What kind of shoes to wear?

[topsites]

After 4 years, I still always have the problem with the shoes...

Here it is in a nutshell:
Some folks say to wear steel-toed but most of these are either black or brown and leather and must be treated and taken care of but the worst part is HEAT! Man I hate HOT feet because these shoes stink like holy hell when you take them off after a day, the stench is so nauseating in itself but it is also a sign of festering molds and I just can't stand this thought of the bacteria that if it stinks so bad it makes me want to puke, it can't be good for my feet.

Tennis shoes are nice but they get dirty and throw them in the wash once or twice cleans them some but they all start to break apart and in six months time, they are worthless. Safety-wise, they are a risk but once aware, always aware.

The problem with dirt would be an issue with steel-toed as well, my question is do the steel toed shoes actually last longer, and do they have any models that aren't so HOT when worn? I mean literally hot, like temperature fahrenheit. Safety wise these are an improvement but only in the toes.

Other than buying 3-4 pairs of 10-dollar tennis shoes between Walmart and Payless, I still haven't found anything that is both comfortable, cool to wear (temperature, not style or looks), and last a long time (it would be nice if they could be kept clean but I'm willing to trade dirt for function).

Is money an issue? Well if I have to spend 200 dollars every 2 years then I'm better off spending 40-60 dollars / year on 10-dollar pairs of tennis shoes, so yeah.

[LawnScenes]

I got a pair of Timberland Pro Series boots over a month ago and like them so far. Also got a couple of dozen pairs of work socks too since I normally wear sandals and didn't own any socks. lol. They aren't hot at all. Or at least I haven't noticed it so far. There's also don't stink yet.

[Necroshine]

How do they run, width wise?
I wear a 16 sneaker, and 15 really doesn't cut it. Do they run tight?

[sheshovel]

Try Hi-Tec hiking boots.They breath..have high tops
and are very comfortable to work in.I wear Vasque boots more expensive but I only go through one pair a year compared to three pairs of other hikers.

[Splicer]

Dude if you are wearing size 16's you are in the wrong business!:hammerhead: :laugh: :laugh: :laugh:

But I wear steel toed Brahmas from wally world. 25-30 bux and they last me fr what I do. I wear them daily and up untill I started lawn care I did alot of walking/standing and pole climbing (using gaffs) and ladder work. Been doing this for 25 years and have no problems other than the fact of at the end of the day I want them off. :dizzy:

[LawnTamer]

I like running shoes, they are feather light, breathe well and are comfy. Hiking boots would be my second choice. I have noticed that my guys work faster in running shoes than in work-boots.
I work 12hrs a day and usually only go through 1 or 2 pair of running shoes/year.
I never buy white, I get gray or blue.
Good luck

[hackitdown]

I wear light hikers, those shoes that look like a cross between a sneaker and a boot. They are pretty light, but they have a thick sole and steel toes. I get a size bigger than usual, since my feet seem to swell in the heat at work.

[StBalor]

Light hikers are what i prefer. I also like them high, so i can put my pants legs over them to keep the grass out of my shoes.

[Trinity Lawn Care, LLC]

I personally have always been opposed to steel toe boots. My dad many years ago had a concrete burial vault (about 1- 1.5 ton concrete box) fall on his foot. He lost 1 1/2 toes. If he had been wearing steel toe they said it would have crushed the whole front of his foot. I am not to sure that a steel toe will really help from anything serious. I wear normal boots, and sometimes even sneakers.

[mrbray101]

Take a look at Red Wing Boots. The red wings I have are very comfortable and have a good warranty.

[True Harbor]

will a steel toe help against mower blades? I was advised againt wearing them at one of my jobs working with heavy aircraft/machinery due to it would be worse having them on if I got run over etc. They couldn't handle the weight so it would just cause more damage but I'm guessing with mower blades they may be beneficial. Thanks for the help.

[mrbray101]

We've all seen mower blades eat through some nasty stuff. I highly doubt that a steel toe boot will combat a mower blade. They are uncomfortable and heavy to wear in my opinion.

[Mickhippy]

http://www.blundstone.com/product_info.cgi?subpageID=safetyworkwear&sub_categoryID=130269#

I wear the Blundstone #200 boots. They do get a little warm but by far the best mowing/landscaping/gardening boot I have ever worn. I have wide feet and they are great!

Change socks everyday and keep your feet clean and dry and that will help with the smell. My feet dont stink wearing these boots. Maybe because the top isnt tight around the ankle so air can get in there. The inner sole is replaceable. I use sock protectors to keep the clippings etc out.