SAFETY TOE BOOTS OR NOT.

[s219]

There are special boots for chainsaw work.

I had a pair years ago. Only tolerable in winter in my part of the US. The rest of the year they were so darn hot I couldn't tolerate them. Same problem with wearing chaps in the peak of summer here.

I came across a logging safety video that mentioned striking a balance between protective equipment and dehydration/heat-exhaustion in hot climates, and it made me realize it's all about managing the risks.

 

[Redlands Okie]

I do not even own a pair of tennis shoes

Steel toe boots worn 99.9 % of the time. Do have some western dress boots, not sure when I last wore them.

 

[Citydude]

I’ve had a 750# box blade fall on the tip of my steel toed boot. Imprinted the edge on it. Another time, a 4x8 sheet of osb fell off a Sheetrock jack from 9 feet up the wall, slid down and hit the same toe. Saved my toes again.

If your on the klutzy side like myself, wear em.

 

[3930dave]

Last 2 bought - insulated with Composite armour, above ankle height. A bit warm in Summer, but I live with it for Winter performance. I don't throw money around lightly, but will continue to pay extra for non-steel protection. Worn on tractor duty.

For the guys wearing them 24/7...... my wife indulges my hobbies, but that would get me kicked out of bed !

Depends on your background..... if you've had structured industrial safety training, you're more likely to wear safety boots on a tractor. Most sane people don't plan on having accidents, and too many stories start with "I was about to go out, and just went to quickly move/do/shift _____________________ before I left....".

After a while, it's just a reflex. To pick another example, I'd sooner be wearing only a thong in public (and, I'm not a beach guy) than get on my MC w/o wearing ALL my armour. MC riders should get it w/o explanation, but once in a while, protection ankle-up matters on a tractor too.

Rgds, D.

 

[CobyRupert]

I had a pair years ago. Only tolerable in winter in my part of the US. The rest of the year they were so darn hot I couldn't tolerate them. Same problem with wearing chaps in the peak of summer here.

The key to wearing chaps in summer is to just not wear any under layers for better ventilation.
Just make sure the chainsaw has a long bar as the neighbors tend to complain if you have to bend over to make cuts.

 

[Jstpssng]

I had a pair years ago. Only tolerable in winter in my part of the US. The rest of the year they were so darn hot I couldn't tolerate them. Same problem with wearing chaps in the peak of summer here.

I came across a logging safety video that mentioned striking a balance between protective equipment and dehydration/heat-exhaustion in hot climates, and it made me realize it's all about managing the risks.

Safety boots have come a long ways in the last 10 years. They are a lot lighter and more comfortable. I know what you mean though; I have a pair of the big heavy rubber boots with Kevlar, and they hurt my feet so badly that I don't wear them. Yet 30 years ago a college kid worked with us cruising timber while on break...we would go 4-6 miles per day and he wore those same heavy boots every day all summer long. He would freeze a couple of 2 litre soda bottles at night and wrap them in towels, carrying them in 2 fanny packs with one strapped on front and the other behind him.

 

[Redlands Okie]

The key to wearing chaps in summer is to just not wear any under layers for better ventilation.
Just make sure the chainsaw has a long bar as the neighbors tend to complain if you have to bend over to make cuts.

 

[ruffdog]

The key to wearing chaps in summer is to just not wear any under layers for better ventilation.
Just make sure the chainsaw has a long bar as the neighbors tend to complain if you have to bend over to make cuts.

Yeah, but then it takes at least a few showers to get all them saw chips out from who knows where.

 

[Cat_Driver]

My wife sometimes helps me in the shop. I have many, many, many discussions with her about safety. In one ear out the other.
I offered to buy her steel toe shes/boots, but she gave me every excuse there is.
Then one day she dropped a heavy steel base on her toes. Her toes darn near exploded in her sneakers.
They turned black and blue for almost a month. Losing the nail on ner big toe.
Guess who wears steel toe boots when she helps me now?

 

[Ford850]

Keen and steel all the way. Keen makes some light vented steel toe boots very nice for mowing in the heat

My son wears Keen steel toe boots, and loves the big toe box area compared to most others.