Signs It’s Time To Replace Steel Toe Work Boots

While steel toe work boots are designed to last for a long time, there comes a time when you will have to replace them.

When to replace steel toe work boots

Here are signs that it’s time to replace the boots:

The shoes are worn out: Due to the constant use of the shoes, it’s common for them to wear out. You should consider replacing the shoes if the steel toe is showing, or when the midsole or steel shank is exposed.

Worn out work boots are not only ugly to look at, but they also don’t provide you with the protection that you need.

The treads are damaged: Treads provide you with traction so that you don’t fall when working

When the treads are worn out, you have boots that are smooth and dangerous to walk in. This is of great importance if you are working in a slippery area. To avoid accidents, replace the work boots as soon as possible.

The steel toe boot is dented: Your steel toe work boot will dent if you don’t take good care of it or if the boot is worn out. In some cases, the steel toe might be dented to the extent that it puts pressure on your toe when working.

The shoes are leaking: Leaks come about due to cracks, punctures, cuts, or any other severe damage. If you are working in a damp environment or an area with hazardous chemicals, it’s dangerous working in leaking shoes.

To protect yourself you should replace the steel toe shoes as soon as possible.

The boots are no-longer comfortable: The work shoe that you are wearing might be in perfect condition, but it might still need to be replaced.

If you are no-longer comfortable when wearing the shoe, it’s time to replace it as there is no way you will enjoy your work in an uncomfortable boot.

You should note that uncomfortable boots cause leg, neck, and even back pain. The shoes can also affect your balance, thus putting you in danger when working.

As a construction worker or ironworker, you need to be up on your feet the entire day, and there is no way you can do it comfortably in uncomfortable ironworker shoes.

To make it possible for you to work the entire day comfortably, replace the shoes with better ones that are more comfortable.

Factors that determine how long the steel-toed work boots last

As a construction worker, you must have realized that no two work boots last at the same time. This is because the durability of the shoes depends on many factors that include:

Job hazards: If you are exposed to many risks at the construction site, the boots will most likely get damaged fast.

For example, if you are working with corrosive chemicals, the chemicals will eat on the leather work boots fast thus you have to replace the shoes fast.

The more hazardous the environment you are working in, the more you need boots that are in perfect shape.

This means that if you notice a tiny problem with the shoes you have to replace them fast so that you don’t put your safety in jeopardy.

How often you wear work shoes: This is a no-brainer. The more you wear the work boot, the faster it wears out, thus the faster you have to replace it.

If you wear the boot every day, you will have to replace it faster than a person who wears it once or twice a week.

The weight of the worker: How heavy are you? As you might have guessed, the heavy you are, the faster you will have to replace the sweaty work shoe.

When you are heavy, you exert a lot of pressure on the boot, which results in it losing its shape. The boot also tends to wear out faster.

How you take care of the boot: Just like everything else, how well you take care of the safety shoe will determine how long it lasts.

If you don’t properly take care of it, you will have to replace it more frequently than someone who properly maintains the shoe.

Tips on how to make your steel toe work shoe last for a long time

Did you know that there are tricks that you can use to make your boots last for a long time? Here are some of these tricks:

Wear the right size of work boot: This goes without saying. If you wear a work shoe of the wrong size it will get damaged faster; thus you have to invest in a new one within just a short time.

For example, if you have large feet and you go for a smaller shoe that doesn’t fit you properly, you will have to replace it within just a short time as it will get damaged fast.

To be on the safe side, ensure that you buy a boot of the right size. This calls for you to try on the shoe before you make the purchase.

Properly maintain the boot: You need to maintain the slip-on work boot for it to look good and last for a long time.

One of the things you should do is to clean the boots at the end of the workday. If you work in a damp environment, waterproof the shoes at least once a month.

If you notice any issue with the boots, such as a faulty thread, you shouldn’t let the problem lie around for a long time—you should fix it as soon as possible.

You should note that the more you allow the issue to exist for a long time, the more it will get bigger, thus requiring you to replace the work boot within a short time.

Alternate the boots: As mentioned above, one of the main reasons why the boots don’t last for a long time is because you wear them every day. To lengthen the lifespan of the units, you should have two or more pairs of boots that you can alternate.

By having some work boot pairs, you not only ensure that they last for a long time, but you also ensure that they are fresh the entire day as you give them time to breathe.

Conclusion

This is what you need to know about work boots and when you should replace them. How long the shoes last depends on many factors, such as how well you maintain them and many other factors.

To avoid going to the shoe shop now and then, buy the right shoes. You also should take good care of the units.