How long does safety shoes last?
Frequency of use
The frequency of use of safety shoes is one of the important factors that determine their lifespan. People who usually wear safety shoes every day, such as workers working in high-intensity environments such as construction sites and factories, will wear out their shoes faster. If they are worn for more than 8 hours a day, the lifespan of safety shoes may be around 6-9 months. For people who use them occasionally, such as laboratories or managers who occasionally go in and out of construction sites, the wear of safety shoes will be relatively light, and the service life may be extended to one year or even longer.
Working environment
The harshness of the working environment will directly affect the durability and service life of safety shoes. Here are some typical influencing factors:
Chemicals and corrosive substances: Some factories may have acidic and alkaline substances, oil stains or solvents. Chemicals may damage the soles and upper materials, causing the shoes to wear out faster.
Humidity and moisture: Long-term exposure to a humid environment will make shoes more prone to mold and softening, and the material will age faster. In wet or watery workplaces, the anti-slip properties of rubber soles will gradually decrease.
Temperature and environmental conditions: Extreme high or low temperatures will accelerate the aging of shoes. In hot environments, the soles may become hard or crack, and in extremely cold environments, the flexibility of the material will also decrease.
Rough ground: The ground in places such as construction sites and mines is often uneven and has stones or metal fragments, which will increase the wear rate of the soles, especially the wear resistance of the soles will decrease rapidly.
Quality and materials of shoes
The durability and lifespan of safety shoes of different materials and brands also vary. High-quality safety shoes usually use stronger and wear-resistant materials, such as:
Full-grain leather: Full-grain leather has good breathability, high durability, and is more resistant to water in wet environments. This material usually has a longer life than artificial leather or lower-grade materials.
Rubber soles: Durable rubber soles are suitable for rougher ground, have good anti-slip properties, and are usually more wear-resistant than soles made of ordinary materials.
Steel toe/composite toe: The toe part of the safety shoe is usually reinforced with steel toe or composite materials to provide impact and anti-smash protection. Steel toe shoes are usually heavier but very durable, while composite materials are lightweight but also relatively fragile.
Regular maintenance
Good maintenance can significantly extend the service life of safety shoes. Here are some common maintenance methods:
Cleaning: After daily use, you can wipe the surface of the shoes with a soft cloth to remove dust and dirt to prevent accumulation from affecting the appearance and service life of the shoes.
Drying: If the shoes are wet, it is recommended to air dry naturally, and do not use high-temperature drying equipment (such as a hair dryer) to avoid damaging the structure of the material. You can stuff dry newspapers in the shoes to accelerate moisture absorption.
Regular inspection: Check the wear of the soles, whether the uppers are cracked or detached, and whether the toes are deformed. If the soles are found to be worn flat or cracked, you need to consider replacing them.
When to replace safety shoes
Although different groups of people have different requirements for the durability of shoes, regardless of whether the shoes have reached their intended service life, as long as the following conditions occur, they should be replaced in time to ensure safety:
Sole worn flat or severely worn: anti-slip performance is reduced, which easily causes the risk of slipping.
Damaged toe or cracked upper: Loss of protective ability, can not effectively protect the toes from external damage.
Cracked or delaminated soles: Reduced durability, especially in environments with high levels of chemicals or moisture, may increase the risk of sole corrosion.