Boots!

sph3ric pyramid

sph3ric pyramid

Joined
Jul 24, 2002
Messages
861
Well, having worn sneakers most of my life (as a runner), I'm now looking for some boots.

More specifically, I'm looking for boots that are:

- Right around $100 in price
- Smooth leather (that will take a good polish)
- 8-eyelets or less
- Steel toe is preferable
- Durable
- Available in wider sizes

Basically, I'm looking for a better constructed Doc Marten 1460. From many places I've heard that the quality has declined greatly since production's been moved overseas, and many have had the soles crack, stiching come apart, etc.

The 1460s look like this:

b-sm1460z.jpg
 
I was just looking a purchasing these same boots...do they have steel toes? The website I was looking at did not specify.
 
I very highly and strongly suggest you not buy steel toed boots without walking around the store for at least an hour in the exact same pair you are considering purchasing. Better yet, ask to see four or more pair and mix and match and walk untill you find a tolerable set. Even better, get a tolerable pair that has an exact counterpart model without steel toes and buy both pair so you can sneak them on for relief evey now and then. Never met a pair of steel toed boots I like, even though I've been wearing them when mandatory for 25 years. If I knew anyone whose steel toed boots had saved their feet, I MIGHT feel differently. Generally mandated bi light in their loafers office types who come into the field once a week for a few hours and invariably say "See, I wear them too".:mad:
 
In my case, the steel caps aren't particularly necessary, so I'll do without if comfort's an issue. There were going to be more for presentation than anything else (also for some peace of mind: they make excellent kicking implements). I do some roaming in the bamboo at night occasionally, so puncture resistance is more important.

I'm planning on buying boots sight unseen off the net, as the prices in Japan are prohibitively high :mad: and boots like martens are rarely seen (the pseudo-"hip-hop" look is "in" now, apparently), Japanese shops cater more to fashion than anything else, and the blue-collar guys don't wear CAT-type boots to work.

Japan is driving me nuts. Off topic: How much do a pair of Levi's go for Stateside?
 
Whoa. I might have found what I was looking for!

SR8bx.jpg


A brand called Shelly's Rangers (usually called Rangers, I think?)

Specs are:

8 eyelets
Steel toe
Ranger sole (whatever that is)
US$111
Looks like screw construction, too!

They don't look quite as nice as the Martens, however.

But I'll keep looking...anybody have any good stories to tell about Martens they've bought recently? Most reviews and stories I hear about the newer Martens say they're crap...
 
If you haven't already done so please read this
thread to help with your selection........

http://www.bladeforums.com/forums/showthread.php?s=&threadid=266648

There are some of the better quality boot brands
mentioned with links. One brand that didn't get
mentioned is "Redwing" a super tough first quality\
American made work boot/shoe. They are sold all
across the country with styles for both men &
ladies along with grunt construction worker to
office exec's.

Whatever you buy make darn sure you understand
something of boot construction and buy the VERY
best made boot you can afford. Designer names mean
nothing in this game.
 
I buy my boots from here

Probably way more styalized than anyone here wants but they are handcrafted leather made in Spain. I have worn mine to do everything from riding my motorcycle to hiking. I wear them everyday to work and they are without question the best boots I have ever owned. I tossed aside my Redwings and Danners when I got these. But I am a freak and my choices are probably not in the majority here. :D
 
very highly and strongly suggest you not buy steel toed boots without walking around the store for at least an hour in the exact same pair you are considering purchasing. Better yet, ask to see four or more pair and mix and match and walk untill you find a tolerable set. Even better, get a tolerable pair that has an exact counterpart model without steel toes and buy both pair so you can sneak them on for relief evey now and then. Never met a pair of steel toed boots I like, even though I've been wearing them when mandatory for 25 years. If I knew anyone whose steel toed boots had saved their feet, I MIGHT feel differently. Generally mandated bi light in their loafers office types who come into the field once a week for a few hours and invariably say "See, I wear them too".
Click to expand...

My Pop's had his feet run over twice by a fork lift... having a steal toe on the boots he was wearing shoved his foot into the groun till it was flat... foot was fine. Note: He had this happen TWICE!
 
There are two lines of Martens currently available.

One is made overseas, and isn't really all that good. These are more modern shoes with glued on molded rubber soles and nylon patches on the sides.

The other line is made in England, and has the traditional Martens' stitched-on air filled sole. Generally these are all leather. I purchased a pair of 8A49s to wear to work several months ago and they are superior boots. Mine are extremely comfortable, and still look lke new after a good polish.

I spend more then a bit of time standing on concrete in test labs, and the difference in comfort from the shoes I had been wearing to the Dr.Martens is phenomenal.

I'm not sure where you heard about Martens being junk, but I can tell you that the traditional England-made products (which the picture you posted appears to be) are fine quality and in my experience have proven to be quite durable.
 
I've heard hundreds of stories but I've never seen a steel toe do any good, and never heard a first hand story that convinced me anything more than a stubbed toe was avoided. On soft ground like what you spoke of, hotrod, you usually use big pneumatic rubber tire forklifts so as not to get stuck. Not a problem for your foot on soft ground usually. On concrete with little hard composite tires, a steel toe will usually not help, and could hurt. A steel toe protects you from small weights (wrenches etc) falling very short distances. I don't find hard hats particularly comfortable, but I wear them without bitching because they work, and they are required by OSHA unlike steel toes. Steel toes are required by light in their loafers college type office boys who read it in an outdated book. Redwings, though overpriced, are the best I've found, and they're not great.
 
Stich, have you tried Wolverines? I have had three pair now and they are as comfortable as tennis shoes to me. We are also reqiured to wear then for work. I like them because I don't have to worry about my toes and when we're moving stuff around, (furniture, file cabinet, etc.) I can set/prop the item on my boot to get a better grip.
 
Don't give up on Redwing's just yet!!!!!

They are sold nationwide in better stores and in
Redwing dealer stores. Use the dealer locator to
find a dealer near you. That or call Redwing to
find a dealer as they are nice folks.

I've worn Redwing's for 35 years finding them to be
extremely comfortable and tough as nails. I had
one pair of hi tops last me 10 years in a factory
setting!! So keep looking, you'll be glad you did.
 
Originally posted by Tightwad
Don't give up on Redwing's just yet!!!!!
Click to expand...
I wore them everyday for 18 years. They come in different widths so it's best to go to a store and have them fit for you. My local Red Wing store keeps sizes and model numbers on file so when you need a new pair you can just call them and pick them up the next day.
 
Wolverines are about the most comfortable and best work boot we have ever used. We buy a particular model that has anti slip neoprene type inserts in the sole, only boot we can use when we need to climb into machines to set up parts, never slips. if i am not carefull, i will forget to take the boots off before going home, they are that comfortable.

far as the steel toe, i gotta agee, i dont know anyone that can claim their toes were saved, and i know a few that the steel toe caused more trouble than if it were regular boot.
 
Originally posted by stich
I very highly and strongly suggest you not buy steel toed boots without walking around the store for at least an hour in the exact same pair you are considering purchasing. Better yet, ask to see four or more pair and mix and match and walk untill you find a tolerable set. Even better, get a tolerable pair that has an exact counterpart model without steel toes and buy both pair so you can sneak them on for relief evey now and then. Never met a pair of steel toed boots I like, even though I've been wearing them when mandatory for 25 years. If I knew anyone whose steel toed boots had saved their feet, I MIGHT feel differently. Generally mandated bi light in their loafers office types who come into the field once a week for a few hours and invariably say "See, I wear them too".:mad:
Click to expand...

Odd...I wear steel toed Doc Martens as a casual shoe! :eek:

My Doc Martens are probably the most comfortable shoes I have ever worn and have saved me from many a footache. The steel toe has saved me from much pain and cursing as well.

I wouldn't hesitate to buy another pair of Doc Martens! :D
 
I'm not sure if they make a model with your exact specs, but if they do, I'd give tehm a serious look. I really love mine. Not only are they protective but as mentioned above, they're as comfortable as tennies.

jmx
 
I've worn Wolverine Durashocks for years. Got a pair of the "Worx by Red Wing" boots (guess they're not "real" Red Wings, which are over $200) on right now. They are about the same price, maybe a little more, than Durashocks, but were free through my work-I can get two pairs a year. I like them, but they're not Durashocks. 4 double shifts per week the last few weeks has really told the tale. My feet hurt. They've been through many a 64-80 hour week in Durashocks without discomfort.
I can get one pair of the "real" Red Wings a year for free, as an option, and may try them out next time around, but my money always goes to Durashocks...
 
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