Are You Wearing The Wrong Boots On Site?

Posted 7 Aug '23

You may already know exactly what your “requirements” are for site-approved work boots, but there’s actually a lot more to having the right work boots that go well beyond their safety specs. The type of work boot you wear day in and day out - especially for many who work long hours on hard or uneven terrain - can significantly impact your comfort, end of day foot and leg fatigue, your injury risk, and your overall well-being. 

Here’s what you should know about choosing your work boots - along with some key signs that it may be time to make the switch to a better suited pair.

1. Your Foot Biomechanics Matter

Your foot biomechanics, which includes both your foot and leg posture and alignment, as well as how all your muscles, joints, bones and ligaments all work together while you’re walking, plays a large part in your daily comfort on your feet - and explains why some people can find certain work boots exceptionally comfortable, while others suffer in silence. 

Certain biomechanical factors such as having flat feet or high arches, having prominent bones or joints which means increased pressure to that area, or even having bunions, hammertoes or stiff or less mobile joints (whether it’s from arthritis, a previous injury or something else) can all greatly affect the comfort and suitability of your work boots. 

Our podiatry tip here is that it doesn’t matter whether your work boots have the highest safety rating, hundreds of five-star reviews, or they’re  worn by a lot of people at your workplace. If you’re getting foot or legs aches or pains at the end of your workday, even just general leg fatigue that leaves you needing to put your feet up for a couple of hours every night, it’s a sign that something is going wrong and that some adjustments should be made to better support your foot health and comfort - especially before it turns into an injury or a condition that sees you requiring time off work. The answer could be as simple as having some work boot-specific orthotics to optimise your foot biomechanics and your comfort - which can quickly leave you feeling like you’re wearing a whole new (and much more comfortable) pair of boots.

2. The Weight Of Your Boots Matter

Here’s a prime comfort factor that is often disregarded: the weight of your work boots. We’ve seen work boots range from a comfortable, standard weight - to ones that seem to equate weight with quality or protection, perhaps hoping that workers will select what feels like the “heavier and sturdier” choice. While some people can wear heavier boots with ease - likely because they don’t have any underlying foot or leg problems and have adequate strength to see them through their days without discomfort, there are many others that struggle with heavier boots.

When you select heavier boots, you ask your feet and legs to manage additional stress and strain with every step you take - hour after hour, day after day, and regardless of any other circumstances like when you’re climbing up and down stairs or ladders all day. So it’s not surprising that after a while, it can get too much, and end-of-day leg fatigue becomes commonplace in your life.

The truth is that your boots don’t have to be overly heavy to meet all of their safety requirements like having a safety cap, electrical and thermal protection, and meeting the AS2210 compliance guidelines for safety boots. There are plenty of options to explore, and our podiatrists are always here to help. We can even make custom boot modifications to help you feel your best and get the perfect boot fit.

3. Check Your Fit

Yeah, it’s an obvious one - but it’s also one of the key factors that can make a massive difference. When your work boots are organised by your workplace, it’s not uncommon to receive your boots simply by your head office asking what size you are, and then ordering you a pair of their ‘approved’ boot range for your size. Unfortunately, a lot of safety boots don’t work that way, with the sizing varying greatly between brands and the best size for you changing based on the features of the shoe (like the size and height of their toe box and the depth of their heel cup). Don’t forget that your feet can change too - we can gain or lose weight, our feet may be more prone to swelling over the years (especially in the hot summer months), we may need to account for the use of custom foot orthotics inside our boots - simply put, there are plenty of factors that means your “standard” size isn’t actually the right one. Here are a few things to look for:

• Toe Box: the toe box is the space available at the front of the shoe for your toes. You want to make sure the toe box provides enough room for your toes to move freely, as tight or cramped toe boxes can lead to painful conditions like ingrown toenails or bunions. Similarly, if you already have toe deformities like hammertoes or claw toes, the top of your toes should not be hitting or rubbing against the toes when you walk.
  
• Width: next up, remember that feet don’t have a standard ‘width’ - but shoes do. And it’s okay if the width of the shoe doesn’t quite match your needs. Your feet may be narrower or larger, and you may need to try a few alternative pairs on to get the right fit for your width. Men’s work boots also tend to be wider than women’s - so it’s not uncommon for both men and women to try on each other’s styles to check against their comfort. Never stay in a boot that’s rubbing against the inside or outside your foot, or that feels far too loose so that your foot slips and slides in it.
  
• Heel fit: similarly, just because work boots tend to come with standard heel shape and sizing, doesn’t mean it’s going to be right for your feet. The heel of the boot should fit snuggly without slipping up and down or side to side. Walk around in the boots to assess if your heel stays securely in place - a proper fit in the heel area ensures stability and prevents blisters and discomfort.
  
• Flexibility: make sure your boots aren’t overly flexible and bendy - as this can compromise their function and the support that they’re able to offer your feet. Your boots should sit tall and straight when placed on the floor (not bending to one side), the heel counter at the very back of the heel should not fold in when being pushed on, and you should not be able to bend your boot in half. The sole should maintain a good level of stiffness and support, particularly through the very middle of the boot below your arch. It’s normal for there to be a bit more flexibility beneath the ball of the foot - just like how our feet naturally bend and flex in this area.
  
• Length: as a reminder, there should be about a thumb’s width from the tip of your longest toe to the front of the boot.

4. Got The Right Socks?

Socks are also worth a mention here, particularly with materials like cotton giving you a higher likelihood of sweaty, slippery feet - that puts you at a higher risk of foot odour and infections like Athlete’s foot and fungal nails. We recommend:

• Synthetic fabrics: polyester, nylon, and acrylic are commonly used in work boot socks as they are moisture-wicking and quick-drying, making them ideal for keeping your feet dry during long work shifts. They are also durable and resistant to wear and tear. Look for socks with reinforced heel and toe areas for added durability.
  
• Merino wool: a popular choice for work boot socks due to its excellent moisture-wicking properties and natural insulation. It effectively pulls moisture away from the skin, keeping your feet dry and comfortable. Merino wool socks also have inherent temperature-regulating properties, while being known for their softness and cushioning, providing extra comfort and reducing friction.
  
• Coolmax and Dri-FIT: these moisture-wicking fabrics are specifically designed to keep your feet dry. These high-performance synthetic materials are commonly used in athletic and work socks. They have excellent moisture management capabilities, pulling sweat away from the skin and promoting evaporation, which helps prevent blisters and keeps your feet comfortable throughout the day.
  
• Bamboo fibre: these offer moisture-wicking properties similar to synthetic materials while providing a soft and smooth feel. Bamboo is also naturally antimicrobial, which helps control odour and keeps your feet fresh.
  

5. Wear And Tear

Finally, the right boots can quickly become the wrong boots if they’ve been exposed to significant wear and tear from use over time, and haven’t been replaced soon enough. Keep an eye on:

• Worn down tread: boots with a worn down tread is a definite sign that it’s time for a new pair, as they lose some of their slip resistance. Additionally, the tread tends to last longer than your boots’ ability to offer good cushioning, support and shock absorbency for your feet, so if the tread is worn down, it’s likely other areas of your work boots are failing too. 
  
• An uneven tread: an uneven tread can alter the biomechanics of your feet and increase your risk of injury and instability. If your tread is significantly worn down on one side, this is also a sign that it’s time for a new pair - and a check with your podiatrist who can help you put the right measures in place so that you don’t wear through one side of your boots so quickly again in the future.
  
• Flexibility: like we mentioned earlier, too much flexibility can indicate that your boots are no longer supporting your feet and ankles as well, which makes your feet work much harder and contributes to aches and fatigue.
  
• Boot damage: finally, don’t ignore the obvious. Materials that are coming apart, holes in the boots, cracks in the soles or worn down uppers - these are all signs that you’ve had a good, long run with your boots, and it’s time to replace them for the sake of your foot health.

Unsure About Your Work Boots?

Bring them along to your next appointment if you’re experiencing any foot or leg pain, end-of-day fatigue, or other foot problems. We’ll be happy to examine them and their performance and support when you’re wearing them, and can provide you with options for modifications or the addition of foot orthotics to optimise their function and comfort if needed.

Book your appointment with our podiatry team online here or call us on (07) 3356 3579.