Tradies' guide to work boots and foot health

Are your work boots pulling their weight? This new year, it’s time to step up your game.

The Australian Podiatry Association has teamed up with KingGee to help tradies like you protect your feet, optimise performance, and safeguard your long-term foot health. We’ve tapped into the expertise of KingGee Design Lead: Footwear, Emma Shirgwin and experienced podiatrist, Ian North to bust common myths, share essential buying tips and what to look out for so you know you’re making smarter choices for your trade.

About your work shoes as told by KingGee Product Designer, Emma Shirgwin

What are some common misconceptions when it comes to buying work shoes for trades work?

Women can wear men’s shoes
While women can wear men’s shoes, it’s not always the best choice. Women’s feet and ankles differ physiologically from men’s, with a generally wider forefoot, narrower heel, higher arch, and a more pronounced Q angle. Boots designed for men may not support these differences, leading to discomfort, improper flex zone positioning, and even inadequate protection from the safety cap. Properly fitted women’s boots ensure better support, comfort, and safety on the job.

Work boots are bulky and heavy
Think all tradie work boots weigh you down? Think again! Traditional heavy boots can cause discomfort, fatigue, and even long-term foot issues like bunions, corns, and calluses, impacting performance. Thanks to modern advancements, today’s boots are lightweight and ergonomically designed, reducing fatigue and keeping you comfortable throughout long workdays. Additional lightness can be found in composite toe boots, made with metal free materials such as Kevlar, carbon fiber or fiberglass.

Composite toes don’t offer the same protection as steel toes
Not true! Composite toe boots meet the same rigorous safety standards as steel toe boots, providing excellent protection against impacts. Plus, they’re lighter, don’t conduct electricity, and are ideal for long hours on the job or environments with electrical hazards.

What can happen if we wear the wrong type of shoe for the type of work we’re doing?

Choosing the wrong safety boots isn’t just uncomfortable—it can have serious impacts on your well-being and performance. Here are some common issues caused by ill-fitting or unsuitable boots:

Heel slippage: constant movement in the heel area can cause blisters, reduce stability, and impact your overall comfort.
Pinched toes: a tight toe box can lead to pain, corns, calluses, or even long-term deformities like bunions.
Arch pain: boots without proper arch support can strain your feet and lead to chronic discomfort.
Knee pain: improperly aligned boots can affect your gait, putting stress on your knees over time.
Hip and back problems: poorly fitted footwear disrupts posture and alignment, causing strain in the hips and lower back.
Foot and body fatigue: lack of cushioning and support leads to tired, aching feet—and an equally exhausted body.
Compromised safety: boots that don’t fit correctly or lack the right features can fail to protect you from workplace hazards, putting your safety at risk.

Investing in the right safety boots ensures comfort, support, and the protection you need to stay at the top of your game.

What things should we look for when we’re trying to find the right shoe for our type of work?

Support: make sure your shoes provide proper arch and heel support to reduce fatigue.

Protection: different jobs have different hazards, so look for features like toe caps, slip-resistant soles, or electrical safety ratings depending on your worksite requirements.

Fit: a good fit isn’t just about comfort – it can prevent injuries.

Durability: Quality materials and construction mean your shoes will last longer and perform better day after day.

Additional Considerations

Cushioning: opt for shoes with ample cushioning in the heel and ball of the foot to absorb shock and reduce stress on your body

Weight: lightweight options can enhance comfort without sacrificing protection, making it easier to move throughout the day.

By focusing on these factors—support, protection, fit, and durability—you can find safety footwear that not only meets workplace requirements while maximising your overall comfort and productivity on the job.

How can I be sure that my work shoe fits correctly?

A proper fit is essential for both comfort and safety. Follow these tips to make sure your boots fit perfectly:

Measure at the right time: measure your feet at the end of the day when they’re slightly swollen for a more accurate fit.
Wear work socks: try on boots with the same socks you’ll wear to work to ensure a true-to-life fit.
Check heel and toe room: your heel should feel secure, and there should be enough room for your toes to move freely.
Test for comfort: walk, squat, and flex in the boots to ensure they’re comfortable in all positions.

Fitting Safety Boots

Safety boots can be tricky to fit due to the safety cap. Here's a foolproof method:

Remove the footbed and place it on a flat surface.
Position your heel correctly in the heel cup.
Ensure there’s at least 10mm of space between your largest toe and the end of the footbed.
Repeat for both feet, as one foot is often larger than the other. Always fit the footwear to your larger foot.

If in doubt, visit a specialist in-store for a professional fitting to ensure you get the perfect pair.

Emma Shirgwin, Design Lead Footwear

With over 19 years of experience in footwear design, I have cultivated a deep passion for creating innovative, high-quality footwear. My journey began with formal studies in London, South Australia, and Melbourne, leading to a specialisation in bespoke handmade footwear. In 2006, I founded Emma the Shoemaker, gaining recognition for designs sold in Melbourne and London, broadening my expertise through roles at Walk on Footwear and collaborating with iconic Melbourne fashion brands such as Kuwaii and PAM.

I now serve as Design Lead Footwear at Workwear Group. In this role, I specialise in industrial safety footwear for iconic Australian brands, Hard Yakka and KingGee, overseeing the end-to-end design process, from concept development to production. My expertise spans both lifestyle and safety footwear, with a strong focus on technical design, function, male and female specific fits alongside adherence to local and international certification standards.

About your foot health as told by podiatrist, Ian North

How does the type of trade (e.g., construction, plumbing, electrical) influence the choice of work boot?

Work boots need to be functional for the environment in which they are worn as well as provide comfortable support. In the same way that every trade is different, the specific features needed for each type of work boot are different.

For example, construction workers dealing with large, heavy and often sharp objects require soles that are resistant to punctures as well as reinforced toe caps. Plumbers exposed to damp and slick situations should give priority to waterproof materials and non-slip soles. Electricians are required to wear boots that meet electrical hazard regulations, which frequently include non-metallic components.

According to research, environmental considerations such as heat and cold retention of the work boot should also be considered as this can directly affect comfort.

What are the most common problems tradies experience due to wearing the wrong work boots?

Wearing inappropriate or ill-fitting boots can lead to issues like the following:

Plantar fasciitis and foot pain from inadequate support or cushioning.
Calluses, corns, and blisters are common with research suggesting up to 30% of workers suffer skin irritation from work boots.
Ankle instability and increased risk of sprains arise due to lack of proper support.
Inappropriate work boots can affect gait, with safety footwear shown to reduce walking speed and cadence.
Back, hip, and knee pain resulting from altered lower limb mechanics.

What are your recommendations for tradies with specific foot issues like flat feet, bunions, or plantar fasciitis?

Choosing the right work boot is crucial.

Flat feet: to avoid overpronation, choose work boots with a sturdy heel and firm arch support. Appropriate footwear construction and structure can lessen foot strain and overuse.
Bunions: choose work boots with soft inner linings to lessen friction on bony prominences. A wide toe box will also minimise joint strain and local skin irritation over a bunion.
Plantar fasciitis: work boots with cushioned heels and shock-absorbing insoles may be beneficial. Additional help from custom or over-the-counter orthotics, have been shown to improve comfort from work related heel pain.

How often should tradies replace their work boots, even if they don’t look worn out?

Even if work boots appear to be in good condition, they should be replaced every six to twelve months. Studies show that the deterioration of internal components over time decreases protective qualities and raises the risk of damage and noncompliance.

Important wear indicators include loss of arch support or cushioning, uneven sole wear or overall perceived reduced comfort.

What should tradies do if they experience persistent foot pain or discomfort?

Tradies should address discomfort as soon as possible. Delay in taking action can make any issues worse. Switching to work boots that offer more comfort, and support is an important step.

Health professional advice from a podiatrist will address any underlying musculoskeletal factors and allow for individualised treatment strategies.

Correct safety footwear, worn properly, is important for reducing foot issues and preserving tradespeople's general health and productivity.

Ian North, Certified Sports/Biomechanics podiatrist

Ian is a APodA Certified Sports and Biomechanics podiatrist with over 25 years’ experience. He has worked at the elite AFL level as team podiatrist for over a decade and he has presented and published research in the area of foot mechanics. Ian continues to work collaboratively with sports medicine experts at the elite and sub elite level to keep people physically active. You can find Ian at Willetton Podiatry, in Perth WA here.