EN ISO standard :

WHAT EXACTLY IS CHANGING?

The new EN ISO : standard for safety footwear was published in June . It replaces the previous EN ISO : standard and contains some important changes. The standard specifies basic requirements for safety footwear that apply to all types of workplaces. It also contains additional requirements that apply to certain workplaces or activities. The publication of this standard is accompanied by a number of important updates designed to improve the protection of wearers. These include new test procedures, new additional requirements and improved labelling.
To mention just one new feature: footwear that meets the additional requirement of waterproofness of the entire shoe (WR) has now been defined in two new classes: S2 WR (=S6) and S3 WR (=S7).
The new EN ISO : standard is an important step towards improving occupational health and safety. This is because it contains stricter requirements and new test procedures designed to increase the safety of safety footwear. At ELTEN, all newly produced safety shoes are already tested and certified according to the new standard. In our shoe tutorial, we go through all the important changes for you.

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SAFETY SHOES MUST FIT WELL

HOW TO FIND SAFETY SHOES IN THE RIGHT SIZE

No shoes are worn so long and frequently as safety shoes. In industry, trade or on the building site, safety shoes are worn constantly for several hours every day. The main thing for safety shoes that are worn for several hours every day is: a proper fit! This is because if they chafe or pinch, people don’t like to wear them or don’t wear them at all – meaning no more protection. If blisters, inflammations and chronic pressure points develop, this also has a negative effect on the well-being. The sufferer is less productive and has difficulty concentrating at work. This increases the error rate and the risk of accidents. Conversely, a better fit and greater comfort always translates into greater safety, because people are happy to wear comfortable shoes, and will wear them on a regular basis.

When trying on safety shoes, it becomes clear very quickly whether or not they feel right. However, this does not mean that the size of the selected safety shoes is the right one. Many people make the mistake of always choosing the same size, although this can vary depending on the manufacturer. As a result, many people in industry or trade wear shoes that are too small or too large – and have become accustomed to this. Reliable information about the size of safety shoes can be obtained by measuring the foot and providing information about foot length and width, – and in some cases about any incorrect foot positions.

HOW TO KNOW WHEN YOUR SHOES FIT

THE FINAL FINGER TEST

Safety risks in the workplace must be avoided at all costs – also for your feet. Comfortable safety shoes are an important part of personal protective equipment (PPE). When it comes to wearer comfort, details such as Ergo-Active 2.0, different widths for feet of different widths and soles with special cushioning technology now make work easier. This is not something to be overlooked when it comes to occupational safety. After all, people are happy to wear shoes that are comfortable for long periods of time. Only then can they effectively protect against injuries.
When buying shoes, however, how do you know whether or not they fit and fit well? Shoes fit properly when the toe length, ball width, heel width and foot length are suited to the type of foot. You can find this out, for example, by taking individual foot measurements or with a simple finger test, which we would like to present in more detail in our ShoeTorial video.

FINDING SHOES THAT FIT

WITH COMFORTABLE ADDED VALUES AND ERGO-ACTIVE 2.0

No shoes are worn so long and frequently as safety shoes. In industry, trade or on the building site, the safety shoes are worn for several hours every day, but what is the point if they are uncomfortable and fit badly? The main thing for safety shoes that are used for several hours every day is a proper fit! That’s because if they chafe or pinch, they become an additional burden. For example, if the toes are no longer in the correct position, they will slip behind the toe cap and the shoes will no longer protect them sufficiently in the case of an accident. Especially people with very wide or thick toes tend to buy shoes that are too large for them.

For this reason, for some safety shoe models we offer a comfortable multi-width system that gives each foot the individual space it needs by providing more volume in the forefoot area. We have also adapted the protective toe cap accordingly: It has “grown” in width and offers effective protection because it also covers the toe area well at the sides and the necessary residual height is maintained. Shoes with XW in the product name stand for a wider fit. They have a wide toe cap, a wide ball of the foot and a large instep volume. Models with XXW in the name are suitable for very big feet. These models likewise have a wide toe cap, but have an extra-wide ball of the foot and a particularly large instep volume – for optimally fitting shoes even in the case of stout feet.

In addition, we have been working intensively with experts from the scientific community for many years to develop innovative solutions for shoes that fit. For example, the Ergo-Active 2.0 series was developed from the latest research results in cooperation with Prof. Dr. Grau (University of Tübingen/Gothenburg). The ERGO-ACTIVE system consists of three different fits for the most common foot types and thus solves typical fit problems individually. The lasts – three variants per size – take into account not only the length and width of the foot, but also toe length, heel width and the angular position of the foot.

Adapted to the women’s foot

How to find safety shoes in the right size

No shoes are worn so long and frequently as safety shoes. In industry, trade or on the building site, safety shoes are worn constantly for several hours every day. The main thing for safety shoes that are worn for several hours every day is: a proper fit! This is because if they chafe or pinch, people don’t like to wear them or don’t wear them at all – meaning no more protection. If blisters, inflammations and chronic pressure points develop, this also has a negative effect on the well-being. The sufferer is less productive and has difficulty concentrating at work. This increases the error rate and the risk of accidents. Conversely, a better fit and greater comfort always translates into greater safety, because people are happy to wear comfortable shoes, and will wear them on a regular basis.

When trying on safety shoes, it becomes clear very quickly whether or not they feel right. However, this does not mean that the size of the selected safety shoes is the right one. Many people make the mistake of always choosing the same size, although this can vary depending on the manufacturer. As a result, many people in industry or trade wear shoes that are too small or too large – and have become accustomed to this. Reliable information about the size of safety shoes can be obtained by measuring the foot and providing information about foot length and width, – and in some cases about any incorrect foot positions.

THREE FOOT TYPES FOR AN OPTIMAL FIT

WHAT YOU SHOULD LOOK FOR WHEN BUYING THE RIGHT SHOE

People’s feet are as different as they are. With our Ergo-Active technology, everyone can find the right safety shoe for them. Three foot types, three outsoles, two cap widths. Whether you have wide feet with short toes and a wide ball and heel width or narrow feet with medium-length toes and a narrow ball and heel width: there is something for everyone. Different sized toe caps provide the space needed for each foot. The special feature: Ergo-Active adapts to the expansion of the foot as it moves. Ergo-Active also has suitable solutions for mostly narrower women’s feet. More choice makes for more security. Therefore, there are three different non-slip sole profiles: indoor with an innovative pivot sole and outdoor with two different tread heights. Ergo-Active optimises the wearing comfort. Also, the risk of foot complaints and accidents is significantly reduced.

THREE FOOT TYPES FOR AN OPTIMAL FIT

WHAT YOU SHOULD LOOK FOR WHEN BUYING THE RIGHT SHOE

People’s feet are as different as they are. With our Ergo-Active technology, everyone can find the right safety shoe for them. Three foot types, three outsoles, two cap widths. Whether you have wide feet with short toes and a wide ball and heel width or narrow feet with medium-length toes and a narrow ball and heel width: there is something for everyone. Different sized toe caps provide the space needed for each foot. The special feature: Ergo-Active adapts to the expansion of the foot as it moves. Ergo-Active also has suitable solutions for mostly narrower women’s feet. More choice makes for more security. Therefore, there are three different non-slip sole profiles: indoor with an innovative pivot sole and outdoor with two different tread heights. Ergo-Active optimises the wearing comfort. Also, the risk of foot complaints and accidents is significantly reduced.

Heavy or lightweight work shoes

It all depends on the area of use!

Lightweight work shoes are not always necessarily the best shoes for the job. Everyone will have a different area of use – and thus different requirements for their footwear. When buying safety shoes, it is therefore essential to consider the working conditions on site – and not necessarily the weight of the safety shoes. Lightweight work shoes may make sense in a warehouse, but they are less suitable for tough work on construction sites. The most important questions when buying safety shoes are: Will I be working indoors or outdoors? What hazards are there? Which safety classes do I need? Do I need a low shoe or a boot? Depending on the area of use, you can then find the right safety shoes to get you through the working day safely.

The perfect sole for heavy duty use

The hard sole of safety shoes

It is robust, resistant against cuts and slipping and provides stability, and also prevents skidding and twisting of the ankle on unsafe surfaces: Hard soles made of materials such as rubber or

A person who does not have secure contact with the floor in his or her shoes at work often unconsciously moves in a cramped manner due to the constant threat of stumbling, twisting and slipping. This puts excessive strain on the musculoskeletal system, which may lead to consequences that start as foot pain, become noticeable in the knee and hip joints and can ultimately affect the spine. Even neck tension and headaches often originate in the foot area. For this reason, on rubble, debris or muddy-loamy ground, a hard sole is necessary that can withstand tough working environments such as those of steel workers, road builders, roofers or in the glass processing industry. In addition, rubber soles can be used in hot areas due to their heat resistance.

Good cushioning for working indoors

Where shoes with a soft sole are used

Shoes with soft soles are used especially in dry indoor areas where workers have to do jobs that require them to stand, walk or kneel all the time. Such tasks place a particular strain on the back, feet, hips and knees, which is why shoes with soft soles must have good cushioning.

Our WELLMAXX models, for example, have springy and cushioning properties – with Infinergy® from BASF in the sole core. Thousands of small foam particles containing tiny, closed air cells inside mean that the sole can be compressed to an extreme degree. This cushions the impact of the foot and allows the sole to spring back to its original shape at lightning speed when the pressure is released. Much of the energy is transferred back to the wearer. This means that workers need to exert less force when walking Even when wearing shoes with soft soles for several hours, the feet tire more slowly. Whether in logistics, production or the service industry – the wearer can expect a pleasant and surprisingly comfortable feeling even on industrial floors, which are often hard.

WELL CUSHIONED THROUGH EVERYDAY WORKING LIFE

THE SOLUTION FOR ALL THOSE WHO ARE CONSTANTLY ON THEIR FEET

In jobs that require you to be permanently standing, walking or kneeling, good footwear is the be-all and end-all. These jobs place a particular strain on the back, feet and joints, which well-cushioned shoes can absorb. For example, our WELLMAXX models have a special technology in the outsole: Infinergy® from BASF. Lots of foam particles, which have closed air cells inside them, ensure that they can be compressed extraordinarily well. This technology cushions the impact of the foot and immediately springs the sole back to its original shape. Much of the energy is therefore returned to the wearer immediately, which means they use less power and energy. Whether indoors or outdoors: even when worn for multiple hours, our WELLMAXX models make everyday work noticeably easier. Here, safety and comfort go hand in hand.

Great soles for outdoor use

With a chunky tread

Anyone who works on construction sites, in gardening and landscaping or in forestry will be well aware of the problem: the ground outside is often slippery or uneven. Therefore, soles with a chunky tread make a lot of sense for outdoor use. After all, it is a question of ensuring stability, preventing skidding and twisting of the ankle as well as weather resistance. The tread of the outsole plays a major role. It creates the connection between the body and the ground. A person who does not have secure contact with the floor in his or her shoes at work often unconsciously moves in a cramped manner due to the constant threat of stumbling. This puts excessive strain on the musculoskeletal system, which may lead to consequences that start as foot pain, become noticeable in the knee and hip joints and can ultimately affect the spine.

A chunky sole tread hugely reduces the risk of slipping on wet or frozen ground. It also offers greater safety when walking over rubble, debris or on muddy-loamy ground.

The fine sole tread

For slippery indoor floors

A fine sole tread is suitable for working on extremely slippery floors, e.g. in logistics or in large-scale industry. The shoes must provide a secure grip and minimise the risk of slipping or even twisting the ankle; on the other hand, they must make it easy to turn on the floor and not become “stoppers”.

Good cushioning is important, especially for those who have to move around on hard floors for many hours. Therefore, when buying safety shoes, you should not only pay attention to size, appearance and protective toe cap, but also to the quality of the sole.

An anti-slip effect is achieved, for example, through small honeycomb elements in the sole tread. They create a negative pressure and a kind of suction effect. This results in slip resistance of the SRC category. SRC means that in a test procedure, the sole was slip-resistant even on ceramic tiles with cleaning agents and on steel floors with glycerine. However, in order to still be able to move loosely and easily despite slip resistance, soles with pivot points are ideal, as they significantly reduce any frictional resistance. Additional flex grooves in the sole improve the rolling of the foot and make it easier to bend at the knees.

ESD SAFETY SHOES FOR EVERYDAY WORK

WHEN THEY ARE PARTICULARLY IMPORTANT

When working with sensitive electronic components, it is important to avoid electrostatic discharges (ESD). This is because they can cause damage to the components. ESD safety shoes help to reduce the risk of ESD damage. Electrostatic discharges are usually caused by friction or contact between two different materials. Anyone who has ever walked across a carpet in shoes with a rubber sole, for example, will be familiar with this phenomenon. An electrical charge can build up on one of the materials. If this charge is then suddenly discharged, an ESD discharge can occur. This can quickly become a problem in everyday working life. This is because ESD damage can have various effects on electronic components, such as damaging the semiconductor structure, changing the electrical properties or damaging the connections. In some cases, ESD damage can even lead to total failure of the electronic component. This is where the ESD capability of safety shoes comes into play. They have a special sole that dissipates the electrostatic charge, as the material used is particularly conductive. ESD safety shoes therefore help to reduce the risk of ESD damage. In our shoe tutorial, we take a closer look at the topic.

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It all comes down to the right step

Fields of application of anti-penetration inserts

Penetration protection is achieved either by means of a midsole made of steel or textile. In our safety shoes of protection classes S1P and S3 we use both a metal and a textile anti-penetration insert. Both versions fulfil the additional penetration protection requirements of the EN ISO /5 standard.

When working with thin nails and cutting objects, a metal anti-penetration insert is recommended, e.g. on construction sites. Steel midsoles are less affected by the shape of the object (e.g. diameter and geometric form) or dangerous characteristics (e.g. sharpness). Nails or other sharp objects lying around on the construction site are deflected and bent over on the steel sole. It is for this reason that we use midsoles made of stainless steel, especially in our robust safety boots such as the RENZO Mid ESD S3.

There are some areas of use, however, where metal insoles are unsuitable and hinder work processes – e.g. at airports or in the area of security gates with metal detectors. Textile midsoles are also more comfortable to wear in industrial halls or workshops. They are also often used for tasks performed by public authorities, which require shoes that are very flexible.

Steel vs. textile

Different types of anti-penetration insoles

Compared to metal midsoles, textile midsoles offer the advantage of covering almost the entire area of the sole. With metal midsoles, a more or less unprotected edge area remains. Due to limitations in shoe manufacturing, it is not possible to cover the entire tread area, but only about 85% of the area. Textile insoles makes the shoes more comfortable to wear. On the whole, they are more flexible.

Textile midsoles also have disadvantages, however: they can be impaired by the shape and size of a sharp object. Cutting objects such as shards of glass that become entangled in the weave of the textile or pierce the insole when higher forces are applied, such as jumping from a height, represent a residual risk that cannot be disregarded. For higher demands in terms of penetration protection, for example in the construction industry, the use of safety shoes with steel midsoles is recommended.

ORTHOPAEDIC MEASURES?

HOW TO MAINTAIN EFFECTIVE PROTECTION

Safety shoes are mandatory in many professions to protect against injuries. But what happens if people have foot deformities or other orthopaedic problems? Orthopaedic modifications to safety shoes can be a solution in these cases. Customised insoles or corresponding adjustments can help to compensate for misalignments, alleviate pain and improve the function of the foot. But be careful: any modification to a safety shoe has the potential to impair its protective function, making it less effective. Anyone who uses an orthopaedic insole or has their safety shoes orthopaedically adjusted must ensure that the safety shoe still complies with the applicable standards.
Many of our safety shoes are already certified for orthopaedic adjustments when they are manufactured. Orthopaedic specialists help to make the appropriate adjustment according to each individual’s needs. This is important because only a specialist company can guarantee that the protective properties of the shoes are maintained.

For more freshness at the workplace

Our tips against sweaty feet

Tip 1: Wash your feet regularly

If you don’t want your feet to sweat and smell bad, you should wash them regularly – not just two or three times a week, but every morning. Afterwards, you should dry them thoroughly, as a warm and humid environment can promote athlete’s foot. You should also scrub between the toes to remove any residual moisture.

Tip 2: Wear the right socks

Damp socks are also a breeding ground for bacteria and can cause sweaty feet, but the material and fit of the socks are also crucial. Socks with a high percentage of synthetic fibres are more durable and less absorbent than natural fibres, as they do not store moisture caused by perspiration but wick it away to the outside. Socks made of 100% wool, on the other hand, are “absorbent” but only release a small amount of moisture back to the outside. It is also important that the socks fit well, as poorly fitting socks create friction and thus additional heat inside the shoe.

Tip 3: Give your shoes a break

Even shoes need a break from time to time. Over the course of the day, a person expels up to half a litre of moisture through their feet. The residual moisture that remains in the shoe at the end of a working day does not usually dry overnight. It is therefore advisable to wear safety shoes in rotation.

In dry work areas, it is worth considering safety sandals or alternatively perforated shoes with holes in the side for extra freshness. For outdoor work, safety shoes with a GORE-TEX® membrane are ideal. The membrane ensures that rain and moisture from the outside cannot penetrate into the shoe and that moisture can evaporate from the inside.

Say farewell to sweaty feet

Sweaty feet are a thing of the past

Shoes that are too big or too small cause friction, which generates heat and thus sweaty feet. As a general rule, you should make sure that safety shoes fit the shape of your feet. Pressure or chafing points are a sure sign that the shoes do not fit properly. Many women, for example, simply go for the smaller men’s size. Yet foot protection that is specially adapted to the anatomy of the female foot has been available for a long time. Moreover, there are safety shoes for men that have been developed for special needs. These include, for example, models designed for extra wide feet.

In addition, you should opt for safety shoes made of high-quality and breathable materials to prevent sweaty feet. These are fitted with textile lining materials, for example, which serve to regulate moisture. Some models also have a GORE-TEX® membrane; this is not only waterproof and wind-proof, but also breathable.

Sweaty feet are not only caused by inferior lining materials, but also by slow-drying and absorbent socks – including cheap synthetic/polyester socks that heat up the foot, or cotton socks that dry poorly. For this reason, choosing the right socks is also crucial.

THE BODYGUARD FOR THE FEET

PREVENT TRIPPING AND TWISTING NOW

Our safety shoes with BIOMEX PROTECTION© are like a bodyguard for your feet! The cuff helps prevent accidents like twisting your foot – one of the most common causes of injury in everyday working life. Sprains, dislocations or torn ligaments are among the most common injuries. With our knee protection, these injuries specifically and a long downtime can be prevented.

BIOMEX PROTECTION© stabilises the ankle as it moves and protects it against these hazards. Despite the joint protection, the shoe remains pleasantly light, flexible and does not cause pressure points or circulation problems. The cuff also follows the natural movement axes of the joints in the foot and knee as they move towards the centre of the body. It is constructed asymmetrically and is positioned protectively in front of the ligaments. This reduces the risk of twisting considerably.

Twisting accidents with injuries to ligaments, muscles and joints are often very painful, complicated and protracted. In many cases, BIOMEX technology prevents this from happening in the first place. BIOMEX PROTECTION© can help avoid hospital stays and long downtimes with frequently difficult healing processes.

Footwear Frequently Asked Questions

Find answers to common questions about safety toes, outsole materials, and choosing the right style.

Once all your footwear questions are answered, shop our wide selection of footwear at Gemplers.

Safety Toe Options:

1. What is a steel toe?
   A steel toe is a steel cap that is built into the toe box of a work boot during its construction to provide protection for the toes and feet of the wearer. The steel toe is designed to meet specific ANSI/ASTM safety requirements for foot protection against both impact and compression.
   
   
2. What protection does a steel toe boot provide to the wearer?
   Steel toe boots have a steel protective covering over the toe box that protects the wearer from injury from impact and compression by heavy objects. Steel toe work boots are required by many industries on the job.
   
   
3. What is a composite toe?
   A composite toe is essentially the same as a steel toe; it is a non-metallic and non-magnetic safety toe cap that is lighter in weight than a steel toe cap. The composite toe meets the same ANSI/ASTM safety requirements as a steel toe.
   
   
4. Which is better, a steel toe or a composite toe?
   Both styles of safety toe caps offer the wearer a measure of protection because each meets ANSI/ASTM safety requirements. Steel toe boots tend to be a little heavier than composite toe boots, but many people feel that a steel toe cap affords them more protection than a composite toe. In the end, your personal preferences will be instrumental in making the decision as to which one you choose.
   
   
5. What type of work is a composite toe boot best suited for?
   Steel toe boots, because of their weight, can be uncomfortable for workers who must walk long distances (meter readers and mail carriers) or who must pass through metal detectors (nuclear workers and security personnel) during the course of their work day. Composite toe safety boots are more suited for these types of jobs.
   
   
6. Are add-on protective devices sufficient?
   According to both ANSI and ASTM standards, protective toe caps must be an integral and permanent part of the footwear, so add-on devices do not meet those requirements. While those two standards exclude add-ons, however, it does not mean that such devices are not acceptable to OSHA. Those standards state that if the device has independent testing data to show that it provides protection equivalent to the ANSI requirements, the add-on protective devices are acceptable to OSHA.

Choosing a Boot

1. How do I determine the proper boot for my needs?
   The first thing you should do is determine what you will use the boots for (work, recreation, or both). Then, you should decide what type of environment you will wear them in (indoor or outdoor, wet or dry, cold weather or warm temperatures). By examining these two considerations, you will have a good idea about what type of boot you should purchase.
   
   
2. How do I get a proper fit when purchasing boots?
   Your boots should generally be the same size as your shoes; however, the toe box shape and heel height may affect how they feel on your feet. The type of activity you will be engaged in while wearing them should also be considered, as well as the season, especially if you will be wearing heavier socks or multiple pairs of lighter socks.
   
   
3. What should I do if I can't find my half-size boot?
   If you wear a half-size boot, say a 9.5, but the boots you want to purchase only come in whole sizes, you should purchase the size 10 rather than the size 9. As a general rule, it's better to have your boots a half-size too big than a half-size too small.
   
   
4. What is a D or EE width?
   A "D" width is the same as a regular width; if you do not normally order a wide width shoe or boot, you should order a regular or "D" width shoe or boot. An "EE" is generally the same as a wide width; if you usually order a wide shoe or boot, then you should order a wide or EE width shoe or boot.
   
   
5. What's the difference between men's and women's sizes?
   A general rule of thumb is that a woman's shoe or boot size is two sizes smaller in a man's size; that is, a woman's size 9 would be a men's size 7. Some shoe or boot manufacturers, however, recommend that a woman go down only one size with their products. Check out our shoe size conversion chart.

Footwear Construction

1. What are the various elements of a boot sole?
   The outsole is the bottom of the boot and comes in direct contact with the ground; it provides a measure of protection, depending upon the material it is constructed out of, and is made out of a variety of materials with different tread designs. The midsole is the middle layer or layers that go on top of the outside; it helps provide strength, durability and comfort to the boot. The insole is the comfort layer that goes on top of the midsole and comes in direct contact with the wearer's foot.
   
   
2. What is the strongest outsole construction?
   Cement, where the outsole is bonded to the leather upper with an adhesive, is the strongest type of outsole construction.
   Goodyear Welt, where the outsole is sewn on to the leather upper and the boot can be resoled, is the next strongest type of outsole construction.
   Direct attach, where the sole in injected into the leather upper in a liquid state and dried onto the boot, is the weakest type of outsole construction.
   
   
3. What outsole type is the most durable?
   The Goodyear Welt is the most durable type of outsole construction; Cement is the next most durable type, while Direct Attach is the least durable type.
   
   
4. What is the most comfortable outsole construction?
   Direct Attach is the most comfortable type of outsole construction, Cement is the next, while Goodyear Welt construction is the least comfortable.
   
   
5. What types of materials are used in midsole construction?
   The types of materials used in midsole construction include dual density foam (the most durable but provides only average comfort), polyurethane, rubber, ethyl vinyl acetate or EVA (the least durable but most comfortable).
   
   
6. What are the materials used in insole construction?
   Polyurethane and ethyl vinyl acetate or EVA are two of the most common types of materials used to construct the insole of a boot or shoe.
   
   
7. What is the shank?
   The shank is a metal or heavy composite plastic strip in the midsole for reinforcement of the wearer's arch, providing support to the bottom of the boot. A full shank goes from heel to toe, while a 3/4-shank goes to the ball of the foot. The shank is glued, whipstitched or tacked in place.
   

Outsole

1. What are the different types of boot outsoles?
   The outsole is that part of the boot that comes in direct contact with the ground. Depending upon the activity the boot is designed for, the tread pattern can range from very aggressive (with hard and sharp-edged cleats) to somewhat smooth (with shallow and wavy ridges), with just about everything in between. Most outsoles, however, can be classified in one of four categories: Vibram lugs, air bobs, shallow tread and hiking/athletic.
   
   
2. What are Vibram lug outsoles?
   A lug is a hard rubber cleat with a sharp outside edge for digging or wedging into hard surfaces such as rocks, dry dirt or clay. They are workhorses that are used when conditions are demanding and grades are steep; lugs are dependable in rugged terrain.
   
   
3. What is an air bob outsole?
   Air bob outsoles are dotted with rounded knobs that have hollow cores and provide solid traction in a broad range of terrain, such as rocks or dry dirt. The bobs flex when contacting hard surfaces; each one acts as an independent claw that grips where it contacts the ground.
   
   
4. What is a shallow tread outsole?
   This type of outsole has a tread with a thin, wavy pattern for use in mud, grass and other slick walking surfaces but usually not steep terrain. The primary purpose of this outsole is to provide traction on slippery surfaces while not picking up mud.
   
   
5. What are hiking or athletic outsoles?
   Athletic outsoles have shallow lugs that are omni-directional and have a wide array of use applications. This outsole provides decent traction with a shallow grip and are lightweight, making them a good choice for all-purpose use.
   

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Work Boots

1. What are the different heights of work boots?
   Leather work boots come in several different heights, ranging from 5-inch hikers to 12-inch Wellingtons. The most common heights for work boots are 6- and 8-inch, usually with some type of lace-up system.
   
   
2. What are the benefits of leather boots of different heights?
   A 5-inch hiker will rise to roughly the wearer's ankle and allow for maximum flexibility at the ankle. A 6-inch boot will rise to about the top of the ankle and provide some support for the joint, while an 8-inch boot will rise above the ankle and give even more support, and a 9-inch boot will rise to the bottom of the shin and provide even greater ankle support. A 10- or 12-inch Wellington or Western-styled boot will rise to mid-shin with some flexibility at the ankle.
   
   
3. What types of lacing systems are there for work boots?
   There are numerous types of lacing systems, which are designed to help keep the boot properly and snugly fit to your foot. The common types of work boot lacing systems include the traditional eyelets (a grommet-like ring punched out of the leather upper), D-ring eyelet for quick lacing, metal hooks for speed lacing or a combination of these types.
   
   
4. What is the best type?
   All of the lacing systems have their strengths but which one is the best will be largely a matter of personal preference of the wearer.
   
   
5. How do I take care of my leather boots?
   Clean them after each wearing; wipe them down with a damp – not wet – cloth and allow them to air dry thoroughly between wearings. Dry your boots carefully when wet and avoid abrupt temperature changes. Regularly condition your leather boots to help them maintain the original look and feel. Leather boots can be polished with a matching boot cream polish and also treated with water repellant.
   ‍

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Socks

1. Why is it important for socks to wick away moisture?
   Socks that wick moisture keep your feet dry and comfortable. It is moisture against the foot that causes the friction that creates blisters on your foot; so a good way to prevent blisters is to wear socks that wick moisture away from your foot.
   
   
2. Are cotton socks the best socks to wear in hot weather?
   While a cotton shirt feels cool against your skin in hot weather, cotton is one of the worst fibers to have against your feet in hot weather. Cotton is extremely moisture absorbent, and once your foot starts to sweat, cotton socks will absorb that sweat and hold it against your foot.
   
   
3. What kinds of socks are best to wear in the summer?
   Any kind of sock that wicks away moisture. Socks with an inner layer of synthetic fiber tight against the skin will transfer moisture away from the foot to keep it dry. Merino wool – an often overlooked fiber for summer use but very comfortable – also does an excellent job of wicking moisture away from the foot.
   
   
4. Which socks are best to wear in the winter?
   The basic concept you look for in cold weather clothing also applies to socks. The best fabrics offer insulation from the cold and allow the body to release perspiration. Thicker socks are generally warmer because their large loop knit construction traps more air which provides warmth and insulation from the cold. Socks that wick moisture also help keep feet warm and dry.
   
   
5. Are there socks specifically for women?
   Yes. Women have different foot needs than men; most women have smaller feet, more rounded "toe boxes" and narrower heels.
   
   
6. Why is sock fit important?
   Simple: if your socks don't fit your feet, you will not be comfortable, and it will interfere with your enjoyment of any activity, regardless of whether it's work related and or recreationally driven. Socks that rub against your feet, no matter if it's at the heel, toe or sole, can cause blisters. Those issues can be avoided by wearing great fitting socks.
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