Work boots

[oldballs]

Boots, boots, and boots. At 82 YO, I must have 20 pr of boots. Each boot has a particular function. But I'm retired and not a construction worker. Yet, I have K-Mart Texas Steer that have the soles worn smooth. These are good for slipping into an overshoe in wet or muddy conditions.

A rubber knee high steel toe pr of Gempler's is good for working in the mud or brush especially when wet. Of course there are the Chippewa Harness Strap that are used for dress up. Georgia steel toes are good for working in rock piles and around the tractor with implements.

As I arise in the morning, I slip on my new Danner 11 inch. They are comfortable and usually I wander outside doing something unplanned before really getting on with the day.

And to be brief, one has to mention the insulated boots with good tread to work outside in the winter/snow...don't remember the brand.

Cheers,

Oh, BTW..I use crappy old boots for spray painting ....
Mike

 

[paulharvey]

So far I think I like the Redwing Pecos. I will say I don't think I would pay full price for them, they aren't as comfortable as Justins. The insole and the sole are much harder. The tops are left floppy though, and they are probably just behind the Durashok and Justin orginal work boot in confort. For $85, I'm not complaining. I do notice they are kinda loose around the heel area, but not tooo sloppy. I like the minimal thread, less mud/dirt tracking in the house means less yelling from the wife.

 

[oldballs]

So far I think I like the Redwing Pecos. I will say I don't think I would pay full price for them, they aren't as comfortable as Justins. The insole and the sole are much harder. The tops are left floppy though, and they are probably just behind the Durashok and Justin orginal work boot in confort. For $85, I'm not complaining. I do notice they are kinda loose around the heel area, but not tooo sloppy. I like the minimal thread, less mud/dirt tracking in the house means less yelling from the wife.

There is a cup like insert that one can buy. It will snug up that heel area.

If I'm really muddy and don't want to remove the boots, I have some plastic bootie thingys that will slip over the whole boot. Seems like about the time I'm really getting after it, there comes the bathroom urge.

 

[Wagtail]

There is a cup like insert that one can buy. It will snug up that heel area.

I'll have to look into that. The inside heel is the major wear point of my otherwise comfortable work boots.

I reckon I've worn a heel-hole clear through to the leather on both of them.

 

[RedNeckGeek]

I have pretty wide feet, and had to give up on the Redwings. The boots were well made, but the callouses on the sides of my big toes were just too painful.

Found a pair of Keens at the local shoe store with big steel toe boxes and they feel great. Been wearing them for the last year or so and only problem is breaking off one of the hook eyelets. I could have it fixed at a cobbler, but I end up just skipping that row and the boots still feel fine. The large rubber coverings on the toes and heels look a little goofy, but I spend a lot of time crawling and kneeling around equipment and those "counters" really protect the leather underneath.

I also just purchased a pair of 8" Danners and they feel great, too. Danner has an email list that announces sales, which they have several times a year. Much to my surprise this was the first pair of mail order boots or shoes that fit comfortably; all the rest went back. I almost always buy my shoes/boots in a store nowadays as a result, but the Danner sale prices were just too good to pass up and they offer free return shipping if they don't fit.

 

[Steppenwolfe]

Danner all the way. Used to wear Red Wings, but gave up on lousy sales people, and boots that wore out in 9 months. Check out Danners, most are still made in USA.

 

[bindian]

Has anyone tired Redwing Irish Setter 11" pull ons, 83906 83906 11-inch Pull-On - Irish Setter Work

I wear a size 14, so I'm about 90% sure no one local will have any in stock to try; so if I get them, I'll be ordering most likely. I've had Justins (without steel toe), Wolverine (with and with out steel toe), Ariat (steel toe), and McRae (steel toe, Do Not buy...). I've been told Redwing is one of the best, without going too crazy expensive, but $170 is still a Lot of money in my book.

As a note, I wear my boots pretty much 100% of the time, I don't even own "shoes",

Edit: I'm suppose to wear steel toe at work, and they may pay a part of the bill (upto $65), but I'm not sure; I'm a strange job description, I'm 95% field work, but not classified the same as all the other field guys.

Paul,
I have worn Redwing Irish Setter boots forever. I too, wear boots 100% of the time. Shoes make my tailor's bunions hurt too much. I love the boots. I have soft leather sewn into the archilles tendon area. Redwing does it for $30 a pair. I also swear by their super soft feeling computer insoles. You know the one, you step up on it and the computer tells you which insoles to use. Not cheap...........but well worth it if your feet are pounding concrete all the time at work, like me.
I have two pair of Redwings and alternate days wearing them, as my feet sweat a lot and it gives them time to dry out between wearings.

 

[R_Walter]

Nothing but the Redwing 1155's for me for the last 30 years... I think they're also called the Pecos model. It's always been an excellent work boot for me. If you're used to wearing cowboy boots, the 1155 is similar, but built more for work.

 

[weldingisfun]

I got my Georgia Eagle, composite toe wellingtons Georgia Eagle One Composite Toe Waterproof Wellington Work Boot, GBOT077. Have been wearing them for about a week and they are pretty comfortable. A little lighter than my old Wolverine, steel toe boots.

 

[MacLawn]

Now, this is a great thread!! I've learned to NOT skimp on me feet! Right now, I have been suffering from (wha's it called?) that PHS, painful heel syndrome mess. Feet hurt about all day. And, I need another pair of boots. Also, I have bad back, arthritis, you name it boys, getting older... So, I cannot tolerate bending to lace up and tie me laces, so I must have slip on boots. I used to get the LL Bean rubber bottom slip ons, loved them, but alas, Bean quit making them. Made in Maine too!! Good luck finding anything Made in USA!!

Ok, so Danner, Blundstones, and those Carhartts, eh? Going to check them out online right now...

I just noticed the Blundstones are made in Vietnam. Better than Hecho en Chine, even though I'm a Vietnam vet. Reckon I kind of want to support them a bit now...