Th
ere are plenty of anecdotes about soldiers and cowboys sleeping with their boots on. This served two purposes – first off, it kept them prepared for any emergency that might pop up during the night. Secondly, nobody can take your boots if you’re wearing them, and no one knows how important sturdy, comfortable footwear is more than folks in those possessions. If you’re spending hours on end on your feet at your job, you’ll want your feet to be safe and sound, and as comfortable as possible.
Safety Features
- Toe Coverage: You’ll need some sort of protective covering over your toes, but the articular type depends on the type of work you’re doing. Steel toe boots are a great all-around choice, as they provide great protection compared to their weight and bulk. They do, however, conduct heat and cold, which is why composite toe boots have become increasingly popular. Boots with composite toes will be bulkier, but will be lighter and will not conduct temperatures.
- Metatarsal Guards: These are the big pieces of metal that run up the top of the boot to protect the top of the foot and front of the ankle. These are necessary for workers routinely dealing with hot or heavy loads, particularly steel workers and welders.
- Soles: Every boot maker uses different, proprietary substances to make the soles of their boots. The main types are rubber and TPU outsoles. Rubber is the best all-around material, with different companies producing different types of rubber soles that are oil-resistant, slip-resistant, waterproof, and more. TPU outsoles are generally lighter, but do not usually offer the durability and resistances found in rubber outsoles.
Comfort Features
It doesn’t matter how safe the boots are if you can’t stand to wear the, so you’ll want to pay special attention to the fit of the boot. There are factors aside from the fit that play into comfort:
Height – Work boots range from low-cut boots that have a similar profile to sneakers, to boots that run up to the mid-calf region. The height will determine the amount of ankle support you get from the boots, but it will also limit the amount of mobility. Higher boots provide great support, but you won’t be running anywhere in them. Generally, a boot that rises to just above the ankles is a good, all-around height that provides good support with decent mobility.
Compression Padding – Compression pads are built into the soles and compress under weight, padding your feet. These pads absorb shock and lessen fatigue.
Upper construction – The composition of the upper can vary, but almost always has some leather in it. Full leather is a bit heavy, and does not allow for the feet to breathe, but is waterproof and extremely durable. A combination of nylon with leather in places that need strength will breathe better, require less of a break-in period and are lighter. However, they are less durable, offer less protection, and are less water resistant. Some of these combination uppers can be aired with waterproof liners to make them better for use in wet areas.
Durability Guarantees
A cheap pair of boots is generally a poor pair of boots, and won’t last you too long. Taking a look at the type of construction of the boot can give you an idea of the expected lifespan of the boot. The best you can get, in terms of durability, is boots with welt construction. Welt construction means that a piece of leather runs between the upper and the sole that helps to stitch them together securely. While this type of construction tends to be the most expensive, it is also the strongest, and allows for the replacement of the sole if needed.
The second type, direct-attach, uses melted rubber to make the sole and the upper is attached directly to the melted rubber before it cools. This creates a light boot that is mildly durable, but you will not be able to replace the sole.The final method, cementing, merely sticks the sole to the upper with strong adhesive. This is the least durable type, and is not recommended for those who may work around solvents – these solvents can destroy the adhesive quickly.
Boots are an Investment
In the end, you should look at your boots as investments. You will be spending quite a bit of time in them – the average worker can take up to twelve thousand steps in an average work day. A good set of boots can effect more than just you’re work day as well, as a poor set can make you weary and tired at the end of the day, or a cheap set can end up costing you much more than you would think. So take everything into consideration, and make your choice wisely.