Most comfortable boot recommendations

[davesl708]

I might suggest getting a next size wider boot in what ever brand you choose. Give the foot a little more room to move when flexing.

 

[rswyan]

I currently have a pair of 6" Ariat lace-up hiking boots that I normally wear which I find to be very comfortable. Think I've had them for a couple of years, so far no problems. Don't remember where I got them.

 

[Illini22]

Westcoast boots ( westco) are in my opinion the best boot you could buy. I've had 2-3 pairs of the high liner over the past 25 years (they rebuild not just resole them up to 3 times) but recently bought at a HUGE discount a pair of there harness boots. I've also had dozen or so pairs of red wings which are decent boots. Westcoast will also custom make (my high liners were) your boots by giving them 10-12 different measurements of your feet. You will not find a better leather boot but than Westcoast.

 

[Zerk]

Good socks make a world of difference. I wear nothing but merino wool socks. Heavy in winter, light in summer. Even though they don't have holes, I buy new ones every year for work, and old ones are used are around house and off work. I am starting to wear the old ones less and less.

Socks don't get holes, but they wear. You need to tumble dry or hang on a rack. Which may be more than some want to do.

 

[Zerk]

I might suggest getting a next size wider boot in what ever brand you choose. Give the foot a little more room to move when flexing.

I am not sure which way I go here.

I have custom orthotics, which are wide. Sometimes the wide boots feel like less support on sides. Though you can just lace them tighter.


I wore slip on boots for years. I look at them now, more as lazy mans boots. I like the support of lace up. I damaged my foot in an accident though, and my other foot gets favored.


I also recomend good inserts, and changing them out often, or get customs.

 

[Zerk]

Like Meindls with cork for hiking and after work. I think I need new cork one one pair. I liked them so much, bough a pair for my camp.

Work, I try all kinds of stuff. Been wearing timberland pros a bit, there insulated safety is good. I also got American made rebooks with safety toe, 8" lace up, air force boots. Lots of guys at work wearing keens these last few years.

I also really like the big toes now, or asymetrical toes they call it. Why boots ever came rounded was a screw up, especially when you figure your big toe is on the outside.


If you work for a living, and itemize your taxes, you can put your boots down. Granted not much, but something.

 

[om21braz]

Without question - Browning kangaroo hides. Lightweight, practically no breakdown time and not too stiff.

 

[Zerk]

Also depends on work or play. I spend most of time in safety toes, even after work, I just don't take them off. Some folks I know take their work boots off when driving even. I like a good boot.

 

[SARG]

Bates or Wolverine (same company). No break in required and currently the zero mass boot is all I wear ( come in sage , desert & black )

 

[Zerk]

I have had some stiff bates, depends on model. I do like trying some of these non traditional work boots. For years, most of us, only looked at Wolverine or Red Wing. Also Danner and Magnum.

 

[Lineman North Florida]

Westcoast boots ( westco) are in my opinion the best boot you could buy. I've had 2-3 pairs of the high liner over the past 25 years (they rebuild not just resole them up to 3 times) but recently bought at a HUGE discount a pair of there harness boots. I've also had dozen or so pairs of red wings which are decent boots. Westcoast will also custom make (my high liners were) your boots by giving them 10-12 different measurements of your feet. You will not find a better leather boot but than Westcoast.

If you spend more than a couple of hours a day in your tools, I couldn't agree more, not as much climbing as there used to be.

 

[dieselcrawler]

Beowulf... what boots did you end up with?

 

[cat fever]

Hy-test is all I wear at work. 12 hour shifts, and safety toe. No break in time and comfortable.

 

[beowulf]

Beowulf... what boots did you end up with?

Well, I was hoping there would be sort of a favorite or front-runner here, but it seems there are almost as many recommendations for a comfortable boot as there are boot brands. I guess that is good news - that there are a number of comfortable boot brands out there. Anyway, I went to town and tried on a number of boots - boot brands, but have not yet purchased a pair. I almost pulled the trigger on a pair of Wolverine boots, but they did not have a wide size in the one I wanted. I will be getting back to town in a week or so but if I can't find what I want at least now, I think, I have pinned down the size I want and feel more comfortable if I need to get the right boot and size on-line.

 

[dragoneggs]

Do you happen to have an REI store near you? Not sure they are national but they have a great selection of hiking boots that can double as work boots I have found. Also the employees at our stores are all hikers and very knowledgeable on boots brands for different kinds of feet and terrain. Again, REI might not be local to you but I see they have a store in Sacramento, Fresno, and Stockton. Any that might be close to you? REI started in Seattle long ago (1930s) and is a cult store around here with 60ft climbing walls inside the store and a whole bunch of top of the line recreational/hiking equipment. Very cool store with high quality products. Hopefully they are keeping up with the customer service as they spread nationally. No affiliation.

 

[beowulf]

Do you happen to have an REI store near you?

Thanks for the suggestion. You know, I did not even think about REI. I will check that out. There is a store in Fresno - about an hour away. And because I have had great experience with hiking boots being very comfortable and because the boots I need for "work" do not have to be "work" boots (that is, they are not going to be abused that much), comfortable hiking boots may be the best option for me.

 

[BrokeFarmerJohn]

Well, I was hoping there would be sort of a favorite or front-runner here, but it seems there are almost as many recommendations for a comfortable boot as there are boot brands. I guess that is good news - that there are a number of comfortable boot brands out there. Anyway, I went to town and tried on a number of boots - boot brands, but have not yet purchased a pair. Snip
.

I followed for the same reason, I'm in the market for a pair of work shoes or boots for work, my only requirement is they have to be all black.

For home I have a pair of Justin square toe work boots, I had to buy them for a wedding and chose them over the ariat's for looks, the Ariat's were a bit more comfortable. I have beat my Justin's up, currently there my only fully waterproof boot so when I'm dealing with my cattle I slip those on, the cattle have stepped on my feet before and there stuff enough I felt it but it didn't hurt, I have never found a comfortable pair of steel toes. So far I'm about 6 months in on the Justin's, there still fully water proof. I bought them at "The Boot Barn" in chattanooga Tennessee, took a long bike ride, we don't have the boot barn around here.

I was gonna hunt for boots tomorrow.

My current boots are Thorogood Shoes Work Boots, Comp, Mn, 7, Blk, PR 84-619 7M | Zoro.com, my work bought boots for all the guys, there a year old and didn't hold up well, there also hot even know they have breathable fabric.

I have a Rocky Boot store in Nelsonville Ohio at a old boot factory that shut down about 10 years ago, the China made boots they sell now aren't good, they don't stay dry, I have had 6 pairs of boots from them, the best pair was the one that was made in that original factory, the rest, I haven't been impressed with. Which is a **** shame. There boots were awesome.

 

[Redlands Okie]

Seems I usually end up with Red Wings. Carolina and Georgia brand boots have been fine a couple times. I wear steel toe daily for work. Have a pair of Irish Setter hiking boots that have been great on hunting trips over the years. Bought a cheaper pair of Rocky hunting boots for a back up pair and so far they seem ok. Justin and Tony Lama western style casual wear slip on boots have held up and been comfortable over the years. I wear a narrow boot, size B. Have noticed over the years that not many boot brand lines are available in such a narrow size. Also have noticed that the boot brand lines that are offered in size B seem to be a more comfortable and better built line of boots compared to the generic medium, wide, extra wide stuff being sold so much now a days. Perhaps the manufactures are just not going to waste their time on offering such narrow boots in anything but their better products. Just a guess and no factual info to go with the theory. I resole my boots several times usually so they need to be well made and comfortable to be worth it.
The gel insoles mentioned by several are also well worth it.
May take some effort to get what your comfortable in and it may be a bit pricy but it's worth the effort.
One last comment is that years ago I had a old man in West Texas tell me there was three things to never skimp on in life. Buy good boots, hats and mattresses. Your going to be in one or two of them at all times all day long, every day. I assume your hat is the first thing you put on when you get up

 

[gsganzer]

I have never found a comfortable pair of steel toes. So far I'm about 6 months in on the Justin's, there still fully water proof. I bought them at "The Boot Barn" in chattanooga Tennessee, took a long bike ride, we don't have the boot barn around here.

Broke farmer,
See if you can find a pair of Tony Lama steel toes. Tony Lama Snyder's in brown/blue are what I wear daily (even when I'm not on job sites) Here's a pair in black. Tony Lama Snyder Black

These have a nice wide toe box and don't pinch. They're the most comfortable boots I own (outside of my Lowa and Zamberlan hunting boots)

 

[hslogger]

Nicks Handmade Boots – Handmade In The USA
I realize you probably don't wanna wait, or spring for some thing like this but someone might.
Most people buy boots in a box.Same boot for every one.
Cheap boots now days aren't made stateside, aren't made in Europe, and aren't made to be rebuilt or used for a long time. They are dufer throwaway boots.

Nicks sells em off the rack or made to order.
Best way to get a custom boot is to get measured by one of their agents, eliminates the risk of getting your measurements wrong.
These boots are made to last and be right.