Hi.
What footwear do you recommend for teens working on their feet at fast food joints like McDonalds and Hungry Jacks?
Work Shoes for Hungry Jacks/McDonald’s
GLO on 28/12/2020 - 08:03
Last edited 28/12/2020 - 09:45 by 1 other user
Last edited 28/12/2020 - 09:45 by 1 other user
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No, they're unstructured garbage. Source: Podiatrist.
What would you recommend?
Become a podiatrist instead.
Docs, Blundstones, etc. Or pick up rigid insoles like Superfeet which actually support your arches, not the cheap gel inserts you get at Kmart.
what's ur top 5 fav shoes for all rounders, miss/mister podiatrist?
Your really, really generic 'stability neutral' shoes.
Asics Nimbus, GT2000 (cheaper), (or Kayano which isn't that neutral) Brooks Dyad, Glycerin, Ghost, New Balance 860, 880. Another shoe that should have a lot more of a cult following is the Hoka Bondi.
These are merely a small category of shoes, it depends on their specific role. Some of the above have non slip soles or steel cap options based on your role/use.
Before anyone starts, the arch thing is an old way of thinking, the main focus on footwear is allowing normal foot function (stability and propulsion in the most efficient and comfortable way possible). Too much arch support/pronatory control can be a very, very bad thing.
@kiitos: On the outter part of your heel is normal, that's the correct area for first contact or heel strike. I'd be more worried if it's the inside part of your foot.
@HerpinDerp: "the arch thing is an old way of thinking" - does that mean orthotics aren't important anymore?
@HerpinDerp: those all look like running shoes, I'm pretty sure for fast food, you would need leather non-slips right?
My partner is a nurse and she uses Sketchers. What could you recommend for black leather shoes for standing and walking for long periods of times?
Agreed, but try to get the equivalent in a "slip on" (the ones with elasticised sides).
Crocs
Clark's ortholite or comfort plus series. They really help.
They look good but unsure about a kitchen workspace
When I worked there I started off wearing my school shoes. The wear and tear and oils would destroy them very fast. Eventually I upgraded to steel capped boots and they lasted much much longer. Something like this is slip, oil and heat resistant:
https://www.bunnings.com.au/rossi-boots-project-boot-size-9_…
If you go this route:
1. Thick socks.
2. Gel insoles.
This of course is my opinion and experience may vary in the amount of travel/moving you actually do…. But steel caps and hard floors can mean sore feet after a few hours….I used to regularly walk 20+km in a 12 hour day when I was doing drill and blast work and no one I knew ever had gel insoles. The right pair of boots, properly worn in, with good socks can definitely be comfortable. The sole of the boot makes more of a difference than trying to improve it with an insole IMO.
The old rule of "you're either in your boots or your bed so don't go cheap on them" definitely applies.
This is very true…. But not every buys the 'right' pair!
Socks and gel insoles are good alternative, especially if this is your first job and you don't have the money to spare at the time for the perfect pair.
Walking many km a day, and standing still for hours a day is not the same thing.
Walking for hours is tiring, but standing still for hours is unnatural - it causes more fatigue, back pain, varicose veins, it takes far longer to get used to. Insoles aid in circulation, the sole of the shoe helps when you are able to move.
@greatlamp: Some days there would be a lot of walking, other days there'd be plenty of time standing relatively still. The point I was getting at is that when you do 12-14 hour shifts of manual labour in a stinking hot environment, my boots were the least of my worries as they were comfortable.
Prior to that I was an apprentice and qualified chef. Both jobs were on my feet for extended periods of time, much longer hours than my daughter's shifts at Maccas….her average shift would be about 4 hours I'd say.
I think the redback boots are ok for hospitality roles with the slip resistant soles. a bit pricier at over $100 but should last longer than cheaper pairs
https://everythingaustralian.com.au/work-boot-ubbk-black.htm…
I wore these working at a certain fast food joint as a teen. When I first started I bought 2 pairs of cheapie Big W boots and they both lasted a month tops (on one pair, the soles split in half). These Redbacks lasted all through my time there (3-ish years). They'd be covered with flour, oil and chemicals every shift and never got holes or tears and still kept their grip and comfort. Loads of other workers would complain about boots basically disintegrating but these just couldn't be killed. If they could survive in that place, Maccas/HJ would be a piece of cake in comparison.
Fried chicken perhaps?
Can attest, Redback boots lasted me roughly the same period in a similar role. Would recommend running some insoles though, would've helped drastically in terms of comfort.
Lots of good suggestions above. Other hint do not let them wear them or bring them in your home (or leave them in your car). As they are impregnated with the the worst odours of maccas and jackas…
Roller Skates. Probably not.
Shoes that won't slip on wet or greasy surfaces. So not your Timberland boots. I'd seal them with some kind of polish or something too, you're going to get crap on them. I wore white socks with black shoes ones, just once, and the manager spotted it right away. I ran out of black socks.
Work boots. Don't necessarily have to be steel capped but a boot of some sort.
Kitchen floors are crazy slippery in sneakers….I always liked the slip on Blundstones in the kitchen but whatever you/they find comfortable.Good boots will cost a bit but they'll outlast a lot of shoes in that kind of environment. Not to mention they're tax deductible as well.
Birkenstock Super or Profi Birki's are the general chef's choice but I think Macca's and HJ's probably won't allow an open back shoe.
My daughter works at Maccas and says there's heaps of teens there that wear sneakers and go a$$ up all the time. I'm surprised there's no real requirement in their uniform specifics to be honest.
Insoles
https://neatfeat.com/product/workforce-insole/
You are standing still for hours a day, the vast majority of shoes are not designed for this.
Take your insoles with you and buy shoes that fit them. You can cut them shorter if need beThanks, how do these insoles compare to others such as Scholes?
Hard foam is ideal, or liquid gel. Like a mattress, people think soft is more comfortable, but after several hours the soft foam is always compressed and offers no more benefit. The hard foam keeps springing back with each step. I don't think scholls make a similar style to this. They use hard gel, which is pretty useless.
Most insoles I have tried are very thin, to fit into peoples existing shoes. The ones I linked are quite thick, you may have to get half size bigger shoes to fit them in.
Boots from kmart, been using them since day 1. 1st one developed holes after 2 and a half years, 2nd pair is serving me strong.
I'm curious: how much do you think Maccas employees make an hour?
My 14yo daughter made an absolute packet working the public holidays just gone!
You have to be over 15 to work at maccas
Nope…
"A child must be at least 13 years old to be employed in a shop, fast food outlet, cafe or restaurant. Employers are also required to get written permission from a child's parent and the child is not allowed to work before 6am and after 10pm or during school hours."
Taken from here
Maccas pays $30 ph casual
You can afford a pair of boots on 1-2 hours of maccas pay. Not everyone who works at Maccas is a kid. Many university and TAFE students trying to make an extra buck.
1 pair of These every 3 months.
Redback or Blundstone boots oil resistant type >$100 (sole still falls off within 12 - 18 months anyway)
Depends I am flat footed and I need a really good pair Of motion control shoes. Currently using Brooks beast for casual use and addiction walker at work. Look at the type of feet and opt for the right one. A good pair of shoes will last you few years
I am flat footed as well and I love using my Brooks adrenaline (motion control shoes) for both walking or running/jogging. I walk/run way longer distances with the adrenaline on. I had used NB and other brands, but none made me comfortable as the Brooks.
Only downside? it cost over $200 for a pair of the adrenaline!!
Rossi or Blundstones. Buy at bunnings. My son wears them and he works at the back making the burgers. Durable, doesn’t matter if grease, sauce, crap goes over them.
Ask at the workplace. They will have the most up to date knowledge and experience on this question.one would think.
What do you think… maybe something with a soft comfortable sole. Black, non-slip tread.
Has this gone through your thoughts… what a trivial question.
If you go the work-boot path, consider Caterpillar. They were the most comfortable I've ever had other than the 1970's era Aussie Army 'Shoe' boot with a tongue that went up to the top.
Ignore polish, you can get Dubbin, the you should get a good 10 years out of them.
BUY BLUNTSTONES 100% AUSTRALIAN MADE IN TASMANIA WHY BUY FOREIGN RUBBISH LIKE CHINESE THEY LAST AND LAST ARE VERY COMFORTABLE TO WAER. SUPPORT AUSTRALIAN MADE GOODS THEY NEED ALL THE HELP YOU CAN GIVE THEM.
I know not all blundstones are Australian(or if I'm wrong, the pair I used was poor quality) and I used to kill boots from their cheaper range 1 per year for about 7+ years(provided by work)…… So be careful to not buy their cheapest option…..
None of their leather boots are Aust made.
Straight from their website:
Blundstone is 100% Tasmanian privately-owned and a family company. Our HQ is in Hobart and we also manufacture our gumboots in Tasmania, with the factory based at HQ. The factory has the capacity to produce 400,000 pairs of gumboots each year.
Our leather products are produced in Vietnam, India, China, Mexico and Thailand to continue to supply the quality boots you know and love for an ever-expanding global market.
Thanks I believe mine was from Vietnam…..
whoa calm down caps lock
BuY StRaYaN YoU uNpaTrioTic CoMmiE
You thinking of RM Williams?!
The only boots 100% made in AUS are Redbacks and Rossi.
Blundstone manufactures in cheap asian countries.
Mongrel Boots (except their cheapest boots) are Australian Made.
https://www.mongrelboots.com.au/
Victor Footwear makes Mongrel Boots in Australia. Indeed this locally owned and run, family company has been making boots for Australian workers since 1930. Unlike some brands that promote Australian ownership and an Australian image but fully import their boots – Mongrel Boots are made in Sydney using state of the art equipment with some parts and materials imported to ensure the highest quality and competitive costs. Local manufacturing and development allows us to maintain excellent stock levels and ensure world-class technology and innovation for both safety and comfort. While the vast majority of our products are made in Australia, should any styles or components require manufacture overseas in order to be competitive – they are made using the safety and quality codes followed in Australia, under the supervision of Victor Footwear manufacturing executives.
Thanks but they don’t have their sizes
How much do you want to spend?
Around $100 for the boots.
Comfort and safety are my prerequisites.
I had redbacks years ago and they were pretty comfy.Rossi are 30% less but I haven’t tried them.
These are for my kids first jobs whilst studying.
Got it. Not sure I can help.
I can’t speak highly enough of Magnum boots, but they are well outside that budget and realistically not what they’re intended for. But if you’re on your feet all day and need to be agile and protected, they are all i’d ever go for.
Thongs.
Crocs Bistro Clogs - you won’t need to worry about slipping on greasy floors and they’re comfortable to wear for long periods, and will protect your feet from spillages.
I worked in hospitality in a kitchen for years.
They look comfy but can’t have the open heel.
They won’t allow open heel shoes here
Get them fitted at The Athlete’s Foot - they’ve got black school/work shoes as well. The beauty of this is that they do a biodynamic-style evaluation of the gait/feet to determine best fit.
Jackeroo steel cap boots from Kmart. From memory they are about $35. Pretty decent.
Macks.
Docs are slippery asf.If it's a girl, go these:
Expensive, but stylish, comfortable, 20kg steel capped, quick to pull on and off, and podiatrist approved.
https://www.stitchkraft.com.au/collections/ladies-safety-boo… (the Elten)15yo is a girl! I’ll show her. Thanks
Plus an 18yo son starting work also
Mate i personally used to work at hj, and still in the fast food industry. I highly recommend getting steel caped boots.
I have been doin nights/over nights/day etc all sort of shifts. When you flood mop anywhere your normally cloth shoes don't work for you anymore. They get soaking wet. Nor they even last long for me maybe 3-5 month max (normal shoes like sport shoes type, comfortable shoes etc.)
On the other hand i atill have my 2 years old shoes i bought from Kmart which were like 35 bucks or something and they are perfect for work purposes especially dirty places like fastfood floors, or muddy areas or anything basically they come in handy all the time.So just grab whatever steel capped shoes you like from your local Kmart or big w I'd say, thats your best bet.
Thank me laterAlso, don’t forget the old saying “I’m too poor to buy cheap shoes”.
Buy a good pair. They’ll last.
Edit: and treat them well (clean, polish, moisturise etc)
I just used to wear my older black leather school shoes. Plenty of grip and somewhat water proof
What other people have said: Blundstone's are the way to go.
I worked 5 years at Maccas (part time at school and then full-time for a year) and in that time went through two pairs of these: https://www.blundstone.com.au/men-s-or-women-s-style-310
Bloody comfortable and lasted forever, even with most of my work being above the grill.
Yeah when the worked at HJs in my early 20s I just wore my usual leather shoes. Unfortunately my usual leather shoes had massive cracks in their soles, and would slowly soak in water from the sink/closing. I'd usually walk home, and take my shoes off half way. I don't think I've seen such waterlogged feet before or since.
So don't do what I did - follow the suggestions in this thread instead.
Or just buy a quality pair of shoes in the first place
RM Williams boots
Work boots/shoes are the best option. There are shoes about with the same non-slip and durability features as boots which may be lighter and easier to walk in. Hopefully the feet have stopped growing and spending some money on long lasting boots is doable.
Anything that isn't made non slip might send you on your arse within the first few shifts.
Worked McDonalds at 15 !!! What ever shoes throw out when you finish the pickle juice will have you chased by pregnant women haha. Get something comfortable like wife uses as a Nurse Skeechers sure track or crocks with level three comfort
Worked at Macca's for three years (15-18) around 2001. This is what I'd recommend:
- Not boots - Too heavy for long shifts
- High grip soles - The grease, oil and detergent ends up on the kitchen floor (it needs to be mopped every few hours or a thick layer of grease builds up), but it's pretty hard to slip over because there is so little space, you normally just bang into one of the stainless steel (fridges, fryers, grills, etc) to stop a slide.
- Avoid long laces (ie that extend down towards the toe) - It's impossible to clean the grease/grit build up in the laces, loops, etc. Looks gross after a month.
- Not steel toe - Too heavy and completely unnecessary. You are never dealing with more than 20kg (boxes of fries).
- Real leather upper (easier to wipe clean then synthetics/composites)A couple of pairs that would be suitable:
https://www.kinggee.com.au/work-boots/men-s/men-s-superlites…
https://www.totallyworkwear.com.au/work-boots/kinggee-k22800…
Wooden Clogs.
Would recommend getting Mongrel Boots. These are Australian-made and will last years.
There are safety and non-safety versions.Definitely consider some insoles as well. The Scholls ones are ok.
I highly recommend Redback boots. I wore the same pair of Redback boots for 4 years working in retail where I was on my feet all day. Very comfortable and durable with non-slip tread that would be good for a kitchen. They are also Australian made. They even have a hospitality segment on their website. https://www.redbackboots.com/industry/restaurant-boots
hush puppies with the bounce technology is amongst the most comfiest shoes ive ever worn.
I recommend Rockport. When I used to do multiple day event photography (3-4 days morning to late evening) I'd be moving constantly and never had any issues with my feet.
Their work shoes are very very light weight and comfortable with grippy rubber.
Back in my day when we worked at maccas, we didn't get to wear shoes, we'd get two 4:1 patties, tie them to our feet with balloon string and keep on cooking. Salt those fu#$ers good. Then we'd roll the timers back, none of this 'cook to order' fu#$knuckledness.
Sketchers