What Is A Metatarsal Work Boot? Metatarsal Work Boots FAQ Guide

If you’re looking to purchase Metatarsal Work Boot for your job, this FAQ guide answers all your queries.

The purpose of this guide is to help you make the right choice regarding Metatarsal Work Boot and to help you in deciding what factors should be considered during their purchase. Continue reading!

What Is A Metatarsal Work Boot?

When discussing metatarsal work boots, you should know what a metatarsal is. The metatarsal region consists of the long bones in the foot that connect the ankle to the toes.

For decades, workers have been required to use safety shoes on the job, but these don’t really offer any protection to the metatarsal region in case of heavy impact and compression.

To cater to this need, a Metatarsal work boot is used.

Originally made using external guards, which were made from impact-resistant plastic that either came factory fitted, placed manually on top of a boot covering the whole metatarsal region.

With the advancements in time and technology, internal guards have also been introduced.

How to Choose Metatarsal Work  Boot?

It depends on various factors. Choosing which safety footwear to buy is not an easy decision, it’s very important to make to the right choice.

Comfort and safety when choosing your work boots are two essential aspects, especially if you are going to subject your feet too long periods of effort inside them.

Here’s some point that can help you out so that wearing safety work boots do not become a painful task for you:

1 –Understand the size

In the different country, the last length and width are different, it’s better to ask for the manufacturer to send you the right size chart.

2- Make sure your footwear is of quality.

In recent years, low-cost fashion has become increasingly popular, footwear has lost quality, and instead of protecting us and being comfortable, they often cause us pain.

Before doing business in safety work boots, make sure the material is of quality since many times, the cheap turns out to be expensive.

3- Choosing the boot style

Choosing the boot itself can be a bit more complicated, but our professionals can guide you through buying.

Depending on the job you do or the sector to which your company belongs, you will have to choose the type that is most appropriate.

When selecting suitable safety footwear, it is essential to ask yourself what risks will be faced at work.

Of course, when you choose metatarsal work boots you also have to consider the season style. Particularly, in hot environments, the fabric must be breathable, and in cold environments, it must be insulating.

Comfortable metatarsal work boot we assure you that your feet will thank you.

Why is it Essential to Use a Metatarsal Work Boot During Work?

This depends on what metatarsal protection can do for you.

The answer is can protect you from the following incidents, which can save you from a lot of pain, money and keep you away from work.

It also becomes essential due to the risks that you are facing at work.

These can be any of the following or more.

1. Mechanical accidents: falling objects, blows to the foot, sharp objects.
2. Electrical and thermal mishaps: low, medium, and high voltage, as well as cold and heat.
3. Chemical accidents: spill of aggressive liquids or molten metals.
4. Body mishaps: dislocations, sprains, and slips.

Safety is everyone’s number one concern, and if you work in a highly industrialized facility or at a manufacturing plant, then you can bet that metatarsal work boots are essential for you.

Are Metatarsal Boots Comfortable?

This can depend on the metatarsal boots’ design and materials.

If the boot itself is of higher quality, such as genuine leather then it will suit the skin better.

When you use for work time your foot, not easy to sweat.

If the boot is not a good fit, rigid footwear can damage the metatarsals.

You should ask for a sample to fit comfortably or not through the safeft manufacturer’s website checking the type of materials used.

For example, ask for a very soft footbed, your feet can stay comfortable during long working hours.

How to Find the Ideal Fit Metatarsal Work Boot?

An ideal fit for a work boot depends on multiple factors, but ideally, it is the one that provides you with the most comfort when worn and does not restrict the movement of your feet. The shoes toe cap, length, width and height should in such a manner that doesn’t squeeze your feet or make you feel uncomfortable when working in a highly industrialized environment.

Here are some features you should consider when purchasing a metatarsal work boot.

• The inside surface is free from rough, sharp, hard areas that caused you injury.
• No pinch point caused by toecap or the edge covering of the toecap.
• Free of features that you consider to make wearing the footwear hazardous
• The fastening can be adequately adjust
• Without any problem when walking, climbing stairs, kneeling, and crouching down

Are Metatarsal Boots the Same As Steel Toe?

Metatarsal boots and steel toes shoes are not the same.

Steel toe shoes only provide protection to the toes.

However, the metatarsal region of the feet is fully exposed to impacts from heavy objects.

For this, a metatarsal boot is recommended.

Most customers will purchase toe cap metatarsal boots that can protect the whole region of the feet from ankle to toe.

What Are Metatarsal Boots Used For?

Safety is the primary concern for every worker working in a dangerous working environment.

The metatarsal region of the foot is made of small bones, and they can be shattered fairly easily.

Metatarsal work boots as protective footwear to give the wearer safety from heavy objects that might fall on the foot, electrical shocks, or other dangerous incidents that might occur.

Metatarsal boots are a go-to for every worker facing the risk of these kinds of possible incidents in their workplace.

Are Metatarsal Boot Durable When It Comes To Protection?

The primary component in a metatarsal work boot is the Metatarsal Guard.

These guards providing protection are manufactured using steel, aluminum, lightweight composites, or synthetic materials.

Those materials made of the guard are very solid and pass anti smash tests.

Watch the video to learn more about the durability of Metatarsal Work Boothttps://www.youtube.com/embed/GnO15q_nIOU?feature=oembed&wmode=opaque

Why Are Metatarsal Work Boots So Important?

Metatarsal work boot is one of the many types of safety work boot, used to prevent damage to the foot of the worker.

Other work boot types haven’t provided protect the whole foot, but the metatarsal work boot can.

Metatarsal work boots not only protect the risk from above but also sole prevent penetration that prevents cause damage to the worker’s foot.

Different industry calls for a different set of safety footwear and depending on the work it can demand the worker to wear a metatarsal work boot.

What Industries Should Consider When Purchasing Metatarsal Work Boot?

When you are buying metatarsal work boots for your workers, there are a few things that you should keep in mind.

• Blows or Impacts: this type of accident is above all the oldest and most frequent since “gravity” always plays a trick on us, allowing us to be subject to danger from falling of tools to objects of greater weight that lead to accidents with permanent damage to the extremities lower.
• Imprisonment by bearings: accidents that occur in places where any mechanism for transporting people and/or materials move
• Punctures: a common accident in the industry and usually occurs when stepping on sharp objects or materials that are on the ground.
• Burns: this type of injury can occur from working with substances at high temperatures (cast metals, plastics, liquids) or from chemical burns given working with dangerous substances
• Electrocution: although the effect of the passage of electric current occurs by contact of any part of the body with an energized element, it is in the feet that the ground discharge occurs.
• Durability: It is necessary that has good slip resistance.

Durable metatarsal work boot it’s not easy to worn, at least can wear one year. It means to have a quality guarantee.

Before deciding on order metatarsal work boot, you must first ensure that a metatarsal work boot is what you need and ask for the guarantee.

Is The Metatarsal Work Boot Manufactured Certified?

Certified work boots undergo series of very strict tests that ensure optimum protection.

In addition to the tests carried out on the product, the certifying body audits the manufacturer’s production systems periodically to verify by ISO 90001 system or SGS .

How To Choose The Best Metatarsal Work Boot?

1. Material

Leather is one of the important materials you need to choose.

If used of cheaper leather, can be very uncomfortable.

It is recommended that Full-grain leather should be used for metatarsal work boots.

This leather is the best when it comes to tearing resistance and resistance from cuts.

Other types of leather can also be used, such as split leather.

Although leather can be heavier than synthetic materials, new generations of metatarsal work boots use a mix of leather and synthetic material to minimize weight.

The leather and these materials can be treated to make them water-resistant.

2. Height

Choose the height of the boot or how high it extends to the ankle, depending on the comfort you are looking for and the tasks.

The common rule is the following:

6” inches work boots are chosen to provide ease of movement and greater ankle stability not offered with standard safety shoes.

8” inches work boots if you need more ankle stability for frequent walking on uneven surfaces or wet conditions.

3. Heel

Many boots have a slight heel whose main function is to improve traction. Make sure the boot doesn’t have an extremely high heel.

Ideally, the heel energy absorption of seat region must above 20J.

4. Sole

The soles provide traction and are made of a variety of materials, which influence the slip resistance, chemical resistance, and electrical conductivity of the shoe (example: dielectric).

It is recommended as a minimum to know if the boot will be exposed to dangerous residues such as acids and if it is necessary that it have dielectric properties.

5. Cap

The boots were designed with the main objective of protecting the toes in case of suffering the impact of heavy material.

Before, the only option was steel, but now there are different materials that offer the same protection but with other advantages.

New materials have the advantage of being lighter, and this helps the manufacturer to make the toe wider and larger with less possibility of an impact on the feet, without resulting in a heavier shoe.

Composite materials also provide the added benefit of being more comfortable to wear in low-temperature environments due to steel’s tendency to retain cold temperature, which also makes the foot cold.

6. Metatarsal protection

The most important! The middle of the foot is especially vulnerable to impact injuries at about the same rate as the toes.

Check that the boot you buy has good protection in this section.

The Roles and Benefits of Metatarsal Guards?

Metatarsal guards play an important role in protecting your feet in the workplace.

These guards are one form of personal protective equipment (PPE) given by companies to workers working in a highly industrialized environment.

They protect the top of the foot from heavyweights such as metal that may cause permanent damage or serious injuries to a workers’ foot.

What Are The Different Types Of Metatarsal Work Boots?

There are two types of metatarsal work boots. The first one is old school and uses an external metatarsal guard that can be attached on top of a normal work boot, as demonstrated below.

The other one is an internal metatarsal guard that is built inside the work boot and cannot be removed like an external guard.

External Metatarsal Guards

External metatarsal guards on the outside of your work boots offer protection and safety, covering much like a thick shell of a turtle. Usually, they’re attached to the top of the work boot as the first line of protection against impacts and dangerous materials that might have created havoc on your feet.

As far as protection is concerned, the external guards are the safest form of protection there is.

Since they’re outside, they can be as dense as you like for added protection as per your comfort level, and they can also protect your boot’s uppers from debris and corrosives.

In contrast, external metatarsal guards also have their own set of shortcomings.

The most remarkably noticeable, of course, is reduced mobility when walking.

Similarly, it can also cause other issues, such as when the employees are trapped on ladders and small spaces because of the big guard sticking out of the boot.

Luckily, modern designs are have catered to this issue.

If you plan to perform lighter tasks, you can also detach the external guards.

Internal Metatarsal Guards

As stated above, internal guards are built into the metatarsal work boot itself and are non-removable.

Internal guards act as a skeleton and provide protection from inside the work boot.

Originally, these types of internal metatarsal boots were not popular because of being too thick and oversize, thus creating discomfort and an unpleasant fit and feel.

However, modern designs saw advancements in this type of guard, which now provides greater flexibility and less thickness due to better materials being used to manufacture the internal guards.

Modern designs of the internal metatarsal guard also incorporate a liquid type pouch that allows for a flexible overall boot design and is also softer while maintaining resiliency.

This liquid is the most talked-about aspect of the newer designs as the technology of these internal guards kicks in when you need it the most.

Once a heavy object falls on your feet, it triggers a chemical reaction causing the soft gel present inside the pouches to turn into a rock-hard guard.

This can make some people question the durability of internal guards and make them feel a tad hesitant, but internal guards are definitely looking like the future for metatarsal protection.

Are Metatarsal Work Boots Similar for Men And Women?

When we see industrial boots for women, it gives us the feeling that the only difference between men’s and women’s models is mostly aesthetic, but that is far from the truth.

Metatarsal work boots for men and women are very different when it comes to their size, soles, and fitting.

Lighter soles

The effect of weight plays a key role, and women tend to be lighter than men; hence the women boots offer greater cushioning and flexibility, so they can wear lighter footwear without affecting their performance or compromising their health.

Additional protection

Greater cushioning and the smaller size means that the female foot must have additional protection in the heel and ankle to avoid pronation and supination (poor posture when twisting the foot), which is usually greater in women than in men due to its flexibility.

A different fit

When it comes to safety boots, what fits perfectly to your foot is vital.Men’s boots are wider than women’s boots. In case a woman with narrow feet uses them, they have an increased risk of twisting their ankle or sprain it.

Difference in size

Women’s boots tend to be narrower at the toe and heel than men’s boots to ensure they better fit the shape of the usually thinner female foot.

What Is The Difference Between Metatarsalworkboot And Normal Shoes?

Metatarsal work boot is the type of footwear that is designed with safety features in mind in order to protect the worker against common workplace mishaps and dangers.

In a typical workplace environment, workers run a risk of being exposed to various kinds of dangers.

These can typically include; chemical burns, electrical shock, broken components, wet surfaces, harsh weather, and slip and fall accidents.

A work boot is basically designed to provide safety to the worker.

What Materials Are Used For Making Metatarsal Work Boots?

Different materials are used for making different parts of the metatarsal work boot.

Leather

The most commonly used leather is full-grain leather.

Leather thickness and surface properties of the leather are not changed in the manufacturing process and are retained.

It is the strongest and most durable form of leather and is considered the highest quality leather.

The use of leather in boots provide breathability, comfort and also provide water resistance if the leather is treated or waxed.

Steel Toe

Designed to meet the ASTM F2413 American Footwear Safety Certification, this technology offers superior protection against punctures, lacerations crushing, and burns for your toes.

Orthopedic insole

Our proprietary Orthopedic insoles are uniquely designed to reduce foot fatigue.

These are placed on the footbed and are made of high-quality polyurethane. It always retains its shape and thickness to ensure support from heel to toe, it is anti-fungal, and the highly absorbent material keeps your feet cool and dry.

Poron

Poron is a material that is engineered to rapidly stiffen when it is subjected to impact, and creating a hard protective shell around the affected area.

High-tech Poron pads should be strategically placed on the sole and under the highest stress parts of your foot to provide the most protection to the wearer.

What Are The Different Types Of Soles In Metatarsal Work Boots?

Rubber: 

This sole is for rough use,  recommended for places where there are chemical agents, solvents, greases, oils, abrasives, even steel burns.

Nitrile is main characteristic of rubber sole it resists high temperatures it can reach up to 400° .

Rubber soles for heavy work where there can be steel burns and solvents at the same time.

Polyurethane: 

It stands out for being the lightest soles on the market and the most comfortable, with very good adherence. They are soles that we can use on surfaces with the presence of oils, greases, and abrasives.

TPR: 

TPR is resistant soles, and with a high degree of adherence,  use  in places where  are solvents, chemicals, greases, oils, and abrasives.

TPU :

TPU  is a mix of rubber and plastic, the material appears rubber-like hence it is extremely flexible and durable.

TPU durable heat resistance allows for resistance against high temperatures up to 120°C

TPU  can also offer 0.40 slip resistance according to the F2913-11 coefficient of friction test in flat forward sliding in oil and moisture.

What is the Purpose of Shank in Metatarsal Work Boots?

The shank is a piece of material that sits between the insole, the upper, and the midsole, forming the spine of the sole of the boot essentially.

The upper, insole, and midsole are stitched to the outsole structure, creating your pair of boots.The shank is like the beams that hold a building together in that all the other pieces are either attached to it or are reinforced by it, creating the structure as well as the rigidity for it to all hold together.

How to Care for Metatarsal Work Boots?

You can increase the longevity of your work boots by doing the following.

Rotating your work boots – Let your end-user purchase two pairs of boots until they are worn out.

This will help to make sure that ample time is given to each pair completely dry out between uses.

This way, your boots will last longer, and your feet will be more comfortable.

Keeping your boots clean–  The useful life of your industrial work boots depends mainly on two factors: the usual periodic cleaning and making use of them for the right designed purposes.

Remove insole design it can help you end-user easy to clean it.

Takin care of the leather –

1. Use a soft, dry cloth, and rub the entire surface of the boot to remove dirt and dust. Do not exert too much force to avoid damaging the leather.
2. Next, clean the skin simply using a damp cloth.
3. Once our leather boots are free of dirt and completely dry, it is time to nourish the skin. For that, you can use a conditioning cream or oil for leather shoes, applying with the help of a cloth or brush, a small amount evenly over the entire surface, and let the product sit for a few minutes.
4. Finally, use a clean, dry cloth to polish and shine your boots, using gentle circular motions.

Is there any difference between metatarsal work boots and standard safety boots?

The main difference is function difference, metatarsal work boot more comprehensive protection features than safety shoes.

Weight

Metatarsal work boots normal looks bulky than safety boot.

Design

The metatarsal occurs the boot design it’s different with safety boot, the metatarsal lace is hide in the leather.

Normal safety boot lace is showing on the vamp directly.

Technologies

Metatarsal work boots can feature a different type of newer technologies such as proton pad, and this is a soft gel-like substance designed to give the wearer a flexible and comfortable experience; and this soft gel hardens only when it is subject to heavy impacts.

Mostly safety boot without those technologies.

Purpose-built

A standard safety boot is usually made to cater to many different types of impact, resistance, or incidents such as protection from electrical hazards, safety from corrosive or hazardous chemicals, sharp objects, molten metal, etc.

This may seem like an “allrounder”, but it lacks protection foot bone.

In contrast, a metatarsal work boot is purpose-built, using high-quality met guards that are usually able to withstand 75 foot-pounds of impact and compression in order to provide protection to the metatarsal region of the foot.

How Long Do Metatarsal Work Boots Last?

The life of a metatarsal boot can vary depending on the type of working conditions the boots are exposed to, but they usually last from six to twelve months.

You must continuously monitor the safety footwear for signs that would indicate whether the shoe needs to be retired or not.

The priority here is not to keep the shoe maintained and keep it for prolonged periods; instead, the priority should be safety.

For instance, if a metatarsal boot starts to show the metatarsal guard due to wear and tear, Although still being useable but we would recommend that safety should be the number one priority, and the boot should be retired immediately.

Who Makes the Best Metatarsal Work Boots?

We at Safeft aspire to the highest quality standards. Our standards range from quality of materials used to the quality of the finished product have strict to control.

Both internal and external goes through rigorous testing and quality checks in order to make sure that you can get a quality batch.

You can have peace of mind that our metatarsal work boots will provide you with the necessary protection just you need it.

We do the testing for you, so you don’t have to become a test subject during unforeseen incidents. Our metatarsal work boots are made from premium leather, which provides you with high tear strength, resistance from abrasion, and breathable sandwich lining lead to material reinforcement towards meeting EN 20347 or ASTM requirements.

Our team of experts also knows that aside from the safety features, our customers also like to have a certain flavor and appeal in their footwear as well as comfort and flexibility.

We ensure that our design team works hard for you to give your work boots a stylish and distinctive look. Moreover, our manufacturing process also ensures that the boot remains lightweight and comfortable to wear, without compromising on the safety features and its quality.

When Are Metatarsal Work Boots Required?

These types of protective shoes are usually required by law in most countries to protect their labor and to make sure that protective gear is provided to the labor working in harsh and dangerous conditions.