spin off from the Dickies topic

HappyYooper · #1 12/29/13, 06:25 AM

What I've been searching for is a good pair of work boots!! Especially a boot with a sole that isn't slippery. My dh pulls log chains across the top of his load and the boots he has now aren't safe...the soles get hard and slippery. He needs to have a boot that ties up...no slip ons. Gripping strength and durability is needed!

fishhead · #2 12/29/13, 07:56 AM

It's been a while since I've had a pair but I think crepe soles grip pretty well at least in zero or above temperatures. For really cold weather I've had the best traction with those bunny boots that have air chambers.

coolrunnin · #3 12/29/13, 10:30 AM

I do alot of flatbed hauling these days and I have found that good quality hiking boots seem to have the best grip in most wet and cold situations. I got my last pair from Cabelas around $70.00 dollars.

plowjockey · #4 12/29/13, 10:49 AM

I wore Wolverines, when I ran flatbed, and still wear them with petroleum tankers.

They grip on about anything but wet ice. $80

My boot obsession.

http://www.wolverine.com/US/en-US/Pr...t?dimensions=0

JawjaBoy · #5 12/30/13, 08:24 AM

I like Georgia Boots. Good for the money. My favorites have a soft sole and excellent cushioning insole which are great on my knees, but aren't as durable as some of their other offerings. Check out their website as they have something for just about every job imaginable.

http://www.georgiaboot.com/default.aspx

Spotted Owl · #6 12/30/13, 10:30 AM

I can ask around if you like, but there has been a type of cork over shoe showing up around here lately. From what I have seen they are well made and sturdy. Almost as good of traction as a full on cork boot it's self. Think old style goulashes but with a spiked sole. What about a real pair of corks for him? They'd last a long time and if they got slick, just change out the pins.

Owl

farmerj · #7 12/30/13, 10:41 AM

I somehow always go back to red wing boots for work boots.

greenstar · #8 01/02/14, 03:27 PM

I have worn them all. Rockies, ga boots, justins, wolverines, etc. The quality has gone downhill big time in the last decade. I had gotten to the point where i was buying the cheapest ones i could find since they were all falling apart in less than a year. I finally broke down and bought us made danner boots. They are the best boots i have ever owned. I am a lineman and work the farm with these boots. I live in them 12 hrs a day and after 8 months they have been wonderful. The price is steep up front but the quality is next to none.

cornbread · #9 01/02/14, 04:15 PM

Give Red Wing boots a try they are american made good boots and shoes.
http://www.redwingshoes.com/red-wing-shoe-finder

Smitty0560 · #10 01/02/14, 08:37 PM

My personal choice are Wesco Highliners.

http://www.wescoboots.com/wesco/stock.asp

Own two pairs now. (My personal preference is stock number 9710100.) First pair was bought in the beginning of 2008 and made it to the end of 2012. Guess what pair followed them... Yup identically matching ones. And when I can afford to I'll be sending my original ones back for a rebuild and wind up with virtually new boots for a decent discount. Much better in my mind over the throw away and replace that it seems many people have become accustomed to.

Typical usage has been many hours on concrete, very often oil soaked or antifreeze covered and slippery. Snow, ice, standing water, mud, etc, you name it, they go through it. They stay on my feet for everything, from the time I get dressed in the morning until I head inside for the night. Best thing one can do if usage will be similar? Upon opening said new boots, apply the entire packet of boot oil that should be included with the boots. Then, the important step. Apply 3-5 solid coats of Obenauf's L.P. https://www.obenaufs.com/index.php?r...&product_id=30

Now, comparison wise. I tried several pairs of Carolina's first, then my first pair of Wesco's, and then a pair of RedWings. By far, the Wesco's take the cake. I've had lower back problems for some time. Heredity and being 'built' with a combination of long torso and short legs puts a rather large amount excess stress on my lower back due to the leverage. With these, greatly reduced and helps tremendously with lots of standing. They offer so much more support than other boots. These boots just don't quit.

The one negative; price. They are very costly. Roughly $400 for a pair like the ones mentioned. But with that in mind, the way I see it is that the cost will be justified by longevity (with minimal care) and comfort. Break them in and occasionally throw a couple coats of the Obenauf's and they just plain last.

Sorry for being long winded! I like my boots and I feel that they are an important part for those of us who work hard and need our boots to keep up!

greenstar · #11 01/03/14, 01:00 PM

Those wesco's are great looking boots. I think the trend appears to be pointing towards boots made in the US. Just remind yourself they dont cost more than they used to, it just takes more dollars to buy them now.

Pony · #12 01/03/14, 02:28 PM

Nick swears by Redwings. He tried a pair of Georgia's recently, and just plain didn't care for them.

Pony · #13 01/03/14, 02:37 PM

Smitty, I can't seem to find out on their site. Do Wesco's have steel-toed styles?

paradox · #14 01/03/14, 03:16 PM

Different boot brands fit different people better so I won't recommend a brand - he should go somewhere that carries several kinds and see what feels good in the instep and heel and toe. But I think crepe soles are what he needs for traction.

Taylor R. · #15 01/03/14, 05:11 PM

How about the little ice cleats that attach to boots for winter? We provide them for our drivers at work and my mail man wears them with pretty decent results (I had to stop him one day and ask if those things really worked). That'd be a relatively inexpensive way to keep the boots he has and potentially have a less hazardous work experience when it gets cold.

saltydogburt · #16 01/03/14, 07:02 PM

Their are not many things as slippery as a load of frozen beech.Good luck i would wear my caulks.

Smitty0560 · #17 01/04/14, 09:22 PM

Pony, yes there are steel toe available. The Jobmaster line offers them in stock boots. Check the bottom of this page. http://www.wescoboots.com/wesco/stock.asp

The specific style Highliners that I mentioned to be my preference are a lace-to-toe style and do not permit the steel toe option. The Highliner does offers them in a steel toe for the semi-lace-to-toe style. It can be seen as the second from the top here. http://www.wescoboots.com/wesco/stock.asp

There are other styles, and of course you can order custom boots that they will tailor to your specs as long as they fall within normal limitations for the style. Not to mention all of these boots are American made, each one by hand.

okiemom · #18 01/04/14, 11:20 PM

I will vouch for red wing. those boots will last forever. but they take for ever to break in. had logging boots for forestry campo and even with breaking in they were heavy and stiff. I did not break an ankle so they earned their keep but wow they are heavy.

HappyYooper · #19 01/06/14, 06:02 AM

Thank you everyone for all of your replies! I have gone to the websites and ordered catalogs from those who offer them...we also have quite a few Redwing Dealers in our area...question about the spiked soles...hubby climbs a metal loader ladder, will this inhibit his climbing the ladder or using the gas, break & clutch?