Shoes for Mechanic

[halo_jen]

Hi Everyone!
I am new to the journal. I joined because my dad is a mechanic who has his own shop and I am looking for him a new pair of shoes. Do you any of you have any recommendations?

I do know that he doesn't wear boots or any shoes that are steel-toed.

He prefers the athletic work shoes.

Any suggestions? This is a Christmas gift.

 

[e30bradley]

I like redwing boots. Without a safety cap is most comfortable. My boots are about $180 and a set last over 2 years. I wear the sole out before the leather is worn out. My feet are very, very wide. Redwing offers extra wide sizes and they are made in USA. I had cheaper imported boots before these (~$100) and they didn't hold up the same.

 

[AndrewV]

What he said.

 

[Outlander]

Nice of you halo_jen to make effort for your dad!

 

[zmotorsports]

Another RedWing fan here. That is all I wore when wrenching full-time as an industrial mechanic.

In my home shop I usually wear a good sneaker with slip resistant soul. Generally in black as they don't show the dirt/grime as much.

Mike.

 

[alwaysFlOoReD]

I do know that he doesn't wear boots or any shoes that are steel-toed.

He prefers the athletic work shoes.

Some of you don't read? I just bought Redwing boots myself but the OP isn't looking for boot recomendations. Unless I screwed up and Redwing makes running shoes too.

To the OP; All I can reccomend is to look at what he is wearing now. Personally I wear composite toe and shank because it's lighter than steel and I'm up and down ladders a fair amount and have bad knees. Perhaps quiz him on why he doesn't wear safety toe, maybe it's something other than the safety aspect and you can then find something that will work.
Good luck,

Richard

 

[e30bradley]

Nope, I can't read at all. I'm just here to look at the pictures..

Anyway, I don't think you can shoe-shop for someone else but the only feet I know are my own and they are very picky. Even with the best shoes I've ever had (my current RW boots) my feet still hurt when working full time in a shop. I have orthotics as well.

 

[zmotorsports]

I don't know about anyone else, but after my Red Wings broke in and softened up they were more like slippers than boots.

Mike.

 

[rick carpenter]

Lots of people wear crocs. My friend Tim, a pressman always on his feet and with a bad back, wore them on cement floors.

 

[nicksnothereman]

Hi Everyone!
I am new to the journal. I joined because my dad is a mechanic who has his own shop and I am looking for him a new pair of shoes. Do you any of you have any recommendations?

I do know that he doesn't wear boots or any shoes that are steel-toed.

He prefers the athletic work shoes.

Any suggestions? This is a Christmas gift.

Probably ecco or rockport. Not that I'd pay the asking price on those brands. The rockports are good if you get them cheap enough; I bought a pair for something like 8 bucks at the junk store. Even though they're chinese they are excellent shoes; very lightweight but nothing I'd work in.

Nike air skate shoes (SB type) are what I usually wear. Got em reeeeeeal cheap as well. Might not be his style though. Nikes are pretty good all around still.

 

[AndrewV]

Red wing makes boot styled shoes.

 

[Tweeker]

 

[WILD-BILL]

About the only work shoe I've ever found that is like a tennis shoe is (Ihate to say it) from sears.

http://www.sears.com/roebucks-great...a=067B0018000P&kpid=06782373670&mktRedirect=y

I will admit thet don't hold up like expensive work boots do but for the price they are fairly decent.

I've been using these for years.

 

[drivesitfar]

Halo: Welcome to the journal first off. Nice thread title and a good subject if it hasn't been discussed before.

i just picked up a couple pair of Coleman tennis shoes for work that don't have steel toes, but they are firm so if i run into the steel leg of my 1000 pound workbench it doesn't hurt my toes. I think i bought them at a Ross store.

of course i like red wing and have a couple slip on loafers that have steel toes if i know there might be things falling that can cut my toes off that are comfortable, but new are in the $200 range.

good luck and again nice gesture buying something for Dad. also look in his favorite shoes for the size he likes so you'll have a better chance he won't return them and use them.

 

[zmotorsports]

Red wing makes boot styled shoes.

These are like the Red Wings I wore for the past 26+ years @ work. I could usually get them re-souled a time or two before having to get a new pair. One pair would last about 4-5 years and were like wearing slippers.

About the only work shoe I've ever found that is like a tennis shoe is (Ihate to say it) from sears.

http://www.sears.com/roebucks-great...a=067B0018000P&kpid=06782373670&mktRedirect=y

I will admit thet don't hold up like expensive work boots do but for the price they are fairly decent.

I've been using these for years.

These look very similar to the Sketchers that I am currently wearing in my shop. They have the grip soul yet a lot of padding which make them nice for standing on concrete in the shop all day. Although I did recently add several anti-fatigue mats to my shop around the benches and machining equipment.

Mike.

 

[Jackfre]

I wore Redwings for 40+ years. I had heard that they took their production off shore and the boots suffered from that. I went to Chippewa's and they are US made and excellent as well. I do not like steel toes. Just a personal preference. I do not buy boots that have thread on top. If you do any welding you can burn that thread up in a hurry.

 

[351cmach]

I'm a mechanic and wear these Redwings http://www.redwingshoes.com/red-wing-shoe/8640-red-wing-shoes/8640-red-wing-mens-athletic-black 10 hours a day very comfortable

 

[RedneckWelder]

For tennis shoes New Balance and Nike have always done right by me. Not the $200 Air Jordan fashion statement shoes that the Carjackistanis all love, but the cheap ones.

 

[justme-]

I hope you all don't have any need for the safety toe no one else seems to wear.
All my work shoes are oil/grease resistant slip resistant - so athletic shoes wouldn't cut it right there. The only non-boots I have are Caterpillar mechanics shoes - low cut like sneakers and constructed very similar to the point the soles are coming off (glue failing) just like half my sneakers used to. Steel toe tho (a requirement at work) but very comfortable. Mine are very similar to the Argon model. They make a few versions of safety work shoes from suit/slacks appropriate to skate shoe style)

 

[WILD-BILL]

Just for the record, the ones I linked DO have a steel toe.

 

[Lippyp]

Maybe a good time to upgrade his safety. Certainly over here whilst in a home shop if you want to wrench in flip-flops its up to you but in a commercial shop then health and safety laws require you to wear a shoe or boot with a protective toecap etc. I'm sure it's probably the same over your side of the Atlantic and if he had an accident and damaged his foot then his insurance wouldn't pay out if he didn't have the right footwear on.

 

[chillrich]

Owned 4 pair of these really comfortable safety shoes, not sure if they available in US
http://www.marks.com/shop/en/marks-marksdefaultsalescatalog/footwear/mens-casual-safety-shoes/lace-up-safety-skate-shoes-17779

 

[willyswonka]

I've had range of work shoes from Keens (the most comfortable) to wal-mart cheepos to redwings, but the problem I had with all of them is that the soles would break down from chemical exposure and wear out really fast. Never had a pair last more than a year. This time around I got a pair of Red Backs. They aren't as comfortable as the Keens were but they right on par with the Redwings I had. The big thing though is they have TPU outsoles that so far have proven totally impervious to everything I stand in. I've had them for 8 months now and the soles look nearly new. The uppers are standing up really well too. Absolutely recommend them to anyone who spends time standing in petroleum products.

 

[tadder52]

Keen and Merrel are favorites (for shoes) in my shop, both soft toe and safety toe.

 

[NUTTSGT]

I'm a mechanic and wear these Redwings http://www.redwingshoes.com/red-wing-shoe/8640-red-wing-shoes/8640-red-wing-mens-athletic-black 10 hours a day very comfortable

Those steel or composite toe ?

 

[Codenforcer]

Redbacks here, bought one pair and never looked back. Currently own two pairs, one for work, brown for hunting/running around.
180 day full warranty. The leather Redback insoles are a nice upgrade.

 

[brownbagg]

i hated my redwing, no they didn't wear out, still good condition, but was so hard to break in. I wear timberland now, they ok, don't really recommend them. most time I'm in walmart velcro tennis shoes

 

[joecon]

For the last few years I've been wearing Hi Tech magnums.They work for me.

 

[Code Monkey]

The mechanics I go to (old guys) wear some old sneakers. When I wrench on my cars I wear minimalist shoes, usually an old pair of New Balance, super comfy.

 

[Moose97]

Not a shoe, and I realize you said your dad doesn't like boots, but since that's all I wear I will say that I wear Justin Original Workboots. The lace up type. They are without a doubt the most comfortable boot or shoe I've ever worn. In the $135.00 range generally.


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[nicksnothereman]

The mechanics I go to (old guys) wear some old sneakers. When I wrench on my cars I wear minimalist shoes, usually an old pair of New Balance, super comfy.

Yeah, new balance are real good too. Lightweight.

 

[MrJabels]

If he likes an athletic shoe with some protection reebok makes a steel/composite toe casual gym type shoe. Without protection my go to is a pair of Patagonia hogties. I've had 4 pairs. http://t.basspro.com/Reebok-Soyay-S...q=&ei=7GGOVPrYCZeoyATqvIG4DA&ved=0CJYEEMM8MBQ



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[superchargedv8]

you might find something at shoesforcrews.com they carry different shoes for different applications.

 

[T-Mac]

Winter-wolverine dura shock boots-summer rockport shoes

 

[mattwgrizwald]

Red wings cannot say enough about them had them for18 years no boot will touch In my eyes. I agree with the comment they feel like slippers

 

[jeffws]

Wore red wings for the last 25 years. The last 2 pair have sucked so I switched over to http://www.amazon.com/dp/B0012FA70U/?tag=atomicindus08-20 Half the price with the same comfort

 

[Plow Man]

I have been a Red Wing customer for 30+ years. I stand on Concrete shop floor 10 hrs a day and 6 days a week, for the last 30 years.... About 3 years ago I switched to these Black Sneaker style work boot from Red Wing.... They are much lighter than my old Red wings and a lot more confortable to wear. I will admit my old Red Wings # 1412 took a good 2 months to break in... But is well worth the pain....LOL I would get about 2 years out of my old Red Wings before they would not keep out the water.... Trust me you could put them on and stand in the bath tub in 6" of waterfor hours and your feet would be dry!!!!
Other guys in the shop would go to Wally World and get a new pair of boots every 6 months and as soon as it snowed in winter there feet would be soaked... I would just shake my head. ( they would change socks at lunch )
The reason I went to the Sneaker style is a lot on mechanics are changing over to them so I said what the hell i'll give them a try.... I still have my 1412's to put on in the winter when we are getting a bad storm....other than that I wear the # 6690's...


http://www.redwingshoes.com/red-win...es/6690-red-wing-mens-6-inch-hiker-boot-black

 

[600SL]

Here's an nice pair of Steel toes that I really like. They also make some soft toe versions but you really cant tell the difference.

http://www.keenfootwear.com/product/shoes/men/atlanta-cool-esd/gargoyle

 

[hbabler]

Haix black Eagles.

http://www.haixusa.com/streetwear/athletic-line/18/black-eagle-athletic-10-low

 

[kgorman]

Doc Martins? Perhaps he will like the low top, but nice padded tread, and thick leather for safety? They are fashionable now, but designed for working class initially... I wear mine sometimes in the shop.

http://en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/Dr._Martens