Thursday 22 August 2013

To Buy or Not To Buy: A Guide to Choosing The Best Work Shoes

Fact: wearing the wrong type of work shoes could result to blisters and bunions. Work shoes are worn for hours on end, so choosing the best work shoes that meet your individual needs is important. That can be achieved by keeping the following considerations in mind.

The Nature of The Job

Choose work shoes that are ideal for your line of work. After all, your line of work dictates the degree of mobility required. A cocktail waitress may log the same number of hours as a personal trainer, but they sure do not engage in the same activities and the settings are different. Some settings even require a specific feature for work shoes; for example, in hospitals, the sounds that heels and soles make as they hit the floor could distract patients so soft and silent outsoles are required.

There are four major classifications of work shoes - shoes for outdoor work, dress shoes, casual shoes and athletic shoes.

- Shoes or boots for outdoor work typically have great traction, superb ankle and arch support and are made of hardy materials.

- Dress shoes are typically used for corporate settings.

- Athletic shoes are the most diverse; there are specialty shoes for specific sports or activities such as running, training, soccer, basketball, and even bowling.

- Casual shoes are typically used in settings where dress shoes are not exactly required as in hospitals and casual entertainment and dining establishments.

Ergonomics

The feet carry quite a load with every step and the foot's arch takes the brunt of it; that is why they require decent arch support. If your work involves a whole lot of walking around, as in hospital jobs, good arch support is necessary. Choosing the best work shoes that provide the correct amount of arch support when working in these types of jobs can make life in work more comfortable.

Also, sometimes, soft-soled shoes are more comfortable than stiff soles and they would keep foot pain at bay even if the wearer walks around for hours.

For women, heel height should be considered. Heels make women look more elegant and poised, which is handy for jobs that require making good impressions, as in corporate settings. However, comfort is compromised. The trick is to choose heel heights that would strike a balance between comfort and appearance. There are also shoes with heels with higher toe platforms; they create the illusion of higher heels.

Grip

Outsoles are vital too. If better traction were required, as in outdoor settings, deeper treads would be needed. This is also the case with very smooth surfaces as in tiled flooring. The problem with deep treads though is that they are prone to mud and dirt accumulation.

Slip-proof work shoes may be required too, particularly for janitorial work or settings that are consistently wet, such as kitchens' dishwashing areas. These shoes come with special tread patterns that prevent slips.

Materials for the Uppers

Most shoes are made of leather, particularly dress shoes; some are made of nylon mesh and other materials. Nylon mesh shoes are lightweight and breathable, which is perfect for regions with warm weather. They are not as water resistant as full-grain leather though.

Construction

Stitch down construction is the most reliable because with this method, the outsole is stitched to the uppers. Direct attach construction entails the moulding of the outsole directly to the upper's materials. The bond is excellent but is not as strong as stitch-downs. Cement construction made use of glue; shoes with this type of construction are cheaper but they are not as strong as those made with the first two methods.

Size

Make sure the work shoes are a perfect fit; this entails considering not just the length but the width as well. Walk around the work shoes you want to buy to find out if they really fit; make sure the shoes are tight around the heel area, and that they provide good arch support. Wiggle your toes to find out if there is ample room. Make sure you are wearing socks are as thick as those that you usually wear to work.

Choosing the best work shoes is an easy task; just take your time, keep the tips mentioned here in mind, and you are not likely to up regretting buying an ill-fitting shoe.

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