A couple of weeks back, I was in the kitchen preparing me, now already famous, Singapore fried rice (recipe included) when something unexpected happened.
I slipped on some oil that got spilled in the cooking process.
Fortunately, I wasn’t hurt badly, just a couple of bruises.
Still, that didn’t have to happen, and that wouldn’t happen if I wore the right shoes.
Best Kitchen Shoes
You see, I just put on my regular house slippers (oh yeah, they’re called slippers, how didn’t I see that coming) and went straight to the kitchen.
This scenario is one of the reasons people buy kitchen shoes. Not only are they resistant to slipping, but they are also very comfortable when you need to spend several hours in the kitchen.
I decided to give them a chance, and you should too. But first, here is a guide that will help you in the buying process and a description of the five top-rated kitchen shoes currently on the market.
What makes kitchen shoes perfect for the kitchen?
It is important to know why kitchen shoes are so different from the regular ones and why you can’t get away with wearing a pair of comfy sneakers while cooking.
Kitchen shoes, otherwise called chef shoes, are designed with special features that keep you safe and effective in the kitchen.
They are easy to slip on and off, well-cushioned, have non-skid soles, offer arch support, and are very comfortable.
What to look for in kitchen shoes?
Comfort and cushioning
When on the market for the perfect kitchen shoes, comfort is the first factor you need to consider, especially if you spend hours on your feet in the kitchen. A pair of comfy kitchen shoes must have a sturdy platform and proper cushioning.
Memory foam insoles are a big plus since they simultaneously cushion your feet and provide you with arch support. Another thing to look for is a breathable material that can prevent sores and fungal infections.
Slip-resistant features
Remember how my fall would never have happened had I had the right shoes? Those shoes need to have slip-resistant features, meaning they have to have outer soles with deep grooves, which help minimize slips and falls.
Resistance to stains and spills
I’ve already mentioned that working in the kitchen comes with the risk of accidents, and some of them include spilling things all over your shoes. To avoid any permanent damage, you need to look for shoes coated with protective agents, which will make it easy to wipe them clean after a spilling incident.
Lightweight
Long hours in the kitchen can make every shoe feel like concrete. That’s why you need to opt for shoes that are flexible and lightweight. They need to bend and move along with your feet, especially when you need to get on your toes to reach something from the cabinets. Lightweight shoes also mean that you will feel less tired when standing for a long time.
Durability
Kitchen shoes are not something you would buy every couple of months. You need them to be durable. Some chefs even choose shoes with a steel or composite toe for additional protection. This can be useful when you drop a heavy or sharp object, such as a pan (maybe even with hot oil) or a knife on your feet.
Adequate arch support
Proper arch support is essential for kitchen shoes, especially for us women, because we usually have higher arches. It is also crucial for individuals with flat feet. Shoes come with different arch support: low, medium, and high. You should keep in mind that additional arch support takes up extra space in your shoe, so you should consider going a half size larger to have enough room for your toes.
Good grip
If you’re anything like me you must be running around your kitchen doing dozens of chores at the same time (e.g. chopping vegetables while frying onions). Doing that at great speed requires shoes that have a good grip which can prevent injuries.
Style and color
Call me superficial but I like my shoes nice and stylish, regardless of whether we are talking about evening-appropriate stilettos or chef shoes. Personally, I never considered buying kitchen shoes because I thought of them as clunky and drab. But as of recently, I’ve learned that chef shoes come in a variety of styles and colors, which is great when you need to come out straight from the kitchen to the dining room to greet guests.
Are kitchen shoes gender-specific?
This is a very important question to ask.
If you think that you can save a couple of bucks by sharing a pair of kitchen shoes with your boyfriend/brother/roommate/husband, you are wrong.
Both men’s and women’s kitchen shoes have basic similarities, but they are very much different when it comes to size and design.
Women’s chef shoes should be slimmer, shorter, and have higher arches. There is also the question of Q-angle. The Q-angle is the angle of the quad muscle against the kneecap, which is slimmer in men and wider in women.
If you don’t choose the right shoes which utilize special materials and design you can cause rotation of the feet and injuries.
See Also: Most Wanted Area Rugs For Kitchen
Most Recommended Kitchen Shoes – Reviews 2022
Now that we’ve got everything covered, it is time to share my experience with five different pairs of kitchen shoes and make my judgment about the greatest kitchen shoes money can buy.
Slip Resistant Chef Clog Mule – A good overall choice
At first glance, these kitchen shoes look like a regular pair of clogs, but they are so much more.
The rubber sole makes them very comfortable and lightweight. There are two things that I loved about them: the massage-po footbed and the breathability.
The cushioned insole is removable, so you can adjust it at your will, and also they’re equipped with a backstrap, in case you need the added stability.
The biggest issue I had with them is that they are unisex, and as I mentioned earlier that can be a problem because women have higher arches. Also, it is very important to point out that the sizes are not well defined, so you should always go one size bigger than you usually wear.
The overall design is not much different than regular clogs, so they’re not something I’d put on when I have guests.
Things I Liked
- Vent channels make them breathable.
- The anti-slip feature works pretty well.
- Removable insole.
- They’re quite stain-resistant.
Things I Didn’t Like
- The design is sloppy.
- The sizes are wrong.
- They’re unisex.
- I expect more at this price range.
STABIL Grippers Non-Slip Footwear – Close Runner-up
This is an entirely unique product on this list. Stabil Grippers are actually footwear attach which can be put on over any shoes you have. This is really fascinating and useful, especially when the mentioned “I have guests over and want to wear normal shoes when cooking” situation happens. Because they can be attached to a comfy pair of sneakers I feel comfortable running around the kitchen and doing multiple chores when wearing them.
They feel very stable and if you put them on over an already comfy pair of footwear, you shouldn’t have any problems with stability, falls, and ankle sprain. The full coverage sole with an extra layer of padding makes them very pleasant to wear. They’re not as simple to slip on and off as clogs, but it is not very complicated to do so. The sole composition is slip-resistant.
These grippers are not without their flaws, though. They are not flexible enough to fit every shoe, and there is also confusion with sizes. Also, my biggest concern when it comes to Stabil’s products is that they look very poorly made and I fear they may come apart after less than a month. I wore mine a couple of times and although they are still in one piece, there seem to be traces of their imminent disintegration.
Things I Liked
- They can attach to just about any shoe.
- The bottom is resistant to slipping.
- They are lightweight.
- The extra layer of padding adds extra comfort and stability.
- Great product for the price.
Things I Didn’t Like
- They are not flexible enough to be attached to every shoe’s shape.
- The quality isn’t satisfactory.
safeTstep Slip Resistant Women’s Clog – You Get What You Pay For
SafeTstep’s clogs are just one more decent kitchen shoe on the market.
Design-wise, they look like a pair of black socks, but they do their job pretty well. The comfort insole enables you to be on your feet a couple of hours without too much stress and pain.
The slip-resistant feature works rather well, but I am not very satisfied with the synthetic material used to make these shoes. This is especially a problem in warm conditions because it can warm up and flex too much. The pads on the bottom interior can be removed for safe washing.
They are a bit too wide for individuals with narrow feet, which can make them unsafe. I’m also worried about the durability of the insoles since they are worn out after just a couple of days of wearing them.
Things I Liked
- They’re comfortable.
- There is no danger of slipping.
- Removable pads.
- The price is reasonable.
Things I Didn’t Like
- The synthetic material warms up pretty fast.
- The shoes are too wide.
- The insoles tend to wear out.
- The design looks cheap.
ESCOFFIER, Non-Slip Clogs – Perfect for the Boys
Here, I want to start with the design. Although these are clogs much like the previous ones, it is evident how much more attention has been invested in their appearance.
They are made of EVA material known for their hardness, so they are very resistant to sharp and heavy objects.
Although the EVA material is strong, it is also sufficiently flexible. The rubber on the bottom of the shoes makes these shoe ideal for slippery conditions and the insole cushion relieves feet stress.
I didn’t wear these clogs for a long period of time because they are designed for men. However, during that time my feet were really comfortable, so I’ve decided to buy a pair of them for my husband.
They seem very durable and well-built.
Things I Liked
- The design is commendable.
- The material is really strong and resistant to damage.
- They are perfect for men.
- The rubber on the bottom is slip-resistant.
Things I Didn’t Like
- They are not designed for women.
- They would benefit from backstrap for stability.
- The price isn’t for everyone’s pocket.
STICO Men’s Shoes Clog – Ugly
I’m going to be quite honest about this: these are some weird-looking clogs.
Sure, they appear very expensive and of good quality, but they are a bit too “cubeish” for my taste. But enough about my high-style standards, let’s talk about the quality of the product.
Stico’s shoes are equipped with Nanotech Ceramic anti-slip technology which is certified by the FDA and other renowned organizations.
The combination of rubber and ceramics provides great protection against slippery floors. My favorite thing about these clogs is the insole which is antibacterial and has a deodorizing function, so there are no unpleasant smells, which I can’t say about the product above.
I’m really pleased with the cushioning and the fit. When I’m wearing them it feels like I’m not wearing any shoes at all. I also notice they are pretty resistant to hot oil and heavy items.
I had a problem with them being aimed at men’s users, so the arch support wasn’t very satisfactory for me.
Things I Liked
- The anti-slip technology does an excellent job.
- The ceramic material and the deodorizing function put these shoes way above the competition.
- The cushioning is comfortable.
- The antibacterial feature is very useful if you spend an entire day in the kitchen.
- They seem very durable.
Things I Didn’t Like
- The design is very close to being ridiculous.
- They are intended only for men (the arch support is bad).
- The price may be too much for casual buyers.
The Best Kitchen Shoes on the Market Are…
My search for the perfect kitchen shoes on the market was no walk in the park (more of a walk in the kitchen), but I finally made it.
All of these products have their good and bad sides.
As for the men’s shoes, I would sincerely recommend ESCOFFIER Non-Slip Clogs.
Although I don’t expect to wear kitchen shoes to the New York Fashion Week, STICO Men’s Shoes are too unpleasant to look at, for my taste.
Overall, I would go for Slip Resistant Chef Clog Mule, but I have to give a little nod to STABIL Grippers Non-Slip Footwear.
If they get rid of the laces and work some more on the quality of the material (even if that means the price will go up), these will be the greatest chef shoes on the planet. 😉