What makes a great men’s work boot?

Whether preparing for a camping trip or protecting your feet on the job site, a good pair of boots can be invaluable and this guide will help you in selecting them. Selecting boots to match the job you intend to use them for is important, because even the greatest boots in the world are useless if they are put to the wrong task. With all boots, you should take the time to identify what features or particular feature you are looking for, consider your price range and other considerations to help narrow down your choices.

Styles Of Men's Boots

Boot styles

Boots come in many different styles which are usually tied to the intended function of the boot. Boots can be grouped very generally into two groups: work boots and cowboy boots. Work boots include steel toed varieties as well as hiking boots.

The cowboy, popularized in movies and television, is as American as the boot that he lends his name to. Cowboy boots are most often designed for easy mounting of a horse and insertion of the foot into the stirrup. Rounded toes are the classic design of the boot and provide both comfort and room for toes. Pointed toes were a style created by 1940’s and 1950’s western movies and do not provide any practical advantages other than looks. If you want to choose a pointed toe a good rule of thumb is to purchase boots ½ size larger than you would normally wear to provide room for comfort. The height of the boot is to prevent chafing against the horse and stirrup leathers, as well as to protect from underbrush that may be ridden through.

Cowboy Boots

For many people, boots that will protect them throughout the work day are just as important as the clothes that they put on in the morning. Work boots are often designed with safety in mind, which is why many of them include steel safety toes. These boots are well suited to a situation where objects may puncture or otherwise injure a person’s feet. In addition to a steel toe most contain steel shanks in the sole of the boot to prevent puncture from objects on the ground. Many steel toe boots will be rated against different kinds of puncture as well as fire, electrical and chemical hazards.

Comfortable Men's Work Boots

Boots that are insulated may need to be sized somewhat differently than a regular boot, to provide room for thicker socks. Look carefully at the boot specifications to determine which one is right for you.

Material is king when it comes to hiking boots. Moisture wicking material helps to move sweat away from the foot and keep it dry. Dryer feet equal harder feet that are more able to stand up to the repeated impact that hiking involves. When choosing hiking boots comfort is often the primary concern, but proper ankle and arch support is important as well. Most hiking boots are built with a sneaker-style composite sole that looks very similar to a pair of normal running shoes but differs slightly. The sole is often thicker, providing more support to the arch of the foot, and the height of the shoe will usually cover the ankle to provide support while traveling over uneven terrain. The weight of the hiking boot should be considered as well. A boot that weights 1 pound will be lifted about 1,760 times over the course of walking a mile. That’s lifting 1,760 pounds every mile! Adding even half a pound to that amount is the same as adding 880 pounds of weight that has to be lifted every mile. Even small decreases in boot weight can result in much lighter loads and less tired feet at the end of the day.

Great Hiking Boots

Finding the perfect fit

Getting the fit of a boot correct is particularly important when the boot will be worn for extended periods of time or when you expect to walk some distance in a pair of boots. Boot sizing can differ significantly from sneaker sizing depending on the manufacturer and style of a particular pair. The most reliable way is to measure your feet to determine your US Men’s size. Guessing or assuming that the size is the same as your current pair of soft shoes can be a sure ticket to aching feet.

Matching the boot to the job is nearly as import as getting a proper fit. Walking in a pair of cowboy boots for several miles can turn a pair of feet into ground beef, while wearing a good pair of hiking boots designed for the job will allow you to continue several more miles with no discomfort. Boots are built with two goals in mind: protection and sturdiness. A pair of boots that is at home on the farm may not be as useful on the family backpacking trip. Selecting the boot to match the job is important.

Importance of durability and craftsmanship

The material that a particular boot is made out of will determine how durable it will be under normal wear and tear situations. Leather is the traditional material used to make a boot, but newer synthetic materials requiring less maintenance have entered the market and are able to perform equally as well in nearly all areas. Some boots even include materials such as Gore-Tex for use in rain and other adverse weather conditions.

The decision to purchase a quality boot that is able to be re-soled can be a money saver in the long run. Spending a little more now for a boot can make good financial sense, especially if that boot outlasts the competition.

Comfortable Boots

The manufacturer of the boot ultimately determines what quality the pair will be. Most boot manufacturers in the United States have been in business for many years and make quality products. Just remember that spending a little extra for properly fitting boots will make your feet much happier. A good boot purchase will last, provide your feet with much needed protection and support, and can look good at the same time. There’s no reason to have aching feet at the end of the workday!