Steel Toe Boots!

[mrothwell]

Any suggestions? I've landed a pretty sweet new job, starting in about 2 weeks. I'm going to be out on the factory floor a lot, so I'm going to need some good boots. Being able to ride the motorcycle with them on is a plus also, since I commute to work on the bike most days. Work pays for $75 worth of the shoe cost, so I'm open to anything up to about $150 bucks. I'm thinking about getting these

[Hostile]

Interesting, what kind of job is it that they pay for a portion of your footwear? You said it's a shop, like a auto shop or like a factory?

[Tornado2dr]

Are steel-toes a requirement of the workplace? If not - I have lots of suggestions.

The ones posted look decent, I have had the best luck with RedWings and Tims, though I am mainly familiar with redwings. RW have an AWESOME(in my experience) warranty process. They warrantied two pairs of my boots after one had an eyelet pop out/rip, and the other because the ankle-padding started to foldover inside the seams. This was after serious use and abuse, and at least one resoling.

Don't be surprised if you have to ditch the regular insoles for something different. My main focus with work boots is weight(which is one reason I dispise steel-toes), insulation (summer/winter boots), and durability. See which boots can be professionally re-soled when you wear them out, might be worth the extra coin to have that available.

[hrama803]

this is what I wear.



oddly enough when I got into my ATV accident I broke my foot in these boots

[.LSinLV.]

http://www.redwingshoes.com/red-wing...athletic-brown



I just got these last month for work and LOVE THEM. light, aluminum toe protection, THEY BREATHE...and mid-ankle which is acceptable for my work.

They (Red Wing) also make a high-top version. My last set of Red Wings Shoes lasted nearly 4 years. And their prices are very reasonable.

[TheGreenspanator]

My husband is union and works in a big shop, they give you a steel toe boot allowance once a year also. He once got some Doc Martins but usually gets Wolverines- I think these might be the ones he just picked up-



They suck with driving feel though. So either leave your boots in your locker and wear sneakers into work, or get yourself some steel-toed sneakers if they have them on the shoe truck. Not sure how much better they are though.

[ATL_Av8r]

so when a large chunk of something falls on your foot, the top of your foot will be smashed, but your toes will be fine?

[hrama803]

so when a large chunk of something falls on your foot, the top of your foot will be smashed, but your toes will be fine?

Never heard of Steel toe boots?

[Egilbe]

I've had redwings before...oh, you were talking about boots?

[ATL_Av8r]

Never heard of Steel toe boots?

the steel only covers your toes, right? so your toes will come out unscathed, but the rest of your foot is ****ed?

[.LSinLV.]

Never heard of Steel toe boots?

he's a pilot....he only wear loafers, because he's light in the feet.

[hrama803]

I guess it depends on the object and where it hits on the boot.

I used to pick up something and lay it on the steel toe part so I could get a better grip.

[Heathcliff Huxtable]

i've had a yearly boot allowance, being an engineer who regularly visits the field and/or construction sites for extended stays.


i like Timberland Pro, I have these insulated steel toes for winter



i have these LaCrosse Highwall metatarsals for gas well sites

[rsj0714]

Always thought these red wings 2214's were cool. Steel toe and pull on:

[Heathcliff Huxtable]

the steel only covers your toes, right? so your toes will come out unscathed, but the rest of your foot is ****ed?

search "metatarsal boots"

the second ones I posted have steel plates that cover the top of your foot.

[backinthegame]

I guess it depends on the object and where it hits on the boot.

I used to pick up something and lay it on the steel toe part so I could get a better grip.

I do this multiple times daily.

Another vote for Red Wings (the boots, not the badge of manhood). I'm biased though, I was born and raised in Red Wing, Minnesota. I still have friends that work at the only plant left there.

[deucestudios]

Cat makes good steel toes. I'm partial to Doc Martens though.
These might not be great on a bike though.

the steel only covers your toes, right? so your toes will come out unscathed, but the rest of your foot is ****ed?

A typical warehouse forklift polyurethane tire will push a steel toe boot out of the way, it will catch and flatten a sneaker, toes & all.

After what happened to a buddy of mine, I won't split firewood without them...

[mrothwell]

Interesting, what kind of job is it that they pay for a portion of your footwear? You said it's a shop, like a auto shop or like a factory?

Its a factory. And yes, I think its an OHSA requirement that if you have employees working in an area where steel toes are required, you need to give them a $75 dollar shoe voucher. This is the third place I've worked where they have that. The job I'm leaving doesn't require steel toes, but the new one does.

At the steel mill I worked at, they required metatarsal guard boots, and fuuck they sucked. They weighed something like 6 pounds each. They were comfy as hell, but it was like wearing ankle weights.

[pknopp]

Do you have to wear boots? IMO you'll get tired putting boots on all the time.

My last three pair have been these.



We get $80. I've had my current pair for over 2 years and I wear them nearly everyday, work or not they are so comfortable. No problem with riding with them on.

So far I've always been able to find them for the $80. Looks like I might not be able to this time. I actually gave my last two pairs before this pair away and they were worn even longer.

[3Letter]

Can't think of steel toe boots without thinking of this.

[heebz]

Non-conductive 6 inch steel toe Carolina Grizzlies.

If Chuck Norris was to curb-stomp injustice, these are the only boots that could withstand the fallout.

[robhurlburt]

my next pair will be a titanium tip or aluminum tip. mine are so friggin heavy. i have lehigh's BTW, and i had to put a dr. scholls in them and they still suck.

[Chilledman]

Redwings !

[Aonarch]

Non conductive ftw.

[finklejag]

I been working at an Airline for 19 years. I have to wear steel toe boots. I walk on concrete all day long. I buy a new boot every 6 months. I use to buy Redwings for years. I stopped when the price went over $150 and they started to make them in China. The quality went down hill.

Since then, I have tried all kinds of boots. The ones I have been wearing for the last 5 years are these Timberlands. They are really comfortable and light. I pay about $115 locally.

Timberland Pro Titan 6"

[Merc-MarkO]

I love Danner boots, I rotate two pairs of their Acadia line with the steel toe. They're a lot more than $150 though but you get what you pay for. Acadia's are American made and fully repairable. I just had my first pair rebuilt; soles, liner, shank, the works.

[TErak66]

I've been through Red Wings, Cat boots, Timberland's and Skechers. The Red Wings did save my toes a few times but the Skechers were the most comfortable out of all of them. Also they were the lightest of all of them. Though I've always had jobs that require me to walk on concrete. Just go try on a bunch and see which feels the best.

[CDub87]

I've had a pair of these for years and I don't have any complaints with them.
Once they wear out, I'll be getting another pair.
I don't think you can go wrong with any of the Timberland pro boots.

[Surf Green]

i like Timberland Pro, I have these insulated steel toes for winter

I have these, but they don't have heavy insulation. They are really comfortable. I was hesitant to spend $140 on a pair of boots that I would tear up, but I don't regret the purchase at all.

[Heathcliff Huxtable]

I have these, but they don't have heavy insulation. They are really comfortable. I was hesitant to spend $140 on a pair of boots that I would tear up, but I don't regret the purchase at all.

for winter i wear wool socks with the boots, i think these only had 600gram thinsulate.

the only time i ever felt cold in these was in 10-ish degree weather, standing in a stainless steel duct on top of a ridge in west virginia. my legs were numb at that point in insulated coveralls and longjohns

[mrothwell]

I love Danner boots, I rotate two pairs of their Acadia line with the steel toe. They're a lot more than $150 though but you get what you pay for. Acadia's are American made and fully repairable. I just had my first pair rebuilt; soles, liner, shank, the works.

I checked out some danners, and they looked nice, but jeez, they're pricey. Talk about sticker shock.

[mrothwell]

for winter i wear wool socks with the boots, i think these only had 600gram thinsulate.

the only time i ever felt cold in these was in 10-ish degree weather, standing in a stainless steel duct on top of a ridge in west virginia. my legs were numb at that point in insulated coveralls and longjohns

And yea, I don't really need insulation, its pretty hot this particular manufacturing plant.

[robhurlburt]

I love Danner boots, I rotate two pairs of their Acadia line with the steel toe. They're a lot more than $150 though but you get what you pay for. Acadia's are American made and fully repairable. I just had my first pair rebuilt; soles, liner, shank, the works.

how much does it cost to rebuild a shoe?

[2.0T_Convert]

how much does it cost to rebuild a shoe?

When I worked for L.L.Bean we rebuilt the soles of the bean boots for $30.

[Heathcliff Huxtable]

And yea, I don't really need insulation, its pretty hot this particular manufacturing plant.

i think the best for you would be something comfortable, lightweight (think composite toe), with metatarsal protection.