work boots

Wm. James

soak for 2 days in fresh water. Then wear them dry, change socks every hour. do not add heat for the next days wearing.Or go fishing all day and use them as waders. Wm.James

Dave Palmer_3

ouch

finaly broke down and bought a new pair of boots last week. can't seem to break them in fast enough. Mink oil or baby oil do the trick?Thanks Dave

tommyoil

Make sure you wear them

As bad as I broke my leg, the doctor said it was my work boots that kept the bone from coming through the skin. If I were wearing sneakers or even a low shoe, I would have had a compound break which would have put me in worse shape than I am now. Be safe guys. Wear that protective gear. You just never know when an accident is going to happen. Boots, eyewear, whatever. Think and practice safety. Even if it only saves you once in your career, it will be well worth it.

Ken C.

Never had problems breaking in a pair...

But then again, I usually buy cheap boots ($30-$40 pair) from Wal-Mart or K-Mart. The boots I buy there are not very stiff, so no problems breaking them in. I also buy wide width, so they're not too tight.

Basic rule: they should not be uncomfortable or pinch when you try them on in the store. Sometimes I have to try on several pairs (even of the same size and style) before I find a pair that feels "just right."

singh

I second that!
Make sure you wear work boots,not sneakers or hiking boots.
This past summer I fell off a 20' extension ladder inside a customers house. the owner ask me to take boots off and so I did, I also put a drop cloth down under ladder ladder to protect floor,(yeah I know was not a bright idea)ladder slid down wall with drop cloth sliding along floor and me going along for the ride. I landed on my feet ,but what an impact! 4 months later an every once in a while my feet bother me, I wish I was wearing boots then. Now I will carry some slip on booties in truck,never take your boots off.
I buy the "good ones" american made, $100, but they last for one year.

Get well, Tommy!

lchmb

not a nice

Tommy that thought alone just made my feet ache!! Hope all is doing well on the foot...take care!!

Dave Palmer_3

I buy

every 12 to 16 months,best I can get for long life (mine and boots)these just seem to be slow going, Dave

Weezbo

stuff news papers in them with some weather seal

polished into them.that seems to work. One year a couple decades ago i was wiring a place so Santas Helper could get the gifts wrapped up and sent to some of the village children,i came down out of the rafters and landed on my ankel bone,being really poor at the time i made a splint and tied my bandana around the sticks, ..made me a very long walking stick ,and went to the grocery store to hobble down some brussel sprouts and cabbage. un fortunately it was out distancing me so i had to go with some coliflower . (Its alot slower *~/:) ) next day when i woke up my ankle was thesize of my head! And WoW Wee! it hurt to blue blazes. i could hardly pick my head off the pillow...so i made a Star Needel ...thats a special accupuncture needle used for Bleeding pressure off these kind of ailments on is all i had were some rather Sharp Carpet tacks which i put thru the containers cap, then i placed it on my ankle and pounded on it with my framing hammer...Whews that son of a gun Hurt like heck! )however it sure reduced the pressure ) next day it had reduced in size to about say my Knee...my red wings were all in one piece:) so , work boots yah during rough ins i wear my leather slippers when doing finish work ..theyare easier to slip off and on and They are relatively inexpensive.

tim smith

Boots

I have found the 8" sears die hard boots to be very comfortable. They dont have hardly any tread to trap mud and dirt. This is very important as the vibram etc soles catch dirt and mud and track into customers house. These only have die hard raised into sole for traction. Last about 12 mos and for 60.00 or so not bad.

ed_19

I like Danner Boots. They are American made and made very well. They have a full line of insulated and uninsulated. They are expensive, but they can be re-soled, so you can get use for a couple of years.

Larry Weingarten

old trick

I've used for a long time is to warm up the oven to its lowest setting, rub petroleum jelly (unscented!) on the boots, and let them heat up in the oven. Leather will soak up the petroleum jelly and get some flexibility. Do not get distracted and over-cook the boots unless you want a new "grill" pattern in the soles! Do put foil down in the oven to catch drips. Burning Vaseline is not pleasant.

Yours, Larry

Kal Row

hospital booties....

get them at a surgical supply and put them over the boots on before you walk on the customer's carpet - they will love you for it

another idea is to order up a bunch of floor mat sized towels “courtesy of…” on the top edge, and your company name/number on the bottom edge of it, and put it down and wipe you feet as you walk in - and just leave it there - for the customer to do whatever they want with it - use a new one each call – let the customer “swim in your towels”

Art Pittaway

Redwing

Every time I get the "cheaps" and go buy a $40 pair, they wear out and don't support my feet well. I buy Redwings and they cost $120-$160, but they are comfortable, support my feet, last until I hate them, and have soles that don't wear out for years.

Made in Minnisota gets my vote.

zeb_3

Redwing boots

Redwing boots have been the best I've found

zeb_3

Redwing boots

Redwing boots have been the best I've found

zeb_3

Redwing boots

Redwing boots have been the best I've found

Jim S

I`d second that , but you already did.

Ted Laythe

Redwing boots

I second ( or third) what everyone says about Redwing. They cost more, but the pair I have on are at least three years old. I had to walk 4 miles one day in them and I won't hesitate to do it again-very comfortable. Just make sure you get a good fit. Some styles fit differently.

Best Wishes

Ted

Ken C.

Redwings - not for me

I had one pair of Redwings, cost $150. That's more than three times the cost of the cheap $40 boots I normally buy. But, the Redwings didn't last me three times as long.

I kneel a lot, and tend to wear a hole through the leather upper, on top of the toe area, because of the way I kneel. I wore a hole through those Redwings long before I wore out the sole.

With the cheap boots, the soles usually wear out around the same time I get a hole in them. So for me anyway, it makes more sense to buy cheaper boots. Like anything else, your mileage may vary...

Glenn Harrison_2

Ken C.

> I had one pair of Redwings, cost $150. That's

> more than three times the cost of the cheap $40

> boots I normally buy. But, the Redwings didn't

> last me three times as long.

>

> I kneel a lot,

> and tend to wear a hole through the leather

> upper, on top of the toe area, because of the way

> I kneel. I wore a hole through those Redwings

> long before I wore out the sole.

>

> With the

> cheap boots, the soles usually wear out around

> the same time I get a hole in them. So for me

> anyway, it makes more sense to buy cheaper boots.

> Like anything else, your mileage may vary...

Glenn Harrison_2

Ken C.

I had the same problem. I loved the feel of my Red Wings but at almost $200 a pop, it was aggravating to wear thru the toes once a year. Then Red Wing came out with glue on solid rubber toe protectors. They match the color of your boots, glue them over the toes, and they take all the toe scraping you can dish out. My current pair is two+ years old and still in good shape. I just need to get around to oiling and waterproofing the leather.

Glenn Harrison_2

You can get booties and carpets..

of many different kinds, sizes, and colors at:

www.shubee.com

Big Ed

RedWing

I have hear this before about Red Wings. I need to buy a good boot or I will have problems with calis. I spend $200 a year for two sets,. I am tough on shoes. I will try the Red Wings next...... I Gelling

Oil Tech

Red Wings are definetly the right choice, try to get a pair with a leather welt (so the soles can be replaced) A can of camp dry or sutible repelent keeps them dry and well maintained. Three years of hard use to date they are still going strong. A bit expensive over $200. locally but should provide Years of comfort.

Dave Stroman

The only time my feet hurt is on the week ends when I am not wearing my Redwings.

Dave in Denver

Dave Palmer_3

I buy

Chiperwas' (sorry for the spelling)about $180. Redwing are always about the same. Dave

jackchips_2

Ahh, Dave,

wear them on weekends. :-)

Christian Egli

Judge the man by his feet. Didn't someone smart say that?

Boots that keep the water out. So that Wetheads may not be wet footed. Pipes don't always do what they are supposed to, so your shoes should.

Montana Pitch Blend makes a leather cream that has the wonderful smell of pines unlike the usual mink oil. It is made of mink oil and bees wax and pine pitch.

will smith_2

just boots

When I first saw this thread, I didn't think much of it. Come on, "boots?"... Then I read some of the posts. Some saying Redwings, some saying the cheapest pair. How typical of our whole industry! Some of us use top of the line, some use whatever's there. I've been using Carolina boots for over 15 years because they were made in the US and because they fit my foot; now they don't make the same line I've loved, and most lines they make are made overseas. Guys, I know I live in a Global Economy and all, but Good Lord! I'm willing to pay for what I want, and what I want is a US made boot that fits my US made foot-not a boot made for a Korean foot soldier...any thoughts on this?

Glenn Harrison_2

How about Red Wing, Minnesota?

Is that American enough. That's where Red Wing boots and shoes are made.
Check out their history:

http://www.redwingshoe.com/about-us/rws-history.cfm

And there whole website:

http://www.redwingshoe.com/

I've worn Red Wings for 10+ years, and I've never, ever regretted it!

Weezbo

I have Indian Feet They no likey cowboy boots...

One day An American manufacture will realize that there is another foot that happens to be 10 & 1/2 and make the boot to fit the foot not the other way around...ok so i say hand me a pair of those...Dont you carry anything the samesize buh Wider? Hey these are made from leather maybe i can find a shoeshop to loosten em and re sole them...nah...the guys who know how to do that closed up shops long time ago...now a days asking someone for a set of taps would put thier head in a spin...then after you finally defined the metallurgy to make the item the guy would go get his supervisor )

Jack, CVMS

These boots are made for walkin'...

Okay, I just gave my age away, didn't I?

Wear new boots out in the rain once or twice (or, as someone already suggested, wear them when stream fishing - all the way into the stream). Let them partially dry, not enough for the leather to harden or you'll have more work to get it soft again. With the leather almost dry, apply a good heavy coat of Neetsfoot Oil. It will soak in better now that the boots have been wetted a bit. Now wear the boots as they shrink and stretch give a custom fit to your feet. Works for me every time.
BTW, I usually buy either Chippewa boots, or get mine from Mason Shoes (also in Chippewa Falls, WI) as I have w-i-d-e feet (4E). Had one pair of Red Wings, and I swore I'd never have another pair. The most uncomfortable shoes I've ever owned, but I paid too much for them to throw them away until they were worn out. I'm a cheapskate.

Caselli

Next Time I'm Looking at Belleville Boots

Belleville Shoe is the oldest manufacturer of military footwear. You, like me, had probably never heard of them.
I'm easy on shoes. I don't wear them in the trade everyday.

I am going to try a pair of them next time.

From their website, Bellevilleshoe.com :


Founded in 1904 in Belleville, Illinois, we produced our first military footwear for the Great War in 1917. Every year since 1940 wherever U. S. forces have walked, Belleville Shoe footwear has been on duty. Our boots have performed in all parts of the world under all types of conditions.

In this, our 100th year, we are the largest supplier of military boots to U. S. Armed Forces. Our two plants in Belleville, Illinois and DeWitt, Arkansas produce over 1,000,000 pairs annually. And today, as in 1917, our boots are Made in the USA.

Dan M

Inserts for boots

Have any of you guys ever tried orthotics for your shoes. I had a set made because i run a lot and my arches are low. The doctor makes a cast of your foot and then has inserts made from hard plastic The inserts fit the bottom of your feet perfectly. You then place the insert in your shoes. When I first saw the hard plastic I though it would feel like a brick in my shoes but I was wronge they worked great. These are different than the cheap ones you get in the store they are custom fit. I have found that it doesent matter how expensive my boots are They make your boots fit better and get rid of the poor fit problems. For people in the trades and especially people that carry alot of heavy equipment or tools I would think arch supports would be somthing to consider

Dan

JimGPE_3

Orthotics are great!

But you have to get them made for your boots. If you get them made for your street shoes they're too narrow and the flop left and right.

Ask me how I know....

Ken D.

Boots

Best advice is to buy American. I made the mistake of buying Chinese crap from Wal-Mart. Liked to kill my feet. It's part of their plan. When they attack us, we will not be able to fight or even walk well because our feet will be shot from all the lousy boots the sell us. We will just be crawling around trying to get away. I tried Carolinas which used to be made here, but are now made in-you guessed it- China. Fit lousy and did not wear well at all. Bought Red Wings. They cost more than Wal-Mart, but wear like iron. Water proof when cared for properly. And they fit without hurting. What a concept! L.L.Bean US made boots are good also.There is hope! Rubbing them down with a good boot oil keeps them waterproof and soft.

Grumpy_2

Wow!

You guys can actually afford boots??? doesn't everybody just cut out new soles from the sidewall of an old tire and smoosh a little roofing cement on em to make them watertight? Works good on my old Keds high tops! hehehe

Al Corelli - Agix Associates

Boots

Redwing only.

I don't have 40 dollar feet, so I won't wear 40 dollar shoes.

You get what you pay for.

(Now ask me why I use Hilti brand tools)

EJW

Georgia Boots

Sno Seal is a great water proofer. I bake mine in oven for 15 min then apply. Georgias are about 200 clams but there worth it if you have a wide foot. EJW

Jimmy Gillies

Boots.

My Grandfather and two of my Uncles were Shepherds, they spent a lot of money on their hand-made boots, they called them ''tack-a-tay'' boots, with lether soles with big metal studs and turned up toes to make climbing hills easier, they would sit every night and clean them, then cover them with 'Dubin' which was a wax that made them completely water tight. These men were tough, walked for miles every day in all types of Scottish weather, always with a Collie dog by their side.

I'll always remember them, and always buy good quality steel toe capped boots to protect my feet.

Thanks for reading.
Jimmy Gillies Scotland.

Doug Murphy_3

What boots (brand) do you usually buy?

Hey Jack,

I also have 4E width and have not found any boots that get to that width. Having duck feet is great when I'm swimming but a pain in the @ss when buying shoes, boots, sneakers..hehe