Its time for new boots.

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won't clear metal detector with steel toes or steel shanks

I have always wanted to walk into a Federal building wearing my Matterhorn miner's boots. Steel toes, steel shanks and stainless steel metatarsal shields. >>
 
I am looking for ideas for work boots. I need something that is safe( I put my fiscars into my foot once wearing sneakers) and comfortable. I had a pair of wolverines for 4 years but its time to move on.

I do have a tractor supply near me so i am open to ideas there


1) Don't buy anything made in a third world country. Third world counties include (but are not limited to): China, Viet Nam, Indonesia, Philippines, Malaysia, Cambodia, Africa, Central America.

2) If you want good boots don't buy a brand. Buy American. With very few exceptions every premium boot maker produces a significant portion of their product line in the third world (see above). This includes Danner and Red Wing. Many brands (Georgia, Wolverine) are almost entirely made in the third world.
 
Went into one of the Fed buildings in DC one night to go down and get my car out of the underground garage. When I put the stuff out of my pockets in the bucket I realized that I still had my lock back box cutter in my pocket. The guy asked if it was a knife and then said "Oh, it's a box cutter. OK." and let me through. Guess he forgot what was used to hijack a few airplanes.
 
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this factory id the Grand Father of Foot Joy golf shoes. Foot Joy was the last of the Brockton manufacturers to close back in 2009-10. at one tine the city had 35 shoe factories, numerous tanneries, and many allied companies supplying those factories. this building was torn down in the early 2000's housing rush.
MA-BROCKTON_MA_-_Fred_F_Field_Co-690x319.jpg
 
another pic of one of the Walk Over building, site of a film about the Sacco-Vanzetti. The building left is where my dad's place was. the building on the right is the home of F B Washburn Candy, claim to be the largest ribbon candy mfg.
DSC01717.JPG
i'll stop now, thanks
 
View attachment 135299 As a follow up went shopping for boots almost everything is made in china. Chippewa's,Carolina, Irish setter by redwing. Timberland is Vietnam. I went with caterpillar boots , made by Wolverine, they were the most comfortable steel toe boot
Are they as tough as their bulldozers? :) We get a $150 Red Wing boot voucher where I work, every other year. I still have the first pair I got from at least 8 yrs ago, but they're about shot. I have gotten to the point that I have an 800 gram pr for just winter, 2 pr for spring/fall and just got another pr 6" for summer last week. I wore them for one day and they hurt my feet. They have a cut-out in the back at the top that rubs the back of my ankle something terrible. I guess they need to break in, so I wear them for a few hours then switch them. I'm on my feet most of the day since I'm running a job for the summer, not just a piece of equiptment. Key is I clean and oil them at the end of the season before I put them away
 
I wear safety shoes most of the time at work, and by far the most comfortable ones I've ever had were Timberland Pro Titanium. They were like a pair of slippers, light and fluffy, however they were also possibly the least durable shoes ever made. I've had canvas sneakers that would stand up to more abuse. Totally useless anywhere you'll be using your feet as an alternative tool for kicking, digging etc., but perfect for my job doing inspections on a shop floor, but terrible once they were "retired" to garden work.

The non-titanium Timberland Pro are my current favorites, almost as comfortable, slightly heaver, but much, much tougher leather.

TE
 
I bought a pair of Keen kinda like these last spring, ran a job from early June to mid December (on my feet a lot and in rocky conditions) and wore them through the winter and almost every day since. Absolutely the most comfortable boots I've ever had. Broken in right away and very light. Gave them a lot of abuse, and the soles are starting to show it but I'd buy another pr in a heartbeat. They weren't red !!! but olive drab where the red is so they are also a good looking boot
http://www.ebay.com/itm/Keen-Footwe...8152374?pt=US_Men_s_Shoes&hash=item4ad734f6b6
 
I am a residential garbage man, I spend 10-12 hrs. a day dragging cans to the truck.

I like Keen, like D8Chumley bought, as a matter of fact I bought the exact same ones that are in his link, Pittsburg, they are red and everything.
Keen are comfortable, look good, and are waterproof. You can get them with or without safety toe.
 
1) Don't buy anything made in a third world country. Third world counties include (but are not limited to): China, Viet Nam, Indonesia, Philippines, Malaysia, Cambodia, Africa, Central America.

2) If you want good boots don't buy a brand. Buy American. With very few exceptions every premium boot maker produces a significant portion of their product line in the third world (see above). This includes Danner and Red Wing. Many brands (Georgia, Wolverine) are almost entirely made in the third world.

Best boots made IMO. A little spendy but when you wear them out they will rebuild them ( for a fee of course) They are 100% made in USA in Spokane, Wa
http://www.whitesboots.com/
 
I like dannerboots and Hoffmann . Although rocky and Carolina make an excellent boot also and seem to last forever. I'm an iron worker and tie a lot of rebar for a living stuff is extra rough on boots and anything else it touches. All these are extra tough and wear like iron, boots that is
 
I am a residential garbage man, I spend 10-12 hrs. a day dragging cans to the truck.

I like Keen, like D8Chumley bought, as a matter of fact I bought the exact same ones that are in his link, Pittsburg, they are red and everything.
Keen are comfortable, look good, and are waterproof. You can get them with or without safety toe.
That is a meaningful endorsement.
There no group tougher on boots than trash men. Maybe asphalt pavers, but it's close.
I have been wanting to try a pair of the Keen boots, but questioned their durability.
Now, I'm convinced.
Thanks for posting this!
 
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Redwing Wellington composite king-toe suits me most of the year. Danner's with thinsulate round out the rest of the year.
 
If you want warm water proof boots, nothing beats muck boots. That's what I have for winter boots if we have a water main break. Very comfortable 100% water proof and the are steel toe, actually composite but I love them.
 
That is a meaningful endorsement.
There no group tougher on boots than trash men. Maybe asphalt pavers, but it's close.
I have been wanting to try a pair of the Keen boots, but questioned their durability.
Now, I'm convinced.
Thanks for posting this!
If you buy a pair come back and let us know how you like them. I also work with guys that like the muck boots but I haven't tried them personally
 
My Carolina's just went back to the factory after a long drawn out *i$$ing match with the customer service dept. These boots are all made in China. My soles came detached from the shoe after 6 months of light usage. My whole family wears Carolina boots. I'm not OK with the quality and want another pair or money back. Hard to find anything good any more!!
 
I'm on my second pair of Keen boots, and will soon be buying another pair. I have wide feet, and the toebox on Keen's boots are about the only that is comfortable for me, especially in a steel toe. I've had USA made Carolina boots as well as China made, tried a pair of thorogood's for about a week, never could find a pair of Red Wing's that were even remotely comfortable, Rocky's are snug but passable in soft toe, but steel toe no way, etc.

The first pair of Keen boots that I had were to Tacoma version, and the only reason I replaced them for work was no fault of the boots. I spent some time standing in come chemicals that reacted with the soles and the rubber hardened on them. I couldn't safely wear them on the smooth floors at work any longer, so they were retired for home use about 9 months ago, still waterproof and comfortable.

My current pair are actually made in USA, manufactured in Portland, the Portland PR Slip On boot,been very happy with these as well. Completely waterproof when I wore them all winter, and comfortable for all day wear. I am about the buy a pair of the Detroit low to wear in the warmer months and use these for winters.

With all that said, I won't hesitate to try anything from Keen, especially considering the fitment issues my wide feet cause with almost all other brands.
 
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If you buy a pair come back and let us know how you like them. I also work with guys that like the muck boots but I haven't tried them personally
My neighbour wore the Muck Boots until black locust thorns pierced the soles and made them unwearable. Maybe they need to use a harder compound in the soles?
That has kept me from trying them, as well as reviews that said that they are very slippery when you go from wet conditions to a smooth floor.
Kind of like from a parking lot to a store.
 
+1 Red Wings. I have only owned one pair, have had them probably 5 years. They make them in the USA and China. I paid more for the American made model but they also fit me better. I paid $200, twice as much as I paid for my first car! I have also since bought a pair of Saloman boots $200 for some serious Boys Scout backpacking in the Rocky Mountains of New Mexico. Also well worth the money!
 
I'm on my second pair of Keen boots, and will soon be buying another pair. I have wide feet, and the toebox on Keen's boots are about the only that is comfortable for me, especially in a steel toe. I've had USA made Carolina boots as well as China made, tried a pair of thorogood's for about a week, never could find a pair of Red Wing's that were even remotely comfortable, Rocky's are snug but passable in soft toe, but steel toe no way, etc.

The first pair of Keen boots that I had were to Tacoma version, and the only reason I replaced them for work was no fault of the boots. I spent some time standing in come chemicals that reacted with the soles and the rubber hardened on them. I couldn't safely wear them on the smooth floors at work any longer, so they were retired for home use about 9 months ago, still waterproof and comfortable.

My current pair are actually made in USA, manufactured in Portland, the Portland PR Slip On boot,been very happy with these as well. Completely waterproof when I wore them all winter, and comfortable for all day wear. I am about the buy a pair of the Detroit low to wear in the warmer months and use these for winters.

With all that said, I won't hesitate to try anything from Keen, especially considering the fitment issues my wide feet cause with almost all other brands.
Thats good to hear. I am a Merrell kinda guy so I like comfortable shoes ( but not that way lol) I have 4 pr Merrells plus for summer a sandal which is super comfy. I'm not impressed with Red Wings and wouldn't have any if I had to buy them. Keens are definitely on my "will buy again" list. I wear mine 6 days a week for work most times and they have seen some rough terrain on the jobsites. I'm pleased
 
My boot of choice is a Cofra boot
It started as an Italian Company,and probably has offshore producers.
They are my choice because of break in,after 4 days you forget you have new boots on.
In the summer it is not uncommon for me to be wearing them 7 days a week.I get at least 3 summers out of them.