Most comfortable work boots?

[HVAC Study]

Redwings 2412. Steel toe electrical hazard and insulated. They have a non insulated version too. I have two pair one being 6 years old and have now become my beater boots. I use power step insoles but may switch to previously mentioned brands.

I recommend leaning away from a podiatrist, I had custom orthotic insoles and they sucked, they jammed my toes funny in the boot, and would cause blisters at the arch supports.

I have/ had plantar fasciitis but a couple things have seamed to correct it. First off good boots, second the power step orthotic insoles (similar to redwings brand but slightly thinner and half the price). They are about 30 a pair and sometimes they last months sometimes they don’t I don’t know why and that’s another reason I am going to try other brands mentioned.

The most important thing that helped me was an exercise for hip alignment and a calf stretch that focuses on the plantar tendon. I used to collapse if I tried to stand up after sleeping or sitting awhile until my feet broke back in but I can’t even remember the last time that happened since I did these things.

Good luck to you foot pain *****.

 

[Iridium rand]

OP obviously must have bought something already, but in any case….

If you actually don’t care what they cost the answer is nicks or white’s boots without a doubt, and if you want them to be as comfortable as possible go with the custom option. I have a pair of nicks hotshots and despite being big heavy duty overbuilt they literally almost feel like socks once broken in. I spend the whole 8 hours of work every day standing and even still, when I get home I don’t even think to take them off a lot of times and end up with them still on by the time I go to bed, they’re actually that comfortable. If anyone wants to see for themselves how insanely well built they are check out roseanvil on youtube he cuts shoes/boots in half and has a video on them

 

[Iridium rand]

That being said cost is at least somewhat an object for most so another great option is red wing supersole 2.0’s which I also wear plenty, not on the same level by any means but they’re probably the most comfortable workboot I’ve ever worn that comes at a normal price range, kinda like getting the comfortable sole of doc martens without the rest of the boot being garbage

 

[Packard V8]

If you actually don’t care what they cost the answer is nicks or white’s boots without a doubt, and if you want them to be as comfortable as possible go with the custom option. I have a pair of nicks hotshots and despite being big heavy duty overbuilt they literally almost feel like socks once broken in. I spend the whole 8 hours of work every day standing and even still, when I get home I don’t even think to take them off a lot of times and end up with them still on by the time I go to bed, they’re actually that comfortable. If anyone wants to see for themselves how insanely well built they are check out roseanvil on youtube he cuts shoes/boots in half and has a video on them

X2 because both those shops are in Spokane, but yes, no, maybe, given all the options presented here. For those who like the high arch support of White's and are willing to learn to break them in, most will pay the big bucks for the custom fit. Nick's learned the trade at White's and is as good or better.

Having said that, I have a pair of White's I'd be buried in, but that would be the waste of a pair of fine boots.

FWIW, my family has large feet. Mine were 11, then 12, then 13 and as one gets older, the arch flattens, so now I have to buy 14s. Fortunately, I'm only on the concrete one or two days a week, but the larger footprint spreads the load.

jack vines

 

[Herrry]

Tactical boots are usually made of various leather types, but there are cheaper alternatives made of synthetic materials. Whatever the material is, it hurt you in the first wear. There are two methods of breaking in military boots to adjust to their wearer’s feet to provide peak performance that is the dry method and the wet method.

 

[yamaha0343]

On a whim I ordered a pair of Brunt boots and I’m a fan so far. Really comfortable, look good, and we’ll see how they hold up.

 

[F-22]

Hey, a bit over a month ago I got myself a pair of Jim Green Vellie shoes. As it says on the box, these are "proudly made in South Africa" and are genuinely an awesome shoe! Cost ~60€ + shipping and tax to Europe cause there's no official reseller here, but over in the US you can get them directly from their USA website.

If they give up any discounts on Friday, I'm certainly ordering a couple more boots for me and my family from them (also for the joined postage...). Or even if there is no discount...

They have lots of classic designs. The African Ranger is a bit hyped right now, but i think the Razorback or the AR8 are even a lot more for the money. Kind of considering the Stockman (Chelsea boot/Blundstone style, not quite sure). If you check their youtube channel, they have filmed the whole production process for most of their boots as well.

For comparison, I also own a pair of classic Redwing Moctoes. Undoubtedly the Redwings use nicer leather, and fit a lot better around the ankle. But I don't think the JG Vellies will wear out any faster, and they're quite roomy and comfy inside (moctoes seem very narrow for such a boot). I own a pair of Solovair boots (mostly for concerts, for the look of classic Docs, not much else), and I can say for sure that the Jim Greens are better for about half the cost (classic Docs were cheap work boots, and Jim Greens are that too but use different simpler construction that works just as well and instead focus on thicker leather and reinforcing the key stuff that usually wears out like the heel).

Sounds lik an ad but I'm genuinely very happy with this brand. Feels like they'll get big and then let the quality slip kind of like how it happens with everything...

 

[Shoreline_]

Most comfortable boots are going to be $500 hand made ones. I've also ran through loads of different boots. But my most comfortable boots are my Olathe's and my White's.

 

[brownbagg]

keen and redwings are the worst boots I ever had, The redwing was nice but the sole fell off after 3 weeks, they would not warrenty it. the keen was just awlful, could not wait for them to wear out

 

[mbunimog]

I have two pairs of Redwings and one Nick boots and like them all. Had a special made insole to help my foot pain and that has made a big difference for my pain and now able to walk again. The Nicks are the most comfortable but cost around 500 dollars but they also give the ankle support when I am out in my forest area with uneven terrain .

I had the Nicks resoled recently and they are good as new again

 

[PhantomEB]

I like my Helly Hanson extralights. Insert put in for my arch and my feet were happy after a week.

I only wish they would come out in a 6” height to make them even lighter as I really don’t need 8”.

 

[BigLeagueSmoes]

I have tried Cat, Timberland, Red Wing, Thorogood, Wolverine, Nike, and Danner. For me, the most comfortable is the Thorogood wedge sole boots, I personally like the 8" Moc Toe (just my preference). I have also consistently used superfeet green insoles in these boots (something I use in all my boots now) and that makes them that much better. I will continue to wear Thorogood, they are simply great boots.

I was working on an interstate bridge construction project this summer and I actually was curious to see what most contractors/workers preferred to wear so I took some mental inventory of what brands were most common and I asked a few people about their thoughts on different brands. The results for the top three most commonly worn and liked in the field were (in order):
1) Thorogood
2) Carolina
3) Red Wing

Everyone's feet are different though, there's no perfect answer. Do your best to try some on. Insoles can make a huge difference, don't overlook that. I don't have any foot problems but insoles still make a difference for me in comfort and foot fatigue after long days and long weeks.

 

[William Payne]

I was just thinking about this again. They should take the most comfortable walking in a cloud like shoe out there and put all that into a work boot.

Seems every work boot starts off comfortable but as soon as they are worn in and the sole has no sponge anymore I may as well be walking on rocks.

 

[GeoBruin]

I was just thinking about this again. They should take the most comfortable walking in a cloud like shoe out there and put all that into a work boot.

Seems every work boot starts off comfortable but as soon as they are worn in and the sole has no sponge anymore I may as well be walking on rocks.

The problem is a "cloud" like shoe, otherwise known as a shoe with an EVA midsole, feels comfortable for a little while but after some time your feet get fatigued from the lack of support and start to hurt.

Boots have stiffer midsoles. They're either polyurethane or goodyear welted with a cork (or similar) filler. This is for durability, stability, and weight bearing ability. The other upside is they provide continued support over the course of long days but they are heavy, inflexible, and don't cushion from impact like EVA.

Boots with EVA midsoles exist. An example is the Hoka Kaha. But they're really boots in name only. They're basically running shoes with high-top uppers. And just like running shoes, you would burn through a few pairs a year easy with all-day wear.

The key with boots is to get the fit right and get some insoles that help adapt your foot shape to the boots foot bed (if necessary) and you should find they can be worn all day without discomfort.

Did I mention good socks? Oh and also, it helps if you're not overweight and dont have other afflictions like bunions , bone spurs, arthritis, etc.

 

[M635_Guy]

I bought some Keen Chelsea boots for yard/garage and been pretty happy so far. They're not pretty, but they're easy on/off and very comfortable.


Nick's and Whites are hard to beat - I'm a bit of a boot-nut, and they have a great reputation.

 

[F-22]

I'm really happy with my Jim Green Stockmans.



Comfortable and reasonably priced. I heard good stuff about Redback boots from Australia too, supposedly very comfy like Blundstones but still quality made. The Jim Greens don't use foam so they're harder but I use a softer shoe insert and it works out great for me. But unlike Blundstones or Redbacks, these can also be resoled (yet to see how long they last though...).

 

[Dig Doug]

Ive been wearing Georgia boots for years, I have the short and the medium height

pic is the short

 

[M6erfan]

I'm really happy with my Jim Green Stockmans.



Comfortable and reasonably priced. I heard good stuff about Redback boots from Australia too, supposedly very comfy like Blundstones but still quality made. The Jim Greens don't use foam so they're harder but I use a softer shoe insert and it works out great for me. But unlike Blundstones or Redbacks, these can also be resoled (yet to see how long they last though...).

Those look interesting. Are they true to size in your opinion?

 

[F-22]

Those look interesting. Are they true to size in your opinion?

For me they are. They're also quite wide and comfy compared to boots I own from other brands (redwing moc toe, for example...). They are also fully lined with leather, and somewhat water resistant - though if you go wading through snow eventually they'll get wet, but it's okay to just go over a puddle here and there... Also, if I clean them they'd still look really nice, the leather is slightly sanded, kind of like leather for saddles, and the texture hides a lot of scratches. But I only use them at home for farm stuff and in my workshop, so I don't mind scratches. I conditioned them a lot when new, but they were already very comfortable after only two or three days, faster than I expected.

 

[JWILL]

I have Rheumatoid arthritis in my lower legs and feet. I worked and lived on plate steel decks of freighters six months out of the year. I've had my boots/feet struggles.

I liked Irish Setters until they went overseas. At the time they didn't have safety toes either. I ended up in Carolina steel toe work boots and Keen sneaker type work shoes with composite toes.

I tried all the inserts I could find also and I found the cheap foam inserts, changed weekly worked best. The gel inserts felt good at first but after a few hours on my feet they became quite uncomfortable.

I feel for you, man. My rheumatoid went undetected for awhile and it was pure agony. Don't be afraid to talk to your doctor.

Mine has been in my hands since I turned 31... Went a year in complete hell before the Dr figured it out. My feet hurt from time to time. Like you I've found that really it's changing out the footbeds very regularly that does the most difference. Or as of late swapping boots every day between two pairs.

 

[theoldwizard1]

Quality boots are hand made and feature all leather construction (except a safety toe).

The important things are a calf skin liner, a leather foot bed, steel shank, Goodyear welt construction, leather mid sole. Stacked leather heel (if required). Sewen on outsole.

Break in may be uncomfortable, but once the foot bed molds to your foot, they will be great !

Keep the uppers clean. Don't wear the soles down too far and they will last a long, LONG time !!

 

[M6erfan]

For me they are. They're also quite wide and comfy compared to boots I own from other brands (redwing moc toe, for example...). They are also fully lined with leather, and somewhat water resistant - though if you go wading through snow eventually they'll get wet, but it's okay to just go over a puddle here and there... Also, if I clean them they'd still look really nice, the leather is slightly sanded, kind of like leather for saddles, and the texture hides a lot of scratches. But I only use them at home for farm stuff and in my workshop, so I don't mind scratches. I conditioned them a lot when new, but they were already very comfortable after only two or three days, faster than I expected.

Thanks.

I really like my RedBack's but the toe box is a little tight for me and gets noticeably uncomfortable after a long day of renovation work. Also, I've nearly worn through the outer toe on the right boot (lots of flooring and concrete slab work that's had me on my knees a lot) so I'm looking at getting a new pair. Looking at the JG's they specifically mention a roomy toe box, so that has my interest. The other features look decent as well. I almost pulled the trigger on a pair but they're OoS in my size. That's fine, gives me time to think.

 

[snackmix]

I recently switched jobs to a desk job, was a lineman for 6 years. I have Carolinas that are waterproof and a great boot but they're too hot for summertime. I have Thorogood moc toe but they aren't the wedge soles (didn't want my climbing gaffs to slip off) I sit at a desk all day now and I still wear my Thorogoods everyday. I work in my garage every night and will wear my Carolinas if it's cold out and also when I hunt.