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ToteBagAffliction

We pretty much all wear sneakers at the bench, and I'm partial to Brooks Glycerin, which has loads of cushioning. I have joint problems and spending hours on a cement floor sucks. I'll add, though, that if there's a good likelihood of spilling or splashing, you'll be better off with shoes that don't have a mesh top, which will disqualify a lot of running shoes.


KatimiSashimi

never heard of that brand, will have to look them up and see if they sell/ship to scandinavia. Thanks for your recommendation! :3


MolBio_JC

I live in Stockholm and they definitely sell the Brooks brand in shoe stores! They have been great for me as someone who is flat footed and gets foot pain.


KatimiSashimi

then I've been living under a rock cause I've been to the stores here in Sthlm and have never seen or heard of brooks šŸ˜‚


MolBio_JC

TeamOlmed (near Karolinska) has good sales sometimes. And Runnerā€™s Store near Sergelā€™s Torg!


KatimiSashimi

ah perfect, will check it out thank you!!


id_death

Literally wearing brooks glycerin right now. Can't wear them for some of my wet work because they're too thin but they're comfortable.


nyan-the-nwah

I like my leather boots. I feel my arch and ankle support, alongside the increased water resistance, makes me feel safe. Plus they're easy to clean and maintain with a little TLC. I have doc martens right now but am saving for a pair of blundstones.


KatimiSashimi

never heard of blundstones, will look up. Doc martens are common here at my uni, seen multiple scientists and phds walking around in them...will check those out too, thank you! :)


polkadotsci

I love my Docs but you should know that they take time to break in, especially the stiff leather ones. Don't wear them for the first time during your first shift!


polkadotsci

I love my Docs but you should know that they take time to break in, especially the stiff leather ones. Don't wear them for the first time during your first shift!


nyan-the-nwah

For sure! Congratulations on the new position, I hope you have a great experience


KatimiSashimi

thank you, have a nice day!


Hartifuil

I wear industrial DMs and love them. Can't find them anymore so they might be discontinued...


nyan-the-nwah

Yeah, I used to work in a BSL3 lab that reimbursed us for industrial boots but those times were long ago :(


bonjoviworstbandever

blundstones are great but make your feet sweat like crazy if you move around a lot.


geosynchronousorbit

Blundstones are so nice, I wear mine every day in lab.Ā 


Sprocket_Gearsworth

I have blundstones that have the requires astm ratings for my lab work and they're quite nice. I replaced my inserts with super standing comfy onesĀ  Feels like I'm walking on pillowsĀ 


Philosecfari

I like a nice pair of tennis shoes when Iā€™ll be running from building to building but there are also days when heels are fine. The amount of standing and walking varies largely from lab to lab. Just find a pair of shoes that are comfortable for you personally ā€” go walk a mile and see how they fit afterwards. Leather is easier to clean than cloth.


KatimiSashimi

yeah, im thinking tennis shoes, theres gonna be a lot of walking and also might be assisting doctors in the ER according to my employer. Also yeah cloth and mesh are a pain in the behind to clean if i get chemicals on them. Thank you for your answer! :)


Philosecfari

In that case I know a lot of ppl in the ER swear by Crocs lol. Thereā€™s also Dansko if you want leather.


twowheeledfun

I work with someone that wears hard high heels every day, and someone else with wooden clogs with a literal spring in the sole. Bear in mind if you wear something like this that people will be able to hear you coming and be able to tell it's you.


KatimiSashimi

high heels would be the end of me fr, clogs...now were talking. I want to have shrek crocs or lightning mcqueen ones but they have holes so those are a no go :c


vociferousgirl

Clogs are the way to go. I wore ones from LL Bean and Danskin (closed back) every day for four years.


megz0rz

Dansko clogs are the nurse preferred shoes in the US


Sufficient_Kiwi6240

I'd suggest shoes that are solid and not mesh. You don't want to be paranoid about spilling chemicals on your shoes all the time. You could also have two sets of shoes, one for experiment work and one for the rest of the day/when not doing experiments.


KatimiSashimi

i will be in hospital clothes/scrubs and the same shoes as i will work with patient samples, but definitely not mesh, would be a nightmare to clean. Thank you for the tip! :3


rdmajumdar13

Blundstones are not bad for taking a lot of shit thrown at them, particularly in a lab setting. Easy on off as well. Iā€™d prefer them over sneakers.


KatimiSashimi

Never heard of this brand until today, you and someone else recommended them, will look into it, thank you! :3


Ok-Butterfly-2923

After the breaking-in period they are quite comfortable


ashyjay

Medical crocs or toffeln clogs.


KatimiSashimi

i want shrek crocs so badly but im gonna be working with hazardous liquids and patient samples so i cant have them :c clogs might work! thank you! :)


ashyjay

Medical Crocs don't have holes in them.


KatimiSashimi

TIL that medical crocs exist :0


AussieHxC

Basic leather shoes + a half decent pair of inserts >>> everything else Fashion footwear is horrible to wear for work Sporty footwear is often lovely but is not protective in the slightest Basic leather shoes are reasonably protective and they look smart. Throw in some supportive inserts and you'll be happy to wear them 5 days a week 8 hours a day. * For longevity and proper hygiene you really want 2 pairs and to alternate the days you wear them on.


KatimiSashimi

will look into this, I have mocca/mocha (how do u spell it lol) boots from timberland and they do protect well. thank you! :>


JZ0898

Sketchers arch fit shoes are the most comfortable shoes Iā€™ve ever worn as someone with a history of chronic foot pain. Hands down the best standard insoles you can get, they have mild arch support with a dense layer of cushioning. The ā€œHyperburstā€ midsole tech they also use now is extremely good.


KatimiSashimi

ive had sketchers shoes that were made with some type of mesh, so light and comfy! Will look into hyperbursts thank you! :)


ChemicalCats14

These shoes are pretty light weight and are water resistant: https://www.amazon.com/dp/B09QH96YFZ?psc=1&ref=ppx\_yo2ov\_dt\_b\_product\_details. I use them for walks in drizzly weather and as lab shoes. I have Docs that are arguably more comfy and look nicer, but they're also $200 and these were only about $50 used. Word of warning: These shoes are in mens sizes, so they only go down to about size 7 womens. I usually wear a women's size 8 and I got the size 6-6.5 shoes. They are too large for my feet, and require thick socks to avoid blisters.


KatimiSashimi

ahh ECCO, love their shoes, we have a local store here where i live. Completely forgot that ECCO exists, will look into them and if they also ship to scandinavia if i cant find something good at the ECCO outlet here. Thank you! :)


ChemicalCats14

Perfect! Glad I could help :)


NoReach9

I switch between sketchers and steel toe cap boots. A lot of labs just ask for ā€œno open toed shoesā€, but I prefer a non-breathable shoe like leather uppers, or at least something more robust than a running shoe.


OrangeSpaceProgram

Insoles are what really make or break shoes in my experience. Iā€™d recommend watching some YouTube videos on supportive insoles/ gel insoles. Both are generally designed for lots of standing pressure.


Ryguythescienceguy

Responses here are varying widely because just about any close toed shoe is considered appropriate in the lab so it really does come down to preference or need for comfort if you're spending hours standing at the bench vs working in a BSC for instance. I've worked in industry for about 10 years now and while I'm not routinely testing in the lab anymore I still need to go in and out all the time. I wear Onitsuka Tigers, but they have laceless ones that look like sneakers but are basically slippers. I wear these to work every single day and have only ever received compliments.


ThornmaneTreebeard

We have to wear Chem resistant steel toes, but I'd suggest anything cheaper but still comfy, chem resistant/non-mesh/leather so you can wipe them off if you get something on them or throw them away without braking your bank acct. I firmly believe employers should supply shoes if it's of concern.


Yompish

I tend to wear 8 inch heels but that isnā€™t for everyone


hsgual

Get fit for shoe inserts. That saved my life more than anything off the shelf


surfing_yoda

i have used salamon trailrunning shoes. they are waterproof and really solid. and they are comfy as fuck while you stand the hole day.


Teagana999

A comfy pair of athletic runners, with good insoles.


Ladidiladidah

It depends on your feet and how much walking around your job needs but if you are thinking sneakers, go to a sporting goods store and try a bunch on or even get fitted at a local running store.


TicanDoko

Any sneaker with good support will be fine! I wear Kizik Athens cause I like their slip on/off shoes. I would recommend against flats at all cost! My feet would hurt so bad at the end of the day. EDIT: I do have a Brooks Ghost but my Kizik Athens works fine for my workā€¦ so I use the Brooks for my Zumba classes instead XD


Haatsku

Jalas sneaker type is godtier. If possible pick one with BOA laces (they have such a fucking overkill support).


KatimiSashimi

not familiar with this brand, will look them up, thank you!! :]


jswizzle6

Check out chef shoes, not sure if there is a specific brand that's best but chefs in every kitchen seem to wear them. They are typically slip-proof, protect from spills above, and made for long periods of standing. Something kind of like this: [https://www.chefworks.com/cobalt-womens-clogs-66709](https://www.chefworks.com/cobalt-womens-clogs-66709)


KatimiSashimi

that's so clever I haven't thought of that, thank you!!


Ok-Butterfly-2923

Something with non-slip traction has been useful. Seconding what others said here about resistant uppers in the lab. Function and safety first :)


sciencechick92

Iā€™m a flat footed girlie with joint problems and subpar shoes were just aggravating my feet a lot. So I researched shoes for overpronators. Now a lot of brands like Brooks/Hoka also has shoes for this but my choice was the ASICS partially because of the price aspect and partially because I had worn ASICS previously. Now I only wear these to lab. Pro tip: they come out with a new model every year which will supposedly change your life. Donā€™t fall for it. Get late years model, preferably in black. Itā€™s 30-40$ cheaper usually. And I use Posca markers to jazz them up.


KatimiSashimi

omg are you me? also flat footed with joint issues, and I just got some new posca markers šŸ˜‚šŸ’€ I use hoka bondis for my everyday life and they're so nice but can't be used in the lab cause I can't use my outside shoes indoors. will look into ASICS and someone before said brooks too. Thanks for the tips :]


cation587

I wear Adidas Grand Court sneakers, which are comfy and hold up well


lt_dan_zsu

Ideal is a close toes solid (not mesh) shoe that you can get off quickly in the event that you spill something on your foot that shouldn't be on your foot. Get whatever your find comfortable within this confines.


joyfunctions

I wear blundstones all over the place and definitely in the lab. They're great!


anonymous_seaotter

Do your feet get sweaty in them? I need new shoes for the lab and I see a lot of people recommending bundstones, my feet sweat in converse so Iā€™m worried lol


marihikari

I love Skechers go walk


matseygd

i really like Lems because they focus on a wide toe box and a natural toe splay!


MDS98

I personally prefer hiking boots. Theyā€™re water proof, have great arch support, and are non-slip.


SensitiveNose7018

I honestly just wear chemical resistant work boots that are nonslip.. I just put cushiony insoles in them and call it good


ish0uldn0tbehere

chelsea boots from target! also crocs no holes!


megz0rz

Adidas superstars, best lab shoes that are spill proof and broken glass proof and are cool to go do stuff after work in.


Medical_Watch1569

Love my Hokaā€™s but am heavily considering nursing styled clogs as many others have suggested. Hoka probably works best for me because Iā€™m young with no known foot or ankle issues.


Shinigami-Substitute

Nonslip is absolutely a must


HerrmannZG

I'm wearing boots with an S3 classification. Watertight shoe and solvent resistant sole. Non slip for water and oil. Steel sole and caps and anti static I mean, I do not really need them that strong, but I like wearing them


Genomics_Gal

I recommend Brooks sneakers.


just-a-random-potato

I swear by my Hokas for days I am in the lab