Why do work boots have heels. Why are lumberjack boots, like so many other work boots, high heels? It sounds like it could be uncomfortable, and in reality, an elevated heel profile can be uncomfortable, or at least uncomfortable to walk on for some people.
That's why you need to select the right pair of boots for the application you have in mind. There are certainly instances where a raised heel is not the best boot or shoe design.
That said, boots made of wood and other similar work boots are functional, as the raised heel profile is an advantage elsewhere, which is why boots made of wood and other work boots still have a raised heel.
Why do wooden boots have high heels?
High-heeled boots are actually a very old design feature, albeit for many reasons other than why they became lumberjack boots and other types of work boots.
Of course, high-heeled shoes and boots were preferred when riding, because the arch and high heel are naturally in the stirrups and therefore less likely to slip. An exaggerated Western-style studded heel became necessary as English designs are more show-oriented than work-oriented, leading to the modern cowboy boot.
However, lumberjack boots and other footwear for people working on foot rather than out of the saddle eventually adopted a similar raised heel design.
Why is that?
Mainly for extra ankle support, especially when riding on uneven or mixed terrain, and especially when going uphill. The raised heel also provides extra arch support, which is needed for heavy outdoor work, as the arch more or less acts as a shock absorber for the foot.
It's also true that a high, heavy heel also helps manage shock to the heel and toe, making a high heel beneficial for those working on concrete floors.
Where did the logger's boot come from?
The lumberjack shoe as we know it originated in the late 1800s and early 1900s in the Pacific Northwest when high-heeled work boots were required for the region's woodworkers and popular lumberjack equipment.
The original design had a caulked sole, which was necessary to maintain traction on slippery surfaces and certainly to guide logs downstream.
The original sealing boot design launched a series of respected boot brands, including White's Boots in Spokane, Washington, and Danner Boots in Portland, Oregon, both of which started out as small shops making work boots for lumberjacks and other workers.
The design virtues of the woodcutter's boot were, of course, noticed by people who worked in other trades, and so it has been copied both as general work boots, for linemen and forest firefighting boots, as well as footwear for woodworkers.
Are Logger Boots Right For Me?
Lumberjack boots or at least lumberjack style work boots might be a good option for you, but they might not. While they have some clear advantages over a lower heel profile in terms of added support, these benefits can be conditional as they are less beneficial in some situations.
For example, a high, heavy heel is not an advantage in a job that requires one to be light-footed. Some people also find a high heel profile uncomfortable, which is why many boot manufacturers offer work boots with high, medium, and low heels.
For example, hospital workers have to spend many hours on their feet, but heavy heels can make
walking the corridors of the hospital building a bit more cumbersome than they'd like. People who work in light production may also find that heavy boot heels are a little more boots than they really need.
For people who work in the office, heavy work shoes are like using an oven.
And, of course, you may have your own preference for your own reasons. The best way to find out is to try on some great work boots and see for yourself.