How to Keep Feet Cool in Work Boots: 5 Essential Tips

If you spend all day in your work boots, chances are that you constantly have to worry about hot and sweaty feet. From roofers and landscapers to construction workers and police officers, you are not the only one facing this problem. Apart from blisters, sweaty hot feet can quickly result in foul odors as well as an increased risk of bacterial and fungal infections. Do you want to fix this problem but are not sure how to reach that goal? Well, this post has you covered. Here are the top tips on how to keep your feet cool in work boots.

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How to Keep Feet Cool in Work Boots

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Use Foot Powder or Antiperspirant Lotion

Before you put on your work boots, consider applying foot powder directly on your feet. Foot powder does three things when applied to the feet. It absorbs sweat, prevents odor, wicks away moisture thereby producing a cooling effect. If you use antifungal foot powder, it will prevent bacteria and fungal buildup which might result in infections and bad odor. You can achieve similar results by using an antiperspirant spray (or lotion). However, the benefit of using an antiperspirant lotion is that it is less messy compared to using foot powder.

Wear Moisture-Wicking Socks

When moisture accumulates within your boots, your feet get hot and sweaty thereby causing you to feel uncomfortable. Socks that wick moisture away function by removing the moisture on your feet and moving it to the sock’s exterior surface. This helps to keep temperatures down within your work boots so you can have a more pleasant workday.

When shopping for moisture-wicking socks, selecting the appropriate material is critical. Some materials are made to last but do a poor job of removing excess moisture from your feet. Other fabrics work great at moisture wicking but may not be cozy or long-lasting. The best moisture-absorbent socks are the ones made from merino wool. Other fantastic materials for moisture-wicking socks are polyester and acrylic fabrics.

Wear Work Boots that Breathe Well

Work boots typically come with protective features like waterproof coverings, insulation, steel toe caps, and the like. These features make the boots have poor breathability, which means there is no way for water vapor and hot air to escape from inside the boots. In contrast, breathable shoes have excellent moisture-wicking qualities, which allows them to absorb sweat while maintaining adequate air circulation within the boots.

Some of the breathability features of work boots include:

Fabric or mesh uppers that ensure excellent airflow within the shoes.
Perforations that let airflow in and out of the boots
Mesh linings that boost breathability

Air out Your Feet

One thing you should always bear in mind is that the temperature outside is lower compared to the one within your work boots. This is notwithstanding how breathable your work boots are. So, regardless of how tight or how busy your schedule is at the workplace, find time to take off your boots and socks at least 3 times daily. Letting your feet air out for a few hours daily will help keep your feet cool and cozy inside your work shoes. It will also prevent foul smells and the buildup of fungi and bacteria.

Try Essential Oils

There are several amazing things you can do with essential oils and that includes keeping your feet cool and odor-free within your work boots. Some particular essential oils that work great for this purpose are rosemary, tea tree, lemongrass, mandarin, peppermint, bergamot, grapefruit, lemon, Eucalyptus, and Neem.

For best results, put a few drops of any of these oils within your work boots and let them dry before you wear them to work. The oils have antibacterial attributes that can help keep your feet clean and cool within your boots.