Work boots

[Dog paws]

Need suggestions for a good brand of work boot. They don't have to be steeled toed but must be a boot v sneakers to get past the safety inspectors. The ones I'm wearing now are killing my feet especially on the inside of my heel.

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[John I]

Try bargainoutfitters on the net. If you're patient, they will eventually run a good pair in your size on closeout for $20-50.

[Mountain Tile]

I have a lot of problems with my feet, bone spurs in my heels, tendonitus. The only workboots I can wear is the Texas Steer brand from K-Mart, they have support built into them, about 40-50 dollars a pair. Some times they are on sale buy one pair get the second one 1/2 price. :nod:

[cx]

Welcome, John I. :)

It's really not necessary for you to limit yourownself to posting only every five years, ya know. We got plenty bandwidth these days. :D


I've worn Redwing steel toes for lots years, Michael. Not sure they're worth what I gotta pay for'em any more, but my feet and ankles are very happy with them and they're still a hellofa lot less expensive than doctor bills.

One thing I can tell you by lookin' at yours is that you gotta get some Tuff Toe to pewt on the toes of whatever you buy. Stuff is moderately wonderful and saves boot toes like nothing else I've ever tried. Davy Stephens turned me on to the stuff just a couple years ago and I'll not start a pair of boots any more without I first armor the toes with that stuff. :)

Indeed, my boots would likely last me a couple years or more with that stuff, except that the soles can't take but about one season of owling and guiding. Maybe we need to find some Tuff Sole, too. :nod:

[Davy]

I need to get back to wearing boots, I go thru a pair of sneakers within a couple months. Wolverine boots will last me a year, especially if I add Tuff-Toe to the toes. I always hated breaking in a pair of boots but I've found Wolverine to be comfortable right out of the box. :)

[EEEO]

Red Wings are my choice, although I may be a bit biased.

Apparently those Southerners prefer the superior boots of the North as well. :D






(They're made in Red Wing, Minnesota)

[Theold--scottyb]

Were do yins get the tough toe?

[Shaughnn]

Hi Michael,
I love my Redwing 2264's. Steel toe, non-marking soles, extra comfortable, sized to my unusual feet and the flex panel in the heel really allows me flexibility close to a sneaker while I'm kneeling. Try that in another 8" steel-toed boot. :) Obviously, the price is an issue but it's for your own health and you can write them off of your taxes as "tools"/"uniform".
"Tough Toe" is fantastic but before that there was "Shoe Goo". Pretty much any urethane or epoxy will do. Just roughen up the surface of the clean boot and swab it on liberally (or "generously" if you live in a Red State :D ). Most of you encounter butt-tubes of urethane on the job site, from time to time. Just dab a bit on your toe when you do and all will be well. :D
Shaughnn

[cx]

I dissagree strongly with my friend, Shaughnn. Shoe Goo ain't not even inna same class as Tuff Toe. Take it back, Pirate! :mad:

I gotta admit I've use Shoe Goo for dozens of different applications, but shoe toes ain't one of'em. Well, not after the first try, that is. Too soft. Not even tough enough.

Tuff Toe, onna other hand, is some durable pookey. I've used fast-setting epoxy for years, but even that pales in comparison to Tuff Toe.

Where do you get it? Well, I just tell Davy I want to try some and it comes inna mail. :)

I'm hopin' he's gettin' old enough now that when I try that again pretty soon he won't remember he done already sent me some to "try." :D

[Theold--scottyb]

I never wear steel toes. I hate those boots.

[Shaughnn]

CX,
How thick did you put the Shoe Goo on? It's not as durable as "Tough Toe" but it's cheaper and easier than those vinyl caps that some shops try to sell. A tube of Shoe Goo in the glove box can patch a toe at the end of the day and it'll be ready for work come next morning.
"Tough Toe" is distributed through the Red Wing stores. I don't know if it's an exclusive arrangement, but that's where I buy mine. :D
Scott,
I was taught a long while ago that steel toes are preferable to fiberglass toes because fiberglass will allow your toes to be crushed in an accident and steel toes will just chop them clean off, making it easier to re-attach them. Made sense to me and since I've alway had to wear safety boots I've always worn steel toes. A few months back I worked for a few weeks in sneakers and I felt like a complete rebel. Kept thinking that my boss was gonna walk in on me and I'd be BUSTED! Then I remembered that I AM my own boss now. :D But I'm back to wearing my boots again.
Shaughnn

[EEEO]

I've gone back and forth on steel toe boots. In the winter they are a nightmare. I do have a pair of RW's that have a "Tech Toe" which is made of some other space age material developed by NASA(or whatever) that is as strong or stronger than a steel toe but doesn't conduct the cold like steel, unfortunately they're in a pair of uninsulated boots, so who knows. I have noticed that the steel toes I have had the leather on the toes wears out a lot quicker.

[Deane100]

Maybe I outta keep this to myself but here's a secret..

I've got a couple pairs of Tempur-Pedic Slippers(Brookstone). Beyond being about the most comfortable things to wear, they're great for being able to get in and out of them easy... Really cuts down on making a mess when getting in/out of a shower with thinset globs or trucking through a homeowners house a zillion times to get to the saw. Sometimes I'll leave a pair at the door for going out and a pair to wear when inside.

[pitterpat]

Try Keen, they have a rubber cap on the toes already. Comfortable too.

[tileguytodd]

I have a lot of problems with my feet, bone spurs in my heels, tendonitus. The only workboots I can wear is the Texas Steer brand from K-Mart, they have support built into them, about 40-50 dollars a pair. Some times they are on sale buy one pair get the second one 1/2 price.

Kmart Texas Steers work for me ( I always buy the WIDE sizes since they are made by oriental folks who have lil skinny feet ;) )......They are cost effective, comfortable and break in fairly quickly. The top of the line 50.00 a pair retail(NO Steel toe's for this guy)is what I have bought for the last 15 years with only 1 exception.
I Bought Red Wings 1 time after hearing people rave about them. They were very comfortable, had less ankle support and did not last as long for my situational needs.

Red Wings are great for comfort but were 130.00 a pair when I replaced them SO,I use them now only for fall Hunting & Recreational time.

I buy the Steers 2 pairs at a time on sale and wear one for work and the other around on weekends to soften them up. The second pair is nicely loosened up when its time to replace the work pair (ussually 9 months or so depending on how many slab jobs.) I dont use anything on the toes as I have found that by the time the toes do wear out, the rest of the boot is beginning to lose its comfort from basic wear and stress.

Good Comfortable Boots seem to make a big differance at days end.

I have tried a couple of differant pairs of sneakers for tile work and the differance at the end of the day puts me back in boots very quickly......everyone is differant I'm sure, this is simply what works for me at a price I'm happy to pay (around 70.00 for 2 pair)

[MHI]

Timberland Pro in brown, because they go with my other brown leather accessorys.:)

I get the non-steel toe. I work in peoples finished homes, so I got into the habit of not dropping anything.:)

[Dog paws]

Te he he, not sure I could get past the foot patrol with Tempur-Pedic Slippers.
Red Wings sounds like a sure bet.
I've always had a problem with buying anything from K-Mart. Yet being wrong won't be a first.
Who sells Keen?
Tough Toe, I didn't know. Shoe Goo, who new.

As Mama always used to say, "grazie tante".

She also said don't chintz on shoes or a mattress.

[EEEO]

Irish Setter's (made by Red Wing) are my footwear of choice for hunting. Too nice to wear as a work boot though.

[Shaughnn]

Eric,
Thanks for reminding me. I loved Irish Setters when I used to wear them casually. I may just go get a pair,...when I have money again. :D
Shaughnn

[justin savage]

www.tufftoe.com

[Davy]

Tuff Toe is flexible and tuff. I tried epoxy before and it wasn't flexible enough. It would eventually peel away from the leather.

[Hamilton]

I gotta agree with Davy on his post, several back about the Wolverines.
I get mine at a local Army navy store for 85$. Bought me a pair about 7 years ago and they are still in commision. Most comfortable ive ever worn.
I will never go back to the k-mart boots or special deals unless the boot
feels right. Most of the time i rock my Vans but when i do mudwork in excess
i break out the boots to keep the sand out. :dance:

[Theold--scottyb]

I like vans also, but they didnt last very long either.

[tileguytodd]

I've always had a problem with buying anything from K-Mart. Yet being wrong won't be a first.

If it helps, The Shoe Department is actually a seperate entity from Kmart Corp last I heard. Shoe department people get their checks from elsewhere (at least it was that way a few years back)

That said, Not all Texas Steer Boots are created equal and only the top lines are IMHO worth the buck and they are Worth the buck!!

50.00 certainly is not a give away price and comparatively i dont think you could spend that much at for example a Payless on any single pair of anything LOL (of course, who would actually buy anything from Payless???;) )

Ive owned a variety of boots over the years including Wolverines ( I must have gotten a BAD pair because i was severly dissapointed with thier durability.

Dunham used to make a great boot.....Havent been able to find any for years so I figure they either were bought out or they made them too good and sold them too cheap !!

Rocky makes the Best foul weather boot on the planet IMHO..........Spendy and worth it. If you need to slog through mud and water and want dry warm feet........these will get the job done

Red Wing's as I said are very comfortable and hold up well under normal conditions......they just are not as cost effective for a work boot as the Steers (if you can bring yourself to try them :) )

[EEEO]

I forgot to mention I did have a pair of Danner's once that I was really pleased with as well.

[HDtilegrunt]

Dunham used to make a great boot.....Havent been able to find any for years so I figure they either were bought out or they made them too good and sold them too cheap !!

Dunham is now part of New Balance. Same boots with NB sizing oddities. New balance also makes an amazingly comfortable line of steel toes sneakers which I wear daily for work. I pull out my dunhams in the winter months to keep the slushy mess out of my feet.

[jjwq8]

Doc Martens Air Wair. Even the steel toe caps feel good enough to do a Gene Kelly in.

[e3]

I got a pair of Hermen Survivors back when they were still made in the states
about 1975 that I still hunt in...Much more comfortable the my Timberlands..
For warmth Sorrels.

[prashster]

Consider getting custom-made orthodic inserts. They'll improve the performance and comfort of any shoe, and will preserve your feet, knees, and back very well. One pair will last pretty much forever.

In the last few years, the price of these devices has really come down.

[opiethetileman]

I wear flip flops or sperry topsiders all the time. I only wear big shoes for demo days

[Shaughnn]

Jeremy,
I've got news for you. Ever since Doc Marten's sold off the licensing for their brand name, their boots have turned to crap. Used to be a quality work boot. Now it's just a pleather fashion boot that high school kids buy at the shopping mall.
Shaughnn

[Hamilton]

Eric now that im back in cali my Sorrels live in the crawl space above my
garage. :o Shaughnn Docs boots may have gone to hell but i swear one
of my most comfortable pair of leather low tops are my docs :tup1:
In fact when you see me in vegas ill be rockin my Docs or my sketchers.
Both have allowed me hours on end of walking. These are my goto kicks
for amusement parks like Dinny land and cities like vegas.

[tileguytodd]

I wear flip flops or sperry topsiders all the time. I only wear big shoes for demo days

:scratch: Even though I have come to expect the unexpected from you Dan......This has got to be a Florida swamper/contractor thing. :rofl: .....You would show up in flip flops on my jobsite just 1 time and then we'd find you a nice escort to show you to your vehicle so you could go :fish2: :tup2:

[prashster]

Hope you work with very small, round, light tiles ;)

Topsiders? Long live the 80's!!! :)

[opiethetileman]

Todd common budy i am not that dumb. I wear sperry topsiders when i do wood floors so they dont mar the top. I do have work boots for tiling days. Its just hard to find shoes that will last and when I do find them i buy them in bulk.

[Tom Tee]

Juss gimme my ProKnees and steel toe Red Wings an' ship me off ta wurk.

Screwed up my toes over the years crunching them in soft foot wear, only discovered steel toes as of late.

If you intend to do this thing for a life time consider how old guys have messed up and do it differently.

The key is not in the price of your footware or the store who sells them.

Down the road, the key is being able to stand up & walk.

Foot repair surgery scheduled 12/27/06.

Tom T.

[Theold--scottyb]

Rockys are made about 4 hours from me. Talk about getting killer deals. There outlet shoe store is incredible.

[Richard Tunison]

I buy Dr. Scholls soft leather shoes (comfy out of the box) at Wallyworld, sand the toes up, squirt liberally with carb. cleaner with the shoe upside down to avoid getting the cleaner between the upper and sole cause it will release the glue, let sit a few minutes and apply a good coat of hot glue. Sticks forever and touchup's are a cinch. Other parts of the shoe wear out before the toe.

Poor mans tough toe. LOL

[r8ingbull]

I've been a RedWing Boot dealer for 12 years. My personal (very biased)opinion, they are the best. For any one that does floor coverings they need toe protectors. My favorite is a 15$ leather patch stitched on at the shoe shop.

shameless plug 2264 redwings $144.80, everyday price......

If you like a cheaper alternative try the Carhartt boots, made by redwing. Also a full carhartt boot and apparel dealer. Red lined bibs $69.99.....

[Shaughnn]

Hey Bull,
Where's your website link? Do you carry Ben Davis and Dickies also?
Shaughnn

[HemiMan2500HD]

I have to say I have tried a lot of boots and I love the steel toe wolverines. Better than Timperland pros IMO

[cx]

r8tingbull, if you're fixin' to sell your boots hereabouts, you gotta at least be perlite enough to give us a first name to use, eh? :)

How much for 2233s?

How much for 2233s with Tuff Toe already on'em. :D

[r8ingbull]

Where's your website link? Do you carry Ben Davis and Dickies also?

Dickies, yes. Ben Davis, not now. We've been thinking of adding it. My website is under development. heres a preview www.michiganworkwear.com


r8tingbull, if you're fixin' to sell your boots hereabouts, you gotta at least be perlite enough to give us a first name to use, eh?

Fixed my signature. I'll check on the 2233's for you. Wasn't really looking sell boots, just finally found a post I know lots and lots about.

[cx]

Naw, izzok to hawk your boots on a thread where peoples are axin' about boots, Levi. :)

Indeed, mabye we should talk about the official wook boots of the Tile Your World website. I ain't doin' worth a damn tryin' to sell Tilespikes. :D

Pewt that link there in your signature, too. Some folks might wanna give you a peek. Like me, maybe. You got them really good pocket tee shirts ol' Todd Felker talks about sometimes? Says they're good gear.

Any of y'all's stuff make in the US of A?

[Shaughnn]

Levi,
I'm fixin to be in Ionia, MI early part of next year. Maybe I could swing by and say "Hi". My grandma's always going down Hastings-way to visit friends and former employees. She had a women's clothing store there for a number of years called "The Lee-Anne Shoppe". Ever heard of it?
Shaughnn
PS: Do you stock extra-wide sizes? :)

[r8ingbull]

We do stock extra wides. If you're coming in, drop me a line a week before and I will make sure your size is in-stock. We do have wide sizes. Never heard of that store, but I'm only 25 so I will check with a few folks and see what they say.

I gots them fancy pocketed shirts. great shirts. Some of the Carhartt is still USA, mainly the outerwear. The heavyweight stuff is union made in kentucky/tennessee.

[cx]

Levi, my son, if we're fixin' to take over the Carhartt internet bidness, we gotta have more stuff on you web site. :(

And I really got discouraged when I tried to look at coveralls and it said the regular price was........I am not making this up.............$1,050.00, but said I could have'em on sale for not but a mere $1,000.00. And didn't even have a picher of'em to look at. :eek:

Gotta work on that. Oh, yeah, you really do.

And no tee shirts on there. :crap:

But lots and lots and lots of hats. All with abbertizin' on'em. :D

[Tom Tee]

CX,

Maybe a helper comes included inside those $$$$$$$$ overalls.?!?!

Dat's what mine was worth.

TT

[cx]

Can't say, Tom. No picher. :D

This sent in by an astute reader:

"How can a guy who says he's only 25 years old also say he's been in the boot-selling bidness for 12 years?"

And I gotta say I think she's got herownself a good question there. :scratch:

How's that work, Levi? :)

[r8ingbull]

Family business. Being a trade forum and all you'd think lots a folks been working since they was a kid. You know, started working for dad who started working for grandpa kinda thing.

[cx]

Yeah, figgered that must be the case.

So, here you are with a website that doesn't show what you have to sell and people who wanna buy stuff that you say you carry.

How we s'posta reconcile that situation? :scratch:

[stonemason777]

How's about those RED WINGS!!!!!!!!!! I don't where nothing else - and I mean nuttin ELSE!!!!! Even in my leisure time.

[Theold--scottyb]

Might have to try me some of them red wings. Iffin a bunch of us buys them from this fella, do we get the YYW discount? :bow:

[stonemason777]

I moonlighted as a refractorylaborer back in the day and the red wing truck would come right on in bout break time or roach coach time witch ever ur preference! I used to get a pair a month for the mill and two pairs for meeself and the trade. I've come a long way in them thar boot's. I do every possible treatment to them imaginable with great results and swear by them as to why I'm still working all day today. I just can't stand that first nic! My casual wear ( RED WING) top of the line with all the trimmings and fancy insoles and no oil soles - I swear I'd not only eat off of them but wouldn't ever never be ashamed to wear to church. And never been - shamed that es! :tup2: :tigers:

[Dog paws]

Tried on the Texas Steers but the heel of the shoe was pressing up against my ankle. Went to try Wolverines but couldn't find my super wide clod-hopper size. 3rd stop was Red Wings. Bingo. Very comfortable indeed.
Wore them for the first time today. No blisters, no soreness at all. That's unusual for me since it normally takes a couple of weeks for me to break in a new pair of work boots.

r8ingbull - Told the gal there that I saw her $254 2264 boots for $144 and she said they must be seconds!?

No matter, I got me a good pair of work boots. Thanks for the help guys.

Next investment might be a Rac-a-tac.

[Theold--scottyb]

I broke down and bought some Red wings today. After I put on the tough toe, I will give my thoughts.

[stonemason777]

What I usually do is buy the steel toe metatarsal model(4476 6in.), cut it off just above the stitch line then I tape the area off surrounding the toe then liberally apply generous amounts of marine goop(silicone I believe) then I put an application on them everyday after work for about a week. Non-marring and the soles will wear out before your toe will and the extra heigth on the toe for some reason is very comfortable.