Safe Work Boots?

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Someone has a thread about welders clothing. After reading through that, I thought about work boots.I've got to start an Ironwork job soon, which will require walking beams, welding and connecting. The soles on my current boots are worn slick, and have lost their slip resistance.Yesterday I spent a lot of time looking on the web for slip resistant boots. The boots have also got to be insulated for sub-zero temps and be steel or composite toe. An electrical safety rating would be nice but not nescesary. Water proof is a must.What brand and model would you recommend? I've worn several different kinds over the years and didn't think much about it. Guess I'm a bit more safety minded these days. I've slipped and fell a few times, but not yet seriously injured.
Reply:Redwing....I worked on drilling rigs most of my life,Redwing was the boot to have.Guys would show up with cheap knock offs and be slipping and sliding all over the floor.
Reply:Another vote for Redwing.  I have yet to walk a beam, and do not intend to.I no longer work with tools for a living, I now work with tools for enjoyment and still have my Redwings in my shoe rack, I wore them just last week.Last edited by nadogail; 02-05-2011 at 11:19 AM.
Reply:Thanks, sounds like a couple good endorsements for Redwings.
Reply:Regardless of the brand make sure you purchase a pair that are comfortable when laced up to the very top. Keep you pants on the outside of the tongue as well.One of my welders thought it was cool keep the boot tongue hanging out and stop lacing his boots about 4 holes from the top. Slag fell down inside his boot and burned a quarter size hole in the top of his foot. He was off work for 6 weeks.ScottFab Managerhttp://www.welders360.com/New guy.
Reply:Originally Posted by Scott HightowerRegardless of the brand make sure you purchase a pair that are comfortable when laced up to the very top. Keep you pants on the outside of the tongue as well.One of my welders thought it was cool keep the boot tongue hanging out and stop lacing his boots about 4 holes from the top. Slag fell down inside his boot and burned a quarter size hole in the top of his foot. He was off work for 6 weeks.ScottFab Managerhttp://www.welders360.com/
Reply:thorogood for life, union made in the USA and a damn good boot.also, before I got on the thorogood boot, I was exclusively redwing- and heres what I have to say about that; the boots were expensive,and didnt hold up to abuse in my opinion, I had several non US made redwings where then sole split apart- not from the boot, but from itself. the sole split into two layers and flapped in the wind like I was a hobo in a norman rockwell painting. This happened on SEVERAL pairs. The redwing guy said 80 bucks would get a re-sole job. Pass. I had to have waterproof 8 inch boots because I did sewer and water for the city, they gave us redwing vouchers once a year, and the waterproof aspect never lasted. Punctures always happen... I decided to save my 250 bucks, and pick up a 130$ pair of thorogood wedge soles and Ive never looked back. I know a couple of guys that wear the steel and saftey toe thorogoods and they love them too. Also, my roommate had his big toe severed in a pair of steel toes so damage can still happen. I know theres alot of redwing die hards out there so just take my comments with the rest.Last edited by citizen smith; 02-05-2011 at 05:47 PM.Reason: added more
Reply:I have had 3 pair of the redwings with the metatarsal guard. The last pair that I bought about 6 years ago seemed to hold up well. But I bought a pair last october and the inside's had already started wearing out bad by this past october. The bad thing is my wife who is a paramedic bought a pair of boots that looked somewhat like you see the swat guy's wear for about 60 bucks and they have held up just as long as my 220 dollar redwings.Miller Bobcat 250Westinghouse ac arc welderIts better to be hated for who you are than liked for who your not.
Reply:Originally Posted by Tri County WelderI have had 3 pair of the redwings with the metatarsal guard. The last pair that I bought about 6 years ago seemed to hold up well. But I bought a pair last october and the inside's had already started wearing out bad by this past october. The bad thing is my wife who is a paramedic bought a pair of boots that looked somewhat like you see the swat guy's wear for about 60 bucks and they have held up just as long as my 220 dollar redwings.
Reply:I spent 8 hours shopping for my first pair of steel toe boots. I don't have funny feet but I know a thing or two about how shoes should fit. Knowing that I was about to start working 60 hour weeks I was not willing to compromise. I wound up with redwings. After I wore the soles off them I got some caterpillar boots, super comfy and springy, they lasted 6 weeks. Back to the Redwings I went. When it comes down to work boots it is all about three things FIT, FIT, FIT.
Reply:Redwing....Yes.  I have a pair. Comfortable, but the kind I have  aren't the kind you are looking for, so I can't speak for them. I have for a long time worn either Justin or Ariat work Ropers for their comfort and practicality.   I had to break down and buy a new pair the other day.  They actually had a pair of "welder" boots there, in roper and round toe style.I went for another pair instead though since they didn't have it in my style. They are still made in the US for the most part.  The last pair lasted 11 years....wait 12. I bought them in 99.  Funny, I actually paid less for them now than then. I did try several pairs of Redwings, including insulated RedWings with the "King Toe" steel toe and non steel toe.  I couldn't find a pair I liked...when I slipped the Justins on, I knew I had found the shoe I needed.Esab Migmaster 250Lincoln SA 200Lincoln Ranger 8Smith Oxy Fuel setupEverlast PowerPlasma 80Everlast Power iMIG 160Everlast Power iMIG 205 Everlast Power iMIG 140EEverlast PowerARC 300Everlast PowerARC 140STEverlast PowerTIG 255EXT
Reply:If you are working in the cold then I would definatley get the composite toe. My steel toes start getting cold after a few hours outside in the cold.
Reply:Yesterday I spent time at the Redwing store, then went across the street to a western wear store. Saw a good pair of Redwings for $180.00. Redwing had other models at over 300 bucks. The western store had some very good work boots made by different companies. One that got my attention was a new model made by Catepillar. They are insulated, slip and oil resistant, steel toe, electrical safety rated, waterproof, and are made flexable to reduce breakin time. They were discounted at $122.00. Not everyones feet are the same. Breakin has always been a problem for me with the stiffer types of leather. In recent years I've had Redwings and Timberland pros. They both hurt my feet during breakin, and had to return the Redwings and missed 3 days work with the resulting foot problem. Redwings are a good quality boot and if I had bought a model with a soft lining, maybe it would have been ok. I think all major boot companies have some good shoes. Not all feet are the same and not all work conditions are the same. A pair of boots might last someone 3 years, but that same pair of boots might only last someone else 6 months. Water, corrosive chemicals, work surface, welding and burning, etc., all figure into the formula. In my experience, I expect a pair to perform 100% for six months. If they last longer, great.
Reply:If you're walking beams get a boot with a flat bottom, those big heels are a trip hazard.  I always wore Carolinas when I was hanging iron. I also turned a few carpenters onto them as well, and thats all they wear now when walking walls.Just my .02Trailblazer 301GDynasty 200DXSuitcase Xtreme 12VSHypertherm PMX45Powcon 300SMPower Mig 180Power Mig 140Millermatic 210
Reply:Viberg!   My buddies who are loggers where mostly Viberg.  I own a pair and I have had them for over 4 years.  The only boot I literally beat the hell out of and they only feel and look better. Bullet proof boot.Shop rigs -Miller Syncrowave 250 DXMiller 252Home rigs -Esab Caddy c200iHitachi E71 GeneratorMetabo chop saw, grinders, etc Two catsUnhealthy addictions to surfing and demolition derby
Reply:Originally Posted by MetalFabColoradoIf you're walking beams get a boot with a flat bottom, those big heels are a trip hazard.  I always wore Carolinas when I was hanging iron. I also turned a few carpenters onto them as well, and thats all they wear now when walking walls.Just my .02
Reply:Redwings are good. These books are also popular.. Dakota Winter Boots
Reply:Well Giterdone, lots of choices for you. I'm on my 4th year of redwing winter boots & yeah I'll get 5 out of them. Made in the U.S. too. Those flat bottom boots that guys wear are decent for not slipping on standing seam roofs. Something about the composition of the soles. I guess that's why the soles are white.  I don't wear wear them, no probs for me. Wearing boots with a heel sometimes is nice when you are connecting out of a basket in a boom lift. Being able to stand on the mid-rails while outside the basket (when you have to) is very nice. You don't do this on a hospital job tho.  Free shoelaces & re-oils, for life, from the redwing store also. Union card will get you an instore discount on your purchase(s) too.
Reply:Originally Posted by citizen smithI was exclusively redwing- and heres what I have to say about that; the boots were expensive,and didnt hold up to abuse in my opinion, I had several non US made redwings where then sole split apart- not from the boot, but from itself. the sole split into two layers and flapped in the wind like I was a hobo in a norman rockwell painting. This happened on SEVERAL pairs. The redwing guy said 80 bucks would get a re-sole job. Pass. I had to have waterproof 8 inch boots because I did sewer and water for the city
Reply:I have been looking at these: http://www.thefirestore.com/store/pr...ldland_t_r_i_/Kinda pricey, but........Take a look at the video part way down the page.
Reply:I'm a Paramedic, and I have Thorogood "The Deuce CP WP SZ" Waterproof for standing in ditches, mud, muck and anywhere someone get injured, and I like them, but the one thing I have to disagree with an earlier comment is, the tag in my boot says, "Made in China", so if your sole (pun intended) reason is their made in the USA, not all models of them are.     Don't get me wrong, I've had these for 4 years, and wear them about 1/2 the time ( summer work shoes are athletic shoe type because it's too hot) and they've held up real well.   I also wouldn't consider my model, Deuce, a good full time welding boot - they have a nylon side panel for ventilation, which might melt with a hot berry.   However I do use them for my welding class - very comfortable for standing a long time on your feet.
Reply:Another vote for Redwing from me.I will add though that I have a pair of Hermann survivors 8" steel toe that I LOVE.  They just fit perfectly but I can't find another pair (got these at Wal-Mart a few years ago).The challenge for me is that I do a lot of logging (firewood harvesting) which is murder on the leather.  The best boots get round to a pulp under large oak rounds.  Once enough of the steel is showing through I keep them for light duty and move on to the next pair.Even the redwings suffer badly with me - the first pair I have owned were handed down to me by a friend (he gets them paid for by his shop) - I really like them but the leather is shredding just as badly as the $60 ST work boots.I will say that whatever you get, steel toe is absolutely a must - after my last broken toe I decided that I would only buy ST - never looked back.  I am pretty sure that I have been saved a dozen times in the past 2 years from more broken toes b/c of the steel toe.Some folks say the steel could sever your toe if your foot gets pinched - probably true, but I KNOW that the ST has saved me many many times.  (big piece of angle iron went sideways after a cut this weekend and landed end first right on top of the steel toe - a certain injury prevented by the ST).Hobart LX235Victor 250 Oxy-Acetylene Rig (welding and cutting)Bobcat 773F-350, 1999, 4x4, 16' 10K# trailerOutdoor Wood Burner - 10 cords/year
Reply:Originally Posted by gwileyAnother vote for Redwing from me.I will add though that I have a pair of Hermann survivors 8" steel toe that I LOVE.  They just fit perfectly but I can't find another pair (got these at Wal-Mart a few years ago).The challenge for me is that I do a lot of logging (firewood harvesting) which is murder on the leather.  The best boots get round to a pulp under large oak rounds.  Once enough of the steel is showing through I keep them for light duty and move on to the next pair.Even the redwings suffer badly with me - the first pair I have owned were handed down to me by a friend (he gets them paid for by his shop) - I really like them but the leather is shredding just as badly as the $60 ST work boots.I will say that whatever you get, steel toe is absolutely a must - after my last broken toe I decided that I would only buy ST - never looked back.  I am pretty sure that I have been saved a dozen times in the past 2 years from more broken toes b/c of the steel toe.Some folks say the steel could sever your toe if your foot gets pinched - probably true, but I KNOW that the ST has saved me many many times.  (big piece of angle iron went sideways after a cut this weekend and landed end first right on top of the steel toe - a certain injury prevented by the ST).
Reply:I run non-steel toe whites smokejumpers for every day and I am looking at some celastic toe for shop time.  Lots of bread, but awesome bootshttp://www.whitesboots.com/index.php...oduct_id=29868
Reply:I work on one of the slickest and more dangerous workplaces on earth. A lot of metal ladders, oil coated steel, 100+mph jet/prop blast, helo downwash, etc. I wear the same pair  of redwings I did when I last worked as a welder. They work. If you are working structural, the no heel may be a good call. I know a couple guys who had their redwings resoled to that style. I've had them resoled a couple times, and this might be their last go-round, but 10+ years for $150, I can live with.E-2C Hummer PilotLincoln IDEALARC 300/300 TIG Welder Lincoln AC/DC 225/125 BuzzboxLincoln Weld-Pak 155 MIGForney (Harris Style) TorchesoooooOoooooWhen in doubt.. ADD POWER!Danners will not disappoint!
Reply:With my size 16 feet it's already tough to find boots to fit my feet.  I'm also going to vouch for Thorogood, and WorkOne, as they are both under the Weinbrenner Umbrella of American Made Footwear, and are the Best Work Boots.    The only disadvantage is that the boots are made in Packer Territory!  In my opinion quality from Red Wing has declined in recent years.I like to order all my Work Boots from XLfeet.com though, because they have awesome service, and the owner is a local guy from Minneapolis, MN. They have work boots up to size 18 EEE, and even some boots to size 21.  They have the most variety for Tall Men like me with big feet.  I prefer the WorkOne 6" External Metatarsal Guard Work Boots and would say its the best protection from heavy and burning debris.  Plus all of the Thorogood and WorkOne Boots are Slip Resisting.I did see for some that waterproof, and cold weather are concerns too.  I would definitely checkout the Bogs Rancher Steel Toe since it is completely waterproof, has steel toe, slip resistant, is rated to 40 below, and it goes up to size 18.Last edited by size16; 04-09-2012 at 08:00 PM.
Reply:Originally Posted by Stick-manI am in the same boat. I do some sewer work so I need an 8" waterproof boot. I would like to be able to wear safety toes but in Redwing my foot width is "H", which they told me is right after EEEE. I cant find a safety toe wide enough. I am stuck with redwings because I can't find other 8" waterproof work boots wide enough. Oh, and my union made Redwings are from chicom!
Reply:I wear the 8"  Danners ,Quarry model. They hurt for about a 2 days then Im good to go. Im in mud, dirt, working on concrete and with some chemicals, total abuse of my shoes and they still last 8 months to a year. Im a 280 lbs guy and I wear them 14 to 18 hours a day never giving them a chance to dry completely out, (well some weekends). after break in, they are comfortable enough that in cold job sites I can leave them on and sleep in them. Way more comfortable than any lightweight shoe/boot I have ever had. and they keep my feet dryer which is a huge plus.Do not argue with an idiot. He will drag you down to his level and beat you with experience.
Reply:thread revival. has anyone here tried Doc Martens?I've been looking at boots now for a few days, still undecided. maybe I'm too fussy about my feet or something.
Reply:Currently I have redwings, on on my 6th pair in almost 6 years. The style I have is the 4499, and it is an excellent boot. The deciding factor in your boots should be this, are you willing to clean them thoroughly and oil them Every 2-3 weeks? If not look into goretex boots. Another note, redwing has a no hassle return policy. Buy boots, wear for 9months, return to the store where you bought them, for free no questions asked, you get new boots.  So that 250$ pair of boots turns into 125$ boots. They keep the returned pair of course  Carolina makes a damn good boot, Irish setter ( made by red wing) great boots, carhart ( made by red wing ) great boot, and let's not forget Herman survivors (walmart) pieces of crap, But what do you expect for 50$. Good luck in you search for the perfect boot, it's not easy but once you find them start saving for another pair. Nothing lasts forever !!!Thermal arc 211iCk flex-loc 150 & 130Clamps, saws & grindersHarbor freight 80 amp inverter
Reply:Giterdone Originally Posted by Fred sI run non-steel toe whites smokejumpers for every day and I am looking at some celastic toe for shop time.  Lots of bread, but awesome bootshttp://www.whitesboots.com/index.php...oduct_id=29868
Reply:Originally Posted by almacthread revival. has anyone here tried Doc Martens?I've been looking at boots now for a few days, still undecided. maybe I'm too fussy about my feet or something.
Reply:Originally Posted by OPUS FERROGiterdoneWithout question - 'Whites' are the finest crafted of all the boot suggested, but: they are designed for performance in the dirt of the Pacific NW.  'Whites' are not for beam-walking.Opus
Reply:Originally Posted by 12V71Im one of those guys that wears Whites Smokejumpers every day and I love them.But I do believe they also offer a flat sole boot too that's a Whites manufactured boot
Reply:Low-no heel and no fucging laces http://workingperson.com/footwear-1/...ton-boots.htmlBubble gumTooth pixDuct tapeBlack glueGBMF hammerScrew gun --bad battery (see above)
Reply:The jumpers never made it for me. So much money and not comfy at all. I have a very high metatarsal arch. I found 2 pair recently at the boot barn. One was a pair of doc martins, I swear its like wearing tennis shoes they are so comfortable. The other was a pair of Timberland for like $160. They took some breaking in as they have a metatarsal guard. But now are very comfortable. I used to wear Georgia boots but I hear so much bad about their construction now I don't want to try for fear of the hassle.Regards,RobGreat Basin WeldingInstagramBlue weldersRed weldersMy luscious Table DIY TIG Torch cooler
Reply:I agree with the above post.   I wore whites smoke jumpers for two to three years average of 20 hours a week doing volunteer firefighting in southern cal a few years ago and I thought they were un comfortable, and way over priced. My main gripe with them was how hard the sole was against your foot. It was like they poured a slab of concrete in those boots.  I did a lot of hiking in them through the mountains and brush and they are very durable boots, just too durable to be comfortable (and my boots got well broken in too).       Just picked up a pair of redwing 2272 steel toe boots and they seem very soft and comfy (time will tell if I end up really liking them or not)No offense to those in the whites boots camp, but I feel like a lot of people mentioning on this forum that they like/love whites smokejumpers are just on a bandwagon with that brand. The only reason why I wore them before is because my fire department required us to have the wild land approved boots and whites were what they wanted everyone to have.    I have no clue why anyone would choose a wildland firefighting designed boot like that to weld with.Dynasty 200DX   (2014)Millermatic 211 (2015)Optrel 864   (2014)Smith Medium duty MBA 30510 (Xmas 2014)Tennsmith 16ga 4ft finger brake (2015)Trailblazer 325 EFI and excel Thermal dynamics Cutmaster 82Miller maxtron 450
Reply:Probably most of you guys are gonna laugh at me, but I have had great luck with Shoes For Crews. I got hooked on their shoes when I was managing Pizza Ranch restaurants because obviously they are designed for slip resistance... I had high school guys throwing all kinds of broaster grease and stuff everywhere in the kitchen, thinking they were cool.Anyways, when I first got into industrial work, I decided to try their "pro" work boots. I figured they'd last as long as WalMart boots, and I would be fine with that becuase of the price; however, they have lasted me as long as any of the name brand boots I've gone through. Also, they are very comfortable... EH, ST, basically slip-PROOF, I love them!! And as a bonus, for the price I can order 2 or 3 pair at a time and swap pairs every other day, so they last even longer...They don't have a ton of styles, but I've tried a few of them and never really had any defects or problems. I definitely have my favorites tho! The Rangers are my top all around pick, I guess I wear them like normal people wear tennis shoes (I guess that's what makes guys like us the way we are!  ) - low top, keep my feet cool and reasonably dry from sweat. Most of the time you get what you pay for, but with Shoes for Crews I feel like I've been able to get great mileage out of something made from quality without having to get a mortgage to pay for some big name brand stitched into the tongue...And that's my 2c.
Reply:--> Redwing Pecos <---  Made in USAhttp://weldingweb.com/vbb/showthread.php...=Boots+manokai"Discovery is to see what everybody else has seen, and to think what nobody else has thought" - Albert Szent-Gyorgyi
Reply:lot's of footwear choices here. one suggestion is not to switch off between wearing boots and sneakers at work. i had a tendency to wear my street sneakers if things were slow in the shop.  when things picked up and i had to put my redwings back on they weighed a ton and it took a couple days to get use to wearing them again.i.u.o.e. # 15queens, ny and sunny fla
Reply:I vote ariat. Been wearing them for years. Last pair I had for over 5 years before I walked outta the sole. Went to tractor supply got another pair almost identicalJust good enough aint good enoughIf your gonna be a bad welder you better be a darn good grinder
Reply:Originally Posted by outdoortI agree with the above post.   I wore whites smoke jumpers for two to three years average of 20 hours a week doing volunteer firefighting in southern cal a few years ago and I thought they were un comfortable, and way over priced. My main gripe with them was how hard the sole was against your foot. It was like they poured a slab of concrete in those boots.  I did a lot of hiking in them through the mountains and brush and they are very durable boots, just too durable to be comfortable (and my boots got well broken in too).       Just picked up a pair of redwing 2272 steel toe boots and they seem very soft and comfy (time will tell if I end up really liking them or not)No offense to those in the whites boots camp, but I feel like a lot of people mentioning on this forum that they like/love whites smokejumpers are just on a bandwagon with that brand. The only reason why I wore them before is because my fire department required us to have the wild land approved boots and whites were what they wanted everyone to have.    I have no clue why anyone would choose a wildland firefighting designed boot like that to weld with.
Reply:I've been wearing basically the same model and size of Redwing boots since I was 14 years old.  Had to switch to 2406 this last time around since they discontinued the model I used to buy.I've started buying boots one pair ahead, so I always have a backup pair if necessary and can start breaking the new pair in ahead of when I need them.  Keeps me from last-minute emergency boot buying, too.  I just switched to the new pair I had in storage last week, so it's time to buy the next pair.
Reply:i was thinking about trying the bates ormond boots but the side zip and strap would probably be a slag collector.i.u.o.e. # 15queens, ny and sunny fla
Reply:Try Thorogood boots. I just got a new pair recently. Composite toe & waterproof.
Reply:Since your going to be doing ironwork and walking beams, you don't want a boot with a heel on them. You want a flat soled boot so your heel won't be catching on things when your walking beams. Do a search for Gorrille Ironworker boots. That's what You want when your an Ironworker. They are light weight, they have a steel shank and toe, you can get them in an insulated version and they have a flat bottom sole.Last edited by snoeproe; 06-29-2015 at 09:12 AM.JasonLincoln Idealarc 250 stick/tigThermal Dynamics Cutmaster 52Miller Bobcat 250Torchmate CNC tableThermal Arc Hefty 2Ironworkers Local 720
Reply:Redwing... Very good boot!Viberg are 10 x as good!VictorPraxairAir LiquideMillerLincoln Electric
Reply:Redwing's
Reply:back in the day it was knapp now it's red wing.i.u.o.e. # 15queens, ny and sunny fla