Serious work-related foot injuries continue to be an epidemic injuring thousands of workers per year.
Wearing proper foot protection, required for the majority of warehouse and factory employment positions, has reduced this staggering statistic; however, it remains an area of great concern all time.
Through education and a sense of personal responsibility, training, and educating new employees on the importance of proper foot protection is merely only a beginning.
This product review intends to outline and educate on the importance of wearing the proper protective footwear as required.
Although all the following work shoes all meet and exceed foot protection guidelines set forth by OSHA, the Timberland PRO Men’s Powertrain Sport Alloy-Toe Shoe comes highly recommended.
Taking chances is an accident looking for a place to happen. Will you be next? Absolutely NO!
Best Shoes for Warehouse Work
1. Timberland PRO Men’s Powertrain Sport Alloy-Toe
Start the New Year off right with these athletic styled work shoes.
These modern-looking shoes for factory work offer alloy safety toes, breathable mesh linings, and anti-fatigue technology.
Delivering ultimate comfort throughout the day, the durability and protection of these sneaker-appearing work shoes return energy to your feet with every step taken.
With low-profile looks, these work shoes offer ripstop uppers that are virtually mutilation-free.
Combined with fiberglass shanks for support, these shoes also feature durable PU outsoles, with heat resistance up to 248º Fand abrasions.
These shoes meet all ASTM standards and compliance for safety underfoot protection of life, energized electrical circuits.
This company takes great pride in its impressive long line of trusted footwear.
Offering 30-day money back guarantee if not satisfied with the overall comfort and wear of these shoes, gives the consumer assurance of a shoe that is designed to perfection.
The ever-growing list of other features include:
Pros
- Cement construction for flexibility
- Reduced “break-in” time
- Heat, oil and abrasion resistant
- Antimicrobial odor control
- Deep outsole tread for excellent slip protection
Cons
- Very short wear factor
- Fabric on steel toe area is very thin
- Not waterproof
Other Considerations
It is maintaining an excellent rating on Amazon with a price point that is well within reason for a warehouse work shoe of this quality.
Available in three attention-grabbing trending colors which adds another dimension to these work shoes. Wearing these shoes to work or the game will start your New Year off on the right foot.
2. Skechers for Work Men’s Synergy Ekron Alloy Toe Work Shoe
Celebrate the New Year with sporty good looks of these work shoes.
Smooth soft and subtle leather with tough and durable synthetic uppers keep your feet comfortable all day and well into the evening.
Mixing comfort with style, the relaxed fit, and design of these shoes will keep you looking and feeling good.
Beyond the apparent unique styling, these work shoes offer the latest in features with exceptional protection in all employment positions.
Meeting and exceeding all ASTM safety standards, the OSHA compliant slip resistant nitrile rubber traction outsole prevents slipping and falling on a variety of surfaces.
Low heel height of one-inch with stabilizing overlays, keeps you lower to the ground and in control of all movement.
Lightweight, weighing only 14oz per shoe is an added plus for those factory and warehouse workers who are continually on their feet for the majority of their shift.
Even overtime hours are not a problem with these work shoes.
Lightweight aluminum alloy safety toe provides adequate protection from all crushing and fall protection injuries.
Are you interested in more safety shoes? Check out the best steel toe safety shoes review.
Pros
- Memory cushioning foam
- Appealing stitching accents
- Padded collar and tongue
- Soft fabric shoe lining
- Shock-absorbing FlexSole
Cons
- Insoles wear out quickly
- Comfort level needs improvement
- Poor durability
Other Considerations
Top ranking on Amazon with an even better price point compared with its competitors. The color selection remains good with contrasting inner linings that add to the overall pleasing appearance.
The right shoe for factory or warehouse work, however, may require some light daily maintenance.
3. KEEN Utility Men’s Atlanta Cool Steel Toe Work Shoe
You will not only be refreshing but look cool in these nicely styled lightweight shoe workers.
Right away, you will feel a more natural snug fit in the heel with a spacious toe box that is advanced technology at it’s finest.
An internal, patented support mechanism is anatomically engineered to provide excellent support, cradling the natural contour of your feet.
Unlike many other similar work shoe styles, these shoes designed with asymmetrical steel toes for a perfect fit.
Additional reflective webbing gives you higher visibility for that early evening walk or runs in diminishing daylight.
Preventing hyper-flexing of the toes, the larger than average toe box gives your toes room to breathe and spread out, a very welcoming feeling of relief.
The waterproof, breathable membrane keeps your feet dry from rain and humidity with heat-releasing capabilities.
Your feet will remain comfortable all day with additional hydrophobic control reducing sweaty feet.
Patented toe protection wraps the outsole up and over the toes for the best toe protection on the market.
Pros
- Torsional stability shank
- Oil and slip resistant rubber outsole
- A removable metatomical dual density EVA footbed
- Breathable mesh liner
- Full-grain leather uppers
Cons
- Poor laces
- Heel slips
- Separation of outsole
Other Considerations
Within an affordable price point for a perfect work shoe with a top rating on Amazon.
A few color choices with contrasting stitching brings additional attention to this already well-made footwear.
4. Wolverine Men’s Legend Waterproof Comp Toe Work Shoe
Work throughout the New Year while wearing these 6-inch work boots in confidence.
With superior construction combined with advanced technology, these 6-inch work boots are designed for the most rugged conditions.
An h-plate suspension system is another useful feature of these rugged and well-made work boots, with four independent, responsive chambers, capturing and returning all walking expelled energy.
Constructed with waterproof full-grain leather uppers help keep your feet dry during inclement weather conditions.
Slip-resistant, deep, thick rubber lug outsoles grip on any surface, wet or dry. Click here to check more slip resistant shoes.
Equipped with Carbon MAX nanotechnology safety toes, these work boots meet all ASTM safety standards, including EH (Electrical Hazard) prevention.
Removable Ortholite cushioned footbed is another good feature of these rugged 6-inch work boots.
Customizable, for insertion of any preferred footbed, these well-engineered work boots have a wider range of use, saving you money in additional needless purchases.
From work to your favorite hiking trail, these best shoes for factory workers offer greater flexibility in use than expected.
Pros
- Flexible
- Tough, durable welt construction
- No “break-in” period
- Extremely lightweight
- Ergonomic it
Cons
- Lacking insole support
- Sole separation
- Uncomfortable
Other Considerations
A good rating on Amazon; however with a work boot of this quality, the rating should be higher. The price point is within range of the built-in quality and reasonable.
Three color selections although two of the three colors appear to be very similar with one a darker shade.
Feet get warm while wearing these boots. Providing more vent or pinholes to alleviate some of this built-up heat discomfort is a step in the right direction.
5. Caterpillar Women’s Brode Steel Toe Work Shoe
Stick to your New Year’s resolutions with better foot protection while wearing these feminines, color-popping work boots.
Made for the woman who recognizes quality when seen, these sneaker-looking, laid-back shoes look more like athletic shoes than work shoes.
Pigmented leather uppers are extremely durable and practical with superior foot protection.
Low-profile with soft nylon lining for increased breathability, these comfortable women’s work shoes will quickly get you through your busy workday and beyond.
Rugged cement construction provides for better flexibility, allowing your feet to move freely without irritating restrictions.
Nylex footbed features a molded EVA design for cushioning comfort and added support where needed.
Industry rated steel toe is hidden quite well, giving the appearance of a soft toe sneaker, overlaid with honey-combed, abrasion-resistant synthetic leather.
Additional pull-on loop at the heel provides increased slip-on incentive.
Rated for electrical hazards of up to 600 Volts, Caterpillar Brode Steel Toe Work Shoes have you covered and protected in more ways than one.
Interestingly, Caterpillar Brode is far safest against electrical hazards conditions, compared to the most boots reviewed in this post for the professional electricians.
Pros
- Nylon supportive shank
- Protective T1080 outsole
- Oil and water resistant
- SRX best-in-class reduces slips and falls
- Cemented construction
Cons
- Heavy
- Poor laces
- Lacking required support
Other Considerations
The price point is very good and affordable. Fair to good ranking on Amazon.
Available colors are boring and impersonal. For a woman’s pair of shoes, the color selection needs to be improved.
Overall construction is good from a reputable company; however, disappointing in the appearance which needs to be improved.
6. KEEN Utility Women’s Flint Low Work Shoe
Look to a prosperous New Year wearing these lightweight Women’s work shoes.
These shoes are specifically designed for women who are on their feet for the major part of the day.
From large factory and warehouse hours to running errands on your way home, these women’s shoes keep you moving and comfortable.
Known for quality footwear, KEEN Footwear is the first to design women’s work shoes with “out-of-the-box” thinking.
Realizing that the right and left foot are not in perfect symmetry, these work shoes were designed with asymmetrical (irregular) steel toes to accommodate subsequent variations of either foot.
Similar in appearance to the latest styles in working or walking shoes for concrete floor, these women’s work shoes also offer optional wear capabilities.
Working together, the dual density compression molded EVA midsole and the torsional stability shank (TSS) keep your feet very comfortable throughout the day.
Contoured heel lock gently, but firmly allows no slipping of the heel forward.
With endless features and specifications, it is clear to see why these women’s shoes continue to remain a popular choice throughout the women workforce.
Pros
- CleanSport NXT™ for natural odor protection
- Moisture wick lining
- Molded reinforcement of the toe box
- Removable metatomical dual density EVA footbed
- Easy lace-up preferred styling
Cons
- Heavy
- Stiff outsole
- Poor breathability
Other Considerations
A continual good ranking on Amazon. At a good price point, affordable but well within the limits of woman work shoes of similar quality.
Color selection is excellent, with accenting colors making these work shoes stand apart from all other competing styles.
7. Reebok Men’s Sublite Work Shoe
Are you looking to make a change to your work environment for the New Year? Try on these shoes for workers from a company that needs no further introduction.
These casual looking athletic-inspired work shoes bring responsive lightweight performance throughout the day. You will immediately notice the difference in these work shoes the first time that you put them on.
These leather oxfords feature a MicroWeb upper with moisture-wicking nylon mesh lining that dissipates moisture when worn.
A removable cushion footbed is one of the best in the footwear industry for extended comfort levels and very noticeable.
Medial and lateral webbing offers stability in conjunction with Sublite foam technology, reducing the overall weight of these shoes.
Introducing the latest in work shoe development, the patented FootFuel polymers expand when walking for longer period of time, increasing cushioning properties for the life of these shoes.
Completing these well-made work shoes is the alloy toe cap with electrical hazard rating with electrostatic dissipating dual resistor protection.
Pros
- Lightweight
- Flexible
- Shock absorbing
- Slip-resistant
- Removable cushioned footbeds
Cons
- No heel or arch support
- Heavy toe
- Uncomfortable tongue
Other Considerations
The surprisingly low rating on Amazon; The price point is good for a work shoe from a reputable company.
Color selection is virtually non-existent, plus overall quality and durability continue to remain an issue amongst consumers that have previously purchased these work shoes.
These work shoes remain a disappointment from a Company with a long legacy of superior performing footwear.
Things to Consider Before Buying a Warehouse Work Shoe
Quality
Overlooking quality of the best shoes for warehouse workers is a common error. Purchasing shoes with lesser quality based on price alone is an invitation to hours of aching feet and total discomfort. Granted, quality work shoes may cost more but take into consideration that working in a warehouse requires you to walk miles per day for up to 8-10 hours a day should be enough justification to purchase high-quality warehouse work shoes.
Lesser quality shoes worn by warehouse workers are not durable and may not have the required foot protection mandated by OSHA (Occupational Safety and Health Administration). Never sacrifice quality in lieu of good looks. No one is really looking at your feet anyhow!
Comfort
When your feet ache, your entire body aches. Aching feet are a distraction which may cause you to lose focus while at work. Depending on your work environment, any distraction regardless of how minor it may appear often leads to more serious accidents. Wearing the correct work shoe that has the proper arch support with a cushioning innersole keeps your feet comfortable and moving all day.
Correct fitting work shoes with the appropriate size is another issue often overlooked. Tight fitting shoes cause a wide range of other foot conditions such as blisters and bunions. Waiting for your “cool, good-looking”, overly tight- fitting work shoes to “break-in” is like waiting for your lottery numbers to be chosen with the same result, disappointment.
Safety Toe
Adequate toe protection is required in most warehouse positions. All workers are required to wear either safety shoes or boots in positions where fall or crushing injuries may be present. Non-composite, safety toe shoes are made from non-metallic materials and are much lighter. Both the standard steel toe and non-composite safety toe shoes offer the same protection. Non-composite safety toe shoes are typically worn by electricians for their non-conductive composition.
Your feet are comprised of 36 bones, more than the rest of your entire body combined. On an average, over 25,000-foot related injuries are reported each year. Crushing foot injuries continue to be the most common type of warehouse foot injuries followed closely by falling objects. Protect your feet. You only get two!
Shock Absorbent
Many warehouse employment positions require workers to climb ladders and other associated equipment. Additional shocks to your feet are commonplace when jumping on and off forklifts. Wearing the correct warehouse shoe with shock-absorbing qualities protects your feet from blunt traumas. Cushioned footbeds with shock-absorbing rubber outer soles help to absorb unsuspecting impacts.
Heels of your feet often suffer the most damage from shocks. Carrying the majority of your body weight, the heel area of your work shoes should also include proper arch support. Natural gait, (walking stride) of your work shoes should distribute body weight evenly across your foot. Reducing sharp impacts will keep you on the job and productive. Here is the best guide for shock absorbing shoes.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)
Q. Are work shoes worn in factories and warehouses required to be waterproof?
A. No. Typical warehouses and factories do not have a high influx of water issues. However, if you are more comfortable with waterproof work shoes, there are such work shoes available. These specialized work shoes may cost more but remain a matter of personal preference. You should also be made aware of the fact that waterproof work shoes are not 100-percent waterproof as most individuals assume them to be.
Q. The Company that I work for says that steel toes are optional, is that true?
A. That would depend on your employment position. OSHA has strict guidelines for toe protection in place that cover a large portion of employment positions. Working in the office and occasionally going to the warehouse to check on an order can result in serious crushing foot injuries. Why take the chance? You are better suited to wear work shoes that offer proper foot protection regardless of your employment position.
Q. Which is better, steel or composite toes?
A. Both offer the proper protection for your feet. Steel toe work shoes may feel a bit heavier due to construction. Composite toes are made from non-metallic materials, are lighter however may cost more depending on the manufacturer and style selected.
Q. I have a foot condition that causes my feet to swell at times. Will steel toe safety work shoes give me any relief from the swelling?
A. Unfortunately, probably not. Most work shoes will offer a removable footbed that may offer you some additional comfort. Insertion of a footbed, such as an orthopedic insert may help with your foot swelling to a certain degree. Try to measure your feet at the highest point of your swelling condition. Ordering a size to a size and a half larger than your normal foot size will provide some extra room for better comfort. Consultation with a qualified orthopedic physician is another good idea.
Q. There are so many safety toe work shoes available. How do I know which one is right for me?
A. Really a matter of personal preference and your employment position. Work shoes is worn in factories, or warehouse positions are designed for comfort while providing additional foot protection from crushing and falling objects foot injuries. Reviewing all styles that fit your particular work position will give you a better idea as to what is required and needed.
Conclusion
According to the Bureau of Labor and Statistics, more than 60,000 work-related foot injuries reported each year (Source). Seventy-five percent (75%) of these injuries resulted in workers that were not in compliance with OSHA safety standards for on-the-job foot protection.
The National Council on Compensation Insurance further states that workers with foot injuries loose over $9,600.00 per day nationwide, divided into three groups (1) punctures, (2) cuts and (3) sprains and crushed feet.
These injuries could have been avoided by wearing factory workers shoes.
There is no reason for not wearing proper safety shoes when your job description and position mandates wearing safety shoes while on company property.
Looking for excuses is never the answer only reflects the unpredictable nature of the injured individual.
The best shoes for warehouse workers outlined throughout this review are designed to protect your feet. It’s your call now, wear them or become an injured worker.
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