Work Shoes?

[Poopdeck Pappy]

Red Wings for me too. They are the most comfortable boot I've ever worn. My pair are 10 years old (or older) and I just can't wear them out.

 

[buck boost]

Danner Boots. Made in Oregon. Can't beat 'um with a stick.

+1 for Danner boots. Just as with red wings, some danners are made in Oregon and some over seas. I really like red wing boots, and I have had a few pair, but they just don't fit my feet right.

I wear Danner power foreman for work, and explorers for hiking and lots of walking. Expensive, but they fit just perfect. I wear a double E and have a tall instep and arch. I can always buy new shoes, but I can't buy new feet!

 

[GManBart]

For a work boot, I'm sticking with Red Wing. They have some less expensive models, but I went for their best, made in the U.S.A., and after just a bit of break in, have been very pleased with them (going on two years).

For hiking, or just casual wear, I have about five or six pairs of Merrell hiking shoes, and slip-on mocs that are super comfortable....they last a long time, and always fit me perfectly.

For hunting boots, I'm a huge fan of Danner....just bought a new pair of Pronghorns (800mg Thinsulate) two days ago after beating the heck out of my old pair for seven years (they're usable, but look awful).

 

[phiferpharm]

Wow. Sorry that happened to your wife. What was she wearing at the time?

Soft casual shoes and socks - Absolutely no foot protection at all. After a lot of pain, a week in the hospital, and several more weeks before she can walk with real shoes on (or be around her critters), I think she has the idea of the importance of proper work shoes. Nothing broken, but 1400 pounds of horse does some serious tissue damage.

 

[MESSMAKER]

Redwings are good but so are a bunch of others. Redwing is just better known. Carolina,Doc Martin,Georgia,Thorogood,Chippewa and Danner are just as good as long as you don't cheap out. Merrill and Keene are comfortable but are a little less substantial. I think Timberland Pro(I think the regular Timberland line pulls it down),Wolverine,Rocky,and Cat are a step below but not bad. If you want to go first class, move up to Wesco,Whites,of Nicks. They cost a small fortune but people have worn the same pair for 20+ years. Whatever you get look at how it is made. Better stuff makes better boot. Vibram soles,quality brass or stainless hardware, thick leather and stitched on welt will be used on the better stuff. A decent pair of boots will cost at the very least $125, probably $200+.

 

[GPintheMitten]

Soft casual shoes and socks - Absolutely no foot protection at all. After a lot of pain, a week in the hospital, and several more weeks before she can walk with real shoes on (or be around her critters), I think she has the idea of the importance of proper work shoes. Nothing broken, but 1400 pounds of horse does some serious tissue damage.

Boy, that caught my attention. We have had horses on and off for decades, mostly on. Been stepped on a few times but never that bad. I find steel toe boots uncomfortable but wear good strong leather boots, as does my whole family. Best of luck to her.

 

[JRobyn]

I like the Timberland "White Ledge" so much that I have owned 4 pair over the past 20 years or so (still have and regularly wear 2 of those pair, the 3rd is my spare/dress pair). They are very lightweight, waterproof, durable, and can be found for well under $100 when on sale. More comfortable on my totally flat and narrow feet than any tennis shoes. Very good support. I can stand in them all day where any other shoes/boots I've ever owned have my feet killing me after 3-4 hours of standing/walking. Here's one vendor, but I see (no surprise) that they are currently sold out.

Timberland Mens White Ledge Mid Hiker-411317 - Gander Mountain

They are designed as hikers and are definitely NOT heavy-duty work boots, but the comfort factor makes up for that for my old feet and legs. They still stand up to plenty of rough outdoor treatment.

- Jay

 

[Wolfy]

I just got the winter 2014 L.L. Bean book. They have Katahdin Iron Works boots. Not cheap at $220, but they are sharp. I may have to hop.

 

[Garandman]

Danner Boots. Made in Oregon. Can't beat 'um with a stick.

This. Though not all their boots are made in US. I have a pair of Fort Lewis, and another pair of similar Goretex-lined combat boots I bought on eBay for $50 and had resolved with new Vibram locally for $65. They are over $300 new so a bargain.

OP, BassPro and Cabelas both have good selections of police "duty boots" which are usually not too high and fairly light. Prices start at around $100 and up.

 

[torchroadster]

I haven't seen Schmidt's mentioned from Tractor Supply. They are Chinese I tried them on after trying many others and fell in love. Five years later I am still wearing the same pair. Only replaced the laces so far, and you can't beat the price.

I also have two pairs of Merrell hiking boots - one low, one high - I also find them to be fantastic, but not really work boots. Wear and quality is excellent.

 

[buck boost]

How and the heck are you guys getting 10+ years out of a pair of boots? If I really nurse these puppies out, I can get four or so years out of pair. Commercial and industrial construction sites are brutal on footwear. And these have been by far the longest lasting, most comfortable boots I have ever worn. Gortex lined, and re-sole-able. Not cheap though. USA made.

Amazon.com: Danner Men's Power Foreman Plain Toe Boots: Shoes

 

[Garandman]

I had new Vibram soles put on at Cabot Shoe Repair. They do a lot of mail order business.

 

[MESSMAKER]

How and the heck are you guys getting 10+ years out of a pair of boots? If I really nurse these puppies out, I can get four or so years out of pair. Commercial and industrial construction sites are brutal on footwear. And these have been by far the longest lasting, most comfortable boots I have ever worn. Gortex lined, and re-sole-able. Not cheap though. USA made.

Amazon.com: Danner Men's Power Foreman Plain Toe Boots: Shoes

I think it helps to not wear your boots every day. If you buy a new pair before your old is completely shot, you can rotate a bit and I think it helps them to last.it just keeps the insides from failing. Another key to long wear is oiling your boots so they don't crack or split. You can put on new soles and buy new laces, but when the uppers go, you are done.

 

[IXLR8]

I had a pair of Wolverine boots that lasted me 12 years, loved them but I didn't take care of them properly. I couldn't find that model again so I bought some RedWings. They cost about $175 and I bought them from a RedWing dealer. I'm not happy with fit and comfort, I need to replace the shoe laces about once a month as they get cut on the eyelets that were not installed properly. So I am looking for something to replace them.

 

[biffnh]

I love my Timberlands. I have four pair that I cycle through depending on need. They are the Pro Series - alloy safety toes on three of them. The newest model Hyperion is amazing! Insulated and light and really comfortable. The Boondock model is great too. Give them a look.

 

[McREBEL]

Wolverine Buccaneer MultiShox Steel Toe Waterproof Wellington Boot W04826

I have had these a few years and am very happy with them. They are light, comfortable, hold up well, no laces (easy on/off), and steel toe. I see the OP wasn't interested in steel toe but I don't even realize the steel toe is there as far as comfort. I believe they come in a non-steel toe also. The best price I found was WorkBootsUSA.com. $110 and free shipping. I am about to get the soles repaired but the upper is still in good shape. I should oil the upper but never have. I already have a new pair waiting when these wear out. I had to buy a half size smaller than I normally wear for a good fit.

I previously had some Timberland Pros that didn't hold up long at all. Apparently they were not the model some others here have. The lower part of the upper was rubber. This is where they failed.

Based on some of the comments here I might give Red Wing a try in the future.

 

[gregfender]

Georgia Giant work boots. Comfortable right out of the box.

 

[varmint]

Seems like "if the boot fits, buy it" should be prime here. Anything that fits well, and looks to be well made should do the trick. I bought a pair of Wisconsin-made Chippewa work boots at a Wis. shoe store going out of business around 1972, for maybe $10, and they were the best boots I have ever owned, by far. Can't say why, but they fit soooo well. I think I had them resoled once, but they just got worn to death. Nothing I have tried since equals them for fit and comfort. Now, I wear Gore tex hiking boots, but no steel toe protectors, of course.

 

[cbroaddus11]

Australian Rossi Boots. Never failed me and last forever. Get some arch support tho.

 

[daveinnh]

My feet like Chippewas boots