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Tips for Properly Fitting Safety Footwear
If you're spending 8-12 hours a day wearing safety footwear - you want to be comfortable. But finding footwear with built-in cushion isn't the only way to assure your feet will feel great after a long shift. It is extremely important that your safety footwear fit properly.
When purchasing safety footwear we recommend having your feet measured by a professional. It is important to have both feet measured regardless of whether or not you have worn that same style or products from the same manufacturer before. We recommend having your feet measured often because feet can change over time in length and width. Always stand during the measuring process.
When trying on safety shoes it is important to make sure that you have enough room in the toe box. While leather will stretch and soften with wear - a safety toe will not. Make sure your toes aren't rubbing against the safety toe. If needed, our sales associates are able to recommend styles that have wider safety toe caps to allow for more room. You also want to make sure that the ball of your foot is in the widest part of the shoe.
Walk around in the footwear or move in positions that you would be in during a normal work day. This will give you an idea of how the footwear will perform at work. When trying on any footwear - you want the footwear to feel great right out of the box. Don't buy a style that feels like you need to "break in" in order for it to feel good.
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According to Foot.com, when it comes to foot health "neglect and a lack of awareness of proper care - including ill fitting shoes" are the leading reasons for foot problems. Foot.com states that only a small percent of the population is actually born with foot problems.
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Have you tried the Mega Comfort Insole? It's a Customer Favorite!
Do your feet, legs, or back hurt? Are you looking to increase the cushion and arch support in your current footwear? Introducing the Personal Anti-Fatigue Mat insole from Mega Comfort!
This customer-favorite features maximum shock absorption and dual layered memory foam technology. It provides maximum comfort to keep you feeling great even after a long shift. The insole is machine washable, anti-fungal, anti-bacterial, anti-perspiration and has odor reducing scent. What's not to love?!?
The Personal Anti-Fatigue Mat insole is available at all Vanderloop Shoes stores, on our safety footwear trucks and vanderloopshoes.com.
Ask your industrial footwear rep about making this insole part of your safety footwear program!
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CAUSE
"There are two different categories of heel pain. The first is caused by over-use repetitive stress which refers to a soreness resulting from too much impact on a specific area of the foot. This condition, often referred to as “heel pain syndrome,” can be caused by shoes with heels that are too low, a thinned out fat pad in the heel area, or from a sudden increase in activity. Plantar fasciitis, a very common diagnosis of heel pain, is usually caused from a biomechancial problem, such as over-pronation (flat feet). The plantar fascia is a broad band of fibrous tissue that runs along the bottom surface of the foot, from the heel through the midfoot and into the forefoot. Over-pronation can cause the plantar fascia to be excessively stretched and inflamed, resulting in pain in the heel and arch areas of the foot. Often the pain will be most intense first thing in the morning or after a prolonged period of rest. The pain can gradually subside as the day progresses.
TREATMENT AND PREVENTION
To properly treat heel pain, you must absorb shock, provide cushioning and elevate the heel to transfer pressure. This can be accomplished with a heel cup, visco heel cradle, or an orthotic designed with materials that will absorb shock and shear forces. When the condition is pronation related (usually plantar fasciitis), an orthotic with medial posting and good arch support will control the pronation and prevent the inflammation of the plantar fascia. Footwear selection is also an important criteria when treating heel pain. Shoes with a firm heel counter, good arch support, and appropriate heel height are the ideal choice. In addition, breaking the pain cycle with the use of oral anti inflammatory medications, cortisone injections, stretching and icing are all treatments as well.
If the problem persists, consult your foot doctor."
article from foot.com
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On November 10, Vanderloop Shoes Inc employees and families volunteered to scoop and bag food at Feeding America Eastern Wisconsin. In less than 3 hours we scooped and sorted 7,000 lbs of donated pasta - which equals 5,833 meals!
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Metatarsal guard footwear (commonly known as met guards) are worn to protect the metatarsal area of your footwear (see image). Met guard boots feature a safety toe and a met guard to enhance the foot protection of the wearer.
Met guards are designed with an extra piece of metal or fiberglass that lays over the top of your foot. This serves as a safe guard to protect more of the footwear versus a regular safety toe.
Met guards come in several different styles including internal (built into the shoe) or external. Neither style is necessarily safer - it is up to customer preference which feels better or is best for their work environment.
Vanderloop Shoes carries met guard footwear from brands like Carolina, Timberland, Georgia Boot, Keen, Iron Age, Reebok, Dr Martens, Michelin and more.
