Footwear

[Abouttime]

Does anybody have any suggestions for summer footware on a farm? I frequently have muddy slippery slopes and are usually wading through some type of manure. My waterproof boots are too hot!
Thanks

"sloggers"..

I was fortunate enough to buy a bunch of them when they first came out 4 years ago at less than $12 each..I recently looked them up online for someone else and was horrified to see that they're now up around $50 a PAIR on one site..maybe they're less expensive elsewhere?

They're like clogs but made of vinyl..so incredibly comfortable. non-skid and you can just wash them off with a hose..they're not ugly either. I wear them pretty much everywhere.

BTW, I bought them in Alabama at the local hardware store..go figure.

[michiganfarmer]

I only buy redwing leather boots. They hold up well going in and out of the manure. They hold up well when I have to walk through the scrap pile looking for a piece of steel to repair some piece of equipment. A pair lasts me between 1-1/2 years and 2-1/2 years

[TexasArtist]

I use hiking boots tht come up just above the ankle. I have flat feet so I always have a tough time finding something comfy. I find the hiking boots have a good gripping ability and they stay alot cooler then farm rubber boot thing. Also they are made to be worn for hours at a time because of hiking.

[Meg Z]

Water shoes...the kind made for the beach/coral reefs and such. They make knock-off versions that you can get cheap. They are thin on top, but have a good sole with good traction...and you can hose them clean. they are fairly tight on the upper part, so you won't fall out of them on those muddy slopes!

I also picked up some shoes last year that are great. Like a cross between those above and a close-toed sandal. I got them at yucky ole Wal-mart for around 8 bucks. Lots of tread, closed toe, openings on the sides and across the foot, but of a material I can hose clean. And cheap. They are wearing well, too, surprisingly!

meg

[beorning]

I like Tevas. They hose clean, last a long time, and are pretty comfortable. They also have decent traction.

[MorrisonCorner]

I'm using rubber "clogs" which I got from a garden place... but after one year the rubber has split, making stepping into sheep muck kind of gross. But for sheer convenience and dumping them at the door, I love these things. They just didn't wear very well.

For a full day of outside work though I wear Timberland ankle high boots. They've got this weird yellowish sole which cleans up really fast, like its got teflon in the ridges or something! And they're pretty waterproof.

Sneakers are out... clog with dirt, track everything in the house, and dangerous around most farm equipment (no real protection for your tootsies!). Ditto sandals. I only wear sandals when I'm leaving the place it seems. You can mess your feet up badly just mowing the lawn in sandals... let alone splitting wood!

[Jen H]

For just wandering around, opening up coops and weeding the garden, I swear by my Crocs. They're funny looking, but so incredibly comfortable. Plus you can just hose them off. I just wish my puppy hadn't chewed off the heel straps...

For mowing, mucking out barns, tilling, etc I use hiking boots.

[Abouttime]

Thank you so much for the many suggestions. I should be able to find one that works for me.

[Freeholder]

My daughter and I both have the 'Sloggers' -- they really are comfortable. My mother tried mine and got herself a pair. I especially like them because I can kick them off on the porch and not track so much dirt into the house. Also the sole is sturdy enough to stand on a shovel with them.

Kathleen

[Abouttime]

I've been researching all the great information you all have provided-on the Sloggers, I see there are different styles-which are more comfortable/workable-the low or high type?
Thanks

[HilltopDaisy]

You folks who can wear the garden shoes are lucky! They kill my feet. If I wear them for two hours my heels ache for two days. Never thought about the water shoes, got a pair sitting in the closet.

[Freeholder]

Originally Posted by Abouttime

I've been researching all the great information you all have provided-on the Sloggers, I see there are different styles-which are more comfortable/workable-the low or high type?
Thanks

I think what I have are the low type -- haven't seen any other kind, though, so I'm not sure. You should probably go find some to try on and see what works best for you.

Kathleen

[Simpler Times]

Big Lots has a knockoff version of the kick-off slogger for $5.00!

[DixyDoodle]

Not sure what sloggers are, but you can get duck boots for under $10 at WalMart. Duck boots are those ankle-high rain boots (well actually they look more like shoes).

I prefer just to pop the rubber boots on. There's just something icky about having mushy duck poop fly up and land on a bare ankle. I'm always using my boot to help push manure up onto the shovel, and duck boots just don't cut it. But for just walking around and whatnot, duck boots would work.

I'm sure some of us really cut a fashion statement in the barn. My usual summer outfit is as follows: no-bra tanktop or one of dh's muscle shirts (well, excuuuuuse me, it's hot out there), middie shorts, and black rubber boots. Haphazard ponytail and no make-up. Maybe I shaved my legs and maybe I didn't, so if you come a'calling with no notice, there's your warning! Fortunately we live at the end of a dead-end road, so I generally don't scare too many of the neighbours.

DD

[Queen Bee]

I have several pr. of Crocs. I use them when the weather is nice and am doing light work. They are a vinyl clog. Washable with a water hose and they have a strap that I can use or just slid them on. I can kick them off when I need to run in the house for something.

When working w/ equip, heavy animals, working the bees or in deep grass I always my Redwings boots for women.. A pr. last me about 2 yrs. and well worth the money.

We have deep, red clay and when it's wet, it will 'suck' your shoes off if they don't fit really well and aren't tied on.