Best Shoes to Wear on the Warehouse Floor

You should treat safety as a comprehensive, head-to-toe subject. In this case, we mean that literally. In order to stay comfortable, maintain the highest safety profile, and keep up your productive pace in your warehouse job, you need to start from the bottom up. In other words, take a look at your feet. 

You probably hear a lot about safety at work. Warehouses can be dangerous places, and any good company will make employee safety priority. However, even in a well-managed environment, some things fall through the cracks. Footwear represents a good example. 

It’s up to you to make sure you have the correct footwear for your job. Your bosses can make recommendations, but they aren’t responsible for that part of your safety preparation. But what should you look for in proper warehouse shoes?

Here are a few things to keep in mind as you think about the right footwear for work 

Comfortable  

We’re going to talk about safety features in a minute. These are important, but you can’t forget about comfort. That has to be your starting point when considering what shoes to buy. 

Working in a warehouse means walking on hard concrete floors for hours at a time, day in and day out. This not only wears out your feet, but it can also create problems for your hips and spine. Any shoe choice you make has to start with overall comfort. 

Lightweight 

Lots of footwear on the market will keep your feet safe from workplace dangers. However, these safety features often come at a cost. This can be our literal cost (as the price of shoes can get surprisingly expensive). But there’s also a trade-off you have to keep in mind with other priorities. 

Safe footwear often becomes heavy and bulky. This might be appropriate for outside work or jobs that don’t require constant motion. But in a warehouse, you need to stay light on your feet. Keep this in mind as you compare brands. Try to balance the various benefits offered by various brands with their weight and overall comfort. 

Slip Proof 

We’ve discussed comfort so far. Now, we finally get to the safety part of the discussion 

Warehouse floors can get slick. Cleaning processes, spills, and moisture tracked in from the outside can raise the risk of dangerous falls. What’s worse, you might not always see the danger. The right shoe will protect you from these situations. Seek out slip-proof soles. They will help you stay on your feet, even if you encounter a surprising slick spot. 

Steel Toe 

Another risk that comes from warehouse work involves the danger of falling objects. With heavy inventory moving around, the possibility exists that something could fall on your foot. Or, as you travel around the warehouse, you might trip or stub your toe. Whatever the specific cause, you want some protection from these injuries.  

To avoid getting sidelined with a broken toe, or forced to limp around in pain, consider buying footwear with protection. Look for steel toe options, which will keep you from suffering a serious injury if an accident occurs. 

Breathable 

When you work outside, a waterproof shoe becomes imperative. However, one of the benefits of a warehouse job is getting to avoid the elements most of the time. You don’t have to worry about washing through puddles or tracking through the snow on a regular basis. Instead, you should be more concerned about finding footwear with adequate breathability. Keep your feet cool and comfortable by choosing a more breathable option. 

You should take every step necessary to make sure your workday is safe and comfortable. That includes finding the right employer. Partnering with a strong recruiting firm, like SmartTalent, ensures that you end up with a company that values your health and your contribution to the team. 

Contact SmartTalent today to learn how they can find the right placement for you.