We all want the best for our feet.
There are many work boot options on the market, some good, some bad, some built for years of service, others built for a low price tag. Some brands are manufactured off-shore, others made right here in Canada, many are a combination of the two, with uppers and soles manufactured in China, but all assembled in Canada. Tatra work boots are manufactured, every step of the way, right here in Dunnville, Ontario.
When it comes to choosing the right style for you, we need to take a look at the work being accomplished, and the hazards that come with it. The plethora of options available may seem daunting, but things can be simplified down to 4 main points of protection:
-Toes
-Sole
-Metatarsal (the bone on top of your foot)
-Ankle
Toes
The basic form of protection, as required on most job sites, is a steel toe insert to protect your toes from crushing forces, be it a dropped 2×4 on a framing job, to a poorly placed skid full of merchandise. This option is pretty much universal, and will be the basic form of protection in most work boots. The options here are often about material – Steel or Composite – both having upsides and downsides, steel being the most common option. Any good protective piece of footwear will have toe protection of one kind or another, and will be beneficial for just about any job – be it warehouse work, concrete work, carpentry, landscaping, factory, or the like.
Sole
The other more common form of protection comes in the sole of a pair of work boots. This part of any boot is crucial – it provides the support, rigidity, conductivity, and slip-resistance of the boot. It can also help prevent punctures and other possible hazards to the bottom of your foot. For someone working on jobsites with wood, nails, and other items that could injure your foot, it’s important to ensure the sole is puncture resistant. If electricity could be a factor, we’d recommend finding a pair with electric shock resistance.
Metatarsal
We now get into the less common options for work boots. Tatra specializes in the manufacturing of metatarsal protection components. Styles like our Meguard Series make use of an externally affixed ‘shield’ that protects your foot from falling objects. Another option has the metatarsal protection built in to the boot itself. If you are working with metal, stone, or other dense materials with a risk of dropping heavy items on your foot at work, metatarsal protection is definitely something to consider. Miners, welders, some landscapers, and heavy equipment operators may want to beef up their boots with metatarsal protection.
Ankle
Finally, ankle protection. This has a lot to do with personal preference. Most people prefer a shorter boot that allows for more flexibility, and ease of use. Something like the Rival is a great option for people who want an easy to use, comfortable, slip on boot with basic protection. But if you need to worry about deeper mud and water, or some other hazard that could impact your ankle, that won’t be enough protection. Our 8 inch options would be much more suitable. Seeing as most of our products have a waterproof leather upper, you’re feet will be safe and warm in any of our 8 inch options.
While this is by no means an exhaustive list of all the options one has while searching for the perfect work boot, it may help you in your quest. If you have any questions at all, please reach out to us: info@tatra.ca