If you’ve ever worked a shift behind the bar, you probably understand the feeling that bartenders have of constantly being on the go.
Due to this, we did some research and identified the Top 9 brands for bartending shoes, along with some recommendations for each of these brands.
You need to wear shoes that fit, which is a point of agreement among bartenders everywhere. The pain you experience after a long shift will be exacerbated by the fact that you are constantly on the move, so any additional room in your shoes for your feet to move around will be beneficial.
Best Shoes For Bartenders In 2022
1. Dr. Martens 1460
Pros and Cons of Dr. Martens 1460
Pros:
- Very supportive
- Slip-resistant
- Waterproof
Cons:
- Slightly heavy
- Expensive
- Hard to break in
Whether your priorities are more practical or more style-focused will determine what you should think about before making a purchase. Of course, these best shoes for bartenders fall in the middle of the spectrum can also participate.
These are exceptionally comfortable in terms of their functionality. The soft insole is immediately comfortable to walk and stand in, though it isn’t a sophisticated comfort, which I’ll discuss in more detail in the sections on the sole and fit and sizing.
If you’re not sure if you’re a 1460 kind of guy in terms of style, keep in mind that they come in a variety of forms. These best shoes for bartenders can be styled in a variety of trendy informal ways, from camp-collar casual to streetwear chic to fashion-forward, despite their lack of versatility in the professional and formal spheres.
Nowadays, styles from the 1460s go beyond punk and industrial. No matter what, remember that they will always have the brand recognition factor, for better or worse.
It feels like plastic because the leather of these best shoes for bartenders is thin, stiff, and rigid. Although the official website only refers to it as 100% leather, some reviews specifically mention that it is full-grain leather. In either case, it baffles me why a company would use better materials only to ultra-correct them until they sound, feel, and look like plastic.
2. Dansko
Pros & Cons of Dansko
Pros:
- Light in weight
- Available in several colors
- Highly comfortable
- Slip-resistant outsole
- Leather upper
- Durable
Cons:
- Reduced traction
If you think of Dansko clogs, you probably think of the classic black design that is so popular with nurses and other professions requiring prolonged standing work. In addition, Dansko has a ton of other fantastic styles, even though I also adore the traditional clogs. There are stylish Mary Jane-style pumps that don’t even have the recognizable clog-style soles, low-heeled boots with the same sole as traditional clogs, and high-heeled clog sandals in vibrant colors.
These best shoes for bartenders are made of real leather, are exquisitely crafted, and are long-lasting. I’ve owned several pairs for a total of five years, and they’re still in great shape and barely show any wear.
Although they do vary by style, Dansko soles are typically robust, thick, and long-lasting. The longest-lasting footwear is that which has a traditional clog sole. I’ve walked around New York City’s concrete streets in my pair of 2-inch Sam clog sandals for a good eight hours without experiencing foot pain. They are comfortable to wear for extended periods of time. The shoes’ molded footbed provides excellent arch support, and their thicker soles provide excellent shock absorption.
Even the shoes I own with 3-inch heels are surprisingly cozy. Although I don’t walk as much in those because I usually save them for work, I still walk about three miles on a typical workday, and my feet never hurt when the day is over.
3. Crocs Unisex Bistro Clog
Pros & Cons of Crocs Unisex Bistro Clog
Pros:
- Excellent grip
- Slip-resistant outsole
- Leather upper work shoes
- Extra comfort
- Ankle support
Cons:
- Tight for wide feet
Extremely durable Crocs Unisex Bistro Clogs. Their assistance is almost unparalleled. They rank among the market’s most reasonably priced high-quality shoes. A good chef is aware that wearing the incorrect work footwear can cause significant physical and mental discomfort as well as possibly irreversible bodily harm. These best shoes for bartenders is a practical and comfortable shoe that is also reasonably priced.
Everyone is aware that Crocs produces sturdy, functional footwear. The Bistro Clog is designed by Crocs to be worn while working in a busy, hectic, and quick-paced kitchen. A busy kitchen can be an especially dangerous place for slip and fall accidents, but the patented Crocs Lock slip-resistant tread grips any surface. For slipping resistance on a variety of slippery surfaces, including oily, wet, or soapy floors, Crocs Lock tread technology surpasses national industry standards.
4. Keen Utility
Pros & Cons of KEEN Utility
Pros
- Repels liquid
- Supportive
- Flexible
Cons
- Not as durable as other options
The Keen Utility Cincinnati is a 6-inch wedge work boot with a carbon fiber toe. But it’s much more complicated than that straightforward explanation suggests.
In comparison to a heeled boot, the wedge design gives you more ground contact. Working on hard surfaces like concrete, steel, asphalt, and other materials is typically more comfortable.
In most soil, you can sacrifice a little comfort for more security because the softer ground makes your job easier. However, I prefer wedges like these best shoes for bartenders because my weight is more evenly distributed across their larger surface contact area, making workdays on concrete and asphalt more comfortable.
Keen utilizes their air-infused PU midsole in addition to the conventional wedge design. It significantly increases general comfort on hard surfaces because it is softer than others.
5. New Balance
Pros & Cons of New Balance
Pros:
- Highly durable
- Extremely comfortable
- Sleek design
- Memory foam
- Water-resistant
- Better than iron ranger red wing
- Padded collar
Cons:
- A bit expensive.
A colorway can be greatly improved by New Balance. The navy mesh base of the best shoes for bartenders could have been monotonous, but the addition of orange and light blue makes it pop. Even the forefoot FuelCell foam adds a welcome splash of vibrant orange color. It occurred to me that the N logo’s bottom line is also reflective, which is convenient for evening runs. The little N at the bottom of the aforementioned logo enhances its cuteness even further.
6. Blundstone 510
Pros & Cons of Blundstone 510
Pros:
- Better cushioning
- Shock absorbent
- Highly durable
- Available in many colors
- Economical cost price
Cons:
- Limited Colors
A lot of Blundstone wearers start with and stick with the Original Chelsea 510 Original. The most comfortable boot you’ve ever worn is this black one because it’s light, dry, all-season, durable, and tough as nails. Every step makes the foot-shape comfort more comfortable as each boot “personalizes” to your foot. Since 1870, these best shoes for bartenders with over-the-ankle Blundstone durability and comfort have been easy to put on and take off.
In Canada, the Australian Boot Company carries the best selection of Blundstone boots in our renowned Chelsea boot over-the-ankle style, in the best leathers and colors. Totally free shipping across Canada. At our stores in Toronto and Vancouver, free boot care is offered. At Australian Boot Company, customer service is thriving!
7. Skechers
Pros & Cons of Skechers
Pros:
- Light in weight
- Available in six bright colors
- Improved cushioning
- Easy to clean
- Shock absorption
- Comfortable shoes
Con:
- Low durability
With its lightweight GOrun line of running shoes, Skechers demonstrated its dedication to high-performance footwear. The company started producing running-specific shoes made for your daily miles instead of athletic shoes you could run in. Meb Keflezighi, a four-time Olympian, joined Skechers in 2011 and provided the company with thorough feedback on his shoes in order to help it improve its racing-flat design.
In order to increase rigidity without gaining weight, these best shoes for bartenders added a carbon plate to their fastest shoe. Using a carbon-fiber polymer that is 40% lighter than a full-length plate, the company created a “winglet” system to accomplish this. The forefoot has banana-shaped wings that allow your foot to flex laterally and then direct forces forward as you take a step. The transparent mono-mesh upper and the thin layer of Hyper Burst foam beneath the foot are the only additional features left on this shoe.
8. Red Wings Iron Ranger
Pros & Cons of Red Wings Iron Ranger
Pros
- Sturdy
- Removable sole
- Odor control
Cons
- Not the most attractive
An animal’s boot is the Red Wing Iron Ranger. even though it’s practically impossible, the kind of boot that other boots aspire to be as they mature.
Aesthetically pleasingly bulbous toe cap with quad stitches. Nickel eyelets and speed hooks add some visual interest. the backstay that reaches the entire height of the boot’s back. Other boots have repeatedly imitated these and other design elements, which contributes in part to Iron Rangers’ best-possible resemblance to a boot that an eight-year-old might draw. It smells like toughness; it’s an archetype, a prototype. It’s just my type.
Basically, that means: these things take some real time to reach what any reasonable person would consider “comfortable.” But they’ll get there, and as long as you understand that every bit of effort you put in during the initial months was simply a necessary and significant step towards making this boot your own, you’ll be fine. The upper leather of these best shoes for bartenders will dance alongside the hard leather footbed in compressing and molding your foot.
9. Crews Work Sneaker
Pros & Cons of Crews Work Sneaker
Pros
- Tough but lightweight material
- Highly cushioned
- Steel toes
- Puncture resistant
Cons:
- Shipping can take a little longer
The Crews Work Sneaker is an athletic-inspired, comfortable, non-slip work shoe. These men’s non-slip shoes are lightweight and practical, and the leather upper has been treated to be water-resistant and easy to clean. It was included in these men’s slip-resistant shoes to help prevent falls and slips at work. Because of the superior SFC slip-resistant outsole with our patented clog resistance built in and their ease of cleaning, they are also very durable. In order to shield their feet from hot liquids, these non-slip work shoes have a SpillGuard lining. Men’s Crews Work Sneaker shoes are ventilated and breathable, and they have thoughtfully placed openings to keep your feet cool. These best shoes for bartenders combine athletic shoe style with additional cushioning for maximum comfort. It is a comfortable and practical everyday work shoe.
What To Look For In Bartender Shoes
Comfort comes first and foremost when looking for bartender shoes. Comfort and structure should always come first because prolonged standing on your feet can be bad for your back, ankles, and other parts of your body. To that end, we advise looking for support without compromising comfort. Depending on the specifics of your workplace, there may be other factors that could be crucial. Safety is the most crucial factor, along with comfort and avoiding long-term harm. Non-slip soles should be at the top of your list of things to watch out for if your bar has a tendency to become sticky and slippery.
Despite the fact that they do somewhat go hand in hand with structure, materials are probably less significant. Look for fabrics that will not only fit your body and feet comfortably but will also keep your feet dry and be simple to clean when spills do occur. The final point is that, even though the style is significant, we believe it to be the least important.
Final Verdict
This list has been thoughtfully compiled to make working as a bartender easier and more enjoyable. On the basis of the following criteria, the bartending shoes on this list were carefully chosen: Comfort, sturdiness, style, cost, the outsole, and arch support.
This list also serves as a good resource for the top shoes for bartenders and servers because the same factors apply when serving.
Pick any one shoe from this list, dash from our website to your place of employment, and master the art of serving drinks!
