The Origins of Your Favourite Work Boots [Then & Now]


This day in age, buying what you need is simpler than ever. You go online and order your items  and they're delivered right to your door, and it's no different when it comes to finding and buying work boots. However, when it comes to items like these it's worth spending a little time researching. After all, there are a number of qualities you need from work boots- they need to be comfortable and safe when you're wearing them all day so there's more to it than buying most other types of footwear. You might want to know details like where are Double H boots made? What safety standards to different work boots conform to? What is the fit like? But, before you think about all that, let us roll back to the beginning. If you learn a thing or two about the origin of the work boots, it can help you utilize them to their full capabilities. 
  
It All Started in a German Factory 
Let us go back to a hundred years ago. During the unhappy circumstances of World War II, there was a need for higher production of weaponry. The need for mass destruction incited German engineers to work with fervor, producing weapons and armor. During that process, there were a lot of foot-related injuries. Due to punctures and falling objects, German workers experience severe damage. Managers had to find a way to cancel those problems and increase productivity. A logical thing came to mind. They needed footwear with protective capabilities to counterwork hazards. 

The Dawn of PPE Footwear 

That moment was the moment of birth of the PPE footwear that we know today. The solution was quite simple. To counter the work hazards, German engineers needed a boot that had the most protective capability at the front of the foot. That was the spot most prone to the punctures and crushing damage of falling objects. But to utilize the protective capabilities, this new footwear needed a specific design. 

First Designs 
Work boots of the past were nothing like they are today. The difference is the lack of the sophisticated design modern work boots offer. Instead, they were all functions and no style. And you can’t blame them for that. Back then, the first engineers needed functionality to assure the investors that investing in these new products is a sensible decision. They couldn't say much about style. Those first models looked like an ugly pair of sneakers. But, it is those prototypes that paved the way to fancy models you can purchase online today. 

Shifting the Industry Needs 

However, the change came after the end of the World War. That new era called for more construction, and it was a chance to rebuild the world. With every major construction product, there are stages to follow. For example, you have to build roads and railroads first. Then, you may proceed to the actual construction. For that, workers needed a new kind of protection. They needed more than the average PPE footwear. Instead, they needed footwear for an industry-specific job.

Rise of Industry-Specific PPE Footwear 
Next came the new era of industry-specific footwear. It was the first chance for the brands and their developer to create a pair of boots for a specific worksite. For example, two booming businesses were railroads and construction. Right behind them were logging and oil extraction. Those four businesses called for four different types of work boots. Each required a specific set of features to offer maximum protection for that workplace. It was a defining moment in the PPE footwear industry. That was the moment for a new kind of development. 

The New Frontier 

That was the moment that the whole PPE footwear changed. It was the moment when the work boots were born. With the rise of industry-specific footwear design, there was a rising need for boots for specific jobs. This came a chance for work boots to enter a massive production. Now, brands and manufacturers had a new task. To enter the new market, the brands had to find a way to outshine the competitors. While they were gunning to serve a specific market, so were their competitors. It called for a new form of business-savvy thinking and conquering their competitors. 

A New Kind of Product Development 
Now, brands had to think more about the specific perks of their work boots. For example, if you needed work boots for outdoors, then using generic features wouldn’t suffice. Instead, you have to manufacture a pair of work boots that have insulation and waterproof properties. Also, these boots needed more grip and less slip. Thus, manufacturers had to produce a boot that’s a specific fit for outdoor work hazards. That was the moment that changed the PPE footwear industry. It pushed product development into a new direction. However, that wasn’t enough. While the manufacturers managed to create outstanding products, they needed to think about additional features. 

Rethinking PPE Footwear Design 

Even with all the perks, the average work boot didn’t hit the final criteria. More than anything, the work boots needed to look exceptional. That was the final moment that changed the PPE industry. While the boots of the 20th century rested on functionality, the work boots of the 21st century asked for more. You had to combine functionality with style to have a competitive product. Additionally, the manufacturer had to think about specific lifestyles, jobs, and people when designing their work boots. That all opened a new path for the work boots. It ushered the age of the work boots that you know and enjoy. 

Mass Market of Work Boots 
Next you reach the current era of the work boots. Today, buying a pair of workboots is a simple thing. You go online and find a model for your job site. While that is rather amazing, you gain much more when you honor the origins of the work boots. If you think about those early models, you remind yourself about the nature of work boots. They serve to protect you during work. Thus, pick those models that offer the most protection on your worksite. Then, you may profit from that mass market. 

Get a Pair of Work Boots 
After all, selecting a pair of work boots hasn't changed much from a hundred years ago. You select those work boots that offer you the most protection. Think of your worksite. Pick your pair of boots accordingly.