Steel Toe SHOES needed... Ideas?

kartracer55 · Oct 1, 2006

Well if I get hired for a job (Interview with the owner this week) I will need steel toe shoes/boots. I really dont want boots, Id prefer something that is more like a normal shoe/sneaker, or maybe a low cut boot.

Any thoughts? I will be standing/working on my feet all day (or however long im working on that day) and will need something comfortable. Has to have a good sole and needs to be able to take grease/oil/gas etc. Any suggestions on brands/models to look at? Only criteria really is that they have to be black. Id prefer not to go over 150, and Id like to stay around 100 if possible. I really dont know how much these go for so Im kinda guessing on the cost here. Ive already checked out mechanix and ringers shoes/boots and none of them have steel toes in them.

Thanks guys

Jim

SuperKid · Oct 1, 2006

Check out Red Wings. They've got all styles of steel toed boots. They've even got steel toed loafers if you want them. Best of all, made in USA. (Atleast the Red Wing brand is, they have chinese made shoes under other brands)

Runum · Oct 1, 2006

When I had to wear them I usually bought Red Wings or Knapp. I think the Knapp salesman came to the shop to sell shoes. They were usually around $100. One time I did buy some Goodyear brand shoes from wallyworld. They were cheap but they were OK. Good luck. :beer:

-lecroix- · Oct 1, 2006

two words -> Red Wing

bmwpower · Oct 2, 2006

I wear Doc Martens steel toe boots. They come in low cut models, too. I like the sole on them more than other boots - more cushiony.

http://www.dmusastore.com/Catalog_List.asp?category=Industrial:Boots

http://www.dmusastore.com/Catalog_List.asp?category=Industrial:Shoes

Special55 · Oct 2, 2006

I haven't had the need for about 12 years but when I worked at the dealer I wore Hanover and was very happy with them.

Not cheap though.

Charles (in GA) · Oct 2, 2006

bmwpower said:
I wear Doc Martens steel toe boots. They come in low cut models, too. I like the sole on them more than other boots - more cushiony.

http://www.dmusastore.com/Catalog_List.asp?category=Industrial:Boots

http://www.dmusastore.com/Catalog_List.asp?category=Industrial:Shoes

I wear a Doc Marten steel toe black work oxford I get from MSC ($144 with shipping and tax). They are very comfortable till the cushon gets some age on it. Walking on hard concrete all day is hard on the shoes and your feet, no way around it.

Used to wear Knapp, they made the same shoe for Sears years ago, not real comfortable, but very durable. Other guys at work tried Red Wing, but found the soles did not hold up and tended to separate.

Charles

PAToyota · Oct 2, 2006

I've been real pleased with my Red Wing boots and I know they have a few "casual" steel toed shoes that I'm considering.

wilbilt · Oct 2, 2006

I used to wear Mason steel toe "work oxfords". My neighbor was a dealer, and they were about $75-$80.

Herb · Oct 2, 2006

I love my Wolverine Durashocks. I've been wearing them for 10 years now,( different pairs), the soles seem to last exceptionally well and they feel like my favorite pair of slippers from day one- very comfortable, very flexible. If you are out shopping, at least try on a pair. I will never use anything else again.

DIGGER_DAVE · Oct 2, 2006

RED WING. They now have a line - "Dakota" - that has a steel toe AND a steel sole plate. (in case you step on a nail) Oil resistant sole.

Very comfortable, black or brown, look like a dress shoe.
One extra; if you need orthodic inserts, they can be used.

So far; so good! I like mine.

atch · Oct 2, 2006

my current pair are Red Wings. i don't know if the soles are seperating or what, but they squeek with every step. other than that i've been really happy with them.

i've only had two pairs in my life. the others were an off brand that had hollow soles/heels. when they wore through on the corners they were shot, even though the tops were like brand new. so when i went looking again i insisted that the soles be solid material; recommend you do the same. b-t-w, getting the first ones resoled was going to cost as much as buying new ones.

Pointbock · Oct 2, 2006

I think Red Wing has the style you're looking for, but I'll second the comfort of Wolverine Durashocks. Congrats on the new job.

KJF470 · Oct 2, 2006

Red Wing brand is good, $120 and up! Red Wing also has Works (spelling?) which start at $89. Another brand to consider is Timberland Pro for $120!

jfelbab · Oct 2, 2006

I like BA Mason shoes made in Chippewa Falls, Wisconsin since 1904. Very high quality and good value. Free catalogue.

http://www.bamason.com/

volvo · Oct 2, 2006

Herb said:
I love my Wolverine Durashocks. I've been wearing them for 10 years now,( different pairs), the soles seem to last exceptionally well and they feel like my favorite pair of slippers from day one- very comfortable, very flexible. If you are out shopping, at least try on a pair. I will never use anything else again.

I second That !!

HERB ...You took the very words that I was thinking. I buy these shoes 5 pairs at a time and change them out every 2 years needed or not. Man they are so comfy and wear like iron. I haven't seen anything better out there from day one, from one of the pickyist bastards there ever was...H

KeukaDan · Oct 2, 2006

I currently wear Red wing oxfords, timberland pro shoes and boots and have worn Wolverine Durashocks. The wolverines were very comfortable I just havent bought a new pair to replace the old ones. The Red Wings I have are their low oxford steel toe and are strong and comfortable. I also have two pairs of timberland pro steel toe shoes. If you go for timberland go for the pro as they are much better quality. As for the Red Wings, I get mine as seconds from an outlet. 50% off and they usually just have a scuff or something small on it. I also know that people I work with have been happy with Sketchers, Doc Martens, Bates, and Carolina.

The other thing to think about is depending on where you work, they may reccomend a local place that is good for safety shoes. Many companies even offer a safety shoe budget. As an engineer in a production facility I get 2 pairs of safety shoes a year that I can either buy on my own and get reimbursed, or I can get from one of our suppliers or the traveling shoe trucks.

fordman · Oct 2, 2006

i have always used and liked red wings..good boots

alankulwicki7 · Oct 2, 2006

I've got a pair of Red Wing boots and a pair of Skechers hiker style boots. The Red Wings are the typical steel toe work boots and are very comfortable but they did need some breaking in. The Skechers look like hiking boots and are low cut but also have a steel toe. They are slip resistant (in oil and water) and rated for electrical hazard. They are very comfortable right out of the box and I think I paid about $70 for them.....

JMO,

EdNJ · Oct 3, 2006

kartracer55 said:
Any thoughts? I will be standing/working on my feet all day (or however long im working on that day) and will need something comfortable. Has to have a good sole and needs to be able to take grease/oil/gas etc.

Will you be working on an oily floor? I found my current pair of work shoes at Walmart of all places. They're low-cut boot,steel toe,and the soles work great on oily floors. I'm surprised by how comfortable these cheapass shoes are. Almost all my coworkers use similar shoes,kmart or walmart specals. We usually go through two pairs of work shoes a year,the toe areas get all torn up using the tire machines or from kicking our lista toolboxes that lock themselves for no apparent reason :wtf:

The sole design look like the ones sold here http://www.shoesforcrews.com. I was actually going to order from that place,but chanced upon these walmart specials. I think the ones I have are called Safety Trax.

Rrumbler · Oct 3, 2006

http://www.lehighsafetyshoes.com/

The last pair of steel toes I bought were Lehigh's. They were comfortable, durable, rebuildable, and I passed them on to somebody else who could use them, after wearing them for over ten years. I highly recomend them.

Charles (in GA) · Oct 3, 2006

Rrumbler said:
http://www.lehighsafetyshoes.com/

The last pair of steel toes I bought were Lehigh's. They were comfortable, durable, rebuildable, and I passed them on to somebody else who could use them, after wearing them for over ten years. I highly recomend them.

Goes to show you how different peoples feet (and jobs are) I had a pair of Lehigh work oxford steel toes, and prayed for the day when they were worn out enough to trash them. Hurt my feet more than any shoe I'd ever worn. At my job the average shoe life is 1 to 2 years (airline maintenance hangar). Alot of the comments about Red Wings have been good here on the board, at work I don't know of a single person who ever complemented them, I suppose its a function of the type of work you are doing.

Charles

mikeyr · Oct 3, 2006

I had to have steel toed shoes for the first time in my life about 3 months ago and Sears did not have any in stock, I was quite upset to go to Red Wing and buy some very expensive shoes for a one week welding class.

I got back from the class and promptly went and purchased Red Wing motorcycle shoes even though I already had 2 pairs of motorcycle boots, now I have one pair the other 2 got thrown away.

That is how good Red Wings are ! easily the most comfortable work shoe/boot I have worn and I wear my work boots often all day including around the house until bed time unlike in the past when I got home and immediately took work boots off and put something comfortable on. I also wore my motorcycle boots on a several mile hike a few weeks ago. 2 pairs of Red Wings and I will never look for another brand. When I tell people the cost of the welding class, my wife always mentions "plus the cost of 2 pairs of shoes" Not the cheapest but the best.

kartracer55 · Oct 3, 2006

Thanks for all the input guys. I got hired (new thread about that later). I really have no idea what to go with now because I have gotten tons of good reviews from a bunch of different brands. Im just going to have to try a few on and figure it all out.

THANKS!

Jim

Fast Orange · Oct 3, 2006

Jim-
Of all of the steel toed shoes I've worn ,my favorites are the RedWings-comfortable,durable and most importantly,lightweight.I had to have steel toes for work for over 15 years,tried almost every brand. Go to a good shoe store that has somebody who knows how to fit shoes-if you're going to be on your feet all day,your boots have to fit right.Don't fall for the urban myth about shoes getting more comfortable after they break in-good shoes,properly fitted will be comfortable from the start.
Another word of advise-if you're going to be doing any welding,machine work or outside work,stay with a boot,not a low shoe.Besides keeping hot BBs and chips out of your shoes,the extra ankle support ain't a bad thing.

George

atch · Oct 4, 2006

Fast Orange said:
...Another word of advise-if you're going to be doing any welding,machine work or outside work,stay with a boot,not a low shoe.Besides keeping hot BBs and chips out of your shoes,the extra ankle support ain't a bad thing.

George

good advice!

Steel Toe SHOES needed... Ideas?

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