Choosing The Right Footwear In The Haulage Industry

Anyone who works in the haulage industry knows driving for a living is not always easy. Between the long hours, the weeks apart from the family and the pressures of traffic and other road issues, there’s more than enough to stress you out. (Although, of course, we wouldn’t have it any other way!) That’s why it’s so important for hauliers to choose the right equipment and everything should be comfortable, practical, easy to use and above all, safe. That’s as true for your clothes and footwear as it is vehicles. 

With this in mind, this article will lay out some of the things you should keep in mind when deciding what to wear on your feet while you drive.

Safety

The long hours you spent in the driver’s cab might make it tempting to prize comfort above all else. But while comfort is certainly very important – as we’ll see below – your first concern should always be personal safety.

Anyone working in the haulage industryshould make sure their footwear is appropriate for tasks like:

·         Operating the vehicle,

·         Loading and unloading deliveries

·         Walking on wet, icy or otherwise uneven terrain.

Things like flip-flops, for instance, can get caught under the pedals, while too-soft shoes are likely to wear out over long-term use.

Top Tip: Keep an eye on any and all regulations. Many companies and even some governments set minimum standards for acceptable minimum requirements for trucking footwear.

Comfort

When you’re on the road for eight to ten hours a day, it’s crucial to be as comfortable as possible. And not just because it makes your life easier. Comfortable drivers benefit the haulage industryas a whole, as they’re far less likely to drive dangerously or cause delays. You should be able to step into your shoes for a day’s driving and wear them without needing to adjust them all the time.

It’s also worth noting that safe footwear can increase comfort in the longer term. Work boots support the balls of your feet, for instance, decreasing skeletal aches and pains. If they have a solid structure, they can also absorb shock, helping make your experience on the road much more pleasant.

Practicality

While comfort and safety are both practical considerations, hauliers should also note key features that can help make their job easier. With many companies making footwear with the haulage industryin mind, it’s not too hard to find styles with everything you need.

Some useful features include:

• Waterproof outers,
• High-quality laces unlikely to fray
• Rubber soles
• Steel toe caps.

Of course, it’s crucial to do your own research. If you can, try the products on before you commit to buying anything. Feet come in an infinite range of shapes and sizes, and it can be hard to tell what will work for yours without trying them.

Look for quality materials and keep the advice above in mind while you shop, and you should be able to find the perfect footwear for your haulage industryjob.

Author Plate

Norman Dulwich is a Correspondent for Haulage Exchange, the leading online trade network for the road transport industry. Connecting professionals across the UK and Europe through their website, Haulage Exchange provides a valuable service for the haulage industry, matching delivery work with available vehicles. It is now the fastest growing Freight Exchange in the UK.