Choosing The Best Footwear for Heavy Work

Our feet are perhaps the most hardworking part of the body. With our feet, we are taken to wherever we need to go. We walk, we run, and we sometimes reach out for fallen things using our feet when we’re in the privacy and comfort of our own homes. Hence, they need to be protected by the best kind of footwear that will keep them from being hurt by factors such as accidents and hazardous objects.

Some of the many professions that require the best steel toe boots and shoes are the construction and home improvement industry. In both professions, the entire body is vulnerable to many kinds of accidents, from falling tools, heavy debris, and merely stumbling on our own feet. However, if the feet become injured, it may not only cause pain and discomfort, but may cause permanent damage. When this happens, ordinary day to day activities such as walking and running may become difficult, or worse, impossible to do. You can also say goodbye to picking up the remote on the floor using your toes.

Furthermore, findings from the United States Department of Labor discovered that fourteen percent of injuries acquired from private industry jobs are caused by accidents such as falling, tripping and slipping. This number may be small but it is a contributing factor to an increase in the number of days away from work of employees.

This brings us back to the importance of wearing work boots that are of optimum quality and offer the best protection.

Here are some factors that will help you determine know which are the best steel toed shoes:

Comfort

This is an important factor you should consider. If your feet are not comfortable with what you are wearing, even the simplest action such as action standing will hurt your feet. When it hurts when you stand, how much more when you walk, run and do actual work?

Fit

Your feet must fit perfectly in your shoes. If they are too big, they may easily slip off from your feet. Tying your shoelaces tighter to keep them secure may also hurt your tendons and ankles. When they are too small, your toes will hurt from being cramped. Thus, it’s crucial to stand and walk around when you’re fitting and trying shoes so you know your toes are not going to be in pain. If they don’t fit perfectly but you choose them anyway, you forego the first factor we mentioned.

Support

This factor is determined by the overall combination of the parts of your work boot or shoe. They should be able to keep you from stumbling or tripping when walking and more importantly when you are working.

Safety

This may have been listed as the fourth factor. However, that doesn’t mean it’s less important. Each workplace has its own specific standards and requirements. It is then crucial to choose the appropriate one for your field. Otherwise, it won’t give you the needed amount of protection from your work environment.

Here are some features of prominent work boots:

• Steel-toe boots – usually used for jobs that require working with heavy objects
• Chemical – resistant – this feature protects the skin of the feet from coming into direct contact with very hazardous chemicals
• Electrical Insulation – this is a must especially for jobs that involve technology and protects wearers from getting shocks from electrical charges
• Slip-resistant – this prevents slipping accidents in work environments with oily or wet floors
• Insulation for Cold Weather – this type keeps the wearer’s feet from harsh cold weather

Weatherproof

It’s absolutely necessary to choose working boots and shoes that are weatherproof. Firstly, consider that it’s difficult to walk in extremely hot cement floors if your soles are thin and easily absorb the heat. When the pads of your feet are exposed to the warmth for too long, you may grow uncomfortable and painful blisters. Secondly, consider rainy seasons. If the water easily gets inside your shoes, getting moist feet and wet socks can become uncomfortable when walking as you may feel like you’re stepping on slime that will also squeak every time you step on it. Worse, wet socks and feet that are prone to bacteria growth that will also cause bad odor.

Different Types of Work Boot Construction

When it comes to picking the right work boot, it’s also helpful to know how it was constructed so that you can gauge its cost, comfort, and durability.

• Welt Construction – Welt is a strip of leather that is stitched to the shoes’ upper and insole. Cork is then used to fill the welt’s enclosed space. The outsole is then cemented and attached to the welt through stitching.
• Direct Attach Method – This construction method makes use of molding the outsole to the boot’s fabric. The sole is then formed by using a mold that is attached to the boot’s upper part which is then injected with molten rubber. This type of boot construction is an optimum choice for those who require stability when it comes to fast movement.
• Cement Construction – In this method, the outsole is attached to the boot using a strong adhesive. These types of boots are usually less costly and are appropriate for jobs that are light-duty.
• Leather and Nylon Mesh – This combination of materials are usually less waterproof, hence they are more ideal for working environments that are dry and hot.

Look after your feet. You keep them safe and they’ll take you wherever you want.

Now that we have an idea of what factors and construction types we should consider, here are some of the best soft toed and best steel toe boot options when it comes to choosing work boots