With any job where work shoes are part of the uniform, the right fit is crucial. The consequences of wearing an ill-fitting work shoe every day can be almost catastrophic for your health: we're talking back pain, foot pain, ankle pain, knee pain, and more! Instead of risking your health and well-being with a cheap, ill-fitting work shoe, make sure your boots fit you from the start. How to find your perfect fit:
1. Start with the right socks. We recommend wearing socks as they reduce bulk, improve circulation, and allow your foot to breathe, unlike cotton socks which wick away moisture.
2. Always try both boots on at the same time. If anything is preventing your feet from moving freely (for example, if your boots are tied to the laces), loosen them to allow your legs to move independently and you can walk at a natural pace.
3. Try walking, jumping, raising knees, standing in place, and running with your boots on (just try not to knock over vendors). Trying on the boots in the comfort of your own home makes it easier for you to try them on without feeling silly.
4. When you leave:
The heel should not come out of the boot or touch the back.
The toes should always have about an inch of space in front of them.
The sides of your feet should not feel any painful pressure.
The toes should not slide forward or touch the end of the shoe.
5. Slowly rotate your ankle and stand on the sides of your feet to test the boot's ankle support.
6. Make sure the tongue, inner seams, and other parts of the boot do not rub or cut into your foot.
7. Take your feet out of the boots to see if there are any red spots. Red dots indicate areas where the boot has chafed or rubbed your feet and can indicate potential future problems where the rubbing can worsen and blisters may appear.
8. Once you've found a pair of work boots that fit you well, fasten them in a heel lock pattern to keep your feet more secure and prevent blisters. This special shoe lacing pattern relieves stress on the forefoot, keeps the heel in place, and provides firm support for the ankle. It can also be used in running shoes and hiking shoes to avoid similar problems.
Special instructions:
1. If you have wide feet, do not try to put your foot in a boot that is too narrow for your foot. Also, you shouldn't try to size up regular boots because even if the largest boots fit the width of your foot, the boot will be too long and cause blisters, chafing, and heel slippage. Try boots instead, which of course come in plus sizes, like Chippewa, Rocky, and Wolverine.
2. If your feet are two different sizes, you can buy two pairs of boots in the sizes you need, or buy a pair of boots that fits your larger foot and use a heel insert in the shoe for your smaller foot.