If the shoe fits, wear it. Bet you’ve heard that phrase before, right?
It means to go with what feels natural and comfortable to you. Of course, this applies for actual footwear, too.
If your shoe isn’t fitting right while you’re working, it’s not helping you get the job done. Unfortunately, finding the shoe (or the boot) that fits isn’t always easy. Way too many people go to work every day wearing boots that are the wrong size for their feet. Boot sizes can run large or small, and feet can change shape as you age, and even as you work.
At RefrigiWear®, our mission is to create work boots that serve you best, day in and day out. There’s nothing we like more than knowing our customers are working in comfort thanks to our products. That’s why we work hard to make sure you always get the right size of boot. From measuring your foot correctly to using the latest fit-adjustment innovations, RefrigiWear® has the expertise and the gear to keep your feet in great shape as you work.
What Happens If I Don’t Choose the Right Size Work Boot?
If you’re wondering whether a properly sized boot is really that important, the answer is yes—it actually is. Why is it so vital?
First, wearing boots that are too loose can cause blisters and chafing when your foot rubs up against the side. Boots that fit too snugly cause their own problems, including ingrown toenails and lack of blood flow in your feet (because the tight fit prevents blood from moving through vessels). Poorly fitting boots are also generally associated with problems like back and joint pain.
Second, the arches of your feet are critical for supporting and balancing your body. If your boots don’t provide the arch support you need, you could be dealing with fallen arches, plantar fasciitis, joint pain and other problems.
Third, every boot is designed with a built-in “break point,” where it naturally bends to accommodate your foot. If the break point is in the wrong place because you’re wearing the wrong size, your foot won’t be able to flex as it should when you’re walking or working. You’ll just be setting yourself up for foot pain or worse injuries.
Finally, work boots that don’t fit correctly will often wear unevenly and develop wear and tear in unexpected spots. That’s because a boot that fits properly is reinforced to resist damage in the spots where it will strike the ground—but one that doesn’t fit correctly may strike in other places and wear out prematurely.
How Do I Choose the Right Fit?
Getting work boot that fits just right is a little bit science and a little bit art. First, take accurate measurements of your foot, and then try on some different boots to decide what gives your foot the best comfort and support.
A well-fitting work boot should be a little roomy. Boots that fit too snugly will constrict your foot and make you uncomfortable at work. Also, most people's feet get slightly swollen as they go through the workday, so you'll want to give them a little bit of room to expand.
When you walk, your heel should stay in place without rubbing against the back of the boot. You shouldn't feel excessive pressure on your foot from the sides of the boot.
Your toes should have room to wiggle and twist, but they shouldn't move forward or touch the front of the boot when you walk.
Many people's left and right feet aren’t exactly the same size. In extreme cases, this might mean you need to order two different boot sizes or use heel inserts. For most people, though, it's better to choose a boot that's comfortable and flexible enough to accommodate your feet even when they aren't perfectly even.
Of course, in order to get the right fit in the first place, you'll need to get the right data by measuring your feet.
How to Measure Your Feet for Work Boots
If you haven't measured your foot in a while, it's worth doing it again just to make sure that you're wearing the right size. If you've seen the big metal gadget (called a Brannock device) that they use to measure your feet in a shoe store, you might think it's a complex process.
Actually, it's a pretty simple one that you can do at home with things you've probably already got lying around. Here’s how:
- Put on your favorite pair of work socks.
- Tape a piece of paper to the floor.
- Sit in a chair and place your foot on the paper. Bend your leg forward a little at the knee.
- Use a pencil to trace the outline of your foot. (Make sure to keep the pencil completely vertical. If you hold it at an angle, you’ll just trace the bottom of your foot, which isn’t what you want—your boots need room for your feet at their widest.)
- Make marks where the outlines are widest and longest.
- Measure the marks with a ruler, rounding to the nearest sixteenth of an inch.
- Use a chart that converts inches to men's shoe sizes or women's shoe sizes to find your size.
If you're between measurement sizes, move up to the larger size—it's better to have a boot that's got a little extra room than one that pinches.
Trying on Your New Work Boots
When you try on your new pair of RefrigiWear® boots, it's important to check them out and make sure you have the right fit. Here’s how to check your fit:
- Try to put on your new boots at the end of a workday when your feet are most swollen. This will help you ensure that they're comfortable to wear all day.
- Wear your usual socks when you try on your new boots. If you use any kind of orthotic inserts or insoles, add those, as well.
- Wiggle your toes and make sure you’ve got enough space for them (but not so much that your feet feel loose in the boots).
- Put your new boots through some quick paces. Take a short walk with them on, jump a few times and climb a ladder or flight of stairs to make sure they flex at the right points for your foot.
- Gently roll each of your feet onto its side to make sure that your boots provide enough ankle support.
What If I Need to Exchange My Work Boots?
If you’ve tried your boots on and they're not quite what you need, RefrigiWear® makes it easy to return them for a pair that fits just right.
Just follow the simple return instructions on our website. If you need some help in getting the right size, make sure to contact our Customer Service team. Our sizing experts will be happy to give you some tips for finding the best fit.
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