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Steel toe boots are very common in the construction industry and many other work place environments where foot and toe protection is needed. They are often seen as quite an uncomfortable style of footwear but is this assumption true, are steel toed boots comfortable?
How Comfortable are Steel Toe Boots?
Steel toe boots can be as comfortable as you make them. You need to make sure that your feet are measured correctly and you try on a variety of different work boots before buying a pair. Once you have purchased your steel toe boots it is important to break them in before you start wearing them regularly at work.
In this post I will look at how to break in your work boots and share tips on wearing steel toe safety boots to ensure you keep your feet comfortable.
Can I Wear Steel Toe Boots Everyday?
You can wear a steel toe boot everyday if you need to. It is more likely that you will need to wear safety toe boots 5 days of the week and possibly for around 10 hours for each work day.
This is very much the case for construction workers, and anyone working in an industrial environment where there is a drop hazard.
As you could be wearing steel toe boots for at least 50 hours a week it is very important to buy a comfortable pair.
A bad pair of steel toe boots can cause you a lot of problems, from heel and foot pain to blisters. They will also be uncomfortable. Finding the correct size and breaking in new steel toe boots is essential before you start wearing your boots everyday to ensure a comfortable experience for your feet.
How Long Do Steel Toe Boots Take to Break In?
The short answer is ideally a month but this is a little unrealistic when you need your boots for work. With some proper preparation you can efficiently break in steel toe work boots in about 7 days using the methods in this post.
Why Do My Feet Hurt When I Wear Steel Toe Boots?
If you are wearing steel toe boots everyday for your job and they are making your feet hurt then it is best to consider the following:
- Are your work boots the correct size and the right fit?
- Do you need arch support?
- Are your work boots rubbing causing blisters or corns?
- Do you suffer from ingrown toenails?
- How old are your steel toe boots, do you need a new pair of boots?
- Have you considered new insoles?
- What was the price of your boots, were they cheap?
You should have enough room for your feet to feel comfortable without your boots feeling too tight. More than likely if your steel toe boots are hurting your feet you need to look at the sizing and what damage they might be causing your feet.
What Should a Pair of Well-fitting Boots Feel Like?
The simple answer is that if you have found a well fitting pair of boots they will feel comfortable. The safety toe steel cap is there as protection for your toes and when you wear steel caps the caps themselves will not provide a lot of movement.
However the construction of the rest of the boot and its materials should still be a good enough quality to support your heel and footbed and provide comfort when you are doing your job.
How To Break In Steel Toe Boots
Let’s look in more detail at how to break in a new pair of toe work boots. These are my recommended steps to take before you wear safety toe boots regularly for your job.
1. Wear Your Steel Toe Boots Around The House
Wear your new pair of steel toe boots around the house for as long as possible. This will really help to break in the work boot efficiently. When you wear your boots make sure you also wear the socks you will be wearing with them and the insole you intend to use.
By wearing your steel toe cap boots around the house it will allow the boots to become more flexible around the movement of your feet (don’t forget your work socks and the correct insole). Leather boots need time to break in and become comfortable and this is especially the case for work boots with steel toe caps.
By wearing a new pair of steel toe boots around the house you will soften and stretch the leather making them more comfortable.
2. Manipulate The Leather By Hand
You can also manipulate and stretch the leather by hand to break in new steel toe boots. It is best to do this after you have worn them around the house when the leather is soft.
This is helpful if you feel that your boots still feel a little tight around your feet.
3. Stretch the Steel Toe Boots Overnight
You can also stretch your steel toe boots overnight with a boot stretcher or cedar shoe trees. Expand the boot stretcher or shoe trees so they’re larger than the size of your foot to continue stretching the shoes out while you sleep.
How to Wear Steel Work Toe Boots Properly?
The size of your feet can change slightly during the work day. To ensure your steel toe boots are comfortable you need to ensure there is enough space for your feet if they swell slightly during the day. You also want to have enough space to allow your toes to move and be comfortable in the steel toe cap area of the boot.
To wear steel toe boots properly take a look at the important point to consider below.
Secure Heel and Supportive Safety Boots
Although a little movement for your heel is OK, too much movement will cause rubbing and eventually blisters. You also want to make sure work boots are snug against the top and sides of your feet.
A well supported safety toe boot on the top and sides will make sure your toes do not slide into the steel toe cap when walking on rough terrain or when walking on a decline.
- If your heel can move more than a quarter of an inch it can cause rubbing and blisters.
- Poor support of the sides and top of each safety toe boot can cause you to stub your toes on the steel toe caps.
- A secure heel and well supported work boot will also be more slip resistant.
Boot Fitting: Laces vs Slip-on Steel Toe Boots
You may have a preference when it comes to the style of work boots you wear. So are laces or slip on work boots the best for you? Take a look at some of the main points below.
Slip On Steel Toe Boot Advantages – Easier to take on or off, can be more stylish, can be more comfortable due to being a looser boot.
Slip On Steel Work Boot Disadvantages – They don’t maintain their shape as well as lace up boots, they lose snugness overtime too, will probably have to replaces sooner than lace up boots.
Lace Up Steel Toe Work Boot Advantages – Will keep their shape longer, you can adjust the tightness of the laces easily, tend to last longer then slip on boots.
Lace Up Steel Toe Work Boot Disadvantages – Don’t always look as nice, take longer to put on and take off, can sometimes be less comfortable than slip on boots.
Boot Comfort
Overall boot comfort is the most important factor when choosing safety toe boots and footwear. The best work boots will be comfortable, providing good arch support, a comfortable footbed as well as the protection needed to undertake your job.
Most boots are made of leather but the construction of the boot should be high quality. A soft insole is beneficial with a strong rubber outsole, a quality upper and a durable slip resistant footbed. A good work boot will have all of these so you can undertake your best work with the best support and protection for your feet and toes.
Wear Steel Toe Socks
Wearing a thick pair of breathable socks is essential with all types of work boots and especially a steel toe boot. Did you know that you can actually buy socks specifically designed for steel toe boots that have extra cushioning around the toe area.
Socks made from wool are the best to buy as they are more durable, breathable and provide more of a cushion for your heel, footbed and toes compared to cotton socks.
Summary – Are Steel Toe Work Boots Comfortable
Although we want our steel toe boots to be comfortable we must also remember that they are also safety footwear that needs to provide protection. A good pair of safety boots or shoes should also have such features as:
Slip resistant on slippery surfaces such as oil or water that can be found on construction sites.
Waterproof to deal with most weather types.
Durability to to provide good protection over time.
Ultimately protect workers through a strong construction using the best materials.
A high quality steel toe boot should be an investment to provide comfort and protection for workers. Find a good pair of boots that are the right fit, all the safety features you need and try on a variety of boots regardless of price.
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