As a waitress, you’ll be on your feet for hours at a time, constantly dashing around to fulfil customer requests (including the strangest and most unreasonable). And that's before you're so tired you nearly end up falling, tripping or having feet that ache more than at the end of a big night out. The best waitress shoes are ones that provide plenty of comfort and support, have slip-resistant outsoles and are durable. Here’s why you should invest in proper waitress shoes.
What are Waitress Shoes and Why do You Need Them?
Many people think the shoes found in fashion and department stores pass for waitress shoes. But that’s not actually the case. In fact, waitress shoes are specifically designed to protect you from the unique hazards you face at work. Unlike high street options, style isn’t the only priority. Waitress shoes are:
Slip Resistant
Slips, trips and falls are the most common accident in the workplace across Europe. Although there are ways to reduce slip hazards, safety starts from the ground up so it’s vital you wear the appropriate non-slip footwear.
Unlike high street options, proper waitress shoes have sturdy slip-resistant outsoles. These soles work by having deeper tread grooves which grip the floor more securely. The greater the grip, the less you’re likely to slip.
Some waitress shoes even come with tapered toes. Known as TripGuard technology, this helps to decrease trip hazards you experience when you move between different floor types. As a waitress, you probably walk across different floor surfaces without even realising. These surfaces vary in their slip hazards and there might even be hidden ledges and edges that you could trip over. Shoes with TripGuard protect against that.
Slip-resistant shoes don’t just protect you from accidents. If you can work without fearing you’ll fall, you’ll be able to work harder and deliver excellent customer service with a smile.
Supportive
When you’re on your feet all day, you’ll undoubtedly experience sore feet and legs. You might even have an aching back if your shoes didn’t support you properly. Inappropriate fashion shoes and shoes that are very worn tend to cause this because the interior soles become flat and unsupportive.
You have two options to save your feet. You can buy insoles to make your shoes more comfortable but these only do so much on their own.
The alternative is to invest in waitress shoes. They come with padded insoles and foam cushions to support your feet. Some options even have advanced pressure release technology which relieves the pressure under your feet so every step you take feels lighter. Because you’re able to work more comfortably, you’ll be more efficient, productive and willing to crack a genuine smile (instead of a grimace) as you won’t be lumbered down by sore feet.
In addition, you’ll also save money in the long run because you won’t need to replace your footwear as often.
Durable
Spilt liquids, cleaning products and the fact that you’ll be dashing around for hours - these are all reasons why your shoes quickly become worn and you have to keep replacing them. This is often the case when you choose cheap, high street shoes. These options might look very fashionable but they’re made from low-quality materials and aren’t built for durability. So, when you’re on your feet for hours, wear and tear hit those shoes pretty hard.
Waitress shoes, however, are designed with the nature of your job role in mind. The exterior materials are high-quality leather or vegan substitutes and are water resistant. This means the shoe can withstand the intensity of your job. Because they’re durable, you don’t have to replace them as often and will save money in the long run.
Smart and Stylish
Many work appropriate shoes tend to be clunky, unfashionable things. But not all waitress shoes are like that. There are actually some smart, stylish options out there that are cute enough to be worn casually as well as at work. So, you can actually wear these on the way to work instead of having to bring a spare pair with you.
For example, take a look at these waitress shoes...
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Old School Low Rider IV and Reese
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Vitality II and Delray
They’re all popular styles but come with additional safety features that are designed to protect against occupational hazards. They all come with slip-resistant soles, TripGuard, cushioned insoles and are made from waterproof, durable materials.
Reese even features pressure release technology to ensure your feet stay light throughout your shift. Delray Canvas and Vitality II have SpillGuard technology that creates a protective barrier against hot liquids.
Want More Advice on Choosing the Right Work Shoes?
Every job and workplace come with their own hazards. That’s why we’ve created a handy buying guide. It’s designed to help you pick the right work shoe for your job role. Go ahead and take a look at it below.