The Best Chef Shoes That Actually Look Good

Slip resistant shoes can save your life, whether in the kitchen or at the club. The only problem is, they’re heavy, clunky, uncomfortable and downright ugly. So we’ve listed the best chef shoes that you can wear to work as well as on your weekend night-out.

Top Rated Chef Shoes - 2018

1. MOZO Gallant

Most Stylish Chef Shoe

Editor Rating

2. KEEN Utility PTC Oxford

Most Comfortable Chef Shoe

Editor Rating

3. Emeril Lagasse Reads

Best All-Round Chef Shoe

Editor Rating

1. MOZO Men's Gallant Slip Resistant Comfort Lace-Up

Comfort
95%
Style
100%
Features
100%

The internet has been abuzz with the Mozo Gallant and for good reason.

These are one of the most stylish kitchen shoes on the market today. Not to mention, extremely lightweight and comfortable.

The Mozo Gallant have that urban look that can be carried off by anyone, anywhere.

These shoes look great whether on the street, in the club or the kitchen.

Talking about features of these shoes, the Gallants come with an outsole that is oil and slip resistant.

They come with a plush removable insole that can be swapped out for your own custom orthotics. The padding around the collar and tongue provides additional comfort.

You won’t feel like you’re lugging a sack of potatoes around your feet.

The mid-sole is extremely shock absorbing  and offers a lot of comfort. Great for those of you who walk a lot and require a plush ride.

Surprisingly, the out-sole of this shoe is extremely durable as well. You will be wearing these shoes for a long time coming.

Who is this shoe for?

The Mozo Gallant is a shoe for those of you who want to look good going out after a hard days work.

These stylish shoes will have you cooking your best on the inside, while looking your best on the outside.

The best chef shoes for sore feet as well as for sore eyes

2. KEEN Utility Men's PTC Oxford Shoe

Comfort
100%
Style
95%
Features
100%

Keen Utility is not a company that you would expect to see on this list of best chef shoes. The company started out making comfortable hiking shoes and have now carved a name in the work shoe niche.

Keen is known to make comfortable and lightweight mid-soles and they have done the same on this Oxford.

This mid-sole is extremely comfortable and won’t weigh you down in any sense.

This shoe comes with a leather upper that is both waterproof and stain resistant. The leather is extremely durable and can be wiped clean in case of spillage. Something that comes handy in the kitchen.

This is one for the more comfortable, yet stylish shoes on this list.

Your foot rests on a removable memory foam insole that offers long lasting comfort and support. You could swap it out for your custom orthotic if you wanted.

The out-sole on this shoe is extremely durable and meets ASTM standards for oil and slip resistance.

Who is this shoe for?

This is a great choice for those of you looking for a shoe that is reliable, comfortable and stylish.

3. Emeril Lagasse Men's Read Slip-Resistant Work Shoe

Comfort
85%
Style
100%
Features
100%

The Emeril Lagasse Men’s Read is a fashionable tool.

These shoes were designed by world renowned American celebrity chef, restaurateur, television personality, and cookbook author – Emeril Lagasse.

The Read is a high top sneaker that comes with a tumble leather upper and stylish metal eyelids.

These shoes are outfitted with technology that only a person familiar with working in a wet and oily conditions can design.

What makes the Emeril Lagasse Reads stand out from this crowd is the super hydrophobic upper.

The tumble leather upper on this shoe is treated with NeverWet technology that repels water, mud, food and other liquids making these shoes a dream to maintain.

This revolutionary technology causes water droplets to form near perfect spheres on the upper causing them to roll of the surface.

The inside of the shoe is lined with antimicrobial that keeps your shoes fresh.

The EVA midsole provides some comfort and helps reduce fatigue due to standing all day.

While not the most comfortable shoes on the list, these high tops have excellent gripping capabilities and look great.

Who is this shoe for?

If you’re looking for a shoe that is fashionable yet easy to maintain, then the Emeril Lagasse Read is the tool for you.

4. Reebok Work Men's Soyay RB1910 Skate Style Slip Resistant Safety Shoe

Comfort
100%
Durability
100%
Features
85%

The Soyay by Reebok is a stylish, skate-style inspired, slip resistant shoe that not only looks cool, but performs even better.

The plush contoured cushion foot-bed comes with added rubber in the heel area that is perfect for those long hours on your feet. Additionally the foot bed on this shoe is removable and can be replaced with your own orthotic.

The mid-sole is made of lightweight EVA for added shock and impact absorption. It also sits low to the floor giving you added stability and confidence in your stride.

The out-sole on this shoe is extremely grippy. This is partly due to the Reebok’s, Grip Master Rubber and partly due to the open tread pattern. This helps not only disperse water away from the shoe but is also perfect for heat as well as abrasion resistance.

The upper comes in a super smooth suede material. While the collar area that wraps around your ankle comes with ample padding and support.

The Reebok Soyay, also comes with a steel toe inside the shoe that meets safety as well as electrical standards.

This is classic design by Reebok is stable, safe, durable and stylish. Not to mention, it will have you sticking to the kitchen floor like glue.

Who is this shoe for?

The Reebok Soyay is the ideal shoe for those of you who want to sport a casual look at work, while still being protected and comfortable.

5. MOZO The Natural – Low Canvas Sneaker

Comfort
90%
Style
95%
Features
100%

The MOZO Natural is a low canvas sneaker that looks not only looks cool but it more than gets the job done.

The upper on these sneakers come in two versions, the canvas or the leather version. Both have that premium look and style, although the leather upper can be a lot easier to clean.

This is a bare essential looking sneaker with that ‘get the job done’ styling.

The water–resistant wax coated upper ensures that you can wear these sneakers without getting your feet wet.

The slip resistant out-sole will give you traction and impart confidence every step of the way.

Who are these shoes for?

These are not your hardy everyday work shoes.  But more of something that can be worn both on and off the job.

A good option for your last weekday at work, so you can let off some steam in style.

6. Skechers for Work Men's Flex Advantage - Mcallen and Lilburne Slip Ons

Comfort
100%
Style
95%
Features
85%

We don’t usually place 2 shoes in one spot, but the Mcallen and Lilburne Slip on’s are more like brothers.

They come w a synthetic and textile upper that come with heavy duty elastic goring for easy on and off.

These slip on chef shoes come with a soft fabric lining on the inside with a soft supportive cushioned sole that will make your feet feel great all day long.

The mid soles are made of a super shock absorbing Flex sole material that distributes impact and reduces fatigue.

They also come with a flat, durable rubber out-sole that helps with stability while standing.

The difference between these two boots is the cut. You’ll see many a chef wearing the Mcallen. Although, not everybody knows about the Lilburne.

The Lilburne is the better looking of the two and resembles the Adidas Boost or the Nike Flyknit.

Who are these Shoes for?

These shoes are for those of you looking for a comfortable shoe with a wide, supportive base.

7. Skechers for Work Men's Burst Slip Resistant Waterproof Work Shoe

Comfort
95%
Style
85%
Features
95%

The Burst SR from Skechers brings a much welcome sporty look to slip resistant shoes.

This shoe is safety rated on the out-sole.

These are probably on the the most comfortable shoes on this list today.

The action leather upper is extremely durable and lined with mesh for that added breathability.

What makes these slip resistant shoes stand out, is the fact that they are also waterproof and will protect you from the outside elements.

There’s also gusseting on the inside of the tongue, ensuring no dust or debris gets in on the inside.

The collar area around the tongue is padded and lined with fabric for added comfort around the ankle.

The memory foam on the bottom is extremely comfortable while the thick mid-sole provides excellent shock absorption.

The sturdy rubber out-sole below the thick textured mid-sole is perfect for use on wet or oily surfaces.

Skecher’s slip resistant out-soles are tested according to the ASTM F11677-2005 Mark II testing standards. Using this test, all of their slip resistant out-soles meet or exceed a result of 0.40 under wet/oily conditions.

Who is this shoe for?

This is the perfect waterproof, oil, slip and dust resistant shoe that will keep your feet feel comfortable while standing all day.

8. KEEN Utility Men's Destin Steel Toe Slip On ESD Work Shoe

Comfort
95%
Style
85%
Features
90%

The Keen Utility Destin is not your average work shoe. This bad boy is packed with features.

The Destin’s design features a slip-on, sneaker inspired design that can be paired with both casual as well as semi–formal attire.

The uppers on this shoe are made from a high quality waterproof Nubuck leather. The soft breathable lining on the inside is going to give you great moisture wicking, that will keep your feet dry.

While the insole is made of padded EVA, that provides exceptional comfort. Additionally, the insole is also removable for those of you that want to use custom orthotics.

On the bottom of the shoe is the non marking Keen Grip rubber out-sole, that provides excellent oil and slip resistance.

While another great feature of on this shoe is  that it meets ASTM electrical hazard standards.

The Keen Utility Destin is a steel toed work shoe. The asymmetrical toe guards up front help keep your feet protected while offering ample breathing space for your toes.

Who is this shoe for?

In terms of features, the Keen Utility Destin is one of those shoes that you can’t go wrong with. They offer excellent  overall protection foe those of you working in fast paced kitchens with a lot of open electrical appliances.

9. Skechers for Work Men's Flex Advantage Slip Resistant Oxford Sneaker

Comfort
90%
Style
90%
Features
85%

These great looking shoes from Skechers have a simplistic understated design.

They come in a comfortable leather upper with durable mesh panels throughout the sides. This helps with breatheablilty and also in keeping your feet nice and cool during those long work hours.

The traditional lace up system leads up to the collar area which has a lot of padding for extra comfort.

There is a lot of cushioning in the foot-bed due to the memory foam technology. While the super shock absorbing mid-sole adds to the plush ride and also makes the shoe extremely lightweight.

The out-sole on the Skechers Flex Advantage Oxford is tough and durable. It also offers great flexibility and of course is slip resistant.

Who is this shoe for?

The Skechers Flex Advantage Oxfords are a comfortable pair of slip resistant shoes that have an understated look.

10. Timberland PRO Valor Men's NewMarket Pursuit Work Shoe

Comfort
95%
Style
80%
Features
80%

The Valor New Market from Timberland PRO comes with a durable lightweight design, made from a durable synthetic leather and a breathable mesh.

The toe area is reinforced for added durability on the upper. The heel on this shoe is stabilized to minimize slippage, hot spots and consequently chaffing.

The EVA cushioning throughout the shoe makes it lightweight and extremely comfortable to wear.

These are the shoes you want on your feet if you are going to be standing on the job all day.

This shoe comes with a removable foot-sole, but you will more than likely want to keep in there. This insole is extremely cushioned and is what adds the comfort factor to this shoe.

The out-sole is relatively durable and not just slip resistant, but non marking and abrasion resistant as well.

Who is this shoe for?

This is a great shoe if you are standing or walking at work all day and need something that not only looks good but is extremely comfortable as well.

The padding on this insole makes it one of the best insoles for chefs.

Why wear non slip work shoes in the kitchen?

Slips and falls are the number two cause of workplace accidents. A slip can lead to an ankle sprain or worse.

The workplace can be filled with environmental hazards such as; sharp and pointy objects and hot liquids, metals and gasses. The last thing you want to worry about is the floor beneath your feet.

In fact looking down and walking all the time can probably lead to much more severe injuries. It really is as simple as that.

Wearing a good pair of non slip shoes will not only give you peace of mind at the workplace, but will also help keep you injury free.

What makes a good chef shoe?

Kitchens can be compared to war zones of the early days.

Things get sliced and diced in this fast paced environment on a daily basis. And as with knights of old, chefs today need to wear protective gear, and a chef’s shoe is just that.

A good chef shoe will have all of the following features:

  1. Slip and Oil Resistant Durable Out-Sole: A slippery kitchen floor is a disaster waiting to happen. Yet, it is inevitably always part of the environment. A good slip resistant out-sole will keep you on your feet and inspire confidence.
  2. Waterproof Leather Upper: The problem with slippery kitchen floors is due to spillage. Things inevitably fall from the counters and land up on the floor or your shoes. A good kitchen shoe should be waterproof in order to keep your feet from getting wet.
  3. Stain Resistant and Easy To Clean: Again, with all the spillage happening around the kitchen, a good chef shoe will have uppers that are easy to clean and maintain.
  4. Protective Toe Caps: The most overlooked part of a good chef shoe is the toe cap. Capped toe shoes were invented for good reason. People drop things all the time. Whether its that vat of sauce you just prepared or a cleaver, a safety toed shoe is an absolute essential in the kitchen these days. Our article on the best work shoes is a great place to start if you’re looking for some toe protection.
  5. Comfort and Stability:  Of course, when you stand on your feet all day, having a shoe that can carry you around comfortably is of utmost importance as well. Also, having a shoe that enhances stability while standing can be of huge benefit to the longevity of your feet, knees and back. You can look for shoes that have roll bars or specific shoes for flat feet and plantar fasciitis.

Conclusion:

Searching for a chef shoe that looks great and performs well is no easy task. We wish more companies would start to put out more good looking shoes for the kitchen.

It’s a wonder why chefs are a neglected lot in the shoe world.  But with a little bit of knowledge and ingenuity, finding the best chef shoe can be quite an enjoyable task.

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