Best boots?

[IFMJohn]

I'm on my feet up to 15 hours in a row, mainly on concrete surfaces (shop and retail stores). I've been wearing these Catepillars. I liked them initially and they worked great for a few months. The leather still looks great on them but they are killing my feet. They have lost all support and my feet are screaming at me by the end of the day.

I'm looking for new boots that are very comfortable and last. Anyone have any recommendations? I'm looking for something that is steel toe. It must be oil and slip resistant (not up to me, it's an insurance thing).

I'm looking at these:
http://www.zappos.com/timberland-pr...ed-nubuck-leather?zlfid=191&ref=pd_sims_sdp_1

What about Red Wing Shoes? I hear they have amazing boots.

 

[TAMPAGT07]

I just picked up a pair of Haix boots, but they are not steel toe'd...They also are very narrow...I'm sure I really needed to get them in wide...

 

[NorCalWrenchin]

I've heard lots of good things about Timberlands, never owned a pair. These boots are fantastic http://www.danner.com/product/work/super-rain-forest-plain-toe-200g-work-boots.html a little pricey, but well worth it! Been wearing Danner boots for 10 years

 

[IFMJohn]

I've heard lots of good things about Timberlands, never owned a pair. These boots are fantastic http://www.danner.com/product/work/super-rain-forest-plain-toe-200g-work-boots.html a little pricey, but well worth it! Been wearing Danner boots for 10 years

I should have expected nothing less than $300 boot recommendations from this forum .

Those are a bit out of my price range. I'm looking maybe in the $150 range.

 

[jerryW]

Chippewa! I've actually got 2 pair that I switch off days with. My feet used to kill me after about 6 hours at work, now I cam go all day with no discomfort. The ones I use are what are called Logger style.


jerry

 

[NorCalWrenchin]

http://www.zappos.com/wolverine-tarmac-comp-toe-6-boot-black
Had a pair of these too. Damn good! Mine were the brown ones.

 

[lotsoftools]

For me having good insoles makes more of a difference than the boots themselves. I've used Sorbothane insoles in every pair of boots I've owned for the last 10 years or so.

 

[schmoldty]

red wings are good. and keen

 

[IFMJohn]

One of the major issues I've faced buying boots is finding boots that advertise "Oil and slip resistant". Many boots say on the tag or on the bottom of the boot that they are oil resistant but not a whole lot advertise it. That's one of the major reasons that I bought those Catepillars originally.

"Slip-, oil-, heat- and abrasion-resistant T3 rubber outsole delivers reliable traction over wet, dry and oily surfaces."

 

[Chadwilliam1]

For me having good insoles makes more of a difference than the boots themselves. I've used Sorbothane insoles in every pair of boots I've owned for the last 10 years or so.

I concur. I have orthotics and they have been the best thing for my feet. I switch them between every pair of shoes I have. I wear Thorogood boots union made in the USA. Worth every penny I needed a new pair of laces after about a year. So i emailed them my size and the model number and they mailed me out two new sets. I wont pay $175 for a pair of Chinese boots. When these are top quality for the same price.

http://www.thorogoodworkboots.com/

 

[mofo62]

.

Cat steel toe.

V!

 

[AlexNGreen]

I had the same problem in the past. Boots look great and my feet and knees are killing me at the end of the day. Finally got wise and got Sole Insoles

http://www.amazon.com/dp/B0013HYCQM/?tag=atomicindus08-20

You put them in the oven on low for 2 minutes or until the heat indicator turns red and then you put them in your boots and stand like they tell you to and the insoles mold to your feet.

I use these and at the end of the day I don't care if my boots come off or stay on.

If you really insist on getting boots. Get Danner, even some of their import boots can be sent back to their American factory and be refurbished at a minimal cost.

Spend the $40 and get a pair of Sole's and save your dough for another tool.

 

[CJM8515]

I have the tim pro plain jane 6" workboots, have worked for me for years. I generally get about 2 years out of them before the soles wear out.

 

[IFMJohn]

These fancy insoles, are we taking corner store inserts or fancy stuff from a foot doctor or?

Those thorogoods look nice.

 

[WhiskeyTangoFox]

I work in commercial construction. Always have bought low heel'ed boots and they always made my feet hurt after about 4 months. Recently I've bought a pair of red wing logger heel boots(style 4420). Most comfortable boot I've had in my 15 years in the trade.

But let it be known(this has seemed to pissed a lot of construction workers off), not all red wings are made in the USA anymore. Just a handful so know what you're buying before you do.



If you have a lot of money to burn and want a pair of boots that you can get completely overhauled in the years to come, check out wesco's. These are my dream boots if I could afford them. They have an option where they make you take measurements of your feet/ankles/calfs and build totally one off custom sized boots for you. http://www.wescoboots.com/wesco/home.asp

 

[Craftsman1]

I have a pair of cat steel towed and a pair of Wolverine steel towed I use for work. Definitely prefer the Wolverine but the Cats were on sale and aren't bad at all. I'd recommend either.

 

[AlexNGreen]

These fancy insoles, are we taking corner store inserts or fancy stuff from a foot doctor or?

Those thorogoods look nice.

Corner store insoles **** and doctors are expensive.

I'm so impressed with Sole insoles. I'm about to offer a money back guarantee and I don't even work for them.

 

[SawtoothJL]

Nicks hotshots. Only boots that touch my feet during fire season working 40 hours shifts digging line on fires

 

[MagnumForce]

Caterpillars are Wolverines, I am not a fan. Just a brand of Wolverine.

Red Wings take too long to break in.

Docs are too heavy.

Timberlands are the best thing I have ever found in 15 years at the factory and there is not much I have not tried.

http://www.amazon.com/dp/B000XEX19U/?tag=atomicindus08-20

I have had more expensive ones but those are the best.

 

[Tarheelgarage]

Screw Redwings and all the other boot makers who sold out to China so that Johnny Cheng can make your boots in a commie sweat shop where he is beaten daily and feed a few grains of rice.

If you want real boots, you have to get them from down-under.

Redback boots: http://www.redbackboots.com/

Best daym boots I have ever put on my feet...

 

[Notgrownup]

Bates and Danner...LEOs wear them a lot

 

[Tarheelgarage]

http://www.redbackboots.com/ecommerce/steel-toe-boots/outback-black-steel-toe.cfm

 

[OGJordan]

These aren't in your price range, but to help anyone else looking, these are one of the best boots ever made. Definitely nicer than any "normal" brand.

http://www.wescoboots.com/wesco/home.asp

 

[BFHtime]

I haves worn Danner boots for days and weeks straight, only swapping socks. They have been the best things I have ever worn on my feet. Better than Nike Airs.

I never tried Chippewa but would be willing to give them a shot.

The Danners were waterproof full leather 10+" not light but very comfortable. I do have insoles in them not custom either.

Custom orthotics area about the only way to correct improper foot mechanics. There are some excercises too.

I vote Danner, you have to go to a store and try them on with the socks and insoles that you plan to wear with them. They come I. Different widths not just wide and narrow. They are resolable, you can get different soles if you want to change them.

I have seen some nice matterhorn's too but I like Danner better.

 

[gte718p]

I vote for the timberlands also. I have been wearing the TI pros for almost 10 years. They are like wearing tennis shoes. I generally get 2~3 years out of a set. They don't last as long as red wings, but are a third of the price. I also find them more comfortable.

As far as insoles. I like good feet. Expensive as hell, but absolutely worth it. You feet are important. Don't skimp on them. It will save you years of back problems down the road.

 

[OxJaw]

I concur. I have orthotics and they have been the best thing for my feet. I switch them between every pair of shoes I have. I wear Thorogood boots union made in the USA. Worth every penny I needed a new pair of laces after about a year. So i emailed them my size and the model number and they mailed me out two new sets. I wont pay $175 for a pair of Chinese boots. When these are top quality for the same price.

http://www.thorogoodworkboots.com/

I am currently wearing a pair of their boots (based on the recommendations from this forum) and won't buy another pair. The pair I have now started coming apart were the sole meets the leather on the boot in the first month I had them. I have been wearing them about 5 months now and by the end of the day my feet are killing me. I had better luck with the cheaper import boots I had before, they lasted longer and held up better.

I had high hopes for these boots and they let me down. I was really looking forward to supporting a boot company that still made boots here. Yes I did try to contact them and never got anywhere with them.

 

[rick carpenter]

I tried to replace my Wolverines after the waterproof lining wore through with American made boots. Ariats... waterproof means somewhat water resistant. Georgia Muddogs... uncomfortable bad choice. I didn't want to go with mail order boots so I went back to Wolverines (Cabor something). Steel toe, waterproof, EH, etc. I know with Wolverines I can stand in water and not get wet. My size in these is about an 8-1/4, so I got an 8-1/2 with a second insole. They fit best when my feet sweat and swell slightly after a couple of hours working. I had them for about a week before I wore them working every day all day for a week in OK. No probs.

 

[Tucko]

Thorogood are the best I've ever worn, and I've tried most of them. Union made in the Good ol USA (if that matters to you.)http://www.theunionbootpro.com/products/dsp_productlinks.cfm?advsearch=&saletype=USA&salename=amher

 

[rtole]

I fought this for years. I even tried redwing boots........I tried ecco, dahnner, merrel, keen, dr martin, wolverine, tennis shoes, walking shoes........etc etc. I finally went to a foot Dr. I have some issues with my feet, I got custom orthotics. Now those with my redwings( 9inch steeltoe lace up) I can go all day again. I am 6'0 300 lbs. I also need ankle suppport. The redwings I like are import, but the quality is better than any other shoe I have had. I dont need steeltoe at my company, but I prefer it. I also picked up a pair of timberland pro somethings to wear one day a week since my other boots are so heavy. I dont care for them all that much. They were comfy for a week. Keep in mind these are the backup shoes for me. They are also coming apart already, thats how hard I am on shoes......3 years oit of my last import redwings of heavy use. I also did not clean or oil them once. I am now with the new ones.
Bottom line.......go to a foot doctor, see whats going on..........no shoe can work for all people. You are differant than me. Have them recomend shoes for your feet. I was surprised when my foot dr said the redwings would be the style that would suit me best. I went to all the fancy shoe stores and they all sold me lighter, softer shoes. I need stability........you may not. I have worn out my tendons in my ankles from spraining my ankles in sports.......this misaligns my foot bones. Yes I have around 600.00 on my feet most days, but that was by far a better investment than my snap on ball joint press that I use almost everyday. I am always on my feet at work. Dont cheap out on your feet!

 

[collier8135]

A pair of work boots that fit right are worth every penny!! I fought boots for years from very reputable manufacturers. Redwings, Danner, Wesco. I am a Diesel and Equipment mechanic in the field and would blow the toes and sides out of the boots. I dropped the dough on a pair of Whites and have never looked back. The boot is totally rebuildable and fitted to your foot. About every 6-8 months I send em in and they resole and replace anything I messed up. They are expensive but your feet will thank you.

 

[rayh91]

I've had the same pair of Timberland Pros for 3 years now. 5 days a week/8+ work hours. My feet ached the first week so I tried some Dr. Scholls insoles and these boots haven't given me a problem since.

I wish they weren't so heavy though. When I put my tennis shoes on they're night and day difference.

 

[Triple macs]

Timberland Pro. Most comfortable boots made. I work HVAC and am on my feet all day. The 6" are better if you"ll be climbing ladders frequently. My wife always steered me towards the safety toe. Recently, an incorrectly installed economizer with power exhaust dropped across both my toes. Was trapped in place but did not feel anything. Saved my toes. My buddy buys the steel toe and using masking tape and Shoe Goo, converts them into cap toe boots. Extends the life of the toe. I tend to wear out the uppers before the soles, so the extra expense of Red Wing doesn't make sense.

 

[PugetDude]

http://www.whitesboots.com/

 

[Ruger_556]

I should have expected nothing less than $300 boot recommendations from this forum .

Those are a bit out of my price range. I'm looking maybe in the $150 range.

My favorite boots are Hathorns but they cost over $400...

 

[1950mercury]

Go to a store that sells dr scholls inserts and use the machine that you stand on and it tests load? Distribution/arch of your feet. And tells you what inserts to buy. Best thing ive ever done and ive worn usa made redwings for 25 years. Unless you have good ins go to a doctor and have them take a mold of your feet. I have high arches and never new it.the inserts cost about 50 bucks best money ive spent on my feet

 

[AndeiH]

i weigh 260 lbs and redwings 2263s are the best work boots i have ever worn. i always thought it was stupid to spend a lot of money on work shoes.....until i broke in that pair of boots. i now own 4 pairs of redwings boots lol. that particular model was painful to break in but after a week they felt better than my sneakers. i worked a couple of 24 hour shifts as a commercial electrician and my feet never hurt. previous boots were justins, timberlands, doc martens, caterpillars and wolverines. the timberland pros were awesome for the first month or two but the cushion wore out pretty quick. the doc marten's sole tore off one of my boots after only a month. i had heel pain until i switched to the redwings and i just had my 2263s rebuilt for $90 after a year and a half of 6 days a week 8+ hours a day on concrete.

 

[Ft.ValloniaStreaker]

One of the major issues I've faced buying boots is finding boots that advertise "Oil and slip resistant". Many boots say on the tag or on the bottom of the boot that they are oil resistant but not a whole lot advertise it.

My son works on an oil rig and loves his Red Wing 2270's. That's 14, 12 hour days soaked in diesel fuel and mud, he says Red Wing soles hold up better on the floor than most. The other favorite boot up there is the Timberline Pro Rig Master, that's just what I hear. Both are good companies and won't break the bank.

 

[nesw20]

these are what i wear most often when steel toes are required for me: http://www.redwingshoes.com/red-wing-shoe/406-red-wing-shoes/406-red-wing-mens-6-inch-boot-brown

they're quite comfy even on long days. i have the standard insoles, but i think the comfort could be improved a little bit more with some inserts. also, they're closer to your price range. good luck!

 

[K-Dog]

Red Wings with Dr. Sholes insterts.

 

[gearhead1]

I used to lev Iron Age then they went out of business. I use combat boots with high end inserts from a shoe store, not Walmart.