Work Boots

[King Rudi]

It's time to buy some work boots. I have been searching online and thought I would get some opinions here. Those who were work boots, what are you wearing now, what are your favorite brands and why?

I typically go with Doc Martens due to comfort and longevity but I may change it up this go around. I usually get about 4 years out of a pair of Doc's

Lets hear your recommendations.

[gonzo]

I've got an 11 year old pair of Timberlands that get abused. The leather is separating from the sole on the side of righty. Getting wet sock foot. Squirted some Gorilla caulk on the 2" but it didn't hold. Comfortable as hell. 9/10
Best lacers I've ever owned.

I might cry when I toss them.

[eatsleepboost]

I have worn boots 5 days a week for years as I am a mechanic. My favorite so far are my redback slip on boots.

Pros-
No laces so no messing with tying oil soaked falling apart laces.
Lasts 3 years
Comfortable
Great no slip
Reasonable price for the quality

Cons-
Do not keep your feet warm. I do wear mine year round though
Feet will get wet if walking through deep water or snow if no protective coating has been added.

https://www.redbackboots.com/industry/mechanic-boots

[BSM n54iS]

Irish Setter ones always worked great for me, 6" steel toes

[Lups]

I have steel caps on when I do something seriously stupid and I know it, but for safety reasons I usually don't wear shoes. It keeps me on my toes.

[overcoil]

Originally Posted by eatsleepboost

I have worn boots 5 days a week for years as I am a mechanic. My favorite so far are my redback slip on boots.

Pros-
No laces so no messing with tying oil soaked falling apart laces.
Lasts 3 years
Comfortable
Great no slip
Reasonable price for the quality

Cons-
Do not keep your feet warm. I do wear mine year round though
Feet will get wet if walking through deep water or snow if no protective coating has been added.

https://www.redbackboots.com/industry/mechanic-boots

I've been looking for a pair of boots, I thought I wanted something like a gortex waterproof shoe, but I read that 100% water proof shoes, shoes that don't breathe are bad in the long run, and it's better to have multiple pairs of socks to change and dry out. Here's the quote "...No matter what marketers say, making a boot waterproof inherently impacts breathability. By keeping water from entering from the outside, less moisture (your sweat) can quickly and easily escape from the inside, which means all forms of waterproof footwear can run warm in the summer months. There are, however, big differences between boot models in their ability to ventilate..."

[McBride]

Had a pair of Cat’s for 13 years. This winter they reached the end of their life when I stupidly put them on the radiator to dry out after a day in the snow. The sole expanded and came away from the boot and I was gutted.

Replaced with a pair of Dewalt Hydrogen boots. They are light and comfy but the tong and leather ankle make them difficult to get on and tie as tight as I would like.

[King Rudi]

Originally Posted by gonzo

I've got an 11 year old pair of Timberlands that get abused. The leather is separating from the sole on the side of righty. Getting wet sock foot. Squirted some Gorilla caulk on the 2" but it didn't hold. Comfortable as hell. 9/10
Best lacers I've ever owned.

I might cry when I toss them.

One of my current pair of doc's are this way. I've had them for around 4-5 years and the sole on the right heel has become completely separated. I've tried gluing it back together but it's not working. I feel like I've become emotionally attached to these as well as they no longer make the style I have.

I've got a pair of Timerlands that have been in my closet for a few years. They are steel toes and I'm not required to wear them to work in, but I do if I know I'm going to be doing some strenuous and stupid shit. My Timberlands actually hurt my ankles where the padding is. What style do you have?

Originally Posted by eatsleepboost

I have worn boots 5 days a week for years as I am a mechanic. My favorite so far are my redback slip on boots.

Pros-
No laces so no messing with tying oil soaked falling apart laces.
Lasts 3 years
Comfortable
Great no slip
Reasonable price for the quality

Cons-
Do not keep your feet warm. I do wear mine year round though
Feet will get wet if walking through deep water or snow if no protective coating has been added.

https://www.redbackboots.com/industry/mechanic-boots

Much appreciated, this is exactly the recommendation types I'm looking for. Thank you sir!

Originally Posted by BdSM n54iS

Irish Setter ones always worked great for me, 6" steel toes

I've never looked at Irish Setter's, I'll check them out. Thank you.

Originally Posted by Lups

I have steel caps on when I do something seriously stupid and I know it, but for safety reasons I usually don't wear shoes. It keeps me on my toes.

These are what I'm contemplating at the moment.

https://www.drmartens.com/us/en/p/24333231

[M2Rush]

Gucci steel toes!

[Lups]

Originally Posted by Not_Judy

One of my current pair of doc's are this way. I've had them for around 4-5 years and the sole on the right heel has become completely separated. I've tried gluing it back together but it's not working. I feel like I've become emotionally attached to these as well as they no longer make the style I have.

I've got a pair of Timerlands that have been in my closet for a few years. They are steel toes and I'm not required to wear them to work in, but I do if I know I'm going to be doing some strenuous and stupid shit. My Timberlands actually hurt my ankles where the padding is. What style do you have?



Much appreciated, this is exactly the recommendation types I'm looking for. Thank you sir!



I've never looked at Irish Setter's, I'll check them out. Thank you.






These are what I'm contemplating at the moment.

https://www.drmartens.com/us/en/p/24333231

Mine are paratroopers ones and I've used a pair of that kind since I was 19 for ass kicking and sometimes for working too.


Honestly, my ankle is in a bad shape so I can't wear too comfortable shoes so I won't get careless. When it comes to shoes or any other shopping matter, but especially when it comes to shoes you work in, go to a store and find an expert. I used to work in a shoe store (the irony...) And I'd need pics of your feet from above, from front, from the back and the sides, your age and your weight and milk consumption to start telling to you what to look for.

I can tell you however that shoes age and they do it badly. Every mistake your muscles make that tire your feet, give a shoe a few months and they'll make it worse. What ever you do, and if you need work shoes daily, buy three pairs and rotate them. It's more expensive but your legs will thank me when you're old.

[King Rudi]

Originally Posted by Lups

Mine are paratroopers ones and I've used a pair of that kind since I was 19 for ass kicking and sometimes for working too.


Honestly, my ankle is in a bad shape so I can't wear too comfortable shoes so I won't get careless. When it comes to shoes or any other shopping matter, but especially when it comes to shoes you work in, go to a store and find an expert. I used to work in a shoe store (the irony...) And I'd need pics of your feet from above, from front, from the back and the sides, your age and your weight and milk consumption to start telling to you what to look for.

I can tell you however that shoes age and they do it badly. Every mistake your muscles make that tire your feet, give a shoe a few months and they'll make it worse. What ever you do, and if you need work shoes daily, buy three pairs and rotate them. It's more expensive but your legs will thank me when you're old.

Because I work in an office primarily I wear light weight tennis shoes in the summer. Normal office conditions I'd wear some comfy dress shoes but dress attire here is lax i.e. jeans and tennis shoes. Winter months I can still wear trainers but light weight tennis shoes are not recommended during winter months as I do actually get on boom lifts to inspect work being performed by contractors and it's not uncommon for me to work alongside them some days.

I do have several pair of trainers that I wear to work. I have 4 pair for work and 2 pair for weekends so I seldomly wear the same pair two days consecutively.

[808@702]

Interesting that no one has mentioned Red Wing. They are good boots but expensive as hell. I was given a pair as a Christmas gift by my ex wife (hint get to work! hint). They were great and lasted 5 years. But again expensive. I bought a pair of Bramha's from Walmart in a pinch and they lasted 3 years. Steel toe, comfortable, 35 bucks...

[XCRN]

Originally Posted by 808@702

Interesting that no one has mentioned Red Wing. They are good boots but expensive as hell. I was given a pair as a Christmas gift by my ex wife (hint get to work! hint). They were great and lasted 5 years. But again expensive. I bought a pair of Bramha's from Walmart in a pinch and they lasted 3 years. Steel toe, comfortable, 35 bucks...

Ill second that. But sounds like they have a great warranty too. They can get up there in price but there are some that are reasonably priced. My work pays all but $30 for us so I can’t complain about the price.

[Captain Blood]

Originally Posted by Not_Judy

It's time to buy some work boots. I have been searching online and thought I would get some opinions here. Those who were work boots, what are you wearing now, what are your favorite brands and why?

I typically go with Doc Martens due to comfort and longevity but I may change it up this go around. I usually get about 4 years out of a pair of Doc's

Lets hear your recommendations.

Wolverine! I always loved my wolverines.
Remember, you can buy insoles seperately, if needed.

I hate Doc Martens, but they are really bad if you have arch issues.

[Lups]

Originally Posted by Not_Judy

Because I work in an office primarily I wear light weight tennis shoes in the summer. Normal office conditions I'd wear some comfy dress shoes but dress attire here is lax i.e. jeans and tennis shoes. Winter months I can still wear trainers but light weight tennis shoes are not recommended during winter months as I do actually get on boom lifts to inspect work being performed by contractors and it's not uncommon for me to work alongside them some days.

I do have several pair of trainers that I wear to work. I have 4 pair for work and 2 pair for weekends so I seldomly wear the same pair two days consecutively.

Okay, keep rotating them and make sure you see a doctor about your feet every few years even if you have no issues.

You never want to wear bad shoes, that's the main thing you all can do for your ligament health people! Also, walking around without shoes is really healthy.

[No one]

Originally Posted by ScottSinger

I've been looking for a pair of boots, I thought I wanted something like a gortex waterproof shoe, but I read that 100% water proof shoes, shoes that don't breathe are bad in the long run, and it's better to have multiple pairs of socks to change and dry out. Here's the quote "...No matter what marketers say, making a boot waterproof inherently impacts breathability. By keeping water from entering from the outside, less moisture (your sweat) can quickly and easily escape from the inside, which means all forms of waterproof footwear can run warm in the summer months. There are, however, big differences between boot models in their ability to ventilate..."

Gore-Tex is fine. It is waterproof and breathable. I wear this kind of boots in severe winter conditions (in mild winter weather I stand for sneakers) for 20 years. They even don't need to be warm: keeping your feet dry is all it basically takes! At first I wore them throughout a winter and stepped into a deep puddle to test: they were waterproof. Last two summers I wore Gore-Tex sneakers on a seaside. Fine as well: not sweaty (hot weather) yet dry (unless you let the water in at the ankle of course).

[3rdcoast228i]

Timberland helix

Light weight and comfortable.

[Poiseuille]

KEEN "Flint". one piece stainless steel shank and toe box. water resistant (I've never been wet in these, snow, heavy rain or sweat but I suspect that prolonged submersion would eventually allow penetration). oil & chemical resistant, slip resistant. there is also a low-top version of the same boot. remarkably light weight.

[Kooch]

I spent two years at sea and loved my pair of steel toed cats. Comfy and durable.

[Captain Blood]

Originally Posted by Poiseuille

KEEN "Flint". one piece stainless steel shank and toe box. water resistant (I've never been wet in these, snow, heavy rain or sweat but I suspect that prolonged submersion would eventually allow penetration). oil & chemical resistant, slip resistant. there is also a low-top version of the same boot. remarkably light weight.

I own a pair of those. They are great in snow and for hiking.

[Drop the hammer]

Had several pairs of cats over the years. I liked them as they were tough and good grip. But last pair I changed to RedWing and they are a way better made boot. Probably on my 6th year in them. I’d say more comfort as well and equal traction. I’ll be sticking to red wing for my next pair.

[deeLow]

Hytest brand boots are nice as well. For me, I'm walking on hard ballast and uneven surfaces, they're light and holding up great. Timberlines were the worst for me when working. Wolverines ok. But I definitely like the Hytest.