Work/outdoor boots

mikehopkins

mikehopkins

Joined
May 23, 2007
Messages
90
Need a recommendation on a work boot standing on concrete 12 hrs a day that would also be good for outdoor wear and the SHTF scenario. Tried Danners and can't get them to fit. Looking for all leather, non-insulated and with some Vibram kind of lug sole.
 
When I had to buy my own footwear, I liked Redwings. They are comffortable, wear well, and are not as slippery on wet surfaces as some. Hope that helps.
 
They are expensive but worth every penny. I use Whites boots. Try your local dealer usualy farm supply and contractor sales stores or online at whites.com I think. Or google whites boots.
 
I saw the title and was about to recommend Danners as they are the most comfortable (and durable) boots I have ever owned - right out of the box! Wearing them all day on concrete has been just peachy.

Sorry you don't like them, and I can't really help at all except to suggest trying them on again to make doubly sure they don't fit well, try them with a pair of insoles or something. I have to wear them in mine, but I normally have to anyway because I have flat feet so shoes normally have too much room above my foot.
 
I have always been happy with Vasque. Vibram type sole, you can get Goretex and all leather (such as the Sundowner). Good if you do not need a steel toe. Merrells are good too. These are "hikers" more than work boots, but I use them for both and they make the crossover quite well. Ecco makes a good boot called the Track II, but I can think of prettier things to spend my money on. Cannot beat the comfort though (I used to work in the footwear industry)
 
Dave28210 said:
Merrells are good too.
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I'm going have to say that I have had a number of very poor experiences with Merrell going back a good 10 years. I remember vividly my fathers Merrell sandals falling apart about 10 years ago, pretty soon after he bought them. I have had hiking boots of theirs come apart, my girlfriend recently had a pair of their boots come apart not one year after buying them for casual occasional use (they weren't hiking/work boots, more of a casual boot). We took care of them too, proper leather conditioning etc. They always seem to start falling apart very quickly.
 
If you have an unlimited budget I would say get some Vibergs built for you, or, failing that, Nick's or the top of the line White's of Spokane are pretty nice boots. I wouldn't spend the money on White's unless you get their primo boots, though...the rest are nice enough, but not REALLY nice, if you know what I mean.

If you want to spend a little less, the Danners and Redwings are nice boots for the money.
 
mikehopkins said:
Need a recommendation on a work boot standing on concrete 12 hrs a day that would also be good for outdoor wear and the SHTF scenario. Tried Danners and can't get them to fit. Looking for all leather, non-insulated and with some Vibram kind of lug sole.
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I was going to suggest Danner, but you took the wind out of my sails. I know what you mean about having trouble finding something that fits. I'm an 11 EEE, but I usually settle for EE. The Danner's have always fit me right out of the box. If Danner's don't work for you, try Red Wings. I've used them for years and they fit well and wear like iron.
 
I wish someone like Scarpa would make boots with a steel toe. When I travel to remote sites I have to wear steel-toes but I also like to take a long bushwalk in the evenings if the place allows it. Two pairs of boots are too heavy to travel with so the boots I chose to suit both purposes was red-wings. They are expensive here in oz but worth it. So far they've done the trick. I get a bit of a toe rub after a long walk but nothing too bad; and they are fine to stand around in all day.
 
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I work 12 hour shifts on concrete floors and have found Hy-test to be the most comfortable. Wolverines and Doc Martians are also good.
 
I usually wear Danner's also but I just bought a new pair of Converse Desert Tactical with composite toe and love them. They are light, comfortable and tough. I use them while working construction 12hrs a day and hunting.
 
I've tried a number of different brands and haven't settled on anything I like in particular. One think I really do like in a work boot is having the fiberglass plate and toe rather than steel. It just makes the work boot that much lighter and more 'hiking boot' like. I refuse to buy steel ones now, always go for the fiberglass. I often use my work boots for hiking.

I'm sure somebody will pipe in about some survival attribute of the steel plate though :)
 
You should really invest in two pairs of boots, your feet will thank you. Go and buy a shop specific boot and a hiking boot. I would not try to do double duty.
 
+1 for a composite safety boot. I wore steel toe work boots for years and recently switched to composite toe and plate. Much lighter and warmer as the composite material does not conduct cold like steel. I would also recommend getting a set of dedicated hiking boots rather than double duty boots. I quite like Montrails and Zamberlan for hikers.
 
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