Work Shoes

[nukewood]

My Doc Martin's were the most comfortable work boot ever but can't find them here in Oregon.

[Mike McFarlin]

Converse composites, made by the tennis shoe company. More comfortable than Doc Martins.

[Pochron]

Follow this link, or copy paste into address bar. Should be a good selection with some specials.
http://www.lapolicegear.com
Ron

[Mike McFarlin]

Just give me some Adidas Superstars...

[UncaBuffalo]

Danner makes a safety-toe boot (the 'Striker') specifically for passing metal detectors...no metal anywhere, plus a plastic zipper on the side for easy removal if security (ie...airport) still makes you take them off.  I use them for all commercial nuclear work.  (They cost around $200 at the Danner outlet in Portland.)

The soles of these boots have started to crack...and I've only got about 3 months of actual wear-time out of them, so...not as huge of a Danner fan as I used to be...

[JessJen]

I'm currently wearing a pair of Irish Setters (made by Red Wing)...they seem well-made, but aren't particularly comfortable.

You may just want to get refit.  My boots didnt make it in the move to IF so I picked up a pair of clearance boots here from the local RW store.  They didnt have my usual width but the size they had fit well enough so I gave it a shot and was miserable.  RWs have to be fitted right or else not worth the money, definitely go to an experienced shop who will measure your feet and go accordingly. 

[xobxdoc]

The Wolverine Durashock with composite toe is very comfortable with very little break in time. It will not set off metal detectors. Costs about $125 on line.

[B.PRESGROVE]

Alright Ive got to interject here.  When I worked for Searl Pharmacutical they got us a 2 pair of Nautilus safety shoes.  I got the sneaker style and I have got to admit my feet felt like they were walking on air.  I still have them and this is coming up on 10 years now since I got them.  They last and still to this day they are the most comfortable safety shoe I have ever owned.  My next favorite are Iron Age.

[volfireman07]

I love my Doc Martins.  I'm on my second pair.  I also have some Chippewas that are nice.

Try www.bootbay.com for a good selection.

By the way, OSHA passed a final rule requiring employers to pay for PPE (effective 02-13-08).  Unfortunately it excludes safety shoes unless the employer prohibits the employee from wearing them off-site.

[alphadude]

converse desert with composite toe are da bomb.. best work shoe i ever had. zipper side with lace ups -
may be hard to get in someplaces about $120. zappos has them I think.

ive used them all and for support I like these the best.

[Evilpixie]

I love my Doc Martens!  My first pair is about 15 years old and they still are going strong... I wear Docs as part of normal apparel, so I kinda have alot of them.  (not wanting to push a stereotype, I'm female... and I got the shoe gene- 'Nuff said)  None of them have reinforced toes, we're not required to have that here unless we are wearing something that someone could look at and think is a sneaker.  To that end, I have some Skecher sneaks with steel toes and they are so comfortable!  And being a metallic leather, they make a statement, too (very important to shoe girls)(And rather George Jetson does the nuke plant, too!). 

Additionally, Unca Buff- I got them on sale!  Normally $100, I paid only $20 for them.  I guess it depends on where you go to find the sale shoes.  Cheap shoe stores have cheap shoes, pretty much.  You're coming to SLO, it's a shoe mecca, verifitably!  Maybe you'll find something once you're out here?

[Evilpixie]

Oh, oh, getting Doc's around here is the best!  There is a shoe outlet down in Pismo and they have Doc's there... I got my pointy toed ones for something like $3!  (serious!) and my doc marten hooker boots for about $20 (they have an almost platform heel and lace up to my knees.  I wore them one year as my halloween costume- I dressed up like Joe Lykes!)

Another good place to find safety shoes for a good price... if you know the size you wear, look up the brand you like on e-Bay.  Serious shoe mecca there! 

[Mike McFarlin]

converse desert with composite toe are da bomb.. best work shoe i ever had. zipper side with lace ups -
may be hard to get in someplaces about $120. zappos has them I think.

ive used them all and for support I like these the best.

Go to converse.com and order, they are about 85 dollars I think.

[B.PRESGROVE]

Ok,  Im starting to feel a little wierd on this blog.  All this talk about shoes and shopping for them and clearance racks, and.....well you know.........those genes are suppose to be suppresed in me.  I am 38 years old, 285 pounds of nuclear powered beastage, and am all man, but.......theres that feeling again......must resist urge to........shop........shoes.. .........turning into wife...........NNNNNNNNOOOOOO OOOO!!!!!!!!!!!

[JessJen]

Ok,  Im starting to feel a little wierd on this blog.  All this talk about shoes and shopping for them and clearance racks, and.....well you know.........those genes are suppose to be suppresed in me.  I am 38 years old, 285 pounds of nuclear powered beastage, and am all man, but.......theres that feeling again......must resist urge to........shop........shoes.. .........turning into wife...........NNNNNNNNOOOOOO OOOO!!!!!!!!!!!

Give into the urge....YOU MUST SHOP!......no shame in it LOL

[SlattManDu]

I also have to vote for the Converse composite toes. I've had high top boots and low top almost tennis shoe model. Little to no break in and comfortable!

[UncaBuffalo]

Got a pair of Wolverine CarbonMax for current job...lightest pair of safety toes I've ever worn...and top-3 on most comfortable...

[TENN-1]

I'm using Wolverine Durashock with a composite toe. The price was right (company supplied) and they are very warm and dry but the comfort can be a bit off on a twelve hour day. A good insole helped tremendously. 

[HouseDad]

Converse composite toe boots - light, don't bother the metal detectors, and I can wear them riding my M/C in to work.
Stock # C4444
About 30+ of us wear them at VY...they were new item on the shoe truck last time through. All have good things to say about them.

[SloGlo]

a year ago i found a deal on catepillar (same brand as the track vehicles) at sears.  they are a low cut semi sneaker model.  i have no complaints on this shoe after more than a year of 40 hours/week.  i recommend them.

aye yam still waring this pear of shoes.  still comfourtible after alla des years.  eye did give them a brake last winter.  i hadda work outside frum fall thru spring, so i went wit some new durashock for da dry cold days, 'n got out da yellow cement workers overboots on da catepillars when it wuz wet.  butt these hard toe sneaks kick butt. 

[bsdnuke]

Group,

In case your employer did not advise, OSHA requires the employer to provide PPE for the job.  So if you need a new pair, ask for reimbursement.  Don't be surprised if they tell you that you have to pay.

http://www.osha.gov/pls/oshaweb/owadisp.show_document?p_table=FEDERAL_REGISTER&p_id=20094

bsdnuke

[HouseDad]

Group,

In case your employer did not advise, OSHA requires the employer to provide PPE for the job.  So if you need a new pair, ask for reimbursement.  Don't be surprised if they tell you that you have to pay.

http://www.osha.gov/pls/oshaweb/owadisp.show_document?p_table=FEDERAL_REGISTER&p_id=20094

bsdnuke

from the above link:

(See 29 CFR
1910.132(h)(2); 1915.152(f)(2); 1917.96(a); 1918.106(a); 1926.95(d)(2))
The regulatory text makes clear that employers are not required to pay
for ordinary safety-toe footwear and ordinary prescription safety
eyewear, so long as the employer allows the employee to wear these
items off the job-site.

Since you can wear your safety shoes home, and to your next job, your employer isn't required to pay for them...

[bsdnuke]

The shoes usually qualify if they look like safety shoes with other guard functions and not like tennis shoes.  the glasses with side shields will also count since they will also protect you from sexually transmitted disease because no one will want to know you with those things on your face.

[McBride]

I have a problem with wide feet; dang near qualify as FLIPPERS!  I found that Hytest Footrests were great.  I got a boot with composite shank and toe.  I have had no trouble spending time on my feet.

Also, Hytest is made in the USA if I am not mistaken.

[UncaBuffalo]

Got a pair of Wolverine CarbonMax for current job...lightest pair of safety toes I've ever worn...and top-3 on most comfortable...

I've had these boots for 5 months now & don't like them as well as I used to...my ankles start screaming if I'm on concrete more than 6 or 8 hours...

Found some Converse safety-toe sneakers cheap on eBay.  Sub-average for comfort, but they work for dress-out shoes...

[UncaBuffalo]

converse desert with composite toe are da bomb.. best work shoe i ever had. zipper side with lace ups -
may be hard to get in someplaces about $120. zappos has them I think.

ive used them all and for support I like these the best.

Just scored a pair of these...like them real well so far...

[Mike McFarlin]

Just scored a pair of these...like them real well so far...

I had one pair to split across the ball of the foot (water kept leaking in, imagine that), but Converse replaced them. Perfect shoes for any "comfort creature".

[UncaBuffalo]

Got a pair of Wolverine CarbonMax for current job...lightest pair of safety toes I've ever worn...and top-3 on most comfortable...

Converse composites, made by the tennis shoe company. More comfortable than Doc Martins.

Okay, so I'm rotating a pair of CarbonMax with a pair of Converse composites...each was extremely comfortable for first month or so...now each gives me tired ankles/hips after 8-12 hours on my feet.

Has anyone found a good solution to how quickly shoes lose their bounce?  Insoles?  Supports?  ...?

...or do I just have to buy new boots every couple of months?  I know that's what all the running gurus recommend for running shoes, but...

[mohavejoe]

Okay, so I'm rotating a pair of CarbonMax with a pair of Converse composites...each was extremely comfortable for first month or so...now each gives me tired ankles/hips after 8-12 hours on my feet.

Has anyone found a good solution to how quickly shoes lose their bounce?  Insoles?  Supports?  ...?

...or do I just have to buy new boots every couple of months?  I know that's what all the running gurus recommend for running shoes, but...

Try MTB shoes they are a bit higher than other shoes but well worth it. google search MTB Shoes. Your feet or hips will not hurt know more.

[UncaBuffalo]

Try MTB shoes they are a bit higher than other shoes but well worth it. google search MTB Shoes. Your feet or hips will not hurt know more.

I looked at the MBT site...interesting idea...but a couple of questions...

1.  Do they make a safety shoe?  I saw a blurb about putting their sole on an existing safety-toed boot, but couldn't find any pre-made safety shoes on their site.
2.  Am I going to be able to use them at work?  I'm pretty sure our shoe policy calls for a distinct heel...for safe ladder climbing...

I may pick up a pair for outside work & give them a try.  Thanks.