Welding Tips and Tricks

idk about you guys but my boots are killing me! for the last ten or fifteen years i been wearing red wing boots. over the last year or so i noticed them getting heavier by the day. thank chr!st i don't have to wear steel toed one's. lately i'm wearing my street sneakers unless i'm unloading a steel delivery then i switch to the r.w. i'm just curious as to what foot-wear everyone else's using and how they stack up.

I wear walking shoes such as Rockports, which by themselves are like walking on wood but they have room for a substantial insole and the soles stay attached. I used to buy the 20.00 Thom Mcanns from kmart, which were some of the most comfortable walking shoes with real leather uppers I could find but now I can't find them.

I bought this particular version of rockport for the way the sole was stitched around the heel portion and because they kind of had the look of say a timberland type boot at a glance. Some sneaks with neon racing stripes etc just scream OSHA violation so I avoid those. Of course now that Rockports are made in Asia, the quality has gone with it as far as comfort goes as they have almost zero padding on the insoles, but most of us would benefit from well fitting orthotic insoles anyway.


I reckon I am not the best person to ask because I go barefoot most of the time around the house and outside. But then, you'll likely never hear a Southern redneck complaining of athlete's foot, either. Let them old dawgs breathe!

I buy my jeans an inch longer for wearing shoes instead of boots. They don't (just don't) hit the floor with shoes on. Keeps sparks and dirt out from my ankles and most of anything else hot off of the laces.

I should add that benefit of orthotic inserts is unproven, but that it helped me in the circumstance of uncomfortable stock insoles. I stand on concrete all day, usually only taking one 10-15 minute break. The most notable benefit was shedding the 10 extra lbs I had gained somehow by the time I had turned 50. Turns out that the extra weight was actually causing me added fatigue that was most apparent in my legs. My shoes only felt heavier because my legs were actually more tired from carrying the extra weight around. 10 lbs doesn't seem like a lot, but climb in and out of a boat 50 times in a day and it adds up.

I should also add that I primarily TIG weld, so sparks and spatter are not a real concern so I really don't need boots in my environment.

I wear a TERRA Mid high boot steel toes with tarsal support cause it protects my laces from being melted off from spatter and every time i wear regular steel toes, everything hits the top of my foot. Of course now everything hits my shins. they arent great for any kind of kneeling or squatting position, but they are built strong. They also get to me at the end of the day but after i take them off i feel fine.

I wear, and swear by, Wolverine work boots. Mine are always steel-toe, by requirement, but they make all kinds of work boots. My feet are valuable to my work, and I have no problem spending $160 on boots each year, but $80 will get you a nice pair of boots if you don't require safety-toe, waterproof, or electrical hazard rated.

Wolverine has two "levels" of insoles... "Durashocks" and "Ultrashocks". Both are good, but my last pair had the "Ultrashocks", and are as comfortable now as when I bought them a year ago.

I've also heard great reviews on "Carolina Boot Co.", from many fans, though I've never tried them.

NEVER buy your work boots from Wal-Mart. The crap they sell "meets the spec", and that's all.

Steve S

work boots from wal-mart?? no fu@king way! steve, i like my feet just a little bit!! i was at the l l bean store in maine last year and bought a pair of chippewa boots for knocking around. i'm thinking about using them for work cause their very light , built well and are holding up pretty good. i also saw the bates ormond side zipper boot. it's a tough choice.

I'll second Steve on the Wolverines. That said I am wearing a pair of 511 Tactical boots at work right now that are very light with a composite toe and shank (Sportsmans Guide). They slip on but are still fairly snug. I too stand on concrete all day.

When I worked on the highway sawing concrete and pushed a saw for sometimes up to 15 miles in a day I used only steel toed Durashocks made in the USA. At home I wear Roper or Merrell slip on hikers.

Len

I've also heard great reviews on the Chippewa boots jwmacawful mentioned.

The reviews I've heard (on all boots I've mentioned) are generally from tradesmen, often "shutdown" workers working 84 hrs a week for two months at a time.

I've never been happy with a pair of Red Wings (they don't hold up to abuse and they don't stay comfortable), and they're now mostly made overseas.

Steve S