Recommend lightweight, mid-high, composite toe boots

Chief_Rick

Sergeant of the Hide
Full Member
Minuteman
Aug 12, 2020
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MS Gulf Coast/World Traveler
I'm wearing a pair of all leather Keen's and find them very hot and not exactly light, though they are holding up durability-wise..

I spend 8-10 hours a day on my feet in industrial areas, concrete and steel, in temperatures from 90°F and up.

I can't wear tennis-shoe/low-top style shoes.
 
Have a look at Oboz hiking boots. They are made in USA (Montana). Well made, great fit, and durable. They have quite a few styles, so you should find something that fits your needs.

Danner boots are another option.
 
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Im on my 3rd pair of Chippewa boots. They are Wellington style lined boots with liner on the uppers. Composite toe pull on. I work in construction in Texas and wear them 12-14 hours per day. Very durable as I can get 9-12 mos before the sole/heel is worn down from dragging my left heel. Super comfortable from day 1. Pricey but worth every penny. Company is owned by Berkshire Hathaway. The company is a very old American Company but production is overseas now.
 
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I've been running Bates side zip 8" boots for years. Lightweight and composite toe. Set the laces for your particular fit and use the side zipper for daily on/off.
 
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Why does it have to be steel toe? I hate steel toe. I guess they’re good for shinin’ up Aunt Tiffa, but not much else.

so, never heard of a real job huh?

OP, I used to work 14 day hitches on offshore oil platforms. This may sound strange, but I finally ended up on a pair of Doc Martens. The soles are supportive but just flexible enough, and the leather is nice and broken in right out of the box.
 
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Lol. You must be quite the working class hero.
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I haven't had a "real" job since I was about 30. Plenty of "real" jobs where steel toes would be stupid.

I have wide feet, and have always found steel toed boots very uncomfortable and unnecessarily heavy, but I have worn them several times in my life when they were required. That has not been for a very long time, and I imagine that they have improved since the 1980s and 1990s.

Now I'm the one who makes the "real" jobs for rocket surgeons like you.

I actually still have a pair of Doc Martins (with steel toes) from back then that I I've kept for no reason other than their quality. They sit in the closet never worn, but I can't bring myself to get rid of them.
 
Unfortunately, the Oboz don't come with steel/composite toes.

Sorry about that @Chief_Rick . I completely missed that requirement. Red Wings are the only steel toe boots I have used, and with a B-width foot it was hard to find comfortable steel toed work wear.

But you have more choices now. Danner, Ariat, and Reboc now make steel toe boots.
 
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