We’re excited to announce a new partnership we have forged with national nonprofit SkillsUSA.

Launching today, customers of WorkBoots.com have the ability to make a donation to SkillsUSA during the checkout process. Donators can choose from a variety of dollar amounts with all proceeds going directly to SkillsUSA.

“SkillsUSA serves 130 occupational titles in construction, transportation, manufacturing and other economic sectors. That’s a lot of boots on the ground,” said Tim Lawrence, executive director of SkillsUSA. “Because work boots are essential to the safety and comfort of people on the job, we particularly appreciate this new support by WorkBoots.com for our members and their instructional programs,” he said.

This partnership of students, teachers and industry works together to ensure America has a skilled workforce. It helps students discover and grow their career passion. SkillsUSA annually serves over 303,000 high school and, college/postsecondary students, and their instructors in technical, skilled and service occupation instructional programs. SkillsUSA chapters are in career and technical high schools, and two- and four-year colleges. The organization emphasizes respect for the dignity of work, ethics, workmanship, scholarship and safety.

After learning more about SkillUSA’s mission and dedication to the skilled workforce, the leadership team at WorkBoots.com decided to join their cause and contribute to their goals.

“As a retailer who caters to the working men and women of America, we want to show our support of the essential skills and contributions they make every day,” said Chad Weinman, CEO of WorkBoots.com. “Not only are we helping to support this foundation, but this also gives current workers the opportunity to sponsor the next generation of skilled workers by making a donation to their education.”

Please help WorkBoots.com support this outstanding organization and the future of skilled labor by making a small donation with your next purchase. One hundred percent of proceeds will go directly to SkillsUSA, champions at work. Donations can be made at checkout.

Celebrate National Tradesmen Day with us! WorkBoots.com is honoring the nation’s tradesmen and their skills by launching our Boots For a Year photo contest. Tradesmen are encouraged to send in a photo of their worn-out work boots for a chance to win brand new Danner boots to last an entire year.

National Tradesmen Day is a celebration of the workers who have helped build this country from the ground up. Each day, these men and women roll up their sleeves and work tirelessly—often without recognition of their labors. Well today, WorkBoots.com encourages America to recognize these folks. The retailer will also be doing their part by giving away a year supply of Danner work boots to one lucky tradesperson.

The prize package includes three pairs of the name brand boots to last for a year of hard-wearing protection on the job. Crafting higher standards, Danner’s boots are made with only the highest quality of materials and most skilled craftsmen to ensure long-lasting durability. The winner will be able to choose from the Danner Workman (retail package value of $599.85), a classic, handcrafted work boot, or the Danner Tektite (retail package value of $509.85), a more modern, hiker-style boot.

TO ENTER:

Visit the WorkBoots.com Facebook page, snap a picture of your dirtiest, most worn-out boots and tell WorkBoots.com why you could use some brand new ones.

Photos will be judged based on creativity, the best representation of the contest theme and overall composition. The staff of WorkBoots.com will select and announce a winner on National Tradesmen Day, September 21, 2012. This contest is open to U.S. residents only.

Only 1 out of 3 people polled would encourage their child to work in a trade. Would you?

Since waiting tables is a popular choice for summer break work, we thought we’d share some of our favorite restaurant work shoes. Your safety is important, and when you’re running around during dinner rush, you want to make sure you’re protected. At the same time, you’re there to make money–not spend it! That’s why all of these shoes are under $50. We’ll keep you on your feet and under budget with some great quality restaurant work shoes.

Grabbers

The Grabbers brand is made for young employees in the service industry, featuring a fun purple insole and high-quality performance. It’s lined with a moisture-wicking mesh, which helps keep feet sweat-free and comfortable. You’ll be able to focus more on your job and less on your feet.

Women’s Grabbers Ava, $34.99

Converse

The Converse work shoe brand mixes casual wear inspiration with hard-working functionality. The Converse Conveyor is a non-slip, non-metallic work shoe. Standing on your feet during those long double shifts is bound to take its toll on your feet, but these shoes use a special EVA cushioned insert to help relieve the pressure. And like all of the Converse workwear, these stylish shoes transition seamlessly from work to play.

Men’s Converse Conveyor, $46.99

Men’s Converse Converyor Slip-on, $46.99

Michelin

You know how reliable those Michelin tires are? Well they incorporated that same traction technology into their work shoes, which means you get one slip-resistant shoe. But that’s not the only reason these shoes are high on our list–they’re built with a cement construction, so they’re super flexible and light for easy movement on the job.

Men’s Michelin Hospitality, $49.99

Women’s Michelin Hospitality, $49.99

Rockport

These Rockport work shoes are easy to slip on and super comfortable. They’ve got high-quality leather that’s easy to wipe down at the end of your shift. Lined with material that helps wick away moisture, they’ll keep your feet dry and sweat-free. But the best part about these shoes is the EVA cushion insert and midsole that cushions every step. Your feet will feel their best, even after hours of work.

Men’s Rockport Ariton, $49.99

Men’s Rockport Julie, $49.99

What’s your favorite restaurant-ready work shoe?

Clean early and clean often

When you first get your boots, you might be tempted to lace ‘em up and head out the door. We’re glad you’re excited about your new boots—but you should consider prepping them for their labors before punching in that time clock. Wear them around the house for a few days to break them in, and then apply a waterproof agent. Even Gore-Tex or other waterproof lining can benefit from this added protection. There are a ton of these on the market, but we recommend something like Nikwax or Sno-Seal. Follow the instructions to ensure proper application.

After a day on the job, use a nylon brush to wipe off excess dirt, and a damp cloth to wipe clean. For extremely soiled leather boots, use a small amount of saddle soap and a damp cloth. Always allow to air dry, and never use heat as that can dry out your leather and create cracking or other damage.

Clean the inside of your boots

The inside of your boots need to be washed every few months. Use a mild shampoo on a damp washcloth to scrub the inside surfaces. Wipe away with a soap-free damp cloth, and allow to air dry.

When you’ve got your feet in a pair of boots for 8-12 hours a day, you’re bound to get some funky foot odor going on. If you neglect this for too long, those odors and bacteria are going to stick around. If the insoles are removable, wash them regularly.

After each wear, sprinkle some baking soda and allow to sit overnight. Turn them over a trash can and shake it out before wearing. To prevent odors from making a comeback, try switching to antimicrobial socks, which will help keep feet dry and stink-free.

Clean out those stains

This handy guide will help you get those persistent stains out of the leather on your boots using simple materials you can find around your house!

For water spots:
Re-moisten spot with small amount of water. Allow to air dry.

For spots:
1 part lemon juice with
1 part cream of tartar

Mix together into a paste. Work paste into spot, and wipe clean with soft cloth.

For road salt stains:
1 part water
1 part white vinegar

Blot out stains with a soft cloth dipped in this mixture.

For stubborn spots:
Dip a cotton ball into rubbing alcohol and rub the spot.

Hopefully we’ve helped you solved some of your dirt-filled dilemmas. Now that you have squeaky clean boots, what are you waiting for? Get out there, and muck them up!

How dirty do your boots have to get before you decide to give them a thorough cleaning?

Clearly, we had to test these bad boys out.

But since the most manual labor that my job entails is battling carpal tunnel from my keyboard, I enlisted the help of someone who spends their day on their feet.

That’s where Jeff comes in, manager of an auto parts store and man in desperate need of new on-the-job footwear. In exchange for these sweet boots, he promised to give us a down and dirty, honest review of how these boots stack up. And since Magnum designed these with extreme comfort in mind, we’re curious to see how they held up to 12+ hours on his feet!

Versatile Styles
The Excursion made its debut with six styles–three colors (black, dark brown and tan) and two heights (mid and low). The great thing about this variety is that you have tons of options in selecting a work boot that will fit within your uniform requirements. “We have to wear all-black shoes, and I don’t care for boots that are higher,” says Jeff. “It was nice to be able to choose a pair that met my uniform and were more casual, like heavy duty sneakers.”

Added Protections
“Sometimes we’re bringing freight in or making deliveries in the pouring rain, so it was important to find a pair of shoes for work that kept my feet dry. I haven’t had a chance to test these out in bad weather yet, but I did throw them on to do some yard work over the weekend. My feet stayed nice and dry, and didn’t get too hot even though the temperature was  on the warmer side. They were really comfortable.”

Safety Toe
“We do a lot of heavy lifting all day. My last pair of work shoes didn’t have any kind of safety toe, and I was always worried about having something fall and hurting myself. I like that the composite toe doesn’t make the shoe really heavy, so it’s easier to wear all day long. Having it definitely gives me peace of mind. ”

Slippery Floors
“The soles on these boots have really come in handy with deliveries. Sometimes the auto shops have a lot of oil spills going on, and it can be hard to make your way through. It’s a completely different experience with the bottoms of these shoes. I don’t have to be as careful walking through, which is a nice change.”

All-day comfort
“I’m on my feet sometimes for over twelve hours, so it’s really important to have support and a lot of cushion. I didn’t get as much cushion as I hoped for, but it was still a huge step up from my last shoes. I might get an extra insole just for a really cushioned shoe, but this one still provides a good amount.”

Excursion Features

• Waterproof
• Full-grain leather upper
• ion-mask™ protection technology – repels liquids, resists bloodborne pathogens, stays breathable
• ASTM-approved multiple impact composite safety toe
• OrthoLite® anti-bacterial insole for long lasting comfort and support
• Compression-molded EVA midsole for comfort and support
• High-traction, slip- and oil-resistant rubber outsole

Want to win a pair of these boots? We’re giving a pair away on our blog.

How important is it that your boots provide long-lasting comfort throughout your shift?

Spring is in the air, and with it comes home renovation, camping and hunting trips and weekend visits to the hardware store. With everything you’ve got going on, we understand that your work boots need to stretch far beyond your nine to five.

That’s why we’re teaming up with Magnum Boots to give away a pair of boots from their Excursion work boot line. This brand new work/safety collection isn’t just designed to handle a long day on your feet, but also to help you become a weekend warrior this Spring.

Magnum Excursion

• Waterproof
• Full-grain leather upper
• ion-mask™ protection technology – repels liquids, resists bloodborne pathogens, stays breathable
• ASTM-approved multiple impact composite safety toe
• OrthoLite® anti-bacterial insole for long lasting comfort and support
• Compression-molded EVA midsole for comfort and support
• High-traction, slip- and oil-resistant rubber outsole
• Available in a variety of colors and styles

Peak Anti-Gravity – The Rangel

The Peak AG (Anti-Gravity) series is a collection of non-metallic footwear that offers incredible performance and is designed to be the lightest boot you’ll ever step into.

New to the series this year is the Rangel, a style that combines waterproof protection with lightweight durability. For the easiest on-the-job movement, a direct attach construction provides the flexibility necessary. Wolverine has also added a rubber wrap to defend against wear from those rough and tough worksites, and an EVA midsole and Ortholite insole to add extra cushion. The Rangel will be available with an optional composite toe and 6”, 8”, or Wellington styles.

Peakflex Technology – The Bucklin

Wolverine’s PeakFlex midsole makes its debut with their new Bucklin boot, built for protection during those outdoor jobs. Think of PeakFlex as a midsole renovation. Wolverine reworked its entire structure, addressing the two stress areas of each step—impact and flex.

Graphic via wolverine.com

This innovative technology enhances comfort through two unique structural components that enhance comfort: a honey-comb heel design that expands upon impact to absorb shock, and a mid-section designed to mimic the movement of a spine for maximum flexibility through each step.

The Bucklin, a lightweight, waterproof boot, combines leather construction with a wave mesh interior that wicks away moisture. The PU footbed provides extra support and cushion, which is designed to help workers stay comfortable during those long days on their feet. It will be available with an optional composite toe and brown, black and taupe exterior to fit any workplace or uniform code.

Would boots with Peak AG or Peakflex Technology help make your job more comfortable?

The line uses a revolutionary adiPRENE system to provide shock absorption and energy rebound. As your heel touches the floor, the adiPRENE cushions and absorbs shock from heel strike. Then, the forepart adiPRENE adds a little bounce in your step, so you can move with less effort. This boot makes walking easier and more comfortable, so you can last longer in comfort.

WorkBoots.com met up with Rockport Work’s Marketing and Product Coordinator Jimmy Maritz to get a live demo of exactly how this technology works. You might be surprised at just how much energy return you could experience in these awesome boots.

Men’s Rockport 6″ More Energy Met Guard

Features

• Composite Toe
• Waterproof Full Grain Leather Upper
• More Energy 6″ Lace to Toe Internal Met Gaurd Boot
• Moisture Wicking Nylon Mesh Lining
• Removable EVA Cushion Insert with adiPRENE by adidas Shock Absorbing Heel and Rebounding Forpart Pads
• Dual Density Outsole
• Direct Attached PU Midsole and Rubber Traction Bottom with adiPRENE by adidas Shock Absorbing Heel and Rebounding Forpart Pads
• 100% Non-Metallic
• Extra Wide Toe
• EH (Electrical Hazard Safe)
• Meets or exceeds the ASTM F2413-05 standard for Metatarsal footwear

(adiPRENE graphic via Rockport Works)

Do you think this technology would help make your hard-working boots more comfortable?