Being a waiter is fun yet exhausting. Aside from waiting tables, you need to do a lot of walking and running to serve your customers. You will be faced with constant pain in your feet because of standing for too long. Therefore, the shoes that you wear at work should be appropriate and comfortable enough.
Wearing the right pair of shoes allows you to work for hours. It can improve your work ethic, and improve your performance, which helps you to receive good feedback from your customers and superiors. Not all customers are easy to satisfy, of course. But if you want to make a good impression, you need to have the right type of footwear that is related to your field of work.
If you want to know more about the best shoes for waiters, keep on reading for you to be able to decide what to buy. Picking the right pair of shoes is essential for you to do your job properly and enjoy it without feeling any pain or discomfort.
However, before anything else, there are some features you need to look for before spending money on the right pair of shoes. So, we’ve come up with a buying guide when looking for the best shoes for waiters!
What to Look for When Buying Shoes for Waiters?
Just like any type of shoe, one must consider its important features before making a purchase. In this case, waiters should search for shoes that help you continue your job comfortably.
To solve your problems, here is our complete guide on what to look for when buying a waiter’s shoes:
1. Comfort
The first and most important thing to look for when buying shoes as a waiter is its comfortability. Since being a waiter requires a lot of standing while waiting tables, walking, and running to serve your customer’s orders, it is best to choose a pair of comfortable shoes over a stylish one.
We suggest that you select a pair of work shoes that have enough air cushioning. Some examples are shoes with EVA foot frames or molded with arch shanks. When you wear comfortable shoes, you’ll feel more relaxed and less stressed to do your work. You can serve more customers without feeling any pain.
2. Sole quality
The sole is another vital feature that you should look into when buying a pair of shoes. One option you can consider is shoes to have replaceable or removable foot beds. This allows you to remove your insoles when not in use and easily put it only when you go to work.
Wearing a pair of work shoes with good sole quality gives your feet breathability or natural airflow. It keeps your feet fresh all day. You can also consider shoes that are slip resistant and water-resistant outsoles to avoid accidents and other embarrassing moments.
3. Materials
The best shoes for any type of person should always be made out of high quality materials. When you wear shoes that are authentic and made of top quality, it shows how it looks and ages over time. The materials of the shoe impact the weight, durability, breathability, and water resistant.
Being a waiter requires a lot of moving and long periods, so choose a pair of shoes that are sturdy and mighty. One example is a shoe that is made out of 100% leather. This feature offers durability and flexibility, which helps you move naturally.
4. Toe Safety
Another feature to consider when buying shoes is if it can protect your feet. As a waiter, your toes should be able to move freely inside your shoe. Otherwise, it will feel tight and uncomfortable, which can lead to foot problems and injuries.
Toe safety also provides superior protection since it is accorded to a lot of weight. If you don’t want something too heavy, you can choose a pair of shoes that are lightweight like an alloy toe.
5. Sizing
One thing that most people go wrong when buying a pair of shoes is the sizing. The actual foot size is not the same as the shoe size.
As a waiter, it’s important to wear shoes that aren’t too tight or too loose. Rather, it should fit just right and provide enough allowance so that your feet can move freely. This will also help you get your job done.
Top 5 Best Shoes for Waiters
Now that we’ve given you the full guide on choosing the right pair of shoes for waiters, here are our top picks of best shoes for waiters:
1. Dr. Scholl’s Men’s Harrington Work Shoe

Product Description
Dr. Scholl’s men’s Harrington shoe is a top-quality shoe that we highly recommend for waiters. Not only is it a good looking classic style of shoe, but it is also long lasting and comfortable enough for you to get through a hard day’s work.
These shoes are made out of 100% leather, which increases the shoe’s durability. Waiting tables and serving customers requires working for longer periods, so it’s best to choose a mighty and sturdy shoe.
Other features of these shoes also include a gel cushion that keeps your feet fresh. These shoes allow airflow to keep your feet cool, making it breathable and comfortable to wear.
Pros
- Provides durability and comfortability
- 100% leather
- Heel measures approximately 1.25″
- Platform measures approximately 0.75″
- Includes a gel cushion, providing enough airflow
- Flexible rubber sole
- Removable outsole
- Stylish design
Cons
- The new sole design is suspicious
Interested? Check it out on this link!
2. Merrell Jungle Leather Slip-On Shoe

Product Description
These pairs of shoes are said to be one of the best shoes for waiters. It is also made out of 100% leather. The upper, which is made of leather, maximizes its beauty and elastic panels that help keep it flexible, secure, and relaxed.
The M-select Grip sole or sticky rubber outsole provides gripping power and keeps your balance on the floor. On the other hand, the air cushion midsole assures your long-time comfort. It also increases durability and blots up the shock.
For cushioning, these shoes have the EVA foot frame and are molded with nylon arch-support shanks. The weight of these shoes makes them adjustable for the waiter.
The air cushion underfoot offers you extra support and comfort while you do your job. Lastly, the lightly padded collar keeps your feet relaxed for a long period while working.
Pros
- 100% leather
- Flexible and secure elastic panels
- Has an M-select Grip sole
- Provides air cushion under foot
- Relaxing lightly padded collar
Cons
- Limited color available
- Pricey
Interested? Check it out on this link!
3. Ecco Men’s Helsinki Slip-On

Product Description
Men’s Helsinki Slip-On is one of the best shoes of the Ecco company, which is one of the top brands to produce suitable shoes for waiters. These shoes offer both comfort and style for waiters. It is durable, comfortable, and useful for your daily busy schedule.
These shoes include a textile lining that soaks up the moisture. This provides natural air flow for your feet, leaving you feeling warm and fresh.
ECCo Fibre System also creates an innovative insole that provides airflow. The extra quality of the sole supports you for comfort thanks to its extra quality shock absorbance. The shoes’ tongue is fit and flexible, while the heel cushion has an arch-support.
Its tongue is flexible and fit. The heel cushion is supportable for an arch. The upper has shiny leather which makes the shoe attractive. The only colors available are black and rust. As a waiter, you can choose black for formality and practicality.
Pros
- Fashionable design
- Offers durability and comfortability
- Included a textile lining that soaks up moisture
- Provides natural airflow for feet
- ECCo Fibre System creates innovative insole
- Provides extra quality shock absorbance
- Supportable arch for heel cushion
- The fit and flexible tongue
- Shiny leather upper
Cons
- Pricey
- The only available colors are black and rust
Interested? Check it out on this link!
4. New Balance 626v2 Work Training Shoe

Product Description
Another brand of shoes that are considered best in the waiters’ category is the New Balance 626v2 slip resistant shoes.
These shoes are made of 100% leather and have a slip-resistant outsole. This helps for your superior traction under wet surfaces and prevents you from future accidents.
These shoes are effective for those who work all day long by standing. Its phantom lining construction, compression-molded midsole, and supportive leather uppers are made for durability.
Another excellent feature of these New Balance shoes is the oil-resistant outsole. This allows you to work on slippery or wet surfaces without the fear of slipping. It also offers stability thanks to its internal shank.
In terms of cushioning, it reduces all the pressure from standing for long hours. Therefore, these shoes are best for waiters who can be clumsy especially on slippery surfaces. Plus, the shoes are also versatile. They can be worn in different activities and formal events.
Pros
- 100% leather
- Oil-resistant outsole
- Non-slip outsole
- Compression-molded midsole
- Phantom-lining construction
- Supportive leather provides durability
- Adequate cushioning
- Versatile
Cons
- Sizes may differ
Interested? Check it out on this link!
5. Dansko Pro XP Clog

Product Description
For waitresses who prefer a more fashionable pair of shoes at work, the Dansko Pro XP Clog is what you might be looking for. Dansko is another type of shoe that is considered a good quality for waiters. Not only do they have a good appearance, but it is also available on the global market.
These shoes are made out of imported quality and 100% leather. The rubber sole offers stability and flexibility.
It is suitable for women and gives you the illusion of looking taller with its heel height of 2 inches. Another good feature of this shoe is that it offers a comfortable roomy toe.
Dansko allows you to work for long hours with its foamy midsole. Aside from that, the Memory foam footbed provides enough support and cushioning.
Aside from its stylish design and top quality materials, Dansko also provides a slip-resistant outsole. You can now do challenging tasks and walk freely only slippery surfaces without worrying. Lastly, it also has a supportable arch which makes the longevity of the shoe outstanding.
Pros
- Stylish design
- Available on the global market
- 100% leather and imported quality
- Offers stability and flexibility
- Heel height of 2 inches
- Comfortable roomy toe
- Foamy midsole
- Supportive cushioning and Memory foam footbed
- Non-slip outsole
- Arch supportable
Cons
- Toe room might be wide enough
Interested? Check it out on this link!
So, Which One Should You Buy?
The service industry has one of the most fast-paced and exhausting jobs for waiters. Buying shoes that provide enough comfort, support, and resistance are vital and can help them do their jobs easier. Make sure that the shoes must also be appropriate to their attire.
One pair of shoes that we highly recommend is Dr. Scholl’s Men’s Harrington Work Shoe. These shoes are considered a top-quality choice for waiters. It offers both comfort and style.
If you like this article, you can read our other reviews at Planetshoes.net.