Difference Between Hiking Boots and Work Boots
You can wear work boots for hiking, right? After all, they’re the same thing? This is one of the most common misconceptions of new hikers (and to be truthful, some seasoned hikers as well). The two styles of boots do share some similarities, but there are some very big differences as well.
Since footwear is such an important part of your hiking gear, it pays to have the right kind. That is why in this article, we are going to look at the difference between hiking boots and work boots.
In This Corner: Hiking Boots
These boots are unique and made to endure everything that can be thrown at them by the great outdoors. There are a lot of brands and models, so you will have a vast range to choose from.
Some will be standard and simple, while others will use new innovative features and materials to improve the performance of the boot. Some of these features might include the following.
Waterproofing is one of the fundamental aspects that most hiking boots will come with. This is a vital inclusion as you will be traipsing through terrains and climates that can change at any given moment. By including this feature, hiking boots aim to extend the life of the boot.
Insoles are another significant feature of a good hiking boot. You will be walking long distances for lengthy periods of time, so having a good quality, comfortable insole is a must.
One of the most common materials used in hiking boot insoles is EVA. This style of insole will conform to your foot. By doing this, there will be less chance of aches and pains when you finally sit down after that long hike.
Outsoles are just as important when looking at the differences between hiking and work boots. The outsole really refers to the bottom of the shoe, and with hiking boots, you want one that offers good traction and grip. A hiking boot that is fitted with this will be more durable and help reduce the risk of potential falls even in the most precarious situations.
One final component of a hiking boot is ventilation. In fact, for some, this is one of the most important features to look at when searching for a premium hiking boot.
You will be working up a sweat and potentially stepping in some puddles (or streams), so having a good airflow will ensure that your feet stay dry. The interior coating can play a part with this as well, but without a good ventilation system, that addition won’t do much good.
So now that you have a good idea of some key features of a hiking boot, let’s move on and have a god look at work boots.
And in This Corner: Work Boots
There are a lot of work boots sold worldwide, but each one will have distinctive differences even between them. This is because work boots will be designed by the industry they are looking to be used in.
There are, however, a few things that are standard in a good work boot, namely comfort and safety. Here is a look at the biggest features included in the design of any working boot.
Safety features are a must in a good work boot. This, of course, as we have stated, will depend on the industry they are geared toward. Most will have some sort of toe protection, as most of them will be used in places where things dropping on your toes could lead to serious injury.
This usually means a steel toe or reinforced toe, which is a feature that is not present in most hiking boots. Some will have nonslip soles, while other work boots will be a shield from electrical hazards. These are design features that are meant to protect their wearer from potentially hazardous and dangerous situations.
Let the Comparison Begin!
When comparing the two, we found that most work boots are designed to be water-resistant, not waterproof, like a hiking boot; this is one of the biggest differences. There will be some industries that have very similar design features to a traditional hiking boot.
However, with safety features included in the design, work boots are very different and will often cost more than hiking boots. Work boots are also sometimes designed with up-to-date fashion in mind. This, of course, depends on the industry that they are crafted for.
So as you can see, there is a small but very distinctive difference when looking at hiking boots and work boots.