Have you ever suffered the discomfort of working in the wrong shoes? Spending hours working with the wrong set of footwear can sometimes be more painful and terrifying than working without any footwear.
If you were to fall into the misfortune of getting heavy boots when you need light ones, using the leather shoes when working in wet areas, or simply making mistakes when purchasing a work boot, you would best understand how important it is to know what boot is perfect for what kind of job.
Apart from comfort, the need for safety when working becomes increasingly paramount, and workers need to get their feet kit up with safety boots that can protect them while they work.
This article will be giving you an exposition into the best, safest work shoes that can assure you high performance; this way you would not go wrong the next time you shop.
Best Roofing Boots
There are many jobs that pose a lot of risks and require safety shoes, and the roofing job is very high on that list.
When working as a roofer, you are at risk of coming in contact with pebbles and stones, nails and other sharp objects, wet or slippery roofs, and of course, a great fall.
If the thought of facing any of these risks while you are high up in the air sends chills down your spine, then you cannot afford to not have safety work shoes; especially those particularly suited to roofing jobs.
Now that we’re on the same page (hopefully), let’s look at a list of things to consider when choosing the best roofing boots:
- Weatherproof: Weatherproof shoes can stand water, oil, snow, as well as all sorts of weather conditions including the sun. One advantage of weatherproof shoes is the fact that they protect your foot from whatever weather conditions you are working through.
- Flexibility: Flexible Shoes will keep your feet safe when you have to bend at awkward angles as you work. Your shoes should be flexible enough to follow whatever angle your legs take without causing you discomfort or pain.
- Electric Shock Proof: The best roofing shoes should be rubber, as rubber does not conduct electricity and it keeps you safe from electric shock.
- Snug Fitting: Your roofing shoes must fit snugly so that they grip your fit properly. Go for lace roofing shoes and never use slip-on shoes because they don’t provide the grip and traction you need.
Best Shoes for Walking on Concrete
Due to the hard nature of concrete, you would need shoes that will provide cushion and support for your feet.
When you are standing, walking and working on concrete floors for long periods of time, your feet are about to suffer from the hardness of such floor and it can lead to blisters, aches, and injuries as well. Extensive foot pain can also lead to hack aches and hip pains in worsened cases
To prevent the discomfort and pain that can be caused by walking on concrete floors, you should get shoes that are made exclusively to fit this kind of floor and provide relief from foot pains.
When you go shopping for shoes, look out for shoes that provide stability and support, contain a sort of cushion for the feet. You also need to make sure the shoe is not heavy and hard because it would increase the stress and strain when walking
Here are a few things to look out for when buying the best shoes for walking on concrete:
- Insoles: buy shoes with good insoles that will give you support and cushion your feet while you walk and stand for lengths of time.
- Cushioning: your feet will definitely need cushioning if you are going to be walking or standing on concrete floors, you need a shoe with a good midsole that can give cushion to your feet when standing or walking.
- Arch support: you would need a shoe with proper arch support to prevent over-pronation or under pronation while you stand or walk.
Best Landscaping Boots
Landscape construction workers have it as their duty to beautify our surroundings and bring out the natural beauty of our environment; to achieve this important goal, landscapers have to work under different elements and weather conditions.
Landscape contractors often work in water, dirt, and even mud; they are prone to working in any weather condition nature provides them with, hence the need for work boots suited for their work environment.
The best landscaping boots should be rugged and specifically built for the nature of the landscaper’s job.
Here are some features that must be present in a pair of landscaping boots:
- Waterproofing: you will have to work in water, mud, sometimes even grease, so your boots must be waterproof, and not just any kind of waterproofing; your work boots should have the best available waterproof feature that can seal out water, and keep your feet stay completely dry.
- Weatherproof: as a landscaper, you also need shoes that can handle the sun, snow, and every other weather condition while remaining strong.
- Stability: the sole, body and lacing on your boots must provide stability while you work so you don’t trip on anything, not even the shoes
- Comfort: landscaping boots must provide comfort, be easy to carry around while durable enough to last and protect your feet
- Protective Safety Toe: landscaping jobs such as using lawnmowers, tractors, clippers and other construction materials that put you at risk of injuring your toes. To avoid injuries, make sure you wear shoes that can protect your toe.
Best Climbing Boots for Linemen
A lineman cannot work without appropriate safety boots because the very nature of his job puts him at risk of a lot of things. From high voltage lines, water, shocks, and above all the risk of falling, a lineman’s boots must be sturdy and equipped enough to keep safe from all possible risks.
Linemen have to climb really high telephone poles, power lines, and communication towers, so the shoes and as well as all the equipment used in the course of a lineman’s job must be strong and dependable.
Sturdy boots are a necessity, as well as strong boot heels, good locks, and grips. The very make and setting of the boot is one that can remain strong when a person is climbing utility poles and the likes
Here are a few features that a lineman’s boots must have:
- Outsole Protection: linemen boots should be made with rugged leather that can protect the feet from heavy objects and accidents. The boots should also have extra protective leather in important areas such as the toes, heels, and sides of the shoes.
- Shank Protection: most linemen spend long hours climbing utility poles, metal pegs, stirrups, and other hard and uncomfortable surfaces; standing on these surfaces for long can cause huge pain. Linemen boots should be equipped with string shank plates under the arch of their work boots to prevent pain and provide support and comfort.
Conclusion
The best thing you can do for yourself is to get shoes that offer the best protection specific to the jobs you will be using them for. Like round pegs in a square hole, the classiest and most expensive shoes will be useless if they are not compatible with the jobs you intend to use them for.
With this in mind, get shopping for safety shoes today and stay safe while you work.