Personal protective equipment is the first line of defense against risky situations that can happen to people while working. Whether at work or home, injuries occur. Proper footwear protects your feet, while also supporting your back, which is very important to people doing standing jobs.
Boots are the model of footwear most commonly used as work shoes. They are high and made of firm materials, mostly leather, which protect a larger foot area. Work boots usually have anatomical soles, which is an excellent benefit for people with low back pain. Because they are intended for long-wearing, they contain breathable cushioning in the insole.
Below, find out how the wrong choice of work shoes can affect your back: https://bodyinmind.org/rocker-shoes-and-back-pain/.
Prepare Work Footwear for Wearing
Buying quality leather work boots is a good investment, as food footwear can last for several years if well maintained. You don’t even have to do this too often – once or twice a month is enough, and it only takes a few minutes. Of course, do additional cleaning whenever needed. For example, it is advisable to remove oil stains as soon as possible, as well as mud from soles.
Although many people neglect this step in shoe maintenance, it is advisable to ‘prepare’ new footwear for extended wearing. Leather boots take a while to break-in complete. If you wear them for the first time more than a couple of minutes, prepare for blister, pains, and swollen feet.
Breaking-In Waterproof Construction Boots
Generally, boot products for men made of leather take a while for the leather to soften and adjust to your feet. Some ingredients that we generally all have at home can speed up this process. Things like Vaseline or hair conditioner can help. The leather will slowly absorb these coatings and will become softer every day.
Apply them in a thick layer to a clean surface (use medical alcohol for cleaning). You can repeat the procedure after a few weeks as needed. In addition to breaking-in, regular oiling of the surface of the construction boots will prevent the leather from drying out and cracking.
Extend the Life Span of Your Footwear
After a workday, devote a few minutes to shoe cleaning. When you take the boots off, wipe them with a brush, at least occasionally. Use those made of nylon, as they are softer and won’t scratch the surface material.
When there is a need to remove dirt with a wet cloth and cleaning agents, never dry leather footwear directly on the heat source. Outer material in boots can easily over-dry. It is better to take off laces, open the shoes, and leave them in a place where the air is circulating. Do the same when the boots are wet from the inside.
Models of boots that are made as training shoes are generally waterproof. But being waterproof doesn’t mean your feet will be dry always, only that this property gives the immediate effect of water rejection on the surface. For example, if you stand in deep water for a long time, even waterproof construction boots will water-log.
There are wax-based products on the market that you should regularly apply to the outer material of construction shoes. It creates a protective layer, which lasts for some time, after which it is necessary to repeat the application of the waterproofing agent. These products are not miraculous, so do not test your footwear to the fullest. Avoid standing in the water longer whenever you can.
Keep the Footwear Clean Inside
Since you will probably spend a lot of time in leather construction boots at work, your feet are likely to sweat and smell uncomfortable, even when it comes to leather footwear. Although the leather is ‘breathes,’ after a while, the inside of the shoe starts to smell bad. If your feet sweat a lot, read here how to prevent this unpleasant occurrence.
Most bacteria whose decay causes unpleasant odor are found on insoles. Once a week, wash them with washing powder. Ventilate them after prolonged wear. You can clean the interior of footwear with soap, rinse with clean water, and allow it to dry naturally. It is advisable to do this only if you will not wear them for a few days so that they can dry completely.
In specialized stores selling work boots, including waterproof construction boots, you can find socks made of wool or polyester blend. Their purpose is to absorb moisture and allow the feet to breathe. Wearing them will reduce sweat and odor inside the footwear.
Good waterproof construction boots made of sturdy and durable materials (such as leather) and are not cheap. Top-notch work shoes cost up to several hundred dollars. It’s a worthy investment, and you shouldn’t cut corners on personal protection and safety while working. With proper maintenance, working footwear can last a very, very long time.
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