The Best Kitchen Shoes for Home Cooks, Vetted by BA Editors

If you’ve ever tried to get through a marathon meal prep session in just a pair of socks—or worse, barefoot—I’m willing to bet your body was feeling it by the time all the cooking was done. Spending hours standing and walking on a hard floor takes a toll on your feet, legs, and lower back, no matter what (just ask any healthcare or food service professional), but investing in a pair of supportive kitchen shoes is the best thing you can do to combat the aches and pains that come with cooking. Those shoes are also your first line of defense against any hot oil splatters, sauce spills, or knife drops (I’m assuming you’d prefer to keep all 10 toes, right?).

• Best for long days spent standing: Dansko Professional Clog
• A super-stable supportive slip-on: Snibbs Clogs
• The cushiest kitchen clogs: Oofos Clogs
• For the cook who needs to be quick on their feet: SeaVees Bodega Clog
• A colorful clog that goes beyond the kitchen: Calzuro Classic Without Holes
• The best budget kitchen shoes: Crocs Bistro Work Clogs
• The best sneaker for the kitchen: Clove Supercush Alto
• A stylish clog with great arch support: Birkenstock Super Birki 2.0
• Best for home cooks who want looks and lift: Crocs Dylan Platform Clog

Asking a pro chef about their favorite pair of kitchen shoes is like asking about their favorite knife: Everyone has a different, highly personal answer that’s dependent on the type of kitchen they work in, their role in that kitchen, and importantly, their particular feet. After polling our staff, we found the same to be true for both our Test Kitchen editors and those of us who simply identify as voracious home cooks. There was no consensus around a “best kitchen shoe,” because the best kitchen shoe for a recipe developer with flat feet who spends 8-hour days in the Test Kitchen is different from the best kitchen shoe for a writer with high arches who’s into weekend baking projects. That’s why we’ve compiled a list of options for every kind of home cook, according to our staff of experts. Read on for shoes our staffers have sworn by for years, and some new favorites we discovered through our rigorous testing process.

Best for long days spent standing: Dansko Professional Clog

Dansko Professional

$140

Dansko

Danish-inspired Dansko clogs have long been a favorite of culinary professionals, and there’s a reason for that: They’re sturdy, supportive, and protective. According to longtime wearer and BA food director Chris Morocco, these are the clogs you reach for if you’re the kind of person “who came here to work, put your head down, and start cranking the minute you step into them.”

What we love: In Morocco’s words, he is “not minimalist shoe material.” Because he deals with some foot problems, he favors stiff, supportive shoes with a slightly elevated heel for everyday wear. “My Danskos cradle my feet and support them at just the right angle and heel elevation, so that standing feels downright pleasant. Weight is distributed evenly across the footbed, including when in motion since they don't flex like other shoes, but rather encourage rocking forward onto your forefoot while your weight stays more balanced across your feet.”

Culinary producer Mallary Santucci has been a Dansko devotee since her days working on the line in restaurants. In her opinion, these shoes are ideal for days when you need to stand in place for hours at a time—a.k.a., a typical day working a station in a professional kitchen (or, say, on Thanksgiving day at home). “Equally as important, they are real, effective protection from dropped sharp items and some hot spillage,” she says.

What we’d leave: “My only gripe is that they can lose grip on slick surfaces, and I don't enjoy long walks in them since their platform-like height means turning an ankle is a distinct possibility,” says Morocco. Santucci also mentions their weight, which is another reason these aren’t the best option for cooks who plan on doing a lot of walking.

For the traditional clog lover seeking some added pizzazz: Troentorp

Troentorp Johansson Black

$139

Troentorp

Troentorp Rembrandt White

$139

Troentorp

According to Morocco, “success in the kitchen starts with your feet.” For him, the key to staying comfortable for hours-long cooking sessions is a pair of stiff clogs, hence his love of Danskos. With this in mind, I asked him and fellow Dansko stan Santucci to try out Swedish clog brand Troentorp. With their signature rivets and strap detailing, these can be thought of as slightly snazzier takes on the traditional wooden-heeled clog.

What we love: “Troentorp's clogs have just the right ergonomic footbed, cradling my foot from toe to heel, inviting a slightly forward-pitched stance that avoids fatigue,” raves Morocco. After trying a few different styles, he landed on the Johansson clogs because of their adjustable strap, which can be affixed to the front of the clog for an open back look or used as a heel strap to provide a more secure fit.

Santucci went with the Rembrandt style and found them shockingly comfortable even on first wear. “I was apprehensive to wear them for a full shoot day because I know how hard it can be to break in Danskos,” she writes. “I put them on at the start of the shoot and worked in the Test Kitchen all day comfortably, with absolutely no foot pain by the end of the day.” While she found the clogs structured and stiff (in a good way), a cushioned band at the top of the foot made breaking them in a breeze.

Morocco also appreciated that the Troentorp clogs “will stop a chef's knife in freefall without ruining your day, and don't slip easily even on wet surfaces.”

What we’d leave: Santucci notes that, like Danskos, the Troentorps are relatively heavy. “I might not recommend them for running up and down stairs all day, but I find them perfectly comfortable for anything from work to running errands,” she says.

Finding the right size can be tricky as the fit can vary across models—but according to Morocco, “once you find the right shape, you will question how you ever thought of cooking in anything else.” If you’re working in a professional kitchen or just generally like a shoe that allows you to be nimble without risk of it slipping off, we’d recommend you opt for a style with a heel strap like the Johanssons, or one of the more full coverage styles like the Van Goghs.

A super stable, supportive slip-on: Snibbs Clogs

Snibbs The Clog

$145 $125 (14% off)

Snibbs

Snibbs specializes in supportive, non-slip shoes designed for healthcare and hospitality workers. The brand makes several sneaker-like options, but we’re partial to the backless Clogs for everyday wear in a home kitchen. These shoes have won the hearts of many a BA staffer, including head of digital video June Kim and senior commerce editor Noah Kaufman.

What we love: “If you’re after a grippy kitchen shoe, there’s nothing better than a pair of Snibbs clogs,” says Kaufman. These shoes have been tested for slip resistance (in fact, they’re certified by the industry-standard ASTM F2913 test), so you can count on them to remain stable even on wet floors. Kaufman also appreciates that “they’re very supportive, owing to the fact that they’re stiffer than lots of other house shoes.” Rather than a padded footbed, these have a rubber-like EVA top sole that’s meant to increase blood flow, balance, and stability.

What we’d leave: Kaufman notes that the lack of a back strap means these shoes slide off his feet more easily than he’d like. And while their firm footbed is a plus for Kaufman, he notes that people expecting a cushy kitchen shoe should look elsewhere.

The cushiest kitchen clogs: Oofos Clogs

Oofos Oocloog Clog

$80

Oofos

These clogs are technically designed as recovery shoes for long-distance runners—Kaufman first encountered them in a running store in Madison, Wisconsin. But according to Kaufman, “they also happen to be the most comfortable house shoes I’ve ever worn.”

What we love: If cushion-like comfort is what you’re after, these are the clogs for you. “The term ‘cloud like’ gets thrown around a lot when describing kitchen shoes, but I’d say that, compared to Oofo clogs or slides, everything else is an embarrassing pretender,” says Kaufman. “They’re squishy and deep, and when I step into them, they hug and envelop my foot. It’s like having a memory foam mat attached to your soles.”

What we’d leave: These clogs are lacking a bit in the non-slip department, especially compared to some of the other options on this list that are made specifically with grip in mind. Kaufman also notes that “if you wear them every day, that new Oofos feel will go away after 6-8 months.” While you can still wear them at this point, you’ll want to replace these every year or so to reap the full cushiony benefits.

Best for the cook who needs to be quick on their feet: SeaVees Bodega Clog

Seavees Bodega Clog

$110

Seavees

For an ideal balance between slip-on convenience and snug-fitting security, opt for the Seavees Bodega Clogs. They’re the kitchen shoe of choice for associate test kitchen manager Inés Anguiano, whose day-to-day might consist of any combination of cooking, running errands, or bopping around to various floors in our office building.

What we love: Anguiano first tried Seavees on a whim in an effort to find a new favorite clog to shuffle around the kitchen in, and she ended up falling so hard for the brand’s Bodega Clogs that she’s graduated to her second pair (“which are my second pair because the first literally had to fall apart for me to stop wearing them,” says Anguiano). Unlike some of the other clogs on the market (and on this list) that have a roomier fit, Anguiano likes that these “fit well—nice and snug, but not too tight, which is great for the many moments in the kitchen that ask for you to be quick on your feet,” she writes. Anguiano loves the support they offer for long cooking stints in the Test Kitchen or at home, but finds them equally suitable for store runs and neighborhood wanders. Their style helps too: Available in both neutrals and a rainbow of bright colors, there’s a Bodega Clog for everyone.

What we’d leave: Anguiano says there’s truly nothing she’d change about her Seavees. If anything, it’s worth noting that, like Anguiano’s, yours will eventually fall apart and need replacing if you love them as much as she does.

A colorful clog that goes beyond the kitchen: Calzuro Classic Without Holes

Calzuro Classic Without Holes

$125

Amazon

$125

Calzuro

Calzuro’s colorful clogs have long had their own fanbase here at BA. Originally designed for the healthcare industry, they feature a supportive, semi-firm footbed, non-slip rubber sole, and dishwasher and washing machine-safe construction that makes them a great option for the kitchen, too. We enlisted Anguiano and deputy food director Hana Asbrink’s help in testing these shoes out, as we wanted to see how they fared in an average week in our Test Kitchen.

What we love: “I fell in love with my deep chocolate brown Calzuro clogs right off the bat,” says Anguiano. While she was initially nervous about how stiff the footbed was compared to her more flexible Seavees, Anguiano found that the shoes left her feeling balanced, with minimal soreness after multiple days of wear.

“My needs for footwear in the kitchen are a bit different from those of my Test Kitchen colleagues, who spend the majority of the days fully on their feet, cooking through recipes and whipping them into tip-top shape. As for me, I usually spend just a portion of the day standing on my feet, but much time is spent walking around, both in and out of the office (yes, I do aim for 10k steps/day!), so I’m usually in a rubber-soled shoe or sneaker,” writes Asbrink. With this in mind, there are a number of things she liked about the Calzuros right off the bat: They’re easy to wipe down, have a slight (1.5-inch) heel that offers balanced support, the footbed has tiny massaging bumps to help with blood circulation, and they come in a wide array of fun colors—“perhaps my favorite feature,” says Asbrink.

After a week of testing out the Calzuros on socked feet, Asbrink came away a fan
“I would personally recommend them for light (up to a few hours) kitchen work, perfect for weekend cooking, lounging in and around the house, and doing light yard work and gardening (you can just hose them off),” she says. Both Asbrink and Anguiano tested the hole-less version of the clogs, but Calzuro also makes an option with ventilation across the top for anyone who wants more airflow. The brand also sells colorful heel straps that provide a more secure fit.

What we’d leave: Anguiano notes that she prefers a snugger fit than the Calzuro offers for days when she’s running errands. And while Asbrink enjoyed wearing the Calzuros for short to medium-length kitchen stints, she says: “For longer stretches of continuous cooking on your feet, I might opt for a sturdier heel and shell (like a Dansko).”

The best budget kitchen shoes: Crocs Bistro Work Clogs

Crocs Bistro Work Clog

$50

Crocs

Crocs are lightweight, easy to clean, and cheap—so it’s no wonder they’ve been stalwart fixtures in both professional and home kitchens for years. The problem with classic Crocs, though, is that the holes on top mean your feet are left unprotected from spills (unless you fill every hole with Jibbitz, I guess). The solution? Crocs Bistro Work Clogs, which are specifically designed with food service, hospitality, and healthcare workers in mind.

What we love: Kaufman tested the Bistro Work Clogs out in his home kitchen and found them to have that much-beloved classic Crocs feel. Made with slip-resistant treads, these shoes perform well on slick floors—and according to Kaufman, “the textured footbed gives good grip between the bottom of your foot and the shoe as well.” They are relatively supportive, especially for a flexible shoe, and the fully closed toe makes them more suitable for the kitchen than traditional Crocs. “That does mean, however, your Jibbitz real estate is quite limited, if that’s your thing,” says Kaufman.

What we’d leave: “They definitely ran big and just felt a little oversized overall. The strap in the back, for example, felt thicker than on a standard pair of Crocs,” says Kaufman.

The best sneaker for the kitchen: Clove Supercush Alto

Clove Supercush™ Alto

$165

Clove

Women's Supercush™ Alto

$165

Clove

If you gravitate towards more of a sneaker-style kitchen shoe, give Clove a try. These shoes were originally designed for healthcare workers, but all of the features that make them great for nurses and doctors—cushioned support, fluid-resistant material, slip-on convenience—make them an excellent choice for cooks, too. After testing a few styles, senior test kitchen editor Jesse Szewczyk found a new favorite in the Clove Supercrush Altos.

What we love: Right away, Szewczyk was drawn to the striking design of the Supercrush Altos. “With the right outfit, I feel like these shoes look like something you could wear to a rave. They are almost army-like in their appearance. Pair them with a pair of baggy black pants and you have a vibe,” writes Szewczyk.

Szewczyk found a lot of similarities between the Clove shoes and the Brooks running sneakers he typically wears in the Test Kitchen. Like many running shoes, the Supercrush Altos are quite tall thanks to lots of padding and a supportive foam platform meant to reduce foot fatigue. Szewczyk says that he wore the shoes for multiple 8-hour days in the Test Kitchen, and his feet never felt tired.

Despite their chunky design, Szewczyk notes that the shoes are “actually very lightweight.” They also proved slip-resistant, earning their ASTM F3445 non-slip certification. “You can feel the grip on the floor when you wear them. Sometimes they squeak when you hit the ground hard,” says Szewczyk.

“They have pull-style laces, which kind of makes me feel like a child but is also convenient. And the shoe comes up a bit higher on my heel compared to others I’ve worn, so it feels like I have a bit of support—almost like wearing Converse,” he adds.

What we’d leave: There’s not much we’d change about these shoes, though it’s worth noting that their bulkiness may take some getting used to.

A stylish clog with great arch support: Birkenstock Super Birki 2.0

Birkenstock Super Birki 2.0

$82

Birkenstock

$90

Amazon

Senior commerce editor Olivia Tarantino admits to never having been much of a mule person—until she tried the Birkenstock Super Birki 2.0s. Released just this past summer, these are a reimagined version of a shoe that dates back to the ‘90s. They’re designed with home cooks and gardeners specifically in mind, and after weeks of testing by multiple staffers on our team, we can definitely vouch for them.

What we love: They may look cute and unassuming, but Tarantino can attest that the Super Birkis are true workhorses. After wearing hers for a near-10-hour day of pizza oven testing, Tarantino says she “felt no soreness at all.” While she likes the look of the thick lug sole, “it’s also functional,” she explains. “The tread is deep and grippy, and, like many of our top picks, is certified ASTM F3445-21 slip-resistant. Even on flour-dusted linoleum, I felt steady pivoting between the oven and the cutting board. The removable footbed is another bonus, since it makes the waterproof part of the shoe easier to clean,” she says.

Tarantino says that while open-back shoes usually make her feel like she’s going to slide right out of them, the Super Birki 2.0’s cork footbed sinks deep under the smooth polyurethane upper. “It gave me a snug, locked-in feel without sacrificing the easy slip-on-and-off convenience you want in a clog.” That secure fit is particularly impressive considering these shoes have a roomier feel than the Birkenstocks Tarantino is used to wearing (she usually takes a Narrow/Medium, and the Super Birkis only come in Regular/Wide). It’s a best of both worlds situation: “The high arch and sunken heel kept my foot feeling secure, and the extra space turned out to be great for circulation,” says Tarantino.

In addition to being comfortable, grippy, and easy to clean, the Super Birkis are also quite good-looking, “not just for kitchen shoes, but in general,” says Tarantino. “I got them in Kelly green (which, sadly, is no longer available) and always feel very cool walking around the Test Kitchen,” she adds.

What we’d leave: Tarantino notes that the cork insole can take a while to dry if it gets wet (“I learned this the hard way when I got caught in a downpour walking outside in them.”) They also run big, you’ll likely need to size down—and even then, they will feel roomy.

Best for home cooks who want looks and lift: Crocs Dylan Platform Clog

Crocs Dylan Platform Clog

$65

Crocs

$65 $49 (25% off)

Amazon

Senior commerce writer Emily Farris didn’t intend to use these platform Crocs for the kitchen when she first bought them off a targeted ad—she just thought they looked cool and would be convenient for dog walks and school drop-off. “But they’ve become an all-purpose shoe for me,” says Farris.

What we love: According to Farris, these chic clogs provide enough support that she was able to do away with her anti-fatigue kitchen mats entirely. They’re cushioned and comfortable like all Crocs, and the fully-closed toe protects your feet from any spills. “If I ever start to do something in the kitchen without them, my feet and knees remind me almost immediately, and I change out of whatever shoes I’m wearing into these,” says Farris.

Not only are these clogs functional, but they’re pretty cute, too. “People often stop me on the street to compliment me or ask where I got them. I think they’d be pretty impossible to destroy, but if I ever lost them, I’d replace them immediately,” says Farris.

What we’d leave: Farris notes that walking in these took a little getting used to (“I kind of tripped over my own feet a few times,” she says), but that the adjustment period didn’t last long.

For people who want a sleeker look: Blundstone #2381 Service Clog

Blundstone All-Terrain #2381

$215

Blundstone

These clogs from Blundstone are sleek, grippy, and easy to clean. They’re also incredibly comfortable, just like the boots the brand is primarily known for. After taking them for several test runs over the course of a few weeks, senior service editor Kelsey Jane Youngman is officially a fan.

What we love: “I’ve got an anti-fatigue mat on my kitchen floor, so I’m already pretty comfortable shuffling between the stove and cutting board, but these clogs offer more structured support for my feet (and therefore my hips, low back, and neck) than the mat alone,” says Youngman. The real test came when she wore the clogs for an all-day meal prep session at a friend’s larger, mat-less kitchen, after which Youngman says she “walked home blissfully ache- and blister-free.”

Comfort aside, Youngman appreciates that “the non-slip sole and fully covered, waterproof upper provide solid protection against the odd splash of hot water from the sink or sliver of onion that made its way to the floor.” The footbeds grip your feet decently well, whether you’re wearing socks or not, plus they’re removable and washable—a major plus for a kitchen shoe. Youngman also loves the shoe’s slight platform: “high enough to offer shock absorption but not so high I felt like I was risking an ankle sprain,” she writes.

What we’d leave: While the fit of these is on the snug side for a clog, their backless design means they’re not the most secure. They also have a relatively firm footbed, which is a plus for some but may not be what everyone is looking for. We also wish these came in more colors—at the time of writing, the only option is black.

We surveyed staffers from across Bon Appétit’s many teams—including Test Kitchen editors, culinary producers, and product testers—to find out which shoes they’ve relied on time and time again for long shifts in both professional and home kitchens. We also researched popular kitchen shoes that no one on our team had tried and enlisted those same staffers to test new-to-them pairs over the course of several weeks. Every pair of shoes on this list has been subject to multi-hour cooking sessions in our Test Kitchen or our editors’ homes.

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