Getting the perfect fit is critical in any job where work boots are required. The consequences of wearing an ill-fitting work boot daily can be disastrous to your health: back pain, foot pain, ankle pain, knee pain, and more! Instead of putting your health and safety at risk by wearing an ill-fitting work boot, ensure your shoes are correctly fitted.
It is essential that your work boots be snug enough to hold your foot but loose enough to allow your foot to move freely and function naturally. They must not be too loose or too tight.
It is not difficult to figure out. If you already have a pair of shoes, you can quickly learn how your shoes or boots should feel on your feet. Actually, when you buy your first pair of well-made shoes in the ideal dimension, whether it is a pair of running shoes, formal shoes, or industrial boots, your brain gives you an accepting signal.
Work boots are designed to be tough and long-lasting. While they are excellent at protecting your feet, they are also most likely the cause of your feet killing you at the end of your shift.
Unless you invest in custom work boots, the boots you buy will lack the arch support your feet require. That is why your feet are in pain. Work shoe insoles, proper boot fit from quality boots, and wearing the appropriate socks will make a significant difference.
Here is how to find your ideal match and how should work boots fit.
Begin with the right socks
Instead of moisture-absorbing cotton socks, Socks are designed to reduce bulk, improve circulation, and allow your foot to breathe.
Your heel should be supported without chafing
As soon as you place your heel inside a pair of boots, you should feel it cupped as if it were cushioned. There should be a tight fit on the heel, but it should not chafe. Also, wearing regular or thick socks in the winter, your heel should fit into the boot.
There should be no lift when walking; your heel should move. If you are wearing wedge boots, the heel block or heel of the wedge must be stable beneath your heel. Walking should feel like you are absorbing the heel strike rather than hitting it.
Make sure you try both boots on at the same time
The laces of your boots should be loosened if your feet are hindered from stepping easily (for example, if the laces are tied together). You should then be able to walk at a relaxed pace by moving your legs naturally.
You should have the right amount of Arch Support
The arch is another crucial aspect of industrial boot fitting. Some people require extra heel cushioning than others, however, every wearer requires some. The arch is the foot’s spring. When you wear heavier footwear as opposed to sandals or barefoot shoes, the added material provides arch support, allowing the boot to move with the foot and not conflict with movement.
When you walk:
- There shouldn’t be any protrusion of your heel or contact between it and the boot’s back.
- There should be no pressure being applied to the sides of your feet that could cause them to hurt.
- There should be no sloping of your toes or meeting of them with the end of the boot.
- A space of about an inch should always be available between your toes and front side.
- Once you have found a good pair of work boots, lace them up in a Heel Lock pattern to keep your feet secure and prevent blisters.
This unique boot-lacing pattern relieves pressure on the front of your foot while keeping your heel safe and your ankle supported. It can also be used to prevent similar problems from occurring on running shoes and hiking boots.
Check it also: Best Waterproof Work Boots For Mud And Muck In 2022
The Toe Box Should Provide Enough Space for The Forefoot
When it comes to fitment, the toe area, along with the arch, is a commonly neglected aspect. You will develop bunions and stubbed toes if your shoes are too tight. Too loose, you will get hot spots, and moving downward will be much more difficult. They will be created as a boot with a narrow back but a roomy toe box, allowing the front foot to function as it should and the foot to move naturally if no shoes are worn.
You should have some space on both ends of your feet. Not enough to make your feet swim, but sufficient to spread your toes. During walking, your front foot extends and stretches before contracting as your foot pushes off. The toe box must provide enough space for this to occur. If you have wide feet, you should wear boots as well.
Laces vs. Slip-on Steel Toe Boots for Boot Fitting
In most boots, there is a lace-up design that allows you to customize the fitting to your comfort; this is ideal for both people with big feet and those with slender feet. If you have tiny feet, ensure the boots don’t get too big when laced up. The shoes should not allow your feet to shift inside, as this will cause hot spots.
Boots with laces ensure that the shoes are not too snug on the edges and upper part of your boots if you have high-volume feet. If you are going up a medium, ensure the flex point on your foot matches the flex point on the boot, which is situated at the broadest portion of the boot and foot.
Wear the steel toe boots for an extended period of time
Wear your steel toes for 10-15 minutes every day for a few weeks when you first get them. This allows the boots to break in faster and your feet to feel more at ease inside the steel toe boots.
Put them on with some thick socks. This increases the space within your boots and makes them more comfortable for your feet. Each time you wear the boots, try to bend the soles back and forth a few times. This will help the boots break in and loosen up faster.
Boot Stretching Spray
With the same effect as rubbing alcohol on leather boots, stretching sprays also have the same effect on leather boots. It loosens and widens them. We recommend that you spray this product over the entire boot or the area that you want to expand so that the product can penetrate deeply into the boot. Then, wear your work boots to work to allow the spray to size your shoes to your feet.
Lace-up boots keep your feet firmly in place within the shoes
Lace-up boots keep your feet firmly in place within the shoes. The laces can be adjusted to fit the heels to your foot shape and size. Laced shoes provide superior ankle support, which distinguishes them from most boots. If you have low volume or flat feet, slip-on boots might not be the most comfortable option for you, because their construction causes your feet to slide around in the boot, moving free of the leather and causing sores as a result.
You may experience heel pain if you wear steel-toe shoes that don’t have laces that conform to your feet’s shape. Depending on your needs, you can select from different laced steel toes on the market or have one made specifically for you.
Boots with a secure heel and support
It is important to keep your heel from moving more than a quarter-inch at a time, or you may get blisters on your skin. Additionally, if you are walking steeply while wearing the boot, you will want the boot to fit snugly around your foot and not slide into the steel toes. As far as the arch support of the boot is concerned, it should be located just where the instep of your foot is. Finally, ensure that the boot’s flex point corresponds to the natural flex point of your foot.
There is a possibility that you may suffer from heel slippage, blisters, or stubbed toes if your work boots do not fit correctly.
Even though you may be seeking zero heel slippage, you should realize that the leather will adjust to the shape of your foot, thus reducing slight slippage.
Choosing the right Fit for Your Foot Type
The foot shape is divided into three basic types, but each foot shape has unique requirements when it comes to proper footwear fitting and comfort.
The three kinds are as follows:
- Pronation (flat foot)
- Neutral
- Supination (high arch)
Congratulations to the fortunate few who have feet with a neutral shape! As a rule, most boots and shoes should fit your foot perfectly and provide you with the best support. You may have flat feet, also known as pronation if you experience more wear on the inside edges of your shoes and boots. Flat feet are higher in elasticity and less supportive, so footwear with a higher level of support is a good choice for a heavyweight.
Do your shoes have more abrasion on the outside edges? High arches, or supination, are most likely the cause of your problem. Shoes and boots with extra cushioning may be more comfortable and reduce your risk of injury if you have high arches due to their tendency to make the foot less flexible and shock-absorbing. Have you ever wondered what your foot type is? Let’s find out. It’s easy and quick.
The watermark test consists of three steps:
- Put both feet in the water.
- Take out a shopping bag or a piece of brown paper and place your foot on it.
- Review the table below and compare your footprints.
Common Boot Fit Issues
Problems with fit can result in your boots being unbearable, ineffective and work boots hurting ankles. If your shoes are giving you trouble in the feet, knees, hips, or back, the fit should be reconsidered. The following are a few of the very commonly occurring fitting concerns:
- You have too short boots.
- You are wearing boots that are too broad, and you do not wear proper socks.
- Proper fit is critical when purchasing workplace footwear, particularly steel-toed boots and shoes.
It is important that your boots secure tightly but allow your toes to move freely inside the toe box without brushing against anything or feeling restricted.
The majority of people make the blunder of switching to a broader shoe rather than a longer shoe with more room for their toes – resist this temptation! If you’re having trouble determining your fit issues, you can have footwear measured. You might even discover that your feet are not the same size.
It’s common for new safety boots to be stiff, in part due to the thickness of the leather, and will require some breaking within the first few weeks of use. There are many ways in which leather can be softened, including using mink oil and other leather softeners.
Stretching steel toe boots with Mink lubricant or leather softeners:
The oil of mink is a leather conditioner for the working man. This can be useful if you have tough leathers on the job in dry, warm temperatures or on a tricky job site. It may make your leather darker, but these aren’t your weekend boots — they’re your work footwear!
Mink oil can be applied to the interior of your shoes to soothe them and help them flex, as well as the outside.
How to Apply Mink Oil?
Once you’ve rubbed the mink oil to your boots, then leave them to soak overnight. Tissue paper can be used to remove excess fat from the shoes. Allow for drying time before wearing the boots to work.
Choosing the Correct Work Boots and Shoes
Here are a few more tips to help you get your boots to fit perfectly!
- You should try on your boots in the afternoon when your feet are at their most expansive.
- Make sure that you wear the same socks as the shoes that you are going to wear with them.
- Don’t assume you know what size you should buy; try it on in various brands and sizes to find out what fits you the best.
- It would be helpful if you could try on both boots and then walk backward, forward, and (if possible) up and down a flight of stairs.
- For the best fit and support, it is recommended that you unlace your boots completely before putting them on and replacing them afterward.
- If you are going to use an insole, make sure to remove the factory insole first – do not stack them.
FAQ (Frequently Asked Questions)
How tight should your work boots be?
Work boots should fit snugly around your feet, providing a secure and comfortable fit. They should not be excessively tight to the point of causing discomfort or pain, nor should they be so loose that your feet slide around inside the boots.
Should work boots be tight or loose?
Work boots should not be excessively tight or loose. They should strike a balance between providing a secure fit to support your feet and allowing enough room for natural movement and flexibility.
How much room should work boots have?
Work boots should have enough room to allow for your toes to move comfortably. There should be a thumb’s width of space between your longest toe (usually the big toe) and the front of the boot. This ensures proper circulation and prevents discomfort or pressure on your toes.
Should you get a size bigger in work boots?
In some cases, it may be advisable to get a size bigger in work boots, especially if you have wider feet or if the specific brand or style of the boots tends to run small. However, it is always recommended to try on the boots and assess the fit rather than solely relying on sizing up.
Do boots feel tight at first?
Boots may feel slightly tight or snug when you first wear them, especially if they are made of genuine leather. This is normal as the leather stretches and molds to the shape of your feet with time. However, if the boots are extremely tight or cause significant discomfort, it may indicate an improper fit.
Is it okay to wear tight boots?
It is generally not recommended to wear tight boots as they can cause discomfort, restrict circulation, and potentially lead to foot problems. Wearing tight boots for extended periods can result in blisters, pressure points, or even foot conditions like bunions. It’s important to prioritize comfort and ensure that your boots fit properly to maintain healthy feet.
Conclusion
It is extremely important to choose the right footwear that fits you properly in order to ensure your comfort and safety at work. We strongly recommend downloading our guidebook or speaking with one of our safety experts for more information regarding how work boots should fit as well as starting or updating a company’s boot and shoe program if you would like to learn more.
Also, you should remember this article and bring it with you the next time you go boot shopping to ensure you get the right fit by going down the list. A boot out there fits you perfectly, just like Cinderella. You have to go out and find it.
