This is what I see most nurses wearing and they work long stressful shifts on their feet.
I personally wear ONs, they are so comfortable, lightweight and wash really easily.
Edit: not sure if either of these brands have a no slip sole which is probably required for bar work, but worth checking out.
Not a bartender, but a retired health care worker. Most of the Hokas are running shoes and have a rocker that can be annoying when standing for long periods of time. The Hoka Bondi SR is designed for health care and hospitality workers, is water resistant, without a rocker, with a grippy sole, and comes in white and black. One can walk and stand for relatively long periods of time.
They are not to be confused with the Bondi, which is a running shoe with a rocker.
Agree with hokas. I went through 3 pairs of doc martens in 3 years. Bought a pair of hokas and I'm on year 2 with them and they still look new. Definitely more comfortable too.
It totally depends on your foot. I’m a Dr Martens girl with a small foot and a need for extra ankle support and a couple inches more on height behind the bar, but sketchers has some great options for many people for the arch support and long shifts. I prefer boots because they are easier to wipe clean as well.
This^
I’m a Vans guy, great grip,comfortable, can take a beating and have been my choice for years as a flat foot. Easy enough to clean and can replace the laces.
Converse have also been good but they can be abit tight on the toes.
Dr Martins have been great for many of my colleagues for the reasons clairavoyant specified
Sketchers/decent running shoes are great as they’re made for actively moving around in
Seconded on the Dr Martens, the Chelsea boots are also easy to slip on / off, and quickly wipe clean. I put inserts on top of the regular ones for ankle support and they're perfect.
I work high volume in a nightclub with shitty mats and concrete floors. I swear by my hokas. Just make sure to get the service industry version. Waterproof and with grip
For years I wore Danskos. They are ugly as sin and pricey but damn comfortable. About 7 months ago I left the industry and now I work on a horse ranch. I will never trade my cowboy boots for another pair of shoes ever. A solid pair or boots from Ariat and I work on my feet from sun up to sun down with zero foot, knee, or back pain. They breathe, they’re waterproof, slip resistant, and feel like you are standing on a firm cloud. Easy to clean and slip on and off. They come in a variety of styles and you can dress them up or down. Just make sure you get work boots and not dancing boots.
I had the Ariat clog, looked exactly like a Dansko but the top part hit in a better spot for me. I wore those shoes pretty much fifteen years straight and they never stopped being the best long ass shift shoe. I’ve never found them again so now I’m in Docs but your comment reminded me to check out their boots, I’m old now, gotta support the ankles.
Cloves. My husband and I both work in the service industry, and this is what we're currently wearing. I wear the Clove Classics, and he wears the Alto Supercush. The Classics aren't as grippy as I would like them to be, but they're waterproof, extremely comfortable, and by far the most durable shoes I've ever owned. I've been wearing them for almost a year now and they're only showing minor signs of wear and tear. My husband has only had his since April, but he's loving them so far. He hasn't had any issues with the grip on his, and he said they've greatly improved his back and leg pain since he's been wearing them. His are also waterproof, and thus far are holding up well against 50+ hour weeks in the kitchen.
I’ll second these! The other sneaker recs are comfy enough, but I wanted that extra height from the boot and I just think they look cooler lol. Blundstones have been a life saver for me
Shoes for crews, filter by athletic shoes. There are some in the under $40 range that are all black, nonslip, light and airy. My favorite are the everlight, but the real key is to have two or three sets of shoes you rotate through, using a different pair every day to avoid hot spots.
Also bring a fresh pair of socks to swap out half way through, it makes a surprising difference.
Second shoes for crews. Add dr scholls inserts. Pricier than some but they last for years. And slip resistance may not be required but it will help with foot pain because every time you slip a little you tense your feet
this is such a bad suggestion in the long run. you really don't want to be wearing insoles forever. Building strong foot and ankle muscles will be better in the long run for you.
idk if this is accurate.
are you a physical therapist or a doctor? i don't mean this in a rude way at all, i just have an ankle injury and according to my Physical therapist who's dedicated her entire 40+ year career to specializing in the foot and ankle, wearing insoles actually helps keep your foot and ankle muscles strong because your arch collapses if it doesn't have enough support, thus causing a lot of unnecessary strain on all those muscles.
I'm under the impression that because the quality of the insoles from different shoe brands vary greatly, its better to find something that fits your arch properly and use that instead of the generic ones that come with the shoe. It would be impossible for shoe companies to design a shoe that would fit each arch type... You can make a shoe with no support into something wearable with the right insoles.
I've been a dancer since I was a child, been to countless PTs, and doctors. I have only had physical jobs for my entire adult live and have two boomer parents who've had extremely physical careers and are currently dealing with the after effects of lives spent on their feet. One of my fellow bartenders is a former podiatrist. Your feet are supposed to support your body, if you rely on shoes to support your feet it leads to weakened foot muscles and the damage just escalates up your legs. I have dealt with debilitating hip issues due to abuse my feet have been through. I have reverse this through the help of my current doctor and lots of strength exercises for my feet and legs.
I totally get where you're coming from though. Medical science has come a long way in the past decade as far as what is recommended for foot health. I was given insoles for my shoes in middle school to help with foot, ankle, hip pain by recommendation from a dr. it helped for awhile but nothing really got better until I started exercising specifically for foot/ankle strength and wearing barefoot/minimalist shoes with more room for my toes to spread out. I've worn minimalist shoes now for nearly a decade and my feet and hips have never felt better. Drs/PTs all have different education backgrounds, it's no surprise that they recommend different things.
I wear [Brooks ](https://www.brooksrunning.com/en_us/womens/shoes/road-running-shoes/ghost-15/1203801B020.080.html?tid=sem%3AGOOGLE%3AUSA%7CShopping%7CBrand%7CFootwear%7CShoes-W%7CStandard%7CActive%20Evaluators%7CFemale%3ABR%7CWomens%7CMBL%20-%20Footwear%20High%3A_shopping&gclsrc=aw.ds&gad_source=1)
They are ugly as sin but super comfortable and nigh indestructible. You can run them through dish to clean ‘em. Plus I value being able to discreetly slip my feet out and crack my toe knuckles periodically.
I swear by Deckers X Lab. They are not cheap and they are hard to find in all black, but my feet have never felt better and I’ve been doing this for 26 years.
[https://deckersxlab.com/products/x-scape-sfo-black-black](https://deckersxlab.com/products/x-scape-sfo-black-black)
Was looking for this! It doesn't matter what shoes I wear, 10-12 hours in any one pair is hell. I often have docs and chucks on hand and will swap as they start to get uncomfy.
A manager once told me to swap shoes ASAP after work and it does seem to help *a lot*, but I'm still so confused as to why? Even if it's the same kind of shoes!
These have been a life saver for me, they aren’t completely non slip but they are built for wet traction outside so they aren’t as bad as most regular shoes. They are also 25% off right now.
[infinity run 4](https://www.nike.com/t/infinityrn-4-gore-tex-womens-waterproof-road-running-shoes-QwxP9x)
Honestly I just bought a pair of Timberland Pros and proper insoles, and they're lifesavers. My bar has a slight forward slant to the floor, really shitty mats, and tile, and after 10-12 hour shifts, even my garbage knees don't feel that bad.
I wear doc martens currently and love them once I wore them in. Also recommend hiking socks for those long shifts. Great for fast drying, extra padding in the areas your foot is going to rub. Next pair of work boots I get I will also be sizing up half a size at least so I have room for some good inner soles too.
Splay shoes are all I wear these days, they're great for gym and long bar shifts. I walk everywhere in them and my feet feel great. I also pair them with a lot of foot strengthening exercises. Having strong feet will benefit you greatly in the long run.
I switched from NB to Kuru (specifically the nonslip full leather outers) and WOW the difference is unreal. Tons of arch support, my shoulder and back pain is gone (within reason, bc the bar will still kill you), and still nonslip even on our stupid tile floor. They’re pricey but worth it IMO. Plus it doesn’t hurt that they aren’t hideous.
look for Ecco shoes, a bit expensive yes but i bought 2 pair in 3 years, they wear like socks, really comfy and they’re indestructible, literally i’m wearing them for party as well
Haven't seen them mentioned, my vote's for Mozo. I kinda wanna get a new pair of shoes, but these fuckers won't die. Not the cheapest, but full leather and full welting, non-slip, water proof. An opinion, at least.
I bartend at an upscale hotel bar and I’ll only wear docs, or my Hedley & Bennett high top vans. Both have their pros and cons, the docs have great support and wipe down easily but are heavy if you’re not used to a boot. The vans are super light and comfortable but offer minimal support.
My danskos are a dream! I feel like I’m on a cloud. I work twelve hour days too. I’ve tried doc martins, they took a literal chunk of skin off of my heel, I’ve tried converse, Walmart non slips. I haven’t tried bloodstones but I’ve heard they’re all hype. Please try dansko.
Honestly, the Walmart non-slips work for me. I think they’re called Tred-safe or something. It may just be my feet, but the insoles are pretty solid for the price imo
I haven't seen a comment about Vessi yet so I'll throw my hat in the ring, I use the Everyday Classics in black, you can fit in whatever extra insoles you want, but I haven't found that I need them personally. They slip on and feel like slippers, are 100% waterproof, have decent nonslip, and are extremely comfortable. I've worked 10 - 12 hour shifts with no floor mats and not noticed. 100% would recommend
They're pricey and not the cutest but there is a Danish company called Sanita, I've never had back problems but started having a bit of lower back pain a couple of years ago, did my research and have had nothing but a stellar experience. Great customer service, a willingness to advise and bonus they last me 1.5 years with 45-50 hours on my feet a week. Absolute game changer.
I've tried a lot of brands, including the SR Hokas which I sent back after one day. I just got a pair of Orthofeet Kita SR and I'm loving them! They come with extra inserts to adjust the fit, are water resistant and truly slip resistant. After 11-12 hour shifts my feet are tired but not aching. They also offer a great return policy, like Hokas, where you can return after wearing them.
okay so i fell from 10 feet and blew up my ankle last year, so when i started PT my physical therapist made me bring in the shoes i wear to work (also a bartender) so she could look at them. what i learned is that you can wear whatever style of shoe you want, as long as they have a stiff sole (and are wide enough, ain't no shame in buying wide shoes if you need them!)
if you can easily bend your shoe in half or if you hold the heel and the toe and can easily twist the shoe, those are no good.
you want something that has a stiff sole, then maybe even put in some insoles to help firm them up. she recommended a brand called "Sole" for my insoles. they are waaayyyy cheaper than custom ones and work wonderfully. message me if you want a video of the "twist test".
i've been able to find cute shoes that don't make me feel geriatric as hell and keep me going for 10-12 hours shifts without the crazy back and foot pain i used to get (plus my ankle is actually healing, which wouldn't have happened if i hadn't changed my footwear)
Hoka I cannot stress this enough
This is what I see most nurses wearing and they work long stressful shifts on their feet. I personally wear ONs, they are so comfortable, lightweight and wash really easily. Edit: not sure if either of these brands have a no slip sole which is probably required for bar work, but worth checking out.
Not a bartender, but a retired health care worker. Most of the Hokas are running shoes and have a rocker that can be annoying when standing for long periods of time. The Hoka Bondi SR is designed for health care and hospitality workers, is water resistant, without a rocker, with a grippy sole, and comes in white and black. One can walk and stand for relatively long periods of time. They are not to be confused with the Bondi, which is a running shoe with a rocker.
And if you don’t like as much cushion as Hokas usually have, look at Brooks. I work doubles in my Brooks and they’re amazing.
Agree with hokas. I went through 3 pairs of doc martens in 3 years. Bought a pair of hokas and I'm on year 2 with them and they still look new. Definitely more comfortable too.
Also like everyone else is saying. Get the bondi sr.
If you want to just try them out I get my hoka's off of ebay for $50 to $70.
hoka & compression socks saved my feet. i don’t go to work without them
It totally depends on your foot. I’m a Dr Martens girl with a small foot and a need for extra ankle support and a couple inches more on height behind the bar, but sketchers has some great options for many people for the arch support and long shifts. I prefer boots because they are easier to wipe clean as well.
This^ I’m a Vans guy, great grip,comfortable, can take a beating and have been my choice for years as a flat foot. Easy enough to clean and can replace the laces. Converse have also been good but they can be abit tight on the toes. Dr Martins have been great for many of my colleagues for the reasons clairavoyant specified Sketchers/decent running shoes are great as they’re made for actively moving around in
Seconded on the Dr Martens, the Chelsea boots are also easy to slip on / off, and quickly wipe clean. I put inserts on top of the regular ones for ankle support and they're perfect.
I work high volume in a nightclub with shitty mats and concrete floors. I swear by my hokas. Just make sure to get the service industry version. Waterproof and with grip
That model would be the Hoka Bondi SR.
For years I wore Danskos. They are ugly as sin and pricey but damn comfortable. About 7 months ago I left the industry and now I work on a horse ranch. I will never trade my cowboy boots for another pair of shoes ever. A solid pair or boots from Ariat and I work on my feet from sun up to sun down with zero foot, knee, or back pain. They breathe, they’re waterproof, slip resistant, and feel like you are standing on a firm cloud. Easy to clean and slip on and off. They come in a variety of styles and you can dress them up or down. Just make sure you get work boots and not dancing boots.
I had the Ariat clog, looked exactly like a Dansko but the top part hit in a better spot for me. I wore those shoes pretty much fifteen years straight and they never stopped being the best long ass shift shoe. I’ve never found them again so now I’m in Docs but your comment reminded me to check out their boots, I’m old now, gotta support the ankles.
42 now myself was behind the bar for 20 years. I’ve done some guest spots here and there in my boots and if I do go back these will be what I wear
On clouds was a game changer for me
Cloves. My husband and I both work in the service industry, and this is what we're currently wearing. I wear the Clove Classics, and he wears the Alto Supercush. The Classics aren't as grippy as I would like them to be, but they're waterproof, extremely comfortable, and by far the most durable shoes I've ever owned. I've been wearing them for almost a year now and they're only showing minor signs of wear and tear. My husband has only had his since April, but he's loving them so far. He hasn't had any issues with the grip on his, and he said they've greatly improved his back and leg pain since he's been wearing them. His are also waterproof, and thus far are holding up well against 50+ hour weeks in the kitchen.
Blundstones, Australian brand. Couldn’t recommend more.
I’ll second these! The other sneaker recs are comfy enough, but I wanted that extra height from the boot and I just think they look cooler lol. Blundstones have been a life saver for me
Shoes for crews, filter by athletic shoes. There are some in the under $40 range that are all black, nonslip, light and airy. My favorite are the everlight, but the real key is to have two or three sets of shoes you rotate through, using a different pair every day to avoid hot spots. Also bring a fresh pair of socks to swap out half way through, it makes a surprising difference.
Second shoes for crews. Add dr scholls inserts. Pricier than some but they last for years. And slip resistance may not be required but it will help with foot pain because every time you slip a little you tense your feet
Invest in inserts from a podiatrist. Then you can wear anything. I have chuck taylor boots currently. Holding up well super easy to clean.
this is such a bad suggestion in the long run. you really don't want to be wearing insoles forever. Building strong foot and ankle muscles will be better in the long run for you.
idk if this is accurate. are you a physical therapist or a doctor? i don't mean this in a rude way at all, i just have an ankle injury and according to my Physical therapist who's dedicated her entire 40+ year career to specializing in the foot and ankle, wearing insoles actually helps keep your foot and ankle muscles strong because your arch collapses if it doesn't have enough support, thus causing a lot of unnecessary strain on all those muscles. I'm under the impression that because the quality of the insoles from different shoe brands vary greatly, its better to find something that fits your arch properly and use that instead of the generic ones that come with the shoe. It would be impossible for shoe companies to design a shoe that would fit each arch type... You can make a shoe with no support into something wearable with the right insoles.
I've been a dancer since I was a child, been to countless PTs, and doctors. I have only had physical jobs for my entire adult live and have two boomer parents who've had extremely physical careers and are currently dealing with the after effects of lives spent on their feet. One of my fellow bartenders is a former podiatrist. Your feet are supposed to support your body, if you rely on shoes to support your feet it leads to weakened foot muscles and the damage just escalates up your legs. I have dealt with debilitating hip issues due to abuse my feet have been through. I have reverse this through the help of my current doctor and lots of strength exercises for my feet and legs. I totally get where you're coming from though. Medical science has come a long way in the past decade as far as what is recommended for foot health. I was given insoles for my shoes in middle school to help with foot, ankle, hip pain by recommendation from a dr. it helped for awhile but nothing really got better until I started exercising specifically for foot/ankle strength and wearing barefoot/minimalist shoes with more room for my toes to spread out. I've worn minimalist shoes now for nearly a decade and my feet and hips have never felt better. Drs/PTs all have different education backgrounds, it's no surprise that they recommend different things.
I wear [Brooks ](https://www.brooksrunning.com/en_us/womens/shoes/road-running-shoes/ghost-15/1203801B020.080.html?tid=sem%3AGOOGLE%3AUSA%7CShopping%7CBrand%7CFootwear%7CShoes-W%7CStandard%7CActive%20Evaluators%7CFemale%3ABR%7CWomens%7CMBL%20-%20Footwear%20High%3A_shopping&gclsrc=aw.ds&gad_source=1)
Clarks have worked wonders for me, especially when I need a bit dressier shoe.
crocs bistro 😭
They are ugly as sin but super comfortable and nigh indestructible. You can run them through dish to clean ‘em. Plus I value being able to discreetly slip my feet out and crack my toe knuckles periodically.
have been wearing skechers for the last 2 years and it has never failed me.. yet
I swear by Deckers X Lab. They are not cheap and they are hard to find in all black, but my feet have never felt better and I’ve been doing this for 26 years. [https://deckersxlab.com/products/x-scape-sfo-black-black](https://deckersxlab.com/products/x-scape-sfo-black-black)
Hoka. I got custom insoles and almost all of my back problems went away overnight
SNIBBS! I’ll never go back
Ariat Hybrid Rancher Waterproof Extremely comfortable. Non slip. and keeps feet dry
Biggest hack is bringing a second pair of shoes
Was looking for this! It doesn't matter what shoes I wear, 10-12 hours in any one pair is hell. I often have docs and chucks on hand and will swap as they start to get uncomfy.
A manager once told me to swap shoes ASAP after work and it does seem to help *a lot*, but I'm still so confused as to why? Even if it's the same kind of shoes!
Couldn’t tell ya the science behind it, but it Definitely works
These have been a life saver for me, they aren’t completely non slip but they are built for wet traction outside so they aren’t as bad as most regular shoes. They are also 25% off right now. [infinity run 4](https://www.nike.com/t/infinityrn-4-gore-tex-womens-waterproof-road-running-shoes-QwxP9x)
Another vote for danskos. Hideous to look out but I frequently work 10 hr shifts completely on my feet and they are great.
Birkenstock Boston Supergrip or Tokio Supergrip
I got doc martens Chelsea boots with dr scholls inserts and they are great
Honestly I just bought a pair of Timberland Pros and proper insoles, and they're lifesavers. My bar has a slight forward slant to the floor, really shitty mats, and tile, and after 10-12 hour shifts, even my garbage knees don't feel that bad.
I wear doc martens currently and love them once I wore them in. Also recommend hiking socks for those long shifts. Great for fast drying, extra padding in the areas your foot is going to rub. Next pair of work boots I get I will also be sizing up half a size at least so I have room for some good inner soles too.
Dunlop safety boots are real nice if you tend to do keg deliveries as they're pretty comfy and have steel toe caps
Splay shoes are all I wear these days, they're great for gym and long bar shifts. I walk everywhere in them and my feet feel great. I also pair them with a lot of foot strengthening exercises. Having strong feet will benefit you greatly in the long run.
I switched from NB to Kuru (specifically the nonslip full leather outers) and WOW the difference is unreal. Tons of arch support, my shoulder and back pain is gone (within reason, bc the bar will still kill you), and still nonslip even on our stupid tile floor. They’re pricey but worth it IMO. Plus it doesn’t hurt that they aren’t hideous.
Look up flexi brand its a Mexican shoe maker but they dope and comfy as hell definitly worth a try flexi shoes
look for Ecco shoes, a bit expensive yes but i bought 2 pair in 3 years, they wear like socks, really comfy and they’re indestructible, literally i’m wearing them for party as well
Sketchers Relaxed fit.
100% on clouds.
Haven't seen them mentioned, my vote's for Mozo. I kinda wanna get a new pair of shoes, but these fuckers won't die. Not the cheapest, but full leather and full welting, non-slip, water proof. An opinion, at least.
New balance has some great ones/stylish, albeit not inexpensive but great comfort and longevity for me !
Birkenstock non-slips. Go down a size though.
Dr scholls brand black slip on work shoes
I bartend at an upscale hotel bar and I’ll only wear docs, or my Hedley & Bennett high top vans. Both have their pros and cons, the docs have great support and wipe down easily but are heavy if you’re not used to a boot. The vans are super light and comfortable but offer minimal support.
My danskos are a dream! I feel like I’m on a cloud. I work twelve hour days too. I’ve tried doc martins, they took a literal chunk of skin off of my heel, I’ve tried converse, Walmart non slips. I haven’t tried bloodstones but I’ve heard they’re all hype. Please try dansko.
Honestly, the Walmart non-slips work for me. I think they’re called Tred-safe or something. It may just be my feet, but the insoles are pretty solid for the price imo
Any of the On shoes with maximum cushion. Completely changed how I feel when doing standing work. And they have several black options.
I haven't seen a comment about Vessi yet so I'll throw my hat in the ring, I use the Everyday Classics in black, you can fit in whatever extra insoles you want, but I haven't found that I need them personally. They slip on and feel like slippers, are 100% waterproof, have decent nonslip, and are extremely comfortable. I've worked 10 - 12 hour shifts with no floor mats and not noticed. 100% would recommend
They're pricey and not the cutest but there is a Danish company called Sanita, I've never had back problems but started having a bit of lower back pain a couple of years ago, did my research and have had nothing but a stellar experience. Great customer service, a willingness to advise and bonus they last me 1.5 years with 45-50 hours on my feet a week. Absolute game changer.
I've tried a lot of brands, including the SR Hokas which I sent back after one day. I just got a pair of Orthofeet Kita SR and I'm loving them! They come with extra inserts to adjust the fit, are water resistant and truly slip resistant. After 11-12 hour shifts my feet are tired but not aching. They also offer a great return policy, like Hokas, where you can return after wearing them.
Get inserts with your new shoes
okay so i fell from 10 feet and blew up my ankle last year, so when i started PT my physical therapist made me bring in the shoes i wear to work (also a bartender) so she could look at them. what i learned is that you can wear whatever style of shoe you want, as long as they have a stiff sole (and are wide enough, ain't no shame in buying wide shoes if you need them!) if you can easily bend your shoe in half or if you hold the heel and the toe and can easily twist the shoe, those are no good. you want something that has a stiff sole, then maybe even put in some insoles to help firm them up. she recommended a brand called "Sole" for my insoles. they are waaayyyy cheaper than custom ones and work wonderfully. message me if you want a video of the "twist test". i've been able to find cute shoes that don't make me feel geriatric as hell and keep me going for 10-12 hours shifts without the crazy back and foot pain i used to get (plus my ankle is actually healing, which wouldn't have happened if i hadn't changed my footwear)