What Work Shoes Should You Avoid in Ireland?

When you’re working in Ireland, your shoes aren’t just about comfort-they’re a matter of safety, practicality, and even survival. The Irish climate doesn’t care if you bought the latest designer loafers from Dublin’s Grafton Street. Rain, mud, uneven cobbles, and sudden downpours turn ordinary footwear into hazards. Whether you’re on a construction site in Cork, delivering parcels in Galway, or standing all day in a hospital in Limerick, the wrong pair of shoes can lead to slips, sprains, or worse.

Don’t Wear Flat Soles or Smooth Soles

Flat soles might look sleek, but they’re a death trap on wet Irish pavements. Think of the cobbled streets of Doolin, the slick tarmac outside Dublin’s Luas stops, or the muddy access paths at Kerry’s national parks. Shoes with smooth, polished soles-like classic brogues, dress loafers, or minimalist sneakers-offer almost zero grip when it’s raining, which happens nearly half the year. In 2023, Health and Safety Executive Ireland reported over 1,800 workplace slips and falls linked to inadequate footwear. Most involved people wearing non-slip-resistant shoes.

Real talk: if your shoes don’t have a deep, rubber tread pattern, you’re gambling with your balance. Look for soles with grooves, lugs, or a herringbone pattern. Brands like Clarks a UK-based brand with strong presence in Ireland, known for durable, slip-resistant work shoes and Blundstone an Australian brand widely used by Irish tradespeople for its rugged, waterproof soles have specific work lines with certified slip resistance. Skip the ones that say "fashion-forward" and go for ones that say "slip-resistant" on the label.

Avoid High Heels-Even in Office Settings

You might think your 3-inch stilettos are fine for the office, but in Ireland, even corporate environments aren’t safe for heels. Many older buildings still have uneven floorboards, worn linoleum, or damp carpeting near entrances. In Belfast, Dublin’s Docklands, or even modern offices in Cork, you’ll find entryways that never fully dry. One slip on a wet threshold can mean a broken ankle.

And let’s not forget the reality of Irish public transport. Buses and trains often have raised steps, narrow aisles, and wet floors. A colleague in Galway’s city centre lost three days of work last winter after twisting her ankle on a slippery Luas platform while wearing patent leather pumps. If you’re in an office, choose low, wide heels or loafers with textured soles. Brands like Geox a brand popular in Ireland for breathable, slip-resistant work shoes with patented sole technology make office-appropriate shoes that actually perform in wet conditions.

Steer Clear of Non-Waterproof Materials

Leather without waterproofing? Suede? Mesh sneakers? These might look good on a mannequin in Brown Thomas, but they’re useless in Ireland’s weather. Rain isn’t a rare event-it’s a daily expectation. Your feet will get soaked within minutes if your shoes aren’t sealed properly.

Look for shoes labeled "waterproof" or with a membrane like Gore-Tex a breathable, waterproof material commonly used in Irish work footwear for moisture management. If you’re in construction, farming, or logistics, you need boots with sealed seams. In rural areas like Mayo or Donegal, workers often walk through puddles, ditches, and flooded lanes. A pair of non-waterproof work boots can lead to trench foot, fungal infections, or even hypothermia after hours on the job.

Don’t rely on spray-on waterproofing. Those treatments wear off after a few weeks in constant damp. Instead, choose shoes built for wet conditions from the ground up. Dr. Martens a brand with long-standing popularity in Ireland for durable, weather-resistant work boots has specific work lines with sealed construction-not just the classic 1460s you see on students.

Never Wear Flip-Flops or Slippers-Even in Warm Weather

Yes, we’ve had a few hot summers in Ireland lately. But even in July, when the sun shines over the Wild Atlantic Way, the ground stays damp. Flip-flops might feel cool, but they’re a liability in any work setting. They offer zero support, no ankle protection, and no grip. In warehouse jobs at Amazon Fulfilment Centre a major logistics hub in County Kildare with strict footwear policies, flip-flops are banned for a reason. One worker in Kildare slipped on a wet pallet, broke his toe, and ended up on sick leave for six weeks.

Even if you’re working in a café in Dingle or a retail shop in Galway, open-toed shoes are a violation of basic safety standards. The Health and Safety Authority of Ireland (HSAI) explicitly prohibits open footwear in environments where there’s a risk of falling objects, spills, or wet floors. It’s not just about comfort-it’s the law.

Avoid Shoes That Lack Ankle Support

Ireland’s terrain is unforgiving. From the rocky cliffs of the Burren to the muddy fields of Roscommon, uneven ground is everywhere. Even if you’re not hiking, you’re likely walking on cracked sidewalks, loose gravel, or grassy patches that turn into mud pits after rain.

Low-top sneakers or slip-ons give zero ankle stability. A twisted ankle isn’t just painful-it’s costly. In 2024, the Irish Workers’ Compensation Board paid out over €2.3 million in claims related to ankle injuries from poor footwear. That’s not just about medical bills; it’s lost wages, missed shifts, and disrupted schedules.

Choose boots or shoes that rise above the ankle bone. Even a half-inch of extra coverage makes a difference. Red Wing Shoes a U.S.-based brand trusted by Irish tradespeople for its reinforced ankle support and rugged construction is popular among electricians and plumbers across Ireland for this exact reason. You don’t need military-grade boots, but you do need structure.

Forget Fashion Over Function

Yes, you want to look sharp. But in Ireland, looking good doesn’t mean looking trendy. It means looking safe. That’s why you’ll see electricians in Limerick wearing steel-toed boots with reflective strips, nurses in Sligo wearing non-slip clogs, and delivery drivers in Waterford wearing grippy, waterproof boots-even in summer.

There’s a cultural shift happening. Younger workers are ditching the "fashion-first" mindset and embracing practicality. The rise of Irish-made workwear brands like Irish Workwear Co. a Galway-based company producing slip-resistant, waterproof work boots designed for Irish conditions shows that local demand is driving change. These brands design for our weather, our terrain, and our work culture-not for runway shows.

Remember: if your shoes don’t keep your feet dry, stable, and protected, they’re not work shoes. They’re liabilities.

What Should You Wear Instead?

Here’s a quick cheat sheet for Irish work environments:

• Construction & outdoor work: Steel-toed, waterproof boots with steel midsoles (e.g., Blundstone, Red Wing, Irish Workwear Co.)
• Hospital & healthcare: Non-slip clogs or closed-toe shoes with antimicrobial lining (e.g., Crocs Professional, Geox)
• Warehousing & logistics: Slip-resistant, breathable boots with reinforced toes (e.g., Clarks Work, Wolverine)
• Office & retail: Low-heeled, waterproof loafers with textured soles (e.g., Geox, Clarks Unstructured)
• Delivery & driving: Ankle-supporting, water-resistant boots with grippy soles (e.g., Irish Workwear Co., Dr. Martens Work)

Check the label. Look for EN ISO 20345 certification-the European standard for safety footwear. If it’s not on the shoe, ask for proof. Your employer is legally required to provide safe footwear if your job demands it. If they don’t, report it to the HSAI.

In Ireland, your shoes are your first line of defense. Don’t let fashion blind you to function. The ground doesn’t care how stylish you look-it only cares if you’re steady. Choose wisely.