Work Boots: 7 Important Things to Know Before Buying a Perfect Pair

ClothingFashionStyle

Buying a perfect pair of work boots is a complicated task. You have to know a lot about the features of the work boots and understand your workplace and learn a thing or two about materials. Yet, you are far from ready to buy the perfect pair.

So, the seven criteria can help you find the perfect pair.

#1 Comfort

You want to look for the most comfortable work boots. Comfort is the first quality you look at since you are going to wear the work boots for extended periods. The materials can reduce the comfortability of the work boots. So, you have to know that comfort varies between the work boots.

Another thing to consider is the form of the metatarsal guard. Work boots can have a steel-toe cage or a metatarsal guard. While people in the PPE industry use these terms simultaneously, there are differences.

Steel-toe cage refers to the protection around the toes and the front of the foot. A metatarsal guard is a protective plate that covers almost the whole foot. Aside from affecting the comfort, the metatarsal guard influences the work boot.

#2 Metatarsal Guard

The metatarsal guard is a crucial part of the work boot. It decides how you can use the work boot and the application of the work boot. The basic form of the metatarsal guard is the steel-toe cage.

The steel-toe cage covers the toes and the upper part of the foot from punctures and crushes. Steel-toe protection varies in quality, build, and materials. For example, loggers need a less advanced metatarsal guard. You have to protect the foot from the falling trees, and nothing more than that. 

However, if you are working in mines, you need an advanced metatarsal guard, with resistance to heat and cold, as well as to chemicals. You want to work boots that provide you several layers of protection. Along with a metatarsal guard, you have to think about materials. 

#3 Materials

Materials determine where and how you can wear the work boots. Also, it determines how you are going to maintain the work boots. For example, a leather work boot may perform well outdoors, especially in the woods. However, a work boot with a synthetic mash may perform better in an industrial setting.

Another thing you should know is that there are work boots that consist of compound materials. Brands are using various materials to create the formula to enhance the performance of work boots.

Metatarsal guards and materials are detrimental to how you will use the work boots.

#4 Work Conditions

That leads us to another point – work conditions. Usually, you pick the materials and metatarsal guards based on work conditions and purposes. For example, you can use Timberland and Caterpillar boots for logging. However, they’ll fare much worse in the industrial setting.

Yet, another work boot that works well in the industrial setting underperforms on slippery ground. You can also wear work boots while hunting in nature. The best thing about work boots is that you don’t have to wear them at the construction site.

So, you have to think about the weather, climate, and worksite. Then, you can move to the use of work boots.

#5 Purpose

Now, you have to think about how you are going to use work boots. For example, if you are into the logging business, then you need a light boot with a good grip. If you are working at an excavation site, then you need sturdy work boots with a good grip and metatarsal guard. The materials in all three examples vary, and you need specific work boots for each use.

Therefore, you have to understand your job. When you know how your workplace operates, you can buy the perfect pair. Another thing to think about is how some materials fare in different climates and weather conditions.

Synthetic materials fare better in the industrial setting. You can engineer and develop them to suit your needs. However, compound work boots can also perform in outdoor conditions and deliver excellent results.

So, it all comes down to where you are going to use the work boots. Another thing to consider is how long do you need them?

#6 Longevity of Use

You have to know how long you are going to wear work boots. For example, if you are a seasonal worker, then you don’t need a lot of features. You want a decent pair that’s going to last for a few months. After that, you’ll switch jobs, and you don’t have to care for boots anymore.

However, you may need a pair of work boots you are going to use for several months and even years. Then, you want to invest your money in work boots that are going to last. And a pair of work boots that have quality materials and a proper metatarsal guard.

Finally, now that you have a proper work boot, you have to think about conditioning. You have to know how hard it’s going to be to care about the work boots. 

#7 Conditioning

The last thing you have to think about is the maintenance of the work boots. While work boots are quality products, that doesn’t mean you don’t have to care for them. Some work boots require low maintenance, and you can clean them from time to time. That’s the feature most industrial work boots have.

However, leather and compound work boots require more maintenance. For example, you have to polish them, clean them, and dry them. If you fail to do so, the work boots are going to deteriorate much faster.

Now you know how to find the perfect pair of work boots.

Pick a Perfect Pair

If you want to find the right pair – Be meticulous. Search online and go to the stores, and learn about materials. Also, learn more about your workplace. And, then you are finally ready to improve your work performance.

Then, you’ll be able to buy the perfect pair. Pick wisely.

Leave a Reply