Footwear Insight

46 • Footwear Insight ~ November/December 2019 footwearinsight.com How could your shoes or work shoes for your job in general be improved? I would like it if my shoes were light- erweight, since I am pleased with the comfort. I will say I hate how squeaky these shoes can be, but that's my only real com- plaint. I always buy shoe inserts for every pair and double sock every day of the year, which I have found reduces blistering and helps with comfort, especially the break in, and keeps the shoe nice and snug. I'm a creature of habit and I make these shoes work. I just hope they keep making them. Trevor Chute, 25 | Raynham, MA Firefighter/Paramedic, Raynham Fire Dept. What's an average day like for you? I'm in the station, doing vehicle mainte- nance and making emergency calls. What footwear do you wear to work? I have two pairs of Merrell Tactical boots — summer and winter styles. What qualities are critical in your footwear? Comfort, breathability and waterproofness. Do you buy your own shoes or are they pro- vided through work I buy my own. Where do you shop for your work shoes? I buy them directly from Merrell online, but it doesn't have the fitting and product information. How often do you replace your work shoes? As needed, so every year or two. How much do you generally pay for on-the- job footwear? I spend $100 to $150, so hopefully they last one or two years. How could your shoes or work shoes for your job in general be improved? They could be made of stronger materials to hold up better to wear and tear. Cody Medeiros, 24 | Raynham, MA Firefighter/Paramedic,Raynham Fire Dept. What footwear do you wear to work? [I have] three pairs of Under Armours. What qualities are critical in your foot- wear? Durability and that they are easy to take off. Do you buy your own shoes or are they provided through work? I buy my own. Where do you shop for your work shoes? I shop online and at Dick's Sporting Goods and Bass Pro Shops. How often do you replace your work shoes? Every four months. How much do you generally pay for on- the-job footwear? $120 to $180. How could your shoes or work shoes for your job in general be improved? I think the boots could be more durable — comfort, durability and accessibility are key. Maricar Centeno, 41 | Stony Brook, NY Registered Nurse in the Labor & Delivery department at Stony Brook University Hospital What's an average day like for you? As an RN in Labor & Delivery, it's either a 12-hour or 8-hour shift. Depending on the patient's situation — for example, early labor being induced, laboring, pushing with the patient, C-section in the OR, post-partum hemorrhage, et cetera — the amount of being on our feet varies. I sometimes can be stand- ing for three-plus hours straight during a delivery, and don't sit until the baby is stable. What footwear do you wear to work I wear the Dansko XP clog in both leather and the synthetic material and the Dansko Twin Pro clog, which has a message on the top of the shoes — "little dreams" on one and "big adventures" on the other. I keep two pairs at work and one at home. What qualities are critical in your foot- wear? First is comfort, second is slip-resis- tance, third is durability and fourth is style — which is sometimes first if they're really stylish or cute like the Dansko Twin Pro clogs! ON THE JOB REAL WORKERS I'm in the station, doing vehicle maintenance and making emergency calls. Trevor Chute I think the boots could be more durable — comfort, durability and accessibility are key. Cody Medeiros Firefighter/paramedics Trevor Chute, left and Cody Medeiros.

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