Women working in the trades need to wear boots with high-quality and protective strength in order to stand on their feet all day and avoid trauma caused by falling objects. But women face the reality that their choices are limited due to the footwear industry being slow to adapt to the fact women also work in the trades. Visit Stride Wise, for more comfortable boots. That doesn’t mean women should resort to buying men’s boots and dealing with the issues of fit, however. What it does mean is women should look for work boots made for women. Here’s how to find high-quality women’s work boots.
Don’t Buy Men’s Boots and Make Do
Men’s boots are built on boot lasts that are designed to fit the male foot. They’re wider, the shoe sizes don’t correspond exactly, and they won’t lace up tightly around a woman’s ankle. Ultimately, men’s boots won’t fit women correctly and won’t offer proper protection or support. The best course of action is to look for women’s boots and keep seeking until a suitable pair is found.
Look at the Materials Used in Construction
The best boots feature uppers made out of leather — but not just any leather. Look for oil tan, water-resistant or waterproofing, and/or full-grain in the description for the uppers. Lacing hooks should be made from steel, not aluminum, for long-lasting durability. The same goes for rivets and eyelets. All metals should be plated for rust resistance. Steel or safety toes should use steel toe caps or composite materials that have the same durability as steel. Shanks used in the arch of the sole also should be made from steel or a composite material. And last, but not least, the sole should feature a heavy tread made from nonconductive materials.
Boots made with lesser materials won’t hold up as well and their lack of quality is known quickly when vital parts start to fail. Also, avoid boots made from fabric as they simply won’t last.
Get the Right Boot for the Job
Many hands-on industries and occupations require a good work boot to get through the day with feet intact and comfortable. Women work in construction, trades, factories, and on ranches where a good work boot is vital to the well-being of their feet. Kilties work fine on a construction site, but the venerable roper boot won’t do the wearer much good in the same venue.
A job that requires a lot of walking and climbing calls for a boot that laces firmly to the foot and provides ankle support. Work that calls for a lot of sitting in a saddle requires a boot that fits the foot but protects the leg from brush and comes off easily if there’s a fall off the horse. The higher the quality of the boot, the better the protection for the foot.
Finding high-quality work boots isn’t easy, and it can take research to find the best boot for the job. These tips will help you determine if you should consider a boot before buying and what you can expect from the materials used in their construction.