If you work manual labor or are tasked with carrying heavy equipment on a regular basis, you may be required to wear a certain type of protective work boot. But how do you know which type of boot will best protect your feet? When buying work boots, there are three tips that you want to keep in mind. We share those three tips in today’s blog.
Buying The Right Work Boots
If you need to buy work boots for a new job, or you’re looking to replace an old pair of work boots, keep these three buying tips in mind.
1. Safety Is The Most Important – Your job will likely tell you what type of protection your shoes should have. Whether they need to be designed to prevent against electrical shocks or a protective steel toe option, find out what type of safety features are required for your job. Do some research online to find an appropriate pair, or better yet, head into a shoe store that specializes in fitting shoes for workers in the trades. Make sure the pair you choose is in compliance with the safety requirements of the tasks you’ll be performing.
2. Find Your Fit – Another key aspect of buying the right work boots is to ensure they fit properly. This is why we’re hesitant to recommend buying shoes online. Even though you probably know your shoe size by now, exact sizes vary between brands, so a size 12 from one manufacturer may not fit the same as size 12 from another designer. Again, we recommend having the boots fitted by a professional who can see how the boot fits on all sides of your foot. If the shoe is too tight or too loose, it can lead to repetitive stress injuries or circulation problems.
3. Comfort is King – Finally, you want to find a work boot that is comfortable and supportive. A lot of work boots will naturally be stiff until you break them in a little, so try to wear them a little before you need to wear them for a 12-hour shift. Slowly breaking them in will help you find a comfortable fitting option. Also, if you try to break them in during non-work conditions, they will still be in good shape in the event that they aren’t the most comfortable option and you need to return or exchange them.
If you keep these tips in mind, we’re confident that you will find a safe and comfortable work boot. For more tips on finding the right work boot for every situation, reach out to Dr. Silverman in the contact box below.
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