My aching feet

February 9, 2008 1:54 PM

Love my Crocs (Alice style, the cute, sleek Mary Janes, not the hideous clogs) but I need to find some new work shoes.

Crocs are the only shoes I've ever worn that don't leave my feet aching after 8-10 hours of restaurant work, but they make them sweat and leave weird black gunk under my toenails. Yum! They look ridiculous with socks so that's not the solution.

I need a source for fashionable, comfy shoes built for my industry, i.e. non-slip and all that. I've tried googling but all I seem to find are giant clogs and sneakeresque monstrosities.

I have pretty normal size 8 feet except they're slightly wide at the toe with high arches. Does anybody make sleek, sturdy, comfy, non-slippy, fashionable shoes? Anybody?

posted by sarelicar to Shopping (10 answers total)

Danskos seem to be very popular among restaurant workers, health-care workers and other on-their-feet types. Ditto Birkenstocks and Keens. I make no judgment about the fashionable-ness of any of 'em, though I can vouch for their comfort.
posted by box at 2:17 PM on February 9, 2008

Shoes for Crews has been recommended here before. I haven't tried them yet but I'm going to soon. They have customer reviews on their site but as always they are mixed reviews so it's hard to get an idea if they are any good.
posted by amethysts at 2:26 PM on February 9, 2008

Shoes for Crews are incredibly comfortable, and wonderfully slip resistant, but they aren't very stylish. Even if you get the black leather ones, they still look very much like sensible shoes. Still, I wouldn't work on my feet without them, ever. They're the best, and they're virtually indestructible.
posted by headspace at 2:34 PM on February 9, 2008

We love crocs in our home as well but they aren't really an option in the Minnesota winters. What do we wear? Keens. Both Mrs. Advicepig and I have several pairs. Most were bought at REI, but they are rather widely available. They are wonderful all day shoes for those with high arches.
posted by advicepig at 2:43 PM on February 9, 2008

I'll third the Keen recommendation. I love my maryjane-style Keens. They look decent enough - professional, cute - but are still very, very comfy, even with a lot of being on my feet (standing or walking).
posted by Gucky at 3:05 PM on February 9, 2008

Keen. And the internets are full of closeouts, last year's colors, discounted stock. I like checking onlineshoes, because you can limit your search to those available in your size
posted by desuetude at 4:50 PM on February 9, 2008

I'll second Danskos. Though you say no clogs, so maybe not.
posted by salvia at 10:31 PM on February 9, 2008

i vote for shoes for crews, they are super comfy and very very slip resistant.
they have a few girly styles like mary janes and the such. don't know what the comfort level is on those as i'm a guy. but i'm really happy with the pair i have.
posted by RobertDigital at 10:40 PM on February 9, 2008

Doc Martens makes some cute flats, especially the Helen model. They last forever and, at least for me, are incredibly comfortable even for extensive walking.
posted by bassjump at 2:40 AM on February 10, 2008

I have these Crocs - Celeste - they have a grippier insole, and I find that my feet don't get as sweaty in them as with the regular Crocs. Mine are canvas, but they also make them in suede.
posted by candyland at 12:27 PM on February 10, 2008