Your feet hold you up, hour after hour, day after day, while you're doingáa demanding job. But how well do you take care of them? When you're choosing a quality work boot that isávital to how successful you are working in the field, knowing what to look for in a work boot that will deliver when you need it takes a little time and effort. In this post, we'll discuss the ins and outs of construction work boots, what features to look for and which features really make the difference between a solid day working and one spent just getting along.
What to Look for in Quality Construction Work Boots
Proper Fit - Size, Width andáFlexibility.áWhen it comes to work boots, having a good fit is vital to how effectively the boots can protect your feet. A too-small pair will leave you with blisters and aching feet, while a too-large pair allow your feet to slip when you need solid traction on the job. A pair that is too wide or too narrow enters into the same hazards. Flexibility is something that often isn't considered, but is very important if you need to stretch, bend or otherwise move through a range of positions safely to get your job done, when a stiff boot may keep you from having full range of motion.
Safety Features - Toes, Tread Grip,áPuncture Resistance andáElectrical Resistance.áSafety features are also very important. Steel-, aluminum- or composite-toed boots help protect your feet from crushing or dropping injuries, keeping you moving. Tread grip helps keep you in place, preventing the primary accident that occurs in construction, slips and falls. Puncture resistance means there's a much lower chance that the nail hiding in the grass from the roofing job you've completed will go through your foot, while electrical resistance protects you from shocks when something goes wrong on the job site.
Construction - Sole Attachment and Weatherproofing.áThere are several ways soles can be attached, including gluing, which tends to be the lowest-quality and will fail fastest, Blake stitching which is durable, but requires a special machine to re-sole the boot, and Goodyear welt stitched, which is a durable classic that is easy to have repaired or re-soled. Weatherproofing ensures that your feet stay dry when the weather is wet, making you more comfortable and keeping your feet in better health.
Comfort - Support and Weight.áBoots that provide sufficient flexible support allow you to maintain a range of motion while protecting your joints from injury due to overextension. A boot with proper support helps protect you from rolling your ankles or otherwise injuring your feet and ankles. But at some point as you're adding options and features to your boots, you may realize that they're getting heavier. In construction, you do enough heavy lifting without adding heavy boots into the mix. If the boots seem excessively heavy, look for a better option if possible.
Options - Zippers, Laces and Insoles.áAs a law enforcement volunteer, I love that my duty boots zip up the side. I can completely customize the fit through the laces and then enjoy the convenience of just zipping them back off again at the end of a long day without having to fuss with the fit. Cheap laces can leave you hanging when you need to work, so make sure to get heavy-duty boot laces or latigo leather laces. If you have problems with flat feet, high arches or any other number of similar issues, make sure to get a pair of work boots with great insoles or the option to add separate insoles to your boots.
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