My job is requiring us to wear steel-toed boots for work and I was wondering if there were any places or brands that you guys recommend. I've only ever bought one pair, and they were from wal-mart, and they were awful and made my feet so sore I couldn't wear them.

They need to be goretex, and work is paying for them so as long as they're under like $120 so $$$ isn't really an issue, I want something quality. Thanks.

3/23/2009 1:15:51 PM

good luck finding great quality boots for $120 or less. real boots are expensive. Fumbler's work boots are $400something

3/23/2009 1:24:18 PM

rei?

3/23/2009 1:24:19 PM

Good discussion here for starters:


message_topic.aspx?topic=557590

3/23/2009 1:24:20 PM

btw rei doesn't typically carry work-type boots...just hiking and whatnot. they're a recreation equipment store.

[Edited on March 23, 2009 at 1:46 PM. Reason : ]

3/23/2009 1:46:05 PM

http://www.cabelas.com/cabelas/en/templates/links/link.jsp;jsessionid=3SXBVON5GSPS3LAQBBICCOFMCAEFCIWE?id=0020788811925a&type=product&cmCat=froogle&cm_ven=data_feed&cm_cat=froogle&cm_pla=0200107&cm_ite=0020788811925a&_requestid=50505

Cabela's Steel Toe Gore Tex Lace to Toe boots $129.99

I have a pair of these and they've been great.



[Edited on March 23, 2009 at 1:51 PM. Reason : fucking linking.]

3/23/2009 1:51:02 PM

red wing and Wolverine are two good choices.

Red Wing 2414 8" Gore-Tex Waterproof Steel Toe Work Boot

Wolverine GORE-TEX® DuraShocks® - 8" Steel Toe

they are going to be about $200 though.

3/23/2009 2:08:52 PM

redwing- good stuff-

you pay for it, but you definitely get what you pay for

3/23/2009 2:17:54 PM

yeh, $120 or less and you won't find anything nice to your feet. I've got a $30 pair of steel-toe, goretex boots and I love them - but after a full days work, I know that I was wearing cheap boots.

might as well figure it as a half-half deal, get a good pair for around $250 and have the company give you back what the will.

3/23/2009 2:21:02 PM

I got a pair of Timberland steel toed boots for my co-op, I don't think it was that expensive. Maybe like 150 or so, but this was through an on-site shoe store.

3/23/2009 2:37:45 PM

coming from someone who has worn steel toe work boots most of their life all day, red wings are great, they will hold up longer and are more comfortable than anything else, but expect to pay $150-250, there is a red wings store on south saunders, they do a great job of fitting, including heel levelers, arch supports, etc., and have a student discount

[Edited on March 23, 2009 at 2:40 PM. Reason : i have worn the red wing 2414 for about 7 years now and am only on my 3rd pair]

3/23/2009 2:39:16 PM

Redwing

3/23/2009 4:24:46 PM

I've had a pair of non-insulated Gore-tex pull on boots for about 3 months and I like them a lot. They were about 150 dollars, but good boots are worth it.

3/23/2009 5:02:40 PM

redwing, I love the hell out of the king toe line. MOAR TOE ROOM

3/23/2009 6:23:57 PM

I just recieved my 4th pair of this boot, I absolutly love it. Made by Dr. Marteens
http://www.onlineshoes.com/productpage.asp?gen=m&pcid=89501

oh and got these for "dress boots" still steel toed
http://www.onlineshoes.com/productpage.asp?gen=m&pcid=135722

3/23/2009 6:50:11 PM

I'm on my second pair of Timberland pro series boots, since the first ones only lasted over 4 years of pretty much every day wear. My boot of choice is the pit boss, but its not goretex. They are waterproof, though. I'm actually looking another pair of boots right now. Dick's carries them online and usually in store. Or you can get them direct from timberland.com

3/23/2009 8:19:02 PM

Steel toed boots are great, but they do nothing for protecting you from dropping a vise on your metatarsus. So to recap, cheap boots will not be the best on your feet but can be had for $40 uninsulated and slightly more with goretex, steel toed boots are an incomplete protection, don't move Chinese vises by the lever.

3/23/2009 8:47:22 PM

I have a pair of these for work. Had them for ~8 months now and they hardly show any wear. Meets ANSI Z41 PT99 standard.
http://www.zappos.com/n/p/dp/44589445/c/22652.html
Zappos is a good company. I ordered them on a Friday afternoon, and they arrived the following Monday afternoon with free shipping.

3/23/2009 8:50:31 PM

ha

[Edited on March 23, 2009 at 10:20 PM. Reason : ]

3/23/2009 10:20:19 PM

these are my current work boots, timberland pro 6", pretty good cushioning...they smell like stank feet after a day at work, but they give good support, traction, and are comfortable

3/23/2009 10:26:45 PM

Buy Rocky. I wear steel toe work boots every day, and these are by far the most comfortable and durable. They hold together very well under all kinds of conditions. Might be coming close/slightly over your price limit but trust me, you will get what you pay for.

3/23/2009 11:18:01 PM

My flight boots are Belleville steel toes, and I wear them all day, every day. I also pretty routinely walk a mile to work and a mile home, and find them to be plenty comfortable. I mean, I wouldn't want to go hike 10-20 miles in them or anything, but they're fine for everyday activity.

I don't know how much they go for new, as mine are all issued. I have a pair that I'd think about selling you, if you can wait a few weeks (brand new, never used. They're black, and I'll be wearing brown or desert tan from here on...and I have another black pair just in case).

You might also be able to find them on eBay, but a lot of them will be used.

3/23/2009 11:36:05 PM

If you don't need high-top, then these ones are great. I have had two pair and I wear them everyday - even when I am not working:



They are Wolverine WW14007 composite toed, static dissapative shoes.

3/24/2009 4:36:01 AM

[Edited on March 24, 2009 at 9:42 AM. Reason : ]

3/24/2009 9:40:08 AM

Redback all the way. I've been wearing steel toed boots every day for about 6 years. I've just about worn them all, and Redbacks are the best boot I've ever worn. Rocky comes in a close second. But be more specific about what you do, how often you are on your feet, conditions such as if you need waterproof or not, and how much you walk.

Quote :

"http://www.redbackshoes.com/"

3/24/2009 3:43:37 PM

I love my Red Wing boots. They last forever.

3/24/2009 8:50:20 PM

paging Nitrocloud

3/24/2009 9:53:54 PM

Check out Red Wing Shoes in Garner.

3/24/2009 10:24:05 PM

Quote :

"they smell like stank feet after a day at work"

are they waterproof b/c that makes a significant difference in my experience

3/25/2009 12:08:32 AM

You can't pay too much for a good pair of shoes.

3/25/2009 12:41:44 AM

Redwings

3/25/2009 10:58:43 AM

bellevilles...i wear only those...i love them...mine are black with goretex on the inside...

i work on a ship so im constantly walking around and standing all day...

so yea bellevilles!

3/25/2009 3:59:39 PM

spend the money to get you a pair of Redwings. Wolverine boots were decent 15 years ago, but today they are utter crap.

3/25/2009 9:11:43 PM

do they just require steel toes or metarsals, make sure cause more and more jobs are getting picky about the specifics

and you can get a good pair from walmart, i would get a pair and walk around in them for awhile before you buy them

but if you are dead set on not going to walmart, there is a little mom and pop place at the end of old stage road in garner near 401

3/26/2009 2:14:52 AM

http://www.zappos.com/product/7194444/color/24839

i wear those, they fucking rock. so lightweight you forget you're wearing them. i'm in construction so i'm not on my feet all day, but a good majority of it.

i guess what boot you get really depends on what you'll be doing

3/29/2009 10:58:33 AM