Safety Toe Leather Boots

[roguerower]

As i've stated before, I have a construction internship this summer; It's the first time I've worked construction (started as an engineer in college then transfered to building construction, i.e. construction management). I shot an email to the guy who will be advising me this summer asking for what kind of footware I needed and he shot me this back:

"Safety Toe Leather Boots. Anything comfortable, you'll be in them at least 40 hrs a week. Red Wings are the only boot I'll wear but their pricey."

It goes without repeating, that I'll be wearing these a lot so something comfortable is of utmost importance, so if they're a little pricey but worth it, I'm more than willing to coff up the money.

EDIT: I'll be working in the US

 

[bctbct]

I would recommend wolverine durashocks or red wing. Stay away from anything cheap if you want comfort.

i think wolverine has a comfort guarantee if you dont like thm you can trade them in.

 

[imported_Imp]

Wal-mart or whoever sells safety shoes: try try try. Make sure they're CSA approved or whatever Safety Standard seal your country uses. One's I've used are from Terra Footwear. Lots of companies make them though.

Personally, I've worn one or two pairs as an engineering student. I brought a pretty good pair to a camp and wore them 2 weeks straight as my only pair of shoes. Went hiking into the forest in them, came in handy once when I almost drove a surveying tripod into my feet. You will get use to the extra weight, but I'd just bring an extra pair of running shoes to change into. As long s they don't pinch the toes, whatever.

 

[Gothgar]

Originally posted by: bctbct
I would recommend wolverine durashocks or red wing. Stay away from anything cheap if you want comfort.

i think wolverine has a comfort guarantee if you dont like thm you can trade them in.

I have Wolverines and they are kick ass, very comfortable.

Make sure you try them on first, and walk around a bit.

 

[roguerower]

Originally posted by: Imp
Wal-mart or whoever sells safety shoes: try try try.

Is the quality of shoes at Wal-mart going to be good enough?

 

[imported_Imp]

Originally posted by: roguerower

Originally posted by: Imp
Wal-mart or whoever sells safety shoes: try try try.

Is the quality of shoes at Wal-mart going to be good enough?

I'm not sure what US Wal-mart's stock, but the ones here have Terra and other, I'm assuming "cheaper", brands. I wouldn't go there looking for cream of the crop shoes. As long as they are certified, worst case is that they fall apart quickly.

 

[bctbct]

Originally posted by: roguerower

Originally posted by: Imp
Wal-mart or whoever sells safety shoes: try try try.

Is the quality of shoes at Wal-mart going to be good enough?

no no no!

 

[olds]

Absolutely buy good boots. Good boots start at around $125. I generally spend about $150 - $160.
If you have wide feet, steel toe boots may pinch the toes so try them on and walk around in them.

 

[olds]

Originally posted by: roguerower

Originally posted by: Imp
Wal-mart or whoever sells safety shoes: try try try.

Is the quality of shoes at Wal-mart going to be good enough?

No fucking way. Your feet will curse you.

 

[bctbct]

Originally posted by: Gothgar

Originally posted by: bctbct
I would recommend wolverine durashocks or red wing. Stay away from anything cheap if you want comfort.

i think wolverine has a comfort guarantee if you dont like thm you can trade them in.

I have Wolverines and they are kick ass, very comfortable.

Make sure you try them on first, and walk around a bit.

Thats all Ive worn for 15+ years...I think their quality is slipping but I still get about 18 months out of a pair. They corrected my lower back problems that I had from wearing cheaper boots.

 

[lokiju]

Dr. Martens

 

[roguerower]

Originally posted by: oldsmoboat

Originally posted by: roguerower

Originally posted by: Imp
Wal-mart or whoever sells safety shoes: try try try.

Is the quality of shoes at Wal-mart going to be good enough?

No fucking way. Your feet will curse you.

Taking this into account, where could I go (shop) to find a decent pair of boots?

 

[rival]

i used to wear cat's when i worked in the field, seemed good enough, once they break in they're nice. steel toes are kind of heavy so it will take a bit to get used to them

 

[roguerower]

6" or 8-9"

 

[Scouzer]

I wore a $40 pair of steel toed boots as my only shoes for two years... from Wal Mart... plenty good quality. Used to stop hundreds of pound pallet jacks with my foot with them too.

The internet is a tough place to get advice because the only people who reply are elitists in whatever they speak of. A $40 certified pair works fine

 

[bctbct]

Originally posted by: roguerower
6" or 8-9"

6" for a mens boot... ladies like the 9"

 

[olds]

Originally posted by: roguerower

Originally posted by: oldsmoboat

Originally posted by: roguerower

Originally posted by: Imp
Wal-mart or whoever sells safety shoes: try try try.

Is the quality of shoes at Wal-mart going to be good enough?

No fucking way. Your feet will curse you.

Taking this into account, where could I go (shop) to find a decent pair of boots?

Go to a local shoe store that has sales people that measure your feet and fit you.

 

[roguerower]

Originally posted by: oldsmoboat

Originally posted by: roguerower

Originally posted by: oldsmoboat

Originally posted by: roguerower

Originally posted by: Imp
Wal-mart or whoever sells safety shoes: try try try.

Is the quality of shoes at Wal-mart going to be good enough?

No fucking way. Your feet will curse you.

Taking this into account, where could I go (shop) to find a decent pair of boots?

Go to a local shoe store that has sales people that measure your feet and fit you.

Makes sense...thanks for your help...keep it up if you've got anymore

 

[olds]

Originally posted by: Scouzer
I wore a $40 pair of steel toed boots as my only shoes for two years... from Wal Mart... plenty good quality. Used to stop hundreds of pound pallet jacks with my foot with them too.

The internet is a tough place to get advice because the only people who reply are elitists in whatever they speak of. A $40 certified pair works fine

I've had jobs where I've had to wear boots for all my life. I am 49.
Right now, I have worked road maintenance for the past 18 years. I get a $35 a year boot allowance which is taxed. That leaves me $28.50 a year for boots.
I need four pair:
winter snow boots - Sorels, $100, last about 5 years
gortex boots with vibram soles for traction on slopes - $150, lasts about 2 years
leather boots with smoother lugs for paving - $150, lasts about 2 years
cheap boots for crack sealing - $45, lasts 1 summer and KILLS my feet but cost is a factor when you are destroying boots on a regular basis.

 

[olds]

Originally posted by: roguerower
...

Makes sense...thanks for your help...keep it up if you've got anymore

Don't get a real aggressive sole like a vibram unless you need it. They can be uncomfortable on smooth surfaces like concrete, etc.

 

[KillerCharlie]

FYI, zappos.com lets you buy shoes (free shipping) and return them (with free shipping). They have a bigger selection than any store. I'd still go to a store, but you can try on lots of shoes that you couldn't find elsewhere through zappos. Their customer service is perfect.

 

[laurenlex]

One more vote for Wolverines. I have the aluminum safety toe, and the boots are pleasantly light. I got mine at Sears. Sears had a pretty good selection. I think I paid somewhere around $80.

 

[silverpig]

If this is an internship for a career and you think you'll need them later on in life, then definitely get something good. Redwings are great. I've had several types for my summer jobs and the more expensive ones are definitely more comfortable and better. There is a point though where if you're only going to be using them for one summer where you'll just be wasting your money. If there's a chance it'll be longterm though, by all means invest in a good pair.

I have some Dakotas right now which were on sale for $70 or so when I got them 4 years ago. They lasted a little over 2 years, then the moisture got to them. That type of boot might be ideal for you if you're only using them a single season. They were nice and comfortable too. I don't wear them anymore, but I just haven't thrown them out. My mainstays right now are some viking chainsaw boots which would probably stop a bullet.

 

[roguerower]

This is definitely an internship for a future career. So spending th emoney now for a solid pair will be beneficial.

 

[Kabrinski]

I love my 5.11 boots. Very comfy and mine are the ANSI approved safety toe (no steel toe). There should be a few that would fit what you are looking for.

To give you an idea, these are the ones I have.