Wearing Steel Toe Boots Everyday: Good or Bad?

Does their heavier weight affect your productivity at work? Find out the pros and cons of wearing steel toes boots everyday.

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Wearing the appropriate shoes for your job position is a must. Doing so can help keep you safe and comfortable while working, both outdoors and indoors. Wearing the right pair of shoes will help you to avoid any injuries, especially if you work at places surrounded by heavy equipment and other potential hazards. In such cases, wearing steel toe boots reduces the chances of injuries to the feet in the workplace.

What Are Steel Toe Boots?

Bearing in mind the different conditions different employees face at work every day, a new pair of shoes had to come into the scene to facilitate the process of work. Steel toe boots are a type of shoes constructed to protect your feet from injuries in hazardous environments at work. 

The material they’re made of keeps the foot safe from heavy objects that might fall or roll on it, keeps the foot safe from the temperature you’re working on (hot or cold), protects it from sharp equipment around the workplace, and even helps you keep balance since they are anti-slip shoes. 

The boots are designed based on the Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA), which is an organization that enforces safety standards for the workplace. These regulations require employers to set personal protective equipment (PPE) policies in accordance with their workplace conditions, which, in cases where they pose the threats stated above, should require safety toe caps in shoes. 

Who Should Wear Steel Toe Boots?

Steel toe boots should be worn by anyone who considers their working conditions to be dangerous. Since steel toe boots consist of toe caps, it is instructed for people working in construction and engineering, or those who simply work with different pieces of machinery and heavy objects to wear them. This is because the caps will protect the feet from any falling or rolling objects. Apart from the material offering protection from falling objects and punctures, steel toe boots are a perfect fit for electricians, too. If the steel toe boots are EH rated, they will be resistant to electrical shocks, therefore suitable for electricians. 

Benefits of Wearing Steel Toe Boots

Wearing steel toe boots at work is quite beneficial. One of the main advantages of wearing them is safety. They will certainly protect your feet from any injuries from heavy objects, sharp tools, any harmful liquids, or any possible slips. Other than that, steel toe boots are durable. They are designed to withstand heat and cold, so the life of your work boots will be longer than your ordinary boots. Also, by being multipurpose, they offer the comfort you need at work and are ideal for almost everyone working under risky conditions.

Downsides of Wearing Steel Toe Boots

Although there’s a plethora of reasons why you should choose to wear steel toe boots at work, there’s always the other side of the coin to consider. So, can steel toe boots cause any foot problems? Are they bad for your feet? Well, there might be some issues having them worn all day, but not very serious ones. 

Because they’re made of steel, these safety boots are heavier than your casual shoes. They can sometimes cause blisters, leg pain, or callosity, but you can avoid such problems by wearing the right socks and choosing to wear insoles and toe guards to protect your feet from any discomfort. Also, you should try to break them in before walking to work without having them stretched first. If you consider these tips beforehand, you will most likely not have run into any issues while wearing steel toe boots.

What to Look For in Steel Toe Boots

In order to find the appropriate and properly-fitting steel toe boots, check out our list of things to look for before buying a new pair of protective boots:

OSHA Standards

You need to make sure your safety shoes meet all the OSHA requirements for them to be protective enough. They need to protect your feet from falling and rolling tools, be slippery-resistant, chemical and acid resistant, withstand heat and cold, be EH rated if you’re working as an electrician, and be waterproof. 

Durability

Steel toe boots are constructed to have greater longevity in comparison to other footwear. So, check the boot’s material and see whether they are to be trusted for a long period of time. When you’re working in conditions where there is uneven ground, rocks, sharp materials, or other potential factors that can damage your shoes, you will need sturdy boots that won’t rip, get scratched, or broken very easily. 

Comfort

Although they are heavier than composite toe shoes, this doesn’t mean you should compromise comfort when wearing steel toe boots. If they cause blisters, sores, or any skin irritation, then consider checking if the size is right, breaking them in, or choosing another model of steel toe boots.

While your feet may get tired after a long day’s work, your steel toe boots shouldn’t be a highly contributing factor to that.

Great fit

Apart from being comfortable, your steel toe boots need to be the perfect fit for you. If you’re going to spend a considerable amount of time at work, you need a boot that fits properly. Therefore, consider having a salesperson help you measure your shoe size and ask for their suggestion when it comes to a specific model, as sizes may sometimes vary depending on the manufacturer.

In addition to that, you can use accessories to help you achieve the best fit, such as socks, insoles, and toe guards. 

Final Thought: Should You Wear Steel Toe Boots Every Day?

You should take the hazards in your working environment seriously and wear your steel toe boots every day. These boots are not harmful to your feet, in contrast, they protect them from any possible injuries and accidents. You just need to wear the proper socks, insoles, and toe guards to avoid any discomfort. 

Safety shoes in risky conditions at the workplace are the best footwear you can ever wear. As a result, choosing to wear steel toe boots at work will help you feel protected and focus more on your job. They come with plenty of benefits, so wearing them every day will keep you safe.

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