ResourcesAre Your Work Boots Uncomfortable?Written by James BlakeLast Updated 22 Apr 2023Rated Are You Struggling With Uncomfortable Work Boots? We Explore 5 MAIN Reasons Why Work Boots Cause Aches & Pains, & the Best Ways to Minimise Them. Keep Reading to Learn More… Many people who’ve had to wear work boots have most likely asked themselves: Why are work boots so uncomfortable? There are several reasons why wearing work boots can cause discomfort; however, there are an equal number of ways to make your work boots more comfortable. Through this article, you’ll discover: Continue reading to relieve your discomfort today with the expert advice of our MyBestWorkBoots team… 5 Reasons Why Work Boots Might Be Uncomfortable The reasons why your work boots might be uncomfortable could be from wearing them for the first time, buying the incorrect size, wearing the wrong type of work boot, or not taking the break-in period seriously. Let’s discuss the 5 reasons further: It’s Your First Time Using This Type of Footwear If you’re not used to wearing work boots every day, it’ll most likely cause you discomfort the first few times you wear them. Work boots are tough, sturdy shoes that take some time to get used to. Wearing work boots for the first time also means you likely haven’t had sufficient time to break them in yet. Buying the Wrong Size Buying work boots in the wrong size is a guarantee that they’ll hurt your feet. Make sure when you buy work boots you have time to try them on and give them a trial walk to ensure they fit your feet properly. Rule of thumb Your feet shouldn’t slip out of your boots or feel pressure on the sides, and there should be roughly 1” between your toes and the tip of your boots without moving around too much1. Buying the Wrong Type of Boot for Your Feet Buying the wrong type of work boot that doesn’t support the shape or size of your feet will ultimately lead to immense discomfort. It’s important to note the features of your feet before getting new work boots so that your feet aren’t inherently opposed to the shape of the boots. The level of comfort is determined by how well your foot structure fits the type and shape of the work boot. Additionally If you have special needs for your feet, always remember to consider them when buying new work boots. Buying the Wrong Type of Boots for the Job If you buy work boots that aren’t appropriate for the type of job you’re doing, they’ll end up hurting you more than they’re supposed to help you. You’re bound to have less trouble wearing your work boots if you ensure they’re right for the job. As there are so many types of work boots on the market today, it’s easy to choose the wrong pair of work boots for your profession. No Break-In Period Breaking in your work boots carefully over the first few weeks that you own them is an imperative step to take. Breaking in work boots refers to the amount of time it takes for your feet to adjust to the shoes and for the boots to mold to your feet for a better fit. It’s normal for new work boots to be uncomfortable for a few weeks. Importantly Be sure to break in your work boots at least a few days before a full day of work. Chafing happens when you don’t break in your shoes well enough, causing blisters on your feet and skin to rub off because of pressure or friction; these experiences can be immensely painful and uncomfortable. Solutions for Uncomfortable Work Boots There are a few solutions when it comes to dealing with uncomfortable work boots, namely, arch support, boot design, sock choice, boot care, and buying the appropriate work boot for your profession. Let’s look closely at preventing uncomfortable work boots: Arch Support You need work boots that offer the correct arch support for your feet, as sufficient arch support equals less pain and more productivity. Like selecting the proper shoe for the job, it’s also important to select work boots that offer protection for your feet’s many small bones, muscles, and tendons2. However, even if your shoe isn’t 100% correct for your feet, you can always improve the fit with inexpensive solutions like a shoe insert. Boot Design Boot design is a major contributor to the level of comfort work boots offer. For example, most work boots have either a heel or a wedge sole that spreads your weight over a larger area and is thought to be more comfortable, but not as versatile and useful as a heel. As stated above, there are many different designs of work boots available on the market, so it’s important to broaden your knowledge on the topic. Sock Choice The socks you wear can have a huge impact on how comfortable you are in your work boots. It might seem like a small detail, but the incorrect pair of socks can cause extreme discomfort and even be a safety hazard, and that’s why your choice of socks should be a primary concern3. Getting the right socks for your work boots depends on a few things, like how comfortable they are, how thick the material is, how long they are, and how well they soak up water. Boot Care How you care for your work boots will affect how comfortable you find them. It’s easy to sometimes forget to check your work boots at the end of each day, but doing so will truly pay off in the long run. If your boots are constantly getting wet throughout the day, for example, be sure to let them dry completely before wearing them again because there’s nothing more uncomfortable than cold, soggy work boots during the day. Take the Break-In Period Seriously As previously stated, breaking in work boots is the time it takes to become accustomed to and comfortable wearing them. By wearing your work boots for a while, the material will become more flexible and move with the shape of your feet. New work boots are expected to be uncomfortable for a few weeks, but there are ways to break them in quicker. Tips to Treat Foot Pain From Uncomfortable Work Boots Treating your foot pain after a long day of hard work can be done in the comfort of your own home and includes icing and elevating your feet. Let’s consider a few treatment options: Ice your feet. Elevate your feet. Massage your feet. Soak your feet in vinegar. Common Questions How Do I Stop My Feet From Hurting in Work Boots? You can stop your feet from hurting in work boots by ensuring you buy the appropriate work boots for your feet and breaking them in properly before you wear them during a full day’s work. Why Do My Feet Hurt With New Work Boots? Your feet hurt in new work boots because they’re still stiff. After breaking them in, they should become more malleable and comfortable to wear. Are Work Boots Supposed to Be Uncomfortable? Yes, work boots generally tend to be uncomfortable, especially if they’re new or if you’re new to wearing them. Work boots should become more comfortable with time. Why Are Work Boots So Expensive? Work boots are expensive because of their craftsmanship and functional purposes. Work boots are seen as an investment and should be judged on their quality rather than their price. Are Pull-On Work Shoes Comfortable? Yes, pull-on work boots are more comfortable and are rated as such due to the convenience of being easier to put on and take off. Are Steel-Toe Boots Comfortable? No, steel-toe boots aren’t comfortable. They’re generally considered the most uncomfortable shoe; however, they are functional in other aspects that outweigh the necessity for comfort. Why Do Steel-Toe Shoes Make My Toes Numb? Steel-toe shoes make your toes numb because they may be too tight, which can cause pinched nerves in your feet or restrict blood circulation to your toes. Can I Remove the Steel-Toe From My Work Boot? Yes, you can remove the steel toe from your work boot. This can be done by making incisions along the seam of the tip of the boot and removing the steel toe, but be sure to stitch them back again. Taking out the steel toe should make the boot more comfortable, but it also makes the boot less safe. Are Work Boots Supposed to Be Tight? Yes, work boots are supposed to be tight – tight enough to prevent your feet from slipping out. However, work boots shouldn’t be overly constricting. Are Work Boots Supposed To Squeak? Yes, work boots are supposed to squeak, especially just after purchase. Most of the time, squeaking is caused by friction between the bottom of the work boots and the ground. Work boots also tend to squeak when they are new or when the material is still stiff, which can be solved by a lubricant or by scuffing up the soles of the boots. How Do You Prevent Blisters From Work Boots? You can prevent blisters from work boots by putting band-aids on the vulnerable spots on your feet. You can also avoid blisters by ensuring your work boots fit your feet comfortably. Work boots that’ve been properly broken in are also less likely to cause new blisters. How Long Do Work Boots Take To Break In? Work boots take between 80-100 hours (about 3-4 weeks) to be broken in. How Do You Break in Work Boots Fast? Work boots can be quickly broken in by wearing them regularly. How Do I Make My Work Boots More Comfortable? You can make work boots more comfortable by ensuring they’re the correct size and design, wearing the right socks, and taking the breaking-in period seriously. In Conclusion Work boots are usually uncomfortable for several reasons, especially when they are new. Regardless of practicality, it’s possible to make work boots more comfortable. Our MyBestWorkBoots team recommends taking all of the tips in this article into consideration when purchasing a new pair of boots or experiencing pain as a result of them. With all this info at your fingertips, we sincerely hope that we’ve answered all your questions and provided the best solutions! People Loved Reading These Articles Are Your Work Boots Causing You Knee Discomfort? Are You Sure Your Work Boots Are PPE?
