Many people in the United States wear steel-toed boots while working with heavy or dangerous items. You might wonder: do military boots have steel toes?
Military-issued boots do not have steel toes. However, you may be issued steel-toed boots if you are working with heavy weapons or heavy machinery to avoid any serious injuries from occurring.
Let’s look at the further details into this question below.
What Kind Of Boot Does The Military Use?
The military issues their service members a specific kind of combat boot. These boots may vary depending on where the service member is assigned, but the most common type of combat boot is green and made of suede. The commonly seen tan version of this boot was used until 2011 when it was made mandatory to wear the green version.
Many different companies make these green suede combat boots, so you should find them easily if you wish to buy them for use outside of the military.
Does The Military Pay For issued Boots?
The military does pay for a service member’s issued combat boots in a way. They purchase the items, like a service member’s uniform, weapon, armor, boots, etc, and then they give them to the service member that the items are meant for. They want to make sure that their soldiers are prepared, safe, and have the necessary equipment to do their jobs and protect their country.
However, if a service member wants to buy an extra pair of combat boots to use outside of the workforce or just to have as a backup pair, they do not pay for them or reimburse the service member because they have already been issued a pair. It is the service member’s responsibility to report that their issued boots are no longer in working condition.
What Are Composite Boots?
Composite boots are protective boots that are not as strong as steel-toed boots. They are lighter and made of a less protective material that is not as good at protecting the wearer’s foot as steel-toed boots are.
I suggest getting these if you work with tools but not with heavy equipment. That way, there is less chance of you breaking your foot if you drop something heavy on your foot while wearing this type of boot.
This type of boot is not very common, but they are useful and made by many different companies. So if you wish to get a pair of these boots, they should be easy enough to find. They also tend to be less expensive than steel-toed boots.
What Occupations Use Steel Toe Boots?
Steel-toed boots are used in construction, welding, and other jobs where the workers work with heavy machinery, and there is a possibility that a major injury can occur. They are very helpful at preventing any sharp items from piercing the foot or toes and keeping heavy items from breaking someone’s toes.
However, they are very expensive, so make sure that they will help you do your job and do it well before you buy them.
Prices For Steel Toe Boots
Because steel-toed boots use actual steel in many cases, they can be very expensive if you get a good quality brand. Prices for steel-toed boots range from $100-$471. However, the cost is worth it if you work often with heavy equipment. I know someone who owns steel-toed boots and wears them to work. He almost broke his foot when he dropped one of his tools, but the boots prevented any serious damage.
How To Find Steel Toe Boots
Steel-toed boots are made by many different manufacturers, so they are very easy to find. When you look up steel-toed boots on any search website, multiple options will show up where you can buy a pair that you like and think will fit.
If you are looking for a pair that will last a long time, which is always a good idea (especially because they are quite expensive), look at the reviews for each style of shoe that catches your eye.
Are Steel Toe Boots Fashionable?
Steel-toed boots are made in many different styles and materials, but they are mainly used as a tool to prevent accidental injuries while working. They are made for function instead of fashion. However, they can also be used as a fashion statement if you want to use them as such.
Combat boots are considered a more popular fashion statement piece, and a much cheaper one, but fashion is an art form. Do what you want with it, and wear whatever you want to wear.
Combat boots that are used for fashion purposes tend to stray from the green and heavy material of military-issued combat boots. The fashionable combat boot rose in popularity after 1963 and has been a staple for fashion since then. They also became prominent in the 1990s when Goth culture and fashion came to the forefront of American fashion.
The black boot, which is very different from the green military boot, became a must-have piece for Goth fashion, but it’s a familiar item with other people outside of the Goth culture as well.
They tend to be made of shiny black material, or black suede, but materials can differ on the style of the specific combat boot. They also range in height. Sometimes, the laces reach over the knee. The heel of the shoe can also vary from almost nothing to over 6 inches in height. Prices for these shoes can also vary from $10-$1,720, depending on the manufacturer, brand, and material of the shoe.
Many popular celebrities in the 1990s and 2000s have been seen performing and wearing combat boots in public, which helped their popularity outside of the Goth culture. Madonna has even performed in a mini skirt and combat boots before.
Many high-end designers have paired combat boots with their new designs during fashion shows, including Watanabe and Louis Vuitton. Luckily, the combat boot has become a classic form of footwear outside of the military and does not seem to be going anywhere anytime soon.