Fast LT1
Well-known member
Im looking for a comfortable pair of black work shoes. What do you guys wear, I only want black because being a mechanic means anything else gets dirty. I have a wide foot and wear a 11.5 or 12. Just looking for ideas
Comfortable work shoes for mechanics
- Thread starter Fast LT1
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jomobco
Well-known member
I wear Dansko. Great arch support and comfort but no wides.
Steevo
Well-known member
I like my Keene's for being on my feet on concrete all day.
9GUY9
Well-known member
I used to work in a shop where a bunch of guys swore by redbacks so I bought a pair. I was not that crazy about them at work since they have no laces they fit a bit looser. I now wear them for casual shoes and love them, easy on, easy off, tough and comfortable.
My current employer hooks us up with killer deals on redwings. I have their top of the line work boot and it is amazingly comfortable, not too hot in the summer, breaths really well, and is holding up really well after 10 months of daily use. But I would have a hard time paying full price for them ( $280).
My current employer hooks us up with killer deals on redwings. I have their top of the line work boot and it is amazingly comfortable, not too hot in the summer, breaths really well, and is holding up really well after 10 months of daily use. But I would have a hard time paying full price for them ( $280).
bobcatdan
Well-known member
I find redwings last longer then any other brand I have try. If they weren't comfortable I wouldn't wear them.
Cb-man
Well-known member
I was a mechanic for 7 years and being on a budget I found wolverines to be the best out of the box comfort. I wore the mid compressors for a year and they were great. After that I switched to the low Oxford style while at the Ford dealer. I loved them but for $85 a pair they only lasted over a year. I now wear chippawas and I don't know how they do on concrete but they feel great on rocks all day
alongfortheride
Banned
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I have found my slippers to be most comfortable to ax moderators
JJThrasher
Well-known member
I wear Georgia Boots every day. Not cheap, but damn comfortable and last a decent amount of time.
K'ledgeBldr
Well-known member
"Work shoes"- does that mean your typical black oxford with steel toe?
I too, have to pound concrete all day occasionally. But not required to have steel toes, so I've been wearing an all black Nike Shox- and prescribed orthotics.
It has been the best shoe I've worn in the last 7 yrs. no more achy feet, knees, or back.
Old Moparz
Well-known member
I have a slightly wider than average foot & had some minor issues with my arch as a kid so I can't skimp on shoes. When I did home improvements & land surveying, the best boot/shoe I discovered after trying many brands was Red Wing. They lasted the longest, gave good support & were pretty comfortable. My wife worked in a school cafeteria on a concrete floor for years & swore by Dansko for comfort & quality. She has several pair & some are older than our 14 year old daughter. 
I tried that brand myself & have a pair that are a couple of years old & great.
I'd easily stay with Red Wing & Dansko brands.
I tried that brand myself & have a pair that are a couple of years old & great. I'd easily stay with Red Wing & Dansko brands.
SSAAHemiFan
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- Joined
- Jul 16, 2005
- Messages
- 72
SAS Time Outs - It's a all leather USA made walking shoe - Been wearing them for over 20 years ( 7 years at a hospital - 16 at a private school - both doing facility maintenance)
Consider the newer version that has a hi-grip sole VS the original sole that can get slippery in the wet
Consider the newer version that has a hi-grip sole VS the original sole that can get slippery in the wet
Hammer1963
Well-known member
Redback Outback lace up boots!
HandsomeDan
Well-known member
Look at Thorogoods.
I wear Dr Martens when I am at work. I have 7-8 pairs, ranging from wing tips to steel toes. I am on my feet all day, and have never had a problem with the Martens. I have had some of them for almost 20 years. In the summer I wear Keens, and Crocs.
i used to wear Red Wings while doing concrete construction. They were pretty comfortable and lasted a decent amount of time in a harsh environment. I now have a job walking on concrete most of the day and my work boots are Hytest FootRests. They are a safety footwear company so I believe they have all composite or steel toe footwear. They are MUCH lighter and MORE comfortable than any Red Wings I have ever worn. (It is almost like wearing your slippers at work.) I believe they sell safety boots and shoes in a number of different styles. It might be worth checking them out.
Fixnair
Well-known member
I buy Dickies workshoes from Costco. Comfortable, long lasting and reasonably priced.
Deadhead
Well-known member
Just recently bought a pair of caterpillar brand steel toe. I like them so far. It came down to those and a steel toe'd pair of dr. Martins. The deciding factor was the martins had a hollow jelly type sole that I did not think would hold up crawling around on tractors and combines all day. Pluss the martins squeaked real bad on a tile floor and I hate that. Sounded like I had on a wet pair of tennis shoes.
Bobdog
Well-known member
I've been wearing Timberland Pro for several years now. I wear a EE and gave up on just about everybody else for steel toes (which I need for work).
The Titan composite toe boots are light, warm in winter, not too hot in summer and last about a year in a construction environment. They are pretty decent on concrete and require little to no break in.
Just my two cents.
The "Pit Boss" is a bit more comfortable, but you need to buy quality socks and they take a while to break in.
The Titan composite toe boots are light, warm in winter, not too hot in summer and last about a year in a construction environment. They are pretty decent on concrete and require little to no break in.
Just my two cents.
The "Pit Boss" is a bit more comfortable, but you need to buy quality socks and they take a while to break in.
sophijo
Well-known member
Old Timer Tip; whatever you buy; change socks and shoes at lunch. Doesn't cost a dime more, over time, and it feels real good!
I had a pair of Wolverines that I really liked but after a year they were wore out. There was nothing left of the sole and they were starting to fall apart. They were really comfortable though. Now I have a pair of Redwings and I love them. They have wore really well. If I cleaned off the dirt, you probably wouldn't guess that they are a year old. The soles still look brand new.
Luckily the company I work for gets a 15% discount at Redwing and the company also gives us $100 towards boots each year. I think I ended up paying $80 or so out of pocket. It made it a lot more manageable to buy
Luckily the company I work for gets a 15% discount at Redwing and the company also gives us $100 towards boots each year. I think I ended up paying $80 or so out of pocket. It made it a lot more manageable to buy
sdguy55
Well-known member
If I could find a pair of boots that would last me 2 years I would gladly pay 300
pauls_workshop
Well-known member
Just slightly off topic, I'm finding that many shoes now made in China have soles that simply deteriorate and fall apart within 3 years, whether you wear them or not. I got a pair of Wolverine steel toed work boots from Sears a few years back. Well, they sat on a shelf about 2 years till I needed them. First week I used them, the sole fell apart in chunks until it was all gone! Wolverine is supposed to be a decent brand. I will never buy one of those again. I also will not buy any of those "comfortable" rubber soled shoes made in china. The comfort means they are using a formulation that falls apart very quickly, whether you use them or not. Many many brands have had this problem if you google on china sole falls apart or similar. - Paul
1stackmack
Member
I have heel spurs in both feet & the Redbacks are what I wear to & from jobsite. Spurs don't hurt me anymore even though I don't wear Redbacks at work. The work boots are Redwings: winter time-9 inch, insulated-the other 9 months, 6 inch, non insulated. Both have a short heel. I prefer a narrow toe b/c brake & accelerator are usually rather close in "class 8 trucks."
Kevin54
MEMBER EMERITUS
Not black, but dark brown...I wear Florsheims. We had to wear steel toes at work, and I can't wear steel toes all except for the Florsheims. They are so comfortable, that I still wear them every day to kick around the garage in.
Eldogg
Well-known member
Dr. Martins here.
Algoma56
Well-known member
Timberland Pro, hiker style have been good to me.
No Sweat Photos
Well-known member
jefferyb_2
Well-known member
Doc Martens. Most comfortable boots and shoes I've ever had.
Got a second vote for thorogoods, not saying they all are but the pair I have are made in America
ssffnomad
Well-known member
Red Wings, I apply Mink Oil 3 -4 times per month
Doc Martens here - we'll see how they last - but it's not like they didn't used to last me years when I was a kid 
Don't waste your money on Cat's - I kept flirting with them - after having 2 pairs that lasted near a decade each (daily use)... The recent versions - I can't get a year out of them before they fall apart (even with repeated 90day "Satisfaction guaranteed" exchanges). The stitching is terrible now, the leather is low grade, the soles wear out in nothing. Seriously a 200$ pair of work boots should last a year, blowing seams out within months - is ridiculous.
Don't waste your money on Cat's - I kept flirting with them - after having 2 pairs that lasted near a decade each (daily use)... The recent versions - I can't get a year out of them before they fall apart (even with repeated 90day "Satisfaction guaranteed" exchanges). The stitching is terrible now, the leather is low grade, the soles wear out in nothing. Seriously a 200$ pair of work boots should last a year, blowing seams out within months - is ridiculous.
AV tinker er
Well-known member
I used red wings but switched to Keen recently. Keens are nice but haven't held up as well as the RWs.