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Choosing the right shoes for your job is a challenge, especially with all the brands and options that are out there. Regardless of what you do, you need shoes that will protect your feet from various hazards and ensure your comfort when working. An appropriate pair of shoes prevents foot-related issues such as calluses and blisters and saves you from back and hip discomfort.
Use these selected ideas to find the right shoes for your job:
1. Test Their Length
A tight-fitting shoe will make your day uncomfortable. It's imperative to put on the shoe or use a tracing object before a purchase. If the shoe is smaller than the tracing you took with you, look for another.Sliding your foot into the boot until the toes touch its front is another trick. Ensure the index finger fits between your heel and the back of the shoe. Perform this test on both feet.
2. Try the Shoes in the Afternoon
Did you know that your feet swell when the temperatures are hot? Buying a shoe in the morning when the temperature is relatively cool could lead to a tight-fitting boot. Avoid this by trying the boots at midday or in the afternoon, when your feet have naturally expanded.Your work boots must have some allowance to accommodate such expansions and correct airflow. Remember, you'll be working for several hours a day and may not have time to remove them for relaxation.
3. Test for Shoe Safety
Safety is paramount at your workplace. Get a pair of boots that will protect you against the common hazards at your job. The right pair should protect you against sharp edges, falling objects, electrical hazards, or chemicals. Injuries caused by these items could hamper your performance level and that of the company.Look for work boots from a trusted brand that caters to your foot comfort and protection and offers an assortment of footwear suitable for all types of jobs.
4. Check the Soles
Do the soles have good traction in slippery conditions? Get footwear with soles that are suitable for the conditions at work. Depending on your job, the best soles may need to protect you against slips, punctures, heat penetration, and electrical shock.Put on the shoe while at the store and walk around on different surfaces to find out how it feels. If it does not slip on carpets and feels comfortable on hard surfaces, it's the right pair for you.
5. Ensure Stability
Whether you are working in a landscaping, manufacturing, or construction facility, you need shoes that are stable. Get footwear with a wide base and flat soles. Such shoes provide a lot of stability whenever you're working on uneven surfaces.Using footwear with wedge bottom soles and midsoles that are puncture-resistant improves your ankle stability. Also, it provides arch support. Prevent hip, back, leg, and other discomforts by wearing shoes with proper support.
No footwear can protect against all injuries. Choose the correct footwear that matches your needs and working environment to give you the best protection against foot-related injuries.