With such a massive selection of work boots available these days, it can be really hard to navigate your way around to finding the best one. And in reality, there’s not really one best boot – it’s more the best boot for your particular foot and your particular needs.
So, to try to make it a bit easier for you, I’ve gone through some of my favourite work boots and broken all the info down to highlight the features that I get asked about most when people are looking for their new boots.
ERGONX ELEMENTS
These boots are due to drop April 2023 and I know they’ll be well-received. Most appealing to me is their light-weight design. They use a polypropylene plastic shank to add stiffness and support to navigate uneven terrain, whilst reducing the overall weight of the boot. Long days out on site are tough on our lower-limbs and fatigue is a real issue. Recent research in the running shoe domain suggests the weight of the shoe is one of the main contributors to injury. This should be no different for a work boot.
STYLES: lace/zip and slip on
INNOVATION/TECH: Full-grain leather is super durable and hard wearing, EVA foam midsole and Polypropylene shank
EXTRA STUFF: We’ve used ERONX prefabricated insoles at HPS over the last few years as a quick addition prefabricated orthoses to manage heel pain. They’re soft and supportive and can be easily adjusted by our podiatrists to make them Semi-custom.
WHERE TO GET THEM: currently taking preorders online @ https://www.ergonx.com.au/work-boots/
STEEL BLUE BOOTS
I must admit, these are usually my go to boot of choice with patients (even though I sometimes call them ‘Blue Steel’ like in Zoolander!) Mainly because they are a great quality boot, they last well and they will suit a lot of different needs and different people. They are available for both men and women and in a range of styles and colour options.
STYLES: ankle length, mid-length, high leg, gumboot, business, athletic
GETTING ‘EM ON: lace up, pull ons and side zip styles
INNOVATION/TECH: Trisole comfort (three-layered sole designed to cushion, cradle and support your foot), Ortho Rebound footbed (an anti-fungal and anti-bacterial innersole that is moulded to the shape of your foot)
EXTRA STUFF: some of the extra options you can get…
– metatarsal bars
– steel or composite toe caps
– scuff plates
– electrical/anti-static protection
– water protection
– penetration resistant
– low at the back options for those with Achilles issues
CONS: they’re not cheap. But you really can’t put a price on looking after your body. Health is wealth.
SUITABILITY: construction workers, general tradies, leckos, emergency services, miners, agricultural workers, transport and warehouse workers
WHERE TO GET ‘EM: BJ’s Workwear (Newcastle, Singleton and Thornton), Thread & Ink Workwear (Cessnock), Bunzl Safety (Rutherford)
WIDE LOAD BOOTS
These are my favourite boots for people with particularly wide or deep feet. They’re designed to be extra wide and deep (12-15mm extra width and 6mm extra depth) to give those toes a bit more wriggle room.
STYLES: ankle, mid-length
GETTING ‘EM ON: pull on, lace up and side zip styles
INNOVATION/TECH: extra width and depth, dual density polyurethane construction (shock absorbing midsole with tough outsole), self-cleaning cleat design, bevelled heel strike/heel cushion design (to help with muscle fatigue), anti-bacterial innersole that is moulded to the shape of your foot
EXTRA STUFF: their greatest feature is the extra wriggle room but they do have some options you can get…
– non-safety boot options
– scuff plates
CONS: limited styles and options, no specific options for ladies
SUITABILITY: people with wide feet, people with very high arches or deep feet, construction workers, general tradies, miners, agricultural workers, transport and warehouse workers
WHERE TO GET ‘EM: BJ’s Workwear (Newcastle, Singleton and Thornton), Hip Pocket Workwear and Safety (Rutherford and Newcastle)
SHE WEAR BOOTS
As the name suggests, these boots are designed for our hard working ladies! They are based around the premise that women’s feet are different (not just smaller) than men’s and have different needs. And aim to add a bit of style to the basic old work boot!
STYLES: ankle length, mid-length, hiking, shoes, gumboots, sneakers
GETTING ‘EM ON: pull on, lace up and side zip styles
INNOVATION/TECH: based upon research into anatomical variations between men and women’s feet, anti-fatigue footbeds (arch support, a cradled heel for stability and balance and anti leg & foot fatigue discs)
EXTRA STUFF: some of the extra options you can get..
– kids sizes
– variety of colours
– narrow or wide fittings
– anti-static
– oil, fuel, acid resistant
– steel or composite toe caps
– organic bamboo socks
CONS: only for the women (sorry boys!), only available online (they offer free returns and sometimes have pop-up stores)
SUITABILITY: women and kids, construction workers, general tradies, leckos, emergency services, miners, agricultural workers, transport and warehouse workers
WHERE TO GET ‘EM: online
Obviously these are just a few and there are a lot more work boots out there such as Oliver, Blundestone, Red Back, Mack, Mongrel and Magnum. Although none of them should be thought of as a ‘bad’ boot, they are just a bit more specific in terms of their purpose. And some of them are more like an entry level boot more suited to the everyday handyman.
It’s important to do your homework when it comes to getting new boots. Just because you’ve always bought a particular brand or style, doesn’t mean you should stick with them. Boots change all the time – and sometimes not for the better.
If you’re experiencing any sort of lower limb/lower back issues at work (or have in the past), it’s even more important to get yourself into the right boots. And talk to a podiatrist. You only get one set of feet and they do a lot for you over the years. You’d be surprised how miserable life can be with sore feet so look after them!
