Footwear Guide

Use the guide below to help determine the right boot for your occupation. Many other factors will be considered – budget, fit, size – but when choosing a work boot, the type of work, work conditions and safety requirements are a good place to start. The chart below is intended to assist you with recommendations.

  • Never dry footwear over a heater as it dries out leather and will cause leather to crack
  • Inspect footwear regularly for tears and objects in the outsole as they will impair the Electrical Shock Resistance capabilities
  • Replace footwear if an impact, exposed toe cap, crack or separation in outsoles occurs
  • Use a protective coating to make footwear water-resistant.
  • Inspect footwear regularly for damage.
  • Repair or replace worn or defective footwear.
  • Electric shock resistance of footwear is greatly reduced by wet conditions and with wear
  • Walk in new footwear to ensure it is comfortable.
  • Boots should have ample toe room (toes should be about 12.5 mm from the front)
  • Make allowances for extra socks or special arch supports when buying boots.
  • Boots should fit snugly around the heel and ankle when laced.
  • Lace up boots fully. High-cut boots provide support against ankle injury

Bricklayer/Masonry

Lays bricks, block walls. Works with stone, tile or glass block

  • 6-8” lace-up boot for ankle protection/support 
  • Oil-tanned leathers for resistance to lime/calcium 
  • Cushioned outsoles/footbeds for comfort on concrete.
  • Puncture resistant outsole

Utility Worker

Installation, maintenance and service

  • Oxford/athletic shoes in lightweight leather or fabric 
  • Non-aggressive, non-marking soles for inside home use 
  • Defined heel for climbing ladders
  • Puncture resistant outsole

Carpenter/Laborer

Performs carpentry and woodworking, from framing and building construction to crating furniture and other wood objects. Significant manual labour and work outdoors.

  • 6-8” lace-up boots for ankle protection/support 
  • Waterproof leather for outdoor construction work 
  • Cushioned outsoles/footbeds for comfort on concrete 
  • Outsole with shank and defined heel for climbing ladders
  • Puncture resistant outsole
  • CSA approved Electrical Shock Resistance/ ASTM approved
  • Slip reistant outsole

Concrete Finisher

Works with concrete, including placing, finishing, protecting and repairing concrete.

  • 6-8” lace-up boots for ankle protection/support 
  • Oil-tanned leather uppers for resistance to lime/calcium 
  • Shanks for ladder support
  • Puncture resistant outsole

Construction

Heavy physical labour on building, highway and heavy construction projects and demolition sites

  • 6-8” lace-up boot for ankle protection/support 
  • Tight grain oil-tanned leather for resistance to hydraulic fluids and wet/dry cycles outdoors
  • Puncture resistant outsole
  • CSA approved Electrical Shock Resistance/ ASTM approved

Dock Worker

Tradesman that works at docks, on the waterfront and in riverfront areas

  • 6-8” lace-up or pull-on boots for ankle protection 
  • Waterproof leather 
  • Cushioned outsoles/footbeds for comfort on concrete 
  • Slip-resistant outsoles with shanks for support on ladders.
  • Puncture resistant outsole

Electrician

Specializes in electrical wiring of buildings and related equipment

  • 6-8” lace-up boots for ankle protection/support 
  • Waterproof leather 
  • CSA approved Electrical Shock Resistant/ ASTM approved
  • Puncture resistant outsole

Electronics Industry

Electronics Industry: Builds and works with Circuit boards, computer chips

  • light industrial footwear
  • Casual/athletic upper
  • Puncture resistant outsole
  • CSA approved Static Dissipative/ ASTM approved
  • Puncture resistant outsole

Farmer/Rancher

Grows field crops, orchards, vineyards or raises livestock, poultry or other animals

  • Pull-on or lace-up boots for ankle protection/support 
  • Oil-tanned, waterproof leathers for exposure to wetness and fertilizers 
  • Hard outsole for digging, with deep enough cleats for uneven terrain and defined heel for climbing ladders
  • Puncture resistant outsole

Food Service

Creates, prepares and serves food in a restaurant or industrial settings

  • Lightweight leather or fabric 
  • Smooth uppers with minimum stitching that can be wiped clean with ease
  • Slip-resistant outsoles for maximum traction on slippery floors

Heavy Equipment Operator

Operates heavy equipment used in engineering and construction projects

  • 6-8” lace-up boot for ankle protection/support 
  • Tight-grain, oil-tanned leather for resistance to hydraulic fluids and wet/dry cycles outdoors 
  • Soles with defined heels for climbing 
  • Puncture resistant outsole
  • Slip-resistant outsoles for maximum traction on slippery floors

HVAC

Specializes in installing and maintaining furnaces, air conditioners and other mechanical heating/cooling systems

  • 6-8” lace-up boot for ankle protection/support 
  • Waterproof leathers for outdoor 
  • Cushioned outsoles/footbeds for comfort on concrete 
  • Flat outsoles that don’t track dirt when going in and out of houses
  • Puncture resistant outsole


Mechanic/Machinist

Specializes in automobile maintenance and repair. Uses machine tools to make or modify parts, including metal, wood and plastic

  • Oxford, lace-up or slip-on boots. 
  • Direct attached or sealed welt construction for resistance to petroleum products. 
  • Oil/slip resistant rubber outsoles for traction 
  • Cushioned outsoles/footbeds for comfort on concrete
  • Puncture resistant outsole

Metal Fabrication

Builds machines, structures and other equipment by cutting, shaping and assembling metal components

  • Boots for protection against sparks and slag outsoles with cushioning for support and comfort when standing. 
  • Puncture resistant outsole

Paint Shops

  • light industrial footwear
  • Oil/slip resistant outsole
  • CSA approved Static Dissipative/ ASTM approved

Pipefitter

Assembles, fabricates, installs and maintains large piping systems for industrial processes

  • 6-8” lace-up boots for ankle protection/support 
  • Waterproof leathers 
  • Cushioned outsoles/insoles for comfort on concrete 
  • Soles with shank and defined heel for support on ladders 
  • May require heat-resistant outsoles.
  • Puncture resistant outsole

Plaster/Drywall

Works with interior plaster, drywall, and decorative moldings on ceilings or walls

  • 6-8” lace-up boots for ankle protection/support 
  • Oil-tanned leathers for resistance to lime/calcium 
  • Boot bumpers extend boot life 
  • Puncture resistant outsole

Plumber

Specializes in installing and maintaining residential and industrial water and waste management systems

  • 6-8” lace-up boots for ankle protection/support 
  • Waterproof leathers 
  • Cushioned outsoles/footbeds for comfort on concrete 
  • Outsoles with shank and defined heel for support on ladders

Steel Worker/Erector

Positions and secures reinforcing bars and mesh used to strengthen concrete on construction projects. Installs structural steel building components

  • 6-8” lace-up boots for ankle protection/support 
  • Tough waterproof leathers 
  • Cushioned outsoles/footbeds for comfort on concrete 
  • Puncture resistant outsole

Truck Driver

Drives and operates tractor/trailers, box trucks or dump trucks. Transports finished goods and raw materials over land

  • Oxfords, lace-up and pull-on styles 
  • Lighter leathers for flexibility and comfort while driving 
  • Cushioned outsoles/footbeds for shock absorption 
  • Harder soles wear better on metal steps and asphalt.

Warehouse Worker

Warehouse workers receive, store and ship merchandise kept in warehouses. Often involves operating fork-lift or other machinery

  • Oxford, chukka, or 6” boots 
  • Softer leathers 
  • Oil/slip/abrasion-resistant, dual-density outsoles for comfort while walking on concrete.
  • Puncture resistant outsole

Welder

Specializes in welding materials, utilizing an arc or stick welder. Materials include steel aluminum, brass and stainless steel

  • Pull-on boot styles for protection against sparks and slag 
  • Oil-tanned leather 
  • Tough but flexible heat resistant soles for fabrication work; harder outsoles with cushioning for support and comfort when standing (production welding). 
  • Puncture resistant outsole

Well Drilling

Extracts natural resources such as ground water, natural gas or petroleum by drilling into the ground

  • Lace-up boots. 
  • Strong, waterproof leather for wet conditions 
  • Outsoles with deep cleats for grip in loose soil
  • Oil resistant outsole
  • Puncture resistant outsole

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