Introduction: What Are Wedge Sole Work Boots?
Wedge sole slip on work boots are named so because of their distinctive outsole style. Unlike normal boots, wedge sole boots have a one-piece sole that starts from the front and goes back to the heel. At the back, the wedge sole thickens a bit, which makes its overall shape somewhat sloped.
In normal traditional boots, the piece under the heel is attached independently of the actual sole. Due to this, when these types of boots are placed flat on the ground, there is an arch between the front and back ends. On the other hand, wedge sole work boots don’t have any gap or cavity underneath them.
What is the Purpose of Wedge Soles on Work Boots?
For people who are looking to buy work boots, the choice can ultimately come down to either lug soles or wedge soles. The former is usually referred to as the ‘traditional’ boot style due to its iconic arched, thick-heeled look.
As compared to lug soles, the main purpose of wedge soles on work boots is to offer comfort and foot support to the wearer. We will look at the benefits of these boots in more detail in the following part of this blog post.
What are the Benefits of Wedge Sole Slip On Work Boots?
There are numerous benefits of wearing wedge sole slip on work boots. Let’s look at some of them:
- Comfort: As we mentioned above, wedge sole boots don’t have any space or cavity underneath them. Due to this even and uniform sole construction, the feet of the wearer do not get as much pressure or strain. Rather, they sit smooth and leveled on the insole.
- For people who have to wear work boots for hours on end, this can be a great way to avoid knee, ankle, and back pains.
- Flexibility: As compared to lug sole boots, wedge sole boots have a lot more flexibility. Since their sole is just one big piece running from front to back, it is more malleable. With wedge sole boots, you can twist and turn your foot easily if you ever feel like stretching.
- Similarly, since lug sole boots don’t bend a lot, they can jar the feet should the wearer jump down from a height or if they suddenly need to arch their feet. This is, yet again, something you don’t have to worry about if you are wearing wedge soles.
- Better Feel on the Ground: When you’re wearing wedge sole boots, your feet make full-length contact with the ground. Since there is no arch or gap in between, you get a more controlled and ‘barefoot’ sensation (as described by Overlook Boots) when walking in them.
What are the Drawbacks of Wearing Wedge Sole Work Boots?
Although the benefits of wearing wedge soles far outweigh their drawbacks, it does not mean that they are completely free of the latter.
There is one major drawback of wearing wedge sole boots, and that is the lack of traction.
Granted, this is not something that categorically and unequivocally exists in all wedge sole boots. There can be some boots that have a particularly thick sole or a particularly grooved tread pattern, due to which they could offer outstanding traction.
But, generally, wedge soles don’t offer as much traction and grip as lug soles. The latter is usually designed with multiple grooves and indentions on the tread, and this makes them better for situations that require a lot of grip and friction.
Apart from this, there is another downside, albeit not as major. That is the durability factor. Lug soles are usually made from hard and tough materials (which is the reason why they are not as flexible as wedge soles), which makes them last longer. On the other hand, the material used in wedge soles is typically softer, which is why it can get damaged much more quickly.
Conclusion
If you are thinking about buying some wedge sole slip on work boots, you should go right ahead, provided that you don’t need a lot of traction when wearing them. Wedge soles can be great for a lot of different reasons, such as providing comfort and giving a better walking sensation. However, when it comes to grip, lug soles are the better choice to go for.
