Skip to content

◆ May 16, 2025 · BY KWASI EVU

Drivers, warehouse, restaurant — when the job calls for a shoe, not a boot.

Labo is a slip-resistant footwear line we keep for customers whose jobs aren't trade-y in the boot-and-ladder sense, but who still need real protective footwear: drivers, warehouse pickers, restaurant line cooks, hospital and cleaning staff, anyone working on wet floors or around grease.

Slip-resistance is a real spec, not a marketing word. ASTM F2913 is the test. Labo's outsoles are tested to that standard. That matters if your insurance carrier or your employer requires SR-rated footwear — which is more places than most people realize.

What we keep on the shelf

6-inch and low-profile SR shoes in black leather or synthetic upper. Lace-up and slip-on options. Mostly soft toe — these are for environments where a steel or composite toe isn't required and the walking volume is high.

Slip-on clog-style versions for kitchen and food-service work. Easy on, easy off, slip-resistant outsole, wipe-clean upper.

A few composite-toe SR options for guys whose warehouse jobs do require a safety toe.

Fit notes

Labo runs true to size for most customers. Lace-up models are slightly snug through the midfoot — if you have a wide foot, ask. Slip-on clogs are sized in numbered or letter sizes depending on the model; come in and try on.

The footbed is functional, not great. Many customers swap insoles within a month, especially if they're standing on a concrete kitchen floor for eight-hour shifts. We sell aftermarket insoles for that reason.

Where it falls short

Labo is not a job-site boot. If you need ankle support, a real safety toe, EH rating for electrical work — Labo is the wrong rack. They're for environments where the hazard is wet floors, not falling objects.

Durability is service-life. Most Labo shoes will give you 8–12 months of full-shift use. The outsoles wear smooth and the slip-resistance degrades with the tread. When the tread is gone, the boot's slip rating is gone too — replace them, don't keep wearing them.

Branding is minimal. Labo doesn't have the recognition of, say, a Shoes for Crews. That's fine if your job doesn't care; if it does, ask.

Bottom line

Labo is the slip-resistant answer for drivers, warehouse, and restaurant work. Real ASTM F2913 outsoles at a price that lets you replace them on the right cycle. Come in, tell us your work environment, we'll point you at the right model.

Want to talk it over? Come in.

519 Port Richmond Ave, Staten Island, NY 10302

Closed·opens 11 AM