Whether you’re working at a local diner, serving carryout to on-the-go customers, providing a five-star fine dining experience, working in a factory, at docks, or any job that requires standing on your feet the entire shift, you need to have a reliable pair of non-slip shoes to ensure safety and comfort.
In a fast-paced work environment like restaurants, servers must be quick on their feet. Wearing non-slip shoes can help prevent slip and fall accidents.
According to the Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA), slips, trips, and falls account for 20 percent of all workplace injuries and 15 percent of all accidental deaths.
Non-skid, slip-resistant shoes are a must for workers in fast-paced environments to prevent slip and fall accidents (Credit: chocobluesky19 / Shutterstock)
Non-slip, slip-resistant, anti-slip, or whatever you call them, these types of shoes can help provide grip and reduce the risk of slips and trips at work. While there are no non-slip shoes that offer complete protection, slip-resistant shoes provide increased resistance to skidding.
There are non-slip shoes that are designed specifically for the work environment. They usually come with high-grade rubber outsoles, which are softer than ordinary shoe soles, for better grip. They also have a deeper tread with microchannels for stronger traction.
If you’re confused about which pair to buy, we’ve already narrowed down a list of the best non-slip shoes available on the market. Check them out below:
1. Skechers ‘Ghenter Bronaugh’ Work Shoes, $53.90 – $106 on Amazon
Skechers is one of the largest shoe brands known for high-quality and comfortable footwear. They are popular among workers, and one of their best-sellers is the “Ghenter Bronaugh.”
Perfect for restaurant employees, these work shoes have a simple black design, made of breathable mesh fabric with water and stain-resistant Scotchgard protection.
They also boast an Electric Hazard (EH) safe design, EH Safe-tested ASTM F2892-11 for safety, rubber toe guards for protection, and specially designed rubber outsoles, which make them slip-resistant.
The Ghenter Bronaugh boasts an Electric Hazard safe design, a slip resistant sole tested using ASTM F1677-2005 Mark II standards, and a water and stain resistant upper
In addition, these sporty-looking shoes have smooth synthetic overlay at laces for extra durability and textured air-mesh with grid underlay. For superior comfort, they have a Relaxed Fit design with removable, full-length cushioned Air Cooled Memory Foam insoles, lightweight flexible shock-absorbing midsoles, soft fabric linings, and padded tongues and collars.
2. Vans Made for Makers Old Skool UC, $85 – $94.95 at Zappos
Vans isn’t just a skate shoe brand. The action sports footwear company has created its Made for Makers collection, featuring tough shoes designed for tough jobs.
They are available in several classic Vans styles, including Sk8-hi, the Slip-On, and Old Skool, built for maximum comfort.
Vans Made for The Makers Old Skool UC have Cotton drill lining for excellent breathability, liquid and dirt-repellent uppers, and slip-resistant certified outsoles with lugs for added traction
The made for Makers Old Skool UC have slip-resistant outsoles in addition to the signature vulcanized lugged outsoles.
They are made of Vansguard 8 oz canvas and suede materials to repel liquids and dirt and come with molded drop-in UltraCush sockliners and padded collars for long-lasting comfort, support, and flexibility.
The Vans Made For The Makers Old Skool UC is available in black leather and triple black suede and canvas versions
3. SafeTstep ‘Carrie’ Slip-On Flats, $29.99 on Amazon
SafeTstep is known for its slip-resistant shoes, which are popular among workers in food service, industrial, and hospitality industries.
If you want a more smart casual-looking pair of work shoes, the SafeTstep “Carrie” slip-on flats are perfect for you. These flats are comfortable, lightweight, and, of course, non-slip.
The SafeTstep Carrie slip-on shoes are made from faux leather material and feature a cap-toe scrunch silhouette with a soft mesh lining and a non-marking, oil- and slip-resistant outsole
Made from synthetic material, these flats boast 24/7 comfort insoles and flexible non-marking rubber outsoles that provide excellent traction, finished with 0.75-inch wedge heels. Aside from the slip-resistant properties, these flats are also oil-resistant.
These slip-on non-slip flats have modest 3/4-inch wedge heels and cap toes for added style
4. Dr. Scholl’s ‘Dynamo’ Work Shoe, $59.90 – $64.95 on Amazon
With the working class in mind, Dr. Scholl’s has created a line of footwear that’s perfect for both work and play.
Each shoe design from the said line features the brand’s oil-resistant and slip-resistant Lock Step Outsole that meets SATRA TM63 and TM144 standards. The SATRA TM144 standard is the international standard for dynamic friction measurements, while the SATRA TM63 is the standard for oil resistance.
Dr. Scholl’s Dynamo work shoe features an oil-resistant, slip-resistant Lock Step Outsole that meets SATRA TM63 and TM144 standards
The “Dynamo” work shoes are one of their most popular styles. These easy slip-on shoes are made of leather with Memory Foam Cool Fit and anti-compression insoles and Dri-Lex mositure-wicking lining.
The flexible non-marking oil and slip-resistant outsoles also feature patterned treads for a stronger grip.
Aside from the non-slip properties, the Dynamo shoe offers all-day comfort with its Memory Foam Cool Fit insoles
5. Avia ‘Avi-Union II’ Food Service Shoes, $38.07 – $59.90 at Amazon
Avia is a footwear company that specializes in running, yoga, and lifestyle activewear. But with the demand for foodservice work shoes, Avia designed the “Avi Union II” for workers who need sure footing in a slippery environment.
An ideal food service shoes, the Avi-Union II features oil and slip-resistant tread pattern outsoles tested in accordance with ASTM F2913
These durable shoes feature oil and slip-resistant rubber tread patterned outsoles for enhanced grip on wet and oily surfaces. They are made from synthetic leather with Defender by Scotchgard protector for water and stain resistance.
This water- and stain-resistant synthetic work shoe has removable memory foam sockliners, molded EVA midsoles, and Avia’s Cantilever Technology
They also have compression-molded EVA footbeds with soft gel heel pads and removable memory foam sock liners for comfort. They also feature the brand’s Cantilever system at the heel area for stability, lightweight cushioning, and shock absorption.
6. Crocs ‘Bistro’ Clogs, $44.99 – $84.97 at Crocs
Looking for trendy but safe footwear for work? Check out the “Bistro” clogs from Crocs, which are available for both men and women.
These clogs boast Crocs Lock slip-resistant treads, which meet the industry non-skid standards for increased traction. They are CE certified, fully ASTM F2913-11 tested, and meet or exceed EN ISO 20347:2012, which is a safety standard for occupational footwear.
These easy-to-clean unisex Crocs clogs are designed with food service, hospitality, and healthcare workers in mind
They are easy to clean, lightweight, slip-resistant, and waterproof, no wonder they have over a thousand positive ratings on Amazon.
Designed with food service, hospitality, and healthcare workers in mind, these clogs are made of 100% Croslite, which is a material that softens with body heat to mold to the foot.
The Bistro clogs boast Crocs’ Lock slip-resistant treads for traction and an enclosed toe design with thicker metatarsal area to help protect feet
They also have an enclosed toe design with a thicker metatarsal area to protect feet from spills, a dense vamp to protect the top of the foot from scratches, and a roomy fit with contoured cushioned footbeds for comfort.
7. SR Max ‘Rialto’ Sneakers, $49.99 at Amazon
SR Max stands for “Slip Resistance to the Max.” The footwear company offers a wide array of superior slip-resistant shoes that score at least .40 on the slip resistance test Burngraber Mark II.
Made from tumbled PU, the Rialto is incorporated with nylon mesh linings, molded removable EVA insoles, and SR Max MaxTrax slip resistant outsoles
One of their most raved about shoe styles is the “Rialto,” which features SR Max’s patented MaxTrax rubber outsole technology. Aside from the slip-resistant soles, these tumbled PU sneakers also have molded removable EVA insoles for support and protection, tricot nylon mesh linings for breathability, arch support, and padded heels for shock absorption.
8. Fila Memory ‘Workshift’ Sneakers, $36.28 – $89.99 on Amazon
Built to be comfy during a long shift, the Fila Memory “Workshift” sneakers are made of synthetic and leather materials with stitching accents and perforations for added breathability.
The Fila Memory Workshift sneakers are slip-resistant shoes that also have some style
They feature oil and slip-resistance protection in compliance with ASTM F2913-11 safety standards and boast Fila’s memory foam sockliner and DLS foam with breathable mesh linings.
These Memory Workshift sneakers offer oil and slip-resistance protection with comfy memory foam sockliner and DLS foam midsole
9. Skechers Work ‘Soft Stride-Softie’ Shoes, $66.95 – $134 on Amazon
Here’s another best-selling pair of slip-resistant shoes from Skechers. Probably one of the most stylish non-slip shoes on the market, the “Soft Stride-Softie” sneakers are made of durable but flexible leather.
Made from leather, the Softie shoes feature a soft toe construction with breathable textile lining, removable PU footbed, and lightweight midsole
These slip-resistant shoes have 1.5-inch thick and rugged OSHA-compliant rubber outsoles. They also meet Mark II ASTM F1677-tested slip-resistant rating, which makes them ideal for different work environments.
These Skechers shoes have OSHA-compliant slip resistant rubber outsole that meets Mark II ASTM F1677 slip-resistant rating
They also feature removable PU comfort insoles, breathable textile linings, and lightweight midsoles for added support and shock absorption.
10. Emeril Lagasse ‘Canal’ Work Shoes, $45 on Amazon
With years of restaurant experience and an understanding of the needs of culinary professionals, culinary icon Emeril Lagasse founded the Emeril Lagasse footwear.
His shoe collection includes slip and stain-resistant footwear, designed to provide comfort and protection in the kitchen.
A 100% leather work shoe, the Converse-style Emeril Lagasse Canal boasts oil & slip resistant outsoles that provide superior traction on wet and greasy surfaces
One of their stand-out designs is the “Canal” canvas shoes, which look similar to the classic Converse sneakers. These shoes have green-colored outsoles with a specifically designed lug to avoid slip.
The soles have a specialized groove pattern that channels liquid away, providing superior traction on wet and greasy surfaces.
The Canal shoe also offers all-day comfort with B.A.M. (Balance Active Movement) Memory Foam insole and molded EVA midsole
These breathable canvas shoes have Agion treated breathable linings and are treated with ALLShield technology, which repels liquids and food.
They also have anti-fatigue molded EVA midsoles and molded B.A.M. or Balance Active Movement Memory Foam insoles for 24-hour comfort, stability, support, and shock absorption.
