Posted: 12/25/2007 4:32:40 PM EDT
| This last fall I started going to the local technical college in the Machine Tool program, and I have also started working at a machine shop. Does anybody have any good work boots or shoes they can recommend that would be good for this environment? I need a good pair to wear, as right now, I really dont have any. |
Absolutely. I bit the bullet several years ago when my Chinamart boots crapped out. Almost $200. I noticed right away that when I was getting ready for bed, that I had forgotten to take off my shoes when I got home. The first thing I did when I walked in the house was to take off my old boots, these I forgot I was wearing. I love them. I bought the steel toes (just because I like to set things on my toes , they are an extra tool to me), but you cannot tell as they dont hit your foot anywhere, even when squatting. When these boots die, I will be replacing them with Redwings. |
YMMV
| Spend the money for Redwings-I've been working in shops for 30 years now,and Redwing is the only boot I will wear to work. I've found nothing else as comfortable. The non-slip soles are VERY good on oily surfaces-I used to walk on oily,highly polished conveyors without a slip. I'm on my feet 9 hours a day now (maybe sit down a total of a half hour in the day), and I have no foot problems,unlike so many others. |
| I've been wearing Doc Martin's industrial safety boot. Best boots I've ever worn. I used to wear Iron Age but they weigh a ton. You might could find a pair of GI desert boots with steel toes. They are wolverine durashocks, and you can usually find them for cheap. |
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Red Wing FTW. *However, I must say that Georgia Boots Mud Dawgs are nearly equal. They are every bit as comfortable, and over the last year I've worn them up to 14 hours a day during the workweek. They are a little bit of a different niche- chemical resistant, waterproof, steel toes. . . yum.  -p. |
I can personaly attest to the statement in red. I wore Iron Age boots for six years and I weighed them once: boots with metatarsal weighed 4.5+ pounds a piece (9+ pounds for a pair). They are built like tanks, though. Iron Age went out of business, by the way. Now I wear Red Wings. Even with the metatarsal, they only weigh 2.5 LBs a piece (5 LBs a pair). Very comfortable, but I still have sore feet at the end of 12 hours shift. And out of that 12 hours, I'm on my feet for only about 7 hours or so (depending on the product). But still, pretty comfortable boots considering I weigh 210 LBs. |
I agree! I've been using them for about 35 years. One year I bought another brand to try them out. I lasted in them for about four weeks, gave them away and went back to Redwings. I prefer the lower cut with the steel toe. There is no better comfort! No better traction in slick places. I'm hell on boots so I replace them every year. Never got a bad pair! Joe |
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The best shoe for me is lighter than most of your work boots and has a thick soft rubber sole. Standing on concrete for 8 hour sucks if you get a sole thats too thin and hard. I usually buy $30-$40 walmart boots that meet these characteristics. The steel chips I walk on kill the soles of my boots so they only last about 6-8 months anyways. Tractor supply sells some nice quality boots. ETA: dont get brushed or suede leather. The oil and coolant stains them pretty easy. Try to get smooth leather that will wipe clean easily. |
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Another one for red wing. I'm a fitter/welder. I weld and use a torch all day. I garantee you what I do is harder on boots than anything. I have bought other brands and they dont even last 6 months. My redwings last twice if not longer than any other boots I've tried. There are alot of boots out there that feel comfortable when you first try them on because they are built flimsy and soft. I will admit red wings can be quite uncomfortable when breaking them in. Thats because they are BUILT with thick leather and good stiching. Just remember buy AMERICAN. |
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STAY AWAY FROM DR. MARTENS!!! My company buys work boots for their employees once a year, I got these back in mid Feb. and just look at them, they're destroyed! I work a very easy schedule, 14 days a month, 12 hours a day and for 6 of those 12 hours I'm sitting in an office watching DVDs. Now these boots don't need a break in period but they should've been replaced 3 months ago!   
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Look a little closer at the Red Wings before you leap. I'm hearing rumors that they are going to china for production. Also, back a few years they were replacing steel shanks with fiberglass in the climbing boots I and my co-workers were buying. If you need a line on workboots a little more serious, look at Wesco or Hoffman, and possibly Whites. Wesco can custom build you a boot any way you want but you will pay some real coin. The jobmaster model would be the one you are interested in. Shop around, prices can vary alot. For a walking around job I'm sure the Red Wings will be fine but they are not the ultimate work boot. Also, Red Wing Boot oil is petroleum based which isn't ideal and you should make sure it won't be a problem mixing with the oils you will be around. You might be better off buying cheap boots every 6 months if you are in an evironment that rough. Also, wait till you get to work and ask the people there. |