Hot and sweaty feet can be a major source of discomfort for safety boot users. Often, to protect wearers from impact, water and abrasion, safety boots end up being lined with layers of material which can cause hot feet quickly. Furthermore, the average safety boot is heavier than standard footwear, so to compensate, manufacturers will often pile-on the padding. While this might offer short-term comfort, it can also cause the feet to get hot and stifled.
The answer? Breathable work boots. And a safety footwear solution to prevent hot feet isn't just necessary to avoid discomfort. Overheated feet can lead to a number of foot health problems including itching, blisters and Athlete's Foot. When the foot is wet - either with water or perspiration - the skin gets softer (an issue known as maceration) leaving it much more vulnerable to breaking and infection if rubbed or chaffed.
But, with breathable safety boots designed with cooling and moisture-wicking properties, footwear that’s both comfortable and protective can be easily achieved. So, here's what to look for if you're in the market for safety footwear that keeps the temperature down.
Breathable mesh uppers
Feet get hot in safety footwear if there's no air flow. But work boot uppers can keep the temperature down if they have breathability built in. Boots with mesh uppers are a highly effective way of allowing air flow through to the foot and preventing hot feet, so look out for this design feature if you want to stay cool.
V12's Torque safety hiker is a great example of a work boot built with cool feet in mind. Its durable vegan-friendly mesh upper allowing heat to escape and cool the feet was one of the reasons this and other styles in their Trainer and Hiker collection won a PCIAW award for innovation.
Breathable waterproof lining
For people working outside in all weathers such as those in the Waste and Recycling or Grounds Maintenance sectors, waterproof footwear is essential. However, the membrane - essentially a plastic 'bootie' that is stitched into the uppers to envelope the foot and act as a barrier to water - can often stop air getting in and out of the boot, causing feet to get uncomfortably hot.
What's required is a waterproof membrane built with breathable technology. The V-DRITM is an example of such breathable footwear technology: its waterproof lining has been developed with microscopic cooling holes which are small enough to stop water getting in, but large enough to let sweat and moisture vapour out to maintain breathable feet.
Air cooling insoles
Insoles that offer cushioning are all very well, but a good work boot insole should work harder. Developments in comfort insoles mean that foot beds can now feature air flow properties to keep feet cool. These include innovative cooling systems such as a heel pump which generates air with each step, and cooling channels which distribute this air around the foot to keep temperatures down. Click here to find out more.
Moisture-wicking lining
As well as air flow in footwear, your safety boots should also feature moisture-wicking materials, which draw moisture from inside the boot away from the feet, keeping them dry, comfortable and cooler. Air flow is important to keep temperatures down, but feet will feel a lot more comfortable and cool if moisture is actively taken away from the foot and absorbed into the material, instead of staying on the foot, creating more heat and discomfort.
Socks
As well as moisture-wicking lining in boots, you should look for the same benefit in your work socks.
Look for socks with wool within their fabric, as this material has natural moisture-wicking properties. Socks made of this material mean feet stay comfortable when exposed to moisture, as the sock will pull moisture away from the foot and allow it to exit. Therefore, they're perfect for wearers who want to reduce heat build-up and sweaty feet, and to complement their safety boots' existing moisture-wicking benefit. Want to find out more about the right socks to wear with work boots? Click here.
So now you know what to look for in a boot to keep feet cool, you can take this knowledge and factor it in with your other safety and comfort requirements using V12's Boot Finder, an online tool to get the safety boot that's right for you or your team. 
