garage footwear

PoorOwner · Mar 10, 2008

I am in the market for a pair of garage footwear, the main reason would be so I stop getting oil stain and brake dust on my regular shoes (gets expensive overtime).. but I almost slipped on the epoxy the other day.. (had a few oil drops wiped not clean enough) and i was wearing my leisure shoes. I am looking for something that will help traction and stable footing.

I am not sure if I should opt for steel toe or not.. this is for a home garage and don't have a lift so I won't be likely dropping rotors accidently from chest height (i hope

) . There will probably be more kneeling so steel toe isn't comfortable for that. I do have some tan steel toe boots for those extra heavy projects but they are uncomfortable when I kneel and bend my feet so I avoid them

I see mechanix makes a ankle high boot with regular and steel toe available, thinking of going with the non-steel toe what do you think?

http://garage.mechanix.com/SearchResult.aspx?CategoryID=12

SteveU · Mar 10, 2008

I have the 8" Redwing work boots, they work for everything I do & even when I worked in a factory & was on my feet 8 hrs/day they would last over 5-6 yrs of daily use. Once you get them broke in they are real comfortable & give much better protection than sneakers.

safetyfast · Mar 10, 2008

Ditto to Red Wings. Definitely get steel toes.

sammerdog · Mar 10, 2008

If your shop is up here in the north and un-heated, stay away from steel toes - frostbite city!

Finley · Mar 10, 2008

duck boots! low cost, easy to clean, ugly from the get-go, slip resistant bottom, cant beat em!

byrd · Mar 10, 2008

red wings for sure! in my opinion steel toes are uncomfortable and the cold weather comment is on point.

safetyfast · Mar 10, 2008

After an evening in the ER where my 3 year old daughter had to sit on the bed with me and watch me get stitches because my wife wasn't home, I'll stick with steel toes no matter what the weather.

PoorOwner · Mar 10, 2008

red wings with steel toes or not?

I would prefer hiker style like some of the wolverine or the mechanix,
I think if I need to run to the parts store or get something to eat.. looks better with shorts

zj96sc · Mar 11, 2008

timberland 6" classic, end of story. best boot I've ever owned.

I've also got a pair of original steeltoe Justin's ropers. very happy with both.

hell_fish_65 · Mar 11, 2008

I should get a set of steeltoes, but for now I use a pair of work shoes from Wal-mart. They were cheap and have non-slip soles.
http://www.walmart.com/catalog/product.do?product_id=3933711

Coach James · Mar 11, 2008

I have a pair of those Mao Mart shoes for work. I don't work in a garage, I teach high school and am on my feet pretty much 7:30 am to 4pm and those shoes have been great. Much better than the more expensive shoes I've tried.

Coach

Lyaec350 · Mar 11, 2008

Another vote for RedWing. Great company.

Da Bull · Mar 11, 2008

I wear these for home and work. Its the most comfortable boot I've found. :canada2:

http://www.catfootwear.com/Shop/Enlarge.aspx?NavID=M-WRK&PID=8792

tensix · Mar 11, 2008

http://www.shoesforcrews.com/sfc3/index.cfm?changeWebsite=US_en&route=c_store.viewDetailsOfProduct&partnumber=8081

Lyaec350 · Mar 11, 2008

I have Cat boots (the Alaska) and they're ok, but not overly comfortable. Must be a personal preference thing. I think steel toes are a good idea if you're doing anything heavy. If I'm just messing around I wear tennis shoes, and if I'm doing something with heavy parts or plasma cutting (do a lot of fabrication) I wear the steel toes.

nissan_crawler · Mar 12, 2008

safetyfast said:
After an evening in the ER where my 3 year old daughter had to sit on the bed with me and watch me get stitches because my wife wasn't home, I'll stick with steel toes no matter what the weather.

I'm with that guy.^^^^ After having to have dad cut the toe off my steel toes once, having several vehicles run over my foot, etc., I'm a firm believer in it. I lived in North Dakota most of my life, dad and I always wore steel toes, it wasn't a problem, even in -30 weather. My personal belief is that it's ignorant not to wear them, I like my digits.

I vote Red Wings. I've had cat and many other brands, and hated them. Cat and the wal-mart/payless cheap boots last me for 3-6 months max. Red Wings last me for 2 years or so. They aren't expensive when you do the math. I'm on my feet on concrete for 10 hours a day, good boots are a MUST.

fourfeathers · Mar 12, 2008

Lehigh safety shoes were the best pair I ever owned. The soles were very soft, but held up for 2 years to oil, etc. I was lucky to buy them using a company discount, as they cost $150 for a normal customer.

When they wore out, I went to get another pair. They no longer sold that sole, and the sales people were rude as hell. Stopped at Iron Age, and asked "how much"? The ******** said "they are expensive". Like because I was wearing dirty jeans that I could not spend $150 for boots. I went to Sears and bought a pair of Timberland Pro steel toes for $75, and they have been good for 6 months so far.

Kevin54 · Mar 12, 2008

My vote is for Florsheim steel toes. I am one of the rare individuals that no matter what steel toes shoe it is, it will cut into my big toes no matter what. I hate the things. BUT...a buddy turned me on to a pair of Florsheims a few years ago. He guaranteed me that they would not hurt my toes or he would pay for them. One of the most comfortable shoes I have ever had on. from day one, the fit like a pair of broke in shoes and I have not had sore big toes since. LOL!!! And I am on my feet from 4:30 am until 7:00 or later at night on concrete.

warrent · Mar 12, 2008

I like the Redwings too. You have to make sure you get the oil skid proof soles. Also you can get the oversize steel toes that give you plenty of room when squatting with no pinching of the toes. Cheap shoes seem to stink too much, must be the plastic vinyl ****.

BearHit · Mar 12, 2008

I like to wear some nice 4" red pumps...

Wait, what?

Sorry

Uncle Buck · Mar 12, 2008

I hear that Franz is partial to stilletto heels! Because they lift his tired old *** and give it definition! :wtf:

russlaferrera · Mar 12, 2008

hholmberg said:
I hear that Franz is partial to stilletto heels! Because the lift his tired old *** and give it definition!

Uncle Buck, Why don't you ask Franz, what his favorite color is? You can reach him @ WWW.TOOLBOXTALK.ORG As you know he BANNED here, and can not reply.

Iron-Iceberg · Mar 13, 2008

Vans, but of course Im from CA.

sctattooer · Mar 13, 2008

Bedroom slippers, but i spend more time drinking in my garage than actually working.

Uncle Buck · Mar 13, 2008

russlaferrera said:
Uncle Buck, Why don't you ask Franz, what his favorite color is? You can reach him @ WWW.TOOLBOXTALK.ORG As you know he BANNED here, and can not reply.

Yes he was BANNED THANK GOD!

Naa, I got enough of him when he was here, I have no desire to follow the little troll under his bridge for the abuse that some seem to enjoy! Besides, I am just returning him the favor, if he sees my post he will know what I mean. He ran back to his nest and commenced flinging **** on all kinds of folks over here so I am simply returning the kindness! .............What goes around comes around! :lol_hitti

PhantomEB · Mar 13, 2008

Doc Martens here. Pretty much wear them 80% of the time anyways.

Minitucking · Mar 14, 2008

Ive got a pair of timberland pro's and doc marten boots both steel toe. I prefer the timberlands.

Mike83 · Mar 14, 2008

I wear 9" Rocky Steel Toes. They are SUPER comfy, esp now that they are broken in (1.5 years of nearly daily use on a construction site). They are waterproof, too (Gore-Tex). The steel is cold, so maybe try a brand / style with the plastic safety toe. Those still meet the ANSI spec that steel toes do, I believe.

PoorOwner · Mar 14, 2008

How can steel toes be broken in?

Is it necessary to buy a bigger size when buying steel toes shoes.. once I bought a pair I just used the size of my sneakers, it was ok at the store but after wearing it for a couple hours my feet expanded and the toes were not comfortable, good thing took it back to the store they exchanged it 1/2 size bigger. Could be this particular brand is a little small though?

Uncle Buck · Mar 14, 2008

PoorOwner said:
How can steel toes be broken in?

Is it necessary to buy a bigger size when buying steel toes shoes.. once I bought a pair I just used the size of my sneakers, it was ok at the store but after wearing it for a couple hours my feet expanded and the toes were not comfortable, good thing took it back to the store they exchanged it 1/2 size bigger. Could be this particular brand is a little small though?

I have had several brands of steel toes shoes/boots through the years but the only ones that I ever found comfortable for any period of time were Doc Martins. I think their boots have a more spacious toe box or something cause unlike the rest they never pinched my feet.

dxdexter · Mar 14, 2008

PoorOwner said:
How can steel toes be broken in?

Is it necessary to buy a bigger size when buying steel toes shoes.. once I bought a pair I just used the size of my sneakers, it was ok at the store but after wearing it for a couple hours my feet expanded and the toes were not comfortable, good thing took it back to the store they exchanged it 1/2 size bigger. Could be this particular brand is a little small though?

You certainly can break in steel toed boots the same as any other footwear. The leather and soles are generally very stiff for the first few month especially if you lace above the ankles. I go through a pair every 8 months or so. Concrete just dries the heck out of the leather and they crack just below the eyelets and above the steel toe.

I personally have noticed some brands do require larger sizes then usual, but then again others are just as I expect.

In the garage I usually wear steel toed black leather shoes. Sometimes I wear Crocs, I'm not Kidding.

OctaneMotorsports · Mar 14, 2008

Piloti Prototipo's

Uncle Buck · Mar 14, 2008

OctaneMotorsports said:
Piloti Prototipo's

peth · Mar 14, 2008

Blundstone steel toes. Slip on and very comfortable for every day wear. Doc Marten steel toes or non steel toes would be my next choice.

jweller · Mar 14, 2008

Depends on the weather and what I'm doing. If I'm doing electronics work in the summer,I'll probably just have on sandles. If I'm welding then I wear work boots. I usually wear tennis shoes if I'm woodworking. I've also got a pair of duck boots that I wear a lot in the garage.

PoorOwner · Mar 14, 2008

OctaneMotorsports said:
Piloti Prototipo's

Actually I wouldn't wear it in the garage.. but I think they look very nice and would like a pair one day as a dress shoe. How do you like them?

Uncle Buck · Mar 15, 2008

peth said:
Blundstone steel toes. Slip on and very comfortable for every day wear. Doc Marten steel toes or non steel toes would be my next choice.

Very impressive brand Blundstone, I agree :thumbup:

jhn9840 · Mar 15, 2008

Red Wings are my personnal favorite. Got an old pair of Red Wing steel toes I wear whenever I'm welding or doing any thing heavy. For the lighter duty stuff a pair of generic hiking boots or old sneakers work.

jhn9840
John

skargo · Mar 18, 2008

I wear my redwing steel toes everywhere, even 4 wheeling on a mountian in the bitter cold.

To the guys who say the steel toe is cold, I say to you, get better socks.

milkovich · Mar 18, 2008

I *only* get about 10-12 years out of my Redwing #402s... Already on my second pair and I could have had the first pair re-soled.

Make sure you keep them oiled as they deserve it.

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