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What is MaxTrax Slip Resistant Outsole?

For some warehouse and plant employees, it isn’t enough to just protect your feet with safety toes and metatarsal guards. Sometimes, these environments also require that your safety shoes have a  slip resistant outsole, and what better outsole than a MaxTrax® slip resistant outsole from our sister company, SR Max®!

Like most things in life, not all slip resistant safety toe shoes are created equal. That’s why SR Max® took it upon themselves to create the premier slip resistant tread pattern that helps keep you confident on the job.

While you’re constantly protected on the job wearing the sole that Works Where You Work, have you ever wondered what goes into producing it? Read on to find out.

When SR Max® first came about in 2007, MaxTrax® was not yet invented. Instead, we carried shoes with slip resistant outsoles from other companies. Within one year, SR Max® advanced the game. We created and produced the most slip resistant outsole available by:

Creating the overall design of the tread.

The MaxTrax® pattern is intended to give the outsole the highest amount of surface area possible. The pattern still provides deep grooves that are arranged to help channel liquids.

The specialized groove design allows for an essential self-cleaning feature. This feature keeps the bottom of your shoes cleaner than many other slip resistant work shoes.

Using a flexible, soft rubber compound outsole.

The MaxTrax® outsole provides more give upon impact. This “give” allows for a reinforced grip and a better hold on the ground. In our independent Brungrabber Mark II slip resistance test results in greasy, high soil oily/wet, and wet environments, MaxTrax® passed each test with flying colors making our outsole the icon of slip resistance.

MaxTrax® far surpasses the Coefficient of Friction (i.e. the measure of slip resistance) necessary to make a safe step in each test. Where other outsoles failed on one type of surface or had COF’s near the mark for slipping on others, SR Max® alone exceeded the threshold on all surfaces tested.

Partnerships.

All SR Max® brand shoes are made with our MaxTrax® outsole. However, we ’ve partnered up with several other brands to make MaxTrax® available on select shoes offered by SR Max® and Saf-GardTM. Our MaxTrax® outsole can be found on select styles from brands such as Skechers, Rockport Works, and Reebok.

Interested in getting your own pair of slip-resistant shoes with a MaxTrax® outsole? Check us out online at safgard.com or srmax.com.

*Please Note: While our MaxTrax® outsole is truly a class of its own, it is important to remember that no shoe is completely slip-proof. This is particularly true if the sole of the shoe is prevented from making contact with the floor (for example: slipping on a banana peel). Always utilize caution and take preventative measures when working in slippery environments.

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How to Prevent Buying Painful Safety Shoes

You know that feeling you get when you commit to something, and you know from the start that you shouldn’t? Like lease agreements in not-so-great apartments, expensive gym memberships, and last but certainly not least, improper fitting safety toe shoes that cause painful rubbing sensations on your toes?

Each one of those scenarios is painful for different reasons, and we’ve all been there. While we can’t help you with all of the issues above, we can certainly give you some guidance on how to find the perfect fit when it comes to safety toe footwear… one out of three bad scenarios isn’t the best, but darn it, it’s something!

Let’s jump in…

Remember, safety toe comfort comes in length, not width

You have to get a shoe long enough to accommodate the back and forth toe movement in the shoes. The proper fit happens when the widest point of your foot (the ball) is located exactly in the widest part of the shoe. When that happens, the arch of your foot fits precisely with the arch of the shoe, giving you maximum support.

So what’s happening?

Your arch has probably dropped over the years, extending the toes of the shoes forward. This back and forth motion of your toes is why you need to fit your shoes (not just safety shoes) using your arch measurement.

Are you measuring up?

The arch measurement can be obtained with a Brannock Foot Measuring Device, you can find this in most reputable shoe stores. For more information on how to measure your feet, check out our blog here.

Suggestion: Try to get your foot measured in a shoe store before you buy your next pair of safety shoes to see if your arch has dropped a little, extending the toes further into your shoes to the point where they are rubbing the safety toe.

Reason: As we age and potentially get weaker and heavier your arch drops. When the arch drops, it causes our feet to get longer. It happens to everyone! We know, in your younger days your shoe size might have been 9.5; and now you wear an 11 at 50 years of age. Over that time, you’ve probably also gone from a 32-inch waist to a 36, and packed on a few extra pounds. Time is, after all, a cruel master.

Now, your foot really hasn’t grown in this timespan, it’s just changed shape (the same thing happened to our waistlines… right?). The arch drops and the toes and arch extend further in the shoe. All this means is that you need a longer shoe.

If you are finding that you still don’t seem to have enough distance widthwise, you can look into getting a wider safety toe shoe.

One final tip: Bigger brands typically have their shoes made by different manufacturers. Different styles within the same brand may fit differently because of this fact. Again, the most reliable solution is to try the shoes on and test the location of the “ball” of your foot in the shoe to make sure you are getting the right fit.

Try out some of these tips, and you should be able to find the perfect fit!

Still a little confused? Our retail store associates and Mobile Shoe Managers are all trained and ready to help you find the best safety toe shoes for your needs! Click here to find a location near you!

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What to Look for in Construction Boots

So, you want to know what boots are going to save you on your next construction job site.

You’ve come to the right place.

Let’s start with the basics, the first thing you need to make sure of is that your new boots meet the following criteria. Ask yourself, are your boots:

  1. Are they relatively easy to put on?
  2. Are they comfortable to wear for extended periods of time?
  3. Will they keep you safe from whatever hazards await you at your workplace?

At Saf-GardTM, we also feel that it is important to note that it’s important to remember that as a tradesman, your feet are just as valuable as your hands. Therefore, your work boots need to be viewed as a personal safety investment, not an expense.

Now that we’ve covered the basics, let’s jump in and hash out what you should be looking for in your next pair of construction work boots.

Safety Toes

We know, this one sounds like a no-brainer. But it can make the difference between getting home safe and having an impromptu trip to the ER… we’re pretty sure no one wants that. The main duty of a safety toe is to protect your foot from heavy objects that can fall on it while on a job such as metal poles, beams, and heavy tools.

Within the category of safety toe shoes, they are typically made out of steel, aluminum, or composite materials. You will more than likely be told what type of safety toe you need to have by your company or supervisor. If you haven’t been told, make sure to ask before you go shoppin

Durability

Let’s face it, this profession isn’t exactly forgiving when it comes to clothes and gear. In order to get the most bang for your buck, it’s important to do your research and find a pair of safety shoes that not only meets your employer’s standards but is durable and affordable as well. When you buy a cheap pair of work shoes, not only are you potentially hurting your feet due to cheap quality and lack of proper support but your wallet as well.

In the long run, it is more cost effective to invest in a decent pair of boots, as opposed to replacing cheap ones every few months.

When it comes to personal protection on the job site, you can never be too careful. Make sure you choose a pair of work boots that meet the necessary criteria for your career in the construction industry, in addition to staying alert and aware of your surroundings.

To learn more about the products we offer, check us out at www.safgard.com

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A Go-To Guide for Finding the Right Fit

We’ve all had a pair of shoes that pinch you to death, rub you the wrong way, leave uninvited blisters and are just too darn tight. It happens. Uncomfortable, ill-fitting shoes can really do a number on your feet. How can you avoid them though? Take to mind these useful tips as a guide to find the guaranteed fit for your feet.

  • Measure your feet or try on safety toe shoes toward the end of the day when your feet are their largest. Yes, your feet will actually swell as the days goes on – as you walk and stand through the day, your feet expand under your weight. Pro Tip:  Measure your foot from the back of your heel to the tip of your big toe.
  • The majority of folks have one foot that is slightly larger than the other. Always find your safety shoes by choosing a size that fits the bigger of your two feet.
  • When trying on work shoes, make sure that there’s up to ½” of space left between the end of your big toe (or longest toe) and the end of the shoe.
  • Make sure that the toe box of the shoe is both wide and large enough for your toes. Your toes should not be rubbing up against any sides of the shoe.
  • Always hunt for shoes based on how well they fit your feet, not based on the size number.
  • Confirm that there is enough room for the ball of your foot – it should fit comfortably at the widest part of your safety toe shoe.
  • Your heel should not slide up and down inside the shoe as you walk; it should be stable with little to no movement as you move.
  • Don’t settle for shoes that are too small, hoping that they’ll stretch out over time. This will just leave you in a world of hurt.
  • Buy work shoes that fit the shape of your foot.
  • The shoes upper should be made of materials that will mold to your foot.
  • Spend some time walking around the store in your work shoes to make sure the fit is truly comfortable.
  • Pick a pair of work safety shoes that fits your arch type. Folks with very high and very low arches have a greater risk of aches, pain and injury if they don’t pick the right shoe for their foot type. If you don’t pay attention to your arch type now, bigger problems could arise down the road.
  • Make sure the shoes you get will keep your hooves satisfied if you have to stand or walk for long periods of time.
  • Wear snug, moisture wicking socks with your shoes as the type of sock that you wear can greatly affect your overall performance in the workplace. This ranges from the lack of warmth that you are getting from standing on your feet for hours on end, or simply from the amount of cushion that you are receiving. Your feet will thank you in the end.

Easy as pie right? Follow these tips and tricks, and you’ll be sure to find the right shoe with the kind of fit you’ve always wanted. For more information on tips and shoes we offer, check us out at safgard.com.

 

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Shoe Shank Redemption

Article by Emily Bennett

Lots of times, people will walk into our stores telling us that they need to buy a pair of safety shoes with a “shank” in them for work. They won’t have any idea as to what this safety piece is until we pull a pair of work boots for them and point it out.

You see, a shank piece isn’t something that people notice right off the bat. It’s actually in the shoe itself. It’s an unseen blessing to your toes, providing support and protection all day, every day.

So you’re probably wondering what a shank really is now that we’ve gotten you to think about it.

A shoe shank is a flat piece of material about the size of a stick of chewing gum. It’s situated between the heel and ball area of your foot right below the arch. It can be made from a number of materials including fiberglass, plastic, steel or even Kevlar.

Why’s it there? Simple. You need extra support and protection to the arch area of your shoe whether that be from standing on a ladder for hours on end to walking the construction site, to even working on a railroad ballast.

The perks of these tiny foot-savers can be life-changing. They provide you with:

  • protection
  • reduce injury from the puncturing of sharp objects
  • give a bunch of love to your paws with comfort, support and balance to your overworked arches.

They’re even more flexible than you might’ve been thinking since they move with your feet and are lighter in weight, meaning that they won’t weigh your work safety shoes down.

To sum it all up, shanks in your work shoes aren’t only a great investment, they also grant your hooves hours of protection and support. And as always remember, the best form of protection is prevention, and shanks in your work shoes anticipate and prevent.

For more information on shanks and to check out our wide selection of safety shoes, visit us at www.safgard.com.