• Scam Alert. Members are reminded to NOT send money to buy anything. Don't buy things remote and have it shipped - go get it yourself, pay in person, and take your equipment with you. Scammers have burned people on this forum. Urgency, secrecy, excuses, selling for friend, newish members, FUD, are RED FLAGS. A video conference call is not adequate assurance. Face to face interactions are required. Please report suspicions to the forum admins. Stay Safe - anyone can get scammed.

Other Shop footwear - what's on your feet?

E

Elektrishun

Well-Known Member
Often there are discussions about different types of flooring in a home workshop but seldom do I read discussions about footwear.

Footwear was very important when I was working as an electrician and I think it is just as important when I'm in the shop at home.

My "back and forth" shoes are for light days in the shop when I will be spending my time sitting/planning, cleaning up, or other light duties (I call them "back and forth" shoes because they are great for going back and forth between the shop and house):

IMG_20250129_144347_Bokeh.jpg


My work boots are for exactly that "work". Whether it's time to make wood chips or metal chips the boots go on. These are same brand of boot I have been wearing for the past 15 years. My feet like 'em. Even with a work boot allowance they were expensive but worth it. Usually went through a pair every 2 years:

IMG_20250129_144204_Bokeh.jpg


It all starts at the feet so support and protect them!
 
1738250669796.png
Blundstone steel toe, we are supplied work boots yearly at work with a selection of different styles. Up until these boots I've never had a slip on but not having to dig mill grease and schmoo out of the laces is a godsend. The lack of ankle support doesn't really come up for what I do and I don't venture into deep puddles. great grass cutting and shop boots
 
I wear older running shoes in the shop for most days. I go through about three pairs of running shoes a year since we got the dog, so I replace the shop shoes every so often. Old shoes also work good at cleaning belts for sanders if they are the soft rubber grips.
If I am doing "hot" work or moving heavy stuff around I wear my steel toe boots. My back gets angry if I stand on cement for too long without something under my feet so I have anti-fatigue mats in front of the benches and stationary tools and a smaller one that I drag around if I plan on standing in one spot for awhile in front of a movable tool/bench.
 
Depends on the activity...

Anything that makes chips, sparks or molten metal I wear older style very heavy Dakota brand oxford leather work shoes with steel toe and full steel plate on the sole.

Because these are so heavy and uncomfortable, and a PITA to remove and put back on every time I got from garage shop to basement tool storage if I dont need the protection for the activity Im engaged in I wear skechers slip-ons with memory foam insole and zero protection.

Some may recall this fall or early winter I stepped on a rusty screw while working which easily penetrated those shoes, so I have been thinking of better footwear for any work activity. Ideally, I'd like a shoe that has heavy leather upper, and a composite sole and toe so as to be as light as possible.

I'm planning on taking my old work shoes with me to the store along with a kitchen scale. My next shoes needs to be 35% less weight to be worth the investment since my current shoes have a lot of life left in them
 
These. Plus safety glasses & hearing protection - when I am working with / on anything.

The cut in the leather on the right boot is from a 60” commercial mover deck coming out of its in-transport position onto the floor a little quicker than anticipated…

IMG_2870.jpeg

I have been known to walk in the shop with just sandals / sneakers, but then I don’t work.
 
Safety crocs mostly.....:D. When I'm doing more serious work, I wear an old pair of slip on steel toe work shoes, but they're worn out now, I just bought a pair of these. Mainly just for home, but I like them so much, I might buy another pair for work too. My regular work boots are so filthy I don't wear them anywhere but work.
 
Slip-on steel toed shoes, and very well-developed machinist reflexes.

Everything we work with is some combination of sharp, hot, or heavy. When it feels like hitting the ground, I let it. Never try to catch anything, never triy to nudge it with your foot, just get out of the way.

And when I step on something, I want it to break, not my foot.
IMG_0092.jpeg
 
I'm always amazed at the horrible footwear (and general working conditions) I see the east Indian/Pakistani workers wearing in the YouTube videos. Dudes doing heavy metal working, sludge hammers, welders, torches wearing flip flops or sandals of some sort. :eek:

Myself, I've been really liking my Blundsttones. Bending over to tie up boots and take them on and off multiple times a day seems to be too hard for me most days now.
 
The wife got me some Keane's much like the Blundstones above for the home shop. I don't like being in there without steel toes, I am liking them quite a bit for the ease of converting into slipper mode afterwards. For the most part, I wear Redwings around the yard etc. But will be looking for a made in Canada replacement before long. I had been buying this model because they were usa made verses off shore like most of the other models and makes. Looks like I am going to be tightening up my search radius. Lol.
 
140mower said:
The wife got me some Keane's much like the Blundstones above for the home shop. I don't like being in there without steel toes, I am liking them quite a bit for the ease of converting into slipper mode afterwards. For the most part, I wear Redwings around the yard etc. But will be looking for a made in Canada replacement before long. I had been buying this model because they were usa made verses off shore like most of the other models and makes. Looks like I am going to be tightening up my search radius. Lol.
Click to expand...
Vibergs are Canadian. Eye watering expensive though.
 
I wear old new balance sneakers Ones that are too worn to wear in public. I'm not against safety shoes or boots but I have never found any that did not cause a lot of knee pain within a few hours. If I'm handling heavy stuff I do usually put on steel toed sneakers.
 
I don’t see any $1700 boots here
workboot.com

Viberg

Viberg brand handcrafted work boots. Made in Canada, in BC's beautiful capital city of Victoria. Plain toe and CSA certified steel toe safety boots. Traditional all leather construction.
workboot.com workboot.com
 
David said:
Vibergs are Canadian. Eye watering expensive though.
Click to expand...
I have a pair of those as well, yes, almost expensive enough for special occasions only.... :p
I bought a 10" upper and heavy sole when I was doing some heavier work and wanted the extra ankle support. At this age, boots last me a lot longer than in my younger days so I really don't mind paying more..... I am going to be looking at their line up again.

Edit..
I will probably stop in there on one of my future trips to my parents house and get measured for custom fit.
 
David said:
I don’t see any $1700 boots here
workboot.com

Viberg

Viberg brand handcrafted work boots. Made in Canada, in BC's beautiful capital city of Victoria. Plain toe and CSA certified steel toe safety boots. Traditional all leather construction.
workboot.com workboot.com
Click to expand...
viberg.ca

Spring / Summer '25 Drop 1

Our SS25 Collection showcases versatile styles that embody our family’s five generations of boot making heritage, standing as a testament to our enduring commitment to quality and tradition.
viberg.ca viberg.ca
I know I suck at shopping but...maybe these aren't work boots? My bad.
 
Timberlands over here as well, no break in period, comfy right away

I've been running this same model for about 10 years, get from 8-12 months out of a pair

IMG_20250130_220727908.jpg
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Back
Top