Numerous articles and posts have mentioned the superiority and the need of wearing steel toe boots over other work boots, which are very indeed!
But everything comes with a limitation or certain disadvantages and the steel toe boots are no exception!
Yes, steel toe boots too have some negative sides to it and if you have been searching for those, my friend, you have just come to the perfect place…
As this article will make you aware of all the disadvantages of a steel toe boot and will also tell you who should avoid wearing them!
Some of the real disadvantages of steel toe boots are being excessively heavy in weight, setting off the annoying metal detectors, passing on the outside cold to your feet and ultimately leaving you to several feet ailments which you will discover in the sections below…
Disadvantages/cons of wearing steel toe boots
The heavy and bulky built of steel toe boots have numerous disadvantages to it besides providing the ultimate toe protection:
1. Steel toe boots are too heavy to wear
The material steel is heavier than other toe caps like the composite toe caps or the alloy toe caps. This weight of the steel adds to the overall weight of the steel toe boots which is very tiresome to wear for the entire day at work.
2. Steel toe boots set off metal detectors
One of the most annoying cons of steel toe boots is that they easily set off those metal detectors.
3. Steel toe boots are good conductors of heat and cold
Steel conducts both heat and cold and therefore wearing steel toe boots especially in the cold weather can be of quite discomfort because the steel toe caps will conduct the outside cold to the feet.
If the cold outside is too much then it might cause severe health issues like clotting of blood in the feet.
4. Steel toe boots can crush your toes in extreme conditions
Normally steel toe boots are known to provide the best safety protection to the toes from any compression up to 6000 pounds weight.
But if anything heavier than that falls on the steel toe boots, then the steel might get crushed and it might crush your toes along with it. Though the chances of this happening is almost negligible.
5. Steel toe boots are not very comfortable to wear
First of all, the fact being that steel toe caps are toe heavy and the second fact is that the steel material of the toe caps is very hard and take up much space in the toe box area which ultimately leaves very little room for the toes to wiggle freely.
All these combined, do not make the experience of wearing steel toe boots very comfortable.
6. Steel toe boots can cause ingrown toe nails
As I have mentioned above that the steel toe box is a very hard case for the toes to move freely and the toes get constantly hit against the hard walls of the steel toe caps which ultimately cause the ingrown toe nails over time.
7. Steel toe boots can cause blisters and calluses
This is for the very same reason that the toes get constantly rubbed against the hard steel walls which cause the calluses and the blisters. (10 Tricks to Prevent Blisters from Steel Toe Boots)
8. Steel toe boots can increase chances of arthritis
Steel toe boots are not very flexible and also add extra weight to the feet. This extra weight cause the muscles and ligaments to work and stretch excessively which then leads to the joint pain in the long run.
9. Steel toe boots might not be safe for electrical works
Steel is a metal and therefore a good conductor of electricity. Therefore, in general it is seen that steel toe boots might not be very safe for electrical uses. But if your boots are ASTM EH rated, then you can surely use them for doing electrical works.
Who should not wear steel toe boots?
Besides providing the best protection for your toes, steel toe boots have several other disadvantages as we have already rea in the section above. Therefore, certain Professionals and persons should avoid wearing steel toe boots and they are:
1.) People and workers in cold countries
Steel is a good conductor of heat and cold and therefore wearing steel toe boots in cold regions can transfer the outside cold to the feet.
2.) Airport authorities
For the very simple reason that steel toe caps will not pass-through metal detectors without making that annoying sound, airport personnel and air travellers are suggested not to wear steel toe boots.
3.) Electricians
It is generally advisable not to wear steel toe boots while working with electricity because steel is a good conductor of electricity. But nowadays there are a lot of steel toe boots which are EH rated and are safe for electrical use.
4.) Roofers
For the very same reason that steel toe boots are not very safe for electrical purposes and there are chances of electrocution by overhead electric wires while working in the roofs, roofers should avoid wearing steel toe boots until and unless they are EH rated.
5.) Hikers and mountaineers
Hikers and mountaineers need boots and shoes with excellent grip, comfort and light weight. It will be extremely difficult to climb steep slopes with heavy boots like the steel toe ones.
6.) People with arthritis
Arthritis is pain in the muscles and joints. Now, steel toe caps being heavy in weight will bear more weight than normal shoes and therefore, can cause discomfort for the feet which eventually will lead to joint pain.
7.) People with other feet problems such as plantar fasciitis
If you already have feet problems such as plantar fasciitis or calluses, wearing the steel toe boots might aggravate those problems because steel is generally heavy and the steel walls are of the toe caps are quite hard for the toes to get rubbed off continuously while walking.
Is it bad to wear steel toe boots every day?
Steel toe boots are heavy-built boots and they therefore put some extra pressure on the feet while walking.
So, wearing steel toe boots everyday can cause certain ailments like pain in the feet, bruises and calluses due to rubbing of the toes on the steel walls and lastly, steel toe boots will make you feel more fatigued than your normal shoes just because of the extra burden of the steel material.
Also, they are not very comfortable for long day walks.
Do steel toe boots hurt your toes?
The steel walls of the steel toe caps are very hard and uncomfortable for the toes as they get constantly hit against them and also remain stuffed inside the steel toe box without much space to move freely.
So, yes! Steel toe boots do definitely hurt your toes and cause certain discomfort and ailments, check out how to get rid of steel toe boots from hurting.
And it’s a wrap!
To conclude, I will tell that steel toe boots are definitely great choice for your toe protection in extreme hazardous situations, but if your work environment does not demand steel toe protection in particular, you should definitely go for other options like !
That’s all folks for today!
See you soon in my next post, till then…
Take care, keep exploring workgearz and have a great day ahead!
