If you work in construction, you’ll know how important it is to have comfortable footwear – which is why finding the best socks for work boots is important.
When you’re on your feet all day, socks can wear out pretty quickly, which means you’re probably going to be replacing them a lot. We have a few tips to help you find comfortable, durable, and most importantly, safe socks for work boots:
- Comfort
Comfort is key when it comes to socks. boots can be stiff and uncomfortable, which is why it’s really important to go for padded, thick socks that will protect your feet as you work.
Some socks have extra padding in the heel, which is helpful, as it should help to increase their durability and help them to last longer. Socks can be pretty thick though, which is why you should try them on with your shoes – you might find that your shoes are uncomfortably tight with a pair of thicker socks.
You can also find support socks, which have extra cushioning for your tendons. If you’ve ever had a tendon injury, these are worth seeking out. They may feel a little tighter to wear than regular socks, so it may take a bit of time to get used to them.
If you need arch support, you can find socks with denser fabric in the arch. This can make a huge difference if you have foot pain, and it can help support your feet when you’re working for hours at a time.
It also makes sense to look for thicker socks if you’re working in colder weather – Occupational Health and Safety has a guide on healthy winter feet which covers this in more detail.
- Hygiene
Socks can help improve your foot hygiene. They are designed to absorb sweat and can wick moisture away from your feet so that you won’t feel uncomfortably damp if you start to overheat. They’re made with breathable materials, which can help, especially if you work in warm conditions. They can also be made with grooves in the fabric to increase ventilation.
Some socks have antimicrobial materials, which allows them to slow the growth of bacteria. You might come across activated charcoal as a material – this is great for absorbing odors, but won’t last forever, and may wear off completely after a few washes.
- Fit
As you can imagine, fit is important. If your socks are too loose, they can start to bunch up under your boots, which may cause them to become too loose. They should fit nicely, without feeling uncomfortably tight under your boots. If you wear longer work boots, look for longer socks to mitigate the boots rubbing against your legs.
Sizing can be tricky, and it may take a bit of trial and error to find the perfect fit, especially if you’re looking for socks that have to be supportive around your calves. Look for socks with strong elastic in the calves so that they won’t sag throughout the day.
- Materials
Most socks for work boots are made from synthetic materials – think spandex, lycra, nylon, and so on. They may be made from a mixture of these materials. You can also get cotton-polyester blend socks. Pure cotton socks aren’t recommended for work related boots. This is because the cotton absorbs moisture, but it doesn’t wick it away from your skin and takes some time to dry, which means you might feel uncomfortable.
- Durability
Durability is another important factor. If you wear tough, thick boots, you might be getting through socks pretty quickly, and no pair of socks will last forever if you’re on your feet all day. However, the price of buying socks for work boots can quickly add up if you’re constantly replacing them, so it’s worth looking for the toughest, most durable pair you can find.
Check that the seams are sturdy – this will help the socks to keep their shape even after a few washes – and that the material is thick all over. Thin spots can wear out very quickly.
Sagging can be a problem, not only because it can make you feel uncomfortable, but also because it can cause problems with the fit of your work boots, which can become a safety hazard.
Taking care of your socks when washing them can help them to last longer.
Final Thoughts
One more thing you can do is to check what other people think about their socks. It’s always better to hear from real people, especially those who work in similar fields to you so that you’ll know that they work in real-life situations. It may take a little trial and error, but you should be able to find comfortable, supportive socks that last for a long time.
We hope this has helped you to find the best socks for work boots!
