Working as an electrician, construction worker, roofer, engineer, truck driver, and the likes comes with great risk. If you are working in one of these sectors, you know you’re always required to wear personal protective equipment to protect yourself and the people you work with.
You cannot neglect your feet when working in a hazardous workplace because they are prone to danger. Thus, it is necessary to invest in high-quality shoes. Some ignore this because they want to save, but investing in safety shoes, such as blue steel work boots will actually help you save money in the long run.
Features to consider when buying work boots
If you want to guarantee your comfort and safety, it is important to know the features of high-quality and durable work boots. You must also know how to differentiate the high-quality materials from the low-quality ones.
Leather
Choose the best type of leather that does promote not only safety but also sustainability. You can check if the leather is sourced from the Leather Working Group (LWG), an organization that ensures environmental compliance and leather quality from manufacturers because they aim to produce leather that provides only the best performance with minimal environmental impact.
You can either choose from full-grain or nubuck, two types of leather ranges depending on the purpose. The first is used for general purposes, and it is either waxed or oiled, while the latter is sanded to produce a velvet finish. These two are both available in blue steel work boots.
Toe Protection
Your work boots should also be ergonomic. When you have to work in hazardous workplaces for hours, keeping your feet relaxed and comfortable throughout the day is important.
It will help if you are looking for work boots with toe caps approved by the American Safety Footwear Certification ASTM F2413.
You can also find the style with the Bump Cap feature that offers longevity on your leather boots. But if you want something more lightweight, the Scuff Cap is more suitable. It is also ideal when resting objects on the toe area or kneeling – everyone knows the struggle of wrinkling your shoes when kneeling.
Electrical Protection
Always look for work boots with anti-static or electrical hazard protection. Whether you are an electrician or not, you’ll still most probably encounter electrical hazards in the worksite.
our work boots must have an anti-static feature to dissipate the electricity that might build up in your body to ensure that you are protected from other hazards like flammable gases.
Fastenings
Depending on the purpose and work type, you can either choose to wear a pull-on or lace-up boots.
Pull-on work boots have no laces, and they can easily be worn or removed. They also have elastic sides, and they are perfect for the agricultural sector. Pull-on work boots are generally recommended for less intensive and less dangerous jobs.
On the other hand, wearing lace-up boots would give you a traditional and classic look in the workplace. They can provide a better grip on your feet. They are also very comfortable and versatile.
Wearing the proper attire in the workplace, especially when in dangerous ones, is crucial. Never sacrifice your safety for money. It is always important to invest in high-quality equipment. And your feet deserve the same care that you would give your head, hands, and other body parts.
Always look for the best features when choosing the right work boots for you. Good quality work boots generally offer high-quality leather, toe and electrical protection, and versatile fastenings.
