One of the biggest complaints you’ll probably have after long and tiring shifts in the factory is that your feet are aching and hurting. Although you could be doing a lot of different activities throughout your shift, from operating a forklift to carrying heavy objects, your feet feel the brunt of the effort you put in.
In the long run, sore feet can lead to so many further injuries from stiff legs, joint pain and even backaches can all put you out of work. To combat that, you need comfortable factory shoes.
The features you need to look out for to determine which factory shoes are comfortable include:
Support
Considering you’re on your feet all day, comfortable support is needed so it’s not painful to walk around. Some factory shoes will have the ability to let you customise your comfort, such arch supports, orthotics, heel cups, removable insoles and more.
By having suitable arch support, your feet can react to natural movements and your feet won’t be in any pain.
If you wear unsuitable footwear, over time, your feet will become more painful and prone to blisters. Find factory shoes that offer enough arch support and extra cushioning to the extent where you don’t need to spend more money on arch support relief. This ensures your feet are always comfortable and you can work more productively.
Water-Resistant
If water somehow manages to come into contact with your feet, then it’s an early sign that poor materials have been used and the shoes are going to continue to suffer further damage. There’s nothing worse than having to walk around in the factory with wet socks and feet because of how much water has managed to seep through the shoes. It isn’t comfortable and it’s also not a safe way to work as wet feet leads to rubbing and blisters too.
When finding comfortable factory shoes, do your research to make sure they’re water-resistant. The easiest way to check this is by looking at the certifications. If the factory shoe is S3 certified, then you can be sure it’s made from water-resistant materials and your feet won’t come into contact with water where it’s a nuisance to walk around the factory.
We recommend X1100N81. It’s S3 certified which means it’s water-resistant and also features plenty of safety elements. As it’s a natural fitting shoe, you won’t have to worry about being uncomfortable in shoes that are either too big or too tight-fitting.
Ventilation
As you’ll be on your feet in the factory and walking around, it can be tempting to take them off so you can give your feet a little break. Obviously, that brings many hazards so the way to stay comfortable is by looking for factory shoes that are well-ventilated.
The factory environment can get quite warm. Combine this with a lot of walking around and exerting energy, then your feet will be sore, sweaty and uncomfortable. This all contributes to blisters forming so look out for certified factory shoes with panels to help keep your feet cool throughout your shift.
Lightweight
Although factory shoes are primarily designed to be safe, that doesn’t mean they’re all heavy and uncomfortable to wear all day. Look for factory shoes that have been engineered to make shoes lighter.
By having a factory shoe that’s light, safe and comfortable, you’ll be working throughout your long shifts without putting added pressure on your legs, knees and joints.
For a lighter factory shoe, we recommend Rocket 81. It only weighs 558 grams (based on size 41) yet still offers plenty of comfort and protection.
Outsole
A tough and rigid outsole is going to severely restrict your movement in the factory. This makes it both uncomfortable to walk on and in some cases, painful over time. To stay comfortable, look for factory shoes that work with your foot and not against it.
An outsole, like Flex Tread, is designed to mimic your foot’s natural movement so you and your shoes are always in step. If the outsole is also tapered, then even better as it reduces your chances of tripping.
Durability
Factory shoes made from heavy-duty and durable materials are the more comfortable option than cheaper alternatives. Not only will the latter need replacing, but cheaper materials also don’t feel great on your feet which can lead to skin irritation.
Durable materials also ensure added comfort because they can’t be punctured and water can’t penetrate the shoes.
For added durability, safety and comfort with an energy absorbing seat area, we recommend Elevate81.
Remember, the key to having comfortable shoes is to make sure they’re protecting you from all of the factory hazards as well. The only way to ensure proper comfort throughout your shift is to purchase long-lasting factory shoes that include plenty of safety elements to keep you safe and comfortable.
Find Out More About Factory Safety
Now that you know what to look for when searching for comfortable factory shoes, the next step is to determine the current safety levels of the warehouse of the factory you work in. To know more about how to stay safe, go ahead and download our free eBook.
It’s full of useful information about how you can stay safe in the warehouse, accident statistics, safety points to consider, the importance of safety shoes, how to pick them, dealing with injuries and much more.
To get your copy, click the button below.