5 Signs You Have Worn Out Work Boots
, by Ed Stone, 9 min reading time
, by Ed Stone, 9 min reading time
But in reality, you will probably need to replace your work boots every six to twelve months, (dependent on type of use and frequency). It’s just the work boot circle of life.
If you’re unsure whether or not to toss or buy new work safety boots, we have a few tips for you. Check out below for some tell-tale signs of worn out work boots.
If your work boots begin to show damage on the outside, they most likely have damage in other places, too. Outer wear almost guarantees a boot’s upcoming expiration.
However, even easily visible signs of damage can slip past our attention. Examine these areas of your work boots for any distress:
Out of sight, out of mind? Not for your work boots. Wear and tear can come in many forms that you may not first catch. Rough terrain and constant use can lead to damage on the undersides and middles of your work boots.
Starting to experience slipperiness, loss of height, or a strange fit in your shoes? You might be facing one of these boot issues:
You could just blame it on icy weather or clumsiness. But if you’re suddenly slipping and sliding in your work boots, you probably have reduced traction.
Check underneath your boots to see if any ribbed or spiked surfaces have worn down. If so, you need to upgrade for safety. And if traction reinforcements aren’t an option (such as spiked pull-ons or heel grippers), then new work boots are in the books for you.
And remember—traction isn’t only necessary for wet working conditions. Any smooth industrial flooring or surface can be a hazard without proper gripping.
The midsole is an underrated hero of work boot function. As the layer between the insole and outsole, it provides extra support and cushion to each step.
Unfortunately, midsoles can wear down faster than other boot parts and are not easily replaceable. Here are some signs the midsole on your work boots is giving out:
The entire point of safety work boots is to prevent you from incurring an injury. Between electric currents, weather, and heavy objects, your feet face countless risk factors at work.
This is why when protective measures start to wear down, you need to ditch your old boots fast. Frostbite and toe injuries shouldn’t be part of your job description. You should always have functional guards against any feet safety risks in your work environment.
Read on for signs of damage to your work boot’s protective technology:
Most work boots have built-in protective gear, either in metal or plastic form. When accidents or extended use wear this gear down, you’re looking at potential foot injuries.
If a cinder block recently slipped out of your hands and onto your boots, check for damage in these areas:
Construction, hiking, and other outdoor jobs can require intensive hours bracing the elements. If you trudge around often in the snow or rain, your boots are highly susceptible to water damage over time.
Look out for these classic signs of water-based boot issues:
Sore hamstrings after a tough day are one thing. But a building pain in your feet, knees, or even your back? Worn out work boots may be the culprit.
When a pair of boots are past their expiration, they don’t always give you clear signs. A new and continuous bodily pain following work could mean it’s time to chuck your boots in the trash.
Here are some devious ways your boots may be behind your aching:
Think of work boots as scaffolding—they are there to support and guard your feet from outside damage. Without scaffolding, the “building” of your feet will start to crumble.
If your ankles are suddenly hurting after each shift, start by examining your boot’s shape and hold. Here are a few areas where structural support loss can occur:
A flexible shoe sounds like a good thing, at first. Who wouldn’t want a little more wiggle room? But with work boots, extra flexibility means loss of supportive structure that prevents movement injuries (think sprains, muscle strains).
The best way to check for this? Do a flexibility test. Hold the boot shoelaces up and bend the toe section back towards the heel. If they touch easily, it’s time to replace your boots.
Depending on how much you care for your boots will determine how often you should replace work shoes. An ounce of prevention is worth a pound of care. And with work boots, that means eliminating any potential damage before it leads to pain or danger.
If you’ve owned the same work boots for a year or longer without any noticeable wear, it’s worth checking your usage stats. A few markers that could indicate your boots are near their life’s end:
At the end of the day, your work boots are there to help, not harm. And sometimes, that can mean saying goodbye to a beloved pair that’s clocked in their time. Don’t let the love for your old boots lead to an injury on your job site.
To avoid most degradation issues, consider investing in high-quality work boots. Here at Boot World, we have a massive selection of women's and men's steel toe boots that will hold up to repeated weather exposure, moisture, and heavy usage. Choose a first-rate pair with durable materials, and you’ll put off seeing your favorite boots wear down before their time!