Steel-toe work shoes... what's your brand?

[Andy Perreault]

I have to wear steel-toe shoes at work. The company reimburses me $95 a year for them, so I don't necessarily have to buy the cheapie brands. I had a pair of Red Wings a few years ago that held up pretty well. They were comfortable enough that I had them re-soled rather than buy new ones. But last year I bought a new pair of Red Wings, and lately they leak like crazy. It's like the sole is made of sponge. All I have to do is walk on wet pavement (not even through puddles) and I can feel the bottoms of my socks getting wet. It's not much fun being out in the cold rain and snow for 8 hours with wet socks! There are no splits or holes in the soles, the water is just soaking through the soles themselves.

So, my question for you guys who work for a living out there in the weather in steel toes, what's your choice brand? I could get my Red Wings re-soled, but I thought I might try a different brand this time. I have a pair of Timberland hiking boots that have really held up well over the years, and someone at work told me that Timberland makes steel toes too. Some of the guys say good things about the Caterpillar shoes. I want to check those two out, but I thought I'd post this to see if there's something better out there that I'm not aware of.

TIA, Andy

 

[B.G. Smith]

Red Wings and HY-Test were the best brands that I found when I had to wear them. bg

 

[boonsur]

I like my Caterpillars, but they've changed the model I like, so I'm not sure what I'll do when I need a new pair. They are also moving most of their operations to China (from here in West Michigan), so I'll probably be shopping for other brands as well. But I'll definitely miss my Cats.

 

[outlawram]

red wing all the way. You may have bought the soft soles i think there oil resistant ones are harder rubber.

 

[Hummin Cummins]

I like my Chippewa's. No goretex, but snow seal every two months works just as well. I wear the pole climber style with the big heel, it really helps my back when I'm on my feet for long periods.



Heres a link to mine. Chippewa #70904, cept I dont pay 250. 00 for them from the amish. http://www.bootsusa.com/Chippewa%20Boots/poleclimber1a.htm

 

[smartineau]

Andy,



You can buy White's boots with a safety toe now, the boots are very comfy but no Gore-tex liners and such.



Work buys my safety shoes, they used to buy Red Wings but they are buying Danners now.



steve

 

[Steve M]

Redwings were the toughest but hard on the feet. My fourth pair of Cats are the most comfortable and the $140 pair have lasted 3yrs but it's time to replace them. Sad to read they're moving to China. I'll check out Redwings again or Iron Age.

 

[A Johnson]

Red Wing Steel Toe Pullons with the little plastic toe protectors. They also have the hard black rubber soles. Had em two years they are about shot, they were a real pain for the first two weeks but I will buy them again.



A Johnson

 

[TowPro]

I also have Chippewa's with the big heal. I think there called loggers. Here are the ones I got Very comfortable. Only problem is they leave black marks on panted concrete floors (marked up by buddy's warehouse doing him a favor)



The have some insulation, but they don't bother me if I wear them inside all day either.



I also find the higher heal makes my back feel better compaired to standard boots. Plus they feel the same as my Chippewa wellingtons so I don't have to get used to changing heal sizes everytime I change from dress boots to work boots.



PS: I paid $149. 00 for them from the local Amish store

Originally posted by Hummin Cummins

I like my Chippewa's. No goretex, but snow seal every two months works just as well. I wear the pole climber style with the big heal, it really helps my back when I'm on my feet for long periods.

 

[CAROLINA CUMMINS]

I have two pairs of Carolina Boots, they are a pretty good boot. Both are steel toed and insulated w/ the logger heel. I think they run me 100-120 bucks. I always make sure they have the "Made In U. S. A. " tag before I buy. they have some that aren't





Steve

 

[PJereb]

Wesco, no equal

Wesco boots are actually made in the US..... freaking amazing in this age of corprate crap. I have had the same custom packers for a little over three years now (two soles and three heels later) They are some big bucks, but at least your money is going to craftsmen in Oregon.



I have the cappuccino leather, and I got them made to be 8" boots, they actually look great, look a little less goofy then the ones below.





#ad

 

[Greenleaf]

Georgia Boot w/Thinsulate 200 or more and Vibram soles. $140 at an Amish store. More so "in town".



If you'r company is giving you $95 per year, you may as well ask them where in the blazes "they" buy their work boots.



Greenleaf

 

[mcoleman]

I'm currently using Cape boots made in Missouri at work. But I do have a a 6 year old pair of Wolverine durashocks with thinsulate and goretex at home that I still use for hunting and working on the farm with. No leaks and they have held up great.

 

[JaMan]

I am very hard on boots, tore up redwings, wolverines and justins in about 8 months, but got a pair of Ariats and have been the best by far and are only about 120 dollars.





Jared

 

[Andy Perreault]

Thanks for all the replies, guys!

Andy

 

[mcoleman]

I 2nd the Ariats. I wear Ariats whenever I'm riding my horses and they are also what I usually wear for daily boots when I'm not at work.

 

[NBowlin]

i own 5 pairs of danners. between my service boots and boots for me and i dont have a complaint on a one of them.

 

[The patriot]

The company used to buy me Knapp's and Iron age. :{

Then I got wise and got a Dr's note for Redwings.

Problem is, I have to get an anti static (explosive enviornment) AND a steel toe. This limits my choices.

Eric

 

[Andy Perreault]

Originally posted by The patriot

The company used to buy me Knapp's and Iron age

My first two pairs of steel-toed shoes were Knapp's. On both of them, my big toes rubbed through the inner linings and would rub on the steel. My big toe nails got ground down like I had touched them to a grinding wheel, and all of my socks had holes in them. I'll never buy Knapp shoes again!

I'm leaning toward getting my present shoes re-soled, because they are comfortable. But I'm gonna do web search on Ariats. I've never heard of them before.

Thanks to all, you guys are great! Like that phrase "build it and they will come", on this forum, it's "ask and they will answer. "

Andy

 

[The patriot]

Yea, the Knapp's and Iron ages were torture... ... ... .

Redwings may not be the best out there, buit theyre like wearing sneakers after wearing the ones above.

Eric