Shoes?!?!

[APV's Mowing]

I have no idea what kind of shoes i should get for this up comming mowing season. I mostly mow lawns with a 21" toro, and do other small jobs. I don't want to get a pair of reg. running shoes, or get a pair of heavy boots. What do you guys wear? And also i need to find a ton of good socks to wick away sweat! Any help is great.

[hackitdown]

I use light hikers with a steel toe.

[txgrassguy]

I use the 4" lawn grips.
Comfortable, light weight in terms of actual weight - not construction, certainly grip well - and despite the rubber bottoms the leather uppers do breathe well.

[Roger]

What's wrong with work boots? Keeping my feet protected and some support for my feet and ankles is very important. Also, having an aggressive tread on the sole to keep good traction on difficult terrain is necessary. A good pair of work boots provides all these features, and will last an entire season, perhaps a bit longer.

[BUCKEYE MOWING]

Lawn grips and black socks.....they never show the dirt.

[yardmanlee]

2nd yr and 2nd pair of lawn grips

[JB1]

Nike............

[yardmanlee]

Nike............

nike makes a steel toe water proof shoe/boot ?

[DLAWNS]

I just wear $30 Brahma Wal-Mart boots. I go through maybe 2 pairs a year. They did hurt my feet when I first started wearing them. But now I would never go back. I love the ankle support.

[LawnTamer]

I like the running shoes, light-weight, breathe well and super comfy.

[americanlawn]

Same here. Also........we use arch supports nomatter which type of shoes we wear. The cost about $20, and they last for years. No more aching feet either. http://www.walkfit.com/info.html

I like the running shoes, light-weight, breathe well and super comfy.

[mattfromNY]

I've got a nice pair of Carolina steel- toed boots. They are mesh and leather, if that makes sense. They are very flexible, breathe really well, steel toe (I have one commercial acct. that I have to wear steel toe or I cant be on the property), light weight for a work boot, very good traction, and not really costly ($70.00). I wore them all summer, and they are fine for another season. The only problems I encountered were not waterproof b/c of mesh sides and the laces are junk, I had to put better laces on them.

[willjones4]

my old crusty green stained New Balance tennis shoes seem to work just fine. Only part I hate is they get filled up with grass/dirt and are just as crusty inside as they are out. Gotta empty them a couple times during the day...:rolleyes:

[americanlawn]

I hear ya. The picture above = a pair of New Balance walking shoes that I wore the entire year. I washed 'em once in the summer and again around Thanksgiving.......now I wear them for casual use. New Balance is pretty good quality, and they hold up better than most. I wash them on the "gentle cycle" of my washing machine:weightlifter:, but after three washings...they usually get holes in them. So it will be a new six-pak of black socks & a new pair of New Balance walkng shoes for spring.

my old crusty green stained New Balance tennis shoes seem to work just fine. Only part I hate is they get filled up with grass/dirt and are just as crusty inside as they are out. Gotta empty them a couple times during the day...:rolleyes:

[bigw]

im going to wear flip flops myself :weightlifter:

[mattfromNY]

im going to wear flip flops myself :weightlifter:

Could just start an organic program, and go bare foot. :laugh:

[APV's Mowing]

hahahaha nice nice...the only problem is with plain running or walking shoes is that they dont offer much protection...what happens when ur foot slips and goes under ur deck...acouple toes missing...not worth it to me. I think im going to look for a light weight work/hiker boot with steel toe that is pretty breathable, any ideas for those iv been looking at lawn grips and vasque hiking boots, the only problem with the vasque is there is no steel toe. but iv had a pair and they worked great for everything.

[rmmllc]

I wear running shoes if I am going to be behind a walk-behind. I seem to be able to move around faster and more comfortably. I tell my employees to wear boots, so I guess I realize the risk I am taking for comfort. Just don't stick your foot under the mower and you will be ok. I like the organic approach- might sell well in the Independent Republic of California.

[stuffdeer]

Most comfortable shoe I have worn.

http://www.footstarworks.com/occapps2/english/products/65025_popup.jhtml

Best part is, through some tire shine on them when your done, and wear them to the wedding you need to go to.

At least that is what I do.

[the lawnscaper]

Where can you buy lawn grips?

[Valk]

Lawngrips.com

[Green Quality]

FOOT ball Spikes I wear them all the time,when cutting Great in wet grass.great for your back.

[Valk]

Are the insoles in these LawnGrips removable...has anyone out there replaced these with their own insole/arch~support of choice?

If anyone wears the LawnGrips' Pro 6 or ProLite 6, would you describe these as more of a shoe or a mid~top boot? They look like a 'tweener...if there is such a thing! :laugh:

[grassman177]

it is a tweener, really both of them

[yardmanlee]

Lawn grips have a new boot out now, I got a email from them the other day in the $150 range

[Valk]

Are the insoles removable? I wear custom orthotics & some shoe manufacturers glue their insoles in ~> not good.

I've emailed the LawnGrips re: the above, but have not heard back yet...

Am intrigued with these, though gotta say that shoes are one of the last things I'd order online re: shoe size and comfort. Heck, some shoes feel comfortable but still don't work out in the field.

[sildoc]

hahahaha nice nice...the only problem is with plain running or walking shoes is that they dont offer much protection...what happens when ur foot slips and goes under ur deck...acouple toes missing...not worth it to me. I think im going to look for a light weight work/hiker boot with steel toe that is pretty breathable, any ideas for those iv been looking at lawn grips and vasque hiking boots, the only problem with the vasque is there is no steel toe. but iv had a pair and they worked great for everything.

Used to work in the ER before starting my business. I must say I saw a couple of lawn mower injuries. one hand and one foot. the guy was wearing steel toed boots and looked just as mangled as the hand. Hmmm go figure 1/16 of an inch of steel doesn't stop a blade spinning at 18000 rpms and packing a whaloop.
steel toe are designed for the small light 5lb or less being dropped directly from above not coming from the side.

[sildoc]

I like the Danner low hiker. they are light and water proof. very sturdy and last. I went through 3 pair of regular shoes my first year and now only go through one a year and save the old for back up in case I go over the cuff in water. they run around 99 bucks but can find them on sale occasionally for 50. I bought 6 pairs last year when they were on sale. I do through on the boots thought when I pull out a chain saw, something about that little extra length of protection might save me a nice er bill.

[lawnscapesLLC]

Timberlands--not the tan ones tho, they are "pro" something or another. More like a dark brown. They have steel toe and felt almost like wearing sneakers. I have tried on probably a hundred different pairs of boots over the years and these were the most comfortable I tried. lasted me almost two years of mowing and doing remodeling and plumbing full time. Good boot.

[jason9696]

I usually just wear some type of work boot, this year I will most likely wear a lighter weight hiking boot that breathes well.

[hackitdown]

Used to work in the ER before starting my business. I must say I saw a couple of lawn mower injuries. one hand and one foot. the guy was wearing steel toed boots and looked just as mangled as the hand. Hmmm go figure 1/16 of an inch of steel doesn't stop a blade spinning at 18000 rpms and packing a whaloop.
steel toe are designed for the small light 5lb or less being dropped directly from above not coming from the side.

Good point, it is amazing what the blades will chop through. Still, I like to wear steel toes to protect from dropping the trailer gate, getting run over, dropping heavy tools, or whatever. I always have glasses and ear protection, too.

[gandk06]

just like someone said earlier, I wear the Braham boots from Wal-mart. They do very good job of keeping my feet dry. They are not steel toe but I think for about 10 bucks more you can get them with steel toe. I was just more concerned with the wet feet especially when doing chemical apps.

[Valk]

I like mid-top waterproof hikers. Hi-Tec, Ecco, etc...at $60-$80/pair. Will give the LawnGrips ProLite 6s a trial this Spring...as long as the insoles are removable. (Sure wish I could try some on first)

So far, I can only get ~3 months out of any pair - no matter who the manufacturer is. I've found Merrells and Wolverines to not work well (for me).

Ecco Virpir Mids are my faves, but this model was discontinued...and the upgraded replacements have a list of $180. :dizzy:

[tamadrummer]

Timberland Pro Series steel toed boots!

I wore sneakers one time and that one time I somehow hit the toe of my shoe with the edger blade. That hurt like crazy! No more sneakers, steel toes only for me and the Timberlands are the most comfortable I have found. (Been wearing steel toed shoes for 20+ years, tried just about every brand)

I have a friend that will wear flip-flops at times. He is a maniac! :rolleyes:

[Roger]

...

I have a friend that will wear flip-flops at times. He is a maniac! :rolleyes:

I few years ago, a contractor was working on the property next to my customer. One of the three on the crew was working barefoot! Yes, no shoes! He was manhandling a hand mower on a steep slope -- every week, the same task. I couldn't believe it. One day, I asked one of the crew (not the barefoot man) if "he always works without shoes." "Yes, all the time."

... waiting for an accident to happen.

[lawnprosteveo]

I use these Danner boots...best Ive ever worn with Justin workboots coming in 2nd. Never have liked a steel toe though.

[sildoc]

Danner agitator

[Valk]

sildoc, in your opinion, are those Agitators a mid-top boot or a shoe...or a 'tweener? And, are the insoles removable?
Thanks.

[sildoc]

sildoc, in your opinion, are those Agitators a mid-top boot or a shoe...or a 'tweener? And, are the insoles removable?
Thanks.

insoles are removable. More of a shoe but with extra support. they are very durrable, water proof, lite weight and amazingly last about a season of work. You can find them on sale at Joes some times. boots are great but day to day mowing are just not needed unless you have weak ankles and need the support.

[lot0210]

Working on the course this year I wore both Tennis shoes and boots. Boots when I knew I would not be on the greens If I was then it was tennis shoes . The boots were Georgia Boots and then the shoes were nikes

[Gatewayuser]

I use to wear RedWings that cost $250. You know what though I stopped wearing boots the weight and feel gets old. Now I just wear NB. FYI I don't mow with a w/b anymore and my employees trim so its nice wearing those on the ztr.

[lawnprosteveo]

Has anyone tried Chippewa work boots? They look well made...thinking about getting some.

[lawnspecialties]

I've had everything from Wal-Mart boots to LawnGrips to even Merrell hiking boots.

Now I only buy RedWing and will never switch. Mine are $150 and I'd pay twice that if I had to.