Buying the perfect safety boots for you is far more than just a question of finding a comfortable pair. The kind of boots you opt for have to be suited to the kind of work you do to properly guard you against injury. Your first thought should be to decide upon what type of protection you require in your particular workplace.
The most common boot types are plain toe and safety toes with reinforced toe protection, waterproof boots, insulated boots for those working in cold conditions, and slip and oil resistant boots.
Before you make a purchase, think about the sole that will offer you the best protection in your particular work place. Boots with a very deep tread or outsole will give you improved grip outdoors. However, deep tread soles will also collect mud and dirt more quickly so will need to be cleaned more frequently. If you work on a hard surface like concrete, a thinner, more flexible sole is best, giving you more comfort and more grip on hard indoor surfaces.
Next take a look at the boot materials that will be best suited to your workplace. Different materials will give you different levels of durability, flexibility, waterproofing and breathability. When it comes to durability, full grain leather is one of the hardest wearing materials out there.. This material has another benefit in that it is water resistant, albeit not completely waterproof.
If you are looking for a light weight boot, look for leather and nylon mesh combo boots which have less weight than full grain leather, give increased flexibility and allow feet to breathe more easily.
If you are working in wet conditions and want fully waterproof safety boots then you can choose from a few main types. Leather boots treated with silicone are 100 percent waterproof. The only drawback here is that the silicone clogs the pores of the leather. This prevents water from getting in, but it locks in moisture too. So wearing boots like these for lengthy periods can mean sweaty feet. Another option is safety boots fitted with a Gore Tex lining. These 100 per cent waterproof liners will keep your feet completely dry, and they allow moisture to get out too.
Finally, think about the boot construction. Molded safety boots are very longlasting. If you want a less costly option, you can opt for cement construction boots. This is a method whereby the outsole of the boot is glued to the boot upper rather than being stitched or molded. It is a cheaper construction process, meaning more affordable boots, but this type of boot tends to offer less durability. Stitch down is the oldest form of safety boot construction. Stitch down means that the outsole is stitched to the upper, resulting in a highly durable boot. While this type of boot does tend to be more expensive, they are the only safety boot type that can be resoled over and over again.
Author Resource:-
This guide to safety footwear was brought to you by blogger and health and safety worker Mathew Swash. He recommends RS Components for affordable safety footwear.
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