Choosing the perfect boot is about more than looking good (although a bit of style never hurt anyone). Not only does discomfort impede your work quality, but wearing the wrong footwear can lead to debilitating injuries like foot fatigue.

Before you brush that off as an uncommon occurrence, let the numbers do the talking: according to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, an average of 4.8 workers out of 10,000 miss work due to foot injuries per year from improper work shoes. That’s over 53,000 foot injuries reported annually related to employees not equipping themselves with adequate work shoes. That's most definitely not a number you want to contribute to.

And the biggest culprit? Poor footwear.

That’s why you shouldn’t skimp out when it comes to men’s lace-up work boots, whether you’re getting them for an office or a rugged worksite. To help you take a step in the right direction, this article will cover how to:

1. Select a lace up boot based on style and materials
2. Choose a pair based on comfort and fit
3. Wear lace up boots properly

Boot World provides additional helpful guides answering the questions of “How to clean work boots?” and “How should boots fit?” Continue reading these if you feel these are areas you could use assistance with.

Style and Materials

The standards for materials and styles change depending on the purpose of the boots. For dress boots, aesthetics and comfort matter most. For hiking and working, the focus is still git and comfort but also safety.

Before picking up a few pairs of pristine lace ups, first, consider where you’ll be sporting them. Depending on where and why you wear the boot you might be looking for a steel toe and waterproof work boot good for traction or a casual and sleek leather boot with a sturdy rubber outsole.

For men’s lace boots that enhance your wardrobe, take a look at these style ideas:

• Pair sleek slacks and a well-ironed dress shirt with delicately-patterned wingtip boots.
• For a grungy, cool look, wear leather Dr. Martens in burgundy or black.
• A Chukka or lace boot is the perfect addition to a casual date look or stroll around town.
• For a street style look that says you’re cool and have good credit, pair well-fitted jeans and a nice hoodie with light brown Timberlands

For hiking, consider these lace ups:

• For day hiking, look at low-cut boots with a flexible eva midsole to avoid sore feet throughout your adventure.
• For more intense backpacking, look for higher-cut boots that offer more ankle support. Their stiffer midsoles will allow you to cross off-trail paths and enjoy multiple days in nature.
• If you’re crossing hiking paths for athletic training or exercise, consider getting ultralight trail shoes that won’t weigh you down.
• For more in mountainous terrain, summiting a snowy peak, or when the need for crampons is there, invest in mountaineering boots instead.

For hazard workers, choose men’s lace up work boots with the following factors in mind:

• If you are dealing with conductive materials and high currents of electricity, choose lace up work boots made of insulating materials to protect from electrocution. Before buying, make sure they’re noted as electrical hazard rated.
• To avoid costly injuries from slips and falls, invest in lace up boots with strong ankle support and slip-resistantsoles.
• To prevent painful puncture wounds and crushing accidents at the worksite, get boots with either a steel, alloy, or composite toe and steel or composite puncture resistant bottom plates. A slip resistant safety toe boot can provide additional protection in high risk or dangerous areas, preventing accidental injuries from taking place on slippery surfaces, for example.

Comfort and Fit

Buying a lace up boot that fits correctly and feels good is not only important to your mood throughout the day, but it can protect you from hurting yourself.

As noted by the National Safety Council, over 44 million injuries in the U.S. were caused by slips, trips, and falls in the workplace, resulting in corporate losses of over $960 billion. How does comfort play a part in this? According to researchers at Harvard, several studies have indicated that foot pain leads to falls.

That’s why, before shelling out the cash for your dream boot, use these best practices to choose lace ups that treat your feet right:

• Measure both feet before selecting your boot size. Unless you’re a cartoon character, your feet won’t be identical. Carefully fit each boot to each foot to ensure optimal safety and comfort.
• Wear your usual socks when you try on your lace up, whether that’s heavy-duty wool socks or thin ankle-high socks.
• Walk around in them before purchasing. While you’ll still have to break them in further when you get home, make sure you test out the flexibility of their midsoles and their feel around your ankles before moving forward.
• Look for ergonomic design, moisture-wicking footbeds, and cushioning for a shoe that fits your foot like a glove, without all the sweat.

How to Wear Lace Up Boots

Once you’ve chosen your dress boot or reliable work boot, the hard part is over. Now all you have to do is rock your new kicks! But before stepping out of the door with your lace up boots, make sure you know how to wear them properly.

Don’t forget to:
Properly lace and tie your shoes to avoid injury and discomfort and to maintain proper positioning in the shoe.
Replace your boots if their toe caps are exposed, they no longer fit, or they are otherwise unable to protect your feet.
If your boots are loose or don’t quite fit every part of your foot, invest in insoles to perfect the fit.
Boot World’s Got the Hook Up on Lace Ups

At Boot World, you can explore a wide array of lace up work boots men love. With our boots, there’s no reason to sacrifice style for comfort or fit for safety. That’s because we only offer boots from the best brands, made from the best materials.

Whether you want to look fly on the street, classy at work, or prepared on a hike, Boot World won’t disappoint. See for yourself! We carry many trusted quality work boots from trusted brands like Wolverine boots, Timberland, and Keen.

If you need help deferring the difference between lace up vs. slip on work boots, click the link and continue reading!

• Bureau of Labor Statistics. Injuries, Illnesses, and Fatalities.
  https://www.bls.gov/iif/
• EHS Today. The Hazards Affecting Your Employees’ Foot Safety.
  https://www.ehstoday.com/ppe/foot-protection/article/21919755/the-hazards-affecting-your-employees-foot-safety
• Harvard Health Publishing. Feet and falling.
  https://www.health.harvard.edu/pain/feet-and-falling
• Laborers’ Health & Safety Fund of North America. Helping Workers & Employers Reduce On-the-Job Foot Injuries.
  https://www.lhsfna.org/index.cfm/lifelines/march-2019/helping-workers-employers-reduce-on-the-job-foot-injuries/

Reviewed By:

Ed Stone brings over 45 years of footwear knowledge and passion to his role as President of Boot World, a family-owned company and an industry leader in safety and occupational footwear. A second generation "shoe dog” Ed's footwear knowledge is unparalleled, serving as an informal advisor for some of the worlds largest footwear brands including Wolverine, Timberland PRO, and Reebok Works.

A lifelong Southern California resident, and ardent conservationist, Ed enjoys hiking and open water swimming.