The truth about the break-in period for safety shoes and work boots

 

When selecting safety shoes and work boots, it's essential to understand that safety footwear requires a different approach than regular street shoes, particularly regarding the break-in period. At Mister Safety Shoes, we emphasize that fit and comfort are crucial, as workers wear these shoes daily. To ensure proper fit, there should be enough room in the toe area to wiggle your toes, as the protective toe won't adjust over time. Additionally, it's beneficial to try on various brands and styles to find the best weight, width, and support for your feet. Generally, if shoes are comfortable in the store, they should be comfortable at work too. A useful practice is to wear your new safety footwear at home for short periods before wearing them for a full day on the job to let your feet have time to adjust to them. 

The truth about the break-in period for safety shoes and work boots.

Buying and wearing safety shoes and work boots isn't the same as regular street shoes. One of the most important differences is the "break-in" period. While street shoes can and will stretch with wear. It's not the same for safety shoes and work boots. Here's what you need to know. 

It starts with the fit!

At Mister Safety Shoes we know fit and comfort are the most important factors when making a good safety footwear decision. A worker has to wear their safety shoes or work boots all day, every day. So if their feet are not comfortable or supported then the impact will be felt not only on their feet, but their legs and back too. That’s why it’s important to make sure you: (1) Have space in the toe area. You should be able to wiggle your toes. The protective toe in safety shoes and work boots will not flex or "give" over time, so room for your toes needs to be good from the outset; and (2) Try on several different brands and styles so you find the right weight, the right width, and, the right and foot support specifically for you - this will translate into comfort. 

In general, if your safety shoes or work boots are comfortable in the store, they will be comfortable on the job as well. 

Comfort Tip: A little homework might help. 

There are many tips for “breaking in” safety footwear. Most of them don't apply anymore. However there is one tip that can help: Try wearing your new safety shoes around your house for a short period of time first. Just like with a new pair of running shoes, if you wear them for the first time and go for an all-day hike, your feet may hurt. So by giving your feet, and the CSA shoes or work boots, a brief workout ahead of time at home, you will be better prepared  for a full day of work. 

We carry more than 200 styles of work boots and safety shoes and our fit and comfort experts help hard-working customers find the best option for them every day, so they can have better work days!