Sweaty feet in safety shoes? Not this summer!

The sun's shining, the temperature’s rising... so what about your feet? Are they slowly turning into soggy, steamy saunas? Sound familiar? Damp socks, blisters, and nasty odours don't exactly make working in the heat any more enjoyable. Fortunately, the right combination of safety shoes and socks can easily prevent your feet from overheating. Choose work shoes that keep your feet cool, dry, and comfortable in hot weather — without compromising on your safety at work, of course. Below, we've shared some tips on how to pick the best safety footwear to prepare you for the summer.

1. Choose a low-cut model
   High-cut work boots offer extra protection, but they also trap heat around your ankles and lower legs, which can make things uncomfortably warm. Low-cut shoes allow air to circulate around your ankles, offering a much breezier feel. If your job allows it, low-cut safety shoes are perfect for hot days.
    
2. Breathable materials are essential 
   Over the course of a working day, the average shoe can cause you to lose enough moisture to fill a small glass. Ventilated footwear keeps your feet drier. Materials such as nubuck, leather, and microfibre breathe better than rubber, which helps release   moisture. It's important to pay attention to the lining too; lining: polyester is an excellent choice. If the shoes feature EMMA’s Hydro-Tec® technology, it deserves bonus points. This tech absorbs and spreads moisture across the lining, where it evaporates almost instantly.
    
3. Leave the thin cotton socks at home!
   Avoid blisters and nasty smells. Ditch thin cotton socks, as they trap moisture and cause friction. Instead, wear proper work socks made from Coolmax® polyester fibres with Sanitized® treatment.
   Find out why good work socks make all the difference
    
4. Make sure your shoes fit properly
   Shoes that are too loose cause rubbing and generate unwanted heat. Pick the right model with the correct width, and use a suitable inlay sole. This not only prevents blisters, but is crucial for protecting your feet while you work. Did you know EMMA offers safety shoes in multiple width fittings?
    
5. Look after your safety shoes 
   Finished your work for the day? Air out your safety shoes, remove the inlay soles, and treat them with maintenance spray or cream. This keeps them fresher and helps them last longer.
   More shoe care tips here
    

OUR TOP 5 LIGHTWEIGHT SAFETY SHOES FOR HOT WEATHER

Boston Lightweight and breathable thanks to its knitted textile upper and Nano Carbon Composite toecap. The Boston offers S1P protection with outstanding comfort — ideal for hot working days in light industry or electronics.

LeMans the ventilation champion. Thanks to the Hydro-Tec® lining, a pair of LeMans stay fresh and dry even when the temperature soars. Perfect for logistics and indoor work. The cushioned soles with energy rebound and snug fit mean you can wear these safety shoes comfortably for up to 24 hours.

Daytona  Daytona  is one of EMMA’s most breathable models. Ideal for hot, dry, indoor environments. The Velcro fastening and metal-free fibreglass toecap make this S1P-rated shoe the practical choice in summer temperatures.

CrossForce Fly low Sporty and ultra-lightweight, with a ventilated Framework PU outsole. This CrossForce Fly low metal-free safety shoe offers comfort and grip both indoors and outdoors, even when the temperatures rise.

Anne  Breathable, ESD-certified, and incorporating sticky grip soles. Perfectly designed for controlled, hot environments like the automotive industry, these shoes fit your feet like a second skin. How? The anatomical design of Anne follows the natural shape of a woman’s foot for exceptional comfort.