High performing outdoor teams such as those in Refuse Collection and Waste Management need the best work boots for walking all day - which is safety footwear designed to give top-level comfort on every step. But the question is: do they always get it?
If you’re in charge of Health and Safety, you’ll know that for your teams, sore feet and foot pain can have a hugely negative impact on well-being through discomfort: both things that lead to a big dip in productivity, performance and revenue through time-off.
To get an understanding of the importance of finding the best work boots to prevent sore feet when walking all day, here are some statistics that might surprise and shock you:
Hardly surprising then that in their Working feet and footwear study, The Trade Union Congress estimates around 80% of the adult population has some form of foot problem.
What's clear from these types of foot pain is that they stem from two main things – lack of support and footwear that’s too tight. But V12 have got the answer to both problems, particularly for teams covering long distances in their boots.
V12 safety boots and shoes are built on a last made from using data from over 4,000 global foot shapes. By accommodating the diversity of worldwide foot shapes, there’s greater comfort for all wearers, and this wider fit reduces the risk of discomfort from the pinching which causes blistering.
Pictured: V12's V1750 Defender STS, built on the V12 comfort last
Want to find out more about avoiding blisters? We’ve got a whole article on it here.
We wanted to develop the ultimate foot pain-reducing insole – and the result was our industry-leading foot bed to prevent sore, aching and strained feet and maximise comfort.
Dynamic ArchTM insoles’ shock-absorbing and cushioned material eases foot pressure which prevents corns, calluses and blisters, and critically, they combat the all-too-common pain of Plantar Fasciitis. These insoles come in low, medium and high arch heights, so strain and weight is taken off the heel and underfoot, and wearers’ feet are fully supported. Sore feet out, comfort in.
Furthermore, all three of these arch-specific insoles are available in male and True Women’s FitTM, so no matter what the shape of the feet, there is a Dynamic ArchTM fit for every member of your team - no exceptions. Find out more here.
There’s comfort built into every possible area of a V12 boot. As well as our comfort last and cushioned insoles, our boots are made with an EVA midlayer to give the wearer further energy-absorption from walking all day. Coupled with outsole units like IGSTM, made from shock-absorbing PU, our boots are the perfect solution to avoid sore feet when walking all day by taking comfort to the maximum.
The shank is a component of our boots we place under the heel inside our already cushioned midlayer which helps the boot flex more naturally. The shank is often left out by some manufacturers to cut costs, but for us it’s crucial, because it means the boot has enough stability so it doesn’t cause the foot to over-flex when stepping, preventing cramp and strain.
Pictured: V12’s V2110 Groundworker safety wellington - the lightest in its class
A big element of avoiding sore feet is weight. Once the design, shock absorption and foot support are in place, a great way to complement these cushioning features for your teams is by providing a lightweight safety boot. And when it comes taking the weight off, there’s no boot more up to the challenge than the lightest safety wellington on the market...
V12’s V2110 Groundworker safety wellington is the boot of choice for many Utilities, Construction and Waste and Recycling teams around the UK, because of its unrivalled lightweight design.
It includes a:
So, while sore feet from walking at work can be a source of pain, with the right safety footwear solution, it doesn't have to be.
The V12 Boot Finder is your online tool to help you find the right safety footwear for the job. Simply click below, add in the details of your safety and comfort requirements, and you'll be given our instant expert work boot recommendations.