I’ve been reading a lot lately about steel toe work boots. What I found quite interesting is that choosing the right boot is almost as difficult as choosing a life partner.

In both cases, to find the best option for you, you must analyze your own lifestyle, your wants and needs, and prioritize them. If this sounds a bit strange to you, read on and I promise to prove it.

Lifestyle is probably the biggest factor, and the question really comes down to what kind of work you do. If you think about it, our time at work, from the moment we leave home to the moment we return, usually accounts for about half of our waking hours. Of the 17 hours a day that the average person is awake, most of us spend around 9 hours dressed in our work clothes.

For those who work in an industrial line of work, steel toe work boots are often a requirement of the job and therefore are worn at least 9 hours a day. Those in other lines of work may only require a steel toe work boot for odd tasks around the home.

Those who want to wear work boots as a style statement don’t need a steel toe and can choose from hundreds of soft toe versions.

Now if your need for a work boot is industry related, not only will you need the steel toe, but your job will likely require you to be on your feet all day. Wearing a boot with an improper fit could create a long-term paralyzing effect.

What does “proper fit” really represent?

• The most important thing is arch support. Without proper arch support, you head for sagging arches, which can be extremely painful and debilitating.
• The heel support is number two on the list. Due to the sturdy soles found on a typical work boot, walking generally creates a tapping effect on the heel. Without proper heel support, you are more than likely to develop heel splints, another painful prospect.
• Next on the list is the proper width. If your boot is too narrow, it will obviously squeeze your feet. What it does is reduce the effectiveness of any arch support system built into the trunk. A tight foot does not sit properly in the arch area and therefore does not take full advantage of arch support.
• A boot that is too wide for your feet, while comfortable when standing still, will tend to cause blisters when walking.
• The weight of your steel toe work boot is next on the list. If you walk all day in boots, a heavier work boot will put more pressure on your ankles, calves, and knees. This can cause muscle cramps, tendonitis, Achilles tendon problems, and eventually the knees as well, as you adjust your walking style to accommodate various aches and pains.
• Last but not least is the thickness or durability of the soles of your steel toe work boots. The amount of walking you do each day at work and the types of ground cover you walk on make a big difference in the type of sole you will need. The more you walk each day and the rougher the terrain, the more important a thicker or more durable boot sole will be to your choice. Otherwise, you will change your boots every six months or so.

Comfort is the number one demand for any steel toe work boot, no matter the purpose. The big question is whether we should compromise a bit on the comfort side to win on the durability side.

My advice is that you should never compromise on the comfort side. Keep looking until you can find all the qualities you need in your steel toe work boots and a fit that is also comfortable.

There are literally hundreds of work boots to choose from. You should begin your search by writing down the most important needs to be met in order of priority. Then go online and search for the most popular boots. Most websites will provide you with customer reviews, which in my opinion is the best information. Customers will talk about comfort, durability, any issues they find, etc. Read these reviews and find the general topic. If most are solid recommendations, then you have found a winner. Not so strong reviews should provide you with precautions that you will need to address when shopping.

Based on all the reading and research I have done, I created a website that reflects the two most popular steel toe work boots, their selling characteristics, a collection of customer reviews from various websites, and a monthly price comparison. for these boots from the most popular online work boot stores.

My last tip is that you should never buy a work boot because it looks good. Learn about the key factors that make a steel toe work boot right for you. Then buy them according to your complete needs. I promise you that you will be much happier with your choice.