The Best Shoes for Servers
This guide highlights the key features of server shoes that affect comfort, safety, and style. We know that happy feet lead to happy servers, and we're here to help you choose shoes that support your staff from the first steps to the last call. With the right fit, your servers will feel like they're walking on clouds instead of concrete. Let's get started!
Why Server Shoe Choice Matters
Your servers are the face of your restaurant, so you want them to feel energized, not exhausted. But the average server walks between 5 and 15 miles per shift. All that time on their feet can lead to pain, fatigue and even injuries without proper footwear.
Providing servers with high-quality shoes offers benefits beyond just comfort. Shoes with crucial features like shock absorption and traction keep servers moving efficiently. They have the energy to stay pleasant despite being on their feet all day. And they remain injury-free so they don't miss work. Choosing shoes with care pays off through your servers’ performance.
Key Features of Quality Server Shoes
Cushioning and Shock Absorption
Since servers constantly walk and stand during long shifts, their shoes need ample cushioning to soften each step. Look for server shoes with memory foam, gel cushions, or EVA midsoles. These materials compress with each step to absorb impact and then bounce back so the cushioning lasts.
Some restaurant shoes even have extra cushioning in the ball and heel where the most pressure occurs. Proper cushioning prevents pain and fatigue, so servers stay energized.
Arch Support
Whether they have high arches or flat feet, servers need substantial arch reinforcement from their shoes to prevent injury.
Server shoes with removable insoles allow you to customize arch support for each individual. Shoes with built-in arch support are also beneficial, but they offer adequate height and firmness to properly support the foot's natural curvature.
Slip Resistance
Spilled drinks and food are unavoidable in the restaurant, so standard shoes with smooth leather or rubber soles won't cut it. Server shoes need special outsoles with treads designed to grip wet surfaces and prevent slipping.
Look for serve-safe shoes with outsoles made of slip-resistant materials like nitrile rubber or thermoplastic urethane with noticeable tread. Examine the pattern of ridges and grooves on the sole strategically placed to channel liquid away and maintain traction. The highest rating for non-slip shoes is SRA, which indicates they've been tested and proven to provide traction even on incredibly slick surfaces.
Flexibility and Light Weight
Since servers constantly bend, crouch, stretch, and move quickly, their shoes can't restrict movement or feel heavy and clumsy on their feet. The best shoes for servers offer lightweight, breathable materials and flexible soles with a roomy toe box allowing natural foot movement so they can attend to customers without feeling weighed down. Prioritize shoes made of breathable materials such as mesh, canvas or leather, so feet stay relaxed and comfortable overnight without overheating.
Durability
Server shoes take a beating with all the walking, spills, scrapes, and scuffs involved in restaurant work. You'll want to choose server-specific durable shoes made with sturdy leather, synthetics, or rubber that can withstand daily use without showing excessive wear.
Construction methods like stitching, cementing, and lasting (attaching the shoe's upper part to the sole) should be high-quality so shoes don't fall apart quickly. Soles made of non-marking rubber are also crucial since standard rubber can leave unsightly marks on floors that require frequent scrubbing.
Top Brands of Server Shoes
Now that you know what to look for in server footwear, here are some top brands and styles that offer the crucial features and durability to be considered:
Shoes for Crews
Founded in 1984, this company revolutionized slip-resistant shoes. They remain a leader in the restaurant shoe industry today thanks to their innovative traction technologies that provide unmatched slip protection.
MOZO Shoes
This brand launched in 2008 to fill the need for more stylish, comfortable work footwear. MOZO's dedicated Restaurant shoes have modern styling and superior comfort technologies like removable footbeds, gel insoles, and slip-resistant outsoles. The Forza and Maven are great options for servers looking for fashionable support.
Merrell Jungle Moc Pro Grip
The original Jungle Moc has been a restaurant industry staple since the 90s. Merrell has since developed the Pro Grip style, featuring fortified toe protection and extra slip-resistant rubber soles for enhanced safety. Despite the upgrades, these shoes maintain the flexible casual comfort the Jungle Moc line is known for.
Birkenstock Professional
The German company stormed the American footwear scene with its original cork sandal in the 1960s. They've since branched out to offer closed-toe options like Professional clogs, sneakers, and slip-ons. These shoes provide incredible arch support, shock absorption, slip resistance, and easy cleanup of spills.
Dansko XP 2.0
Dankso comfortable clogs have been a favorite of servers, chefs, and medical staff for years. The XP 2.0 adds enhanced arch support, a rocker bottom sole, and slip-resistant tread wrapped around the heel for versatility across work environments. Despite their hardworking construction, Dansko's retain all-day wearability.
Dr. Scholl's Work
Dr. Scholl's has been a practical comfort and support footwear leader for over a century. Their Work line, including the Gain, Anchor, and Hartford styles, offer the same technologies that made the brand famous in server-friendly designs. Cushioned insoles, shock absorption, and slip-resistant soles allow servers to stay comfortable during long shifts.
Sperry Boat Shoes
As the original boat shoe brand, Sperry is known for their non-slip outsoles and ability to transition seamlessly from the deck to the dining room. The Cloud CVO and Gold Cup CVO feature water-resistant leather and Wave-SipingTM traction technology for safety.
Match Shoes To Your Uniform Program
Plan your colors
Make sure shoes complement the color scheme of your restaurant's uniforms. Black or brown shoes work well with most colors, but white or two-tone shoes can coordinate.
Consider shoe styles
Match the formality of shoe styles to uniforms. More casual uniforms like polos and khakis pair well with slip-on or lace-up sneakers. Formal attire deserves a more polished Oxford shoe.
Mind the details
Subtle touches like matching the color of laces, stitching, sole edges, or shoe logo to uniform details create cohesion. For example, shoes with red accents work for a red tie or neckerchief uniform.
Set policies
Establish clear policies around acceptable shoe colors and styles to be worn with uniforms. This ensures a consistent look aligned with your brand image.
Provide options
Offer servers a couple of approved shoe choices to coordinate with uniform pieces rather than enforcing one style. This allows some individualization.
Check condition
Make sure the shoes servers wear are clean, polished, and in good condition. Remember, shoes are part of the uniform. Scuffed or worn-out shoes detract from overall appearance.
Additional Tips for Happy Feet
Beyond choosing shoes with the right features, there are some additional things you can do to keep your servers' feet happy and healthy:
Alternate shoes
Encourage servers to switch between at least two pairs of work shoes during the work week. This allows the cushioning to fully rebound and prevents excessive wear patterns that can lead to injury when worn repeatedly.
Insoles
Consider providing custom orthotics or over-the-counter insoles to enhance comfort and support in their shoes based on their individual needs. Insoles should be replaced every 6 months or so.
Maintenance
Make sure servers keep their shoes clean to prevent slipping and help the shoes last longer. For example, it’s helpful to regularly check the soles of the shoes to ensure grip patterns are not worn out or filled with gunk. Occasional conditioning with polish or oils will also help maintain the material.
Fitting
Only shoes that fit properly can provide adequate comfort and support. Have servers wear the type of socks they'll wear at work when trying on shoes and buy them at the end of the day when their feet are swollen. Feet should have about 1/2-3/4 inch space from the tip of the shoe.
The Right Shoes Keep Servers on Their Toes
At shift's end, servers will be thankful for shoes that don't leave them sore and drained — Compromising on footwear compromises comfort, safety, and performance. But the good news is that more options than ever are designed to meet restaurant work demands.
Remember these key features and recommended brands as you help equip staff with footwear to support their best service. Happy feet equals happy servers and happy customers!Ready to create the perfect uniform program for your brand? Stock is here to help!