A number of traditional protective boots are made of rubber, such as traditional Wellington rain boots, but there are other uses for and materials used for making protective boots. PVC boots, boots made from chemical-resistant polymers, and purpose-built protective footwear for a variety of occupational safety requirements for footwear as personal protective equipment. Rubber and PVC boots are frequently used as Haz-Mat Boots, Rain Boots, and Chemical Protective Boots. These rubberized work boots, PVC work boots, and other splash protection boots are ideal when you need a non-liquid-absorbent boot or a chemical-resistant boot for your workplace. Many styles are available with steel or composite toe caps for additional safety, some are chemical-resistant boots certified to prevent penetration of harmful chemicals, including hazardous materials; full hip waders and chest waders for work environments that commonly require wading through deep liquids; dialectric protective footwear to provide electrical-hazard rated protection on the job site; and overboots and covers designed to provide disposable, reliable protection when worn over an existing shoe or boot.
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Work boots are available in different materials. Some of them are made of rubber, whereas others are made of polyvinyl chloride (PVC). While rubber and PVC work boots may look the same, they feature different characteristics. PVC work boots, in fact, offer several advantages that makes them a popular choice among workers. To learn more about PVC work boots and the benefits they offer, keep reading
PVC work boots are heavy-duty boots made of PVC that are designed for use in the workplace. You can wear them while indoors or outdoors. PVC work boots are available in different styles, and they are available in different sizes. Regardless, they are all made of PVC. A PVC construction is what distinguishes PVC work boots from other types of boots, including those made of rubber.
Most PVC work boots are made via molding. During production, PVC is heated, after which it's injected or inserted into a mold. The mold is allowed to cool, resulting in the creation of PVC work boots.
Because they are made of PVC, you can rest assured knowing that PVC work boots will keep your feet dry. PVC is a waterproof material. Neither water nor any other non-corrosive liquid substances can penetrate through PVC. If you are regularly exposed to water or other liquids while working, you may want to choose PVC work boots.
Of course, PVC work boots are also comfortable. PVC is a soft material. It doesn't feature the same hard or rigid texture as many other materials from which work boots are made. As a result, you can wear PVC work boots without fear of them causing foot pain or discomfort. All PVC work boots are soft and comfortable.
When choosing PVC work boots, there are a few things you should consider. For starters, choosing PVC work boots in the right size is important. Like all types of footwear, PVC work boots need to fit your feet. If they are too big or too small, you may not be able to wear them.
You should also consider the height when choosing PVC work boots. Generally speaking, tall PVC work boots offer greater protection for your feet than short PVC work boots. PVC work boots that extend to the knees, for instance, will protect your feet and lower legs from water and liquids. PVC work boots that only extend to the ankles, conversely, will typically only protect your feet from these substances.
Not all leather boots are built for dirty jobs. Some jobs that are exposed to certain types of chemicals, or certain types of terrain, need a boot built to handle that environment.
And while rubber boots make a lot of sense for dirty jobs, PVC boots are beginning to gain traction among those looking for an alternative option. What are PVC work boots?
PVC work boots are boots made of polyvinyl chloride, a plastic-based polymer, and formed by injection molding. This results in a boot that is highly waterproof and lightweight. PVC boots are less expensive than rubber boots, but they may deteriorate faster.
It is very important to make sure that your work boot is built to handle the environment your throw at it. In this article let’s discuss some of the pros and cons of PVC boots, and how they compare to rubber boots.
If you’ve recently started a new job at an outdoor job site or applying for employment in these industries and know you will need a waterproof work boot to keep your feet dry, you will want to consider PVC options.
Here are some of the top reasons you might opt for a PVC boot:
Inexpensive – PVC is a synthetic material and costs much less to produce than other work boots made from rubber. Many of the rubber boots are more high-end, so if you are just starting a new job, it might make more sense to go for PVC.
Lightweight – The plastics used to make PVC are more lightweight than traditional rubber, so many workers who need to do a lot of walking in their job will often choose PVC because it is less taxing on the body.
Waterproof – Many rain boots are also made from PVC because the material is 100% waterproof, and injection molding means there are no seams to leak. If your job involves going into the outdoors where you might be exposed to a lot of water, then it will make more sense to stick with PVC.
Chemical Protection – The protection that a PVC boot offers can vary style to style, but in general, PVC boots are often used for dirty jobs that may need some sort of chemical protection
To see a list of our favorites, visit our article about the best PVC boots.
Below is a list of reasons you may want to rethink purchasing PVC boots if given a choice.
Don’t Last as Long – Even though you may get a fair amount of use from your PVC boots, there isn’t a comparison in long-term durability to rubber boots. If you want to invest in a pair that will last you years, rubber is the way to go.
Not Biodegradable – Since PVC is a fully synthetic material, it will stay in dumpsites longer and have a harder time degrading. Because rubber is 100% natural, it is much better for the environment.
Not as Flexible – Rubber boots can be more malleable and move with your foot as you move. But that’s not the case with PVC because of its rigidity, so rubber tends to be a more comfortable option. In a cold environment, PVC boots may be quite stiff. For the cold, visit our article about the best insulated steel toe rubber boots.
PVC boots are quite common in jobs that are exposed to wet terrain and/or jobs that work with chemicals, fertilizers, or other types of potentially hazardous materials. Of course, PVC boots do not necessarily protect you against all hazardous materials, and you will always want to confirm that PVC boots are suitable for your job.
PVC boots are quite common in:
Custodial
Farming & Agriculture
Poultry & Food Processing
Oil rigs
Fishing & Wildlife
Outdoor jobs that consistently work in wet terrain will also turn to PVC boots as a possible solution, even if they are not on the list of jobs posted above. Even for common tasks like painting the house, washing the car, planting the garden, PVC boots can make sense.
Knowing what kinds of PVC boots there are will ultimately help you make a better decision on what’s best for your style of work, the worksite, and your level of comfort. Certain boots will meet specific regulations set by your job site, so make sure always to check what your job requires.
These PVC boots are made without extra reinforcement around the toe area, which means it will be softer and more pliable.
Ultimately, you will need to check with the safety requirements of your job to see if plain toe boots are allowed. Plain toe boots are more comfortable to wear, but they obviously won’t offer as much protection as a safety toe boot.
Yes, you can buy steel toe PVC boots. You will want to make sure that safety toe does meet the requirements for your job.
One positive about steel toe PVC boots, is since PVC is a ligther-weight material, it helps keep the overall weight of the boot down despite being a safety toe boot.
Depending on the type of job you have, it might be necessary to get yourself a chemically resistant boot. If you work with harsh chemicals or cleansers, you’ll need a boot that resists burning and melting, as well as keeps you contaminant-free.
PVC boots are resistant to a range of chemicals, and certain models may be reinforced with additional layers to add to your foot protection. That’s another way of saying, the amount of chemical protection a PVC boot offers can vary boot to boot.
If your job requires chemical-resistant footwear, make sure you look for this feature and check that PVC will protect your foot from the particular hazards on your site.
There is a reason that rubber boots are more expensive than PVC boots. The quality you are purchasing can’t be matched by a synthetic material when getting some boots that will hold up in rough job conditions.
Here’s how PVC and rubber compare side-by-side:
PVCRubberLightweight✔Durability✔Waterproof✔✔Affordability✔Flexibility✔
As we mentioned earlier, it basically comes down to this: PVC boots are lighter in weight, but less flexible, and can wear out quicker.
Although there are subtle differences, in most cases, PVC boots are a more-affordable alternative to rubber boots. It just depends how you feel about long term durability and comfort.
I’ve worn both, and to me the small bit of stiffness that comes with a PVC boot doesn’t bother me. But for certain jobs, or certain climates, it can be an issue.
Yes, PVC boot generally will not hold up as long as rubber boots, but there are a few things you can do to help improve the life of your boots. Here are some suggestions:
Wear them for work only – Have dedicated pairs of shoes for when you aren’t working so that you don’t have to use the same work boots for every activity every day. This will keep them much more fresh and available when it’s time to do the hard work. And you don’t risk bringing the conditions of the worksite home with you, either.
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Clean regularly – A buildup of gunk and dirt will deteriorate your boots faster than if you keep up with them regularly. Make sure to take a washcloth or scrub and clean your boots once a week, so they remain clean and free of buildup. This should allow you to extend your shoes for several months without needing to buy a new pair.
Proper storage – When you come home after a long hard day of work, make sure to store your boots away properly. Don’t keep them in the same work bag all day long because they will end up growing bacteria and fungus from moisture, and you won’t be able to use them as long as boots you kept nice and dry.
Spray Them Down – If you work, for example, in a custodial job and your PVC boots are exposed to household cleaning supplies, giving them a quick rinse with water will help wash away those chemical and protect the boot.
Following these simple steps can keep your PVC boots looking fresh and new for many more months – as a bonus, you save some money by taking proper care of them and extending their life span.
I’ll never forget my first incredibly uncomfortable pair of safety toe boots. I was just beginning my career as a Repair Technician for a and internet provider, and the job was tough and sometimes dangerous. We worked in all weather, rain or shine, snow or blistering heat. Sometimes we’d spend half the day on our bellies running wires through customers' crawl spaces, and the next day we’d find ourselves splicing copper cables 20 feet off the ground in aerial terminals. With a job this physically demanding, the last thing you want to think about is your feet.
Unfortunately for me, my feet hurt like crazy at the end of my first day. By lunchtime my toes ached from constantly bumping up against the safety toe cap. You might be saying to yourself that I was just unlucky and got a bad pair of boots. But my boots weren’t the problem; the problem was that I didn’t pick the right pair for my feet. It’s simple. Not all shoes are the same because not all feet are the same. Lesson learned.
At Saf-Gard we believe sharing the right knowledge will enable you to get the most comfortable safety shoes you can find, ones that’ll outlast your toughest days. The good news? You don’t have to discover this stuff the hard way.
Another method to help ensure proper toe clearance is one that runners and hikers often use. When trying on your boots, try to make your toes touch the tip of the toe cap. If you can do it, your boots are likely too small. You’ll find that a long workday with your toes rubbing or pressing against the toe cap will cause a considerable amount of foot pain. It can even damage your nail bed.
Although every foot is different, the average person will need a medium width boot. Usually labeled “D,” “M” or “Reg,” medium width footwear is what you’ll find at the typical shoe store. But what do you do if you have no idea what width you need? The easiest solution is to test out a medium width pair and then adjust your sizing accordingly. Use the chart below as a guide. Just know that there’s about a ⅕” difference between each width.
Shoe Width
Men’s
Women’s
Extra Narrow
A
4A / AAAA
Narrow
B / N
2A / AA
Narrow Medium
C
Medium (most common)
D / M / Reg
B / M
Medium Wide
E / MW
C
Wide
EE / W
D / W
Extra Wide
EEE / EW / WW / XW
2E / EE / WW / XW / EW
2X Wide
EEEE
3X Wide
5E
4X Wide
6E
There you have it. Follow these four rules of thumb, and you’re almost guaranteed to score an incredibly comfortable pair of safety toe boots. Just remember that everything has a shelf life. Your boots will wear down over time. So, to keep that comfort level at an all-time high, we recommend replacing your boots at least once per year or, for those extra strenuous work conditions, every six months.
When I first began my career as a Repair Tech, I never would’ve guessed so much goes into finding the perfect fitting safety toe boot. But boy is it worth the extra effort because getting comfortable boots, and I mean the all-day-wear kind of comfortable, is an absolute game changer.
● Big toe is halfway under the toe cap and has plenty of wiggle room.
● Heel stays in place. Not sliding around.
● Foot’s midsection touches the boot but doesn’t feel pressure.
● Plan to replace them when worn out or at least once per year. Replace every six months for tough environments.
Looking for some insanely comfortable safety toe boots?
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