Get the right size
Most boots only come in two widths. Regular (A) and wide (D), but there’s a range of sizes in between that many people fall into. You may be someone who doesn’t fit into one of these two sizes and not even realize it, but getting the right size for you could make a big difference. I knew a guy once who would buy shoes that were too long for him because he couldn’t get the right width in stock shoes in his size. In a work situation not only would this be uncomfortable, but it would be unsafe. With a custom boot you can get something that’s both the right width and length, you don’t have to pick one or the other.
Even though many more length sizes are available in stock boots than width sizes, they don’t make every size in a stock boot. If you’re a person whose foot doesn’t fit into the average range, and you’ve had trouble finding shoes in your size in the past, it might be time to try custom.
Be comfortable
This goes along with finding the right size. Of course getting a boot that fits you just right is going to add greatly to your comfort level, but there are also other customizable features on custom boots that can make wearing them more comfortable than the stock version. For example, if you customize the White’s Smoke Jumper, you can choose a single or double midsole, customize heel height and shape, etc. to improve comfort.
Get what you need for the job
Comfort is a priority for custom work boots, but safety is top. On those smoke jumpers for example you can choose to add a safety toe or not. For wildland firefighters a steel toe can be dangerous, but you still need the protective toe so you can choose to add a composite toe instead. If you don’t work around heavy objects that could fall on your toe, you might choose to go for the regular toe. Same with the Wesco Boss Boot, from the safety toe to a knife pocket, you can add the features that you need to meet the demands of your job.
Get the right look
At the end of the day, you’re a professional and no matter how dirty you get at your job, you want something that fits your personal style. Some jobs also have color requirements, so you can make sure you’re getting something that meets both your standards and your company’s.
Try building your own pair of custom boots at our new site Build A Boot feature, where we’ve partnered with White’s Boots to offer our customers a one-of-a-kind boot customizing experience. Some of the terms you may not be familiar with, so if you have questions don’t hesitate to give me a call at the shop. If you’re unsure of your size or need other assistance, come on by.
Kyle at Baker Boots
www.bakershoe.com