When you are shopping for work boots, chances are, you will make your decision based on aesthetics. Whether it is for leather shoes or steel cap boots, it is easy to be tempted to pick one on the basis of appearance alone. Others, however, will make their pick based on price. Being easy on the wallet, however, does not mean that it is going to be an excellent choice. At the end of the day, the more important thing is to have an understanding of the different materials that are used for safety footwear. From the interior to the exterior, you should choose only a pair that is made from high-quality materials.
Upper Materials
The first thing that you will notice in work boots would be the upper part, which is also the reason why it is important for such to be made from the best materials. The following are some of the most common choices for upper materials:
- Leather: There is no doubt that this is the most popular for workboots. It can offer a wealth of advantages, with one of the most significant being the fact that it is breathable, and hence, excellent when it comes to air circulation. It can also absorb moisture, and hence, preventing odour and the possible growth of bacteria. Leather is also durable, and more importantly, aesthetically-pleasing. Genuine leather, however, can be costly.
- Nylon: If you are looking for safety boots that will be lightweight and breathable, those that are made from nylon can be a good choice. However, it is not as rigid as leather. More often than not, they come with mesh panels, which can encourage better airflow to keep your feet dry even after a full day at work.
- Rubber: One of the most important characteristics of rubber boots is that they are water-resistant. More so, they can also resist abrasion, which makes it exceptional when it comes to durability. Nonetheless, one of the drawbacks of rubber is that it can be heavy and the fit cannot be customised, which might compensate your comfort.
Sole Materials
Next to the upper, the sole is going to be another important part of the shoe. When it comes to safety footwear, it should be thick enough to resist puncture and sharp objects, but should remain lightweight for the comfort of the wearer. Its traction is also important, providing the shoe with a solid grip on the surface.
- Rubber: This is perhaps the most common material that you can see in many of the work boots available in the market. Its resistance to oil and abrasion is one of the many that gives it an edge above all others.
- TPU: Short for thermo-polyurethane, this another material is oil and abrasion-resistant. Compared to rubber soles, they are lighter. In addition, they can also resist splitting, which makes it an excellent material when it comes to durability.
- EVA: Short for ethylene vinyl acetate, this is a material that is known for stability and weight dispersion. You can expect shoes with this kind of sole to deliver unmatched comfort. However, this is not a material that is used for the outer soles, but for the midsoles. It provides the feet with the cushioning that it needs.
Toe Protection
If you are working in an environment where there is a high risk from falling objects, you should be wearing workboots that are integrated with excellent toe protection. This will protect the toes from being crushed in case of an accident.
- Steel: With steel cap boots, you can work with peace of mind knowing that your shoes will offer the protection that you require. It is also excellent when it comes to its ability to conduct temperature. One problem, however, is that it can be heavy.
- Composite: This will generally be made from other materials that are also commendable when it comes to structural integrity, which will include Kevlar and carbon fibre, among others. If working in metal-free places, this is a good choice. Compared to steel, work boots with this type of toe protection are lighter.
At The Coalface Boots, Workwear & Safety
5/281-283 Penshurst St.,
North Willoughby, NSW 2068 Australia
(02) 9417 1292
info@coalfaceworkwear.com.au
