Anyone with eyes can tell you that industrial shoes are strong. If you were to go out in a storm, you might not make it but your shoes will.
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But why are they so uncomfortable and bulky? With all this technology there must be a way to make it feel close to normal shoes.
Why are they so different?
Safety shoes are often characterized by high mass, stiff toe cap, thick protective outer layer, thick protective midsole, anti-slip outer sole, electrical isolation, and an enclosing heel cap.
(Boysen, 2023)
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In his study, Boysen, M.D. purposely tripped the participants who were wearing industrial and everyday shoes. (Not a fun day for them) He found out that participants wearing industrial shoes were more prone to tripping and falling. It was even more probable for obese or older participants to never recover their gait after that fall.
Read our blog post to know more about workplace injuries.
His study helped us understand some key differences in safety and everyday footwear. This blog will explain them in detail while also addressing the pros and cons of both footwear.
Slip resistance
Imagine slipping on the sidewalk because of some rainwater. Now imagine slipping on oil, debris and runoff from machinery. Though these examples are exaggerated, slipping can cause some major issues. Slip and fall is one of the main causes of industrial injuries. Slip resistant work boots with credible slip ratings are built to prevent slip, even though the study says that is not fall-proof. But when compared to everyday shoes, work boots come in clutch when there are toxic or jagged ground conditions.
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Job Requirements & Safety regulations
Climate considerations
Cross contamination
Fit considerations/shape
Here is a summary of the blog content:
Industrial shoes: Pros | Industrial shoes: Cons | Everyday shoes: Pros | Everyday shoes: Cons |
| Bulky and causes fall | | Comfortable and less slip |
Uniform regulation | | | Cannot be used for work as they do not comply with all specification |
Climate control features and standards | | Has waterproof and insulated footwear | Does not provide climate control features |
Prevents contact with toxic agents and to preserve hygiene | | | Will hurt your feet when coming in contact with foreign chemicals and cannot preserve hygiene effectively |
Has excellent insides with durability and shock absorption | Not fashionable and workers will not wear them if they are hard to wear | Looks good and wearable | |
In conclusion - where industrial shoes lack in user comfort, it compensates for its wearer’s safety.
If you want to know how Portwest follows the best standards for workwear shoes, click down below:
References
Boysen, M.D. et al. (2023) “The biomechanical differences of wearing safety shoes compared with everyday shoes on dynamic balance when tripping over an obstacle,” Applied ergonomics, 111, p. 104040.
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