WORK BOOTS FOR EXTREME TEMPERATURES
Whether your job has you working in extreme cold or extreme heat or, depending on the time of year, both, it’s important to be aware of the risks of temperature-related injuries and take precautions. In cold winter weather, protective measures include wearing footwear that helps prevent slips and falls; gloves and boots with insulation to prevent frostbite on the extremities; taking care to wear adequate clothing and stay dry, paying attention to sweat build-up during exertion; and avoiding touching cold metal or wet surfaces with bare skin. When doing heavy or fast-paced work in cold weather, you may opt to wear multiple layers of clothing instead of one heavy jacket. This way, you can adjust your dress throughout the day to fit your level of exertion and regulate your body temperature more effectively.
OSHA guidelines for preventing heat-related illness like heat stroke include consuming adequate fluids such as water and sport drinks; working shorter shifts where possible and taking frequent breaks; and paying attention to signs of heat-related illness, such as cramps, heat rash, dark urine, fatigue, confusion, and nausea.
COLD WEATHER WORK BOOTS
The extra room in a square-toe boot’s toe box also allows plenty of room for thick socks, making them a versatile option for both hot and cold weather. Versatility is important when working hard in the cold, as the level of your exertion might mean that you’re shivering one minute and sweating the next. Dressing for exertion in cold weather is the best way to make sure you’re prepared, from warm footwear and socks to layered clothing that can be added or removed to regulate sweat as you work.
For extreme cold, your feet need boots that are well insulated to keep your feet warm and dry all day. If you’re primarily working outside this winter then insulated work boots, especially ones that are waterproof, can make a huge difference. Keeping water and slush out of your boot is essential for keeping your feet healthy and warm enough to finish the job safely.
In addition to protecting your feet from frostbite, be aware of the increased risk of slips and falls in icy conditions. Slip-resistant outsoles can mean the difference between staying on your feet and toppling over while you work. On cold, flat surfaces, this means low lugs and siping to maximize surface contact. For a lot of outdoor work, though, you may want to seek out boots with heels or lugs designed to catch on terrain. Insulated logger boots excel at this type of work, with a pronounced heel and lugs for biting into rough, loose ground. Likewise the ready-for-anything Infinity FD Series comes with an aggressive, terrain-gripping outsole, in addition to being waterproof and insulated against the cold, and is one of the best work boots available for working in wintry conditions.
BOOTS FOR HOT WEATHER
When the temperature rises, your feet suffer with the rest of your body. Sweat and discomfort can ruin your workday at best, so hot weather boots that balance the need for worksite protection with the need to keep cool are a must. Lightweight, quality unlined leather work boots can keep your feet safe onsite without unnecessarily weighing them down. Cheaper leather and synthetics can trap sweat and promote painful blisters and hot spots. For ultimate breathability, especially doing fast-paced work where you’re likely to work up a sweat, consider a leather and mesh combination. Lightweight work boots and shoes like those in the Crosstrex series are built with a moisture-wicking mesh that helps pull sweat away from your feet and out of your boots while you work, actively cooling and drying them and preventing painful foot conditions resulting from hot, sweaty feet.
If you need safety-toe boots while the weather is hot, you may want to choose a composite toe since they do not transmit heat as readily as steel and other metals. Composite toe work boots provide every bit the impact and compression protection as steel toe work boots, and have the added benefit of being lighter.
For boots that are waterproof but not stifling, the 1957 Series is one of the most comfortable work boots for hot weather. They’re made with an extremely breathable waterproof membrane so that they keep water out while not letting your feet stew in a hot box. And if you want to provide extra room for your feet to breathe, consider square toe work boots, an excellent option for those who need extra room for keeping cool.
BOOTS FOR ANY SEASON
As the temperatures soar this summer, don’t neglect proper dress. A good hat to keep the sun off of you, light, breathable clothing, and appropriate footwear are all important components to working safely in the summer heat, when environmental heat and exertional heat combine to put workers at increased risk of illness and even death–especially in the early days of summer or during heat waves, when your body is not acclimated to the high temperatures. Know the signs of heat-related illness, and pay attention to your body’s signals.
When the mercury drops in winter, your work clothing should change with the season. Layers will allow you to adjust your dress to your level of exertion and regulate your body temperature more effectively. Always pay attention to your extremities, as fingers and toes are the most vulnerable parts of the body to the effects of frostbite. Don’t let your core temperature fool you. It is entirely possible to get frostbite while sweating.
Dressing for the weather will not only protect you from temperature-related illness and injury, but will allow you to work more effectively, as your body will expend less energy regulating its own temperature, giving you more energy for the job at hand. No matter whether you’re trying to beat the heat or guard against the cold, Thorogood has a job-fitted option for every temperature need, from lightweight leather work boots to insulated waterproof boots, along with all of the safety features that you’ve come to depend on.