Steel Toe boots...

[TheKittensMEOW]

Where is the best place to purchase steel toe boots?
Is there anything specific requirements to look for or are they all the same?

What brands are better quality for daily wear that will last, while being cost effective?

 

[blackrock13]

This thread should be such fun. For real work or just kicking some ass? I wait for the response with a smile on my face, but
I already have a mental picture of you in a pair 10 inch loggers boots, spikes, harness, and all. Hmmm.

 

[TheKittensMEOW]

This thread should be such fun. For real work or just kicking some ass? I wait for the response with a smile on my face, but
I already have a mental picture of you in a pair 10 inch loggers boots, spikes, harness, and all. Hmmm.

For work funny guy.

Here's a funnier mental picture... Me in my running shoes with a contraption attached that act as steel toes.

Sounded like I was a horse doing tap trot everytime I moved. Not so funny.

Will take a picture tonight for shits and giggles.

 

[Casey.xox]

I am pretty sure that all safety shoes have saftey rating triangles on the tongue. Different color means different level. My safety shoes had to have a full steel top and had to be a certain anti slip for the factory settings I worked in. Mine actually looked really cute, like a leather and suede runner, I paid about a hundered bucks for them.

 

[oldjones]

You're employer or whoever is in charge of the site should know what they require. Generally it's the green triangle they want. Mine are styled like runners, and came from Mark's Work Warehouse for a bit over $100. My sweetie was real happy with her green triangle Blundstones, until she tried the Mark's runners and switched. My last Construction Manager wouldn't give up his Blundies† for anything. Like them, Doc Marten's also began as work boots and are available steeltoed.

†A caveat about Blundies. Polyurethane soles like theirs have been known to develop microbial 'rot' when stored for lengthy periods. Apparently wearing them daily, or most days at least, keeps these microbes at bay, and the shoes wear out as Blundstone says they usually do, in a couple of years of hard wear. The soles can be repaired, but Blundstone will likely be little or no help, if yours rotted away from under-use. Nor will their literature warn you of the possibility. Nicks Shoe Repair on Dupont however will do a nice job.

 

[sharpbloke]

i got a pair of Stomper's. they are l little pricey but they're the most comfortable work boots i've ever had.

 

[Art Mann]

Take a tip from the pros

Blundstone Boots. The footwear of choice for Australia's Tap Dogs. Comfortable and easy to slip on and off. Once you own a pair you'll never be without.

Available with or without steel toes.

 

[Julian]

I have had to wear steel toe work boots for the last 20 years on the job. One word of advice, unlike regular shoes/boots steel toe work boots do not stretch and get much more comfortable after being broken in. If that steel toe is rubbing your foot when you try them on, it will only be much worse down the road.
I prefer the "CAT" brand name, they are comfortable and durable...plus they just fit my feet just right. I usually buy 1 size larger than my normal shoe size as well.

 

[impala77]

There is a lot of choices on the market for safety footwear. You should find out if the location or company has any requirements regarding the style you need to wear. For my Industry it is generally required that we wear full boots as opposed to shoes. Green triangle and shock protection are a must composite footwear is good if you have to go through metal detectors, all the same protection without metal. Generally speaking you can buy from Mark's they have a good selection but I usually go to Mister Safety Shoe because they have the JB Goodhue brand and style that i like.
Lastly, don't necessarily go cheap. You want to make sure they are comfortable first and foremost. I've spent 12 hour days in boots that were cheap but weren't comfortable and it isn't worth it.

 

[JakeB]

30 plus years of wearing steel toed boots, my favorites are Kaufman Kingtreads.

 

[Mr. Piggy]

For work funny guy.

Here's a funnier mental picture... Me in my running shoes with a contraption attached that act as steel toes.

Sounded like I was a horse doing tap trot everytime I moved. Not so funny.

Will take a picture tonight for shits and giggles.

Sounds like you were wearing toe caps.

 

[Aardvark154]

For work.

When you need them you need them. However, one comment is that safety boots can be damn cold in the winter, that steel toe seems to suck in the cold a lot better than it warms up from you.

 

[bazokajoe]

I wear steel toed boots with the metatarsal guard(madatory for my work place)The company pays half the cost so we are stuck with just 2-3 models and brands.My only comment would be get some really good insoles from a shoe store or even get some custom made.I have yet to find a comfortable pair.

 

[Ceiling Cat]

I have never had the need to wear steel toe boots but I have had to wear boots when I was in the military. The first thing you do when you get the boots is to coat it with several coating of silicone, this keeps the boots looking good longer. Rinse the boots with warm water at the end of the day, and dry them off with a cloth. Apply silicone every 3 or 4 weeks. I have boot dryers to keep them dry for the next use. ( nothing worse than stepping into a pair of damp boots ) The boot dryers keep the boots from getting smelly.

I made my own boot dryers with a couple of computer fans, a 12 volt transformer and some PVC pipe. I have some felt insoles that I change every time I use the boots, it keeps them dry and the boots are more comfortable with some cushioning inside.

 

[whitewaterguy]

I have had to wear steel toe work boots for the last 20 years on the job. One word of advice, unlike regular shoes/boots steel toe work boots do not stretch and get much more comfortable after being broken in. If that steel toe is rubbing your foot when you try them on, it will only be much worse down the road.
I prefer the "CAT" brand name, they are comfortable and durable...plus they just fit my feet just right. I usually buy 1 size larger than my normal shoe size as well.

here's a good reason to be patriotic and NOT by CAT boots:

People angry about Caterpillar's callous closure of a a London, Ont., locomotive plant are trying to put the boots to the multi-national heavy-equipment maker. Literally.
National clothing chain Mark's Work Wearhouse has pulled Caterpillar-branded products, including popular work boots, from its shelves in London amid furor over the announced shutdown of Electro-Motive Canada and the loss of some 700 jobs.
Critics contend the shutdown was long-planned because Caterpillar wants to move locomotive production to a lower-wage U.S. plant. Management locked out unionized employees on Jan. 1 and demanded a 50 per cent pay cut to reopen the plant.

 

[TROOPS]

For womens steel toe boots...... http://www.moxietrades.com/ The owner was on dragons den.

 

[Cassini]

I always purchase my boots with the electrical ohm symbols. Make sure they have steal toes, steal soles, and are electrically safe. Most of the serious boots meet all the tests.

Fished a nail out of the bottom of one of my safety shoes once. Yes - the steal soles do something.

 

[milehigh]

Yep those Cats are good, and they fit nice. They last longer than most, but still do wear out. They are a bit on the pricy side - just a bit - not overly - but worth it.

 

[blackrock13]

Marks work Wearhouse, can't beat the selection or the price in one place. Green tab, cover you ankles, and take the pair that fits comfortably. Dakota's are the in house brand and copy most of the big manufacturers.

 

[dondada]

you might laugh off this suggestion but giant tiger sells safety boots...and if on sale...can be had for under 30 bucks...hicut too...