The Best Shoes for Restaurant Work

 Working in a restaurant comes with its own unique set of problems and difficulties. Choosing the right work safety shoes for the job is one of those challenges the importance of which often gets overlooked. But what are the key features a restaurant worker should look for in a shoe? Try these 4 categories for starters

• SLIP RESISTANCE - When youre working in a restaurant, slip and fall dangers can lurk around every corner. Newly mopped floor? Slip and fall hazard. Leaking refrigerator? Yep, thats a slip and fall hazard too. Bottom line? If youre working in a restaurant and youre not wearing reliable slip resistant shoes, the probability of you having a slip and fall accident increases dramatically. Its important to remember that not all slip resistant shoes are not the same when shopping for work shoes. AtSR Max^®, were serious about slip resistance. In fact, if a shoe does not meet at least a .40 COF on the Brungrabber Mark II test, we wont sell it.

• COMFORT - Nothing can wear you down and make for a miserable shift quite like some seriously achy feet. But when youre on your feet for an 8+ hour shift how can you avoid ending up with a painful pair of tootsies? Well, youve got to wear the kind of shoes that can keep your dogs from barking. Comfort should definitely be a top priority when purchasing your work footwear. In order to score the kind of comfy work shoes you want, there are a few things you should know about to find them.

Upper The upper is the material of the shoe that covers all the upper part of the foot. It can be made of a wide array of different materials, such as suede, leather, action leather, canvas, mesh, rubber, or nylon. You should choose an upper that fits your work environment. For example, if you work in a restaurant kitchen and run the danger of spilling hot liquids from cooking on your feet, you should avoid a shoe with a mesh upper and opt for something more substantial, like leather.

Insole The insole is the inside of the shoe. Many times this area of the shoe has been improved with additional cushioning in the heel and/or the impact zone (i.e. the ball of the foot). Different insole technologies are employed depending upon the purpose or style of each shoe. The four main insole categories are:

- Cushioned (shoes with some padding in the heel, like an oxford)

- Full cushion (cushioning in the heel and impact zone areas, found in low-profile athletic shoes)

- Extra cushion (thorough cushioning for maximum comfort such as what you find in most athletic shoes)

- Impact zone padding (extra cushioning located at the ball of the foot).

Lining A shoe's lining is important when discussing comfort. A good lining can mean the difference between a cool, dry shoe interior and a hot, sweaty, smelly shoe. For restaurant workers especially, a mesh fabric lining is recommended, since it wicks away moisture from your feet.

Midsole The midsole is also known as the footbed. It rests between the insole and the outsole and provides the basic support and stability of the shoe. Advances in midsole shoe technology have begun to allow for more and more cushioning, enhanced arch support, as well as the implementation of ergonomic designs. For people with high arches or flat feet it is especially important to consider the midsole when buying your shoes, as wearing a shoe with an improper midsole will lead to pain at work.

• DURABILITY - Restaurant workers put their shoes to the test when it comes to durability. Staying upright, on your feet, and moving all day at work puts a high demand on your shoes.. You get what you pay for, and a cheap pair of shoes are not likely to last you very long (or be very comfortable!). Keep in mind that once the back of the outsole is worn out or the shoes start to feel uncomfortable or less supportive, its time to replace them.

• STYLE - When youre buying your work shoes, style options can sometimes be pretty limited and lets be honest a little on the ugly side. And who wants to wear ugly shoes? No one, thats who. Thats why SR Max^® not only carries its own line of stylish slip resistant shoes, but also carries slip resistant work shoes from brands that you love.

So, what kind of styles would we recommend for folks that work in restaurants? There are plenty to choose from and plenty wed suggest, but our suggestions all depend on where exactly in a restaurant you work.