Your work shoes support you through long shifts, intense doubles, and grueling overtime hours, all while protecting your feet, knees, and back from serious injury and repetitive damage.

As such, the boots you wear to work should stand up to your daily grind. But exactly how long should work boots last? Generally, work boots have an average lifespan of 6 to 14 months before it’s time to switch them out for new work boots.

In this guide, we’ll explore factors that may contribute to your work boot’s wear and tear and how to make work boots last longer.

The Life Span Of Your Work Boots

It’s understandable if you’re a little attached to your work boots. After all, you spend a lot of time in them. And up to a point, many quality work safety boots only get more comfortable the longer you wear them. That’s because high-quality leathers and other materials naturally accommodate the shape of your foot over time.
That said, you shouldn’t expect your quality work boots to last forever. As with most things, even the best boots come with an end date.
Generally speaking, a good pair of work boots should last between one and three years. But how long work boots last can depend on a variety of factors, including:₁

• The type of work you do – Certain kinds of work can wear out new boots faster. If your work environment requires repeatedly lifting heavy objects or walking across rough ground or flooring, you should expect to replace your new work boots after a year or two.
• The materials they’re made of – The lifespan of your work boots is directly influenced by the quality of its materials. Your work boots could last you up to five years if they’re made of high-quality leather or if the toe caps are made of material approved by ASTM safety standards like steel, aluminum, or an alloy composite.
• The manufacturer – When you’re shopping around for new boots, always keep the manufacturer in mind. The truth is that some brands place a higher value on the quality and durability of their safety footwear than other brands. Always choose well-regarded brands you can trust to make shoes that prioritize quality and safety.

How To Make Work Boots Last Longer

How long your work boots last isn’t solely up to the materials or your line of work. By taking proper care of your work boots, you can avoid unnecessary damage and keep them work-ready longer.

To that end, here are five top tips for getting the most mileage out of your work boots.

#1 Waterproof & Oil Your Boots

If you want your work boots to have a long life, the first thing you should do is treat them with a leather oil, such as mink oil. Oftentimes, if you’re wearing your leather work boots in a wet environment or come in contact with concrete or manure regularly, your boots will benefit from an application of warm mink oil and Sno-Seal mixture. This may help to prevent the leather from cracking.

A quality pair of work boots, especially the leather variety, should already give you a decent amount of protection against water and other liquids you might encounter on the job. That said, additional waterproofing can provide extra protection and can help keep the leather work boots in good condition.

#2 Don’t Overwash Your Boots

Your work boots have a tendency to get dirty, especially if you work outdoors. Even so, you should avoid washing them too often. A few times a year should do the trick.

When you do wash your safety boots, keep the following in mind:

• Always wash your safety footwear by hand
• Remove laces and use warm, soapy water to clean
• Use cold water, soap, and a soft-bristled brush to clean boots
• Air-dry your boots in a location where there isn’t direct sunlight or heat

#3 Keep Your Boots Dry

When your boots get wet, drying them as soon as possible can go a long way to keeping them (and your feet) in good condition. When shoes remain wet and soggy, their soles and other parts can deteriorate.

Consider investing in boot dryers. You can set them up in your laundry room and help your boots dry more quickly.

If you're not sure how to keep feet dry in work boots, you can opt for two pairs of work boots to avoid showing up to work with damp feet. Wearing a pair of wet boots on consecutive days may also wear the lining and stretch the leather, meaning your foot will not be positioned correctly in the shoe. This can cause further wear to the body of the boot and its sole.

When you switch between two or more pairs of boots, you can actually increase the lifespan of each boot by 150%.

#4 Always Unlace Your Boots Before Removing Them

At the end of a long work shift, you’re probably ready to kick your boots off and put your legs up the second you walk through your front door. However, before you relax, don’t forget one crucial step to keeping your work boots in tip-top condition: untying the laces.

It may seem like a small thing, but untying your boots before you put them on or take them off is one of the easiest tricks when improving the longevity of your boots. That’s because undoing the laces prevents:

• Bent heel collars
• Damaged lace eyelets
• Stitching strain

#5 Only Wear Your Work Boots To Work

No matter how much you love your work boots, you shouldn’t get into the habit of wearing them outside of work. They’re designed for the job site, not the shopping mall, corner bar, or grocery store.

When you save your work boots for the daily grind, you can:

• Preserve the mileage you get out of them
• Protect the soles from overuse
• Protect the boots from conditions they aren’t designed to withstand

For The Best Boots, Shop Boot World

When you need men’s work boots or women’s work boots that are safe, comfortable, and durable enough to rise to all of your job’s challenges and stand the test of time, you need Boot World.

Since 1975, we’ve been supplying workers all over the country with top-quality, safe work boots for any job. With highly durable utility boots for men and women, we’re on the job with you, from the construction site to the factory line. Plus, we offer work boot protection essentials and longevity-boosting work boot accessories to meet all your workday needs.

Shop our collections today.

Sources:

• 1 Best For My Feet. How Long Do Work Boots Last?
  https://bestformyfeet.com/how-long-should-work-boots-last/
• 2 Direct Dryers. The Top 10 Ways to Make Work Boots Last Longer.
  https://www.directdryers.com/blogs/news/the-top-10-ways-to-make-work-boots-last-longer

Reviewed By:

Ed Stone brings over 45 years of footwear knowledge and passion to his role as President of Boot World, a family-owned company and an industry leader in safety and occupational footwear. A second generation "shoe dog” Ed's footwear knowledge is unparalleled, serving as an informal advisor for some of the worlds largest footwear brands including Wolverine, Timberland PRO, and Reebok Works.

A lifelong Southern California resident, and ardent conservationist, Ed enjoys hiking and open water swimming.