Bus and coach drivers spend a lot of time operating their vehicles and keeping their feet on the pedals. These two factors contribute to the stress and pressure they can feel on a busy workday. Drivers are on the road for long hours and need comfortable, supportive shoes to get them through their shifts and still look good paired with their bus driver uniform. In general, the best type of work shoe for a driver is one that has a flat sole, covers the whole foot and is securely fastened.
However, there are other features that bus drivers also prioritise when looking for comfortable footwear that can be worn with their uniforms. In this article, we will look at the six main components that support comfortable footwear for bus driver uniforms. Read on to find out what Shoes For Crews can offer your public transport staff.
6 Comfortable footwear features for bus driver uniforms
1. Flat soles
A flat sole is best to help drivers apply even pressure on the brakes and accelerator and for pivoting from one pedal to another. A taller heel could pose the danger of catching on the mat and could potentially delay a driver’s reaction time.
A not too thick or not too thin sole is an especially important feature in the event of an emergency (i.e., suddenly stopping for ambulances, police cars, accidents, delivery vans, blocked traffic or cycling accidents).
2. Cushioned footbeds
In addition to sole thickness, the inner layers are equally essential. Bus drivers spend long hours operating their vehicles, which can result in fatigued and stressed feet.
While a shoe should not be too soft, it needs to be cushioned enough to relieve and even prevent soreness while driving. If tension can be relieved with each press of the pedal, this will help protect your staff from foot fatigue, a common strain that they are susceptible to.
3. Removable, supportive insoles made from sustainable sources
In 2022, Shoes For Crews made a commitment to sustainability and reducing our carbon footprint. One of the ways we are actively doing this is by constructing our removable insoles from recycled materials.
Your drivers will still benefit from the same levels of comfort our insoles provide but now from a more sustainable source. With most styles being metal-free, this allows for a more comfortable design and feel but with half the weight.
4. Water-resistant leather uppers
As we said in the last point, we are striving to introduce more recycled components into our production process. Our PU uppers will be made using approximately 35% recycled elements. We are also currently testing alternatives to traditional leather.
From external coatings to internal barriers, Shoes For Crews provides various levels of water-resistant protection to fit their needs. The materials we use help keep bus driver footwear always looking tip-top while on the clock. With water-resistant uppers, their work shoes will look well-cared for with little maintenance required allowing them to focus on the critical task at hand: keeping passengers safe.
5. Lightweight construction
Drivers put a lot of stress on their feet while going about their routes. The stress can be worsened when there is a staff shortage. At Shoes for Crews, our styles for bus drivers are lightweight. This construction makes every step feel lighter, which over time can add up to an enormous relief. This feature not only releases built-up tension from long shifts of frequently pressing down on the brakes and accelerator but it also enables easy movement between the pedals.
