The 7 Best Shoes for Hairdressers: Reviews & Buying Guide

If you type ‘hairdressers’ in Google and check out the images section, you’ll realize that most of them are standing. Like chefs, bartenders, waiters, and waitresses, beauty salon specialists to are among other professionals who spend less time sitting.

This means by the time your day ends, and your legs will be begging for a long rest-one that you probably can’t afford. But it’s not just about plenty of rest. According to research by The Conversation blog, spending too much time on your feet can double your chances of getting heart problems.

Furthermore, other impending issues like backache, calf pain, heel pain, bad knees, and the list are endless. This is why you need to start looking into what you wear to work.

This article will take away some of the hard work and headaches involved in finding the right footwear by recommending some of the best shoes for hairdressers. Out of all the choices, we feel Dansko Women’s Professional Clog takes the top spot because it is comfortable, affordable, and ideal for both casual and business events.

Keep reading to learn about other interesting choices.

Best Shoes for Hairdressers

1. Dansko Women’s Professional Clog

You haven’t experienced comfort if you have never tried Dansko Women’s Clog. Like the versatility of duct tape, this shoe knows no bounds and is relevant to almost any profession you can think of (starting with nursing).

The most outstanding thing about it is its impressive ability to absorb impact. This is possible given its thick and bouncy Polyurethane outsole. The rocker bottom of the outsole is designed to propel your foot forward, making walking even more effortless.

Dansko Women’s Clog comes with a roomier toe box so you can splay your toes freely. The toe end is reinforced for protection in case you stumble on an object. This clog takes care of stability and supports courtesy of the included protective heel counter.

No matter the shape of your feet, this clog’s contoured midsole ensures you get the best fit. And the great news is, there are unlimited color choices so you can stand out from the crowd.

Core features

• Roomy reinforced toe
• Contoured PU midsole
• Rocker bottom
• Padded instep collar
• Wipe clean leather top
• Protective heel counter

Pros

• Durable leather upper
• Features anti-fatigue properties
• Has a wide heel strike for better stability
• Roomier and protective toe end
• Versatile design
• Unlimited color choices

Cons

• Not fashionable
• Dansko shoes are mostly handmade leading to inconsistent pricing

Dansko Women’s Clog is one of the best shoes that you can wear all day at the salon to keep pain at bay. But let’s jump straight to something you want to hear; this is a top-rated shoe with amazing customer feedback. This means the chances that it will suck are way less.

Not cool enough for you? No biggie. Let’s ride on to the next option.

2. Skechers Men’s Equalizer 2.0 Slip On Loafer

If you are here for something far more comfortable and stylish, Skechers Men’s Equalizer Slip-on Loafer could impress you. This is an extremely lightweight sneaker and a perfect example of minimalist shoes. Such kicks are ideal for those looking for a barefoot walking experience.

McAllen’s top bears a knit mesh to keep your feet cool all day long. This is a good feature given how some salons are in enclosed spaces, overcrowded, and use a lot of heat-generating. So it pays to consider a breathable top.

Thanks to the Relaxed Fit technology, this shoe’s material provides a responsive sock-like fit. The interior features an air cool memory foam insole which works with the overlays paddings to cozy your feet up.

Conveniently, Skechers McAllen Men’s Equalizer Slip-on Loafer arrives in multiple colors and features dual gore panels for easy in and out.

Core features

• Knit mesh upper
• Memory foam insole
• Relaxed Fit technology
• Synthetic outsole
• Dual gore fabrics

Pros

• Easy in and out
• Relaxed Fit design for a better fit
• Extremely lightweight
• Breathable mesh upper
• Generously padded for comfort
• Reliable traction on smooth surfaces

Cons

• No serious quality issues

Skechers McAllen Men’s Equalizer Slip-on Loafer is one of the best shoes for barbers that are both comfortable and lightweight. Its versatile design can comfortably accommodate both work and casual shoes. It’s also one of the best-rated shoes for hairdressers with very few issues.

3. Crocs Unisex Coast Clog

If by any chance, you have toe deformities, diabetic feet, plantar fasciitis, and other extreme foot problems, you need clogs more than you know. A fairly stylish variety that can retain your good looks at work is Crocs Unisex Coast Clog.

You see, this shoe isn’t really about fashion. It’s about function. It’s a slip-on and that means you can slip out of it when your feet get uncomfortable. Its overlay panel is nothing but Croslite foam and, therefore quite impressive at absorbing impact and re-energizing your feet.

Crocs Unisex Coast Clog has a roomier toe end that allows your toes to wiggle. That’s exactly why it qualifies as one of the best shoes for hairstylists with plantar fasciitis. Unlike other shoes where your toes are squeezed together to take the shape of the shoe, in this clog, your toes stay the way they are.

There are several eye-candy colors to ice the cake, so each day you can look different or have the freedom to match with your attire. Just one more thing; they are unisex! This grants you and your better half or any other member of the family access to them.

Core features

• Croslite foam
• Slip-on design
• Lugged outsole
• Breathable front

Pros

• Incredibly lightweight
• Easy in and out
• Multiple attractive colors
• Amazing impact absorption
• Affordable slip on

Cons

• No serious flaws

So Crocs Unisex Coast Clog might not cut it as a professional shoe, but its amazing comfort is what many hairdressers crave. If you are your own boss or have feet problems that can’t take closed shoes, then this clog is a must-have.

For those under tight supervision, this might be great as an extra pair that you slide in every once in a while when the boss is not watching or just to cool your sweaty (and probably achy) feet.

4. Alegria Women’s Khloe Slip-On

If you are here purely for hyper-performance shoes without too much emphasis on style, then Alegria Women’s Khloe Slip-on is for you. Crafted from stain-resistant and ultra-durable Nappa leather, this is a shoe that will stay around longer than some of your exes (pun intended).

Its engineering is one of a kind with a rocker bottom and a slip-resistant outsole to keep you steady on wet surfaces. The collar is thickly padded and works alongside the removable memory foam footbed to ramp up comfort. The footbed is replaceable for some freedom to use custom varieties.

Alegria Women’s Khloe Slip-on is also one of the best arch support shoes for pronators. Its footbed is designed to naturally follow along the contours of your feet for a comfy snug fit.

For the lazybones (we all get lazy at times), the stain-resistant and easy to clean upper will get you up and rolling in less than a minute. There are numerous color choices and designs to select from.

Core features

• Nappa leather
• Structured PU outsole
• Stain resistance leather
• Removable memory foam cork footbed
• Superior arch support

Pros

• Superior arch support
• A flat bottom that increases stability
• Easy to clean and stain-resistant
• Comfort-boosting memory foam footbed
• Long-lasting leather uppers
• Takes pressure away from the feet
• Great with custom orthotics

Cons

• The unfinished bottom which may hurt without the footbed and custom orthotics

Alegria Women’s Khloe Slip-on is among the best everyday shoes that you can resort to for better comfort and arch support. They are professional and thus ideal for salons and beauty schools that demand full adherence to official wear.

5. Skechers Performance Women’s Go Walking Shoe

Hairdressers are fashionable. They dress to impress and impact their customers. If this rings true to you, then you are going to love Skechers Performance Women’s Go Walk 4. This one is a true head-turner.

Go Walk 4 is a radically lightweight walking sneaker with a soft mesh upper for extreme breathability. Inside lies a Goga Max footbed with a high rebound ability to energize each of your strides. This very footbed is bamboo-lined for effective odor management. That is fabulous, don’t you agree?

This slip-on is one of the lightest sneakers you’ll ever get thanks to the innovative and responsive 5GEN cushioning in the midsole. Walking is going to be a sport for you and less of a burden. The shoe tapers towards the midfoot, taking on a design that improves arch support.

Skechers Performance Women’s Go Walk 4 is almost true to size and comes in multiple color choices.

Core features

• Mesh fabric top
• Heel fabric panels for stability
• Tapering midfoot
• 5GEN midsole cushioning
• Bamboo-lined footbed
• Goga Max footbed

Pros

• Extremely breathable
• Radically lightweight
• Impressive arch support
• Easy to slip in and out
• Modern and ultra-stylish
• Rebuffs odor growth

Cons

• Flattens out faster than running sneakers

Skechers Performance Women’s Go Walk 4 is among the most stylish shoes for hairdressers. So if looking dapper matters a lot to you, then this is the kick for you. It is massively comfortable and breathable as well-things you could really use during a long day at the salon.

6. Sanuk Women’s Donna Tribal Flat

Custom whip, custom bike, and designer clothes- if this is you, you will warm up to the custom design of Sanuk Women’s Donna Tribal Flat. This is a women’s’ loafer that truly understands what they want i.e., comfort, style, and light.

As a person who stands all the time at the salon, the unique spongy rubber outsole of this shoe reduces the toll on your feet. The EVA foam footbed takes on some of your impact, which prevents the sole from crushing under your weight. Furthermore, the footbed is molded to take the shape of your fit for a perfect gentle fit.

Sanuk Women’s Donna Tribal Flat features charming details and bold colors for high-end fashion lovers. The best part is, you don’t even need to dig deeper into your pockets to afford it. So yeah, if you don’t want to spend way above $50 on the excellent shoes for hairdressers, Sanuk Donna loafer is for you.

Core features

• Custom textile upper
• Molded EVA footbed
• Antimicrobial-laced footbed
• U Rubber sole (spongy)
• Gore panels

Pros

• Stylish for fashion-loving hairdressers
• Extremely affordable
• Molds to the feet for a snug fit
• Lightweight and flexible
• Fully breathable panels

Cons

• No serious quality concerns

Sanuk Women’s Donna Tribal Flat is among the best canvas shoes with an uncommon appeal. Its level of sophistication and comfort are way beyond the normal standards. However, like ordinary canvas sneakers, Sanuk too can take you anywhere and effortlessly match with a wider selection of clothes in your closet.

7. Klogs USA Women’s Austin Clog

To most people, clogs are just clogs-nothing special. Are you aware that there are huge benefits of wearing clogs over other footwear types? A good example is Women’s Austin Clog.

This slip-on is the ultimate weapon for dealing with spine problems, toe deformities, heel pains, among other feet issues. Its biomechanical construction borrows so much from podiatrist designs.

For instance, the shock-absorbing TRUBase outsole, and the removable TrueBase insole provide the best level of comfort to keep your feet healthy. Couple with the antimicrobial properties of the footbed and have one heck of a cool and functional kick.

Women’s Austin Clog has a wider toe box to accommodate free toe movement. The outsole curves in towards the midfoot to offer superior arch support to those with raised arches. There are multiple worthwhile color choices to select from.

Core features

• Genuine leather upper
• Generous width
• Odor-resistant TRUEComfort insole
• Non-marking rubber outsole
• Slip-on design

Pros

• Long-lasting leather construction
• Comes with odor control footbed
• Oil and slip-resistant outsole
• Excellent arch support
• Ideal for both casual and official functions

Cons

• It’s a little pricey

If you are a fan of clogs, Women’s Austin Clog might appeal to you. This is a functional shoe with superior cushioning to save your feet the strain that comes with your daily walks in the salon. The kick is also true to size, which means lesser chances of dealing with returns.

How to Find the Right Hairdresser Themed Shoes

There are so many shoe types from sneakers, slip-on to work boots. So the million-dollar question is, how do you find the best shoes for hairdressers? The truth is, it’s not that hard once you know what to look for. Here are a few things you must consider:

Comfort

You will be standing all day, so the first thing you can never live without is comfort. Shoes you can wear all day at the salon need to have removable (or non-removable insoles and padded opening. As for the footbed, memory foam, Gel, or EA cushioning are the ones with the best comfort ratings.

A roomier toe box also adds to comfort. This gives your toes plenty of room to wiggle. On the other hand, narrow shoes can lead to foot pain and even aggravate the existing minor conditions.

Breathable panels

Hairdressers sometimes work with heat-generating gears blowers. On top of that, some working spaces are pretty small and therefore tend to overheat. This could lead to extremely sweaty feet that invite bacteria. For these reasons and more, you need to consider a shoe with breathable panels.

Lightweight

It’s time to put away those bulky shoes you wear to work. They are not doing you any good rather than making your days harder than they need to be. Hairdressers move around so much, and it would be an injustice to carry too much load along.

So forget about those massive Timberland boots and other similar shoes. Go for ultra-lightweight sneakers, slip-on, and loafers. You will wear them from dawn to dusk without ever getting the intensive fatigue that makes people want to ditch their shoes way before they can even get close to their compounds.

Stylish

You don’t work in a morgue, on a construction site, or in a boat. You work in the beauty industry where looks are everything. Tell us how you expect your clients to come to you for trendy hair designs when your shoes look like you time-jumped from the previous century?

Besides their charming conversations, hairdressers are also known to pass new fashion tips and tricks down to their clients, and this includes shoes. So yeah, style matters so much. Unless you have a dress code to adhere to, always go for shoes that elevate your elegance.

Support

Underpronation and overpronation are common among many people. If you have either of these conditions, then you need to prioritize arch support. Usually, such shoes sport things like protective heel counters, heel pads, contoured footbeds, and crash pads. Most of these features improve stability and responsiveness as well.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

Q. Can hairdressers wear open shoes?

A. If you are allowed to be at the salon, there is no problem wearing open shoes. Also, if you are like other people whose upper skins are so tender, open-toed footwear could be your only option.

However, from a professional standpoint, it’s not advisable to wear open shoes and other flip flops to work. They are not professional, and their protection standards are very low as bleach stains, hair splinters, and other heavy objects can harm your feet.

Q. What should hairstylist wear to work?

A. It all depends on location. If the salon is in the heart of town, your clients are mostly business people, and they prefer someone who looks professional. In this case, Klogs Women’s Austin Clog, Dansko Women’s Professional Clog, and Alegria Women’s Khloe Slip-On will cut it.

However, if you work in the suburbs or the countryside, your clients dress casually and will not mind if you do the same. Some of the casual shoes that you can wear include Skechers Men’s Equalizer Loafer, Crocs Unisex Coast Clog, Skechers Performance Women’s Go Walk 4, and Sanuk Women’s Donna Tribal Flat.

Q. Should hairdressers wear compression socks?

A. The work of hairdressers is tiresome and involves plenty of walking and standing. This further leads to fatigue, varicose veins, and feet pain. Compression socks can combat tired and achy feet by streamlining blood flow, which reduces unnecessary pressure in the feet.

Unlike the forerunners, the latest compression socks are stylish and come in so many designs. Don’t be afraid to try them out if your feet are swelling.

Q. What are the best shoes for hairstylists with plantar fasciitis?

A. If you have plantar fasciitis, then standing all days at the salon can aggravate your fascia muscles. Many best plantar fasciitis shoes sport immense cushioning, superior arch support, and deep heel cups for faster relief.

A good example of plantar fasciitis shoes includes Hoka One One running shoes, Orthofeet Plantar Fasciitis Shoe, Asics Gel Nimbus 22, New Balance 1080v9, and many more. Check out our guide on the best sandals for plantar fasciitis in case you after those too.

Wrap Up

Hairstylists are happy people. They talk, laugh and smile while attending to their customers. But you won’t be able to stay happy and composed if your feet are burning up and hurting in improper shoes.

It’s time you start looking into some of the best shoes for hairdressers that allow you to stand for long comfortably. Just so you know, regular shoes will not offer the same level of performance as the ideal salon shoe.

In this review, we’ve already listed for you some of the top-rated options that come in stylish and comfort-enhancing packages. Go ahead and select an option that checks most of your boxes. Remember to practice self-care tips for professionals who spend all day on foot. Toodles!