Choosing good safety shoes starts with handpicking the characteristics that are right for your job. It starts with the shoe size you will need to define as best as possible to support your foot while being loose enough to feel comfortable. So, what to look for when choosing your work boots for comfort and safety?
When it comes to buying work boots, you should always think about safety first. Make sure your new pair of boots have steel toes and slip resistant soles as well as waterproofing to protect your feet from injury as well as comfort so that you don’t develop blisters or infections. It’s also a good idea to get help from a professional boot salesman if you’re not sure what to look for when it comes to picking out the right pair of work boots.
8 Tips to Choose The Perfect Work Boots for Your Job
There are many features to consider before you buy work boots such as the safety toes, steel shank, waterproof features, slip resistant soles, comfort and other features. You can choose work boot size and width that fit your feet to feel more comfortable at work. Here is a list of things that might be helpful when buying work boots:
Durable Material
Always look for a durable material! The biggest problem with cheap work boots is that they tend to lack durability. This means that the stitching will come apart after a few uses which causes huge problems because then water gets into your boots and causes blisters or fungus on the feet. The leather tends to be thinner. So if you’re looking for a cheap pair of work boots, just remember that they will probably have to be replaced in 6 months or less.
Steel Toes
Insist on steel toes! Safety is one of the most important things when it comes to work boots…without safety your feet are at risk of injury. A good pair of steel toe boots are great because they are designed to take away the pressure from standing on the toes all day long which can cause pain in the balls of your feet during and after working hours.
Slip Resistant Soles
Choose shoes with slip resistant soles! These special types of rubber soles give you extra traction when you’re walking around in oil or water puddles which reduces your chances of slipping and falling when you need to be stable and mobile at the same time.
Comfort
Have comfort in mind! Nothing is worse than when you’re working all day with work boots that don’t fit your feet right…if they are too small or not wide enough then it will cause irritation and pain especially in the heels and ball of your foot and can lead to blisters and fungus on your feet which is something you want to avoid at all costs.
Waterproofing Features
Look for waterproofing features! This is a great feature because if water gets inside your boot then there’s a chance of developing fungal/blister infections which can lead to needing medical treatment such as antibiotics. So waterproofing will help keep moisture away from your skin so you can work comfortably even when it’s raining.
Safety Toe and Sole Combination
Look for a safety toe and sole combination! This is another important consideration because if you buy shoes that don’t protect your toes enough then the chance of injuring them greatly increases. A steel or composite toe cap with rubber soles will give you all around protection while protecting your feet from injury, but make sure to check out the drop safety ratings on such work boots!
The Size and Width of the Work Boots
Look at the size and width of the shoe before buying! Make sure that you’re not just getting a pair of work boots that seem like they fit, especially if you plan on wearing thick socks underneath. It’s very common that people get the wrong-sized boot which can be extremely uncomfortable and can cause blistering and arch pains.
Professional Boot Salesman
If you’re not sure about your work boots then go to a professional boot salesman! These people know their stuff and will be able to give you the best boot for your line of work which is why it’s probably a good idea to get them custom-made if they don’t already exist. It’s important to use protective equipment while working in hazardous areas…work boots are a key part of keeping yourself safe from injury while at work.
What Safety Features Do I Need in My Work Boots?
Protective Shell
As we said above, the chief characteristic of a safety work boot is to have a protective shell resistant to a pressure of at least 200 joules. If your job does not include the transport of such heavy objects, you can opt for so-called protective shoes according to the EN 20346 standard.
They withstand a pressure of 100 joules of an object weighing 10 kilograms with a height of one meter. Finally, EN 20347 standard shoes do not have a protective shell.
Shoe Soles
We also mentioned that the outsole of safety shoes is an integral part of the standard EN 20345. They all have a superior grip than a classic pair. But it can be much better depending on the characteristics chosen. So, if you are working in a tiled factory where there is a risk of splashing water, you will need the SRA standard.
The anti-puncture layer is also essential for certain trades, especially in construction, where the risk of stepping on a badly planted nail or a badly cut pipe is important. These functions do not reduce your comfort, which can only be beneficial.
Rod
Rod is the upper that designates the upper part of the shoe. Leather is the most widely used and recommended material for most trades. Indeed, it is resistant, flexible after a few uses, and requires minimum maintenance.
For boots and models intended for outdoors, the upper will most often be in leather or PVC to ensure total waterproofing. A microfiber or nylon lining will ensure greater comfort and better thermal insulation that is ideal for work in a snowy environment.
Insole
The outer part of the sole is not the only one to consider. The interior should be comfortable, suitable for the width of your foot, and antifungal to prevent infection from prolonged wear and sweating.
Steel Toe Boots
To be compliant, the steel cap shoes must comply with the CAN / CSA-Z195-02 standard. This standard is ideal for evaluating protective footwear. You should consider the shoe design, toe protection, resistance to electric shocks, and resistance of the sole.
Safety standards prevent many accidents at work. Remember that wearing a proper steel cap boot is mandatory on any construction site or other place where the feet are exposed to danger.
It is vital to choose the right weight for the right tasks to ensure the comfort of the foot. If you have to cover great distances, opt for a lighter model that breathes better. Also, pay close attention to the materials used by the manufacturer and compare them with your needs.
Oil Rig Work Boots
Protective elements, such as the steel toe cap or metatarsal protection, are what distinguish an oil rig work boot from a conventional work boot. We must choose protective elements because of the risks for which the worker must be protected.
We integrated the puncture protection during the manufacturing process, between the insole and the outsole of the shoes. There are two types of puncture protection; steel or woven materials.
The steel shield is an economical choice for a thin shield offering an excellent protection factor. The more flexible woven material protection also has the advantage of being non-conductive for situations where metal-free boots are vital.
Two-Toed Boots
The quality of the sole of your two-toed shoe is essential. Here are some important criteria to evaluate it:
- Grip to the ground
- Bending resistance
- Shock absorption
Seek the advice of a podiatrist before choosing a model of a steel cap. They will know how to assess the sole and the quality of the shoe and help you make the best choice.
The grip of the shoe gives you stability when you need to adopt a precise working posture. To ensure that your shoe is as grippy as possible, watch out for:
- The shoe should not be too worn
- We must not crush the sole
- Work floors must be clean and dry
Thus, the maintenance of the steel cap shoe is important to ensure a good level of grip on the ground.
Our Selection of Safety Shoes
DUNLOP Purofort S5 CI SRA Boots
Are you a farmer and need a pair of sturdy safety work boots? Specialized in tires, the manufacturer Dunlop also offers high-quality safety shoes. This model is available for polyurethane and is resistant to cuts and tears. The CI standard is perfect since these boots offer perfect insulation down to -20 Celsius degrees. Finally, the SRA standard guarantees you to stay on your feet even in the event of a flood.
PARADE Sylta S3 High Shoes
These high safety shoes from the Parade brand offer you optimal grip thanks to their 4mm crampons and the SRC standard. The protective shell and anti-perforation sole provide ideal protection, while the textile-lined full-grain leather upper gives you great flexibility of movement.
LEMAITRE Soul S3 Low Shoes
These low shoes from the manufacturer Lemaître offer you all the protection of the previous model by adding a water-repellent upper and a breathable sole for better comfort. The sole is flat for greater comfort but is SRC standardized, guaranteeing you an ideal grip.
DASSY Corus S3 Safety Trainers
For more active jobs, nothing beats a pair of safety sneakers, combining comfort and style. This model from the Belgian manufacturer Dassy offers you lightweight materials without compromising on safety. The anti-perforation shoe sole and the shell are present on this model with a modern look, and the upper is both breathable and water-repellent.
Type of Fit
The first criterion is also the most important, the model of shoes to choose. Depending on your job, you will need to protect your calf or a pair that allows you to walk for a long time without getting tired. There are four different types:
- The low shoe: It is a classic model, The low shoe is ideal for indoor trades requiring optimal ankle mobility to kneel easily, such as electricians, plumbers, or tilers.
- The high shoe: covering the ankle, limits the risk of sprain. It reduces the mobility of the foot and effectively protects against bumps and minor splashes.
- The boot: It is the boots with a safety toe cap complying. With the EN 20345 standard, they are ideal for outdoor work, such as agriculture, horticulture, and certain building trades. They protect you effectively from humidity and cold since they go up to the middle of the calf. We lined some models with more insulation.
- The basketball: If your job requires you to cover long distances on foot every day, you can opt for a model approximating sneakers. Lighter than the others, they offer you the same protections with greater comfort so you do not end your days covered in blisters.
Safety Shoes By Profession
Building Trades and Green Spaces
For trades in the light industry including people working in construction (see work boots for construction), green spaces, and finishing work, nothing beats a pair of high shoes. They will protect your ankles from shocks and prevent you from having your feet soaked in poor weather or working on wet ground.
You can choose a leather upper that will be less flexible at the start, but much more resistant and insulating than the fabric models. Finally, the anti-perforation sole will be essential.
Craftsmanship
If you are a craft worker or in a trade that requires frequent bending down, you will need a pair of low-cut safety shoes. You will lose protection but have much more mobility in the ankles. It will prevent you from wearing out your Achilles tendon prematurely.
Jobs in Agriculture
Are you a farmer, breeder, or horticulturist? You will need rubber work boots. Made from polyurethane, they are fully waterproof and offer high resistance to cuts and tears. It will protect you in the event of heavy rains and you will limit the risk of being crushed by animals and cattle.
In addition, most models come with a lining meeting the CI standard that protects you from the intense cold and is practical for working in all serenity in winter. This material also protects you against oils, animal and vegetable fats, fertilizers, solvents, and other disinfectants.
Industry Trades
For optimal protection of people working in heavy industry, exposed to chemicals, or working outside in sometimes extreme conditions, it is ideal to adopt the S3 standard coupled with the SRC. An anti-slip and anti-perforation sole will be essential to adapt to slippery floors and the risk of the presence of sharp or sharp objects.
Caring for Your Safety Shoes
Your safety shoes need you to take care of them to make them last. For leather, nothing beats lubricating grease to keep its flexibility. Shoe polish will guarantee its shine. For nubuck, a maintenance balm will serve as a waterproofing agent besides nourishing and softening it.
Presented as an aerosol, the waterproofer covers the top of your waterproof work boots with a protective film. It prevents the leather or nubuck from being damaged in contact with humidity. There are formulas for fabrics, natural and artificial in case you have a lighter model. Either way, the regular application will slow down wear on the upper and allow you to keep your shoes on for longer.
