Are you confused regarding whether you should buy a pair of steel toe boots in the winter or not? Click here for more useful information.
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Effects of wearing steel toe boots in the winter on your feet
When the winter comes, many people wearing steel toe work boots wonder whether it is okay to use them. In fact, they are popularly worn for those who work on construction sites and industrial settings. The purpose of adding a steel cup is protecting the toe area. Also, it is possible to wear in the winter with the consideration of applying a waterproof treatment and wearing warmer socks. As a result, the insulated steel toe boots can both protect and keep your feet warm.
Feet are one of the most sensitive parts of the body, so protecting them from impacts is necessary. Especially the toes include less muscle and are easy to be hurted. The steel boots are designed to be worn in a serious environment so that your feet can be protected for safety. Knowing about the effects of wearing them in the winter on your feet offer a certain solution.
Thermal insulation: Steel belongs to thermal insulation materials, which means that it reduces the heat flow and absorbs the outside cold temperature. As a result, the steel toe boots may make their feet cold in the winter. However, this can rarely happen if you wear warm socks or have constant movement for blood circulation.
Sensitive toe area: The toes are easy to be in pain or hurted if they come in contact with the cold environment in the winter. Compared to other parts, that area can be felt cold with thermal insulation like steel. While your toes become cold more fastly with steel cups in the boots, this happens by poor blood circulation.
Foot conditions: Though the steel cups can protect your feet thanks to their hard material, it can have an unhealthy influence on your feet. In detail, the feet may be in pain or have blisters because it limits flexibility in inside movement. Especially, they can become more sensitive in the winter.
The advantage and disadvantage of wearing steel toe boots in the winter
Considering pros and cons of wearing steel toe boots will help you to make a better choice. Based on them, some people can find it suitable to wear steel toe boots in the winter while others can prefer other types of work boots.
Advantage of wearing steel toe boots in the winter
These pros can offer you the reason to choose a steel toe boots in the winter.
- Steel toes boots are lightweight, so it is effortless for you to lift them for steps on the ground, even in the snow. As a result, you can keep proper speed of walking or running.
- They are one of the most protective footwear due to sturdy steel. Therefore, it can prevent your feet from getting numb in the cold temperature, but in a short time with more movements of your feet.
- That material also contributes to the durability in the hard weather
- Most of steel toe boots meet the safety standard for working on the wet ground or having potential falling, so your feet will be perfectly protected
- These comfortable safety work boots offer a good performance about movements
- They keep your feet warm when worn with warm shocks
Disadvantage of wearing steel toe boots in the winter
Everything has two side, there are some cons of steel toe boots worn in the winter.
- As you know, steel is a thermal insulation material that conducts both heat and cold. When it is used to encase the toe area of boots and come in contact with the cold, your feet may easily get cold.
- Since these boots get quickly colder, they can affect the blood circulation of your feet
- Because steel features hardness and no flexibility, it may cause your feet to suffer from swelling, frostbites, pain, and blister if you move a lot.
Requirements of boots for winter
Good insulation
It’s important for you to choose a pair of work boots with good insulation in the winter because this enables you to keep feet warm. However, the best choice is looking for these boots which both keep the heat for warmth and have good moisture control to keep feet dry for comfort.
Comfort
This requirement is necessary for all boots for good foot health, considered as a priority. Except skin-friendly materials, sturdy construction, protective features, winter boots need to point out temperature ratings. In particular, the boots will be tested for keeping your feet at a proper temperature. In some cases, there are other factors affecting comfort ratings such as movement level, body temperature, circulation, and sudden weather conditions.
Size
The wrong size can lead to serious foot pain. A pair of boots too small or big can make it difficult for you to move. Keep in mind that you will wear thicker socks in the winter, so choosing a bit bigger size compared to a perfectly fit one is reasonable. Besides, the extra space inside the boots help you to wiggle toes for comfort and let moisture to evaporate.
Height
In case that the winter has snow, you can choose the taller boots. This kind protects your entire legs from the cold. Plus, you can consider boots with adjustable collars to keep tight around your legs for fit.
How to keep feet warm in steel toe boots?
There is no denying that steel toe boots can make your feet get quickly colder in some cases. However, you can apply some useful tips for keeping your feet warm in steel toe boots following up:
- Choose these boots which are made by less breathable materials like leather or less mesh so that the cold can not pervade.
- Use paper towel or napkin to put under the steel toes for adding better insulation and more warmth
- Warm socks can save you from the cold because it keeps the heat from the body in the feet
- Apply a plastic wrap or a plastic sandwich bag inside the boots to protect from cold air
- Consider the waterproof work boots to protect your feet from wet weather
- You can use single-use toe warmers inserted inside the boots for keeping feet warm
- Walking faster can enhance blood circulation, which warm your feet
Other better options for types of boots in winter
If you are still confused about whether you should wear steel toe boots in the winter or not, then consider some alternative options below
Composite toe boots: These boots are composed of plastic toe caps, carbon fibre, or strong synthetic materials. They are sturdy enough to endure harsh working environments. People are recommended to wear them as protective footwear saving their feet from compression and impact in severe weather conditions. Most importantly, the plastic is a good thermal insulator, which makes sure to retain the heat. Also, it is waterproof for the feet to dry all the time.
Aluminum toe boots: Thanks to the aluminum used in boots, these work boots are more lightweight while they are made thicker and stronger than steel toe boots. Besides, they provide better insulation for withstanding in the cold.
Metatarsal Guard Boots: As shown in the name, these metatarsal boots provide better protection for the metatarsal region. In that way, they are designed to add extra protective elements for the toe and upper region of feet.
Boots with outsoles: You can find some boots indicating Cold Insulation like the feature of their outsoles. This means that the outsoles are made to protect their feet from impacts of the ground.
Boots with Insulated Linings: These boots have insulated linings, which is made of insulated felt to stop the cold from invading. Some lining names can be mentioned in the description of boots such as Primaloft, Thinsulate, Gore-Tex and Thermolite. (related: insulated work boots vs non-insulated )
How to care your boots in the winter?
You can own boots for a long time and use them with good performance if you know how to care for them. Some below useful tips are easy to apply but function well.
Keep your boots clean off salt immediately: In the winter, you can see people using salt to de-ice the road for convenient transportation. In the meanwhile, road salt is one of the enemies of boots, especially including metal materials. It can ruin fabric and cause metal zips, hooks, toe cups to be rusty. Therefore, you need a warm and damp cloth with any proper cleaning agent to clean salt off the boots.
Keep your boots away from the direct heat: The direct heat from a heater or flame can ruin your feet. Their material will become dry and cracked. Dry them in proper places such as mudroom, coat rack, or basement in which have proper temperatures and don’t have direct heat.
Store your boots on dry places: The wintertime can increase moisture in your boots, so storing them in dry places keeps them durable and comfortable to wear all day. You can put them by the door in a tray of pebbles.
FAQ
Are steel toe boots good for cold weather?
Steel boots are good for cold weather if you know how to use and choose them. Because steel is a thermal material, your feet tend to get cold faster. However, you can choose a good pair of insulated winter steel boots to keep feet both safe and stay warm and dry when working outside. Otherwise, refer above useful tips to keep your feet warm in steel toe boots.
When should you wear steel toe boots?
Steel toe boots are basically used as protective footwear for those whose job can come in contact with nails, heavy equipment, falling blocks or forklifts. In case they can do harm for your feet, steel toe boots function preventing potential strong impacts on sensitive feet.
How do I keep my feet warm in steel toe boots?
If you like wearing steel toe boots without having any worries of getting feet cold fast, think how to improve. With that in mind, you can choose to wear extra socks, use towel paper to insert inside, consider these boots made of good insulator materials. For more tips, you can refer above.
Are steel toes worth it?
Yes, steel toes boots are worth protecting from potential injuries such as falling objects, slips, falls, burns, cuts, and punctures. Those who work in harsh environments find them useful for their safety.
Can wearing steel toe boots cause foot problems?
Foot problems happen when you wear an improper pair of steel toe boots. If you choose boots with too narrow width, you can suffer from bunions and even lead to deforming feet in the future. Keep in mind to select fit sizes for safety and comfort during your movements.
Are steel toe boots good for everyday wear?
No, steel toe boots tend to be designed for work more than everyday activities. Though it can protect your feet well from injuries, you need another pair of boots for everyday that serve your purposes better. They are heavy and don’t look great for other occasion except for work.