Choosing the Right Work Boots
When you are busy working, the last thing you need on your mind is your painful sore feet. At best they are annoying and uncomfortable but at worst that sort of distraction could prevent you and your colleagues from staying safe. It’s as important to match the right boots to the right job as is it to find the right boots for your feet. Luckily, we have a few tips ready to help you choose the rights work boots to keep you comfortable and work focused without compromising on working safely.
Find the Perfect Fit for Your Feet
Finding work boots that fit perfectly on your feet is crucial. Allocate ample time for selecting the best fit and look out for various styles of boot to know which one is most suitable for your foot features. Avoid going for too small or too big as they won’t be comfortable for long working hours. Keep these basic points in mind while selecting the perfect work boots:
- Try shoes with your socks on. Choose the socks that are comfortable and are according to the weather. Socks made of synthetic fabric like polyester are more comfortable than cotton ones and socks with bottom cushioned further add a layer of comfort.
- For choosing the perfect length, move your foot in the boot until your toe is in contact with the toe of the boot. Then move your knee forward and measure the gap between your heel and back of the shoe. The ideal gap should be just equal to the width of your middle finger.
- Now tie the laces fully to see how well the boot grips around your foot and if it is comfortable.
- Also, look for the bends in the boot. Boots with built-in bending are not so comfortable and provide the least support to the foot.
- When buying boots opt for the time of day when your feet are most tired as feet swell over the course of the day and you will be able to find the best fit.
Protective Gear for Feet
Working on construction sites or a rough environment may cause damage your feet even with work boots on. You need to wear protective gear along with perfectly fitting boots to keep your feet truly safe. Your toes are specifically most vulnerable to falling objects hitting your feet and must offer good protection. For toe protection, there are three different types of protective toe caps available:
- Steel Toe Cap Boots: Protective toe caps made out of steel are usually very heavy and uncomfortable for toes. They keep the feet cold in winter and hot in summer and provide the least defense against hitting magnetic and other metallic elements. Steel toe cap boots are a traditional way of protecting toes and there are many amendments made in its design. Latest designs of steel toe protection caps are light weighted and with improved safety features.
- Aluminum Toe Caps: Aluminum toe caps are lighter than steel although they are thicker and provide greater protection against metallic elements. Aluminum caps also keep feet at normal temperature even during winter.
- Composite Toes: Composite toe caps are nonmetallic thick protective gears that are often made up of plastic, carbon fiber and Kevlar. They are bad conductors of heat and don’t make your feet hot in summers and cold in winters.
Arch Support for Feet
Arch support is as essential for your feet as comfortable pair of work boots. Without proper arch support, long tiring working hours especially those that involve lots of walking and physical exertion may cause long term damage to your feet. Some benefits of arch supports are:
- Arch support makes your feet comfortable by relieving pressure from the heel and toe connecting ligament. It also protects you from heel pain and sore feet.
- Arch support reduces pressure on heel and ball of the foot by evenly distributing force and weight on the surface of feet.
- It also improves body posture and reduces the chances of developing knee, hip, and back pains.
Types of Boots
There are different types of boots available according to job requirements. You can choose the best work boots for you keeping in mind your daily activities.
Height of the Boots
Height of the boots is a crucial feature that must be given attention while buying a new pair. Shorter boots are lightweight and easy to carry for all kind of work situations, but longer boots are essential for working in deep woods and harsh weather conditions but they are heavier and difficult to put on.
Weight of the Boots
The weight of boots has an impact on your performance. Heavy boots are likely to decrease your work efficiency while lighter boots are easy to carry and comfortable to work in.
Water Resistance of the Boots
Waterproof boots have an added layer of water-resistant material that makes it uncomfortable and hotter for feet. They are ideal for working in water and in rainy weather but are worst for summers and humid conditions.
Boots with Toe Caps
Boots with toe protection caps are essential for working in construction sites but in regular use, toe protection is not needed often and reduces the comfort level of boots.
Insulation in Boots
Insulated boots are good for winters as they keep your feet warm and protect it from the harshness of weather but they are completely useless in hot weather.
Construction of Boots
Good boot construction increases their working life. Usually welted and stitched boots are preferred since they can be repaired many times. The cemented or directly constructed boots cannot be repaired though you can opt for resoling sometimes.
Style of the Boots
The style of your boots is also important as this defines your individual fashion statement.
Conclusion
Choosing new work boots in an investment not only in your comfort but also in your safety. It not something you can do by mail order. You have to try on boots to find the ones that will do the job perfectly. Whether you need high ankle boots or those with toe caps, insulated for snow or light weave on top for finer weather, you’ll be spending a many long hours in your boots. So look out for the arch supports, you’re going to need those if you want to have healthy feet and twinkle toes when you get home from work.