Unless you have ever had the unpleasant experience of doing heavy labor in inadequate footwear, you have probably not put a lot of thought into buying work boots. However, for the laborers of the world, this is probably the most important article of clothing you will wear. The quality of your footwear can affect your comfort, your safety, your budget and even your ability to move easily. If you are getting ready to buy a new pair of work books, here are some tips to consider so you get exactly the right fit for your needs.

Choose Leather

Good, sturdy leather boots are always a good investment. Even though they tend to be more costly than synthetic material boots, leather will greatly outlast synthetic materials. In addition, you can clean and polish leather until it looks like new – something you can't do with synthetics. You can add water repellant on the boots as well.

And if you're worried about the fit, there is a little trick you can use with leather shoes – get them soaking wet, wear them for an hour or two, then take them off and let them dry. This will allow the leather to conform to the shape of your foot for an incredibly comfortable fit.

Consider Steel Toes

Steel toed boots are undeniably heavier than non-steel toed, but they offer a lot more protection. If you are going to be working around heavy equipment, lumber, machine parts or anything heavy that could possibly fall on your foot, steel toes are a must.

However, if you need something lighter but also want the protection of steel toes, consider composite toed boots, which are made of a plastic material that is shatter-proof. They don't offer quite as much protection as the steel toe, but come close and they are usually less expensive.

Lace Up or Pull On

To some degree, choosing lace up or pull on boots is a matter of personal preference. Some people simply don't want to take the time to lace up boots every morning. However, lace up boots can offer a snug fit so they stay on tightly and allow for easier movement.

Pull on boots allow you to get them off and on quickly, and in many cases, will be more waterproof than lace ups. The type of work you will be doing may help you decide which choice is best.

Use these tips to help ensure you get a perfect fitting boot that will fit comfortably and keep your feet safe. If you're looking for a place that sells work boots, visit Cowpokes.