Work boots - steel toe or not?

[cantdrv55]

What’s best for general use work boots? Weed whacking, automotive (dropping motor from my bug), carpentry, etc. The steel toe boots I’ve been jonesing after are on sale but not really sure if I need the extra protection. What do you guys wear? I’ve had WalMart boots for years and they’re finally splitting open.

[masraum]

I've never worn steel toe boots so I think that makes my advice worth what you're paying. If I worked with really heavy stuff frequently or I was required, I'd probably go that route. If I could find some that were as comfortable as regular boots, sure. But I suspect they are not. I like a big toe box. I like to be able to wiggle my toes.

[hcoles]

For work boots, assuming they are comfortable, why not go for the steel toe?

[herr_oberst]

[masraum]

Originally Posted by herr_oberst

Funny, I'm pretty sure that I've recently seen that suggested on YT.

[wilnj]

If you’re in danger of dropping something on your foot, absolutely. However steel toes are heavier and are a heat sink in winter.


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[herr_oberst]

Danner Boots are made in Portland, guaranteed forever. Whites are made in Spokane, I don't know if the guarantee is equal to the Danner's.

[cjh]

You can get steel toes in anything from a tennis shoe to a full boot the has metatarsal protection. Just make sure your toes don't rub up against the steel toe inside of the boots when trying them on and braking them in.

[BK911]

I wear composite toe at work.
Same protection but electrically safer and lighter.

[Bill Douglas]

When I worked at the Unilever factory (soap, dishwashing liquid, shampoo...) and did a LOT of walking we were meant to wear steel cap boots. Some days I was absolutely exhausted at the end of the day, and other days I was fine. I figured out it was the heavier steel cap boots that were tiring me out. As I walked it was one kilo one kilo one kilo... Whereas the other boots that looked like lightweight hiker boots were 300 grams 300 grams 300 grams as I walked. Adds up over a day.

[Brian 162]

I have composite toe boots from Caterpillar. I wore them 10 hours a day when I was still working. They were comfortable for work boots. I wear them now when I'm working around the house

[70SATMan]

I have Red Wing with a nice Alum Toe that is significantly lighter than the steel counterparts. I also have Doc Martin Steel Toe. Depending on the site gig, I'll choose appropriately.

For working around the house regardless of the project, I'll wear the alum toe. Better protection than the composite. Never owned a pair of those so, can't comment on the weight differences.

[flatbutt]

Unless you're in danger of a foot hazard I say no. I've worked in environments (factories and such) where work rules mandated steel toes. But general use such as you've described wouldn't call for steel toe.

[Evans, Marv]

Originally Posted by flatbutt

But general use such as you've described wouldn't call for steel toe.

I agree. I also have two pairs of Red Wing boots - logger style (which I wear in tall grass during snake season) with lug soles for traction on slopes, & a pair of six inch work boots. I bought the work boots because I wanted a boot with just the leather interior instead of a mesh interior. Steel toe could come in handy if you do a bunch of chain saw work.

[LWJ]

I used to wear steel toes by mandate. They probably saved half my toes. But, unless it is a pretty severe crush risk? I wouldn’t. Don’t own them anymore. Donated.

[red 928]

[jcommin]

I have work in environments for over 40 years where steel toed shoes are required. The designs have come along way, Working in the steel mills, metatarsal shoes were required - heavy, clunky not fashionable.

Working in a manufacturing environment, just steel toes are required. But the choices are many: high tops, low tops, sneaker types, etc. Some styles look like the equivalent street shoe.

I'm on my feet most of the day and shoe comfort is very important. My personal favorites: Kean - they look like a Merrill Moab. High top: Dr Martins. I use Super Feet insoles (green).

Whether use get steel toes or not, get a good quality shoe.

[billybek]

I wear Redwings at work and my current pair is probably 25 years old.
They are looking a bit rough but are still comfortable albeit heavy.

The getting puncture resistant sole boots might not be available without the toe cap. Not sure.

[unclebilly]

I have at least 5 pairs of steel toes that I wear depending on what I’m doing…

CAT shoes for office / shop work. These have no ankle support but are good enough for working in the shop, pressure testing, visiting machine shops, etc.

Viberg custom made boots. These are some of the most comfortable footwear I own but I hate lacing them up. These are for field work when it’s not muddy or below -10°C.

Helly Hanson work boots, these are easier to put on than the Vibergs and are my go to for a quick day trip to the field. They are starting to come apart.

Helly Hanson (or Dunlop - I can’t remember) steel toed rubber boots for muddy days. I wore out a pair of thr green Dunlops over 10 years, they were amazing and I don’t like these newer ones as much.

Dunlop steel toed slip on winter boots. These are good for down to -40 standing on a cold rig floor. Very comfortable and warm albeit a bit clunky. I’ve had rigger boots before and the Dunlops are way warmer and more comfortable.

If you just want some safety shoes, go get some composite toed shoes like those CAT shoes. If you need ankle support, get boots. The sky is the limit as to what you can pay. My Vibergs were close to $750 and will outlast me. I’ve had them for 15 years.

[masraum]

Originally Posted by Bill Douglas

When I worked at the Unilever factory (soap, dishwashing liquid, shampoo...) and did a LOT of walking we were meant to wear steel cap boots. Some days I was absolutely exhausted at the end of the day, and other days I was fine. I figured out it was the heavier steel cap boots that were tiring me out. As I walked it was one kilo one kilo one kilo... Whereas the other boots that looked like lightweight hiker boots were 300 grams 300 grams 300 grams as I walked. Adds up over a day.

Wow, I had no idea that they were that heavy, but that makes sense.