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Ahead of this winter’s ‘BIG FREEZE’ prediction, DR. Martens has revealed that the majority of outdoor workers suffer with cold, wet feet every winter, with many complaining of blisters and even chilblains.
The survey, conducted on behalf of the iconic footwear specialist interviewed the UK’s outdoor workers in order to identify the core issues faced during the winter months.
Key findings revealed:
• Over half (51%) of outdoor workers are unhappy with their boots
• 65% of outdoor workers suffer with cold feet
• Other complaints included wet feet (40%), smelly feet (25%), blisters (21%) and chilblains (16%)
• Comfort and price are the top considerations for people buying outdoor workwear (73% and 40% retrospectively)
• 58% of outdoor workers purchase their boots from conventional high-street stores or online retailers
Furthermore, it was revealed that three quarters of outdoor workers purchase their own boots, meaning the onus can’t be attributed to employers.
Jon Marchant, Global Category Manager at Airwair International Ltd – Dr. Martens, says: “In our experience, the problem comes from a lack of information. If outdoor workers are focusing on comfort and price, they run the risk of overlooking features that are critical to outdoor working, such as water resistance and warmth. It’s important that anyone working in extreme weather conditions is investing in the right product and buying from a supplier that can guarantee adequate protection and comfort.”
Dr. Martens’ own fully waterproof collection is said to be particularly suitable for outdoor workers enduring prolonged exposure to the cold weather offering additional features such as antistatic properties, composite safety toe cap and Smartmask puncture resistant midsole.
