Are you looking for reliable work shoes that you can also maximize for going on errands and other non-work activities? I understand the challenge that comes with shoe shopping, and I’m here to help you. Read on to see my observations while using two superb sneaker-style work shoes – New Balance 624 V2 Cross Trainer and Fila Memory Workshift Slip-Resistant Shoe – that showcase multiple performance benefits in and out of the workplace.

What are the design details of the New Balance 624 V2 Cross Trainer and Fila Memory Workshift Slip-Resistant Shoe?

These shoes are of the sneaker type, with sporty looks instead of the traditional work shoe profile. The New Balance 624 V2 Cross Trainer and Fila Memory Workshift Slip-Resistant Shoe have athletic builds that are equally rugged and sleek. I discovered that both shoe designs use a combination of leather and synthetic materials to achieve sporty looks suitable for casual work environments and off-the-clock activities. Their streamlined, plain-colored styles pair well with rugged work attire and don’t clash with other non-work clothing choices so they can be maximized in more ways.

Winner: when it comes to looks, these work shoes win with their sneaker-like styles that can be enjoyed on the job and in more casual settings.

Can these work shoes be used for hazardous jobs?

You’ll need to consider other styles if you need safety work shoes. The Fila Memory Workshift Slip-Resistant Shoe and New Balance 624 V2 Cross Trainer don’t have safety toe caps and other enhancements to guard the feet against safety risks. Without safety features, these shoes are unsuitable for work areas with falling objects, sharp items, and open circuits that can all cause serious harm to the feet.

Winner: These shoes have soft-toe designs and don’t have other safety features so I won’t recommend them for use in hazardous work environments.

Do the Fila Memory Workshift Slip-Resistant Shoe and New Balance 624 V2 Cross Trainer have comfortably cushioned interiors?

They may look alike, but these shoes offer different levels of comfort. The New Balance 624 V2 Cross Trainer uses the exclusive ABZORB technology to soak up the impact of walking on hard surfaces. I especially like the cushiony feeling on the heel area, as it makes walking more comfortable, even for long periods. The impact-absorbing technology doesn’t contribute significant weight to the work shoe’s profile. The EVA midsole offers an extra cushioning layer to shield the foot against the hardness of the ground I walk on. This midsole is quite flexible and allows my foot to flex naturally and comfortably with every step. Even the upper doesn’t feel as stiff as I expected, so nothing is getting in the way of my foot’s natural range of motion. I closely inspected the shoe’s interior and discovered a seamless lining protecting the foot against painful friction and blister development. It’s worth noting that this shoe is available in more width options (from extra-narrow to XX-narrow) to cater to more customers’ preferences and needs.

I expected a lot from the Fila Memory Workshift Slip-Resistant Shoe since I read that it has a memory foam insole. This component was soft enough, but it sadly doesn’t offer the sink-in comfort that I’m used to enjoying with memory foam products. I do appreciate the insole’s ability to support my foot’s proper alignment inside the shoe. The biggest issue I have is with the top portion, which feels a bit too narrow. Wearing thick socks is a challenge as the top section of the shoe becomes even tighter, making walking more difficult. It’s surprising that the toe box still has space for my toes to wiggle comfortably. The shoe’s opening is also narrow, requiring extra effort to slide my foot in. The outsole was the saving grace because it’s flexible enough not to interfere with my foot’s natural motion.

Winner: In this comparison, the New Balance 624 V2 Cross Trainer wins by a landslide as it offers much better cushioning than the Fila Workshift Shoe.

Do the New Balance 624 V2 Cross Trainer and Fila Memory Workshift Slip-Resistant Shoe feel heavy?

These aren’t the most lightweight pairs I’ve tried – but they’re lightweight compared to bulky work shoes, especially those with safety toe caps. These work shoes’ uppers are built mainly of leather that’s heftier than mesh or fabric components, but they still don’t feel too bulky. My feet don’t feel like they’re dragging weighty blocks while I’m using these work shoes, so it’s easier for me to walk for longer times without discomfort. I still consider these sneaker work shoes quite lightweight, though, and great choices if your job requires you to stay on your feet for hours.

Winner: These work shoes are relatively lightweight, making them suitable for hours of walking or standing on the job.

Are these breathable sneaker work shoes?

With uppers that are made mainly out of leather, these aren’t the most breathable work shoe options I’ve encountered. However, I noted that the Fila Memory Workshift Slip-Resistant Shoe has the edge in this category because the small holes on its upper allow more air to get in. This shoe held out longer against sweatiness than the New Balance 624 Shoe, but I still won’t recommend it for hot work environments. Both shoe designs can make the feet feel too warm when in warm or humid work conditions, especially with intense physical activity and hours of continuous shoe use.

Winner: These shoes don’t excel in breathability, so they can make the feet feel overheated and sweaty with all-day use.

Will the Fila Memory Workshift Slip-Resistant Shoe and New Balance 624 V2 Cross Trainer keep the feet dry in wet conditions?

The leather uppers of these work shoes can shield the feet against small amounts of spilled liquids. However, since they don’t have fully waterproof materials, these sneaker work shoes won’t keep the feet dry under the rain and in other work conditions with exposure to significant wetness levels.

Winner: These work shoes don’t have completely waterproof components, so they’re unsuitable for severely wet work conditions or variable weather.

Can the New Balance 624 V2 Cross Trainer and Fila Memory Workshift Slip-Resistant Shoe grip slippery surfaces?

With the term “slip-resistant” a part of its name, I was expecting a lot from the Fila Memory Workshift Shoe’s traction level – and I wasn’t disappointed. I feel the outsole’s firm grip on the ground, securing my steps and helping me avoid slipping. Walking on tricky surfaces isn’t a problem, as the outsole feels grippy and stable.

Meanwhile, the New Balance 624 V2 Cross Trainer’s traction leaves much to be desired. The thick outsole looks sturdy, but I don’t feel it gripping the ground or the Fila Workshift Shoe. I checked the outsole’s structure and saw that the outer surface was almost entirely smooth, which explains the weak grip.

Winner: The Fila Memory Workshift Shoe stands out in this category with a slip-resistant outsole strongly gripping the ground, protecting against slipping accidents while walking on slick or unstable surfaces.

Do these work shoes offer electrical hazard protection?

These work shoes don’t have electrical hazard-safe designs. They’re not the most ideal option for jobs that are exposed to electrically energized objects or live wires because they don’t protect against electrical shock.

Winner: Both work shoes don’t offer electrical hazard protection or reduce the risk of electrical shock in case of exposure to open circuits.

How do the Fila Memory Workshift Slip-Resistant Shoe and New Balance 624 V2 Cross Trainer fare with long-term use?

These are durable work shoes that can last a long time, especially with proper care. The leather uppers have robust styles that can shield against minimal liquid spills, which can be wiped off without leaving lasting stains. I noted that the high-quality materials and stitching can keep up with heavy use without breaking apart. Meanwhile, the rubber outsoles are thick enough to support the feet and are designed to withstand long-term use while resisting premature signs of damage. Both work shoes use thick laces that don’t easily fray, even with constant fit adjustments.

Winner: These work shoes excel with durable designs that can be relied on to perform well for a long time.

Who’s the Overall Winner?

These work shoes look similar, but the Fila Memory Workshift Slip-Resistant Shoe stands out as the overall winner. It delivers a higher level of traction to prevent slipping on challenging surfaces and has a breathable structure to prevent overheating. On the other hand, the New Balance 624 V2 Cross Trainer offers better cushioning and shock absorption.

Recap

Go for the Fila Memory Workshift Slip-Resistant Shoe if you:

• Work on areas with slippery or unstable ground conditions
• Need a sneaker work shoe that doesn’t weigh a lot
• Prefer work shoes that let the feet breathe, especially in hot work environments

Choose the New Balance 624 V2 Cross Trainer for: 

• Walking or standing all day at work
• Enjoying more comfortably padded interiors
• Work conditions without exposure to wetness

Conclusion

The Fila Memory Workshift Slip-Resistant Shoe and New Balance 624 V2 Cross Trainer have similar aesthetics but excel in different functional aspects. I recommend the Fila Memory Workshift Slip-Resistant Shoe with its breathable, grippy design to secure the footing on tricky surfaces and to keep the feet cool for much longer. On the other hand, the New Balance 624 V2 Cross Trainer is a great choice for those who prefer comfortably cushioned work shoes that can prevent foot fatigue.