Replies

1. 
   Ted_LaRue_ | Jan 10, 1999 12:00pm | #1

   *
   Those special socks with the reinforced toes and the "wicking action" help for a while, but
   they didn't last long enough for me. I found
   that changing socks twice a day (or more) helped
   for me, especially in hot weather.

   Related topic:
   Why do they make boots with the quick-lace
   hooks all the way up the front, but then spoil
   it all by having regular eyes at the very top?

   And why do they make pull-up loops on the
   back above the heel that are too small for me
   to get my finger through?

   And those little "vent" areas on the inside
   sole near the arch of your foot. They're supposed
   to ventilate your foot, but they only seem to
   help work my socks down into the boot.

   Am I the only one who has these complaints?

   --------------------------------------------------
   "Before criticizing someone, walk a mile in their
   shoes. Then when you do criticize them, you will
   be a mile away and have their shoes."
   -- Unknown
   --------------------------------------------------

1. 
   Hambone_ | Jan 10, 1999 07:15pm | #2

   *Those steel toes are a necessary evil in my opinion. I wear the Red Wings pull on "Pacos" and have had good luck with the comfort factor. And I like those padded toe and heel athletic socks, too.

1. 
   dp_ | Jan 10, 1999 08:08pm | #3

   *I use Red Wings too -- cause they have the best fit range (I'm a 13AAA in dress shoe, they do A's and B's in most models). They seem to wear longer too -- mine get at least one resole before the leather is shot.Steel toes are a must. I'm just a weekend builder-mechanic-fabricator, and they have saved me a crunched toe several times.DP

2. 
   Guest_ | Jan 10, 1999 11:28pm | #4

   *
   Redwing. I thought I wore 15's and they correctly put me into 16's and I don't notice the steel other than it shows through one of the toes. I also got a great pair of cushion inserts and the boots are now as comfortable as a pair of sneakers. Told a friend with 14's to go there and he loves them too.

1. 
   Guest_ | Jan 11, 1999 05:01am | #5

   *Red Wings are great boots. A few years ago I bought a pair of Woverine Durashocks "Wilderness" and feel in love with the comfort. They are insulated with 200 grains of Thinsulate. I wear them year round. They are fairly expensive and a pair only last me from 8 months to a year depending on the jobs I am doing. I never had a pair of boots last longer than a year. I have worn them all and these are the best I've had. I wear them everywhere even for casual wear.

1. 
   Guest_ | Jan 11, 1999 09:37am | #6

   *Thank you all for your comments...I just got a flyer in the mail about Wolverines (Fusion with Durashock) but they didn't give any prices. I can now guess why when I look at the message from Kcoyner. I'll check them both out and keep the steel toes. Once again, thanks for the info.

3. 
   Fred_Matthews | Jan 11, 1999 11:07am | #7

   *
   Redwings

1. 
   David_M | Jan 11, 1999 10:36pm | #8

   *After 10 years of everyother boot company, I finally tried Red Wing. Hands down the best boot and best sales help. Dave

1. 
   Michael_Leistiko/Builder | Jan 12, 1999 10:51am | #9

   *I don't work for this company but I have wideeee feet. I had purchased longer boots to compansate for not being able to find anything wider than triple E. Then somehow I found a place that sells men shoes only and they have up to 6 E wide, you don't need a longer shoe if you get the right width, the name is Hitchcock wide shoes for men, (http://www.wideshoes.com) they have the best fitting boots that I've ever worn. Steel toes are optional, not my preferance though. When you're 6' 8"s tall and 285 lbs your boots don't last more than a year at best.

1. 
   Tom_Dunlap | Jan 12, 1999 11:20am | #10

   *Steel toed boots aren't the only way to protect your little piggies these days. Husqvarna makes boots that have a chainsaw cut-resistant toe in them. They can be purchased through most Husky dealers or contact Sherrill Arborist Supply,http:www.wtsherrill.comMost of my boots have insoles in them. The thin shim in the bottom couled with a little more arch support make my feet comfy.I add a small loop of cord, tied with a double fisherman's knot, to the too-small pull loop on the top of my boots.Tom Full time arborist, part time wood butcher

4. 
   Guest_ | Jan 12, 1999 07:07pm | #11

   *
   Well fellas,

   I have searched far and wide just to find a work boot that will fit nicely and most of all last more than 3 months. I recently bought a pair of Caterpillar boots. (the same folks who make the dozers) So far so good. its been about 4 months and they are holding up better than any I've owned before. They also have a nice sole that holds the ground well but dosnt keep much sticking to them. These particular boots of mine have yellow and black soles. AS for steel toes.. I think about them whenever I drop something on my foot which isn't too often, thank God! These boots set me back about 80 bucks at Sears.

   Pete Draganic

1. 
   Guest_ | Jan 12, 1999 09:59pm | #12

   *I've worn out numerous pairs of Redwings but as yet have not been able to kill my Chippewas - just got their third sole in 4 years this week. They are about 2x the cost of Redwings but are 4x the boot IMHO.

1. 
   Guest_ | Jan 14, 1999 02:07am | #13

   *Pete, Caterpillar makes boots like Harley makes cigarettes and perfume, i.e. they sell the rights to their trademark. I believe the boots are made by Wolverine.

5. 
   Trent_Land | Jan 14, 1999 04:48am | #14

   *
   Walt, not familiar with the Chippewas, where'd you come by those?

6. 
   Guest_ | Jan 14, 1999 11:21pm | #15

   *
   I live in upstate NY and the local shoe repair shop stocks them - presumably as he says so he can sell something he dosen't have to fix. Try local yellow pages. If you can't find let me know and I'll check with my local store and he can get a reps name in your area.

1. 
   Guest_ | Jan 15, 1999 01:53am | #16

   *Just got a wearguard catalog, they have chippewa boots, and they are pricey. If they are as good as Walt says I might chech them out. Wearguard can be reached at 800-388-3300, probably have a web-site too.Tom

1. 
   Guest_ | Jan 15, 1999 02:08am | #17

   *All these guys are missing the boat. My favorite boots are made by Danner. I'm pretty sure they are available nationally. I wear redwings, irish setter low-cut, white crepe soles, until the temps drop. The leather wears fast and the soles wear faster, but they provide the best combination of grip on all surfaces and they don't mark up shingles and other finish surfaces. A pair of theses at $150 lasts me exactly on season.(spring to fall) I can't wait for winter to come so I can put on the Danners. Don't know the exact style but they have the bob sole, thinsulate insulation, goretex, with leather and ballistic nylon sides. I've worn them for 5 winters, and I judging by all the whining I hear, I've got the warmest, driest feet on any given jobsite. I've recently found a Danner boot with a white crepe sole that will be replacing my redwings this year. There you have it.Tom

7. 
   Barry_ | Jan 15, 1999 02:37am | #18

   *
   I want you to buy Danners first and Red Wings second. Danner is owned by our local footwear company, whose stock I also own. Red Wing is made just up the highway, and buying it also helps the local economy. Thanks for supporting my community, guys.

8. 
   Guest_ | Jan 15, 1999 08:46am | #19

   *
   Carolina? Joe, I never thought anyone from Jersy would go for anything from anywhere from "Down South" of South Jersey.

9. 
   Dick | Jan 17, 1999 08:32am | #20

   *
   I love Doc Martins. With a steel toe!

1. 
   gerard_yankowski | Jan 17, 1999 08:27pm | #21

   *J.D.Glad to see someone else in the WORLD wears 15'sdo you know if they have a web site i can get a hold of them on looking for a rite fit in my work-boot??G.D.

1. 
   Aaron_ | Jan 19, 1999 06:07am | #22

   *Redwings! skip the steel toes. They last me two years, every time-mediumconstruction/carpentry use. Hermans only lasted a year, timberlands 6 to 8 months. The fit is great, what kills 'em for me is the leather stretches over time so much that the laces start touching eachother (oooh!) and I no longer can tighten them.

1. 
   dp_ | Jan 19, 1999 07:14am | #23

   *Of course, y'all are taking care of your boots in the first place, right? Use a leather conditioner on them, like Lexol. Use your favorite waterproofing - I like Snoseal (beeswax base, not fish oil). Let them dry slowly, not sitting next to the firebox. Have two or more pairs, and alternate them, especially in wet or sweaty weather so they can dry.Do this, and each pair will last at least twice as long.DP

10. 
    Guest_ | Jan 19, 1999 09:26am | #24

    *
    Wierd sizes or just plain good boots I vote again for Redwings.

1. 
   Guest_ | Jan 19, 1999 10:15am | #25

   *Am I the only one who goes barefoot? You's all a bunch of wimmin!

1. 
   Guest_ | Jan 19, 1999 12:11pm | #26

   *Learned as a child NOT to wear beach thongs (no, not the bathing suit...) on a job site. Nails stuck in 2x4 blocks go right thru them into the foot! Later used the real Vietnam boots for foot protection, as they had built in steel protection in the sole. They were light and well ventilated, but not very pretty. The steel plate would sometimes crack and make clicking sounds when you walked.I like no-name engineer boots with steel toes from Wal-Mart. Keeps the foxtails out of your socks, and can be polished up for saturday night if you don't use them a lot. Easy to take off at the door at home. The leather on the toes wears quickly though, and they're not great for climbing walls or doing roof framing.For concrete work, I wash them quickly with common vinegar and rinse with water. Neutralizes the alkilinity of the cement, and loosens it some also.Its great to be able to rest a sheet of plywood or sheetrock on your steel toe so you can take your hand away safely.

11. 
    Steve_C_ | Jan 19, 1999 12:17pm | #27

    *
    My current set of boots has seen better days...I want to get another set soon and so I ask for some suggestions. The ones I have now have steel toes and my left big toe has been a war with the steel edge for about the last month. I'm at the stage where I almost don't want to get another with steel toes. Should I or shouldn't I get steel toes in the next set?