Through the early years of my career in professional kitchens, I wore ankle-high, steel-toed, Velcro-strapped, taupe-colored leather chef shoes made by the esteemed French chefwear company Bragard.

If you spend hours at a time on your feet, the wrong shoes can wreck your body. In fact, you're at risk for more than just achy joints and calves: "Unsupportive footwear for professions that require ...