Safety Toe Boots and Work Shoes

When people hear of safety toe boots and safety toe work shoes, the first thing that comes to mind is steel toe boots. Technological innovations in recent years have made steel toe boots just one of the many different kinds of protective footwear available on the market today. Safety toe boots and work shoes can be explained as a durable boot or shoe with a reinforced toe area that offers protection against the impact of falling objects and compression. Safety toe boots and shoes now come in many different styles including casual looking sneakers and clogs as well as formal looking dress shoes.

Safety toe boots and shoes are an important tool in the construction industry as well as many other industrial settings. In the United States, safety toe boots and work shoes must meet or exceed the minimum requirements set forth by the American Society for Testing and Materials (ASTM) Standard Test Methods for Foot Protection (F2413-05). This standard consists of the minimum requirement designs for the performance, testing and classification of protective footwear. Key features for all safety toe boots and works shoes including steel toe boots must meet the impact resistance and compression resistance requirements for the toe area of the footwear. Additional safety requirements for protective footwear can be met only after the impact and compression requirements have been met.

Impact resistance is rated as I/75 or I/50. This coding identifies the impact rating and compression rating of the protective footwear. There are two units of measurement available for impact rating; 50 or 75 foot pounds. An impact rating of I/75 should be able to withstand 75 pounds dropped from a predetermined height at a designated speed. Compression resistance is rated as C/75 or C/50 and identifies the compression rating of the protective footwear. The two unites of measurement are 50 for 1,7500 pounds and 75 = 2,5000 pounds. A compression rating of C/75 is able to withstand up to 2,5000 pounds before the protective toe cap begins to crush or crack.

Because of new technological advances, there are many different types of safety toe boots and work shoes that are made using different safety toe components that are more suitable for specific work places and conditions. Some people have certain preferences for a toe cap while other toe caps may not be permitted in the work place. Safety toe boots and shoes can have the following type of protective toe cap features: steel toe, composite toe, aluminum toe and carbon composite toe.

• Steel Toe: Steel toes are made of protective steel and tend to be a little heavier compared to boots with other types of safety toe protection.
• Composite Toe: A non-metallic, non-magnetic safety toe designed specifically for work places where steel is not permitted or appropriate. It is lighter in weight than steel toes and does not get as hot in warmer temperatures or as cold in cooler temperatures.
• Aluminum Toe: Weighs considerably less when compared to standard steel toes.
• Carbon Composite Toe: Lightweight carbon fiber construction keeps weight at a minimum while still maintaining protective strength that meets ASTM Standards.

Protective footwear has changed as there has been an increase of technological advances in the footwear industry. But one thing remains constant, protective footwear such as safety toe boots and work shoes are still in high demand. Whether a steel toe boot, a composite toe boot or any other wide work boots, your choice will depend on your work place.

What Are Work Boots?

What are work boots and how are they different from other types of boots?  Work boots are specifically designed for the work place and have built-in features that provide protection and comfort for the wearer.  Work boots are job specific and each job and profession will often require a different type of work boot.  For many workers in the construction and manufacturing industry, a good pair of work boots is one of the essential tools of the trade.  

There are various styles of work boots however there are a few key characteristics that all work boots share.  

• They have a durable upper that is constructed of leather, combined with durable outsoles that provide excellent traction in the work place.
• Most boots are also designed with a hi-top construction that features six-eyelet and eight-eyelet lacing.  The hi-top construction provides added ankle support as well as ankle protection. 
• Boot features also include different lining materials made of leather, mesh or a combination of the two for moisture wicking
• For wetter work environments, Gore-Tex lining may be used for waterproof comfort and protection
• Cold temperature boots have insulation to keep feet warm

Work boots also include many protective features that are designed for specific job types. 

• Protective toe features include steel toe and composite toe offer toe protection against impact and compression
• Waterproof and water resistant work boots keep feet dry when working in outdoor environments that are wet. 
• Electrical hazard boots are designed with non-conductive electric shock resistant soles while static dissipative work boots conduct static electricity buildup outside of the body.
• Slip resistant boots are designed with outsoles that have higher traction ratings in wet and oil surfaces
• Insulated boot keep feet warm in cold temperatures

Check out this video with great tips on breaking in work boots:

There are work boots for all different types of work environments and finding one shouldn’t be a difficult task thanks to so many companies that sell work boots.

Find Work Shoes for Men

What is the best source to find men's work shoes? There are plenty of great stores and sites out there, but few specialize specifically in orthopedic care. It really depends on preference for everyone. Some choose to try on their work shoes at an actual shoe store, while others prefer to shop online from the comfort of their own home. Regardless of what you prefer, the most important thing is to make sure you purchase the right type of footwear for your occupation and comfort level.

Diabetic Work Boots for Men

Workers in the construction field understand the importance of having the right shoe for the job.  This field of work usually requires a durable boot that has protective reinforcement in the toe, sometimes covered with a steel plate, which protects the foot from falling objects or compression.  The footwear also generally requires a mid-sole plate to protect against punctures from nails or other sharp objects from the ground. When you couple those necessities with an individual that is suffering from diabetes or arthritic-like symptoms in lower extremities, it can make for a complicated process to stay protected on the job.

Safety footwear has since evolved into sneakers and even clog shoes, but work boots are generally the preferred model of choice. They generally aren't comfortable compared to walking shoes, but there are quite a few models designed for all day comfort and made available in multiple widths. Keep up with this website for updates to learn more about these shoes and the best source to find them.