How long does a pair of work boots last?
Most safety boots are built to last six to twelve months of daily use, depending on the job and environment. If you’re on concrete floors, in warehouses, or on construction sites every day, the wear adds up fast. Even premium CSA/ASTM boots will eventually need replacing once their protective features start to wear down. The key isn’t just counting months. It’s spotting the signs that your boots are no longer doing their job.
A boot can pass CSA Z195 and ASTM F2413 requirements when it leaves the factory, but that doesn’t mean it will hold that same level of protection forever. Daily wear slowly breaks down the materials, and once those standards can’t be trusted in the real world, it’s time to start thinking about a replacement.
What if the tread on my boots is worn out?
If your outsoles are slippery, your boots aren’t safe. Slip-resistant tread is one of the first lines of defense on a job site. You can slip on wet concrete, steel decking, or oil-slick floors when lugs are worn down or the rubber has hardened. For Canadian workers, where ice and slush are part of reality, this is more than an inconvenience. It’s a real safety risk.
If your soles look like worn-out like these, it’s time to replace them.
Are worn insoles really the cause of pain in the feet?
Yes. A boot may still look fine on the outside but be wrecking your body on the inside. Insoles compress over time, losing the shock absorption and arch support that keep fatigue at bay. That’s why your knees, hips, and back can start to hurt even though your boots don’t look destroyed. MooseLog boots come with high-rebound PU insoles that are designed to last, but when you notice your feet feel tired before lunch, it’s a sure sign the insoles are done.
Is a crack or hole in the leather a big issue?
Definitely. Cracked uppers, ripped seams, or holes allow water, dirt, and chemicals to get inside. Once that seal is broken, the boot no longer meets CSA Z195 and ASTM F2413 requirements. Even tiny cracks spread quickly, especially in Canada’s freeze-thaw cycle. If your socks are wet at the end of a shift, don’t tough it out. Your boots are beyond their safe working lifespan.
The drastic difference between a new and old work boot.
Do safety features wear down even if the boot looks fine?
They do. Puncture plates, electrical hazard protection, and composite toe caps are all tested to perform at the highest level when new. Years of flexing, pressure, and impacts slowly wear them down. You might not notice it, but a boot that has taken countless knocks may not pass the next CSA/ASTM test. If you rely on those certifications to get on a jobsite, don’t take the risk with worn gear.
What are the five signs it’s time to replace them?
- Flat or slippery outsoles with no traction left
- Dead insoles and feet aching long before the shift ends
- Cracks, holes, or seams breaking down, letting water and debris in
- Safety features you can no longer trust, like toe caps or puncture plates
- Visible deformation, such as sagging or collapsing at the ankle
One warning sign can be managed. Two or more mean it’s time to move on.
Do I really need to spend $250 for a safe pair of boots?
In most stores, two hundred and fifty dollars is the going rate for a “premium” safety boot. The truth is, once you strip away the branding and extra marketing, the core safety features are the same. A boot either meets CSA Z195 and ASTM F2413 standards, or it doesn’t. If it does, the toe cap, puncture plate, and slip resistance all perform to the same tests no matter what logo is on the side.
That means you don’t have to pay top-shelf prices to get real protection. MooseLog boots are dual-certified, built with composite toes, non-metallic puncture plates, and SafeTread™ slip-resistant outsoles. And instead of $250, they come in around half that price.
