By Jayden Mark
It’s important to choose the right shoes for your specific work environment for safety purposes. There are three main safety toe options with distinguishing features for optimum comfort when working. Spending the whole day in a pair of uncomfortable shoes can be challenging, so when shopping, look for a shoe with a comfortable sole and minimal break-in.
In many facilities and job sites, employees are required to have safety-toe shoes to protect them from foot injuries caused by dropping or rolling objects. Most people don’t know what exactly to buy when they are looking for work shoes.
There are boots available with different types of safety toes like steel, composite, and alloy. Safety-toed shoes are suitable for people who work in environments where their toes are at risk as they have toe caps covering the toe area.
Men’s Skechers Safety Toe Shoes
1. Skechers for Work Men's Workshire Relaxed Fit Work Steel Toe Boot
These shoes are suitable for people who do a lot of walking, bending, and moving at their workplaces as they allow flexibility. They are durable, so they will serve you for a while before they start wearing out on the insoles. Made with sketcher’s quality, these boots are super comfortable and they don’t have odd pressure points and irregular fitting traits. The shoes are all-around, cut to fit, and they can be modified on the inside for more comfort.
If you have long-standing shifts at work, these boots are recommended. They are lightweight and they don’t technically have steel toes so the edge doesn’t wear on the toes during the day. These sketcher boots are durable and even when they start getting rugged, they still serve their purpose.
Skechers Men's Burgin-Tarlac Industrial Boot
2. Skechers for Work 77055 Cankton Athletic Steel Toe Work Sneaker
This athletic sneaker is suitable for work environments that have potential electrical hazards. It has a steel toe that appeals to savvy men who want to protect their toes against harm at work sites. The shoes are comfortable to wear, but they are not slip-resistant so you can’t wear them in slippery places.
They are preferred by people who work on concrete docks and stand all day as they are not as heavy as the standard steel toe shoes. The memory foam insert in these shoes is removable, so you can replace the insoles if you need to.
The shoes are oil and water-resistant, and they have great arch support. Although they are a little bulky, they are comfortable and durable enough and have incredible memory foam to ensure no more sore feet after work. They are great work shoes for men and value for money especially if you are tired of replacing your work shoes every once in a while.
3. Skechers for Work Men's Synergy Ekron Alloy Toe Work Shoe
These work shoes are made with a relaxed fit and they are ideal for workplaces at risk of electrical hazards. They are slip-resistant and have memory foam in the footbed for additional comfort and protection. They are light in weight and have moderate arch support with a toe box that’s just right to allow wiggle room in the toe area.
The shoes have a casual look, so you don’t necessarily have to wear them to work, and you can still stand on concrete floors for long.
They are ideal for slip protection, toe protection and have met the required standards for impact and compression of safety shoes. They are of good quality and don’t show early signs of flattening, tearing, or wearing out and can be added an extra insole for a more plush feeling.
4. Skechers Men's Greetah Construction Shoe Composite Toe, Waterproof
This Skechers composite toe is a utility shoe suitable for protecting your feet at the worksite, especially for industry professionals. They have a memory foam footbed and are waterproof. If you are at risk of any electrical hazard at work, these shoes are ideal and they have a slip-resistant outsole for more protection.
The sole material is synthetic, and they have a lace-up closure type, and the shoe is durable and lightweight. The shoe meets and exceeds the set standards for compression and impact as it is made from high-grade materials for extra strength, comfort, and protection.
This shoe provides protection on surfaces that are considerably insulated against accidental contact with electrical objects. The footwear is a composite toe, which is as strong but lighter than steel-toed.
5. Skechers Men's Burgin-Sosder Industrial Boot -Composite Toe
This footwear is made of 100% leather, with a rubber sole and an ankle-high shaft height. It is ideal for workplaces that have potential electrical hazards to protect your feet from damage. This shoe has a comp toe, which is a hard composite plastic protection system that keeps your toes safe. It’s a non-metallic safety shoe with memory foam and they are ultra-light for ultimate comfort.
They are water and puncture-resistant and suitable for men with different feet sizes and work needs. The composite toe shoes are also slip-resistant and oil-resistant. They are suitable and convenient especially if you work in places that have metal detectors because they don’t set off the alarm. The shoes have ample toe space so your feet don’t get cramped and their insoles are generic but good.
6. Skechers Arch Fit Work Charles – Alloy Toe
These Skechers shoes are made with a supportive comfort you can rely on and special features for safety in different work environments. The footwear is a slip-on sneaker with a slip-resistant rubber outsole and an arch-fit cushioned footbed.
The shoe has a stretch-laced front and it is made with a mesh knit fabric which adds to its durability. It has a stain-resistant treatment and is lightweight making it ideal for long hours of standing. They are alloy toed; meaning that they are made of materials that are lightweight like titanium and aluminum.
These shoes are thinner compared to traditional steel toes. If you have flat feet and are looking for suitable shoes for comfort and to help with high arches, they are ideal for arch support.
7. SKECHERS Work Watab - Stirling Steel Toe
These shoes are light, flexible, and they meet the safety standards of most jobs and companies. They have ample toe room and are made of flexible material to allow them to quickly take up the width shape of your feet.
They are meant for comfort and as they lack arch support, these shoes are good for people who want minimalist footwear for work. These shoes can be worn for extended periods with no foot pain and they are airy to allow circulation throughout the day. Their flexibility allows you to run, stretch, climb, squat, and move around without restrictions and they have a toe guard that’s wide enough to allow room for toes to spread.
The Watab - Stirling Steel Toe shoes are preferred by people who want an almost zero drop and they come in different sizes to fit perfectly.
Women’s Skechers Safety Toe Shoes
1. Skechers for Work Women's Synergy Sandlot Alloy Toe Work Shoe
These Skechers lace-up athletic shoes are designed for women who work in sites with potential electrical hazards. They are slip-resistant and have a memory foam footbed for extra protection and comfort. These shoes are aluminum alloy toed, which makes them lightweight and safe according to standards set for safety shoes for work.
They are ideal for slippery environments as their slip-resistant sole gives you more support on wet surfaces. If you have issues with your ankles, these shoes are lightweight which is a bonus, and you can add an insole for more arch support. Some manufacturing companies require employees to have personal protection equipment, and these shoes are good to protect your feet and prevent you from losing your footing.
They have a composite toe, unlike traditional steel toes so they aren’t as heavy, and they have a thick and comfortable lining. They are ideal for women with wider feet who require ample toe space.
2. Skechers for Work Women's Workshire Peril Steel Toe Boot
This footwear from Skechers comes in a relaxed fit design to allow more toe room and for protection. It comes with a gel-infused footbed that can be removed and memory foam cushioning for additional comfort. This women's work shoe is durable and is made with an oil-resistant outsole with a lug pattern for grip.
The shoe is great for women who want more toe room to wiggle the toes even in full walking motions. The boot is designed to be wider through the ankle and the footbed. It has an accurate length and width to allow your feet to slide in and around comfortably.
They have moderate arch support and are true to size for decent work boots for sassy and classy women. The padding in the boot is comfortable, and the shoe doesn’t wear and tear easily, even when you are on your feet or knees every day. These boots are sturdy, super comfy, flexible, and of good quality especially if you spend your days in a warehouse or installing tiles.
Different Types Of Work Environments Where Safety Shoes Are Required
There are some factors you need to consider when buying the right footwear for work. The right shoes should give support in your ankle and arch, so that you can stand comfortably and for long. Getting the right safety toe is critical, depending on the type of work you do.
Wearing the correct footwear ensures that your feet are protected from falling objects, heavy and pointed objects, and hot molten materials. There are different types of safety shoes ideal for different job roles and the risks involved and anticipated at the workplace.
It’s important to ensure that the shoes you are buying are accepted in the company guidelines, and they fit well enough so they don’t become a work hazard. Safety shoes are chosen depending on the risks at the worksite, and they range from one workplace to another. Some of the potential risks that require you to have foot PPE in the workplace are;
Types of Safety Toes
Alloy Toe Work Boots
Some jobs require lighter-weight shoes, especially for people who spend most of their time on uneven terrains. If you spend a lot of time on the mountainside, you need boots that won’t wear you off, and alloy toe work boots are ideal. These shoes are known for offering the required protection, and they are made from light materials like titanium and aluminum. Alloy toes are lighter than steel toes, and they are made a little thinner to allow more toe box space. These shoes, however, are disadvantageous in that they set off metal detectors. They are not ideal for people who often have to go in and out of places that are secured.
Steel Toe
Steel toe work boots are ideal to keep your feet safe from falling and crushing objects. The toe-box is made using heavy-duty steel for maximum protection against equipment like chainsaws and grinders at worksites. However, these boots are heavy, they are uncomfortable to wear for extended periods, and they set off metal detectors.
Composite Toe
Composite toes are ideal for people who require an average level of protection in the workplace. They are considered safety boots, but their standards don’t match steel or alloy toes. Composite toe boots are made of non-metallic materials like fiberglass, plastic, Kevlar, and carbon fiber.
These shoes are lighter than steel toes and more preferable for extreme low and high temperatures because they don’t cool down or heat up as metal does. In as much as they pass standards for safety toe shoes, composites can’t take as much compression or impact as alloy and steel toes. They easily crack and shutter when something heavy drops on them.
Wrapping Up!
If you have a job that demands that you have certain safety footwear, it's advisable to get the right footwear for your needs. You need shoes that are fitting and comfortable. That prevents you from spending the whole day pacing around and hurting in the toes area. Safety shoes come in different types and sizes, and they are recommended for work, hiking, and other strenuous and risky activities.
Jayden Mark has gained a wealth of knowledge about safety protocols in industries while working in a steel mill as well as a welder in the construction industry. He is the content editor for comfortworkboots.com where he shares his insights and expertize in his related field.
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