Worn Well—Everything You Need to Know about Replacing Work Boots
While proper maintenance and care can extend the lifespan of footwear, there will still ultimately be a time when every work boot meets the end of the road.
- By Robin Skillings
- Oct 01, 2021
No one likes saying goodbye to a reliable pair of work boots, but it is important for workers to understand when it may be time to start looking for a replacement. Worn out boots are a safety hazard that can also create problems when it comes to the health of your feet.
There are clear signs that those favorite work boots might be wearing out to the point of needing replacement, key identifiers of foot health being in jeopardy and best practices that should always be kept in mind when it comes to maintaining and extending the lifespan of work boots. When it ultimately does become time to start looking for a new pair of boots, there are also important considerations before making a purchase.
When Enough is Enough
While proper maintenance and care can extend the lifespan of footwear, there will still ultimately be a time when every work boot meets the end of the road. This should not be a mystery, as there are several key indicators your boots may have had enough:
Delamination. Delamination of the outsole happens when the cement construction wears out due to either the age of the glue or exposure to caustic materials for lengths of time. The best ways to combat delamination are to remain cognizant of caustic materials that might come into contact with your boots or to look for either a direct attach or Goodyear welted product that is built to withstand more caustic work environments and materials.
Cracks or holes. This is a clear sign your boots are worn. If your work boot has a leather upper, note two things:
- Can you see your safety toe cap through the leather at the forefoot of your work boot? Even if there is only the smallest of cracks, they will grow over time which allows dirt, mud and particulate to enter the inside of your work boot and wear down the inner lining of your work boot and
- Is the leather cracking and dried out at the highest flexion point of your forefoot (where the boot bends)? If so, the integrity of your work boot might be jeopardized.
Damaged toe. If the protective toe in your boot is damaged, it needs to be replaced. Even if a toe cap does not look dented after taking a blow, the boot will still need to be replaced. While a steel or aluminum toe cap might dent or deform after a significant impact, a composite or carbon-fiber toe cap may not appear damaged after a crushing impact, but the chance exists that micro-cracks may have developed. One of the primary jobs of your boot is to provide protection, so a damaged toe is something that should not be ignored.
This article originally appeared in the October 2021 issue of Occupational Health & Safety.