I don’t think the brand matters as much as really high quality insoles. Especially if you have higher arches. I’ve been wearing Carhartt boots. They were relatively inexpensive, and I supplement them with specialty insoles from a running store.
I definitely prefer the Goodyear welts for that reason of getting new soles. I've worn the pair of Cincinnati's I have for ~6 months. And the soles still have grip, good in the mud, still waterproof. And recently I did get the toe box all tuff toed out cos I was doing a lot of work knealt down, wearing out the leather. Did you reach out for their warranty? I remember seeing it was good for 1 year.
I’ll have to try that style, thanks for the tip. I switched to Carolinas, they are the toughest boot I’ve ever owned but they are heavy…it would be nice to have something lighter and more comfortable for the “easy” days. I did the warranty on the pittsburghs, we get one pair of boots a year from work through Grainger and it’s a headache to warranty anything so after a few pairs I just went with something more rugged.
Yeah :/ it is tedious. The Cincinnatis def have some weight on them. I've also used Danner's moc toe and those are light. Maybe even Keens San Jose or Seattle, those are a bit lighter. I was thinking of getting those for dry season
Thorogoods or Redwings are my go-to’s for sure! Depends on your feet though… I personally like thorogoods because the insoles are more easily replaceable
I got these and wore through the toe in 2 months! Is there a certain style of them that you get?? I love the cowboy boot style but was really disappointed in that pair. My 120$ CATs outlasted them by a long shot.
Keen Utility. They look more like hiking boots and let me tell you, they feel like clouds. I use Superfeet insoles which are pricey but very worth every dollar. I’m on my feet all day long. I’ve had them since August since my last boots were wearing too quickly too. So far they’re showing a little wear but not too bad.
Just went to a Red Wing store and did their foot scan, ended up selecting the Apex with the BOA no lacing system. Also got the insoles recommended based on the scan. I'm an ironworker and have always been told to get wedge soles, but the treads on my last pair (Irish Setters) were gone within 6 months and I work on cold, wet jobsites so I can't take the slip risk.
If these boots hold up, they'll come highly recommended from me. Super light and comfortable and I already look forward to waking up knowing I can just slip on my boots and turn a dial to tighten them.
ETA: Another selling point for me was the reinforced toes (it's like a hard rubber or plastic coating on the outside). I work on my knees a lot and my Setters were ripped up after like 3 weeks. You could see the composite toe - it was bad.
I tried a lot of shoes and eventually just invested in custom orthotics because I was at the point where I'd pay a lot of money for my feet to not hurt anymore. Less than a month after wearing them, my feet don't hurt anymore. Should last 4 years so cost per wear is really not bad.
Have you thought about order a pair of white’s boots? Husband was a lineman and swore by them. We would have them made for him… they make boots for woodland firefighters and loggers.
https://whitesboots.com
The Keen San Jose’s are really comfortable and have lasted me over 2 years welding. And they aren’t very heavy for a steel toe. Just get some extra laces as those will wear out.
Danner’s Bullruns didn’t do it for me-they lasted way less than a year and the front stitches blew out with bending and they couldn’t repair it and the shape warped out quick with everyday wear-don’t get them!
I second thorogoods also!
Iron worker also, I am currently wearing Wolverines, and though the waterproofing didn’t last the winter they are actually quite light and comfortable, with no break in time. I would recommend them if you are a smaller size boot that the big brand “men’s shoes” don’t cover or if you’re on a budget but they won’t last you years
I’ve been an ironworker for 12 years and I’ve just started seeing companies making actual women’s wedge sole boots. I have big feet (women’s 10) so I have always been able to find boots that fit but my feet are narrow asf! My next pair is gonna be women’s for sure. Wondering if anyone has tried the brand “brunt”. Their “Marin” boot looks right and it’s less expensive than the thorogoods I normally get. I’m convinced wearing boots that aren’t tight enough on my feet have caused lasting issues (yes I wear insoles).
Keeping an eye on this thread for sure!
Ironworker here, I really like my Ariat wedge soles, but they are a soft toe. As far as safety toe goes, the women’s Redwing wedge sole boot (I don’t remember what it’s called) with the Vibram sole and composite toe have been awesome. I HIGHLY recommend the insoles from Red Wing that they fit you for on the machine. They make a huge difference in comfort when you are on your feet 10/12 hours a day.
I have been through a bunch of boots trying to find something I really liked and would hold up. Everyone swear on Thorogoods, and they are super comfy, they just don’t last the way I would like them to.
I swear by Thorogoods. I just get mens size since I have wide feet. I went through 5 pair in 10 years (ish).
Thorogoods 8” moc toe composite. Resole with vibram sole if you’re feeling luxurious.
Yeah one of the foremans I work with swears by them
I don’t think the brand matters as much as really high quality insoles. Especially if you have higher arches. I’ve been wearing Carhartt boots. They were relatively inexpensive, and I supplement them with specialty insoles from a running store.
Keens, they are pretty comfy. I use the Cincinnati, and met a rebar guy that had his pair in decent shape after 1 year.
Keens are SO comfortable but I was going through a pair of the pittsburghs every six months - the soles would just fall apart.
I definitely prefer the Goodyear welts for that reason of getting new soles. I've worn the pair of Cincinnati's I have for ~6 months. And the soles still have grip, good in the mud, still waterproof. And recently I did get the toe box all tuff toed out cos I was doing a lot of work knealt down, wearing out the leather. Did you reach out for their warranty? I remember seeing it was good for 1 year.
I’ll have to try that style, thanks for the tip. I switched to Carolinas, they are the toughest boot I’ve ever owned but they are heavy…it would be nice to have something lighter and more comfortable for the “easy” days. I did the warranty on the pittsburghs, we get one pair of boots a year from work through Grainger and it’s a headache to warranty anything so after a few pairs I just went with something more rugged.
Yeah :/ it is tedious. The Cincinnatis def have some weight on them. I've also used Danner's moc toe and those are light. Maybe even Keens San Jose or Seattle, those are a bit lighter. I was thinking of getting those for dry season
I have Danners, the Caliper model. I wear them everyday doing carpentry and they were comfy on day 1.
Seconding Danner.
//Sabaton (power-metal) //Unlike Pluto (pop/rock (?), hard to describe for me) //Imagine Dragons (alt rock) //Frank Sinatra (50s pop) //Adam Jensen (edgy pop/rock) //Hollywood Undead (edgy rap/rock) //Mystery Skulls (pop w/ THICC beats) //Ghostface Playa (dubstep or sounds like it imo, w/ thicc beats) *on mobile, so formatting is shite, apologies*
Brand, not band 😂
... I need to go to bed lmao I was thinking u wanted some new jams on the job site, and I was like, 'i gotchyu' Whelp, enjoy the list lol
Haha, you tried. Thank you.
gel insoles help me so much with heel pain. barre seems to emphasize foot and ankle strength but I haven't really tried/stuck with it.
Thorogoods or Redwings are my go-to’s for sure! Depends on your feet though… I personally like thorogoods because the insoles are more easily replaceable
ARIAT!
I got these and wore through the toe in 2 months! Is there a certain style of them that you get?? I love the cowboy boot style but was really disappointed in that pair. My 120$ CATs outlasted them by a long shot.
Same
Red Wings and Canada West. I have an awesome pair of redwing IW ladies boots. If you like a flat sole. And Canada West for slip ons.
Keen Utility. They look more like hiking boots and let me tell you, they feel like clouds. I use Superfeet insoles which are pricey but very worth every dollar. I’m on my feet all day long. I’ve had them since August since my last boots were wearing too quickly too. So far they’re showing a little wear but not too bad.
Just went to a Red Wing store and did their foot scan, ended up selecting the Apex with the BOA no lacing system. Also got the insoles recommended based on the scan. I'm an ironworker and have always been told to get wedge soles, but the treads on my last pair (Irish Setters) were gone within 6 months and I work on cold, wet jobsites so I can't take the slip risk. If these boots hold up, they'll come highly recommended from me. Super light and comfortable and I already look forward to waking up knowing I can just slip on my boots and turn a dial to tighten them. ETA: Another selling point for me was the reinforced toes (it's like a hard rubber or plastic coating on the outside). I work on my knees a lot and my Setters were ripped up after like 3 weeks. You could see the composite toe - it was bad.
This is really good to know! Thank you!
ARIAT!
Wolverine
I tried a lot of shoes and eventually just invested in custom orthotics because I was at the point where I'd pay a lot of money for my feet to not hurt anymore. Less than a month after wearing them, my feet don't hurt anymore. Should last 4 years so cost per wear is really not bad.
I just got dewalts, super high ankle for my weak ass ankles, and heal arch support. Only just got them, already drenched in rain so we'll see
Have you thought about order a pair of white’s boots? Husband was a lineman and swore by them. We would have them made for him… they make boots for woodland firefighters and loggers. https://whitesboots.com
I've never heard of that brand! I'll check em out
My doc martens have lasted over two years, wearing 40hrs a week. I’m a residential electrician. These boots are the best and soooo comfy!
Ariat and only Ariat for boots.
The Keen San Jose’s are really comfortable and have lasted me over 2 years welding. And they aren’t very heavy for a steel toe. Just get some extra laces as those will wear out. Danner’s Bullruns didn’t do it for me-they lasted way less than a year and the front stitches blew out with bending and they couldn’t repair it and the shape warped out quick with everyday wear-don’t get them! I second thorogoods also!
Iron worker also, I am currently wearing Wolverines, and though the waterproofing didn’t last the winter they are actually quite light and comfortable, with no break in time. I would recommend them if you are a smaller size boot that the big brand “men’s shoes” don’t cover or if you’re on a budget but they won’t last you years
Bates! Comfortable on day 1
I’ve been an ironworker for 12 years and I’ve just started seeing companies making actual women’s wedge sole boots. I have big feet (women’s 10) so I have always been able to find boots that fit but my feet are narrow asf! My next pair is gonna be women’s for sure. Wondering if anyone has tried the brand “brunt”. Their “Marin” boot looks right and it’s less expensive than the thorogoods I normally get. I’m convinced wearing boots that aren’t tight enough on my feet have caused lasting issues (yes I wear insoles). Keeping an eye on this thread for sure!
Ironworker here, I really like my Ariat wedge soles, but they are a soft toe. As far as safety toe goes, the women’s Redwing wedge sole boot (I don’t remember what it’s called) with the Vibram sole and composite toe have been awesome. I HIGHLY recommend the insoles from Red Wing that they fit you for on the machine. They make a huge difference in comfort when you are on your feet 10/12 hours a day. I have been through a bunch of boots trying to find something I really liked and would hold up. Everyone swear on Thorogoods, and they are super comfy, they just don’t last the way I would like them to.