ResourcesWhat’re the Essential Signs That Work Boots Need to Be Replaced?Written by James BlakeLast Updated 30 Mar 2023Rated Do You Think It Might Be Time for New Pair of Work Boots? Check Out These 4 Vital Signs to Know When It’s Mostly Likely Time for New Work Boots. Keep Reading… When is the right time to change your work boots? You need to change your work boots every 12-24 months, alternatively, whenever their quality compromises your safety or comfort. The Bureau of Labor Statistics states that strain injuries and sprains are responsible for 43% of the 1.3 million illnesses that require recovery away from work. Trips and falls, resulting in these rampant strains, are often caused by wearing worn-out work boots. Rather than let your work boots bring you down, know these vital signs that they need to be replaced. If you ever catch your dog chewing on your work boots, chances are he has great taste in footwear! But if you don’t catch your dog chewing on your boots, maybe it’s time to get a new pair. Through this article, you’ll discover: Our editorial team at MyBestWorkBoots works hard to bring you the current occupational scoops. Consequently, we’ve conducted the most stringent tests to bring you this precise evaluation of when your work boots need to be replaced. Here’s what we’ve discovered. What Are the Warning Signs That It’s Time to Get New Work Boots? The warning signs that it’s time to get new work boots are cuts on the upper of the boot, damage to the toe cap or outsole, and foot infections. Cuts on the Upper Part of the Boot Cuts, holes or deep scratches on the upper part of your work boot are warning signs that your work boot needs to be changed because they could expose you to foot injuries. However, this rule has some exceptions, depending on where you work… Picture this Two people are working, one in a warehouse and the other working in a garage, in the oil industry, or with wet concrete. They both have their unique jobs. The warehouse worker is still safe even though the upper of their boot has been cut because they work in a dry area. The other worker, alternatively, isn’t as safe, as they may be exposed to dangerous chemicals that could cause serious injuries when wearing boots that have cuts in them. Damage to the Toe Cap Damage to the toe cap1 is an indication that your work boot needs to be changed as this could lead to foot trauma2. In the disastrous event of something heavy falling on your boots, the safety toe cap (a steel toe, a metal composite toe, or a metal alloy) saves your toes immediately. Even a small dent on your boots’ toe cap could mean that your feet may not be as safe the next time. Remember this because the toe cap’s integrity might have been damaged after a big fall. Cracks, Cuts, or Punctures in the Outsole Cracks, cuts, or punctures put you at risk of harmful objects penetrating your boots and harming your feet. Your work boots may be puncture-proof, but if you notice any of these warning signs, you should think about getting a new pair. It’s important to keep this in mind. Not everyone works in a dangerous place, but those who do are at risk of stepping on screws, nails, broken glass, and other sharp things that could get into work boots. This risk of penetration is even greater if the boots don’t have a puncture-resistant outsole3. If you step on anything sharp and you’ve got no protective outsole to guard you, you could be hospitalized with severe injuries to your feet. Foot Infections Contract workers who operate in wet and humid conditions are more likely to get athlete’s foot4 and other foot problems, if you’re contracting foot infections in your boots their safety has been compromised. Work boots that are often wet or humid need to be changed more frequently, even if they are waterproof the majority of the time. Contracting Athlete’s foot can be a huge inconvenience! Many a time, you’re required to change your work socks before commencing treatment for this foot infection. It’s not necessary to get a completely new pair of work boots after you’ve had a foot infection; you can simply treat them. How Can You Make Your Work Boots Last Longer? You can make your boots last longer by: Using More Than One Pair of Work Boots Keeping Your Boots Clean Washing Your Work Boots Moisturizing Your Boots Disinfecting Your Boots Getting Orthotic Soles Restoring Your Work Boots Using More Than One Pair of Work Boots Using more than one pair of work boots extends their life span because you can alternate between wearing the different pairs, reducing the wear and tear on each pair. This will also keep fungus and bacteria from building up inside the boot. Keep Your Boots Clean Keeping your work boots clean makes them last longer, especially if they are made of leather because leather and dirt are generally incompatible. Dirt and dust will dry out the boot over time, which could damage the leather and make it crack. Washing Your Work Boots Washing your work boots makes them last longer because you’re removing substances that could deteriorate the quality of the boot over time. Moisturizing Your Work Boots Moisturizing your work boots lengthens their lifespan and keeps them supple, which will also make them more comfortable to wear. Moisturizing your boots will also waterproof them, which is an added benefit. Disinfect Your Work Boots Disinfecting your boots5 will keep you from getting athlete’s foot and other problems that might make it necessary for you to get a new pair. You can wash and disinfect two pairs of work boots simultaneously when you have more than one pair. It’s a good idea to disinfect your work boots when they start to smell bad as well. Do this every two months or so. Get Some Orthotic Insoles Orthotic insoles6 give your boots endurance as they degenerate with time after extended use. Rather than getting a new pair of boots simply replace the outsoles instead. More often than not a new pair of work boots will not come with a great insole right out of the box. Always have a pair of insoles ready to put in your new work boots right away. Over time the insoles and the boot’s footbed become smelly and painful. The best way to deal with that is to buy new inserts for your work boots, not new boots. Restoring Your Work Boots Restoring your work boots is another great way to get more wear out of your boots as this maintains the integrity and quality of the boot after use. Some people opt not to restore their work boots and buy new pairs instead because reparation can be quite a costly exercise. Inquire from your shoemaker how much repairing your work boots will cost before deciding to go this route. Common Questions How Often Should You Replace Your Work Boots? A quality pair of work boots needs to be replaced as often as once a year, depending on your use of them and your work environment. Unless you get tired of wearing your work boots, you don’t need to change your work boots too often. Sometimes you could buy a pair of new work boots because you are looking for something new and refreshing, or something a little more comfortable to wear. Do Work Boots Expire? Work boots don’t expire. The life of your boots will be mostly determined by where you work: A person who works with very dangerous chemicals, for instance, will find that their boots break down very quickly. How Long Should Leather Work Boots Last? A pair of well-made, high-quality leather boots should last for a period ranging between one and three years, if they’re looked after properly. Never underestimate the power of buying a quality leather work boot. If you buy a cheap pair, they’ll likely only last you about six months of regular use. Is It Possible To Repair Work Boots Instead Of Replacing Them? Yes it’s possible to repair work boots instead of replacing them. Any good cobbler will be able to re-sole your work boots or do any repair on a good pair of worn work boots and leave them as good as new. Almost every part of a work boot can be fixed: The outsole The upper The laces The insole There outside The zippers You have to make sure that it makes sense for you economically, some repairs could be very costly. In Conclusion Knowing when to replace your work boots is a fine art. Between monitoring wear and tear and comfort, it is important to know when to replace your work boots and maintain the condition of your boots. There are several methods for boot longevity that could work in your favor to help you, and your dog, get the most out of your work boot lifespan. It’s important to remember that you ought to change your work boots when your safety and comfort are compromised; that’s the secret. People Loved Reading These Articles How Do Work Boot Sizes Work? Do You Know How Much Work Boots Actually Weigh?
