Whether you are a plumber, roofer, or builder, foot protection is essential to perform your work efficiently and safely. This is because the risk of injury involving your work is difficult to predict. So it is better to prepare for everything before.
In that case, a good pair of work boots will help to feel comfortable, prevent any injuries and knee pains. But most people are confused about which boots will be suitable for their workplace. Basically, when choosing a pair of work boots, you have to consider numerous factors.
These factors include electrical protection, steel toes, durability, waterproofing, brands, and so on. Choosing the proper work boots will help you achieve more than just protecting your toes. Keep reading this context to know in detail the considerations to choose the proper work boots.
What Are Work Boots?
Work boots are commonly known as safety shoes, steel-clad boots, or safety boots. The durability of these boots provides a protective and safety reinforcement to the toes. This way, your foot will be protected from compression or falling objects. In addition, work boots have a midsole plate below to protect against punctures. This type of boot is made of steel and composite materials that add safety as well. Composite materials include plastic such as thermoplastic polyurethane and aluminum.
Why You Should Wear Right Work Boots
One of the significant problems of using flat shoes is that they don’t provide enough arch support. As a result, when you wear flat shoes, you do not get adequate support on your feet, causing extreme strain on the tendons and joints.
For this, you will suffer from a fallen arch, pain in the ankle, knee, Achilles tendonitis, etc. Besides, you can also suffer plantar fasciitis that is related to unsupportive boots. On the other hand, work boots are designed to provide the highest stability on different surfaces to minimize the risk of slips and falls.
Sometimes bad knees cause serious injuries when you wear flat shoes. In that case, wearing work boots will be a great way to support your knees to prevent injuries or strains. So, you should choose a good pair of boots to support bad knees instead of using uncomfortable flat shoes.
How Do I Choose the Right Work Boots
Wearing the proper work boots is very important to feel good on your feet and keep you safe. If the work boots were not proper, then you could be injured more than feel good. That’s why below we have demonstrated some factors that you should keep in mind when choosing boots for your workplace.
Safety Toes
You will find three types of safety toes: aluminum, composite, and steel. These types of safety toes are designed to use for a variety of work environments. You have to select one according to your work and environment.
Typically, Steel toes are suitable for construction areas that help to prevent serious injuries. Aluminum toes are good for workers who want to use protective and lightweight work boots. On the other hand, composite toes are suitable for environments where you need to be metal-free.
Waterproof
When working outdoors, the moisture inside your shoes can be annoying, which can be unpleasant. To avoid such situations, you have to choose waterproof work boots that help you stay dry. Typically, waterproof boots feature PVC or rubber ointment on the surface that helps to keep water out and prevent entering moisture.
Sole
Work boots usually come in two sloe styles: heeled or wedge. The heeled sole is suitable for bare ground, where it offers excellent traction. Typically, heeled soil isn’t comfortable as wedges on rough surfaces. Wedges sole spreads your weight over a large surface, which reduces fatigue in your legs and feet. This type of sole is ideal for working on asphalt, concrete, steel, and rough surface.
Construction
Materials are most important to know how long the boot will last. There are three types of construction you will find on the work boot. When the boot’s upper, midsole, and outsole are glued together, known as cement construction, it is the weakest.
In Strobel construction, the upper is sewn to fabric and the middle and outsole are glued. Welding construction is considered the most robust construction because the top, midsole, and outsole are sewn together using thick, strong yarn.
Comfort
When your boots have all the safety features but aren’t comfortable with your feet, it is worthless. Besides, wearing such types of boots you may feel irritation, discomfort, and fatigue that impact your working performance. So, you have to select work boots that include soft leather, padded collar, cushioned insoles, soft inner lining, and padded tongue to ensure the best comfort.
Electric Hazard
Working in an electric area with regular boots can be dangerous, as some shoes can easily spread the electric flow. You will find dome bots have been included with electric shock guards to protect your feet. So it is good to check if work boots have this feature.
How Do You Know If the Work Boot Is the Right Fit?
When you wear the right size work boots, you will feel much more comfortable. On the contrary, if the boot does not fit properly, it will affect your work performance. That’s why you should neither rush nor skip the fitting process. Check the length of the footwear by sliding your foot forward. Ensure your toes torch the boot’s front, and then bend your knee forward. If your index finger can fit between the back of the boot and your heel, then the size will be appropriate for you.
Which Type of Work Boot Should You Go For?
There are numerous types of work boots you will find on the market, from steel to elastic. Every work boot is designed to wear for a specific workplace. For example, steel boots are designed for those who want to protect the toes and upper part of the feet.
Besides, if you face harsh weather conditions, you have to choose insulted footwear that helps feel your feet warm and dry. Some work boots especially work near electric hazards. In addition, zip-sided boots are trendy that contain a zipper on the side of the foot. You also find elastic-sided work boots that are designed with a leather upper. This type of boots is bound with elastic sides.
Conclusion
Choosing the proper work boots is essential for staying safe and secure. With the right boots, you can almost 25% of disabling workplace injuries involving your feet. This way you can ensure your whole body will feel great, which helps to improve your working performance.
On the contrary, if you choose the wrong work boots, you can fall into different leg injuries that impact your work performance. So choosing the right work boots is essential. For your help, through this article, we have tried to tell you how you can choose the right work boots. Following the factors discussed above, you can easily select the boots according to your needs.
