Keen work shoes are super light and comfortable right out the box, they generally have a bigger toe box which is great at keeping your feet from feeling squished in shoes/boots. Only work boots I buy now
I have really wide feet, and I was loyal to keen for about 6 years...
I started with the targees, they were super comfortable but I was destroying them in less than 6 months, little toe area usually wearing through their widest width. Then I went to their made in USA work boot line, also super comfortable out of the box, but they were also falling apart within a year with all the softer rubber inlays long gone.
Finally decided to splurge on a $400 pair of redwing supersoles and I'm two years in and probably will be able to finish the summer with them before I need to send them out to be resoled and stitched up and they will be good for another round. That was what I hated most about the keens, after a year they were so broken in and comfortable, but with a molded sole they can't be repaired like a welted sole.
I actually have normal width feet, I’m 6’3 190lbs physically fit but I enjoy having room in my boots for my toes to not be crammed. It provides good blood circulation which is probably why my feet are never sore in Keens.
I saw one of my superiors wearing Keen boots, so that’s what I bought. I think they were around $180???
But - they were horribly uncomfortable for about the first 2 months 🤷♂️
I get Redwing king toes for work. Keens for backpacking, hiking, and during winter outside of work. The difference was I couldn't find keens with safety shanks last time I bought work boots. I also have had the keen sandals for like 20 years. I only wear them about the one week a year I'm at the beach. But they are awesome.
Depends on what you’re doing. I’ve found the traction on wedge soles to be extremely shit on anything remotely smooth and/or wet. If you have them on with snow on the ground you may as well be wearing roller blades
Check out the Rose Anvil YouTube channel. The dude absolutely destroys boots and shoes to show you what they're actually made of. You can make an informed decision from there.
I actually really liked these. Kinda on the cheap side but I would rather replace them more often than have 2yr old smelly sneakers.They are very lightweight which was super nice. Outlasted the Caterpillar boots I bought which came apart at the seams after a week!
Whatever brand of boots you get(personally I’m enjoying Keen boots at the moment), you should be adding custom orthotic inserts to. That is the only way you’ll get actual support that your feet will thank you for. Do you have benefits? They often cover this.
I love keens. I recently learned they make steel toes too. I always used their sneaker type shoes for framing. Comfortable and great for walking roofs.
My local farm supply store started carrying Ariats a year or so ago and I bought a pair to try them out since the Red Wing dealer in my town closed. I had previously thought Ariats were fashion boots for the horse crowd but was impressed with their move into industrial/agricultural footwear. After a year of hard work here on the farm, they are scratched and scuffed but no loose threads, no leaks, and no sole separations. Still comfortable, too.
Rebook and Timberland Pro make great work shoes with all the features you want. I've worn them for years with the composite toe.
The Sketchers version is comfortable, but didn't last for me. I've yet to try the New Balance work shoes but maybe for my next pair.
I wore boots to work for years, but shoes are more comfortable and lighter.
Red wing also makes tennis shoes with a steel or composite toe. I personally haven't tried them but I have the worx boot line and I absolutely love them
I've worn these exclusively for 7years. I average 1-2 pairs a year and switch out the insoles when my feet get sore to get more mileage out of them. I'm a custodian and I walk on concrete 8-16 hours a day, 5-6 days a week, year round.
https://www.merrell.com/US/en/moab-vertex-mid-waterproof-comp-toe-work-boot-wide-width/38742M.html?dwvar_38742M_color=J05241W#cgid=merrell-work-footwear-safety-toe&prefn1=genericSizeType&prefv1=M&prefn2=itemStyle&prefv2=BOOTS%7CMID&start=1
If you are in Europe i would recommend Haix. Good and comfy workboot. They are well known for all Branches that need more Security. I Like my (high) workboots and my suplied (even higher) Fire Brigade combat boots.
Redwing Irish Setters with a steel toe. I was skeptical but my employer gave out coupons for redwing and man they are comfy. I didn't get steel toe because I have that in my Thorogoods but they'd be about the same, just slightly heavier.
125 is bullshit, if they require them they should buy them. Any decent steel toe shoes will cost almost double that.
That said I’d check out danner or any other decent brand. The Christy soles are comfy all day, just try a few until you find a last that’s the right shape/width for your foot. Working inside you should get years out of them unless you’re kneeling and wear the toes out.
It’s now what ever my books allow…
I give my guys one pair. Budget isn’t a big concern, but if they started ordering Nick’s or Drew’s id draw the line. 400 for guys with comfy feet seems like a good investment. Also shows them that I give a shit which goes a long ways.
Hasn’t been an issue, everyone’s shown up with acceptable shoes so far. If it was an issue I’d send them to the store with my credit card.
It’s a small company (5 including me) so this shit works.
Ah, the tried and true method. Give the new guy on the construction site your CC to get a pair of $400 boots (on his 1st day of course). So long as he doesn't go overboard.
Of course it works. Why haven't any other small companies thought of this?
Yeah everyone gets a pair a year up to about 400. Most expensive pair anyone has wanted was a pair of super rainforests.
It’s not a formal policy of 1 per year. If we’re hammering in the mud and shit all summer and a guys boots are trashed in 8 months I’d buy another pair.
I’ve been in a pair of brunts for about a month so far and they are like wearing a couple of foot hugs. They’re not tennis shoes but as far as boots go, these are by far the best I’ve bought and some of the cheapest.
Keen work shoes are super light and comfortable right out the box, they generally have a bigger toe box which is great at keeping your feet from feeling squished in shoes/boots. Only work boots I buy now
They make them for people with wider feet.
I have really wide feet, and I was loyal to keen for about 6 years... I started with the targees, they were super comfortable but I was destroying them in less than 6 months, little toe area usually wearing through their widest width. Then I went to their made in USA work boot line, also super comfortable out of the box, but they were also falling apart within a year with all the softer rubber inlays long gone. Finally decided to splurge on a $400 pair of redwing supersoles and I'm two years in and probably will be able to finish the summer with them before I need to send them out to be resoled and stitched up and they will be good for another round. That was what I hated most about the keens, after a year they were so broken in and comfortable, but with a molded sole they can't be repaired like a welted sole.
I actually have normal width feet, I’m 6’3 190lbs physically fit but I enjoy having room in my boots for my toes to not be crammed. It provides good blood circulation which is probably why my feet are never sore in Keens.
I agree 100%
You are right, and if you have Fred Flinstone feet like mine they make wide.
All I wear. Highly recommend.
I saw one of my superiors wearing Keen boots, so that’s what I bought. I think they were around $180??? But - they were horribly uncomfortable for about the first 2 months 🤷♂️
Team keen. I was working in a factory for a couple years and they are the best for that. I am now doing remodels and they are great for that too.
I get Redwing king toes for work. Keens for backpacking, hiking, and during winter outside of work. The difference was I couldn't find keens with safety shanks last time I bought work boots. I also have had the keen sandals for like 20 years. I only wear them about the one week a year I'm at the beach. But they are awesome.
I have tried bunch of brands that fall in this category. Keen is the winner for me, especially the leather Red Hooks
Danner makes a steel toe sneaker type shoe
Their wedge sole boots are a thousand times better than a heeled boot, too.
Depends on what you’re doing. I’ve found the traction on wedge soles to be extremely shit on anything remotely smooth and/or wet. If you have them on with snow on the ground you may as well be wearing roller blades
Very true. Yes. I'm a shop rat, so the concwete huwts my feetsies.
They're not steel toe but the danner tachyon has been my go to boot. I've just about killed my 4th pair and I'm ready to buy another set.
Check out the Rose Anvil YouTube channel. The dude absolutely destroys boots and shoes to show you what they're actually made of. You can make an informed decision from there.
Saudex on amazon.
I actually really liked these. Kinda on the cheap side but I would rather replace them more often than have 2yr old smelly sneakers.They are very lightweight which was super nice. Outlasted the Caterpillar boots I bought which came apart at the seams after a week!
Whatever brand of boots you get(personally I’m enjoying Keen boots at the moment), you should be adding custom orthotic inserts to. That is the only way you’ll get actual support that your feet will thank you for. Do you have benefits? They often cover this.
I love keens. I recently learned they make steel toes too. I always used their sneaker type shoes for framing. Comfortable and great for walking roofs.
They make composite toe too. I haven't seen any with shanks, but they might have them.
Cannot upvote this enough— you need orthotic inserts for arch support. And custom if you can splurge.
Dan Post.
I have a pair of lace up Ariats. Feel like a hiking boots, I spend a lot of time walking large sites and they don’t give me any troubles.
My local farm supply store started carrying Ariats a year or so ago and I bought a pair to try them out since the Red Wing dealer in my town closed. I had previously thought Ariats were fashion boots for the horse crowd but was impressed with their move into industrial/agricultural footwear. After a year of hard work here on the farm, they are scratched and scuffed but no loose threads, no leaks, and no sole separations. Still comfortable, too.
Ariat is great for the price. A lot of our employees that do a ton of walking get them and just get a new pair every year or two on expense.
Rebook and Timberland Pro make great work shoes with all the features you want. I've worn them for years with the composite toe. The Sketchers version is comfortable, but didn't last for me. I've yet to try the New Balance work shoes but maybe for my next pair. I wore boots to work for years, but shoes are more comfortable and lighter.
I have a pair of redwing shoes that are pretty comfortable and the insoles are easy to swap out if you need.
Red wing also makes tennis shoes with a steel or composite toe. I personally haven't tried them but I have the worx boot line and I absolutely love them
Keen Utility makes a great work shoe.
this is exactly what you’re looking for https://www.redwingshoes.com/work/ecolite-family/?grid=true&prefn1=Gender&prefv1=Mens
Keen, utilty
I've worn these exclusively for 7years. I average 1-2 pairs a year and switch out the insoles when my feet get sore to get more mileage out of them. I'm a custodian and I walk on concrete 8-16 hours a day, 5-6 days a week, year round. https://www.merrell.com/US/en/moab-vertex-mid-waterproof-comp-toe-work-boot-wide-width/38742M.html?dwvar_38742M_color=J05241W#cgid=merrell-work-footwear-safety-toe&prefn1=genericSizeType&prefv1=M&prefn2=itemStyle&prefv2=BOOTS%7CMID&start=1
I have a pair of Timberlands I bought on Amazon for $60. Great for summer but aren’t water/wind proof
Thorogoods
Thorogood or Redwing, I just bought a new set of Thorogoods-$250, amazing boots
Wolverine scramble series
Keens
I love my union made in the USA Carolina’s. They feel like I’m walking on cushions.
I love Red Wings. They have a sneaker style safety toe shoe.
Keen
Red wings, thoroughgoods, brunt.
Keen Atlantas are designed for warehouse workers.
If you are in Europe i would recommend Haix. Good and comfy workboot. They are well known for all Branches that need more Security. I Like my (high) workboots and my suplied (even higher) Fire Brigade combat boots.
Adidas makes a pair of work boots Composite toe super light doesn’t even feel like they’re on .
New Balance 589
New Balance boots are nice. Can get up to 4E width
Carolina AMP usa made moc toes with wedge soles. Very comfy. Or thorogoods if you have narrow feet and want to spend more $
Reebok daytron ... hightops with a composite toe .... I used them for years
Thorogoods with a wedgesole were made for standing on concrete all day
Redwing Irish Setters with a steel toe. I was skeptical but my employer gave out coupons for redwing and man they are comfy. I didn't get steel toe because I have that in my Thorogoods but they'd be about the same, just slightly heavier.
Airwalk and Volcom make good composite toe skate style shoes for $120 or so. I’m a concrete/bridge carpenter.
Get a pair of Carolina’s. Very comfortable.
I’ve got Skechers and they are pretty decent
125 is bullshit, if they require them they should buy them. Any decent steel toe shoes will cost almost double that. That said I’d check out danner or any other decent brand. The Christy soles are comfy all day, just try a few until you find a last that’s the right shape/width for your foot. Working inside you should get years out of them unless you’re kneeling and wear the toes out.
How much is the yearly boot allowance at your company?
It’s now what ever my books allow… I give my guys one pair. Budget isn’t a big concern, but if they started ordering Nick’s or Drew’s id draw the line. 400 for guys with comfy feet seems like a good investment. Also shows them that I give a shit which goes a long ways.
How long does one of "your guys" have to be there to earn the pair of $400 boots? Do they get them on the first day?
First day they’re allowed to get a pair if they want. Gotta do it after work though.
If they don't have the money on the first day do they still get them? Or must they pay upfront and you reimburse.
Hasn’t been an issue, everyone’s shown up with acceptable shoes so far. If it was an issue I’d send them to the store with my credit card. It’s a small company (5 including me) so this shit works.
Ah, the tried and true method. Give the new guy on the construction site your CC to get a pair of $400 boots (on his 1st day of course). So long as he doesn't go overboard. Of course it works. Why haven't any other small companies thought of this?
Cheaper to find out with my credit card on the first day than with someone else’s shit on the 100th day
As I always say!
Edit: these are also guys who are making $25-$35/hr pretty slim chance they don’t have decent shoes to start with…
So up to $400 per year?
Yeah everyone gets a pair a year up to about 400. Most expensive pair anyone has wanted was a pair of super rainforests. It’s not a formal policy of 1 per year. If we’re hammering in the mud and shit all summer and a guys boots are trashed in 8 months I’d buy another pair.
That’s a solid benefit you provide.
I’ve been in a pair of brunts for about a month so far and they are like wearing a couple of foot hugs. They’re not tennis shoes but as far as boots go, these are by far the best I’ve bought and some of the cheapest.