Shoes Safety – What You Need to Know
How does a person choose the best shoe for his needs? Many would say that it depends on what the person likes regarding design, and what the person feels better with. But, despite not being entirely wrong – there is a lot more to consider when it comes to choosing a good shoe.
Here is where shoe safety comes to play. As you won’t only have to make sure the shoe is right for your feet and looks good, you will also have to consider how safe it is, and how it meets your requirements depending on the desired activity.
To help you have a better idea, here we have an excellent guide on how to ensure the best safety when it comes to shoes. Take a look and learn more!
Shoes Grip & Traction
Traction and grip are probably the most overlooked factor in shoes nowadays. Yes, there are a wide variety of shoes like – crepe rubber sole boots, wedge boots, etc. that are uniquely designed to have more traction & grip.
But still, most shoes, especially fashion shoes, are generally exempt from having proper soles to meet at least the least recommended traction capacity.
Every buyer should beware of buying a pair of shoes just because of that. But that’s not the only reason. It is critical to know, also, that most “Slip-resistant” soles in the market are not as good as they claim to be.
Slippery surfaces are harder to attack in this area, so many of the so-called anti-slip soles are eventually not as effective as they should be.
The gripping ability of a sole comes directly from microscopic properties as well as from the sole design.
Especially when it comes to surfaces covered with fat, water, or even worse, oil-related substances – there’s practically nothing capable of preventing slips. But the right microscopic factors with the proper design can do the work.
To prevent these traction problems with your shoes, it is recommended to consider a few essential factors when choosing:
- Polyurethane, PVC, and other rubber soles are excellent for traction. They allow better microscopic designs than other bottoms.
- The sole design matters. Make sure to choose a shoe with the perfect design for your needs.
- Avoid as much as you can buying flat sole shoes, especially if they are sport or work-oriented.
Shoe Temperature
The temperature of a shoe will play a significant factor in how comfortable it is. But most importantly, on how safe it is to your feet depending on the activity you need it for. Indeed, it depends on whether you want the pair of shoes for cold temperatures or hot temperatures.
Cold Temperature
For a cold environment, there’s nothing more important than picking something with enough warmth capabilities. And here, leather is one of the best materials to select for a warmer feeling in cold temps.
However, the right closeness of a shoe may also play a significant role in how useful it is in maintaining temperatures. Here are a few elements to consider:
- Insulation is essential. A snow boot, for example, should have between 500 to 1,000 grams of insulation while a medium cold-environment shoe should offer between 200 and 500.
- A shoe should be able of maintaining insulation even if it is wet. Here is when leather is always much more effective.
- Light boots are often excellent for demanding activities in cold temperatures. Rubber-related constructions with rubber soles will maintain feet warm and protected.
- Heavy boots are better for less demanding activities in the cold. They often come with better insulation, including materials such as wool & cotton.
Hot Temperatures
Here, it is essential to consider shoes made of leather, specifically pigskin which is usually more fire-retardant and fresh. However, there is a broader range of elements to consider:
- Go for shoes with enough ventilation. In hot places, ventilation will help to maintain the feet fresh while doing activities without problems.
- The material is essential, thin leathers, nylon, and other mesh materials are excellent for more breathability. They also maintain the temperature at a range.
- Consider the outsole of the shoe. A heat-resistant outsole made of rubber or any similar synthetic material will probably offer better durability and heat resistance.
- Elasticity is essential for hot-temperature shoes as well. With enough flexibility, footwear is more likely to be fresher and comfortable, which diminishes heat dangers.
Shoes Fit and Comfort
Now that you have considered the grip & traction and the temperature, it is time to know more about how fit and comfort may matter when it comes to safety.
Without a proper fit and comfort, a person is more likely to suffer accidents, but also to suffer conditions as well. An uncomfortable shoe may also promote blisters, hammertoes, plantar fasciitis, heel spurs, calluses, gout, and many others. So, it is indispensable to make sure the shoes fit correctly at all times.
Here are a few recommendations to consider when choosing new shoes:
- Check design and material quality. Soft shoes are often more comfortable, yet made with less resistant materials which could change the shape of the shoe eventually. Hard shoes, on the other hand, may feel less comfortable but promote better foot shape.
- Always choose the proper size for both feet. If you go a size over or below your appropriate one, you may eventually find the shoe uncomfortable and unsafe.
- Walk on a shoe before buying it. Make sure it fits your needs, adjust correctly to your feet, toes, ankle, and doesn’t hurt in any way.
- Laces & threads should secure the feet inside the boot or shoe. If you tie/secure up the boots and your feet don’t stay inside, it means you will have to look for a different shape, model, or size.
- Eyelet spacing is also essential. At least one finger’s space between each eyelet. They shouldn’t be too apart or close together. If there’s excessive wrinkling or tying, don’t choose that shoe.
Socks and Insoles
The most overlooked part of shoe safety is the use of socks and insoles. They can play a significant difference in how safe a boot is, and it goes from temperature to comfort up to sanitation.
The right socks, for example, can be used for cold temperatures if they are made of cotton and wool. Instead, a thin sock made of nylon may provide superior performance in hot temperatures. But remember, always try to use reinforced socks to prevent toe and heel holes in socks.
Insoles, on the other hand, improve not only comfort but also the fit of a shoe. They are additional items that can also diminish feet conditions with the right shape. Some of these may be specifically designed to treat plantar fasciitis and to minimize pronation.
Shoes Safety is Always Critical
Don’t let the looks of a shoe deceive you at the moment of choosing the right one. Make sure the shoe comes with everything you need to make use of it correctly and minimize dangers.
However, also remember to use any additional item such as a good pair of socks and insoles, so you improve your comfort, fit, and even prevent conditions if needed.
Always consider these safety recommendations and forget about accidents with your shoes!