Work Shoes?

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Help me understand why you think another TBN member would purposely lie?

I think people get motivated to call someone out without proof because they have their own "trust" issues. I think it an ungentlemanly thing to do wherever this gets inflicted and it gets done more than it should here especially by new or youngish members. If he had doubts, I can understand instead of going right to "you're a liar" and think it more appropriate to ask questions to find out the variables and keep an open mind. Steel toed boot have saved many a hurtful toe but I still think it is prudent to be careful around horses from what I've seen and buy a real good shoe . Thanks for your support Mike but it's time to let this go.

 

[aczlan]

If you wish to rely on "MythBusters" that it can never happen, that's up to you. A half inch deflection can certainly trap someone's foot if their toes are already touching the top of the boot. I've SEEN it happen. If you are giving more credentials to statistics, you certainly have the right to take the chance especially with steel from China. A horse hoof and a woman's foot have about the same sq inch of surface area except on that one foot, a 1400# horse is exerting almost 350# on one foot. Now multiply this by a rearing, stamping horse and then take into consideration if the horse has steel shoes and then take into consideration what part, angle of force and axis of that steel horse shoe does the striking and then take into account if the wearer of shoes is on soft ground or a cement floor. No one here can tell me your feet are 100% protected with cheap, steel toed boots and how that piece of steel is supported within the shoe and my proof is my own eyes. Period. Now everyone can do whatever they want and I shall do the same.

Sorry, I wasn't trying to say that what you saw didn't happen. Just wanted to point out how much force a steel toe has to take.
Now, will my Bellville boot hold up to more weight on the cap than the one from walmart? I dont know. Both claim to have passed the same test and I hope to never test them to make certain they actually work.

Aaron Z

 

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Sorry, I wasn't trying to say that what you saw didn't happen. Just wanted to point out how much force a steel toe has to take.
Now, will my Bellville boot hold up to more weight on the cap than the one from walmart? I dont know. Both claim to have passed the same test and I hope to never test them to make certain they actually work.

Aaron Z

Years ago Aaron I had a cheap pair of steel toed shoes that i wore for 1 week. The steel part cut into my sock while simply doing daily chores. I shudder to think what could have happened if I got stepped on. I just did not want the thread contributor to think that a steel toe was a total panacea against hoof impact especially not knowing what this person was prone to buy. Also, I never made a statement of "amputation". I said the shoe had to be cut to relieve the pressure of the steel part pressing down on the toes of the two individuals who I saw this happen to. I'd wear the Walmarts to split wood with. I wouldn't trust these shoes around horses however no matter what they are supposed to be rated at and would prefer to wear the the Bellevilles while still being "careful".

 

[Raised on a Deere]

Lots of interesting ideas, and I had fun show shopping. Considered various ones mentioned here but there was a red wing store close at hand so after a frustrating evening at sears looking at some good deals on Timberland Pros they just could not get me a fit on anything I wanted. That was a struggle because I wasn't too clear on what style I wanted but I would have walked out with something if they fit.

Stopped by the Red Wing and similar frustrations ensued. They put me on that foot sizer thing that makes a pretty picture of the pressure points of my foot contact with floor and said my size was 10 1/2 d. Well everything I tried on was just super big with too much room to work out in a work situation. I was trying between the 1170 boot $2016 and a lace up one around $206 msrp, I forget the model number. Wasted a lot of time figuring out that I really needed 9 1/2, same size I wear in everything else and then tried everything in stock. One would be tight here and another would be tight there. In the boots of the 9 1/2 size if I found one that fit the left foot, the right one would not even go on my foot, no matter how hard I tried. Found a pair finally that fit but there was a defect such that the waterproof lining would bunch up under my heal as I pulled the boot on. It clearly was a defect. So no dice. Took a pair of lace ups home and tried them for a day. Almost immediately the right one was extremely loose at the heel. Decided that was not going to work so I took them back and told the store owner that I willing to try more if he got fresh stock. They called me yesterday and so in the meantime I had received a black Friday coupon for 20% off. Went into store and tried on the boot and by golly it felt really good albeit a bit snugger than I felt good about but decided that would make for a good breakin to fit my foot. So for $172 I have a pair of boots that fit really well. I was a little concerned last night as I sat around in them because my foot felt cramped. But today when I put them on they felt great and I planned on wearing them a few hours and giving it a rest but with my hopping all around the shop today, up and down under the truck doing brake caliper replacement, then yard work, they just never got uncomfortable and by end of day I realized I have finally found a boot that feels good, walks good, stable on the steep yard and just gave a feeling of confidence as I kicked around here and there.

I said all that to say this. Red Wings seem to vary within their sizes so just hang in there. The store never rushed me but I do believe they thought I must not really want a pair of red wings. They have a 30 day fit satisfaction warranty of some sort and you just have to keep trying if you want their shoe. While I was in the store I saw customer after customer come in and ask for a certain shoe, try it on, walk up the cash register and pay and walk out. I don't know if I have funny feet, am just picky or what but eventually I got a boot I was sure did not exist, one that fits and walks good. Some people just cannot wear boots, unless they just want to and are willing to keep trying.

I like these so well I may go back and get some lace ups that have room for extra socks for the cold weather.

 

[networker1]

I've bought them all!.....Danner has a GREAT light weight, can't wear out...VERY COMFORTABLE hiking boot that I wear working my L-48; I also highly recommend KEEN Sumitt County 3's for comfort, toughness and keeping your feet warm in cold weather without feeling too bulky! Both of those brands have SUPERIOR comfort and built like a Kubota L-48!

 

[rScotty]

I think a boot choice has a bit to do with where you live. We live high up in the Rocky Mountains, so the need is for an all weather walking boot that stands up well to ice, snow, and broken granite rock. We don't have mud, and where dirt is common lower down we tend to have sand. Trees are pine, fir, cottonwood, & aspen.
I wore various RedWings for years. They are popular around here as a warm weather boot. When younger, I wore mine year round and thought it a great boot - these are the traditional high top, round toed, laceups. About the only downside was I always wished they came a few sizes wider.

Today, many folks in our community wear Propets. The company gave away some boots in our community here a few years ago and that's all it took for people to start buying them. Favorites are either the Propet Camp Walker or for heavier use the Propet Cliff Walker. The Cliff Walker is specifically good in snow and wet sand. Propet's claim to fame is comfort. They come in wider sizes than any other boot - up to 5E in width. Propets last surprisingly well, but but I think the Redwing or Chippawa are the champions at long-lasting. The Propet wins hands down at comfort.
rScotty

 

[MESSMAKER]

No one has mentioned any 'non leather' boots.

At about age 45 I developed an allergy to leather and I can no longer wear anything leather. It is very difficult to find any footwear that is not leather.

I would love to hear suggestions for work shoes/boots that do not contain any leather. (Real leather or imitation leather) The allergy is actually from the products used to tan the leather.

Other than something like "Muckboots" I suspect you are out or luck. Leather is pretty much the material of choice for work boots. You might find something more on the athletic side of things that uses synthetic.

 

[Baby Grand]

Be careful with steel toes around horses Phif. More than once I've witnessed shoes having to be cut off a person who just got stepped on because the steel toe collapsed and trapped their foot in the shoe. Their foot looked no better than your wife's either. I got stepped on last year (28 years with the beasts) with a pair of Sketchers on. Real hard leather in the toe. Came out with a broken pinky but I could get the shoe off afterward without any drama.

I got tagged to visit one of our manufacturing sites on the other side of the country. They won't let you in the plant without steel toed shoes. My right foot is size 13, the left one is 13.5; both are AA narrow. Nobody makes shoes in 13.5, unless you get them cu$tom made. I usually have to settle for a 14 D, sometimes I get lucky and find a pair of 14 B's. So the company uses one safety shoe supplier, about an hours drive from me. I go there, all rush-rush, so I can go on this big trip the next day. The sales gal measures my foot and says "Okay, size 14 ... we'll see what we have in the back in a 16. " I said "WHAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAT!?!". She said they always ordered steel toes 2 sizes over, just in case something crushes the steel toe box so it won't amputate the toes. Oh, and they only had one pair to choose from: EEE width. Luckily, that trip got scrubbed at the last minute, but I still keep the clown shoes in my closet, just in case. I'm scared to wear them for fear I'll trip walking down stairs or trying to get out of the way of a shop forklift. I'll take my chances with a light, close fitting pair of boots that let me be as agile as this old body can possibly be. I'm of the "better to avoid a collision than just survive one" school on work boots and cars.

 

[rScotty]

I got tagged to visit one of our manufacturing sites on the other side of the country. They won't let you in the plant without steel toed shoes. My right foot is size 13, the left one is 13.5; both are AA narrow. Nobody makes shoes in 13.5, unless you get them cu$tom made.

I have the opposite problem - really wide duck feet.
Closest I've found to custom made shoes are some of shapes by New Balance. They make extremely narrow to really wide and use 5 different lasts (foot models). So I can sort through their offerings for shoes that fit my duck feet! Take a look at the bottom of the page. Not many shoe manufacturers offer to fit such a variety of foot shapes.

Joe's New Balance Outlet - About New Balance

On the other hand, NB shoes are kinda expensive for a mass-produced shoe; I buy from their online outlet store.
rScotty

 

[Baby Grand]

I have the opposite problem - really wide duck feet.
Closest I've found to custom made shoes are some of shapes by New Balance. They make extremely narrow to really wide and use 5 different lasts (foot models). So I can sort through their offerings for shoes that fit my duck feet! Take a look at the bottom of the page. Not many shoe manufacturers offer to fit such a variety of foot shapes.

Joe's New Balance Outlet - About New Balance

On the other hand, NB shoes are kinda expensive for a mass-produced shoe; I buy from their online outlet store.
rScotty

I'm a big fan of NB. Been getting sneakers and trail shoes from them for many years via the Active Soles catalog. I have had dismal luck with their Dunham line, though. 3 pairs of great looking, comfortable shoes that fit like a Cinderella slipper, but they all went SQUONK, SQUONK, SQUONK after a few months. I'm done with Dunham, but noticed some nice new boots on the NB side. NB are almost the only shoes that I can ever find in a 14B size.