Deciding what goes into your backpack when planning a hike is tough but picking the right hiking boots is tougher. The reason is that your feet will have to carry you from one point to another and they cannot do it effectively if you are wearing the wrong boots.
Perhaps, you already work in a construction company and have a couple of steel-toed boots which you use for work and you are wondering, “Can I use this for hiking too rather than spending another huge sum of money to get hiking boots without steel toes?”
Experienced hikers know the importance of using the right hiking boots which is why they are often picky in their choice and will usually narrow their choice to a certain type of boots.
Beginners, on the other hand, tend to be more liberal in their choice which explains why many are more than willing to use boots with steel toes for their hikes. This open-mindedness also leaves them with lots of options including hiking boots with steel toes and those without steel toes.
Whether a boot with steel toes is right or wrong will depend on a number of factors that involve you and the environment. So, why do most hikers favor steel-toed boots over the ones without steel toes?
Is there any benefit that comes with using steel-toed boots for hikes? Will using boots with steel toes cause you any harm? Today, we are going to tell you all you need to know about steel-toed boots.
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Do hiking boots have steel toes?
Most hiking boots do not come with steel toes. Boots with steel toes are more suitable for working in construction sites or industries that involve heavy lifting.
The latter is usually heavier and less comfortable which makes them uncomfortable for long hikes. Nevertheless, there are many steel-toed boots that are adapted for hikes by the users.
Due to the huge financial commitment that often comes with investing in hiking boots, some hikers are ever willing to give their work boots with steel toes a try.
Nevertheless, depending on the length of the hike and the nature of the terrain, boots with steel toes may be a close alternative to hiking boots.
For example, boots with steel toes may be used on relatively flat and sandy terrain. However, they will be a great burden if you have to hike rocky or mountainous terrains owing to their weight.
If you are planning to use steel-toed boots for hiking, some of the questions that you should be asking yourself are;
- How long is the hiking trail?
- What is the nature of the trial?
- What does the weather forecast say?
- What material is used for making the boots?
So, why are most hikers against the use of steel-toed hiking boots? Below are some of the disadvantages of steel-toed hiking boots and why you should reconsider using them for your hikes.
Cons of using steel-toed hiking boots
Steel-toed boots are mostly designed to offer safety while in the workshop while hiking boots are designed to offer safety on the trail. Any hiker will understand the importance of staying safe while on a hike.
A minor emergency like a slip and fall can be fatal if you don’t have the right tools in your backpack. Interestingly, the nature of your boots will determine how easy or hard it will be for you to slip and fall.
Below are some of the reasons why hiking boots do not have steel toes.
Stretching the toe box
One of the ways of achieving a perfect fit with hiking boots is to stretch the toe box—and there are so many ways to do that which we have covered. Sadly, the toe box of steel-toed boots cannot be stretched because of the steel component.
This means that getting the right fit can be really tough. We all know that hiking for a long distance in the wrong boots is a bad idea and can lead to severe pain, swelling, or blistering of the toes.
The flexibility of the outsoles
It would be hard or even impossible to insert steel toes on flexible outsoles—explaining why boots with steel toes have rigid outsoles. However, the more flexible the outsoles, the better grip they will have on smooth, hard surfaces like rocks.
Flexible boots also make it possible for you to curl your feet or wiggle your toes to enhance your balance on wet rocky surfaces or while attempting to climb.
Hiking boots have flexible outsoles which offer better grip on surfaces compared to the stiffer outsoles of steel-toed boots.
Also, flexible outsoles feel more comfortable for hiking longer and rough terrain because they tend to cushion the effect of stepping on pebbles.
Stiffer outsoles are uncomfortable for the same terrain and can even leave you with blisters as you will feel all the shocks that come with every step beneath your feet.
Weight of the boots
The rule of thumb when it comes to hiking is the lighter the better. The lighter you hike the more distance you will likely cover compared to when you hike with heavy backpacks or boots.
An easily noticeable difference between hiking boots and steel-toed boots is the weight of the boots—and you don’t even need a scale to tell that hiking boots are many times lighter compared to steel-toed boots.
The rigid outsoles and the steels at the toes contribute to the huge weights of the boots.
Hiking with steel-toed boots will put pressure on your calf and thigh muscles which can lead to a muscle pull.
On the flip side, the weight of steel-toed boots increases the protection they offer to the foot which makes them a necessary accessory for those working in factories or industries like automobile industries that involve heavy lifting.
Steel toes are weather sensitive
Steel is not a breathable material and its inclusion in your boots lowers their breathability.
Also, steel is a good conductor of heat and cold which means that when you hike with boots with steel toes during a hot summer, you may feel as if your toes are on fire. This will not only lead to discomfort but can also make your toes sweat more leaving you with smelly boots.
Hiking with steel-toed boots during the winter months is also not safe. The reason is that the steel on the toes will conduct the cold into your boots which can make your feet really cold or wet because of condensation of vapor on the inside.
In the worst-case scenario, you can even end up with frostbites which can lead to the amputation of your limbs.
You will have to wear a thicker pair of socks to keep your feet warm when hiking in an extremely low-temperature environment.
Steel-toed boots stay wet for longer
Nonetheless, hiking boots tend to dry faster when they get damp compared to work boots due to the difference in the thickness of the leather used for making both of them.
This leaves the inside of your boot wet most of the time and can cause it to give off a foul odor if not properly taken care of.
When choosing a boot with steel toes for a short hike, make sure they are made of leather. Boots made of leather or synthetic leather can get wet but will not be ruined.
Boots made of suede, on the other hand, are easily ruined by mud or water.
We all know that wearing boots without properly drying them can facilitate their wear. That said, when you rely on steel-toed boots for hiking, you may have to put off several hikes because your boots are not dry enough to wear.
Are steel caps good for hiking?
When it comes to the safety of your feet, there is no better option than boots with steel caps. They are the toughest and strongest boots and are specially designed for use in industries.
However, the pain that often comes with them makes them less suitable for hiking.
For short hikes, the difference in pain may be negligible but you can’t ignore the crushing pain when you attempt to use the same for longer hikes. You can develop calluses or bruises when you wear them for long-distance hikes.
How to get rid of hurt from steel-toed boots while hiking
The added protection of steel-toed boots comes at a price, your comfort.
Unfortunately, improved protection also means increased weight and hardness. This makes steel-toed boots uncomfortable for long hikes.
If your steel-toed boots hurt badly, there are steps you can take to reduce the pain.
1. Get the right size
If you must use boots with steel caps for hiking, make sure that you get the right size. It should not be too short such that your toes are bent or mashed together.
If you will be hiking during the cold weather, consider getting steel-toed boots that are half an inch bigger than your size. Then, wear them with one or two thick socks so that it fits perfectly.
2. Wear toe guard
When you opt for steel-toed boots for hiking, you may discover that your big toe is rubbing against the steel. This creates extra pressure that can lead to the development of calluses.
Wearing a toe guard can also be a smart option to stop the hurt if you must hike with steel caps for a long distance.
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3. Change your lacing technique
Wearing your steel-toed boots too tight can be the reason for your discomfort and pain. By not wearing them too tight, you will notice that some of the pains you feel will go away.
One of the ways you can achieve loose-fitting is by changing your lacing technique.
The lacing should be snug. This pulls your feet away from the steel cap. Pair them with thick socks to prevent your feet from sliding.
4. Pad the inside of the steel toe
Since the steel at the toes conducts the atmospheric condition, your toes will either feel cold or hot if they are directly in contact with your toes.
Padding the steel toes provides a cushioning layer that prevents direct contact between your toes and the steel.
Interestingly, you can improvise with the material used for the padding. For example, you can make use of athletic tape or foam. If you are using athletic tape, wrap it around your toes before wearing the boots.
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You can also make use of old clothes or lamb wool for padding.
Place the old cloth or lamb wool in the areas of your toes that hurt and wear socks to keep them in position. Wear your boots afterward and walk around to see if it still hurts. You can increase the padding until it stops hurting.
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Paper towels can also come in handy for padding your steel-toed boots.
In addition to creating a layer that prevents direct contact between your toes and the steel on the boots, paper towels also absorb sweat from your feet thereby keeping them dry and comfortable all day.
If you want to prevent smelly feet, this is something you can try.
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5. Change the insoles
Steel-toed boots often come with cheap insoles which are not designed to provide comfort for long hikes.
You can swap the insoles for a more comfortable alternative that is specifically designed for hiking.
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6. Apply Vaseline on the toes
Dry skin rubbing against each other or against the boots can lead to calluses and blisters. Also, dry skin is more prone to breaking than well-moisturized skin.
Applying petroleum jelly or Vaseline to the hurting parts can provide relief and prevent the development of cuts or bruises.
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Conclusion
If you must use boots with steel toes for hiking, it is paramount that you pay attention to ankle support. Make sure they offer good ankle support which will prevent you from twisting or hurting your ankle.
Also, pay attention to their lugs. The outsoles need to have deeper grooves to improve traction and grip on a variety of surfaces.
Ultimately, always choose a boot that fits snugly. Steel-toed boots that are too small or narrow will hurt your toes and make it harder for you to hike. That is why it is always important to invest in steel-toed boots with a wider toe box.
Even if you forget everything else make sure you always keep this in mind when choosing your hiking boots, “If they are not comfortable, don’t wear them”. Always find the balance between comfort and adequate protection.