Boots are more than a fashion accessory – they protect your feet, keep you dry, and weather the elements, including dirt, salt, and whatever else is all over the ground. Your work boots provide even more protection, shielding your toes from dropped objects or dangerous chemicals. Finding the right pair of boots, and investing in real protection that keeps you safe, is essential.
High overshoes worn especially in snow and slush can keep your feet safe and comfortable, but they don’t necessarily provide the right protection in the workplace. You wouldn’t wear deer skin cowboy boots on a red wing climbing expedition, would you? Don’t skimp when it comes to the protection in your work boots. You need something that is sized correctly, made of the right materials, and suited to the conditions you work in. A pair of size 15 extra wide work boots might be perfect – unless you’re a size 10, in which case they are dangerously loose!
Work boots are all that stand between your feet and dangerous environments. You might be able to pay slightly less for boots that look safe and aren’t, but you’ll only be cheating yourself if you sacrifice protection to save money or look fashionable.
Work boots. While they aren’t the height of fashion, in many ways they’re more valuable than any of the shoes you’ll see making their way down the runway. Though they luckily aren’t quite as expensive as “designer” footwear, heavy duty work boots also aren’t the cheapest shoes on the market, with the average employee spending about $70 on foot protection per year. A reluctance to spend on safety boots is one of the reasons why some employees seek out “cheap” versions that aren’t really protective boots at all. Unfortunately, this in turn can lead to serious injury that at the least will put you out of commission for a few days, and at work result in amputation of the toes or the feet. Yes, protective footwear can make that much of a difference. For that matter, many people find themselves facing being laid off due to their lack of the proper footwear. After all, no sensible employer wants their employees at risk — and if you’re injured because you weren’t wearing the footwear your employer told you to wear, it will be your fault. Yet many don’t even know what to look for in work boots. They don’t know whether steel toe boots or waterproof boots would be best for them — or for that matter, boots that combine the two qualities. Below are a few things you should know before searching for work boots.
1. They Do Make A Difference
Work boots aren’t just footwear: they’re a necessity for those who work in any kind of hazardous environments. You’ll find that if you work with heavy equipment of any kind, steel toe boots are not at all optional. This is with good reason. Of the many people who got foot injuries at the workplace, only 23% were wearing protective footwear. For that matter, of those who were injured while wearing protective boots, 85% were hurt in the spots that that the boots weren’t protecting. In short, work boots do make a big difference. They can protect people from a variety of different issues. While steel toe boots keep people from incurring injuries involving heavy weights, waterproof boots protect them from the buildup of bacteria that can pose so many risks to those working in damp environments. Your feet could easily become infected without waterproof boots. Slip-resistant boots can also protect your feet from being injured in the oh-so-common slip and fall accidents.
2. They’re Smart Investments
Perhaps there are “cheap” options out there that at least look like work boots, even if they don’t actually do the job. Even if you’re willing to risk your health, you should know that you’re also wasting money. If your job requires you to wear protective footwear, you’re going to spend a lot of time on your feet. Now, comfortable work boots can make those hours more bearable — and perhaps protect your feet from stress injuries. But they’re also going to last much longer than inferior footwear. While cheap boots will wear down quickly, protective boots can last much longer Steel toe boots have been known to last for years before needing replacements. Of course, the investment is not the only thing that make these shoes financially wise. Think of what will happen if you’re injured on the job — you’ll miss days of work, and incur medical bills. By investing in boots, you’re ensuring that you’ll work another day and avoid expensive medical bills.
3. There’s A Wide Variety To Choose From
When choosing your work boots, you’ll find that there are many different ones to choose from, all suited for different work environments. Look carefully. All boots, however, must have protective toe caps affixed to their interiors. Furthermore, you’ll find four classes to choose from: Class 75 for men, Class 75 for women, Class 50 for men, and Class 50 for women. Class 75 shoes will be more impact resistant than Class 50 shoes. By knowing what you’re looking for, you’ll be more likely to pick the right boots!
