If the Shoe Fits, Wear It - How to Choose the Right Size Safety Shoe

From slip resistant footwear to steel-toe boots,Try on different sizes from multiple brands to
properly protecting your feet at work is vital tomake certain you choose the best safety shoe
your safety and health. Choosing a safety shoefor the job.
can become overwhelming with a wealth of4. Do you wear socks? Wear the exact socks
variety of products throughout the market. Moreyou wear on the jobsite to the shoe store.
importantly, choosing an appropriate size shoe canWearing socks that are too thin will make your
make or break its effectiveness. Shoes that arefeet feel squished when you wear your regular
too small or too big can lead to problems, sosocks at work. If you wear socks that are
ensure your footwear is properly fitted. Here arethicker than the ones you wear to work, then
five tips to guarantee your shoe fits!your foot will slide around on the jobsite, leading
1. Swell your feet! This may not be exactly whatto blisters and other health risks.
you are thinking. Throughout the day, your feet5. Use the infamous “finger test.” With
naturally become swollen with more blood. Toany pair of shoes, it is recommended that you
ensure your shoes fit properly, shop towards theare able to fit your index finger between the heel
end of the day so your feet are at their largest.of your foot and the heel of the shoe, as well as
Since you will be working in these shoes and mostthe top of your foot and the tongue of the shoe.
likely on your feet the majority of time you wearThis test ensures that you have proper
them, it is necessary to closely represent“wiggle room” to comfortably move
work-like conditions to ensure they are trulythroughout your work day.
comfortable.From work boots to slip-resistant shoes, choosing
2. Tie them up. Unless you are looking atthe proper work shoe is important. The
purchasing certain Crocs work shoes that do noteffectiveness of a safety shoe is dependent upon
have shoe laces, you should be sure to tie yourvarious factors, but most importantly, ensuring
prospective shoes as if you were going to work.that the shoe is the appropriate size. Use these
You wouldn’t wear your shoes untied on thefive tips outlined above to make certain that your
job, would you? Simulate your work environmentnext trip to the shoe store is as effective as the
as close as possible, testing the shoes for grip andshoes you end up buying.
protection – with them laced, of course.Saf-Gard Safety Shoe Coompany’s expertise
3. Don’t assume a size. There is a vastand focus continues to be safety footwear. We
assortment of safety shoe brands, including CAT,maintain a full inventory of over 300 styles of
Harley Davidson, Georgia, Bates, Timberland andsafety shoes, from brands like Harley Davidson
others. However, the actual sizing differs amongFootwear, Georgia Boot, LaCrosse Footwear and
each manufacturer. Just because you are a size 9many others. We also provide on-site fitting, mail
in Harley Davidson steel toe boots, does notand online ordering and retail stores.
mean you are a 9 in Carhartt steel toe boots.