Elaine Overton

Archive for May, 2011

Many companies produce reports and articles of why their steel toe shoes are perfect, so I will give an unbiased opinion of how to select a pair of quality steel toe shoes.

You should consider the following 5 factors when buying steel toe shoes:  Fabric, Durability, Sole, Flexibility, and Additional Features. I will go into more detail on each of these categories below.

Fabric: Different fabrics can make or break a shoe in a matter of months. It can also make you feel uncomfortable if it is not the right fabric. There are gortex like rubber, canvas like fabrics, suede, and leather. Leather has one of the best aspects for steel toe safety aspects in my opinion. They are easily broken in after a few days and then they fit your foot like a glove. Leather will not burn and ignite into flames or melt. If they are burnt or scuffed they can be easily polished and masked away. Thick leather is ideal and looks nice.

Durability: Is the shoe made to last a long time or is it just made to OSHA standards with a shelf life of only six months? What I mean by durability, is whether the shoe will last for two years of wear and tear before you have to replace them. Some shoes may look nice and can take a beating but after a few months the stitches come apart, the metal wears through the padding and digs into your foot, there are many things which can occur if the shoe is not engineered just right. Does the shoe have a steel shank? Is the steel toe area padded well and with lasting material? Will the shoe backing hold? And the sole, how long will that last?

Sole: This is very important and is more of a sub category of Durability, but merits its own category. First, there are two types of soles, those made to last a year or more and those that are not. I have seen shoes with holes showing in the sole after only a few weeks as the rubber begins to wear away and the hollow honey comb style sole bears forth. Literally dig your finger into the sole in various areas, if it bends easily and you can feel the air, it wont last very long. Although tougher rubber or thicker may not be as comfortable, it will last. One problem with worn soles is that they have a tendency to wear on one side only based on your walking habits. After a while it is dangerous to walk in shoes that are half worn, it can throw your back out, cramps, and more. One more health issue to avoid caused by cheap products.

Flexibility: Will the product bend. If the sole is so thick it barely moves, how well will the contours of your foot feel after an 8 hour day? Some shoes are so heavily reinforced with different materials that the backs never mold to your foot or the steel toe area just continues to dig into your toes? What ever it may be, bend the shoe, try it on. If you feel too much discomfort in a certain area, take the shoe off and inspect it, you might just find that this shoe just wont work for you. This is another key point, some shoes just don’t work for everyone.

Features: Are the shoes rated Electrical Hazard, Insulated, Waterproof, etc. There are many things to look at and it will depend on your job.

I hope the above information will help you to be a better consumer and avoid purchasing the wrong steel toe work shoes. Make sure you visit http://www.best-steel-toe-shoes.com for more steel toe shoes or boots related information and products.

We know that everyone loves shoes, buys shoes and has many pairs of shoes in their closets. While you might not need all the shoes that you have in your closets, here are five pairs of shoes that every woman should have:

- Great Looking Business Shoes. You need to have a special pair of smart shoes for work. These should look great, and match well with your suit. They will be perfect for interviews, as well as those important presentations and business trips.

They would usually be black shoes with medium size heel, to make you look taller and in control, but still comfortable enough to wear all day.

- Great Looking Shoes to Wear With Jeans. Who wears jeans with sneakers anymore? As jeans are becoming cooler, and more embellished, you need something cuter then a basic sneaker to go with them.

We recommend cool high heel sandals in the summer, or great looking boots in the winter.

- Great Looking Sneakers. You still need to exercise and go to the gym. While you will not wear sneakers with your stylish jeans, you still need sneakers for exercising and walking outside. There are lots of different sneakers on the market now – pick the ones that fit you, and that fit your exercise routine.

- Cool Dressy Shoes. You have that gorgeous dress, and you need matching shoes to go with it. Get something fun and gorgeous to go with the dress. Splurge a little – here the right shoes will make all the difference.

- The Pink Shoes. You know, everyone has at least one pair of completely impractical, bright pink or bright red shoes. You found them at the store, they didn’t really match any of your outfits, but you just had to have them.

Which ones of these types of shoes do you have in your closet?

Finding just the right fit for your boots is important if you want comfort and healthy feet. Whether buying motorcycle boots, logger boots, lacer boots, cowboy boots, or steel toe boots, you’ll want the best fit possible so you can enjoy your activities without aches and blisters. Here are some “fitting” tips to remember when shopping for boots.

Choose Quality over Price

Invest only in boots of high quality. Price should only be a factor once you’ve carefully examined the quality of the boots. To put them to the test, check for solid bottoms. Try pressing your thumb into the bottom of the sole. If the sole can be pressed in with your thumb, the boots are probably too soft to give the protection you need. Also, try twisting the soles of the boots. If you can twist them, they’re probably too soft. Solid bottoms are very important with steel toe boots, logger boots, lacer boots, or any other boots used for strenuous work or activities.

Another indicator of quality is the strength and protection provided by the sides of the boots. Good boots will provide extra padding to protect your feet from rocks, stones, metal objects, and so forth. Ankle support can be tested by grabbing the top of the boot and trying to bend it over sideways. If it can be bent easily, then ankle support is probably not a main feature.

If working outdoors or doing outdoor activities such hiking or riding motorcycles, be sure the boots are waterproof. Motorcycle boots and cowboy boots will be exposed to all sorts of weather while riding, from the heat of the sun to possibly heavy rain downpours! Waterproof boots will last longer and protect your feet from moisture.

Pricing your boots should only come after quality has been considered. You can shop online to find great bargains once you know which type or brand name of boots you want.

Fitting Your Boots

Even if shopping online for boots, you should have them fitted in person by a professional if possible. Remember, all boots are not created equal; all feet are not created equal! Your boots should fit like a glove and be as comfortable as your running shoes. Even heavy boots should fit comfortably.

Before leaving the house, grab a pair of socks you would normally wear with boots. Try on the boots and wear them while walking around the store for at least 15 minutes.

Sizing Your Boots

Be sure the boots do not slip on the heel. Also, check for plenty of room at the toes. Many brand name boots offer a “wide-toe” size if needed. Check the sizing with your index finger. To do this, unlace the boots and move your foot forward as far as possible. Try slipping your index finger inside the boot behind the ankle. If your finger fits there comfortably, then you’ve got the right size. They’re not too tight or too loose.

To check for tightness, try them on without socks once. Be sure your toes have plenty of “wiggling” space. Also, feel for tight spots around the sides of your feet. Then, test the boots again with socks.

Test Your Stride

While walking around the store, notice how the boots feel when walking forward, backward and side-ways. If planning to wear the boots while hiking or walking on inclined areas, ask the store clerk if there’s an inclined area in the store or a slanted board to test your boots.

Shopping for Boots Online

Once you find the perfect fit and quality boots, you can go online to find great prices on the type of boots you need. There are boot outlets online that offer many brand names and styles to fit your needs. Also, many online malls offer other items for sale, from RC toys to diecast model cars, so you can do other shopping during your visit. Whether you need logging boots, lacer boots, cowboy boots, steel toe boots, or motorcycle boots, you’ll want the very best. Your feet are worth it!