Comfortable shop shoes?

[M6erfan]

Looking for recommendations on some good comfortable shoes to be worn in my home shop. My current 'garage shoes' are a pair of Danner Romeos. They're OK but I never found them uber comfortable plus, they're 5 years old and time for replacement. I do like the slip on aspect of the Romeo. Thoughts?

 

[Luvmusl]

I've been wearing Timberland Pro for the past several years. Great comfort and durability

 

[Deadsquiggles]

If you don’t need steel toes, which I never wear in my garage, Danner 2650s are great. Technically they’rea hiking shoe but they’re super comfortable and I’ll even wear them to work when I know it’ll more of an office day.

 

[neophyte]

Birkenstock makes safety rated steel toe clogs.(they have a back)
The clogs have cork insoles, or if you want something else, Birkenstock makes a couple other types of insoles as well.
The model is the A640.
Comes in Black, white, and possibly navy blue and green.

 

[Super Mech]

Skechers makes some comfortable work shoes in a variety of styles. I just picked up a pair tonight at the local Skechers store.

 

[alcorelli]

I've been wearing Merrells for years.
My work brings me into people's homes, and I like the stretchy laces that let me get them on and off quickly.
I also wear them in my shop (metal machining, motorcycle restoration), and they hold up very well.
I like to use the Redwing moldable insoles in them.
Absolute comfort.

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[M6erfan]

I've been wearing Merrells for years.
My work brings me into people's homes, and I like the stretchy laces that let me get them on and off quickly.
I also wear them in my shop (metal machining, motorcycle restoration), and they hold up very well.
I like to use the Redwing moldable insoles in them.
Absolute comfort.

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I've never worn Merrell before. Any particular model you prefer? I'm not sure which one's have the stretchy laces.

I'm looking at Keen too.

Good suggestions so far, thanks.

 

[jhama78]

Merrell Moab, come in ventilated or waterproof with thinsulate.

 

[dwcon1431]

I bought a 2x4 mat for my job. When I retired, I took it with me and I use it at the work stations where I spend most of my time.

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[southalabama]

Second the anti fatigue mats at work stations.

 

[rsparks64]

Red Wing Tred lite are great shoes and boots. I don’t have any true work shoes now but do have some Merrells and prefer my Vasques over those. I do have some Red Wing outdoor work/hunting boots that are lined for cold weather and they are extremely comfortable. All the Red Wings are a bit pricey, but they still have good quality footwear.

 

[jeepinerdeep]

The only shoe/boot that has ever lasted longer than 6 months for me are Wolverines with Durashocks/Multishocks.

That being said, I am in the process of trying some Keens that look like sneakers, and have a flat bottom like the old "vans". So far so good.

I don't work without a safety toe. No reason not to now with composites.

 

[Jersey Drew]

Steel toed crocs!

 

[BlakeTheCarGuy]

Justin boots are pretty comfortable especially if you get some insoles for them. That’s what I wear along with Cat, Chippewa, Carolina and Redwings.


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[2ndGearRubber]

I wear vans most times. The actual skateboarding designed models are more comfortable and supportive than the "fashion" models sold at Kohls and similar. Watch your toes though. I wear boots all winter due to snow, but wear vans about 50% of the time at work when weather permits.

 

[alcorelli]

I've never worn Merrell before. Any particular model you prefer? I'm not sure which one's have the stretchy laces.

I'm looking at Keen too.

Good suggestions so far, thanks.

I'm not sure of the model. I just walk into the local Army Navy store and grab the ones that have the stretchy laces. I have tried Keen Before. To be fair, they are steel toe. So they don't feel as comfortable as my Merrell's. Sorry I can't be more helpful.

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[setfocus]

I wear redwing boots at work, steel toe required. A lot of the tool trucks sell redback slip on boots and people seem to like them, pretty sure slip on's would be loose and sloppy on my narrow feet

 

[joshmodelskidoo]

Sketchers slip ons. Think they are canvas but they are really light and the insole is like walking on air. At first anyway but thet are comfortable and I been wearing them probably a year and a half now. I wore my chucks but the souls would come apart. Went with Duluth wild bore mocks and they were better but probably lasted about a year. https://www.skechers.com/men/shoes/...MImIHCn6Ly7QIVSf_jBx04vAllEAQYBSABEgIoEPD_BwE

 

[grandeyota]

Whatever shoe you already have/like. Just rip out the insole and toss in some Sole brand insoles. I did that with a few different styles of shoes and was worth it in every case.

 

[softailgarage]

I've been wearing Redbacks for years now. I had a lot of foot problems years ago, along with 3 back surgery's and Redback is by far the most comfortable boot I;'ve ever worn, not to mention they last a long time. Problem is they ain't cheap, about $185-$220 on the tool trucks or you can go directly to redback.com and order. When I had the tool truck, redback was on my route and I got to know the people real well, I sold a **** ton of them. BTW, Metalica wears Redback, they have a autographed pair in the lobby.

 

[Robbie B]

As crazy as it is, I always get the hardest soled boots I can find. My feet are really sensitive and if I have a boot that I can feel a rock through then I know my feet will be killing me at the end of the day.

 

[16again]

I wear Redbacks. ***** to break in, but once they are broken in, they are comfortable and last. Love not having laces to tie.

 

[Stooge]

I have a few slipped discs in my back so i choose comfort ahead of everything else, and have been wearing Brooks the last couple of yrs after being suggested by my physical therapist. Theyre a running shoe company but they are really supportive/ comfortable and have completely changed my day to day. i have a shop pair that have held up surprisingly well, 2yrs old and other than being dirty and covered in paint over spray are still wearable but i'll be retiring them soon, plus i have a pair for work and pair for the treadmill at home.

 

[lardy1]

I wore Wolverine and Keen when I was working on the plate steel of a ship deck every day. Steel is very hard on the feet. Doesn't take long to convince a new sailor he needs to invest in quality footwear.

Retired now and don't like the weight of boots and don't have work safety requirements to follow. In my home shop I wear New Balance Postal Approved. I'll also add that I have Rheumatoid Arthritis in my feet and have to be very, very picky about my footwear. NO CHEAP SHOES!!!

 

[ezzzzzzz]

I have high arches and needed surgery after years of shipyard work in the best shoes available. I stumbled on Birkenstock sport inserts. I now own 2 pairs of these at about $70 each. I used to wear Ecco shoes that were incredibly comfortable but wore out much too quickly. Now I wear Merrill with the Birkenstock inserts. I swear by them.

 

[drtyler]

Oboz hiking shoes work best for me especially when on concrete all day. They are made for feet with high arches. They have offer better support for my feet than the Merrell or Keen.

 

[Lassen Forge]

I have high arches and needed surgery after years of shipyard work in the best shoes available. I stumbled on Birkenstock sport inserts.

Birks are the way to go - A friend had a shoemaker (yes, there are still such critters out there, just hard to find) who built him a set of steel toe work boots on what was a pair of Birkenstock high arch sandals (which is what I wore), it was the difference between going out on disability and putting in another decade plus. They weren't anywhere near close to cheap (I think they set him back 4 or 5 bills back in the early 90's) but he swore it was like going home in pain and wanting to go out dancing after a hard shift...

 

[toolmiser]

I am a big fan of "Oboz". They hold up nice and have good arch support.

 

[Wileel]

Sketcher Work for me if Im doing anything serious other than tinkering around. Relatively light weight, safety toe, squishy gel feeling insole, decent arch support and they breathe well

 

[brownbagg]

i wear justin boots, i hate redwings, I hate keens, I will never have another pair of keen, when they blew a sole, it was happy days for me

 

[banjopete]

Blundstones have been excellent for me. Slip on and off, tall, good soles, comfy. Like most leathers they get better with age but I'm on my third pair and have become a big fan over that time.

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[ddurrett896]

Crocs > Xtratuf > Vans > Sandals

 

[seber]

I had knee and back problems for years from walking and standing on the concrete floors in the plant. I finally got onto the idea of boots. I'm talking like cowboy boots here but without the pointy toe. The elevating heel is just enough to ease the stress on the knees and aligns the back while standing. Finally I found relief.

 

[MushCreek]

I wore Wolverine and Keen when I was working on the plate steel of a ship deck every day. Steel is very hard on the feet. Doesn't take long to convince a new sailor he needs to invest in quality footwear.

Retired now and don't like the weight of boots and don't have work safety requirements to follow. In my home shop I wear New Balance Postal Approved. I'll also add that I have Rheumatoid Arthritis in my feet and have to be very, very picky about my footwear. NO CHEAP SHOES!!!

+1 on the New Balance 'work sneakers'. They're one of the few brands that make truly wide shoes. At work, I had to have steel toes, so I went to the Red Wing store and got fitted. I also bought their orthotic inserts. Three years of wear, and my feet never bothered me. Even with the extra-wide steel toes, though, I had to buy really big boots. They were way too long to prevent my toes from getting curled up.

I just got some Propet zipper duck boots for slopping around in the mud here. Allegedly 5E width, they're marginal, but OK. I guess most people have narrower feet than mine.

 

[tulowd]

Blundstones here. Super light, comfy, no laces, look ok and are waterproof. Have 4 pairs and use them as most common daily for travel and work as well. Have two rough pairs for the garage, one with steel toe and plate.

 

[M6erfan]

Thanks everyone. Lots of suggestions! I ordered a pair of Keen Utility shoes along with a set of Lock Laces. Good thing about AMZN is the easy return policy if for some reason I don't like them.

I have several pairs of boots but I am after shoes, and easy on/off (I'm hoping the Lock Laces facilitate this). Full grain leather is preferable so I'll check out some of those options that were recommended.

 

[toolin' around]

Being an Aussie, I pretty much grew up wearing Blundstone or Redback slip on boots... Hard to find Blundstone here in the US but I still find Redbacks occassionally... though I'm currently wearing a pair of Caterpillar slip on boots that I've been very happy with.
I wanted a pair of slip on work "shoes" and ended up trying a pair of Duluth Wild Boar Leather Mocs... good solid upper, non-slip with a decent boot style tread pattern...
So far they are a little snug and a little heavier than I wanted, but they are loosening up a little with time... I'm still undecided. (Don't actually recall why I decided to look for shoes in the first place??? What ever it was, it wasn't compelling!)

 

[TriumphFan]

I usually wear worn out Timberland or Caterpillar oxford boots/shoes. I can slip them on easily if my hands are full (laptop and a coffee) and can wear them all day. I usually revert to full lace up Redwings if I am working outside for any length of time.
I like the Blundstones though and may have to give those a try.

 

[jshillin]

I have high arches and needed surgery after years of shipyard work in the best shoes available. I stumbled on Birkenstock sport inserts. I now own 2 pairs of these at about $70 each. I used to wear Ecco shoes that were incredibly comfortable but wore out much too quickly. Now I wear Merrill with the Birkenstock inserts. I swear by them.

I have the same problem... If you need some regular sneakers, look at Brooks Glycerine (had to be the Glycerine model). It's the only model shoe I can wear and provide the arch support I need.

 

[zmotorsports]

When I was wrenching full-time in the industrial maintenance shop I work nothing but Red Wings and loved them. Very comfortable and provided very good protection. Now that I only work in my home shop I have found I really like Sketchers. They are very comfortable, especially with the gel inner liner, I think they call it Comfort Gel.