Tag Archive for: footwear design

The Importance of Wide Fitting Boots/Shoes

When trying on a standard pair of casual shoes, loafers, sneakers or running shoes, most are manufactured from materials that stretch easily and quickly. That said, steel toe cap safety shoes and safety boots are made of soft, pliable and comfortable leather – but as the name suggests, the front part of the product is surrounded by a steel toe cap. This isn’t going to stretch. Picture a steel “baseball cap” for your toes.

Wide Fitting Safety Footwear

Understanding the anatomy of your foot is a very important part of choosing a particular style from a range. Whilst some may be better suited to a particular work environment, and others may seem more stylish… you really do need to take into account the width of your foot across the 5 phalanges (from the base of the big toe across to your far edge of your pinky toe). Understanding this width will direct you from a standard fitting toe cap, into probably a wide fitting toe cap, expanded wide fitting toe cap or in some cases the need for an extra wide toe cap. Then you can narrow down your search to industry specific and again “fashion” appeal.

The overall design of the shoe is built around a last that fits these varying width toe caps, into the sole and upper design of the shoe. And once again, there isn’t a one size fits all. ProFit Safety Footwear makes use of 4 varying toe cap widths, across more petite ladies feet, and then over a range of wide and expanded wide fitting designs in the men’s and unisex range.

Safety Footwear Design

Understanding the complexities of safety footwear design and construction, becomes more and more important whilst making an informed decision on which fit is best for your feet. And much like a finger print, everyone’s feet are unique in many different ways. Length, width, high or low arch, high or low bridge, etc.

Wide Fitting Safety Footwear Q&A

Doesn’t all footwear stretch as you break them in? – When trying on a standard pair of casual shoes, loafers, sneakers or running shoes, most are manufactured from materials that stretch easily and quickly. That said, steel toe cap safety shoes and safety boots are made of soft, pliable and comfortable leather – but as the name suggests, the front part of the product is surrounded by a steel toe cap. This isn’t going to stretch. Picture a steel “baseball cap” for your toes.

Is foot anatomy important in choosing safety footwear? – Understanding the anatomy of your foot is a very important part of choosing a particular style from a range. Whilst some may be better suited to a particular work environment, and others may seem more stylish… you really do need to take into account the width of your foot across the 5 phalanges (from the base of the big toe across to your far edge of your pinky toe). Understanding this width will direct you from a standard fitting toe cap, into probably a wide fitting toe cap, expanded wide fitting toe cap or in some cases the need for an extra wide toe cap. Then you can narrow down your search to industry specific and again “fashion” appeal.

What is a footwear last? – The overall design of the shoe is built around a last that fits these varying width toe caps, into the sole and upper design of the shoe. And once again, there isn’t a one size fits all. ProFit Safety Footwear makes use of 4 varying toe cap widths, across more petite ladies feet, and then over a range of wide and expanded wide fitting designs in the men’s and unisex range.

Contact the team today to get advice on the perfect fitting safety shoe – info@profitfootwear.co.za or give us a call on +27 11 892 8030