All around boots work and casual

[boomer81]

My budget is up to $300.00 for boots. im picking up some $300.00 custom orthodic insoles tomorrow. Having some knee and ankle issues. Doc said im in the top 5 widest feet hes ever seen they were close to hanging off the laser scanner thing they use. I have to wear these all the time in same shoe for awhile. So im looking for some new all around boots. My boots can be black or brown. Steel toe is not required but im thinking of changing jobs after the first of the year. And if i do ill need steel toes.

I’ve had a couple pairs of high end danners in the past but my feet were so wide they were not the most comfortable. Ive had rockies red wing etc. price to performance ratio ive had real good luck with doc martens and new balance tennis shoes. EE at least

Because of the insoles i need something that can be wore in about any situation. Ill use wingtips for more formal things. But I’ll be working, going out and hunting in them. waterproof would be nice. Im thinking some type of chukka.

 

[ArmyJerry]

 

[Nodakplowboy]

I've been wearing Georgia boots for years, they make several waterproof models. Not sure if they make anything wide enough for your snow shoe feet. A lace to toe model would give you some extra width room.

Georgia boots are fairly common at a lot of farm and ranch stores, give you a chance to try them on. I would agree Danners are cut a little on the tight side.

 

[Rthur]

Dunno how wide you can get these but they've been awesome for me.

Lowa Camino GTX

R

 

[mtrmn]

Most comfortable boots I've had are the Red Wing Maxbond waterproof boots. Mine are 14EE. And I do have custom arch supports in them.
ETA: Don't cut/weld wearing these. Big glob of slag will be bad news. They are NOT leather boots.
http://www.redwingshoes.com/red-wing-shoe/2491-red-wing-shoes/2491-red-wing-mens-8-inch-boot-brown

 

[smithjd]

Or, you could try custom made. I have no experience but have heard only good things:

http://russellmoccasin.com

 

[Redmanss]

I'm no help as far as the orthotic inserts, but I would 100% say to go into a store to get them versus the internet. At least call in your order and confirm the boot will take your insoles, you're not in the masses there.

For protective work boots, Red Wing is a pretty good value but they definitely have a hard break in period. Depending on where you may start working at, your company may very well provide the first pair of steel toes for you. Justin boots are great too, a bit more expensive than RW, but a much better selection.

Whites are full on custom boots if you need that, and probably your best bet to have the most comfortable and longest lasting boots, but they are certainly over your budget ($450+ for most styles). They're pricy, but I have yet to meet anyone who didn't absolutely love their Whites. That is not common to hear when most men cuss their steel toes to no end. I work with some guys who are on the same pair of Whites after 3+ years, and our job is absolutely brutal on footwear.

EE width is easy to find from any of the above, most all the styles come in up to EEE if not wider.

 

[Festeraxp]

I know you said you had a pair but my dancer arcadias are the best boots hand down I have ever owned. I have the gortex thinsulsted ones. Best money I ever spent and I’m walking around on concrete for sometimes 16 hours a day.

 

[Codiekfx400]

The shoe box in Black Earth Wisconsin prides itself in fitting work boots to working men you might want to check with them.

 

[smithjd]

+1 on the Shoe Box in Black Earth.

Without knowing the issue requiring the orthotics, A friend was told he had to wear them for the rest of is life; fallen arches / plantar fasciitis. He actually went the other way and started wearing minimalist, zero drop shoes (like Vivobarefoot). His feet got stronger and pain free. Read up on barefoot running shoes. They worked for me. I wasn’t able to run many miles without shin splints until I tried them.

 

[boomer81]

Yes the lowa tibet gtx has been on my radar and im wearing nb minimals as we speak and I agree they help alot. My doc work boots heels are fucked up from my bad gate. Im looking at some flat docs

 

[thejeep]

Asolo fugitives and lowa boots have been the most comfortable for walking. You might try a pair of scarpa boots I have only tried them on and they were to high volume for my foot. I have some wide asolos which I think are EE, and they are pretty voluminous also.