How to Increase the Lifespan of Your Work Boots?
Working outdoors during the cold and winter seasons of the year means that you are likely to get uncomfortable in many ways.
To maintain the ideal body temperature, you need to get a good pair of boots and get insulated clothes. In most companies, the uniform package might also include specific boot types, as part of safety precautions – especially when you have to engage in challenging tasks.
Unfortunately, snow, rain, and any damp conditions will easily put any shoe to the test. If you want to maintain the longevity of your shoes for many seasons, then there are a few key factors to consider.
Increasing the lifespan of your boots not only helps you save lots of cash but it also sub-communicates the value of self-discipline and sophistication. Yes! You look sophisticated when you have a clean and stylish pair of leather shoes with you. Thus, it would be great if you start learning about how to increase the lifespan of your work boots.
Top Factors to Consider
Best Work Boot Materials
Choosing the best work boot materials is not rocket science – but as easy as baking blueberry pie with peanuts. You just have to make informed decisions, especially when it comes to investing in costly leather boots.
When it comes to choosing workboots, ensure that you go for boots made using quality materials. While most durable boots can suffer from damage over time, selecting the correct material has many benefits.
- Outer material – nowadays, most boots use leather as the key material for boots. Leather is stylish, comfortable, and durable. Thus, this makes leather ideal for professional and industrial boots.
- Insoles – these are the inner sections of the boot, and can have a significant impact, primarily if you work for several hours. To ensure the feet stay dry and comfortable, consider light and soft insoles, made using synthetic materials. Why? Because synthetic materials absorb little water, and also offer optimal support to the feet.
Every Day Routine
The more you put on work boots, whether they be metguard boots or logger boots, the dirtier they will become. You will have to come up with an everyday routine, to help you maintain the boots. It’s an approach you use every time you wear the boots outdoors, especially when you have lots of physical activity involved in your workplace. To keep the boots clean, ensure that you identify any marks on the boot, such that you can clean them correctly. A basic guide includes:
- Mud and soil – clean the boots gently using a plastic brush to remove any excess dirt or grit. Ensure that you don’t rub too hard, because this may scratch the leather material.
- Basic stains – using soapy water can remove various types of marks from the surface of your leather boots. Ensure that you wipe off any remaining water using a dry cloth.
- Grease and oil – these are stubborn stains, which you can rub out by applying cornstarch on the affected area and letting it sit for a few hours. To remove it, clean the boots using a clean cloth.
- Scratches – you can treat any notable scratches on the boot by applying some coconut oil. You just rub the marks using the oil, until you are not able to notice them. The final step is to use a leather or oil conditioner to preserve the boots with added coating.
Fighting Weather Conditions
Have you ever noticed your boots become dry during the winter season? The stains often come from salt that you use on slippery roads and pavements. Unfortunately, the salt can compromise the leather surface on the shoe, if you don’t use the correct treatment method.
The best approach for removing salt stains is to use a cotton ball and a mixture of white vinegar. Then use the mixture to clean the shoe gently. The acid in the vinegar will dissolve the salt, and without compromising the material on your boots.
Plus, you can also use specific techniques to help protect your boot from damp conditions. For instance, storage is vital at such a point, and you have to store the boots in a cool and dry place.
Boot Storage Tips
The ideal storage environment for boots should have a dry and mild temperature. Put them in a cool place, with optimal air circulation. Avoid placing the boots in closed boxes, because this may compromise the quality of the leather. Also, set the boots away from direct sunlight, cooling vents and heaters, to avoid extreme temperatures.
By choosing boots made using quality materials, shoe maintenance becomes a simple process. Even more, treating stains, scratches, and placing the shoe in suitable environments are all beneficial.
My Boots Never Last – Solution for The Problem
We have all come across someone who has said: “My cowboy boots never last, what can I do?” We shall start with the root of the problem – the main reason why boots break down:
Environment
The environment refers to the situation you find yourself in a while using your boots. Chemical plant workers are regularly exposed to harsh and boot-destroying chemicals all day long. These can have adverse side effects to the boot, and the only way to control it is to quit your job. That said, this is not an option most people will consider.
Job
The job refers to the type of tasks you do or the ones assigned to you by the company. For instance, carpenters and woodworkers are constantly using their feet, hands, and knees. Exposing the foot to high activity levels can increase the rate at which the shoe requires maintenance, or perhaps increase the rate at which the material degrades.
Boot quality
As far as this third factor goes, only you can control it. Yes, that`s right. Here is a golden tip for you: The cheaper the boot, the shorter the lifespan, and the sooner you will be back shopping. Getting good boots on a budget might require a lot of time and research before you can land a quality deal. Therefore, it just best to go for a costly boot, which has quality material and can last you for many years on the job.
Tips for Long-Lasting Work Boots
Taking good care of your boots is a relatively simple process, especially when you have the correct information. Materials such as leather are particularly delicate, and you have to treat them as such. These tips for long-lasting boots include:
Clean the Boots Regularly
You have to clean the boots regularly. Leaving dirt, mud, and grime on the boots can lead to staining, or even worse – degrade the quality of the leather. Mud is a severe threat to the material on your shoes, and you have to ensure you clean it off each time. Once you clean your boots, ensure you protect them using some boot oil, which is both a conditioner and moisturizer. The oil will soak the lather, and keep it looking neat and appealing.
Rotate Your Boots
It’s a proven fact, if you use something regularly, then it is likely to break down and fall apart. Furthermore, if you have many boots lying around the house, consider changing them continually. Get a least two different boots for each day during the week. This will help improve the longevity of the boots. Wear one for a few days, and then rotate them according to the number of days you work each week.
Get Good Quality boots
A good pair of boots are more likely to last than a generic pair that you got from the thrift shop. You can get good quality boots by investing in products from leading brands. The common ones include Justin, Timberland, Thorogood, Carolina, and more. Getting boots from a reliable brand ensures you get comfort, quality, and style. You should buy the best boot you can afford, and one that meets the demands of your work environment.
Use Bumpers
If you don’t want any holes in your toes, consider using some boot bumpers. These are components that you glue on the toe the toes of the boots, to absorb the punishment of scuffing. Such a unique design helps ensure the work boots don’t develop holes around the toe area section. It’s an issue that can have you replacing your boots when their time is not yet up.
Finally
Getting good work boots is sometimes a hassle, especially with the several brands available on the consumer market. That said, one thing is for sure, good quality boots will improve your performance and productivity. Thus, you have to use the correct techniques for how to increase the lifespan of your workboots. The information we have identified above will definitely improve the longevity of your shoes significantly.
Any savvy shoe owner is regularly learning about useful techniques for taking care of leather shoes. Taking good care of your shoes is all about being informed and choosing the correct quality boots. Done correctly, and you may never face any issues such as boots that affect your work performance.
