Work Shoes?

[Raised on a Deere]

On another thread "I should have got a tractor years ago" one poster mentioned in addition to many other benefits mentioned that your bones and joints would thank you in years to come. I have to say amen to that. I am 76 enjoying good health but for last 10 years most of my work had been sedentary even though I still do all my own house repair, and car maintenance. Joints stiffness was just chalked up to getting older. Now after about a year of enjoying the tractor with loader that I always felt I needed but was sheepish in justifying I can say that the health benefits are amazing. Joints have loosened up, balance is better and I just plain feel better. And I am getting so much done that I could not with out the right equipment.

But I have not taken care of one important piece of business. None of the shoes I have seem to be suited for what I am doing. I will pass on steel toes but otherwise I need a good lightweight but sturdy hightop shoe that works well in rough ground, when working with brush, or in dirt and gravel around building sites. And of course getting on and off of tractor when grappling or bushhogging and the like. My son had a pair of Catepillar brand that did not fit him but did me and I wore them for two or three days and they are just too clumsy, do not work well on hilly ground. hiking boots seem to work pretty well but the ones I have do not have tops that are sturdy enough. I know it is subjective but I would like to find out if there is a type of shoe that some think are really great.

I had a pair of timberline something or other about25 years ago that I just thought were perfect. I wore them completely out (weekend warrior stuff) and for the past several years have need something to take their place. At the time I talked some friends into buying them and they also liked them. So I know that there is such a thing as a shoe that is just better than the cut of the mill.

What do like in the way of a light but strong and supportive shoe.

 

[SRMN8R]

Redwing.

I bought my first pair 10 years ago, and still wear them at least 3-4 days a week. Best boots I've ever owned. I've since bought Redwing shooes for myself.

I've had two problems with my boots: First problem was the fit. They just seemed too big. After wearing them for a year, they replaced them at no cost for a smaller size. The second problem was when the soles wore out. They replaced them for a minimal fee.

At this rate, they should last me for the rest of my life.

J

 

[bigtiller]

Yep, Red Wing.

Go to a red wing shoe store, not an authorized retailer. There is a difference. More choices, experienced help, and all they sell are shoes and boots.

 

[Baby Grand]

I like Merrell's Moab high tops (mid they call them).
Very comfortable out of the box - they stock size 14 in medium width, which is as close to AA as I'm ever going to see at that price.
They last & last. They give me a good sense of balance - not so bulky that I feel clumsy like my steel toe boots do. Very important if you have to get on and off the tractor a lot.

 

[meos1]

I dont have red wing. I do have steel toes. I do some welding and play with steel. I like the high top support for my ankles. They are heavier but I want to make sure I am not going to get a broken toe.

 

[Wolfy]

I have always had luck with Wolverine, however, the most comfortable boots I have ever owned were made by Chippewa.

 

[W5FL]

All of us go through this same search. The hardest part of the criteria for me was to find good work shoes that did not track dirt into the house and I was tired of washing mud off the soles. I wear a very wide shoe and the only one that I could find had to be ordered on-line. Justin makes a really great all leather lace up work boot with 8 inch high tops and a steel toe that you will never know is there except when you need it. They also make a 10 inch pull on work boot with steel toe that works really well on the farm. They are so comfortable that you can wear them 16 hours a day. They are still made in the USA and the sizes still match what they did 50 years ago!

 

[Looking4new]

I have 2 pair of Merrills, one I wear for working and the other for going out/socializing. Like another poster says, they are very comfortable right out of the box. Absolutely no break in.

 

[kneedeep]

I have 2 pair of Merrills, one I wear for working and the other for going out/socializing. Like another poster says, they are very comfortable right out of the box. Absolutely no break in.

I too (or three) endorse the Merrill Mohabs. I have a new pair for work and buy new every fall and the last year pair go to the farm for weekend shoes (recycle, I guess ).
I had a major foot injury that required 3 surgeries, 7 pins and custom orthotics to walk again. My Dr suggested a local shoe store specializing in foot injuries and the first shoe they put me in was the Mohab high top. They are available in wide and 1/2 sizes off the shelf (Academy has a good selection). They provide a good foundation, ankle support and breathable. Only downside is the sole is a lug type and will track all the junk you have been stomping in inside!
I just bought one of the brush type boot cleaners and give em' a good scraping before going inside. At night I just kick em' off and wear a slipper.

 

[Steppenwolfe]

Danner Boots. Made in Oregon. Can't beat 'um with a stick.

 

[KubotainNH]

Redwings have an amazing warranty if you have a store nearby. I have some for work that have an aluminum toe and look/feel more like a sneaker. I don't much like the weight of a boot. They'll even reseal them once or twice a year and replace broken shoelaces.

 

[phiferpharm]

wife is just now getting over this problem. Horse stepped on her foot, so it's steel/aluminum toe for her from now on. Gonna either have to go to Gainesville or Daytona Beach to find a Redwing store it looks like.

 

[pizzaguy]

I have to put in another vote for Red Wings. Very comfortable and long lasting. Do your research though. They have some that are "Made in China" and they are not the best of the brand but still very good.

 

[GPintheMitten]

wife is just now getting over this problem. Horse stepped on her foot, so it's steel/aluminum toe for her from now on. Gonna either have to go to Gainesville or Daytona Beach to find a Redwing store it looks like.

Wow. Sorry that happened to your wife. What was she wearing at the time?

 

[rocketfish]

Red wing all the way! I have 4 pair (3 at home and 1 steel toe at work) eand love them all. Very comfortable. Didn't know after buying the first 2 that they could be resoled. Was talking to the guy at he store and he said for $60 we can make them almost like new and they did. With new soles, laces, and a little oil they looked good to me!

 

[JJZ 109]

I've got a couple of different models of Merrell. Like them both a lot. But the best I've found for comfort & light weight are Dunham Clouds. I wore out a pair this year, but I own a seamless gutter business and am up & down ladders several times a day.
I buy from a small local shoe store. 10x better service than the Gander Mountain, etc. of the world as well as supporting the little guy instead of some corporate behemoth.

 

[Sportsman762]

I like Redwings, the set I have are steel toe and have shanks in them. They were stiff at first however after they broke in they fit just fine. I have been wearing them for 9 years and have a spare set, that I purchased when getting these resoled. Steel toes with a shank, with heavy tread in a 8" boot is not light so it may not be what OP wants. However I will buy Redwings from now on. Wolverines and Timberlands did not hold up for me, I was wearing them out in less than a year. I have also heard good things about Carolinas.

 

[rocketfish]

Red wings all the way! I have 4 pair (3 at home and 1 steel toe at work). I like them all! Didn't know until after the first 2 pair that they could put new soles on them. I talked to the guy at the store and he told me they could make them look almost like new. So with new soles, laces and a little oil I put some more miles on them!!! I don't really remember for sure but 1 pair is at least 12 years old and still going!!!

 

[grnspot110]

I now use Carolina Boot, Red Wings don't come wide enough in a size 14!

 

[DJ54]

I wore Red Wings for over 30 years. When they did away with the Super Soles, I went to the Justin, model 604 boot. Waterproof, with 400 grain insulation. I normally can't wear an insulated boot, because my feet sweat easily, but no problems with these through the summer. Straight out of the box, they feel like they're already broken in. 100% USA , materials, and made in the USA.