on your shoe and you don’t have to worry about their aesthetics being ruined or jeopardized.
VERDICT
The outsole is made from polyurethane which makes for an excellent non-slip kitchen and restaurant use. You will love how the included insoles adapt to your feet’s shape and provide you with a fully customizable fit. These are podiatrist recommended so you know you can’t go wrong.
8. Skechers for Work Men's Rockland
The Skechers for Work Men’s Rockland is made with leather upper and rubber sole. It features a heel with a 1.25-inch height and features a lace up closure. It has a bicycle seamed toe and a padded collar along with a removable cushioned insole.
The outsole features a driving heel with a nice thread pattern for traction and slip resistance to keep you safe while at work in all and any slippery situation.
You will love the casual lace up work oxford style that makes it a great pick for your restaurant job. You will meet your company’s dress code requirements and be comfortable for your long shifts on your feet.
VERDICT
Added to its comfort and stability is also its electrical hazard safe manufacture to provide an added layer of protection for your feet and your entire body on a whole.
9. Dr. Scholl's Men's Hiro
The Dr.Scholl’s Mens Hiro in black is made with leather upper and rubber sole. This work shoe is slip resistant and features a simple lace-up vamp. It is very unassuming at first glance but is packed with features for comfort and support.
Inside you will find a Dri-Lex moisture wicking lining which keeps moisture away and leaves your feet dry and comfortable all day. You don’t have to worry about odor thanks to the Aegis microbe shield anti-microbial sock. This technology combined with a slip resistant and oil resistant outsole provides added comfort along with safety.
You will love – like other owners of this shoe – the fact that they can wear them all day long and get home without their feet feeling achy, tired or fatigued and in pain.
VERDICT
You will love that these may help remedy aches and pains you have been having due to wearing the incorrect type of work shoe for your long days.
10. Merrell Men's Jungle Moc Pro
The Merrell Men’s Jungle Moc Pro is made with a leather upper and rubber sole.
It is designed to be a slip on shoe with a padded collar and flexible goring inserts.
The smooth leather exterior meets the Suregrip outsole which is slip resistant and measures around 1 inch in width. This along with some proprietary features from Merrell sets this shoe apart from the rest.
Available in black and brown you will like the professional look that these shoes give off. The shoe is a great quality shoe, but it comes with little to no maintenance thanks to its non-marking soles, its nubuck upper and the Merrell air cushion underfoot design.
VERDICT
If the odor is a problem for you, then these shoes have got you covered thanks to the M-Select Feature. A distinctive thread pattern allows these shoes to channel liquids away and offer superb traction. You will love how well the sticky soles perform on slippery surfaces.
You may also like: Second toe is longer than big toe? Check these shoes out
Conclusion
There is quite the variety of shoes that are suitable for restaurant workers that will meet your department’s dress code. However, you want the best server shoes so that your feet and back will thank you.
You want a pair of shoes that will be safe and comfortable and that will be durable too. You can choose from the above picks and you will definitely find yourself with a top quality shoe.
Our top recommended products would be the New Balance Women's WX626 Slip Resistant and the Dr. Scholl's Men's Hiro. These two picks are among the top of the best shoes because of the level of comfort they exude and what owners of them have to say about them.
You are confident that these shoes will meet your needs and provide all day comfort and stability as you work. Choose any of these footwear and you won’t be disappointed in your purchase.