For Michigan Paving, HeatArmor™ safety boots checked every box: durability, comfort, protection, and reliability in the harshest conditions. But what stood out most was the partnership. With custom solutions, excellent communication, and boots designed exactly for the job, HexArmor® not only gave crews better PPE, but also confidence in their safety every step of the way. 

The challenge: Finding footwear that lasts 

Michigan Paving and Materials employees work in one of the most extreme environments out there, laying and finishing 300+ degree asphalt every day. Tim Offerman, Field Safety Coordinator, has a crucial role – making sure every crew member has the right PPE and that worksites are set up as safely as possible through constant observation and communication.  

Despite best efforts, Offerman saw firsthand how the challenges of his crew’s current work boots were holding back his team: 

• Extreme heat traveling from the ground up into workers’ boots, raising body temperature and causing discomfort 
• Excessive sweat leading to blisters 
• Poor boot construction that broke down quickly, forcing employees to purchase two to four pairs of boots per season 
• Lack of ankle and arch support, leading to leg fatigue and knee pain.   
• Overseas supply challenges that delayed replacements  
• Safety toe durability issues when consistently kicking hot metal equipment 

“Not having reliable footwear causes a lack of confidence, which directly affects performance,” Offerman explained. “Our guys were spending extra money just to make their boots work – sometimes $50 on inserts, sometimes two to four pairs a season. It wasn’t sustainable.” 

It was clear the crew needed footwear specifically built for the demands of paving.  

Introductions + trials: Building trust through partnerships  

Michigan Paving was first introduced to HexArmor® in 2017. The relationship grew quickly – leading to a unique project in 2018: a worker with an irregular handshape couldn’t find gloves that fit, leaving him out of compliance. 

“We asked if HexArmor could make a custom glove to properly fit this employee,” Offerman recalled. “You guys immediately said you could make it happen. That was phenomenal. The communication has been huge for us – you're always checking in and there for any of our needs. That commitment to solving problems stuck with Offerman.  Product updates and innovation from HexArmor® kept the conversation alive, and when the opportunity came to trial the new HeatArmor™ boots before their launch, Michigan Paving jumped right in.  

Here’s how HeatArmor™ boots solved the exact problems the team was facing:  

• Heat resistance designed to withstand 300+ degree asphalt 
• Flat treads engineered to avoid indenting hot pavement 
• A durable composite safety toe built for constant contact with hot metal 
• Superior ankle and foot support to reduce fatigue and knee pain  
• Long-lasting quality that eliminates the need for multiple pairs each season 

“Trials went extremely well. The feedback was great. The boots are designed perfectly for the job we’re doing, which is HUGE.” - Tim Offerman, Field Safety Coordinator 

The results: “The best boots I’ve ever worn” 

The impact was immediate. Workers reported walking better with less discomfort and no joint pain after just a few weeks of wearing the new boots. Confidence went up, fatigue went down, and employees who previously needed several pairs of boots per year were able to consolidate, saving both money and frustration.  

One employee who had long struggled with poorly built boots said HeatArmor™ safety boots were the best boots he’d ever worn – finally holding up to the demands of hot, punishing pavement work. 

For Michigan Paving, the boots solved real problems, but the partnership with HexArmor® sealed the deal.  

“HexArmor is willing to work with you any way they can, whether that’s custom gloves, on-site visits, or getting product in our hands to trial,” Offerman said. “The quality is there, the service is unmatched, and the boots are built exactly for what we do.” 

See the HeatArmor™ boot