Just breathe! How to keep feet cool and comfortable on the job.

Whether it's because of warmer weather, warm or hot work conditions, or, someone who naturally has hot or sweaty feet, here are tips for what to look for when it comes to safety footwear that will help your feet stay cooler and drier on the job. 

Look for natural materials, specifically leather. Why leather?

Natural Pores: Leather, unlike many synthetic materials, possesses tiny pores that allow air to pass through facilitating ventilation and moisture evaporation.

Temperature Regulation: The airflow helps to keep feet cooler and drier by preventing the build-up of sweat and heat, making leather shoes a good choice for warm weather.

Breathability: The breathability of leather contributes to overall comfort by reducing moisture and preventing overheating, which can lead to discomfort and foot odour. While some synthetic materials are designed with breathable properties they generally can't match the natural breathability of leather.

As much as the outside of the shoe or boot is important, a lining that absorbs moisture and moves it away from your foot will make a big difference to your comfort. So look for a moisture-wicking lining.

o   Cambrelle® is a great material used for lining in some safety footwear brands. It offers a combination of abrasion resistance and moisture management to keep feet cool, dry, and comfortable even in extreme conditions.

o   Several well-known brands have developed their own moisture-wicking linings that are very effective, including: Kodiak, Terra, Timberland PRO and KEEN Utility. 

Mesh and perforation features.

Some safety footwear brands and styles have integrated mesh panels or perforated sections into their safety footwear to further improve ventilation. These are great additions and will help make work boots and safety shoes more comfortable and breathable. Make sure which ever option you choose to make sure the footwear meets standards for your work and are designed for your work conditions. 

What if you need waterproof footwear? Because waterproof footwear needs to repel moisture, they are often associated with not letting your feet breathe. Not so. Several brands use technology to create a waterproof membrane but not one that suffocates your feet. If the lining is breathable and your feet have room, air circulates, which will keep your feet cooler and drier. 

Wear the right socks!

A simple change in the socks that you wear can make a big impact on overall foot health and comfort in warm work conditions or if you have hot, sweaty feet.

Material matters.

Socks made from cotton are breathable but also retain moisture, which means you could be working with soggy feet. Not comfortable. Look for merio wool socks instead.  Despite being bool, they are breathable, moisture-wicking and help help keep feet cool and dry by pulling sweat away from your skin. 

Add a COOLMAX® Liner.

COOLMAX liner socks are a brand that we have seen a number of industries adopt as they actively pull perspiration away from the feet. Once moisture has been wicked away, it is able to be easily evaporated, allowing the wearer to feel cooler and more comfortable all day long! Put them on first, then add merino wool socks. The combination is great for reducing moisture and keeping your feet comfortable in a variety of work conditions. 

 Wash or Change Your Socks Daily.

We all know that odour is caused by bacteria, but as bacteria continues to increase, the odour becomes more difficult to manage as it becomes embedded in the fibres of the footwear itself. To prevent bacteria build-up, start by changing and washing your socks daily. Frequent sweating creates the perfect habitat for bacteria to grow. By mitigating the amount of sweat that is trapped within the socks and that is transferred to the footwear itself, odour build-up can be reduced. If you are continuously working in warm temperatures throughout the day, increase your comfort by bringing a number of pairs of socks to change into as the day progresses. 

Let safety footwear dry out!

While wearing the correct socks and ensuring that you use a clean pair every day can help reduce sweating, bacteria growth and odour, sometimes you need a little extra help to reduce sweat and odour build-up.

Here’s a pro-tip! To absorb unpleasant sweat and odour, crumple newspaper and place it in your shoes. Leave the newspaper in your work boots or safety shoes overnight, or whenever you’re not wearing them, and see the difference they make! 

Utilize Boot & Shoe Freshener

If odour caused by bacteria is continually a struggle to maintain, neutralize odour with a spray specifically created to handle the toughest of unwanted smells. Odour Stop Boot & Shoe Freshener contains a hygienic formula that neutralizes odour, keeping boots and shoes fresh all day from heel to toe. With an applicator specifically created to reach the toughest of areas, you can ensure that every part of your footwear is properly treated for optimal comfort. 

Safety footwear brands are using the latest technology to help regulate foot temperature and keep your feet comfortable. Here are a few to consider:

• Timberland PRO uses spacer mesh in their work boot linings which allows air to circulate between layers, promoting moisture wicking which helps keep feet cooler and drier. Many styles include uppers made of high-quality leather. Check out our collection of Timberland PRO work boots and safety shoes. 
• KEEN Utility features include a KEEN.DY membrane in some of their footwear styles. The membrane pores are sized to block water droplets while still letting air and vapour through. This allows moisture from sweat to escape, Check out our collection of KEEN Utility safety footwear.
• Terra footwear has developed Super Spacer lining and AEROVENT laying system to enhance breathability for superior climate control in specific footwear styles. Check out our collection of Terra footwear.
• Blundstone work boots are all made with quality leather and moisture-wicking lining. Check out our collection of Blundstone work boots. 
• Find Cambelle lining in select brand styles, including Sidewinder, Terra and Acton.  Available at Mister Safety Shoes