Work shoes/boots?

Raymond Richard

Raymond Richard

Joined
Jun 17, 2001
Messages
5,705
Been working in the garage for a couple months if that since the fire and my legs are really bothering me. I'm sure its the concrete floor. Any certain footwear you guys find works better for being on concrete? My sandles just aren't cutting it......... :D
 
I got two words for ya. "Red Wing". Any of their boots with the ComfortForce insole are superior than any other boot when working on hard surfaces. I've been averaging 20 to 30 hours OT in a 5 day week for the last three years and me feet are never an issue. The insoles are replaceable. I bought my last pair 3 years ago and am just now feeling the need for a new pair of insoles. The only time I'm off concrete is when I open the gate to my yard at the beginning and end of the day.

They are relatively expensive but are built to last. Their SuperSole composition is damn near indestructible. I usually buy a new pair every three years but it's really not necessary. Must be my feminine side and a new shoe thing. :D The old ones are just retired for yard work or home use and are still capable of an 80 hour week of work.
 
Hey Raymond,
i wear wolverine,dura shocks, standing all day in a machine shop
can really work on your legs and back,these seem to be the best ones that i have found been wearing them for over ten years,not the same pair but the same style, Tracy
 
I'm a fan of redwing also, I've had a pair for 10 years and only changed the insole once. And they have a gortex lining. Also thick hiking socks help.
 
I recently got a pair of Stanley boots. They're comfortable, insulated and waterproof. Most of the other boots that I've had pick up chips when you walk on them. These didn't.

I'd stay away from Carolina. I had one pair that tore up the back of both heels. Several guys at work have had the exact same experience.

Jamie
 
Ray,

I've seen you forging at IG's :eek: whew, those sandles kill me :D .

shoebox.msnw


For my 2 cents, I go with the Wolverine. Over the last 30 years in the construction industry I've owned Danner, Red Wing, Herman Surviver, Chippewa, most high end work boots. Though I gotta say that right out the box, the Red Wing (Irish Setter series) were definately the most comfy :D , where the others had a break in peirod.

Yup, I spend my day at work on concrete floors, the Wolverine are just as comfortable as the rest (steel toes and all), and they have outlasted them all. I think the reason that they outlast the others is because I never polished or treated the leather on the ones in the past, as I do now.

Larry T
 
I bought some new tennis shoes with those Dr. Scholls heels. After my calves got used to them I love em! But the best thing I did was put a thick rubber pad under my bench and grinder area.
 
Been wearing Redwing boots since I was 18!
 
The Redwing guy told me that manufacturers all use different "lasts" as their proprietary foot form. Thus, the key is you need to find the "shape" that fits your foot best. The one that fits your foot great right out of the box is the one you should buy. It will always be comfortable. He said there should never have to be a "break in" period for the right boots for you. He said that if Redwings didn't feel great in the store, don't buy 'em and try someone elses.

I went through a number of pair of premium boots until I bought my first pair of "Wings". They were "right" for me. There were a number of friends who got some damned good freebie workboots!
 
Another vote for Red Wings. Ask for the Comfort Force line. Fantastic work boots.
 
Thanks guys! Next week I'll take a look at the shoe stores here. I'm hoping to find some sandles with steel toes..... :rolleyes:
 
I wore Red Wings for many years. I wear Justin wookboots now. Still wearing the same pair for 4 years.
Scott
 
Ray, if you can get some rubber type sheeting to stand on in front of the equipment you use most it will help a lot. Even thin wood will help.
Sort of shock absorption and both are good insulators because concrete is cold and hard.
You will be amazed at how much they help.
Oh, the sandles.......with the socks you look like a European tourist but in your own shop you can do as you please..:D :D
I just think that your preferred atire is pretty bloody scary when working with hot steel and flux that can fall onto piggies. :eek:

Are those white socks fire proof? :)

Try the sheeting along with piggie protecting boots.

Mike

ps, good to see you are back and rising from the literal ashes like the proverbial pheonix.:thumbup:

Merry Christmas Sir.
 
Razorback - Knives said:
I wore Red Wings for many years. I wear Justin wookboots now. Still wearing the same pair for 4 years.
Scott
Click to expand...

Same here.

Well....I never tried the redwings but I will wear justin boots until they go out of business or I die :D They fit my feet better than any other boot I've tried and wear very well. I usually get 3-4 years out of a pair of their workboots and in the summer I'm putting a lot of miles on them. Very good boots and to top it off they're made in the USA :cool:
I also wear their crepe soled roper style boots for when I'm not at work. These don't even have a padded insole and I can wear them for hours and walk miles and miles without any trouble. They just fit my feet really well.
 
I'm all for White's Boots! There are spendy (about $400 a pair now) and can be a real bugger to break in. However, once you get a pair broken in they are the best boots I've ever worn. I've had my current pair for about 8 years now. In that time they've been through three sets of soles and two complete rebuilds. When you go to the White's store in Spokane, WA. they measure your feet, ankles, and calves.......if they don't have a pair on the shelf, then they custom make a pair to fit YOUR feet. Commercially, the Redwings are nice, but only about $100 less than the Whites....and the longest any pair of Redwings has lasted me is about 8 months before the seams and/or the soles started splitting on me. If your just looking for comfort, and not long wear/protection, then I would choose the Redwings. The way I look at it now is that with Redwings your "buying" a pair of boots. With White's your "investing" in a pair of boots.
 
I find it surprising that the Redwings worked so poorly for you,Ed. Did they replace them? Perhaps the quality isn't what it used to be; I readily admit I haven't bought any in a long time. I would argue, however, that they're hardly like going to Wally World and buying a pair of cheapos.
 
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