When you’re on your feet for long hours working on tough or uneven surfaces, your shoes better be comfortable. Comfortable feet mean well supported feet, and if you’re not getting the support you need from your boots, you could end up with a lot more than just sore feet. Look out for knee and joint problems, back aches, and other serious medical concerns.
But with a quality pair of workboots, you can alleviate some of the pain and stay on your feet for longer. We know insoles make a big difference in your workboot’s support and comfort levels, but real comfort starts with the shoe itself.
When choosing your work boots, make sure they fit properly, and by properly, we mean more than just shoving your foot into the boot and lacing it shut. There’s a bit more that goes into it. Here’s how to find the perfect fit:
- When fitting, come prepared. Make sure you have your work socks and any insoles you plan on wearing in hand when you go to try on a pair of work boots. And if you can, you should be fitting boots at the end of the day (preferably a work day) when your feet have swelled to their biggest.
- Length check. Your boot should allow for 1 index finger to fit while your foot is all the way in the front of the shoe. Any bigger and you end up with too much space for your foot to shift while walking. Any less and it’s just too tight and there’s no room to breathe. Either way, you’re likely to end up uncomfortable and with blisters.
- Lace them up. Tie them how you’d tie them on a regular workday. If that means relacing them, do what you gotta do. The way you lace your boots makes a difference in where the boots might be tighter or looser, so it’s important to lace them correctly to really know how they’ll feel in action. This also includes pulling the tongue out as you normally would.
- Flex on ‘em. Make sure the boots flex at the ball of your foot and NOT your arch. Flexing in the right place means better support when walking and bending.
- Now walk. And bend, crouch, maybe do some knee-raises. Do whatever you might normally be doing at work. If you did the previous steps correctly:
- You should have about an inch of space in front of your toes at all times
- Your heel should not come up out of or rub the back of the boot
- You shouldn’t feel any pain on the heel while stepping
- Your feet shouldn’t slide around inside the boot
Last step. Now that you’ve tried them on your feet, take the boots off and check for any sore or red areas on your skin. If you notice any unusual chafing or signs of a coming blister, you know these boots are a no. Otherwise, you’re good to go.
And there you have it. 6 steps to finding the perfect fit. You might want to do another test run at home before taking them outdoors. Wear them around your home over the weekend to really make sure they’re the right fit for you.
If you’re on the hunt for more comfort or support, you should be able to find it in a new pair of insoles.
Learn more about the styles and features of EVER BOOTS products here
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