Work footwear is an essential thing for people who work on worksites, farms, warehouses and any other place where they tend to spend most of their working hours on their feet. A pair of comfortable work boots with proper cushioning, suitable toe caps and made of the right materials can significantly add to the worker’s comfort and safety.
The easiest way to find your best boots for work is to determine where you’ll wear them. Take your job’s nature into consideration; is it a risky job where you’re exposed to heavy machinery and objects falling (construction site)? Are you walking on various terrains (farmers, rangers)?
Here are the most important things to have in mind when buying your next pair.
Type of Work Boots
In general, your job will determine what type of boots you need. You’ll find many different models of work boots from models with zippers on the side to elastics to steel toes on the front. Each type is suitable for different jobs. For instance, a pair of boots with steel caps are best for workers who work on construction sites and must keep the top part of their feet protected.
- If your job is mostly outside in various weather (but mostly harsh weather), choose properly insulated footwear so your feet remain dry and warm all day long.
- Zip-sided boots are suitable for military and law enforcement personnel. These boots look like ordinary boots except for the zipper on the side, which makes them easy to put on and off.
- Elastic-sided boots are also known as Australian boots for work. They’re specially designed with a leather upper, that’s bound using elastic sides. These boots allow you to easily pull them on and the design has been around for centuries, originating from the Victorian era when both men and women wore them. Elastic-sided boots usually have soft toes and are suitable for different work environments; since their design is “softer” you can easily wear them for your office work, but also for outdoor work (farm, garden, etc.)
What Features Should You Consider?
Among the first things to consider when choosing your next pair of work footwear is the cushioned soles. They work as shock absorbers for your feet; they reduce the impact that your feet would feel, which lowers the risk of injuries. Also, the cushions add to comfort, and since you’ll spend long hours wearing these boots, the insole will make walking in these shoes more comfortable and bearable.
Safety Toes
Work boots must have safety toes to prevent injuries to this part of the foot. There are three types of safety toes – aluminium, steel and composite. All three are ASTM rated for foot protection, but not each of them fits all working environments. Steel-toes are ideal for construction sites as they’re the strongest and therefore best for keeping workers safe from serious injuries to feet and toes. Aluminium toes are good for workers who need lightweight yet protective footwear. Composite-toes shoes are non-metallic and most suitable for environments that need to stay metal free.
Waterproof Work Boots
Your boots should be waterproof, even if your work is mostly done in an environment protected from the elements or splashes of liquids. When working outdoors, moisture may gather inside your shoes which can be unpleasant. Be sure to invest in waterproof boots that keep your feet dry. Waterproof boots mostly have surface treatment of PVC or rubber which helps keep water out and stop it from entering the boots.
Slips and Falls Protection
Working outdoors or on construction sites can be dangerous because there may be spilled liquids, ice, and mud that can cause slipping and falling. To avoid such injuries, choose boots with slip-resistant outsoles. These soles have a tight grip against any surface and terrain, which will keep your feet stable at all times.
Comfortable Fit
Your work boots must be comfortable. You’ll spend most of your day wearing them, so too tight or too loose boots can affect you. Tight work boots are surely not a good choice as you won’t be able to do your job without feeling pain. Chances are you’ll take them off quite soon, as tight work boots can cause you blisters, and pain and limit proper blood flow. A loose fit isn’t good as well, as you can easily lose a boot while walking. Either way, uncomfortable boots can affect your focus and can cause you injuries and pain.
The fit should be just right; you should be able to wear these boots with socks (even with thicker socks). When buying your new boots, make sure to take a pair of thicker socks so you can see if your footwear of choice fits you comfortably. Walk around and see if there’s any friction on your heels, ankles or around your toes.
There should be enough room between your toes and the shoe; the space should be around one finger. There should also be some room between your tendon and the back part of the shoe; slip your index finger and if it gets easily into the shoe, chances are the fit is good. In the end, you have the final say in what feels comfortable and suitable.
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