It is a rigid work ethic in many organizations that work boots should be worn as part of the employees outfit to work everyday. This is due to the nature of their job activities which may include working with chemicals in the lab, farm work, automobile factories, the military etc, all of which requires the adherence of workers to safety precautions and guidelines that govern the organization.
However, work boots are not only for organizations. They can be used as safety precautions for personal use at home or anywhere else.
Ill-fitting work boots typically leads to unproductiveness and discomfort while working. Prolonged wearing of these ill-fitted boots can lead to health challenges ranging from back pain, to ankle and even knee pain. Buying and wearing comfy work boots with enough toe room can easily tackle this problem.
How Many Toe Room in Work Boots?
Now there’s no precise measurement for toe rooms in work boots as it varies with individual preferences. Some prefer their work boots firm while others prefer it loose around their feet. However, i’ll be highlighting some useful tips in getting the right work boot with perfect toe room to enable you work comfortably without distractions from extra-spacious or overly-tight work boot fits.
- There should be at least a half inch to a full inch toe room space in the work boots before you choose to use them.
- Fitted toe room is not advisable as they’ll eventually get uncomfortable due to heat and other factors; prolonged use might cramp the toes.
- Try out both feet in the work boots to be certain that your toes have enough space to wiggle and move around for at least half an inch while walking and squatting.
- Wearing socks before trying out work boots is important because thicker fabrics of socks could make the toe room feel tighter hence, if you plan on wearing really thick socks, go for a work boot with a bigger toe room than you would normally wear bare footed or with light socks.
- If your feet can freely slide back and forth, or sideways, then your work boots are too long or too wide and might come off while your working.
- Your heels should not rub against the back of the boots, neither should your toes hit the end of the boot or feel pressure while walking.
- If you have narrow feet, you shouldn’t get wide boots as they’ll allow constant movement of your feet inside the shoes(heel slipping) and if you have wider than average feet, you definitely shouldn’t get narrow boots because they’ll be uncomfortable and can result in swelling of your feet.
Why Buying a Proper Working Boot With Enough Toe Room is Important?
Whether you’re buying a work boot for factory work or home and gardening activities, it is important to wear the right size with enough but not too much toe room.
- There will be discomfort around your ankle and feet if you’re wearing a work boot that is too tight around the toe area or the whole feet generally. While working, bending, walking or squatting, inappropriate toe room space will result in swelling and soreness of the feet.
- Wearing properly fitted boots improves balance and stability and makes movement easy and sleek while in the work process.
- Oversized boots might slip off and inadvertently expose the feet to hazardous substances around the workplace.
- Work boots that are the right width and length facilitates motion and comfort while working.
Dangers of Wrong Size Toe Room in Work Boots?
Improperly fitted work boots can result to health challenges in the long run. Prolonged use of wrongly sized work boots can eventually result in a number of ailments.
- Too tiny toe rooms can lead to hammertoes(crimping) and toe muscle damages which are really painful.
- A tight work boot can disrupt nerve functions and result in numbness as well as temporary loss of nerve responses in the feet.
- Aside from small toe rooms, narrow sides or width of the work boot can disfigure the feet if the work boot is worn regularly. This can initiate a bony growth of the feet, also referred to as bunions.
How to Adjust Toe Room Size in Work Boots?
If your boots are too tight or too loose, all hope is not lost yet. These are a few useful hacks that can make your tight or loose work boots comfortable and suitable for working.
Too Large Toe Rooms?
- Add an extra padding( insole) to occupy some of the excess space and make the work boots fit better.
- Wear double socks or very thick socks to fill up the excess space in the toe rooms and make working easier.
- Buy a padded toe cushion and insert it into your work boots to support the toe and make it firmer within the work boot.
Too Tight Toe Rooms?
- Buy a boot stretcher. It helps expand the hoots and relieve the tightness around the feet.
- Apply heat to the toe room area of your work boots; using a hair dryer or any similar heat source to expand the toe room for better fittings.
- Purchase a leather oil conditioner(if you own a leather boot) to help expand the boot and increase feet stability and comfort.
FAQs
Should my work boots be tight or loose?
Work boots should neither be too tight nor too loose; there should be just enough room for feet comfort and balance, yet it should be tight enough for stability while moving.
How to stop heels slipping while wearing work boots?
Wear a non-slip sock before putting on your work boots to help prevent heels slipping while working.
How should ankle work boots fit?
Just like with the toe rooms, the ankle shouldn’t be too tight too. There should be about an inch space around the ankle to allow flexibility and movement.
Final Thoughts
While buying work boots, ensure to check the sizes for both feet properly before making a purchase. Choose comfortable and well built work boots.
Maximum work efficiency is dependent on every factor including outfit and shoes. So think twice before buying those ill-fitting work boots!
