This is one of those good news and bad news type of answers.
The bad news is that yes, it is harmful to wear your work boots every day if they hurt your feet. But the good news is that you can wear your work boots every single day with no problems, as long as you have a pair of quality, well-fitting, comfortable work boots.
For instance, if you don’t buy one of the best work boots for sore feet, then they can cause extensive damage to your back, legs, and feet. When shopping for work boots that you can wear every day, keep the few key points I will discuss now in mind.
How to Find Work Boots for Every Day Use.
If you are faced with wearing work boots every day for your job, don’t despair. You aren’t being sentenced to a life of foot pain. If you know what to look for in a work boot, you can safely wear them every day and feel just fine.
High-Quality Matters
It’s tempting to save a couple of bucks and pick the less expensive work boot, but that price difference may be the saving grace for your feet. The other boots cost more because they are constructed from better materials and have more secure stitching. They also likely have a sturdier lining inside, which is essential for foot comfort.
The Right Fit is Essential
No ill-fitting shoe is ever going to do your feet any favors, especially when you are standing on them for eight hours a day. If your shoes are too tight, you’ll end up with cramped toes and blisters. If they’re too big, your feet will slide around all day and cause chafing. Make sure you try on both shoes in the store and factor in that your feet will swell as the day goes on.
Insulation is Key
Sweaty feet are no fun. Ensure that your work boots have good insulation to allow some air to get to your feet, so they don’t overheat, leaving you feeling hot all day. Shearling or Thinsulate are both excellent insulators for work boots.
Get the Correct Weight
Steel toe work boots are weighty, but be careful that yours aren’t heavier than they need to be. Opt for the lightest possible option you can without sacrificing safety. More lightweight boots will save you from various leg and back pain down the road.
Make Sure You Have the Right Style
There are different styles of work boots designed for various jobs. Make sure that you buy a pair that’s appropriate for how you’ll be using them. For example, electrical work boots wouldn’t be suitable for logging work. Each is designed to support your foot in different manners, based on you you’ll be moving in the job.
What Damage Can be Caused by Inappropriate Work Boots?
Your work boots can harm your body in many ways, depending on what is wrong with them. You may be surprised by all the ways that improper footwear can cause damage, some of it long-term.
Back Pain
Back pain from wearing work boots stems from many issues. First, work boots are famous for providing no arch support, a significant cause for lower back pain. Incorrect sizing and heels that are too high are also contributors.
Plantar Fasciitis
Plantar fasciitis is when the tissue running from your heel to your toes becomes inflamed. It’s excruciating, mainly along the heel area. This is another result of insufficient arch support from work boots because too much weight is being deposited on that area of your foot.
Chafing
When you are wearing steel-toed boots, your toes are inclined to become cramped in the toe area of your work boot. The steel toe is very heavy and intrusive on your toe space; buying your work boots even slightly too small for you can lead to even less room than average for your toes. This will lead to more rubbing than usual from other shoes.
How to Make Your Work Boots Last
Once you’ve found the perfect work boots, you want to make them last for as long as possible. With proper care, you can wear your work boots every day for a long time to come.
Be sure to clean them every day. Brush off any mud and debris that you’ve picked up on the job so they don’t sink in and destroy the leather. If your work boots aren’t waterproof, keep them dry, as well. Slight wetness is fine, but be sure to air them out after so they can fully dry. You should also invest in a leather conditioner to keep your outer boot soft and supple, so it continues to move with your foot.
Next article: often people are surprised when they buy a new pair of work boots and they take a little while to settle in. So the next article in our series will look more at why new work boots may hurt your feet.
