Comfortable Hard Toe Shoes/Boots

22-rimfire

22-rimfire

Joined
Nov 20, 2005
Messages
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I broke two toes yesterday and had I had safety shoes on, it probably wouldn't have happened. It was not a crush injury (nothing fell on my foot). So, I am in the hunt for good work shoes....

Looking for a pair of very comfortable safety shoes (hard toe) that I can wear all day and feel like they are as comfortable as a normal pair of work shoes. Looking for suggestions (no taller than 6"). These will be worn with khakis to jeans. I want them to look good or about like what most people would wear with jeans on the street or a day hike. Looking for recommendations.
 
I'm going to go by a Redwing store and look at their low hikers or perhaps oxfords. Don't want them to look like "old man" shoes.
 
Doc Martens, they make some safety toe boots. I know their regular boots are a little heavy but they are comfortable though.
 
Timberland pro. I wear their wellingtons -they are super comfortable. I know they make shoes and boots with steel or composite toe.
 
My experience with safety shoes and boots has been none are truly comfortable all day long and you only wear them because you have to. If they are not comfortable, I know I won't wear them unless I am somewhere where hard toes are "required". I have several choices where "required" is the rule of the day.

A wellington design might work if they aren't too chunky.

I imagine it will be a couple weeks before these toes heal up a bit. Never broke a bone in my life. I always pay attention to safety issues, but it is the fluke things that get you.
 
I used to really like Dr. Scholls that I would get at Famous Footwear. They were incredibly comfortable, but the soles were so soft I was going through a pair every 6-7 months. Then I found Timberland Pro's and they were just as comfortable and lasted a lot longer. I haven't tried any of the higher end boots like Red Wing though.
 
The most comfortable hard toes I have ever owned and worn were sold by Kmart and were "cheap". They fit me like a glove and loved them. But like the Dr. Scholls, the soles wore smooth quickly (less than a year) and then Kmart stopped carrying them.... tried a pair of Redwings boots that are just too clunky except for "required" wear. I keep them available when the need develops, but I wouldn't call them really comfortable. Maybe I never really broke them in well? I know Redwing sells other less "utilitarian" designs that I will look into when my toes heal up. But I am open to any suggestion. Comfort is the key as well as protection and probably a composite toe versus steel.
 
The company I work for issues steel toe boots every year for the employees. I usually get the Timberland Pro series or the Georgia boot series. For me, these two are the most comfortable and takes hardly any time to break in. A boot store on wheels comes to the plant and has a wide selection of steel toe shoes and boots to choose from. Academy also has a selection of steel toe boots.
Gook luck.
 
Even when I worked for a company, I still pretty much bought my own. I never wanted to be beholding to the company for anything other than my paycheck. I purchased all my own reference books for my office (sizeable investment), field supplies, tools, and so forth even though the company would have paid for most of this stuff. When I left, the only thing in my office that was their property was the computer, furniture, and files. The rest of the stuff came with me.
 
Check Danner boots. They have some good offerings and my experience has been positive as for the comfort and durability aspect.
 
You might want to try the "Easy Escape" line from Redback Boots. They aren't the cheapest boots, but from personal experience, they are worth every penny.
I actually have two pairs, one for work, and one for when I'm not at work.:rolleyes:
Just remember that they also have a break in period too!

If those don't work for you, I would go with what Rev said. Danners are extremely nice too, my father swears by them.
 
I'm in the safety business.

Safety toe footwear is ONLY comfortable if you go get your feet measured at the store, with your work socks on, standing. People forget their feet expand and contract when walking, from heat, from weight, etc, etc.

Regardless of brand.

Good luck with search.

Larry
Tinkerer
 
It appears that the Easy Escape line only come in medium widths and I have found that overall I am happier with a wider boot or shoe.
 
22-rimfire said:
It appears that the Easy Escape line only come in medium widths and I have found that overall I am happier with a wider boot or shoe.
Click to expand...

Redwings will measure your foot in length and width giving you a perfect fit everytime. They have steel and composite toes as well.
 
Knowing me, a Redwing product is what I will end up with. They have measured my feet in the past. The resultant size was "too big" and slipped around on my feet. Hard to judge really stiff work boots by trying them on and I have no experience judging foot swell after being on your feet for a long period of time. Asking for advice and suggestions is a way to see what people who wear these things actually like versus what looks good in a picture.
 
If you can, composite caps are far and away better than steel for comfort. But that said, while in Canada nearly every safety boot I found (apart from the very very cheap) were composite, here in Australia composites are few and $$ between. Probably since once it gets really cold, composites are worth every penny spent.
 
I ended up using Keen footwear, but I was looking for a pair I could wear in an unairconditioned warehouse in Las Vegas during August.
 
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