Would like to know what your favorite boots are, steel toe or non steel toe. If anyone is having problems with boots, I'd like to help if I can. I'm somewhat of an expert on boots. Check out the site in my sig for some information on the most comfortable foots. I'm here strictly to help, not selling anything.
Your favorite boots?
- Thread starter Shoefitsu
- Start date
blackz26
Banned
I don't think anyone enjoys steel toes. In the places required to wear them, and accident could sever your toes. Plus the make your toes cold real quick. I don't think they effect comfortablilty.
blackz26
Banned
I feel steel toes are pointless and should be optional. And OSHA should do something about it.
diesel research
Well-known member
where can one try these "keen" boots in-person?
TheGrooveking
Well-known member
Redback boots thus far.
TheGrooveking
TheGrooveking
ihateminimumwage
Well-known member
- Joined
- Jan 26, 2012
- Messages
- 3,960
Yup. Had my Redbacks for 5+ years, and they're the most comfortable boots I've owned. Nearly walked through the tread though, as they're the only boots I wear nowadays, at work and out of work.
the1nonlyjl
Banned
any boots with Vibram soles. They are the best!
General Geoff
Well-known member
I've found that Bates happens to use a foot mold very close to the shape of my feet, so they are very comfortable. They also offer their boots in Extra-Wide, even including models with composite safety toe, and I wear them every day, all day with zero discomfort.
Well I assume you can find your closest dealer here: http://www.keenfootwear.com/us/en/find_dealer.aspx
I work at a retailer in a smaller town in WI, so I'm sure someone around you will carry them.
I did a marathon (Bataan memorial death march) in steel toe boots in new mexico. Corcoran steel toe marauders. Honestly other than blisters for a few days from improper socks and not applying duct tape to my feet sooner (started taping at 14 or 15 miles in) it wasn't that bad. Worked the very next day. currently corcoran has my vote although a I would like to try a few of the tennis shoe style eventually.
kmk7110
Well-known member
I optionally wear steel toe boots. my current pair are carhartt brand that need to be replaced. I wore thru the insoles and the tread also the toes are down to the steel. Broke a lace so I figure its time to find some new ones altho i haven't started looking.
Which model number do you wear?
i've heard stories, but i find it odd that people would choose to not wear steel toes to avoid countless numbers of possible minor or somewhat major injuries for the fact they want to avoid the one incredibly serious injury that would occur with or without a steel toe (having something so heavy drop on your toes that the steel severs your toes off.... where if you didnt have steel toes your toes would most certainly not be stronger than the steel that got bent). id say steel toes prevent far more injuries than they cause.
sometimes i wish i had better metatarsel guard as well, for the times when something is dropped, and bounces and happens to nail you right above where the steel do and metatarsel protect, missing all the protective areas.
these are the favorite boots i've used. i definitely got a good run out of the carolinas, they lasted nearly a year and a half when a normal pair only runs about 8-12 months at the most where i was working. they had a definite comfort to them. great boots.
the wolverines were close in comfort as well, they never got too loose to cause problems, were great all the time until i wore them to the point of needing new after 9 months, but it happens. still have them because i plan to use them for other purposes, just not for work anymore, don't need wet feet at work because of worn holes in the leather.
the redwings were very durable, good, but definitely had a different sole and even with a good insert were causing problems for my feet (others feet may be different, but i didnt need a new sole for any of the other boots, just these, and the sole didn't even help). they sit, waiting for a quality sole because i just can't wear them all day because of the fit on my feet.
and the keens i took a shot at, i don't get as much leeway in purchasing boots now that im with a new company so i took a shot at a cheaper boot. but they feel great, can say i'm glad i got them, compared to a full on leather boot they look cheap but they definitely aren't. only complaint i had was the insole didn't last me 2 months before i went back to haney shoes (awesome local shoe store) to get a new insole because these felt great at first, but the insole they came with didn't last worth squat.... with a 20 dollar purchase on new soles i was set and so far it's been great. worth the money, but we will see as i haven't put too much time on them yet to call them as good as the carolinas.
i would rate the carolinas first, then keen, then wolverine, and then the redwing for comfort. and for durability, i would put carolinas on top, then redwing, then wolvering, and i cant say anything about the keen yet.
to Shoefitsu, if you are indeed well endowed with shoe knowledge, i'd like a good method of cleaning grease, black staining, oil staining, etc out of a boot leather. i've tried all kinds of things but still end up having the leather leave marks behind when touching them after they dry, the boots have been through hell but there has to be a way to get them cleaned up again.
KSB
Well-known member
I am a big fan of the Timberland Pro Endurance, I have had them in both 6 and 8 inch versions. They are very comfortable and I am just getting ready to replace them now after almost 1.5 years. I am working in a Truck shop so they are getting used and abused daily.
Redback slip on boots hands down. I wore red wings for years in the shop had feet problems several types of insoles form a podiatrist and several cortisone shots. Tool man stopped by one day and I bought a pair they were a game changer. No issues at all now I wear those boots everywhere
MattPersman
Well-known member
Snap on branded coastal boot "lowdown" they are like a slip on black shoe. http://www.coastalboot.com/index.php/shop-by-brand/snap-on-footwear-and-socks-1/lowdown.html
stroh
Well-known member
To the OP. Do you work at the Shoe Box in Black Earth?
richfinn
Well-known member
I've got some Jallatte Jalsiberians for winter time, they are insulated/goretex with vibram soles and composite toe caps and footbed (I think they are a Canadian company). During summer I wear Goliath steel capped shoes (which are British).
5lima30
Well-known member
Depends on the type boot. For loggers Carolina. For farm ranch type Georgia Boots. Military/ LEO Bates or Rocky.
I've owned Redwing boots mostly. I came to reallized they are overpriced when you consider the price, comfort, and durablity.
I need new boots. I think I will try the Keen's. I never heard of them before, but I have a very reputable dealer near by.
Right now I'm wearing a cheap pair of boots from Walmart. Believe it or not, they are my favorite boots I've ever owned. They are really heavy in weight unfortunately, but are really comfortable once I put some new insoles in them. I had to have new heels but on them last year. They aren't worth trying to save anymore.
Ed
I need new boots. I think I will try the Keen's. I never heard of them before, but I have a very reputable dealer near by.
Right now I'm wearing a cheap pair of boots from Walmart. Believe it or not, they are my favorite boots I've ever owned. They are really heavy in weight unfortunately, but are really comfortable once I put some new insoles in them. I had to have new heels but on them last year. They aren't worth trying to save anymore.
Ed
Shootingdad2
Active member
My company switch to Keen. We love the hiker style that we are allowed.
dmeadow
Well-known member
I'm on my second pair of Timberland pros and will soon buy a third. I have flexible arches and my feet get really tender standing and walking on hard surfaces. I put some Scholl's inserts into these and I can stand and walk on concrete all day with no pain.
These have steel toes though I don't have the model number. I'm around engine blocks a and other heavy stuff when I wear them and they have saved my toes more than once.
I think people make a mistake buying soft athletic style boots and shoes for work. I've always found a leather boot with a stiff sole more comfortable over the long haul.
These have steel toes though I don't have the model number. I'm around engine blocks a and other heavy stuff when I wear them and they have saved my toes more than once.
I think people make a mistake buying soft athletic style boots and shoes for work. I've always found a leather boot with a stiff sole more comfortable over the long haul.
I hunt in the grouse 57300 and Canadian 67200. But I work in the super rain forest 11500.
Even though I have been retired for about 6 years now I still wear steel toe boots almost daily. I still wear the same model of Hytest electrical hazzard safety boot that I wore on the job for the last several years that I worked. Now that I am retired I may never wear out the pair that I am wearing now. They are the second most comfortable shoes that I own and that includes those shoes that the VA prescribed with all the special features for diabetics, but not my custom made Catskill Mountain Moccasins.
LeGarage
Well-known member
Made in Italy. I guess one of the best selling safetyshoes in Europe.
blackz26
Banned
I'm surprised no one has said LaCross
pl_silverado
Well-known member
x2. Im on my second pair, worn daily.
Have you tried Dawn dish soap or maybe GoJo hand soap? Possibly not the kind of boot-savvy answer that was expected but I do know that there I am not familiar with any shoe cleaner that's worth a damn. Hope this helps. Also have you had the Keen for long? Durability-wise I agree with you on the Carolina boot you chose. Being made in America with a heat resistant Vibram sole, that boot would survive a nuclear attack.
Applesauce
Well-known member
I schlep around in Birkenstock mules. Sole/fit like Birkenstocks, but closed-toe. Not safe shoes by any means, but perfect for my shop environment.
No I do not. I have heard of it. I do work at a Midwest retailer, though.
theamcaddict
Well-known member
I currently wear chippewa 20080 with no safety toe. My next purchase will be 20081 with safety toe. I have been very happy and they are Made in the USA.
https://www.chippewaboots.com/boots/iq/20081
https://www.chippewaboots.com/boots/iq/20081
i haven't used dawn, but i have gone over them with heavy duty degreasers with a soft brush, medium brush, and a steel brush as well hoping to get it deep enough and rinse it enough to get the things absorbed out.
the only reason i got rid of the carolinas was because the bottom sole had split at the seam in the middle of it and would have required a whole new bottom. and was letting water in every time i would work on anything in the basements at work, i was ok with replacing them for a high boot though as the water level could get higher than those boots were anyway.
if i had to buy another pair, i would go for another carolina next to compare to the keens now.
i may try a kind of dawn soaking solution to let it soak into the leather without ruining it with a harsh solvent. i also have some exceptional all purpose cleaner that might do the trick, i all but gave up for the last couple months on getting them clean to use around the house in the winter anyway. but i wont let 400 dollars worth of boots go to waste, ill get back to it eventually.
Oddly enough. I basically never have people ask about cleaning their boots.
these are boots that were used in foundry conditions, grease, oil, corroded/mineralized water, metal dust, molten iron, any and everything you can think of has been on them. the boots are still good, but the black/dirt is embedded in the leather to the point that if you rub your finger on it, it will get dirty. and any moisture after that will cause more to come to the surface. i'd just like a way to get them cleaned up enough to not leave black marks on anything they touch.
Gotcha. Also with the pores being clogged, they are probably a little warmer than they should be.