When carrying out construction, renovation or cleaning work, proper work footwear is essential. It must be properly selected for the prevailing conditions, as well as the specifics of the activities carried out. A wide range of products will prove helpful in this, which is formed by shoes that are differentiated in terms of the way they are made and the most important technical parameters. Which of them is worth buying?
Types of footwear for work - division by the method of manufacture
It is on the material used and the design of the shoes that the scope of their use largely depends. Manufacturers pay attention, first of all, to the load that the employee has to deal with, as well as to the external factors that occur, such as moisture or intense dirt. On this basis, the most commonly used work shoes should be listed.
- Occupational safety and health protective shoes - used wherever it is necessary to meet strict safety requirements, mainly in the case of dangerous work and work performed in difficult conditions. Importantly, this type of safety shoes come in many varieties, including waterproof or additionally reinforced.
- Work boots - their design provides effective protection against various types of mechanical injury, which can occur when moving over uneven terrain or as a result of being hit by a heavy object.
- Tactical boots - prepared specifically for uniformed services, mainly for the police and military. In their case, the key is the great comfort of wearing for a long time, as well as a reinforced construction, providing protection against mechanical damage and external influences.
- Insulated work boots - as the name suggests, used at low temperatures. They guarantee additional warming of the feet thanks to the reinforced upper (moisture-resistant) and soft lining.
A separate category is also formed by rubber shoes that protect against moisture, electrostatic voltage and dangerous substances, as well as trekking shoes. Thanks to the strong sole, they allow you to move on difficult ground.
Which work boots to choose - the most important parameters.
Regardless of the specific type of footwear, attention must be paid to its technical parameters. These, in turn, depend primarily on the materials used - both those for the preparation of the upper, as well as the sole and the interior of the shoe.
Particularly important seems to be the strength of the footwear, that is, what load it can withstand. Models made of thin materials are quite quickly damaged to a greater or lesser extent, so after a certain period of time their properties significantly decrease.
If you are working in wet conditions, you should use shoes that show adequate resistance to the influence of moisture. Importantly, however, this is influenced by two different parameters that are often confused with each other. These are:
- waterproofness - this means protection against the action of a stream of water, for example, in the form of rain,
- waterproofness - this means that the product in question does not allow water to pass through. So moisture will not get through the upper.
For both water resistance and waterproofness, manufacturers use different notations and classifications. The rule is one - the higher the parameter, the better the protection. What else is worth paying attention to? On the maximum and minimum temperature at which the footwear is able to "work". For shoes that protect against the influence of dangerous substances, you need to check the exact type.
What shoes for walking work to bet on?
When doing a job that requires walking a considerable distance every day, comfortable work shoes will be at a premium. Thanks to them, the load on the feet will decrease somewhat, and they will tire less. Ill-fitting shoes lead to painful corns, blisters, and even to swelling of the feet and severe back pain, so do not underestimate the issue.
A profiled sole that guarantees proper foot support and good cushioning will prove to be extremely important. For this reason, it must be slightly thicker and more flexible than standard shoes.
However, this is not all. Proper ventilation and an effective moisture-wicking system should also be mentioned. Materials in direct contact with the skin, on the other hand, should be gentle and not cause irritation.
What shoes to choose for standing work?
It is not only the need to cover long distances that has a negative effect on the condition of the feet and spine. Also, staying in one position for a long time can be unfavorable. In such a situation, it is best to wear very lightweight shoes, distinguished by their foam construction and well-ventilated upper. It is worth ensuring that they are relatively low - this way they will not overburden the feet, and also protect them from overheating.
What shoes to choose for work? Regardless of the profession, it must be comfortable shoes that guarantee proper support and cushioning. The parameters described above, on the other hand, should be selected according to the prevailing conditions and type of activity. Paying attention to such issues will allow you to make the right choice, thanks to which even many hours of work will prove less tiring.
