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When you get a new pair of work boots, they aren't likely to fit perfectly when you first take them out of the box. Once new boots have been broken in properly, they will conform to your unique foot shape. This takes time. By following the best practices during the breaking-in process, you can have comfortable boots without causing damage to your new footwear. Using the wrong techniques risks permanently damaging them. Avoid techniques that involve water or extreme heat. Leather is durable, but it is possible to severely damage it. You want your boots to have a snug fit, and you don't want to warp them before you've even gotten a chance to work in them. 

If you don't want to be bothered with breaking in boots for work, the Chippewa Apache Logger 20091 and the Timberland Pro Linden TB01150A214 require no breaking in at all. Otherwise, follow these tips for breaking in your new boots as fast as possible.

Things You Should Do 

Get boots that fit.

New boots are not going to be perfectly contoured to your unique foot shape right when you take them out of the box, but they do need to fit well. A pair that did not fit snugly to begin with will never be comfortable. If you have already purchased boots and they don't fit like they should, return them immediately. You need to start with a pair that actually fit.

Wear your new boots at home.

Wear your boots at home for about ten minutes per day instead of trying to make it through a whole shift at work in them before they have been broken in. Gradually increase the amount of time you spend wearing them so that you regularly spend time walking and sitting with the boots on your feet.

Apply leather conditioner.

Moisturizer is a great way to speed up the breaking in process. Leather conditioners provide hydration and come in a variety of types including creams, oils, and liquids. Moistened leather bends easier, but that does not mean it's a good idea to soak the leather in water. A conditioner will provide just the right amount of hydration.

Things You Should Not Do

Do not ignore severe discomfort.

Every boot manufacturer sizes products a little differently. If you noticed a pinch or an uncomfortable area when you were trying boots on, return them if you can. These types of problems will not go away once your work boots are broken in.

Do not submerge your boots in water.

Some people recommend fully submerging new boots in water to help break them in. Others say to soak them and wear wet boots for a while. These are terrible suggestions. In addition to being unpleasant to wear wet boots, water can also severely damage leather. Eventually, exposure to water causes leather to warp.

Do not apply direct heat.

Some people recommend baking leather footwear in an oven or blasting it with a hair dryer to speed up the breaking in process. This is a bad idea for the same reason a leather conditioner is a good idea. Dry, cracked leather is not what you want.

If you want your work boots to fit properly and last as long as possible, they have to be broken in properly. Remember, many of the methods people use for breaking in boots can lead to ruined leather. If you don't have time to break in your new footwear, consider the Chippewa Apache Logger 20091 or the Timberland Pro Linden TB01150A214 from Coastalboot.com. Neither of these boots require breaking in, so you can get right to work in them.

Choosing a good hiking boot is no small matter. When deciding which hiking boots will work best for you, there are some essentials to consider. First, the most important features are comfort and durability. You may be wearing them for a long time, and they will be the only thing protecting your feet and ankles from the terrain. 

The midsole provides your feet with a buffer from shock and determines how flexible your boot will be. Look for midsoles made from EVA and polyurethane, as these materials provide cushioning and strength. You want to ensure that your boots hold up to wear and tear, so resilient materials like full-grain leather are essential.

Here is a list of five great hiking boots that are guaranteed to provide comfort, durability, shock resistance, and great water resistance to keep your feet comfortable and dry for the long haul.

CAROLINA CA4534 
These leather waterproof boots by Carolina feature 5.5 inch aluminum toe caps and abrasion-resistant heel and toe guards. With quality construction and use of superior materials, these boots can withstand just about anything. As is the case with Carolina’s boots, the rubber outsole binding of the boot was constructed with super strong cement. Inside the boot, your foot will be supported by a well-cushioned insole with a removable EVA footbed and dual density EVA midsole. The boot is fully waterproof, keeping your foot dry and protected no matter where you go.

KEEN 1007023 
The Keen Pittsburgh boot offers a slip-proof and water-resistant outsole. The boot is fully lined with further waterproof material that provides extreme comfort and support. With Keen's patented Keen Dry waterproof breathable membrane, you are provided the breathability and waterproof protection you need for an extreme, or even a short, hike. These boots also feature an EVA Heel Cushioning Insert and a contoured heel lock to protect your feet from whatever terrain you encounter.

DR MARTENS R16277001 
Dr Martens have a reputation for lasting forever, and for good reason. These sturdy boots feature full grain leather construction and an abrasion-resistant steel toe. These Dr Martens provide a Sympatex waterproof barrier, which makes them waterproof, windproof, yet still completely breathable. The boot's interior includes a Smarmask polyurethane insole, which offers flexibility and durability to keep your feet comfortable all day.

CAROLINA CA4531
This 7" boot provides all the great features that can be expected in a Carolina boot, including a rubber outsole binding constructed with cement for flexible comfort. This boot provides an aluminum toe cap, abrasion resistance in the toe and heel, and a comfortable cushion insole with a removable EVA footbed. The boots are lined with both 400 grams of Thinsulate to moderate the temperature, as well as waterproof Scubaliner to keep them dry. 

DANNER 17602 
The Danner Corvallis GTX is a five-inch boot with leather uppers and a slip-resistant 90-degree heel. They feature a non-conductive electrical shock resistant sole and heel for safety. These boots have excellent traction, and are lined with Gore-Tex to ensure comfort and to keep your feet dry in all kinds of conditions. The Corvallis is built with 5" full-grain leather for comfort and durability and offer wider speed laces for a more secure fit.

Now that you have the information, get yourself a pair of great hiking boots and really enjoy the great outdoors.

There are various jobs that require you to wear safety toe boots, such as steel toe boots or composite toe boots. You may think wearing specialty boots isn’t going to do much except slow you down, but the truth is, your employer is trying to keep you safe. In fact, certain occupations now require that employees wear safety toe boots. As you browse through our Coastal Boot online store for your new pair of safety toe boots, keep in mind what type of job you have, the conditions you work in, and the type of protection you need to keep safe. In this article, we will introduce you to the history of safety toe footwear and who were the first people to wear them.

At the end of World War II, industrial safety became a serious issue for employers. Before the war, it was easier and cheaper to replace an injured worker than it was to introduce new safety measures.  As liability costs increased, companies needed to find new and better options. One solution, steel toe boots which were originally introduced in Germany for workers, but soon the German military began to issue steel toe boots to its soldiers.

In the United States, Red Wing released their first steel toe boots for both military and industrial workers. The brands Grinders and Dr. Martens became popular around the 1960’s mainly by extremist subculture groups because they could be used as weapons in fights. In the 80’s and 90’s steel toe boots become the go-to footwear for the punk subculture as well.

Steel toe boots were designed to last a long time. In addition to steel, there are other types of materials used to reinforce safety toe boots, such as aluminum, plastics, and composites. Many of these styles also come with sole plate, which prevent nails from puncturing the bottom of the shoe. When wearing steel toe shoes your feet are protected from getting crushed by a falling object or work equipment.  If you work in construction you probably know how dangerous it is to step on a nail or drop heavy equipment on your feet. Wearing steel toe boots can help you prevent serious injury.

You probably already know that OSHA (Occupational Safety & Health Act) enforces workplace standards and safety. OSHA was passed in 1970 and requires that all employees wear proper footwear in the workplace. Steel toe boots have to pass impact and compression tests, which essentially put a lot of weight and pressure on the boots in order to make sure the steel toe area isn’t easily crushed. So the next time you drop something on your foot and your toes are not severed, thank your boss for making you wear steel toe boots.

Today’s steel toe boots are no longer a single design, they now come in various styles and colors. Mechanics, construction workers, police officers, soldiers, and even civilians wear steel toe boots to help give their feet the much needed extra protection.

We at Coastal Boot have a wide variety of steel toe boots, composite toe boots, and aluminum toe boots for you to choose from. Give us a call today at 1 (800) 972-7627 to place an order over the phone or go to our website and take a look at all of our available brands and styles. 

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 If you work in an industrial environment, a good pair of safety toe boots is crucial to your safety and job performance. In addition to protecting your feet from falling objects, a good pair of boots will also protect you from bruises, burns, sprains and cuts.  

In the past steel was used for foot protection in the manufacture of safety toe boots. However, with the advent of modern materials, composites, and alloys are now being used by all of the major footwear companies in their safety toe footwear.  All safety toe boots will protect your foot from impact and compression given an ASTM rating.  All of our boots are ASTM rated and we refuse to carry non ASTM rated boots.

Steel Toe Boots are the original standard;  they have are a protective reinforcement made out of steel in the toe area. This is meant to protect your feet from the impact and compression of falling objects. Steel toe boots must meet ASTM safety requirements and are often used by electrical, construction, and workers who work in dangerous environments.

Alloy Toe Boots

The Pros: All of the positives of a steel toe boot but with a 30-50$

• All pros of steel toe boots listed above
• 30-50% Weight reduction over a similar sized steel toe boot
• Typically thinner than steel toe boots leaving more wiggle room for your toes
• Will not set off metal detectors allowing easy travel through secure areas

The Cons: Somewhat more expensive that steel toe boots but many of the positives will outweigh the small cost to upgrade.

Composite toe boots

Pros:

Cons:

are boots that have a protective reinforcement made out of non-metal materials, such as carbon fiber, Kevlar, fiberglass, or plastic. Initial press and compression ASTM tests show that composite toe boots meet safety requirements, but the composite material couldn’t hold up to additional testing that the steel toe boots passed.

Here are the differences between composite toe boots and steel toe boots:

The most important thing to consider is what type of job you have, the conditions you work in, and the type of protection you need to keep safe. Composite toe boots may be lighter and don’t set off metal detectors, but they also don’t offer the same level of protection as steel toe boots.

Workers who spend all or most of the workday on their feet find that they are less tired and more comfortable when their feet have the additional support of orthotic insoles. Whether it’s pushing a gurney, making deliveries, working on the production line, fixing cars, or working in construction there are various occupations where workers spend their workdays on their feet. If you’re one of those workers, your feet literally take a pounding daily, which is why you should consider getting foot orthotics.

The Importance Proper Foot Support

The most important tool a worker or tradesperson has is their body. You can use the best tools available on the market, but if your body hurts and you can’t work, you’re out of luck. Having proper foot support means you’ll not only be more comfortable while you work, but you’ll also avoid knee and back pain and injury.

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The human foot is impressively flexible. With every step your foot rolls inward and your foot’s arch collapses in order to disperse shock to the body when walking. As your foot rolls inward your lower leg rotates inward and your knee tracks inward. When this occurs your back and pelvis tip become misaligned. Workers do this hundreds of time every day, often carrying heavy loads. That is why many workers who spend a lot of time of their feet have a tough time getting out of bed in the morning, have a bad back, or suffer from knee pain.

Don’t Neglect Your Feet!

Most people find it easy to neglect their feet and overlook foot support. In fact, most people have pain caused by lack of foot support, but don’t realize it. That is because bad food support doesn’t cause foot pain. Instead, it causes back and knee pain. Individuals who suffer from back and knee pain often associate it with issues on their knees and back, instead of their feet. To understand how lack of foot support can cause back and knee discomfort you need to understand how feet affect the alignment of your entire body.

Give this a try- take off your shoes and stand with your bare feet parallel to one another, about shoulder-width apart. Roll your feet onto their outer edges with your arches up and off of the floor. You’ll notice that when you do that your lower leg rotates outward and when you gently bend your knees they will track outward.  Now roll your feet back so that your arches are flat on the ground. Your legs should rotate inward and when you lightly bend your knees they will track forward, as they are

Buying a New Pair of Shoes Will Not Give You Proper Foot Support, But Getting Foot Orthotics Will!

Buying a new pair of shoes will not give you proper foot support, but replacing the generic insoles with foot orthotics will. Generic insoles are not built to give you the support you need. Foot orthotics, on the other hand, will help keep your body properly aligned, minimizing back and knee pain.

We at Coastal Boot have Foot Soldier Professional Grade Foot Orthotics available for individuals looking for better foot support. Give us a call today at 1 (800) 972-7627 to place an order over the phone or go to our foot orthotics page and place your order online.  

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A good pair of work boots are not cheap. Cheap work boots are not good. If you work under harsh conditions or in a dangerous work environment you need good quality work boots, especially if your employer requires you to wear steel toe boots. Higher quality work boots may cost a little more than regular boots, but you can be sure that they also last a lot longer; especially if you take good care of them. In this post we will teach you some of the best ways to take care of your boots and help make them last longer. 

Start With the Basics

If you are going to purchase or have already purchased a pair of good quality work boots then there’s one more thing you’ll need to buy, oil. Whether you have steel toe boots, composite toe boots, aluminum toe boots, or another type of work boots you’ll need to regularly oil them to keep them looking great and help them last longer.

There are quite a few oils out there and they all promise to do essentially the same thing. The best way to choose a good quality oil is to Google “Leather Boot Oil” and read some of the reviews. Find an oil that will give you the most bang for your buck.

Get a Brush

One of the cheapest tools you’ll need to help your boots last longer is a brush. Purchase a cheap plastic brush and use it to brush off dried dirt, mud, or excess grit. Always do this outside or over some newspaper so that you don’t make a mess all over your home. Make sure to never apply oil on work boots that have dirt on them.

Invest in a Boot Dryer

Buying a boot dryer is a lifetime investment. Boot dryers use heat, steam, or warm air to dry your boots overnight. This comes in handy when you have to work in wet rainy weather. If you invest on a good boot dryer it should last a couple of years (some last more than 10 years). Most good boot dryers cost somewhere from $45 to $100, although you can find some cheap knockoffs on eBay. You can purchase whichever one you like, but keep in mind that good quality isn’t cheap and cheap isn’t good quality.

Re-Sole Your Shoes When Necessary

Buying a good pair of work boots is an investment, which is why you’ll want to find a professional who is willing to keep your work boots going longer. We understand that you don’t want to spend a lot of new work boots every few months, which is why we advise you to find someone in your area who will repair and re-sole your work boots. The most important thing is that you trust the person who you are leaving your boots with and that you build a lasting relationship, especially since you’ll probably be bringing your work boots to this individual for years to come.

Additional Products

Here are some additional products you should consider purchasing when you buy work boots:

Work Socks – If you’re like everyone else, you want to be comfortable while you work. We offer work socks that are comfortable and keep your feet dry all day long.

Foot Soldier Foot Orthotics – To ensure that your boots are comfortable all day long and to prevent back and knee pain you should purchase foot orthotics. It provides the support you need for a long day of hard work and it also helps reduce foot pain.

Water Repellent – Water repellent creates a waterproof barrier that help keep your work boots dry even in the wettest conditions.

By purchasing a good quality pair of work boots and taking good care of them you can keep wearing them for a long time. Just remember, when it’s time to replace your boots find work boots worth investing in. 

We at Coastal Boot have top quality work boots and care products available at affordable prices. Give us a call today at 1 (800) 972-7627 to place an order over the phone or go to our website and place your order online.  

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Worker safety is important and it should always be a priority! The Occupational Safety and Health Administration, or OSHA, requires employees to wear non-slip shoes (slip-resistant shoes) if they work in an environment where there may be oil, water, grease, or other liquids on the floor. Non-slip (or slip-resistant) shoes are essential for reducing the possibility of slips and falls while working.

Restaurant Workers

When you think of non-slip shoes (slip-resistant shoes), you probably immediately think of restaurant workers. Restaurant workers are known for having to wear non-slip shoes because of the environment they work in. Restaurant workers have to walk in and out of the kitchen and through the restaurant, including regularly making their way through spills. Some employers also use floor treatments that help create greater traction and resistance.

Roofing Contractors

Roofing contractors work in very dangerous environments. They not only walk on roofs of homes, they also have to climb ladders on a regular basis. A good pair of non-slip shoes (slip-resistant shoes) can mean the difference between having a great work day and spending the day in the emergency room.

Commercial and Residential Cleaners

Cleaning professionals are often required to wear non-slip shoes (slip-resistant shoes) because floors become dangerous when they are being cleaned. Regardless of whether they are cleaning the kitchen, a bathroom, a hallway, or offices, it’s important for these employees to wear non-slip shoes (slip-resistant shoes) to avoid injuries from a slip and fall. 

Food Processing Factory Workers

Food processing factories are dangerous and because employees have to walk back and forth on the hard floors they are required to wear non-slip shoes (slip-resistant shoes). The floors of a food processing factory can get wet and walking on a wet floor without non-slip shoes (slip-resistant shoes) is simply too dangerous.

Coastal Boot Caries a Wide Selection of Non-Slip Shoes

We understand how important it is that workers wear the right shoes. You shouldn’t risk injury by wearing regular shoes. Don’t spend another minute wearing the wrong shoes to work, instead, get yourself a pair of high-quality non-slip shoes.

We at Coastal Boot have a wide selection of affordable non-slip shoes available for individuals looking for better traction. Give us a call today at 1 (800) 972-7627 to place an order over the phone or go to our non-slip shoes / Slip-resistant shoes page and place your order online.  

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When it comes to hiking a trail, one thing is certain, wearing the wrong shoes can be downright dangerous! Whether you decide to wear hiking boots or trail shoes, is entirely up to you, but many avid hikers suggest that hiking boots are better equipped for going through multiple terrains. If you’re just going for a quick, flat, day hike you won’t really need hiking boots, but if you’re going hiking in a more challenging place you should be more cautious with your choice of footwear. In this article, we’ll discuss what matters when you’re choosing hiking boots.

Tread

One of the most important things to consider when choosing hiking boots is the amount of tread you’ll need. The tread is the bottom part of the sole that touches the ground and has a pattern to grip uneven surfaces and prevent slipping while walking downhill. Most sneakers and tennis shoes are designed with a light tread, which is essentially useless when hiking through rocky, uneven terrain, or up and down hills. If you’re heading for a walk on a flat trail, any sneakers will suffice. Trails with tougher terrains require better treads with increased traction.

Support and Stiffness

If you are hiking the backcountry, you’ll need greater support and stiffness, especially if you’re carrying a heavy backpack through rough terrain. Hiking boots offer better ankle coverage, which helps prevent ankle sprains, and much stiffer midsoles, which provide better support. It’s dangerous to wear regular sneakers or tennis shoes when hiking because not only can you sprain your ankle, but you can actually hurt yourself. Nothing is worse than hurting yourself in the middle of a hike, especially if you’re in a remote trail with no hiking buddy.

Streams and Mud

If your hike is going to take you into a stream, mud, or through rain, you’ll need to find the appropriate hiking boots. Many of the hiking boots available at Coastal boot are waterproof, which means you can walk through water or mud without worrying about getting your feet wet. Tennis shoes are simply not made for wet environments and once they get wet they stay wet for a long time.

What to Consider

If you’re not a frequent hiker and only go on easy, flat hikes, you can stick with your sneakers or tennis shoes. However, if you go hiking regularly and often hike trails that have hills, rocks, and uneven surfaces, you’re better off investing on a pair of good quality hiking boots.

We at Coastal Boot have a wide selection of affordable hiking boots available for individuals who love adventure! Give us a call today at 1 (800) 972-7627 to place an order over the phone or go to our website’s hiking boots page, and place your order online.  


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There are work hazards that occur every day in various work environments. In this article, we’ve compiled the top hazards that occur frequently and explain the best way to prevent them. Although there are additional hazards that may be found in workplaces, these are the ones we felt needed some immediate attention. Use this article to educate yourself on how to prevent hazards from occurring and stay safe during your work day.

Trips, Slips, and Falls

The most common cause of injuries in the workplace is falling. Employees often trip over uneven floor surfaces and loose cables or slip because of wet floors. Employers end up spending a lot of money every year on these types of mishaps, which could have easily been prevented if safety regulations had been followed properly. It’s the responsibility of both the employers and the employees to ensure that they are in a safe work environment.

Accidents happen, but by cleaning up spills, returning equipment to where it belongs, putting up better lighting, and requiring employees to wear slip-resistant boots or slip-resistant shoes can help ensure employees’ safety.

Electrical

Individuals who work with electricity put themselves in serious danger on a daily basis. “Live” wires are extremely dangerous. In fact, if a “live” wire touches someone directly or indirectly it can harm or even kill someone. Voltages higher than 50 volts AC (or 120 volts DC) are hazardous and need to be taken seriously. Every year there are at least a handful of fatal electrical accidents that occur in the workplace. Even if you don’t die from getting electrocuted, you may be injured permanently.  These accidents are often caused by faulty equipment, which should have been checked in an effort to avoid issues.

Some important steps you should take to avoid electrical accidents include: ensure all electrical installations are up to standards, use the right equipment for the job (such as wearing electrical hazard rated boots), and replace any sections of the cables which are damaged.

Fire

Fire is another common workplace hazard that you should watch out for. In order to prevent danger caused by fire, you should take some important precautions, such as making sure all fire alarms and detectors are working fine and have batteries (just in case the power goes out). All employees need to be trained on how to use the fire alarm and what the proper escape plan is.

Fire extinguishers should be placed throughout the building and needs to be checked and maintained on a regular basis. If employees are working near flames, they should always wear fire-resistant workwear. Highly flammable materials should always be handled with care, electrical equipment should be turned off when it’s not being used, and cigarette butts should always be entirely put out in an effort to minimize fire hazards. Employees and employers both need to play an active role in preventing fires ion the workplace.

Physical Hazards

Physical hazards are at the top of the list of common workplace hazards. Unguarded machinery, vibrations, frayed electrical cords, exposed moving parts, and working up high on a ladder or scaffolding are all causes of workplace physical hazards. Falling objects can also cause physical hazards.

As you go through your workday you’ll likely spot one or more of the aforementioned issues. Always be attentive as you go through your workplace and when you bump into hazards be sure to let someone know so that the issue gets fixed. This will help ensure that you have a safe work environment. Employers need to ensure employee safety and continuously educate workers on how to properly operate, work near, and care for work equipment. Employees should always wear safety equipment and workwear, such as steel toe boots, to minimize physical hazards.

Chemical Hazards

If you work with chemicals the last thing you want is to be exposed to those chemicals directly. Cleaning products and solvents, carbon monoxide, vapors and fumes, gasoline, and other flammable materials can hurt you and can even cause permanent damage. Chemicals can burn, as well as cause skin irritations, eye injury, and even permanent blindness if you are not careful. Solvents and spray paint cans are highly flammable and can explode if not kept away from heat. All hazardous substances must be accurately labelled and should include appropriate precaution symbols. Remember to always follow the directions provided to working with certain products. If you don’t know how to correctly use a certain product, avoid it entirely.

Be sure to dispose chemicals properly, never pouring them down the drain. Employees need adequate ventilation, a sink to wash their hands after handling chemicals, protective gear like chemical-resistant gloves and masks, and ensure chemical bottles do not have any leaks.

Noise

This type of workplace hazard is often overlooked, but the truth is, loud noise can permanently damage your hearing. Hearing loss can occur progressively through prolonged exposure to loud noises, or immediately through exposure to certain sound waves, such as those caused by explosions or gunfire. Individuals who work in noisy places, like construction sites, factories, or airports are most at risk for hearing loss.

If employees have to raise their voices to communicate from only a yard away the noise level is already at a harmful level. Employers must always ensure that all employees are trained on how to wear hearing protection and minimize hearing loss risks.

Regardless of what your job is, stay safe!

We at Coastal Boot have a wide selection of affordable slip-resistant boots, slip-resistant shoes, steel toe boots (and much more) available for individuals who work in a hazardous work environment. Give us a call today at 1 (800) 972-7627 to place an order over the phone or go to our website, and place your order online.  

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(EH) Electrical Hazard Safety Footwear

Electrical Hazard boots and shoes are designed to significantly reduce the flow of electricity that goes through the shoes and ground, which will in turn minimize the possibility of getting electrocuted.  Electrical Hazard boots will always have an “EH” on the ASTM label, which is sewn into the inside of the boots.

Electrical Hazard boots are not meant to be the main source of protection in an electrical hazard environment. EH boots are designed to be used as a secondary source of protection. Soft-toe shoes and boots cannot be used as EH rated footwear.

(SD) Static Dissipating Safety and non-Safety Footwear

Static Dissipating safety shoes (and Static Dissipating soft-toe shoes) are designed to minimize the amount of static electricity build-up on your body. Although EH rated shoes must be safety shoes, Static Dissipating shoes can be either safety or non-safety. Static Dissipating shoes help protect against the dangers of static buildup in the workplace. ESD shoes conduct static electricity through the insole, linings, cement, outsole, and into the ground, helping regulate the buildup of electrical charge on a person’s body. Static Dissipating Safety Shoes and non-Safety Shoes must always be clearly labelled with an “SD” on the ASTM label sewn into the inside of the shoes.

In order for Static Dissipating shoes to work correctly you’ll need to make sure of the following:

•          Never put in another type of insole into the shoe. Only use the specially designed Static Dissipating insole, otherwise the static electricity will not flow through the insole.
•          If your insole becomes non-conductive you should replace the shoes immediately. If you do not your shoes will not dissipate static electricity.
•          Your feet and socks should not be overly dry when wearing ESD footwear. Humidity is necessary for peak ESD performance. Avoid shoe powders, which could reduce humidity in the shoes.
•          It’s important that the floor and sole of your shoe is always clean. If your sole is dirty with dust and other foreign matter it won’t be to maintain good contact with the floor, which means the static electricity will not be able to flow into the ground.

 Static Dissipating Safety Shoes are mainly worn in computer component handling facilities, processing plants, and manufacturing facilities. That is because those particular environments cause a build-up of static electricity on the employees who are operating the machines and if the employee touches metal or another person they will feel a “shock”. Static Dissipating shoes can prevent this annoyance and discomfort, but the mats, floor, and machines need to be grounded as well to reduce the overall static electricity in the environment.

Depending on what type of job you have and the environment you work in you’ll need to wear adequate footwear.

How to Care For ESD Footwear

In order to ensure your ESD shoes are performing at their best they must be frequently maintained and regularly cleaned. Here’s what you should do every week to care for your ESD shoes:

1. Use a mild soap to scrub the outsole. Keep your ESD shoe soles clean and free of dirt and other debris.
2. Remove the insoles from your ESD shoes and vacuum the interior of the shoe and the insole. Keep the inside of your shoes very clean.
3. Clean the upper of the shoes with a damp cloth.

Now that you know what EH boots and ESD shoes are and how to care for them you’ll be able to determine which boots/shoes are right for you.