Bartending requires countless hours on your feet, which may cause unexpected issues of the foot, ankle, and arch after long hours with unsupportive and deceptive shoes. Health problems caused by poor foot care can negatively impact your entire body over time.
A bad pair of shoes can land you in big trouble, so it is important to invest in a pair that not only looks attractive but also supports you throughout your life. Finding good shoes that work best for you is not an easy task.
So, to ease your problem and help you find the best shoes, here are the top 10 shoes for bartenders based on more than 300 reviews and tests with 23 shoes from 12 brands
Bartender Shoes: How to Choose the Best?
As a bartender, you have to continually move around, hold the body on your feet for a long time, and make repetitive motions. All these activities affect your feet. One unfortunate fall can cause severe injury or damage to your feet. Your responsibility is to stay safe and comfortable by buying a perfect pair of bartender shoes. Here are some of the features that you should look for before buying a perfect pair of shoes.
Feet size and type:
One of the essential factors to consider while buying bartender shoes is the size and type of your feet. Always look for the correct range of sizes and feet types – wide or narrow. This primary feature helps you to buy an ideal pair of bartender shoes.
Traction:
A wrong pair of shoes can make you slip or slide all over the place. One slippery incident can cause serious injury to your feet that might keep you off from work for some time. So, always look for bartender shoes that offer slip resistance and high traction features to protect your feet. As a bartender, walking through puddles of spilled liquids is a routine task. A water-filled sole can be incredibly uncomfortable for you.
Comfort:
Being on your feet every time and moving around in a fast-paced world is the job of a bartender. But all these activities can only be fulfilled with a comfortable pair of shoes. So, when you are searching for a pair of comfortable shoes, always look for the midsoles, insoles, and outsoles used in it.
A comfortable base of the shoe is responsible for maintaining and supporting your feet. A good-quality midsole helps in absorbing the shocks and preventing foot injury. Also, make sure the insole of the shoe comes with advanced arch and heel support to help you counter your feet problems. Always purchase a pair of footwear that will improve your foot and leg alignment and prevent soreness.
Material:
Every feature of bartender shoes has an indirect connection with the material used in preparing those shoes. Materials like full-grain leather, GORE-Tex, and polyurethane add a spark to the bartender shoes. The material of the shoes always influences the buying decision of a consumer.
Ventilation:
Ventilation is one of the features that is overlooked for buying any pair of shoes. The constant motion of your feet can lead to sweating and tiredness. So, bartender shoes must have the feature of sufficient ventilation.
Style:
Looking for comfortable shoes does not mean that you should give up on style. Stylish bartender shoes help in making an impressive appearance. The addition of innovative features does not work without style. A perfect first impression includes a style statement as well.
Durability:
To sustain the bartender job, you should always have unbreakable shoes or such shoes that do not break quickly. Undoubtedly, longevity is one of the crucial features that one should look for before buying a fantastic pair of bartender shoes.
10 Best Shoes for Bartenders
Dr. Scholl’s Men’s Proudest:
If you are always at work, then this pair of leather shoes is the best option for you. The footwear will provide you with a formal and glamorous look that adds sparkle to your appearance. The pair is suitable for all kinds of weather and gives a high range of durability. With a varied size range of 8-13 and a width of XXN-XXW, this shoe can provide a perfect and accurate fit to less wide and thin feet. However, with an increase in size, the length and width also increase, but at times the shoes do not give a proper fit to narrow feet.
If you are looking for non-slip and comfortable shoes, then Dr. Scholl’s men’s shoes are one of the best. Real leather, incredibly comfortable, anti-slip sole of soft rubber, odor control shield, anti-compression insole, and proper ventilation are some of the other features offered by this pair of bartender shoes. All these traits make it stand out in the market. The shoes are tested by the lab and beat other industry shoes in terms of comfort and cushioning.
Sole and traction:
The inner sole is made up of soft and anti-slip rubber that offers high traction. Also, the outsoles are appropriately designed to handle irregular, slippery, or inclined surfaces easily. The traction provided by the shoes is useful in flatter surfaces as well. Anti-compression insole and Lock Step outsole are high-quality soles that make the shoes more robust and comfortable.
Durability:
The leather material used in manufacturing this shoe is highly preferred and known for its durability. The leather is designed in such a way that no pain or discomfort should arise while wearing it. The high cohesive bonds make them extraordinarily structured and well-made.
Style:
Lesser range of colors does not affect the style. With interesting conjunction, the shoes manage to look different and distinctive from other shoes. The closure laces with padded edges make the shoes appear more dignified and aesthetic.
Pros:
- Oil-resistant
- Slip-resistant
- Reliable surface traction
- True to size
- Memory Foam Cool Fit Structure
- Soft-cushioning system
- Very durable
Cons:
- Lack of padded heels that limits the motion
- Less flexible
Skechers Men’s Flex Advantage Bendon:
It is one of the best shoes for bartenders with a beautiful color scheme. The footwears go with every style option and give you a classic personality. They never go out of fashion and serve a great utility. The shoes come in a 2-variety of colors – black and charcoal black. The shoes with a mesh appearance are classy and stylish with a mixed color pattern and will not disappoint you in styling.
Loose-fitting or uncomfortable shoes can spoil your smart appearance, but these shoes are highly rated for their comfortable fittings. Along with it, a padded collar and soft fabric-based tongue provided in the shoe increases its reliability. The shoes are tested by a standardized lab to make them perfect. With sporty mesh fabric uppers and a relaxed fit design, it provides high breathability.
Fit:
The size of the shoe ranges from 7-14, each model having a separate variant with a broad base exclusively suitable for wide feet type. Skechers fit comfortably and are quite stretchable. Also, it comes with a heel height of about 1-inches. However, the ones who have too small or big feet size, for Skechers will not fulfill their needs.
Comfort:
The shoes fit well with FlexSole lightweight, shock-absorbent, and stretchable midsole. Also, the shoes are highly ranked because of the slip-resistant rubber-traction-based outsoles and the comfort that they provide. And the memory foam-based full-length insole provides adequate cushioning and comfort to your feet. However, synthetic soles are unable to prevent bacterial issues on a large scale and can rarely cause you irritation.
Durability:
The air-mesh textured shoe with grid underlay makes it quite durable. It helps you to navigate through rough terrains or hard concrete surfaces without causing any damage or pain to your feet.
Pros:
- Mesh and attractive look
- Slip-resistant
- Lightweight
- True to size.
- Very comfortable
- Excellent ankle and arch support
- Smooth Surface
Cons:
- Thin and synthetic insole
- The laces are too long and thin.
Dr. Scholl’s Women’s Dynamo:
The shoes are like an opportunity for all women out there, as they serve one of the essential features of wide width and narrower structure. They are useful for rotation work due to the presence of padded heels of 2-inches on both sides of the edges. Nevertheless, this footwear does not look that cool or classy but has a formal elegance. So, if you prefer performance over style, then these shoes can work for you.
It comes with a leather upper facilitated with an extra padded collar and stretchable gore. The outside unit is super tough and hard with an apt fit. The pair of shoes is very proficient in managing wear. Also, the shoe has a vented sock that offers improved breathability to keep your feet fresh and cool. So, if you are looking for high-flexibility shoes with a rubber sole, then you can go for this pair of bartender shoes.
Fit:
This footwear has a wide range of sizes varying from 5-11. The larger sizes come with an additional variant having a broad base. So, if you need a wide or medium-width shoe, then this pair of bartender shoes would be the best for you.
Sole and traction:
The shoes combine the features of traction and durability in one sole. The blown rubber sole also contributes to the comfort and overall traction. The memory cool-fit and anti-compression insole give extra padding with the assurance of no microbial problems. The shoes are highly responsive and provide excellent performance on tough and hard surfaces. The comfort level is more because of its non-marking and wood-grain finished platform outsole that makes it suitable for long runs or intensive training sessions.
Durability:
The 100% genuine grain leather employed in manufacturing the shoes is known for its durability factor. Also, the rubber sole of the shoes will prove a long-term asset to maintain durability.
Pros:
- 100% Leather
- Oil-resistant
- Slip-resistant
- True to size
- Moisture-wicking
- Added flexibility
- Breathable enough
- Wide and medium width
Cons:
- Little fluffy
- Not long-lasting
- Lack of centered arch support
- Less stability
Dansko Women’s Professional Clog:
It is a flagship clog that has a roomy toe box with an automatically countered PU midsole. This pair of bartender shoes has an inner frame to maintain stability and provide support in motion. The protective heel counter and padded instep collar add more glory to the pair of shoes. With a heel measure of 2-inches, you can freely move your heel up and down without a limp or pain.
The Dansko Professional Clog comes in almost 100+ color options, one pair among which you may choose as per your suitability. Moreover, the shoe offers an ideal structure supported by polyurethane heels with guidance to increase the comfort and reliability of the shoe structure. The pair of shoes provides you with support and stability throughout your daily activities. If you are looking for padded heels and pure leather material shoes, then this pair of bartender shoes will suit you the most.
Fit:
This pair of shoes come in a wide variety ranging from 3-13. Each model has separate variants for wide, narrow, and medium feet types.
Comfort:
The comfort of shoes is ideal for a neutral bartender. Depending on your movements, you can experience different levels of comfort. Experts and regular users highly praise the comfort level of this pair of bartender shoes. Along with leather or fabric-made upper, the gel heel will help in shock absorption and keep your feet relaxed.
Sole and traction:
The leather material and polyurethane sole provide efficient and adequate traction while doing daily activities. The shoes have an excellent grip on concrete and wet environments. The PU outsole with anti-fatigue rocker bottom of about 0.75-inches provides enough support in forwarding motion and adds to the comfortable fit.
Pros:
- Pure leather material
- Great stability
- Padded heels
- True to size
- Versatile
- Increased comfort
- Suitable for arthritis patient
- Shock absorption capability
Cons:
- Shaft measures may cause arch problems.
- The Toe area can be too tight.
- Long break-in period
Merrell Men’s Encore Gust Slip-On Shoe:
The shoes will give you a perfect balance while walking. This pair of bartender shoes will provide you with a sharp and bold casual style within your comfort zone. The grain leather at the upper surface protects you from getting sloppy. The shoes are a perfect pair for random situations as they give you an excellent fit. With a wide range of sizes from 7.5-15, a width of XXN-XXW, and a large surface area, this pair of shoes is perfect for both wide and narrow feet types. However, there are only 2-color schemes in the style options, namely smooth black and smooth bug brown.
The polished and supportive padded collar is provided to increase the reliability of the shoes. Accurate slip-resistance, the soft lining of cloth material, easy-to-fit feature, and encore gust are some of the characteristics offered by this pair of bartender shoes. If you are looking for some slip-resistant shoes, then the Merrell Men’s Encore shoe will work great for you. The shoes are tested by a lab and serve consistent design with high quality.
Comfort:
The Ortholite footbed makes your every step comfy. The Merrell air cushion in the 2-inches heel makes the shoe highly shock-absorbent and comfortable. The mesh lining wicks help in making your feet breathable enough and keep it dry. The anti-compression EVA foot frame helps in improving stability and comfort. Also, molded Nylon arch shank lends added support to your feet.
Sole and traction:
The M-Select GRIP sole used in this shoe is super supportive and comfy. The outsole with adequate flex grooves offers high traction. It helps to make a solid grip beneath the bartender’s feet while making it comfortable.
Durability:
The durability of this pair of bartender shoes is, particularly around the outsole. Also, there is less cushioning, stating that it might lose comfort after a short period. The shoes can accommodate long runs but likely need to be replaced sooner then you expect.
Pros:
- 100% full-grain leather
- Slip-resistant
- Breathable
- Shock-absorbent
- Stable
- Comfortable
- It performs exceptionally well on pavement
Cons:
- Less stretchability and flexibility
- The foam cushioning is not durable
- Narrower heel in the gust
New Balance Women’s FuelCoreNergize V1:
The shoes give you a sneaker feel with an easy and enhanced look. This fabric made a pair of bartender shoes go with almost all styles. They fit comfortably and are correctly sized. The spongy sole will help you in facilitating your motion. Also, they will give you a sporty and casual look. It comes with a mesh textured upper and an elastic band to provide comfort and support simultaneously. The shoes give a roomy and snug-fitting. The size range differs from 5-12, each model having a separate variant for wide feet.
Nicely padded with less foam, an attractive look, trimmed laces, and varied color patterns are some of the features offered by this pair of bartender shoes. They are a must for tours and trips and are lightweight to give you relief. The pair of shoes can be your favorite one for exercise, running, or activewear. The footwears are apt for bartenders as they offer tons of cushioning and great support.
Comfort:
The collar and upper part of the shoes are cushioned with foam ensuring extra comfort. The lacing also has a cushion to reduce the pressure. The insole is soft and lightly padded, unlike the squishy memory foam-based shoes. The New Balance signature REVlite midsole gives extra cushioning and absorbs shock, whereas the lightweight outsole adds glory to the shoes.
Durability:
The upper and lower sole is quite durable with perforated sheets of rubber that act as a barrier between comfort and pavement. The shoes have an improved outsole for more extended durability.
Style:
Available in almost 39 color combinations, the shoes are one of the most stylish pairs among all these bartender shoes. These are considered to be one of the best bartender shoes and are fashionable enough that goes with every outfit which makes it good shoes for chefs as well.
Pros:
- It gives you a sneaker fit.
- Versatile style
- Responsive cushioning
- Lightweight
- Extremely comfortable
- Good Support
- Breathable
- Durable
Cons:
- Lack of arch support
- Lack of leather material
- Less toughness
Dansko Work Wonders Women Coral Shoes:
The pair of shoes is a perfect combination of a casual look and comfort. The easy-to-clean leather at the upper and lower surfaces with a round toe eradicates the problem of maintenance. Easy slip-on style with dual side goring and 1.75-inches heel adds support to your feet and makes them feel relaxed. This shoe comes in a wide range of sizes varying from 4.5-13 and is highly advised for medium feet types. This lightweight shoe is designed for daily use.
Breathability, moisture-wicking double lining, ventilation, microbe shield odor protection along with Cleansport NXT are some of the features offered by this pair of bartender shoes. The removable PU foam footbed helps in absorbing shock and energy. If you are looking for lightweight rubber shoes, then this pair of bartender shoes is the best for you.
Sole and traction:
The lightweight EVA midsole present in the shoe helps in shock absorption and gives support. The shoes are mainly meant for work purposes with a wide, durable, slip-resistant, and non-marking rubber outsole. It helps in making a firm grip and adequate traction. You can comfortably wear these shoes on light terrains as they protect you and provide enhanced support.
Durability:
Though the shoes are lightweight, their durability is not compromised. The rubber outsole is one of the best materials for the longevity of any footwear. It has plenty of stretches to mislead you, but the durable structure makes it more useful.
Style:
The pair of shoes does not look conventional but stand out in many ways. It is a pretty busy shoe that is going to collect a lot of attention on the road. It comes in 4 blended colors with different textures and patterns that make this pair of bartender shoes more interesting.
Pros:
- Leather material
- Slip-resistant
- Custom orthotics
- Durable
- Easy to clean
- Removable footbed
- Lightweight
- Shock absorption capability
- Extensive toe box
Cons:
- No arch support
- Less heel measure
- Expensive
Skechers for Work Women’s Gozzard:
Skechers Gozzard is one of the trendy wear in the footwear industry. This easy slip-on model of Skechers is robust and offers a sturdy look design. It comes in 2-color variants, namely black and charcoal. The style and design are entirely in look with function and provide extra stability. This pair of bartender shoes is like an aid for those who are suffering from foot pain or arch problems. The mesh or Nubuck material, along with a padded collar and soft fabric-based shoe lining, makes the pair of footwear more comfortable.
The non-slip quality will support you throughout the day. Also, the pair of shoes has a water absorber sole that also protects your feet from sweating and wetting. The 1-inch heel of the shoe is not of much use as it adds negligible stability and support to the shoe. However, if you are looking for water-resistant bartender shoes, then these Skechers Gozzard are perfect for you.
Fit:
This shoe comes in wide size ranges from 5-11. Each of the variants has a separate model having a broad base. So, if you have a wide foot, then this model of Skechers can perfectly work for you.
Comfort:
The memory foam-based full-length insole provides enhanced cushioning and comfort. The shoes are flexible and equipped with diamond pattern layered long-lasting, breathable mesh fabric panels. It helps in keeping your feet fresh and cool. Besides, the FlexSole lightweight, flexible midsole makes the shoe an excellent shock-absorbent.
Sole and traction:
The slip-resistant rubber outsole is responsible for providing enhanced traction, which protects you from slippery and hard surfaces. The shoes offer a firm and grippy hold on every terrain. The mesh rubber outsole increases the durability of this pair of bartender shoes.
Pros:
- Relaxed fit design
- Slip-resistant
- Stain-resistant
- Steel safety and composite toe
- Electric Hazard (EH) protected
- Comfortable
- Breathable
Cons:
- Expensive
- Durability issues
- Squeaky noise while walking on waxed floors
Nunn Bush Men’s Sherman Slip-Resistant Work Shoe Oxford Sneaker:
Nunn Bush will give a unique style with relaxing features. The pair of shoes is dedicated to fashion and quality. It has good slip resistance and is suitable for working in a restaurant, kitchen, and hospital environment. Though the footwear lacks breathability and durability, it highly focuses on styling features. The heel measure of only about 1-inch can add a minute amount of support and stability to the shoe. But the footwear provides stiff arch support to your feet, unlike its other competitors.
The upper is made of smooth and easy-to-clean faux leather that enhances the comfort of the shoe. This pair of footwear comes with a traditional lace-up style facilitated with a padded collar and tongue for the easy and secure wearing of the shoe. If you are looking for a beautiful and stylish pair of shoes, then Nunn Bush will not disappoint you.
Fit:
Nunn Bush is a brand of choice, and it comes in a size 7-14. Each model comes with a variant having a broader base. However, it can fit completely accommodate wide and narrow feet type.
Comfort:
The shoes are quite comfortable with a thin, durable, and synthetic insole. The Truecontrol Mark ll non-marking outsole is slip-resistant and abrasion-resistant, which makes the shoe more comfortable and ensures safety from sudden accidents. Moreover, the double-layered footbed comprises of memory foam and EVA layers that guarantee comfort all day. Such a soft and smooth footbed helps to keep your feet and leg in the correct alignment.
Durability:
The shoes are undoubtedly durable in the long term. The easy-to-clean leather material prevents it from getting torn off, thereby increasing the longevity of the footwear. However, the shoes are not recommended for extensive training, as it might hinder their elegant look and appearance.
Pros:
- 100% human-made
- Durable and functional
- Perfect customized fit
- Versatile
- Comfortable
- Oil-resistant
- Stain-resistant
- Lightweight
- Springy
Cons:
- Synthetic sole that sometimes causes irritation
- Less heel measure
- Less workability
Crocs Women’s Crocs At Work Flat:
Crocs are one of the most opted footwear for daily life. The pair is pretty elegant and classy and also gives a bold statement. The shoes are suitable in every weather condition and go with almost all colors of outfits and styles. It comes in a few sizes ranging from 4-11 inches. This shoe provides a tapered fit at the rear end of the heel to give an ultimate secured fit.
These shoes are made up of a material called Croslite that offers enhanced comfort and support. Also, the material of this pair of shoes protects them from early wear and tear. With thermoplastic upper and enhanced arch support, the shoe provides added comfort. This shoe is, however, suitable for those bartenders suffering from flat feet and fatigued legs. So, if you are looking for a daily pair of flat shoes with versatile styling features and reinforcements of real working shoes, then Crocs will suit you the most.
Sole and traction:
The non-marking outsole treads provide sufficient traction on various surfaces. However, Crocs have high traction on dry surfaces compared to wet floors. The tread pattern of this pair of bartender shoes can walk or run on all types of roads. The Croslite foam footbeds along with EVA lining keep your feet cushioned and comfortable.
Durability:
Crocs hold limited durability, but you can wear them regularly. Though the midsole is made up of rubber, it lacks durability. Crocs never seem to lose cushioning, which makes them more useful.
Style:
The style and quality of Crocs deserve high praise. Moreover, it gives a simple and basic look that goes with formal and casual. The stylish collar padded heel adds more support during the motion of your feet.
Pros:
- 100% synthetic
- Easy to clean
- Subtle elegance
- Lightweight
- Slip-resistant
- Excellent support and motion control features
- 360-degree comfort
- Constant cushioning
- Breathable
Cons:
- Durability issues
- Lack of exact size fitting
- The Upper is too stiff
- Tight toe box
Conclusion:
When it comes to bartender shoes, you always expect some sort of unique or new technology. Dr. School’s Men’s Proudest is an apt example of existing unique and new technologies while keeping all the reliable and durable elements. There are plenty of other factors that make this pair of bartender shoes highly opted for and used by customers. The model is suitable for every bartender. However, there are shortcomings dwarfed in comparison to the benefits and advantages offered by every pair of bartender shoes. While every shoe has been constructed beautifully with amazing features, which pair do you choose for yourself, it all depends on your likes and dislikes.
