Safety shoes

Safety shoes are worn 200 hours a month on average, typically without any interruption during the working day. So they should meet higher requirements than other footwear. For this reason, many people imagine safety shoes to be heavy, clunky, stiff and, above all else, unattractive. The special material requirements previously often led to increased shoe weight, limited breathability and reduced flexibility. This is no longer the case today. Nowadays, they even come in business-style designs. We’ll explain how health-promoting aspects and good comfort for the feet and back can be combined in safety shoes.

Safety alone isn’t enough

We spend more than a third of our lives wearing shoes on our feet. It’s obvious that safety alone isn’t enough. After all, the feet have to spend many hours a day in this special type of footwear. Wearing comfort and ergonomics are all the more important to protect the musculoskeletal system as a whole, delay fatigue and positively influence recovery. If cushioning is insufficient due to a stiff and hard sole, or if the feet’s natural rolling motion is impaired, the working day can quickly become torturous and health can suffer.

Like all other types of footwear, safety shoes must fit the wearer well so that they still feel comfortable even after long working day. They must be functional and comfortable, but also meet additional requirements. They should not only be made of high-quality materials, but should also align with the natural shape of the foot in terms of length and width.

Width and length

Feet can vary in width. Around half of people have ‘normal-width’ feet, 45% have extra-wide feet, and 5% have narrow feet. That’s why safety shoes with different widths are advantageous, so there is the right footwear for every foot type. This is important, because shoes that are too tight can cause skin irritation and excessive sweating, while shoes that are too wide give the feet no support, which can quickly lead to the foot muscles cramping.

Shoes must naturally fit in terms of length too. Shoes that are too small will change the toe angles over time, while safety shoes that are too large will cause the foot to slide into the empty space meant for the rolling motion. This compresses the toes with every step. At the same time, there is too much space at the heels, causing the shoes to slip off the feet with every step. This leads to a change in gait pattern and thus to increased strain on the joints.

Cushioning and support

Safety shoes should stabilise the gait and have good heel guidance. In other words, the heels should be lightly supported to guarantee support for the feet as a whole. This not only ensures a secure gait, but also relieves pressure on the ankle joints, reduces the risk of twisting an ankle, and prevents joint and spinal problems.

An individually customisable cushioning system is also advisable. This makes it possible to reduce the pressure and impact loads on the joints, intervertebral discs and spine that occur during running and walking. This is particularly important when working on hard floors. Replaceable cushioning elements with sufficient elastic volume, for example, are a good solution. Ideally, the elements are matched to the wearer’s body weight and are wear-free. The latter is important, as otherwise you won’t notice if the cushioning effect diminishes.

Recommendation

For people who have to stand for long periods of time, additional forefront cushioning is advisable.

Wrong shoes cause considerable damage

Relief from appropriate shoes