How to keep your feet cool in work shoes
How to keep feet cool in work boots. Workers looking for ways to keep their feet cool in work boots are tired of dealing with issues like:
- Sweaty feet are very inconvenient to deal with all day in the workplace, especially in the summer.
- Bulky and heavy work boots make airflow very difficult due to their lack of breathability (see our article on the best work boots for sweaty feet to find the solution to this problem)
- Lack of breathability and humid conditions create the perfect environment for an athlete's foot, according to experts
Some workers suffer even more serious consequences, such as of hyperhidrosis. According to the International Society of Hyperhidrosis, nearly 5% of the population suffers from some form of hyperhidrosis, a health condition commonly found to cause excessive sweating and associated emotional distress.
In this context, I've decided to write this article on how to keep your feet cool in work boots to help anyone who may be suffering from all or even some of the issues discussed above.
How to keep your feet cool in work shoes
There are certain tips you should follow to wear safety shoes and keep your feet cool and dry at the same time. Let me share them with you:
Clean Your Feet Properly
The best way to keep your feet cool is to make sure the main natural mechanisms that regulate your temperature are working properly.
Such a method is called 'skin breathing'. This process is known for the exchange of gases between the skin and the environment. One of the most common (and relevant) effects of this system is its influence on body temperature.
In summary, skin respiration is one of the main factors that keep the temperature of the feet low, especially when exposed to hot and humid conditions.
In order for this mechanism of the body to work properly, one must ensure that all the pores of the skin are clear. Therefore, I recommend all employees to properly clean their feet, as it is the most effective way known.
Scrubbing my feet with a brush and antimicrobial soap is what I do to make sure my foot pores are completely unclogging.
It may even make sense to do an extra "foot cleaning routine" to make sure your feet are silky smooth before putting on your work boots, as this lady explains:
Drink and Eat Right
It's common knowledge that if you want to stop sweating, you need to drink plenty of water and maintain healthy body weight.
According to the CDC, water is key to regulating and keeping body temperature low. Therefore, it is highly recommended that all employees drink fluids during the workday to avoid hot flashes and sweaty feet.
Obesity is another major cause of excessive sweating all over the body (especially on the feet when wearing work shoes).
This is why most experts recommend following a healthy diet and regular exercise to lose excess body weight and keep your body temperature cool.
Wear Breathable Work Boots
Most safety boots are packed with protective features (e.g. steel toe cap, waterproof membranes, insulation, etc.). This makes the boots bulkier, making it very difficult for air to circulate.
Therefore, my advice for keeping your feet cool with work boots would be to choose a good pair of breathable work boots that are made with moisture-wicking properties that will keep your feet cool and dry at all times.
If you ask me, I'd say the Timberland Pro 40008 Mudsill Work Boots would be my top choice for breathable safety boots as they offer a good mix of breathability, comfort, and protective properties to keep feet cool and protected.
Use Moisture-Absorbent Socks & Inserts
An important tip for keeping your feet dry and cool is to wear moisture-wicking cushioned insoles as they provide superior shock absorption, prevent odor build-up and even eliminate the need to wear socks as they absorb all the sweat (I still think that I have to wear socks).
It's also a good idea to wear sweat-wicking socks to keep your feet cool. These socks are meant to dry sweat while allowing air to come to your feet and lower the temperature of your feet.
I would recommend these Carhartt All-Terrain Boot Socks because they have the so-called "quick-dry technology" and they are also very durable which is a great feature.
Use Foot Powder & Antiperspirant Spray/Lotion
What foot powder does is basically the same as moisture-wicking socks in that it:
- absorbs the sweat generated by the feet
- prevents odor from building up
- wicks away moisture
This keeps the feet cool even when wearing work boots, which is the focus of this article.
If you want to be even more thorough, you can use an antiperspirant lotion (or spray) that is less messy than using foot powder and a bit more soothing. It achieves exactly the same as a foot powder.
Maximize Airflow
Here's a tip that all employees should follow at least once a day:
- Take off your work boots and socks and let them breathe for at least a few hours.
This will cause the temperature of your feet to drop significantly, as the temperature outside is generally lower than the temperature inside your work boots, no matter how breathable the boots are.
So I would say that taking off your boots and socks once or twice a day should be your best option here.
Dry Your Work Boots Frequently
There's a one really neat trick that old-fashioned craftsmen have to maximize the breathability of your work boots and that is to dry them with a dryer every night before going to bed.
Dry work shoes:
- ventilate the smell of sweat
- kill all growing bacteria
- unclog mesh liners that allow air to flow through the work boots
As a result, once you have put on your now dry work boots, you will not only feel more comfortable (because no sweat is left behind), but your feet will also feel cooler due to the increased airflow.
Pro tip: consult an expert when things get serious
As mentioned briefly at the beginning of this article, there is a condition called hyperhidrosis, which is known to cause excessive sweating and affects many workers around the world.
This condition is not to be taken lightly and I strongly recommend that you see a professional if you suffer from it as there will be no 'advice' other than good medical advice.