Posted by hans on July 31, 1998 at 17:47:52:
In Reply to: Need advice on footwear posted by Ted on July 31, 1998 at 13:54:07:
: I'm about to begin my career in the foodservice industry and I was wondering what type of footwear do chefs prefer the most (shoes, boots, clogs, etc.) Also, I would like to know the brands of footwear that I should keep an eye out for. Should footwear be OSHA approved, or is comfort a greater priority? Any feedback would be greatly appreciated.
Ted,
The company I used to recommend (Rocky Mountain shoes, NOT!!Rocky Boots.) has either gone out of business or are not sold here. I used to get them in SF.
While some chefs will wear clogs and seem to be happy with them, I witnessed a horrible spill involving clogs and would never wear, nor recommend them. Just watch people shuffle around in them, must be a macho thing.
Look for SR/USA on label. This means slip resistant, made in the USA.
Wolverine Durashock #1409 looks fairly descent but might be too heavy for long hours in the kitchen. You don't need steel toes, unless you have the dropsies.
Just go to a workshoe store in your area and check with them. Or ask your letter carrier.
Don't ask "Chefs" cause alot of them will wear the wrong stuff and get orthopedic shoes after their feet are ruined. Just look into a so called "Professional Kitchen" and see how many of the cooks wear tennis sneakers! That ought to tell you something.
Try to stay away from foreign made stuff. Last time I bought workshoes made in Mexico, the soles seperated after one week. Maybe they have their glue problem licked by now, but maybe not. The USA produces the best leather.
Here are the USPS Regulations from their safety manual. They do not state specific brands.
Shoes as per USPS for letter carriers:
Wearing appropriate work shoes is important, whether you walk many miles on a route or handle mail in the workroom. You must wear shoes that are fully enclosed
at the heel, toe, and sides and that are constructed of leather (canvas or nylon are not acceptable). To eliminate slips, trips, and falls,
do not wear the following types of shoes on the workroom floor, unless required for orthopedic reasons:
Heels in excess of 1 1/2 inches and soles more than 1/2-inch in height.
Spiked heels, regardless of height.
Open shoes (including open sides, toes, or heels), such as thongs, sandals, mules, house slippers, clogs, wedgies, etc.
Heels with steel taps.
Shoes with cloth, nylon or mesh-woven tops, such as tennis shoes, sneakers, athletic or jogging shoes (except those with leather or leatherlike uppers),
moccasins, etc.
Shoes no longer adequate because of disrepair.
Here are some manufacturers and distributors:
Bragard Professional Uniforms
New York, NY 10003-1603 USA
212-982-8031
800-488-2433
FAX: 212-353-0318
Manufacturer & exporter of uniforms & special clothing including aprons, linens, chef's hats & coats, footwear, cloth towels, etc.; complete
embrodiery services available.
Chefwear, Inc.
Chicago, IL 60610-3028 USA
312-654-2200
800-568-2433
FAX: 312-654-2209
Manufacturer & exporter of culinary apparel & accessories.
Weinbrenner Shoe Co., Inc.
Merrill, WI 54452 USA
715-536-5521
FAX: 715-536-1172
Manufacturer & exporter of slip resistant safety shoes.
Knapp Shoes, Inc.
Penn Yan, NY 14527 USA
800-869-9020
FAX: 315-536-6909
Manufacturer of slip-resistant & steel toe footwear.
Rocky Shoes & Boots
Nelsonville, OH 45764 USA
740-753-1951
FAX: 740-753-4024
Manufacturer of non-slip service shoes & boots.
Lehigh Safety Shoe Co.
Endicott, NY 13760 USA
800-444-4086
FAX: 607-757-4354
Manufacturer of shoes including steel toe, non-steel toe & non-slip.
Hope that helps,
HWK, CMC