Last Updated on February 8, 2024 by Azad Asf
Barbers are mostly in love with their jobs. However, they still have to deal with a few issues on their daily life in respect to their footwear, such as:
- Working on their feet for at least 10 hours a day on hard floors, without rests, which bring all sorts of pains
- Dealing with the frustration of not being able to find a proper pair of shoes that is both comfortable and stylish at the same time, which are both essential for barbers nowadays
- Spending hundreds of dollars on shoes that either don’t last or are just too uncomfortable to wear
The thing is that it’s pretty difficult to find a pair of shoes for barbers that gathers all the attributes it must have to solve these problems.
The good news is that I made the effort to find the best shoes for barbers so you didn’t have to waste the time and money I did to arrive at the following list.
List Of The Best Shoes For Barbers
After a sizable chunk of my time spent on testing and research, here is the list of the best shoes for barbers…
- 1) Adidas Men’s Ultraboost Shoes for Barbers
- 2) Florsheim Men’s Great Lakes Moc Toe Oxford Shoes for Barbers
- 3) Nike Men’s Air Force 1 Low Sneaker Shoes for Barbers
- 4) Dockers Men’s Trustee Leather Oxford Dress Shoes for Barbers
- 5) Nike Men’s Jordan AJ 1 Mid Leather Casual Shoes for Barbers
1) Adidas Men’s Ultraboost Shoes For Barbers
Comfort Features
My mom always says: ‘make sure to invest in some comfy pair of shoes, you’ll regret it if you don’t!’, and, let me tell you, she’s right, especially if you’re a barber who’s used to be on their feet for 12 hours a day.
This is why I loved these Adidas Ultraboost shoes as they came with cushioned footbeds and midsoles which returned great energy to my feet during the testing period at my barbershop.
Moreover, the shoes came with great comfort features such as Adidas Primeknit upper wraps which gave me perfect ventilation to keep my feet fresh and cool throughout the day.
Durability Features
Have you ever seen a pair of shoes you bought destroyed after only a few months? Frustrating, right?
Well, the good news about these Adidas shoes is that’ll never happen to you as they came manufactured using a stretchy and durable type of knitting as the main material for the shoes.
This did not only give the shoes a great look but also were essential to make these boots last A LOT.
Features and Specifications
- These Neutral Shoes Have A Stretchy Knit Upper With Ventilation In Key Sweat Zones To Help You Stay Cool
- Endless Energy Boost Is The Most Responsive Cushioning Ever, Delivering Incredible Energy Return: The More Energy You Give, The More You Get
- Flexible Outsole
- Adidas Primeknit Upper Wraps The Foot With An Engineered Fit For Targeted Support That Enhances Movement
Customer Reviews and Scores
There are more than 298 reviews in Amazon.com about this product at the time of writing and they have given it a 4.6 out of 5 rating on average.
2) Florsheim Men’s Great Lakes Moc Toe Oxford Shoes For Barbers
Comfort Features
Working all day on their feet puts lots of stress on barbers’ feet. A lot. This is why I loved these Florsheim Oxford shoes as they came with features such as fully cushioned and dual-density EVA midsoles which gave me the supportive rebound and consistent shock absorption I needed to stay away from any feet pain at the end of my workday.
The right pair of shoes for barbers needs to have convenient features such as the one these Florsheim shoes have.
With attributes like lace-up closures, breathable linings, slip-resistant outsoles these shoes not only make your life easier but keep your feet dry and fresh throughout your whole workday.
Durability Features
Knowing that you’ll spend at least one hundred bucks on your next pair of shoes, you should have the guarantee that they’re going to last you for a few years at a minimum.
This is why I liked these Florsheim Oxford shoes too as their smooth leather uppers and athletic construction made the shoes not only flexible but durable in the long run.
Features and Specifications
- Smooth Leather Upper With A Stitched Moc Toe.
- Lace-Up Closure.
- Breathable, Moisture-Wicking Suedetec Linings.
- Fully Cushioned, Removable Comfortech Footbed With Anti-Odor Treatment For Long-Term Wearability.
- Dual-Density Eva Midsole For Added Cushioning And Rebound Responsiveness.
- Slip-Resisting And Non-Marking Rubber Outsole.
- Barefoot Friendly Athletic Construction.
Customer Reviews and Scores
There are more than 9 reviews in Amazon.com about this product at the time of writing and they have given it a 4.4 out of 5 rating on average.
3) Nike Men’s Air Force 1 Low Sneaker Shoes For Barbers
Comfort Features
When discussing shoes with other barbers, I can’t stop hearing ‘comfort is king for us’. And let me tell you, I completely agree with that statement.
Luckily, these Nike Air Force 1 came with durable foam midsoles which gave me a great cushioning and shock absorption which kept my feet rested throughout my workdays.
On top of that, the shoes came with perforations and a crisp leather which gave the shoes a great look and kept my feet dry and smelling fresh even on hot and humid days at the barbershop.
Adding top padded collars was another nice addition to these Nike shoes, which substantially improved the experience when using them.
Durability Features
Maintaining their shoes looking goos is another important focus for all barbers.
In that sense, these Nike shoes came with premium leather and non-marking rubber outsoles that gave these shoes a durable and strong construction that I fell in love with.
Features and Specifications
- The Low-Cut Silhouette Creates A Low-To-The-Ground Feel And Classic Look.
- Crisp Leather Edges For A Cleaner, More Streamlined Silhouette, And Finer Detailing.
- Leather And Textile Upper Includes Strategically Placed Overlays For Added Premium Durability, Fit, And Support.
- Perforations Enhance Ventilation To Help Keep Feet Dry And Comfortable.
- A Metal “Af-1” Tag On The Laces Honours The Shoe’S Debut.
- The Durable Foam Midsole Includes A Full-Length Nike Air Unit For Lightweight Cushioning And Impact Protection.
- Pivot Points In The Forefoot And Heel For Smooth Transitions In All Directions.
- Non-Marking Rubber Outsole For Traction And Durability.
- Padding At Collar For A Snug, Comfortable Fit.
Customer Reviews and Scores
There are more than 3025 reviews in Amazon.com about this product at the time of writing and they have given it a 4.6 out of 5 rating on average.
4) Dockers Men’s Trustee Leather Oxford Dress Shoes For Barbers
Comfort Features
Barbers need shoes that are comfortable to lead with their 12-hour workdays. There’s no way around it.
This is why I liked these Dockers leather Oxford shoes, as they came with great ergonomic features, such as their all motion comfort technology and a soft latex footbed that cushioned my feet every step I took at my barbershop.
Durability Features
In terms of durability, these shoes came built with flexible construction and polished full-grain leather uppers that made the shoes not only look awesome but also gave an impression and feel of extreme quality.
Features and Specifications
- Polished Full Grain Leather Uppers.
- All Motion Comfort Technology Provides Outstanding Cushion And Flexible Construction For Long-Lasting Comfort.
- Soft, Latex Footbed For Exceptional Comfort.
- Apma Accepted: Promotes Good Foot Health.
- Durable Rubber Outsole.
- Popular Dockers Dress Shoes That Have A Traditional Silhouette And Feature All Motion Comfort Technology.
- These Are Ideal For The Work Day And Can Be Worn With Any Dress Slacks For An Classic Appearance.
Customer Reviews and Scores
There are more than 1140 reviews in Amazon.com about this product at the time of writing and they have given it a 4.5 out of 5 rating on average.
5) Nike Men’s Jordan Aj 1 Mid Leather Casual Shoes For Barbers
Comfort Features
This Nike Jordan AJ1 came with an air sole unit in the heel which cushioned that essential part of the feet that often leads me to suffer from heel pain after having spent all day on my feet at the barbershop.
The experience of using these shoes was substantially improved thanks to the padded mid-top collars that made putting on and taking off the boots much comfier.
Durability Features
Look. I’m all up for comfort and looks. But as a barber, I want my hard-earned money to go for shoes that last.
In that context, these Nike Jordan AJ1 surpassed my expectations as they came with a reliable and genuine and synthetic leather as the base materials to build the shoes which gave these Nikes a great look and felt nice to touch.
Features and Specifications
- Genuine And Synthetic Leather And Textile Materials
- Air-Sole Unit In The Heel For Cushioning
- Padded Mid-Top Collar
- Rubber Cupsole
Customer Reviews and Scores
There are more than 14 reviews in Amazon.com about this product at the time of writing and they have given it a 4.8 out of 5 rating on average.
My Verdict: The Best Shoes For Barbers Are
Nike Men’S Air Force 1 Low Sneaker Shoes For Barbers
To know the reasons why I picked these Nike snickers as the best shoes for barbers read their review by clicking the button down below!
Quick Comparison Table
| Comfort | Protection | Durability | |
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1) Adidas Men's Ultraboost Shoes for Barbers  |
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2) Florsheim Men's Great Lakes Moc Toe Oxford Shoes for Barbers  |
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3) Nike Men’s Air Force 1 Low Sneaker Shoes for Barbers  |
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4) Dockers Men’s Trustee Leather Oxford Dress Shoes for Barbers  |
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5) Nike Men's Jordan AJ 1 Mid Leather Casual Shoes for Barbers  |
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Must-Have Features For The Best Shoes For Barbers
If you wanna spend your own time finding the best shoes for barbers, then, by all means, go ahead and use this following list to find exactly what to look for if you want to be happy about your next pair of shoes:
1) Comfort Features
A) Cushioned Footbeds And Shock Absorbing Midsoles
Every barber would like to feel great after being on their feet for 10 to 12 hours straight on hard surfaces after a long workday.
But the truth is that it doesn’t happen as many shoes out there don’t have the proper feature to help this reality come true.
This is why I always recommend getting shoes with cushioned footbeds and shock-absorbing midsoles as it’s the best way to make sure your feet are properly cushioned and supported so they can rest and recover, avoiding all types of pain.
B) Get Shoes Made For You
Most barbers out there decide to go with running shoes without even looking at other options.
This is why I always recommend that regardless if they chose sporty shoes, to make sure that they have all the attributes (i.e. ergonomic and supportive features) which will help them in dealing with long shifts standing on their feet.
2) Durability Features
A) Reliable Materials & Construction Methods
Barbers complain almost constantly about the lowering quality of shoes in today’s market. And let me be completely honest, they are right!
Nowadays, most manufacturers have their manufacturing facilities in countries where quality is not the first priority but saving on costs.
This is why I always make sure that the shoes I’m about to get have attributes such as good quality materials (i.e. leather) and reliable construction methods used to manufacture them as this is the best way to make sure your boots are going to last for, at least, a few years!
How Did I Test The Best Shoes For Barbers
If you’re curious and you’d like to know what exact tests I did to arrive at my list of the best shoes for barbers, you’ll be happy to know I made a detailed description of them in the following part of the article
Comfort Test
In terms of comfort and convenience what I did was just feeling them.
Yeah, I know, it might seem too basic but the reality of it is that by just testing the shoes at the barbershop for weeks without a stop is the best way to make sure that the boots you are testing have attributes that will lead you to have a great and constant comfort experience when using a certain pair of shoes for barbers.
Durability Test
To test the shoes’ durability I made sure to beat every pair of shoes tested at the barbershop for months without stopping to see whether the boots maintained their original condition or not.
If they didn’t, I’d toss them out, but if they did I classified them as “durable”.
Benefits Of The Best Shoes For Barbers
These are the benefits you will enjoy if you decide to get any of the shoes listed in this article:
Say No To Pain!
I loved my experience with any of the shoes reviewed in this article as they guaranteed me that I would avoid any type of feet pain thanks to the awesome comfortable and ergonomic features each one of the shoes for barbers had.
Look The Part
If you want to be comfortable AND look great at the barbershop, then by choosing any of the shoes reviewed in this article you will be set as they not only have great ergonomic features but are widely recognized for being pretty good looking!
Avoid All Frustrations
It’s easy to pick a good looking pair of running shoes and take it to the barbershop. BUT, are you sure that they are going to survive the demanding type of use most barbers put on their shoes?
The truth is that it’s pretty difficult to answer the previous question if before you even start to use the shoes, right?
Well, the good news with the list of best shoes for barbers I just made, is that you will have the guarantee that the shoes are going to last for at least a few years (as they were personally tested and selected by me).
Pro Tips For Barbers
There are so-called ‘pro tips’ most experienced barbers know that make their lives very easy.
This is my attempt to unveil them and tell them to you:
Move Yourself
Movement is essential for barbers that tend to be on their feet always adopting the same position.
This is why I recommend my colleagues to take active breaks in between jobs.
What do active breaks mean? It means to walk around (outdoor would be best), relax your core and your arms doing some arm movements to let your muscles relax and your body to flow. Changing positions by shifting your weight during jobs is also a great idea.
Extra Insoles
Some barbers prefer to add removable cushioned insoles to their preferred pair of shoes as it adds that extra layer of comfort most shoes need after using them for 10 to 12 hours by standing on heavy surfaces like concrete.
Use Ice
Having the guarantee that your feet are going to avoid any type of inflammation by applying ice patches to them for 15 minutes at the end of their workday is another tip that most experienced barbers follow. So you might be interested in doing that too.
Excercise
Knowing that your body will be adopting the same position for almost 10 to 12 hours with no breaks, exercise should be a priority on your list as it’s the best way to use relax your muscles and let the blood flow to avoid any long term problems.
In that sense, doing yoga might be the best variation of exercise that barbers should practice as it not only uses all your muscles, but it makes you stretch a lot which is beneficial for muscle recovery and blood flow.
How Do I Take Care Of My Barber Shoes?
There is a very easy process I follow every time I want to ‘maintain’ a pair of shoes to make sure that it not only looks good but that it will last for many years.
First, I make sure to clean the shoes with a damp cloth as many times as I need to make sure that the shoes are sparkling clean. After that, I let them rest and dry.
Then, I make sure to add a light layer of leather conditioner (if the shoes are made of leather) and I massage the product with another dry cloth into the shoes until it is mostly absorbed.
Finally, I let the shoes dry in a dry and warm environment for 3 to 5 hours and that’s it! the shoes will look as good as new now!
Sweet I didn’t know barbers could only be men, thanks for all the male options