Footwear

[thelawnguy]

The pants thread got me thinking-whats everyone wear for footwear while mowing? Im more interested in those who use walkbehinds for obvious reasons. I usually wear work boots but man are my feet killing me when I get home. Sneakers dont work well for me on wet grass. What else do everyone wear?<p>Bill

[Lazer]

For comfort, Nike and others make those &quot;hiking&quot; walking shoes/boots that are really comfortable.<p>They're like a cross between a hiking, work boot and tennis shoe. They seem to provide the best of both world.<p>We do not our employees wear tennis shoes for obvious reasons.

[jrblawncare]

Anything that has a steel toe,that is all I will wear.I know they can be hot and become heavy at the end of the day,but safety and the ankle support can't be beat!!I'm sure today they make something on the lighter side,mine are made by Lehigh and are not to bad.<p>----------<br>John <br>

[cjcland]

i know you think i am crazy but when i worked for another company and all i did was wedeat all day i would wear dive shose(mesh) they looked goofy but i could haul a$$ and if they got wet in the morning they would dry out in a matter of 10 minutes now i wear tennis shoes for a regular day and boots if i am doing any digging or clean-ups in heavy brush, keep an extra pair in the truck so if they do get wet you wont have wet shoes/boots all day , just say no to jungle rot<p>----------<br>CJC Landscape Management<br>Winter Haven, Florida

[Getmow]

I wear Red Wing 8&quot; steel toes. They are comfortable and durable. Most of all they are safe.

[steveair]

Hello,<br>where i work full time we are made to wear steel toe boots. It is a insurance issue, and a company policy. We order direct from lehigh and they have a great selection from steel toe boots, sneakers, and even steal toe dress shoes. I usually get about 5 mths out of a pair of their leather boots, which is good for me. <p>I was wondering if any of you have insurance issues as to work boots/clothes? When I see these big companies around me, like the brickmans, ruperts, etc, there guys always have boots on, no sneaks. Just wondering.

[geogunn]

I wear non-steel toe hightop red wings. they are quite comfy with max support. I've been wearing red wings for the last 25 years or so and the quality of the boot has declined as the prices have greatly increased. all in all they still rate ok except no traction lugs on sole makes them unsuitable for steep hills and banks.<p>probably the best boot for mowing I bought used. it was a &quot;browning with gortex lining and heavy lug soles&quot;. new the boot was around $200, I got 'em for $30. I wore them every day untill I wore the gortex lining out.<p>I've wondered about toe safety in this profession and concluded that it is (99.999%) physically impossible to get my foot under the mower from the rear (lesco 48 WB). with safety switches operating normally there is no way (that I can see) that the front of the deck could get on my foot with the blades engaged. therefore, I don't wear steel toes. what am I missing the point on here? I didn't start this discussion but I'd appreciate comments as well. thanks.<p>GEO

[little green guy]

i wear steal-toe work boots. The steel toe has come in handy before, once i got my foot run over by a Great Dane stander with a mind of its own.

[little green guy]

i wear steal-toe work boots. The steel toe has come in handy before, once i got my foot run over by a Great Dane stander with a mind of its own.

[thelawnguy]

I should clarify, I wear 8 inch Redwings now, but they are hot and heavy and expensive for what they are. Looking for something lighter. I agree steel toes are mostly useless for mowing, that 1/4 inch thick blade, if my foot ever got under that exmark, would make short order of any steel toe. <p>I have had a scare with my machine, slipped on a hill, guess what, human instinct is to hold on to something when you fall, I didnt let go of the handle on the mower, almost swung around and was ready to run back over me when I pulled myself back up.<p>Check your walkbehind, a twin cylinder at 3600rpm running three blades has a lot of momentum, it will keep moving for several seconds after you release the deadman. At least the John Deere would kill the blades and set the park brake when you released the handle. About the nicest thing about those machines.<p>Bill

[dfor]

I wear Timberlands. I've gotta have the ankle support for all the walking. I usually go through 2 pair per year. Thinking about going to steel toe this year.

[sunrise]

We all wear L.L. Bean high cut trail boots they have a vibran rocker shape sole, there gore tex and cost about $100.00 and last a least a year. But until you break them in you will hate them after that your love them they also have a rubber toe guard

[GroundKprs]

Lake of the Woods 8&quot; steel toe, crepe sole, $120-130. Won't be making this shoe any more, but should be avail thru summer. Go thru at least 2 soles a year, but never know that you hiked 20 mi a day for last 10 weeks. This is the most used shoe for concrete workers.<p>----------<br>Jim<br>North central Indiana

[yardsmith]

dittos on lazer's entry. I wear the hiking/work type shoe. Skechers have alot of nice footwear that is tuff- check them out. They're like an SUV version of footwear.<br> I look for mid tops with a waterproof edge at least 1-2 in. of the bottom side of the shoe. I also look for an aggressive tread. Helps on those wet mornings, & hills.<p>----------<br>Smitty ô¿ô<br>

[Toroguy]

I ruin, I mean wear cheapie Wal-Mart deck shoes,no socks. Soak them in bleach once a week, and since they cost $9.99 toss'em after a month.It would be nice to have steel cleats to prevent those early dew wipe outs on hills.

[cutntrim]

Outdoor/hiking crosstrainers with deep treads for grip on hills. They last one season (barely). Employees wear steel toe.<p>----------<br>Dave in S.Ontario<br>

[MOW ED]

I wear Rocky Crosstech with Goretex. High top, steel toe but the goretex makes them breathe so no more toe rot. They are cool and don't feel like bricks. Lots of money at 185 per pair but they last and are waterproof also.

[cantoo]

We cut some pretty steep hillsides so we wear baseball shoes for everything and never have to worry about slipping on wet grass either. They are nice and light and last along time. For one property I wear shoes with steel cleats because it is so steep. People laugh when they first see us until we tell them why we always wear them.

[Jay Raley]

Mow Ed,<p>I was wearing Rocky shoes until this year. The company is closing it's plant in a little town called Nelsonville, Ohio (the only large employer in this town in the middle of Appalachia) and moving the plant to an island in the Caribbean. They are laying off the whole plant because it is cheaper for them (I'll bet that the prices of shoes won't come down with this little move). Really leaving these people hanging out to dry.<p>Just thougth I would pass that little tidbit along. I am boycotting them, myself.

[Mark]

I purchased a pair of timberline pro 7-24 comforts, Yesterday i was wearing the left one and a house shoe on my right foot, so much for 7-24, I just hope when i get them broke-in i won't have to many bone-spurs. Last season i wore the hikeing boots, they were ok but went through 2 pairs in 3 months. So i hope these new ones work out, gym shoes slip to easy and don't do well with a vilke for riding.<p>----------<br>Mark's Mowing Service<br>

[CA Enterprises]

I wear Justin Work Boots with a steel toe. They have really soft leather and the speed laces help tighten the support around my ankles. They last forever and cost around $120.00. The Santa Fe Railroad here requires this particular boot for all their employs.<p>I wear the steel toe just in case OSHA comes by. Besides I do worry some about getting confused on where I feet belong. On top of the mower I think?<p>Adam ;)

[southside]

I wear a military style of boot.I kept my <br>boots when I discharged from the army and they were great.Waterproof and plenty of grip. I now wear a similar boot by the name <br>of U.S Cavalry.They are ok but havent lasted<br>too well.

[Youngster]

I wear a pair of Herman Survivor hiking boots. They're lightweight, waterproof, and only cost me $69.99. Unfortunately I cant find them at Academy anymore. I also put a set of Dr. Scholls padded sole for extra comfort. I can go all day with no aches or pains.<p>----------<br>Cashin' in on Others Laziness!!!!<br>

[lawrence stone]

I have a pair of herman low tops with the<br>work duty insoles and the lug sole. But they<br>are so heavy (size 13) I only wear them in spring and fall. In the summer I usually go<br>with a pair of casual shoes I have had for a<br>while. Most of my mowing is done with a stand<br>on sulky and my feet are protected by diamond<br>plate steel. I have just 7 customers in 5 stops that I have to use a 21&quot;. Those seniors<br>have been with me for a long time and don't<br>give my any hassle plus one always needs<br>a little cash.

[mountainviewland]

I use 8&quot; Red Wings a bit pricey but held up twice as long as my timberlands. I also wore them for 12 hours straight the first day never a blister. Also I strongly recommend Steel toes I once took a 6&quot; piece of bailing wire right through the shoe in my foot all because i didnt have steel toes on. That wasnt worth the money saved.

[sue]

Chinese Slippers the only way to go!

[ADMServices]

Red Wings with steel toes. Very confortable, lots of ankle support, nad they look great. Use the bear greese to water proof them.<p>Andy----&gt; www.admservices.com

[grasscapeinc]

Black leather dickies with steel toe<br>$25.00

[grasscapeinc]

Black leather dickies boots with steel toe<br>$25.00

[lawnforce1]

I have looked into the steel toe options but as you stated they are really no match for the blades. I wear Adidas cross trainers and they grip very well. I wear Nike golf shoes for the really steep stuff. I get about a season out of each pair, I buy them at Rack Room for about $30 each.

[DMC300]

cheap BRAHMA TALL BLACK WATERPROOF WORKBOOTS.$40.00 AT WAL-MART<p>----------<br>DON<br>LIANNES' MOWING

[fireman scott]

i have found that wearing football &quot;cleats&quot; are the best..u have great traction, and they are also comfortable...( when i say cleats, i mean the rubber ones, not metal)...<p>this is my first day on this site. i totally love it..so much useful info..i will check this site out often...thank u so much for your selfishless info...appriciate soooo much...thanks :)

[gusbuster]

The only reason to wear steel toe boots is:<br>1. To protect your toes from the stupid person who forgot to set the brake, dropping a 500 lbs machine on your toes.<br>2. Your insurance company requires safety equipment. This is considered safety equipment.<br>I may have missed this, but I do use a silicone gel pack that goes in your boots. (Dr. Shoals). Any drug or shoe store has them. They're around $15, last for a couple of years.<br>Myself, I use &quot;Honcho&quot; brand of steel toe work boots sold at Payless Shoe Stores. They always do buy one-get one 1/2-price specials. The boots last me from 3 to 5 months, just about 7 days a week use.<br>Jean<br><p>----------<br>J-LC Landscaping & Maintenance Gardening<br>C-27 Ca Contr# 770044