What shoes do you wear while working?

Since working at a coffee shoppe usually means that you are on your feet for hours on end, often times on very unforgiving floors, I was wondering if anybody has a pair or brand of shoes that they simply could not make it through a shift without? Any thoughts or suggestions as to how to make this aspect of the job a bit more endurable?

I have been a barista for years, but need a new pair of shoes, so I thought I would look for suggestions. :)

Cheers!

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Permalink Reply by Kim Collins on May 18, 2009 at 3:02pm
Dansko clogs are my favorite! I bought my first pair almost 3 years ago and they have held up very well. They aren't cheap, but they're well made and have great arch support (worth the investment). You can find them on Zappos website - they usually offering free shipping and if the shoes don't work out you can ship back for free too: http://www.zappos.com/dansko

I'm 6 months pregnant and on my feet all day...I can't imagine how bad I'd feel if I had anything else on.
Permalink Reply by Kevin Kerkhof on May 18, 2009 at 6:34pm
While I agree you need a good pair of shoes, you are better off with one of these and a crappy pair of shoes:

http://www.floormatshop.com/Andersen-Happy-Feet-Anti-Fatigue-Commer...

We have 4 of these across our shop and all of our feet are very thankful. They are worth the $$$ 10x over.

On a side note, Ecco is my personal shoe of choice. I still have a pair from 10 years ago that are amazing. They have a lot of styles and materials, so choose one conducive to a shop.
Permalink Reply by John Berkness on May 18, 2009 at 6:52pm
adidas sambas all the way i've had the pair on my feet for three years now and i never feel foot fatigued
Permalink Reply by lindsaytron on June 9, 2009 at 8:00am
i have a sweet pair of puma athletic shoes ive been rocking all spring/summer while playing both barista and now chef and i love them
Permalink Reply by Chuck or Karen on June 23, 2009 at 8:14pm
We have an espresso cart in a stadium where we regularly relocate everything and where I have to go a long way to get more water, ice, etc. so I tried a series of shoes before finding a pair of Fila Disruptor II on sale at Kohls for less than $60.00. I don't even need my prescribed orthotics anymore and my back is much better too.
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Permalink Reply by Danny Cottrell on June 24, 2009 at 4:18am
I feel proud that specialty coffee has done so much to help the people on the ground in coffee growing regions
I'm old and work over 8 hours a day, so shoes is a big deal to me. Because I have narrow feet I have to look to new balance. I find they last about 3 months. I buy 2 pair and alternate wearing the each every other day I get over 4 month wear.
In the end I spend a lot on shoes but then again I'll be 60 in September and I can run anybody into the ground at the shop who tries to keep up. It's easier to enjoy what you do if your feet don't hurt.

Good luck and keep on doing what you love.
Permalink Reply by Alun Evans on June 24, 2009 at 5:04am
Nautica shoes- already 8 year old. Almost as good as the day I brought them...nearly every day. Very comfortable, solid, almost heavy.
Permalink Reply by Paul Yates on June 24, 2009 at 5:59am
My boss wears Clarks Air Movers and loves them. One of my former coworkers started wearing Crocs, and for a while I laughed at him. Finally, I decided to try it and bought a pair. Now I own four pairs in assorted styles. I wear a pair every day. The concern about safety and possible burns through the holes in the top is a valid one, so I may have to invest in yet another pair. Just don't buy the knockoff versions. Those are too hard, most of them. I look at the online Crocs store and shop in their bargain section, and find great shoes for half price.
Permalink Reply by Tyler Madden on June 24, 2009 at 8:41am
I'm a huge advocate for work boots designed from an orthopedic angle. For quality, comfort and aesthetic my favorites are Aldens and Whites. While both come closer in price to small home espresso machines than most other shoes, they are completely re-buildable, and a kind of rugged that is rarely seen anymore, plus they are made in the USA by serious craftsmen. If they are good enough for tons of firefighters, linesmen, and construction workers, they are exactly what I want on my feet.
Permalink Reply by Jason Dominy on June 24, 2009 at 9:05am

Permalink Reply by cisco on June 24, 2009 at 12:04pm
Has anyone ever worn a pair of Sanuks? I just got a pair a couple of weeks ago, and they are the most comfortable shoes i have ever worn. i usually wear a pair of running shoes or a comfy pair of broken-in adidas shell-toes, but my Sanuks are awesome! they are canvas on top, so you have be careful with hot milk, but other than that they have been great during work. also, rubber floor mats are a must, walking on a tile floor for hours on end will just destroy your feet, legs and back. peace.
Permalink Reply by Joe Marrocco on June 24, 2009 at 1:36pm
Dansko!!! Go with them!! These are the shoes you will see tons of doctors and nurses wearing. If you are on your feet all day you have to have a shoe that not only makes your foot feel cozy, but that postures your entire body correctly. Most stores that offer Danskos will have a machine that you can stand on that will show where you distribute most of your body weight on your feet. They can extrapolate from this information the kind of shoe that will be best for the way you stand. Pretty cool stuff. Have a foot in something soft is not enough. I have tried New Balance, not bad... but just not strong enough. (Of course I am probably a bit bigger than you are). Borns have fallen apart on me pretty quickly. They also lack the ability to posture your body for the weight to hit the ball of your foot. They instead cushion your heal a bit more. They are recommended by some physicians however.

I was in a car accident a few years back. I also stand by a roaster and do a lot of heavy lifting almost every day. Shoes are essential. If I wear my tennis shoes (typically Onitsuka Tigers or Chucks) I am dead at the end of the day. Go to a good shoe store and talk to a professional.

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