Can You Write Off Your Work Boots?Yes, work boots can be tax deductible if they are explicitly required by your employer or business for safety or regulatory reasons and are primarily used exclusively for work-related purposes. Work Boots as a Requirement In various industries, federal regulations, often governed by bodies like OSHA, mandate the use of protective gear, including specialized work boots. The regulations encompass scenarios where hazards, such as the risk of electrical shock or stepping on a nail, are present...
Leather vs Steel Shank: Why JK Uses Leather Shanks in Our BootsMost work boots have something called a “shank” through the arch of the boot. You’ll never see it -- it’s just something boot makers add to boost the stability of the boot and make the arch support stronger. For most decent boots, you’ll find a steel shank. That’s the industry standard, and it makes a world of difference compared to boots with no shank at all. But at JK Boots, almost all of our boots use a leather shank instead of steel. Why do we break the mold and use leather instea...
How Handmade Boots are MadeIt Starts with American Leather We think an American boot should be made with American leather. Makes sense, right? There are a few legendary tanneries left in the USA---the two most notable are Seidel Tanning Co in Milwaukee, and Horween Tanning Co just outside of Chicago. You can find some other American tanneries that focus on dress leathers, but for work boots, Seidel makes the toughest hide there is. So naturally, that’s what we use for JK Boots. The three main types of leather to know f...
The Story of John KhadzhiI wasn’t even born yet when my dad started JK Boots. But there are some truths about how we hand-craft each pair of boots that runs through our workshop today that have been in place since 1994, when JK began. Sure, I can sit here and tell you that we strive to make the best boots in the world, or that we select the best materials. But doesn’t every brand say the same thing? (We actually do those things, but that’s beside the point).I thought it was important to tell the story of JK instead. ...
How to Keep Work Boots from SmellingWhether you’re wearing a pair of old sneakers or a pair of premium-quality leather work boots, there’s one thing that’s inevitable—smelly feet. The heat and sweat from your feet are a dinner bell for bacteria, and it’s that bacteria that causes the smell. With a little effort, common sense, and a bit of ingenuity, it’s easy to remove, if not completely fix, the smell in your work boots. Because bacteria thrive in the heat and moisture that your boots provide, you’ll need to either mask or,...
Can Work Boots be Resoled? A Guide to Repairing Work BootsWhen you’ve spent months or even years wearing your favorite pair of work boots until they feel like the most comfortable footwear you own, it’s understandable that you’d want to resole them when needed. Not all work boots can be resoled, and it can depend on the design or construction method used. For premium quality work boots, resoling can be much more cost-effective than buying new boots, with the bonus that they’re already broken in and comfortable. When you notice the soles becoming w...
3 Hacks to Stop Your Boots from SqueakingNew boots, especially handmade or custom boots, have noticeably more going on inside them than your average boots. Multiple layers of leather, thicker uppers, and a higher build quality all mean there’s a higher chance of your boots squeaking. Your boots react to heat, moisture, and pressure, and the multiple layers of leather can expand and contract, causing that annoying squeak you can’t seem to place. If your boots are squeaking, it won’t damage them, but it can be annoying, so we’ve ...
How to Keep Waterproof Boots Dry on the InsideThe most reliable way to keep waterproof work boots dry on the inside is to ensure they’re made of quality materials. Cheap waterproof boots will invariably leak, leading to discomfort. In fact, with quality boots, water-resistant is often all you’ll need. With water-resistant leather boots, providing the stitching and the leather is of good quality, conditioning the leather monthly will prevent water from getting inside. After reading this article, you’ll know what to look for in a waterpro...
Will Work Boots Stretch? If So, How Much?Work boots will stretch a little as you break them in as the leather softens and molds to your foot. You can speed up the process using a leather conditioner or boot stretching spray, making your boots easier to wear. Leather is incredibly versatile, but it can only stretch so far. You’ll not get a leather work boot to stretch more than one size, and that’s an optimistic hope—realistically, you'll not stretch a boot more than a half size bigger. If your work boots still feel like they’...
3 Hacks to Break in Work Boots FastNew work boots often feel stiff and uncomfortable until broken in. Even if you’ve made sure to buy boots that are the right size, it can take weeks of wear before your feet stop rubbing against the interior of your boots. If you’re in a rush to wear your work boots, you’ll need to speed up the process without causing them any damage. Today, we’ll be looking at three proven hacks that’ll not only break your boots in much quicker than simply wearing them until the pain goes away but will ens...
Can Work Boots Cause Knee or Back Pain?A bad pair of work boots can do a lot more damage than just regular foot pain. As with most parts of your body, everything is connected in subtle ways. If your work boots are too tight or the wrong size, your natural movement is restricted, which puts additional strain on your muscles and ligaments. Even the subtlest changes in how you move can seriously affect your knees and lower back. If you’re suffering from back or knee pain, don’t just assume it’s age creeping up or that you’re working...
Are Work Boots Good for Plantar Fasciitis?If you have plantar fasciitis, you’ll need boots to alleviate the symptoms at work. When wearing your work boots for large parts of the day, the wrong boot can cause severe pain, so it’s important to know whether work boots are good for plantar fasciitis or not. Arch support is vital if you have plantar fasciitis, and while most boots do offer slightly better arch support than shoes, not all have the complete package. Boots with superb arch support, a comfortable midsole, and a leather s...
How to Store Winter Boots: Prolonging Your Boots LifespanWhen storing winter boots through the warmer seasons, you’ll need to clean and condition them to ensure they’ve all the natural oils to last until the following autumn. Storing dry or dirty winter boots can cause cracking and mold, so make sure you give ‘em a good clean before you put them up in the closet for the warmer months. Store your boots in solid containers that won’t crush your boots, but make sure they can breathe. You must find somewhere cool and dry to store boots to prevent m...
What Are Winter Boots Made Out Of?When the weather takes a turn for the worse, it’s your extremities that take the most punishment. Your hands and feet will quickly begin to suffer in extreme cold—and when you’re working, that’s the last thing you need. In this article, we’ll go over the key parts of a winter boot, why they’re so important, and what makes winter boots a whole different breed of footwear. What Are the Different Parts of a Winter Boot? While a winter boot might look just like a normal work boot at first gla...
Which Part of Insulated Work Boots is Dielectric?Not every work boot offers dielectric protection. To be electrically insulating, boots must have a rubber sole and some form of waterproofing. Additional insulation inside can also provide dielectric properties. Electrical Hazard (EH-Rated) leather boots won’t be dielectric as they’re not waterproof. If you’re looking for a dielectric work boot, you’ll need waterproof, insulated boots, preferably with a high shaft. Insulated winter work boots are dielectric, as they can be used in wet, icy, ...
How do Waterproof Boots Work? What Makes a Boot Waterproof?In this article, we’re going to explain how to determine what makes a work boot waterproof, from the quality and type of materials used to the method of stitching that attaches the upper to the sole. You’ll also learn how to keep your boots water-resistant, which is vital regardless of whether your boots are waterproof or water-resistant. While leather is usually a porous material, it is treated to make water run-off easier, which keeps your boots in top condition. A monthly cleaning regim...
Can You Write Off Your Work Boots?
Yes, work boots can be tax deductible if they are explicitly required by your employer or business for safety or regulatory reasons and are primarily used exclusively for work-related purposes. Work Boots as a Requirement In various industries, federal regulations, often governed by bodies like OSHA, mandate the use of protective gear, including specialized work boots. The regulations encompass scenarios where hazards, such as the risk of electrical shock or stepping on a nail, are present...
Leather vs Steel Shank: Why JK Uses Leather Shanks in Our Boots
Most work boots have something called a “shank” through the arch of the boot. You’ll never see it -- it’s just something boot makers add to boost the stability of the boot and make the arch support stronger. For most decent boots, you’ll find a steel shank. That’s the industry standard, and it makes a world of difference compared to boots with no shank at all. But at JK Boots, almost all of our boots use a leather shank instead of steel. Why do we break the mold and use leather instea...
How Handmade Boots are Made
It Starts with American Leather We think an American boot should be made with American leather. Makes sense, right? There are a few legendary tanneries left in the USA---the two most notable are Seidel Tanning Co in Milwaukee, and Horween Tanning Co just outside of Chicago. You can find some other American tanneries that focus on dress leathers, but for work boots, Seidel makes the toughest hide there is. So naturally, that’s what we use for JK Boots. The three main types of leather to know f...
The Story of John Khadzhi
I wasn’t even born yet when my dad started JK Boots. But there are some truths about how we hand-craft each pair of boots that runs through our workshop today that have been in place since 1994, when JK began. Sure, I can sit here and tell you that we strive to make the best boots in the world, or that we select the best materials. But doesn’t every brand say the same thing? (We actually do those things, but that’s beside the point).I thought it was important to tell the story of JK instead. ...
How to Keep Work Boots from Smelling
Whether you’re wearing a pair of old sneakers or a pair of premium-quality leather work boots, there’s one thing that’s inevitable—smelly feet. The heat and sweat from your feet are a dinner bell for bacteria, and it’s that bacteria that causes the smell. With a little effort, common sense, and a bit of ingenuity, it’s easy to remove, if not completely fix, the smell in your work boots. Because bacteria thrive in the heat and moisture that your boots provide, you’ll need to either mask or,...
Can Work Boots be Resoled? A Guide to Repairing Work Boots
When you’ve spent months or even years wearing your favorite pair of work boots until they feel like the most comfortable footwear you own, it’s understandable that you’d want to resole them when needed. Not all work boots can be resoled, and it can depend on the design or construction method used. For premium quality work boots, resoling can be much more cost-effective than buying new boots, with the bonus that they’re already broken in and comfortable. When you notice the soles becoming w...
3 Hacks to Stop Your Boots from Squeaking
New boots, especially handmade or custom boots, have noticeably more going on inside them than your average boots. Multiple layers of leather, thicker uppers, and a higher build quality all mean there’s a higher chance of your boots squeaking. Your boots react to heat, moisture, and pressure, and the multiple layers of leather can expand and contract, causing that annoying squeak you can’t seem to place. If your boots are squeaking, it won’t damage them, but it can be annoying, so we’ve ...
How to Keep Waterproof Boots Dry on the Inside
The most reliable way to keep waterproof work boots dry on the inside is to ensure they’re made of quality materials. Cheap waterproof boots will invariably leak, leading to discomfort. In fact, with quality boots, water-resistant is often all you’ll need. With water-resistant leather boots, providing the stitching and the leather is of good quality, conditioning the leather monthly will prevent water from getting inside. After reading this article, you’ll know what to look for in a waterpro...
Will Work Boots Stretch? If So, How Much?
Work boots will stretch a little as you break them in as the leather softens and molds to your foot. You can speed up the process using a leather conditioner or boot stretching spray, making your boots easier to wear. Leather is incredibly versatile, but it can only stretch so far. You’ll not get a leather work boot to stretch more than one size, and that’s an optimistic hope—realistically, you'll not stretch a boot more than a half size bigger. If your work boots still feel like they’...
3 Hacks to Break in Work Boots Fast
New work boots often feel stiff and uncomfortable until broken in. Even if you’ve made sure to buy boots that are the right size, it can take weeks of wear before your feet stop rubbing against the interior of your boots. If you’re in a rush to wear your work boots, you’ll need to speed up the process without causing them any damage. Today, we’ll be looking at three proven hacks that’ll not only break your boots in much quicker than simply wearing them until the pain goes away but will ens...
Can Work Boots Cause Knee or Back Pain?
A bad pair of work boots can do a lot more damage than just regular foot pain. As with most parts of your body, everything is connected in subtle ways. If your work boots are too tight or the wrong size, your natural movement is restricted, which puts additional strain on your muscles and ligaments. Even the subtlest changes in how you move can seriously affect your knees and lower back. If you’re suffering from back or knee pain, don’t just assume it’s age creeping up or that you’re working...
Are Work Boots Good for Plantar Fasciitis?
If you have plantar fasciitis, you’ll need boots to alleviate the symptoms at work. When wearing your work boots for large parts of the day, the wrong boot can cause severe pain, so it’s important to know whether work boots are good for plantar fasciitis or not. Arch support is vital if you have plantar fasciitis, and while most boots do offer slightly better arch support than shoes, not all have the complete package. Boots with superb arch support, a comfortable midsole, and a leather s...
How to Store Winter Boots: Prolonging Your Boots Lifespan
When storing winter boots through the warmer seasons, you’ll need to clean and condition them to ensure they’ve all the natural oils to last until the following autumn. Storing dry or dirty winter boots can cause cracking and mold, so make sure you give ‘em a good clean before you put them up in the closet for the warmer months. Store your boots in solid containers that won’t crush your boots, but make sure they can breathe. You must find somewhere cool and dry to store boots to prevent m...
What Are Winter Boots Made Out Of?
When the weather takes a turn for the worse, it’s your extremities that take the most punishment. Your hands and feet will quickly begin to suffer in extreme cold—and when you’re working, that’s the last thing you need. In this article, we’ll go over the key parts of a winter boot, why they’re so important, and what makes winter boots a whole different breed of footwear. What Are the Different Parts of a Winter Boot? While a winter boot might look just like a normal work boot at first gla...
Which Part of Insulated Work Boots is Dielectric?
Not every work boot offers dielectric protection. To be electrically insulating, boots must have a rubber sole and some form of waterproofing. Additional insulation inside can also provide dielectric properties. Electrical Hazard (EH-Rated) leather boots won’t be dielectric as they’re not waterproof. If you’re looking for a dielectric work boot, you’ll need waterproof, insulated boots, preferably with a high shaft. Insulated winter work boots are dielectric, as they can be used in wet, icy, ...
How do Waterproof Boots Work? What Makes a Boot Waterproof?
In this article, we’re going to explain how to determine what makes a work boot waterproof, from the quality and type of materials used to the method of stitching that attaches the upper to the sole. You’ll also learn how to keep your boots water-resistant, which is vital regardless of whether your boots are waterproof or water-resistant. While leather is usually a porous material, it is treated to make water run-off easier, which keeps your boots in top condition. A monthly cleaning regim...
