Chances are that if you are searching for size 16 work boots it isn’t the first time you have done so. Therefore you already know what you need in sizing and why, since smaller shoes, or boots, specifically, will not afford you the protection that you need while you’re on the job. Therefore, consider some of these features while you are shopping for size 16 work boots to see if they align with what you need. 

Goodyear Welt Construction: A Genuine Goodyear Welt is something you should look for in just about any pair of boots. Not only does it protect the upper, but it prevents the sole from separating from the upper, even at stress points. A Goodyear Welt will not steer you wrong; get it if you can. 

Waterproofing: if you work in a wet job site, waterproofing is critical to comfort and safety. In the short term, wet boots will only be uncomfortable, but in the long term, they can predispose you to hypothermia and infection. 

A Shank (Preferably steel, but nylon and synthetics are better than none): Many boots come with a steel shank to give the sole extra integrity and longevity. Tempered steel is the toughest of shank materials, but it is heavy and will also cause metal detectors to go off. For that reason, some boots have synthetic shanks like nylon that are airport compliant and lightweight. 

A Safety Toe: Job sites often present crushing hazards. Many boots come with safety toes in the form of a steel toe or a composite material that is optimized to be lightweight. 

Fatigue Resistant Insoles: Fatigue resistant insoles are not only designed to be more comfortable than alternatives, but they also can help redirect energy and provide rebound from your footstep. 

Puncture Resistant Soles: Some boots are designed with puncture-resistant soles that can help protect you against shards of glass and errant up-sticking nails, among other occupational hazards. 

Electrical Hazard Rating: Some boots are rated to protect the wearer against electrocution. If boots have an electrical hazard rating, they have been tested to protect the wearer against electrocution of up to 600 volts in a dry setting. 

Oil or Gas Resistant: Oil and gas are common at some worksites, and both of them are toxic, harsh on the skin and even dissolve some synthetic materials. Best to be safe, get a pair of oil and gas resistant shoes. 

There are other features that you might want in size 16 work boots, but if you know what you need and can start here, then all you really need to do is find the boots in your size with some subset of these features. 

Keep it easy on yourself and go straight to XLfeet.com. XL feet has one of the web’s largest collections of extra-large shoes and boots. To be blunt, they’ll have boots in your size and plenty of options with these features and more. Check out their website today and save yourself some time in your search.