Several factors determine the weight of work shoes. It depends on the material, soles, uppers, insulation, and toe protection materials. If you have come across this article, you are probably wondering about the weight of work shoes. There is no doubt that one of the main features that determine the comfort of footwear is its weight, especially when it comes to safety boots.
Compared to normal boots, work boots are heavier. On average, work boots weigh 2 to 3 pounds per boot, while a normal boot weighs less than 2 pounds. This is because work boots are specifically designed to protect your feet from falls, rollovers, and heavy or sharp objects.
We’ve researched and created a comprehensive guide to show you the weight of work boots.
What makes work boots heavy?
Work boots act as a shield that protects your feet from workplace accidents. While they are designed to protect your feet from heavy and sharp objects, they also protect you from slippery floors, uncomfortable temperatures, electrical shock, and chemicals. Therefore, the material they are made of to meet all of these OSHA requirements, the layers, seams, and caps affect the weight of work boots, making them heavier than everyday footwear.
Material affects the weight of work boots
So, exactly how much do work boots weigh? The answer depends on how they are designed.
The material that works shoes are made of has a significant impact on the weight of the shoe. If the weight of the boots is important to you, be selective about the material.
Weight of Leather Boots
Leather boots are considered the most durable footwear. Although leather can only be considered dead animal skin, it undergoes a tanning process that eliminates its decomposition and rotting phases; as a result, leather boots become more durable.
But this advantage of extending the life of boots comes at a cost: leather boots are heavier and bulkier. Leather boots weigh more than boots made of other materials: in most cases, a leather boot weighs up to 4 pounds.
Suede Boot Weight
Although suede is a form of leather, suede boots weigh less because they do not undergo the tanning process in preservation procedures. If the weight of your boots hinders the work process, opt for suede work boots, which weigh about 3 or 4 kilos.
Suede boots are fine unless you have to go out walking or working on rainy days.
Weight of fabric boots
Since leather has been considered a heavy shoe over the years, this led to the invention of fabric boots. These boots are made from synthetic substances and weigh much less than leather boots. Due to changing lifestyles and needs, fabric boots have become lighter by the day, thanks to advances in technology.
Fabric boots are comfortable and durable and an ideal pair weighs up to 3 pounds.
Weight of plastic boots
If you’re looking for the lightest material of all, we have a winner. Plastic is the lightest material for footwear; a plastic boot typically weighs less than a pound and is designed primarily for wet weather conditions.
Plastic boots are fairly durable, but we have some doubts about the comfort they provide. There is not enough room to stretch your feet and you have no chance to get used to plastic boots.
Soles affect the weight of work shoes
Another factor that influences the weight of work boots is the sole. Boot soles can be made of different materials, and as they vary in density, they can affect the weight of work boots.
Different soles affect the weight of the boot differently, for example:
- Leather soles are some of the most durable soles to add to boots and add a lot of weight to the boots.
- Rubber soles are cheaper, more durable, and thicker. However, they can add more weight than leather soles.
- Commando soles are the heaviest of all. Commando soles are a good alternative for hiking and traveling in harsh conditions, but their thick lugs and rough design make them heavier than other soles.
- Ridgeway Insoles: these are lighter than Commando insoles, but they add a lot of weight to the shoe. They are distinguished by their thick lugs and durability.
- Wedges are the lightest and feature spongy vibrations and a wedge covering the front of the shoe.
- Cork and nitrile soles are other lightweight soles. They are made of both rubber and cork and do not have lines or lugs, which is why they are less heavy.
The shank affects the weight of work shoes
When buying work shoes, pay special attention to the upper, as its composition affects the weight and comfort of work shoes.
This small element placed between the midsole and the outer part of the shoe contributes to balance and support when walking. The upper is made of steel, leather, composite material, wood or fiberglass. The different materials in the upper increase the weight of the shoe in different ways.
Insulation affects the weight of work shoes
If you work in hazardous environments, that means your boots must meet OSHA requirements and must be insulated. Insulated boots keep your feet warm in cold temperatures, so they are constructed differently than other boots. The additional materials used to design insulated boots, such as thermal liners, make work boots heavier than non-insulated boots.
Toe protection affects the weight of work boots
Boot toe caps can come in different shapes, sizes, or materials to protect the toes from heavy tools on the job. Toe caps affect boot weight, but the weight of work boots also depends on the toe cap material.
From the heaviest to the lightest, here is the type of toe protection you may encounter:
- Steel toe cap
- Aluminum toe cap
- Composite toe cap
- Leather toe cap
Boot size influences the weight of work boots
Boot size is another factor that affects boot weight. It’s easy to guess! The larger the boot size, the heavier the boot will be. This is because more material is needed to design the boots.
How Much Do Work Boots Weigh | Video Explanation
How much do work boots weigh?
Work shoes should provide the comfort and protection needed to successfully complete a task. If you’re concerned about the weight of the footwear or it bothers you to some degree, here’s an overview you should follow:
How much do steel-toed boots weigh?
If you own a pair of steel-toed boots, you already know the answer to this question. Once you wear them and put them on the outside, the weight is noticeable.
But how much do steel toe boots really weigh? We’d say a lot, compared to other types of work boots! That’s because they are made up of steel toe caps and a layer of steel along the midsole of the boot. If you happen to work in hazardous conditions in your workplace, don’t think twice about what type of work boots to buy. Even though they weigh about 3.5 to 4.5 pounds, they offer maximum protection.
How much do composite toe boots weigh?
Composite toe boots do not contain any metal inside the boot. Their toes are made of a mixture of other materials such as Kevlar, carbon fiber, rubber, and plastic.
Although composite toe boots are not as strong as steel toe boots, they are stronger but lighter than steel toe boots, weighing between 1.75 and 4 pounds. With their excellent thermal insulation, composite toe boots provide a comfortable pair of work boots to protect the feet, but with less weight.
How much do cowboy boots weigh?
If you’re considering buying a pair of cowboy boots, the weight won’t stop you. Cowboy boots are fashionable and patriotic and you can wear any look with them, whether it’s to work or to a bar. These boots are mostly made of leather, which means you might feel a little too much weight on your feet when you wear them.
In general, a cowboy boot weighs about 2.75 pounds. Yes, a pair of cowboy boots weighs double that!
How much do Timberlands weigh?
Timberland work boots weigh 2 pounds 16 ounces; this is due to the steel construction they contain. For this reason, Timberlands are stronger but heavier. They are durable and comfortable, so if you work in industrial or construction areas or enjoy hiking, you can’t go wrong with a pair of Timberland boots.
How does the weight of work shoes affect you?
If you own a pair of work shoes, it means you have to walk or stand for many hours at work in risky conditions. And, throughout the day, you struggle with fatigue, pain or even blisters on your feet. All of this would be much harder to manage with heavy shoes. More importantly, heavy shoes can cause long-term illness in certain parts of the body, such as
- Pain in the knees and joints
- Corns in the feet
- Weakness in muscles and tendons
- Injury to the spine
- Feeling of restlessness
Conclusion
Work boots are essential in the workplace and for performing certain tasks. But use your best judgment when buying a pair of work boots. The material they are made of influences the weight of the work boots. While the lighter the boots, the easier it is to perform work tasks, we recommend that you choose safety first. Choose your work shoes wisely, based on the demands of your job.
Hi, I am Brian, Lives in Mooresville, North Carolina, and Went to The University of Texas at Austin, I am a shoe lover & know the inside out of shoes. I am well aware of the qualities of top-quality boots. That’s what I’m sharing with the reader of About Shoes/boots/footwear. Read More Here
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