Safety Toe Boots

[Da67goatman]

I need to acquire a pair of "safety toe" boots for my new job.  Does anyone have a recommendation on a specific brand or design?  I know I want a composite toe, they have to be electric shock certified and I would like a 6" boot, but other than that I have no idea which brands last, which are comfy, ect.  I am seeking advice from my fellow mechanics who are required to have them.   Thanks, for your help.

[beastie_3]

Danners are popular for fit and comfort. They can be re-soled too. Expensive, but worth it in my opinion.

[thachevythang]

When I was in the military we were issued several brands.

Danners by far the best fit and comfort.

Bellvue were my second favorite. Others seemed to not be able to stand up to the wear and tear.

[roger97338]

I currently own a pair of Red Wing boots. My last pair were Danner. The only reason I bought Red Wings this time is that the store didn't carry Danners. I haven't had my Red Wings resoled yet, but I have no doubt that they'll hold up as good as my Danners. My Danners I had resoled three or four times before the boot was too worn out for me to use them any longer. (The picture doesn't show it very well, but the leather has become deformed. Even if I had them resoled, the bottom of my foot would sit kinda on the side of the boot. I don't fault the boot for that! That's just my weird feet.)

Get yourself some Huberd's shoe grease for your boots, too. It'll keep them water repellent, and it's good for the leather.

A feature that these Red Wing boots have, that none of my previous boots by anyone has had, is this little, white nub on the sole of the boot that grounds the wearer from normal, everyday static electricity. Its a nice concept, but I've never paid one bit of attention if it works.

I advise anyone to stay away from those cheap, $40 boots at Wal-Mart. You get what you pay for. I know Danner boots and Red Wing boots and a few other good brands cost a lot of money, and budgets can get really tight sometimes. If you spend all day on your feet, your feet AND your back will thank you for spending the money for high quality foot wear.

Here's a couple pictures, if they help you at all. Remember, the Red Wing boots have a lot fewer miles on them.

[roger97338]

When I was in the military we were issued several brands.

Danners by far the best fit and comfort.

Bellvue were my second favorite. Others seemed to not be able to stand up to the wear and tear.

thachevythang, how often were you issued new boots? And how often did you notice a different supplier? I'm just curious.

[1979C20]

Ive got some ariat ropers and they are extremely comfy. My buddy clint has the work style ariats with the slip, shock, oil resistant soles and steel toe. I tried em on and my God they are comfy. And my dad wears doc martins and they last forever.

[autorepr]

I wear Red Wings.  I tried cheap boots in the beginning thinking I would replace them often but my feet and back knew what i was doing!  I started getting the red wings ($145ish) every 2 years and all body parts were happy.

[thachevythang]

thachevythang, how often were you issued new boots? And how often did you notice a different supplier? I'm just curious.

They were issued as needed buy our supply. It all depends on your supply SGT if they order the good stuff or not. Sometimes you have one that cares what the troops want and gets certain items. Sometimes you get one that just orders to have supply. It's no secret that if you get in good with the supply guys you can usually get what you want!

I correct myself. Belleville is the name of the boots. Wellco is another common issued boot.

[three8six]

Red Wings always for me.

[thirsty]

I worked for a propane company that used to give an allowance for boots. That was ok but it only covered half of the price for the boots I wore. We had to buy them, send in the proof that they were safety shoes and wait for the money. Mine usually went for $199 and they would allow $90 a year. Then they decided to contract to converse for composit toe static proof shoes, no more steel toes and no more allowances. I worked in a shop refurbishing tanks so I was hard on boots between sandblasting and painting. The converse were trash! They would not last until you were eligible to get another pair (and uncomfortable too). I used them only for painting and just wore my Georgias unless I had to go to another facility. Now that I work for myself I will only buy Georgia. Just wish they were made in the USA. I only wear steel toe boots and these work the best for me. When the wife insists I not wear my boots...lol I feel nekid without them.

This is what I buy.
http://www.georgiaboot.com/products/3790/1600G9382/Georgia-Logger-Insulate-Gore-Tex-ST-Work-Boots/

[Grim 82]

Danner's.

If you prefer a logger type safety boot you can get a pair of White's. They send you a kit to measure your feet and custom make each pair. They are awesome, but expensive, and it takes a while to get them.

[project85]

i had a pair of timberlane boots i used for surveying. they were water proof and lasted 6 years or so. alot of miles hiking through the woods and along the side of roads. i loved them enough i bought another pair 2 years in just to have. just me though

[zieg85]

https://www.lehighsafetyshoes.com/default.aspx  is what I have had.  I have 5 EW (duck feet as my dad used to call them) and they had the best comfort that I have found.  Before I had them re-soled they were my walking shoes for swap meets they were that comfortable.  My $.02

[bake74]

     I am with Red Wing boots also.  I wear my boots on average 10 - 16 hours a day 6 days a week.  I have to buy a new pair every 2 1/2 to 3 yrs.  When I was younger cheaper boots were ok, but now that I am older stability and comfort are very important.  As mentioned before they can be re-soled but I end up buying new ones because of the field I am in, they are pretty much nasty by 3 yrs.

[Blazin]

I have tried allot of different brands, had good luck with Red Wings in the past. I buy steel toe Herman Survivors now as they seem to last about a year and a half. I wear my boots 12 to 16 hours or more a day 7 days a week. In the winter I am in the truck allot plowing, my knee doesn't seem to bother as much using the clutch as most other brands I have tried. I used to get them at a shoe store but the local Walmart has started carrying them for about $30 less a pair. Paying $60 for them there. They are very comfortable. I too spill oil, and sometimes paint etc. on my boots and they seem to take that well too. I put Sno Seal on them every three or four months, they seem to keep my feet warm, and dry with just a heavy cotton sock.
 Speaking of socks. the right sock can make any boot feel better. The snap on guy gave me a pair of these for Christmas, the next week I bought a dozen pair. They are very comfy!
http://workandathleticshoes.com/crew-socks.html
They are allot cheaper off the tool truck, just put that up so everyone could see them.