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Login to post Forums » Off-topic discussion » Another "What Boot" Thread

Dec. 28, 2011 11:56 p.m. Salanis SuperDork

Brewing school is requiring me to buy safety shoes/boots for the brew house. That's right, I am engaging in an activity that requires boots and a lab coat. Shoes/boots must have good non-slip sole and steel toe (in case of things like dropped kegs). I'd also like something waterproof so I never have to find myself wringing unfermented beer out of my socks. They don't need to be stylin', but I prefer something simple and black to look decent if I wear them with a pair of khakis or something out on the town.

Also, I have a narrow foot, but it bothers me less in boots than it does in something like a running shoe.

Leaning towards good Red Wings, but they ain't cheap. Or maybe something like this: http://tinyurl.com/btl4h7f but I suspect I'll be happier with a simple mid-top boot in the long run... and even in the short run since I'll be tromping around Berlin in the winter.
Dec. 29, 2011 12:29 a.m. JoeyM SuperDork

I have a pair of very durable wolverine work boots that are goood for welding in the garage....not waterproof, though.
Dec. 29, 2011 12:56 a.m. EvanB SuperDork

I wear Carolina boots. I have a pair of waterproof 8" I believe, not steel toe but they are available. They are incredibly comfortable and durable.
Dec. 29, 2011 2:06 a.m. curtis73 SuperDork

Try shoesforcrews.com. They specialize in foodservice non-slip footwear and make some nice stuff. Otherwise I wear Red Wing and Sketchers right now. I've had some Columbias but the ones I've had the steel toes cut into my big toe. Seemed as though the steel cap was narrower than the upper.
Dec. 29, 2011 5:17 a.m. mtn SuperDork

I just got a pair of Red Wings for Christmas. They replaced a pair that my dad wore occasionally for about 5 years, and I wore about half the year for another 9. So, uh, yeah. Red Wings.

A side note: There is a Red Wing store near us that only sells Red Wings. The only guy who works there also owns the place. He said that the quality of the Made in China/Mexico/wherever is not nearly as good as the Made in USA, and it is certainly worth any price difference to spring for the Made in USA.
Dec. 29, 2011 7:18 a.m. jrw1621 SuperDork

I have been fond of the Keen Shoes that i have owned in the past and now they have a line-up of steel toe shoes and boots.
Steel: http://www.keenfootwear.com/us/en/wall/shoes/men/industrial/16,658
Composite: http://www.keenfootwear.com/us/en/wall/shoes/men/industrial/16,662
Dec. 29, 2011 7:22 a.m. MadScientistMatt SuperDork

I wore a set of Wolverine boots at my previous job - no complaints about them, although I don't think mine were waterproof.
Dec. 29, 2011 7:43 a.m. EricM SuperDork

+1 for Keen. I feel they are worth the money.
Dec. 29, 2011 7:57 a.m. joey48442 SuperDork

MadScientistMatt wrote:

I wore a set of Wolverine boots at my previous job - no complaints about them, although I don't think mine were waterproof.

My Wolverines have been great. Not water proof either, but very water resistant. I dont think Ive ever gotten wet feet in them. And they are comfortable. Id wear a heavy pair of sock in them for the winter, and deliver pizzas in them. Heavier, but just as comfortable to stand around and walk in as my new balances. Affordable, at about 70 bucks, especially with a steel toe.

Joey
Dec. 29, 2011 9:36 a.m. alex SuperDork

Another vote for Red Wings here. They're worth the money in service and lifetime support of the product. I was all set to pony up for a pair when I came across a blowout sale on a pair of Chinese Ariats that were so cheap I couldn't say no. "I'll wear these 'til they wear out," I said. Two years later, still waiting.

But still, Red Wings. If I can get 2 years of constant wear out of Chinese boots, the Red Wings should be enough for a lifetime.
Dec. 29, 2011 9:51 a.m. pinchvalve SuperDork

If you leave the unfermented beer in your socks long enough, what does it make? Guiness?
Dec. 29, 2011 10:10 a.m. akamcfly Reader

Not Timberland Pros - they don't last in the wet warmness I imagine a brewery would be like. They certainly didn't hold up to paper machine basements as long as my usual Terras did.

I have wide feet, so they (terras) may not make your feet happy.

Don't cheap out, whatever you do. You only have one pair of feet. If you're on concrete all day, don't berkeley around.
Dec. 29, 2011 2:42 p.m. T.J. SuperDork

+2 for Keen's. I have a pair of composite toe boots for work and I love them. Very comfy.
Dec. 29, 2011 3:13 p.m. JohnGalt Reader

There is only one answer for a serious quality work boot, Red Wing.
Dec. 29, 2011 4:04 p.m. jstand New Reader

One that hasn't been mentioned is Chippewa.

I have a pair that are waterproof with a steel toe and about 4 years old.

I wore them for a week around the office, to get used to them. Then I used them for a field job in an aluminum plant, walking around in oil, grease, and water for 2 weeks of 12-14 hour days without any blisters.

After the field job I've used them for snow, mud, hunting, and any time I've wanted extra protection.

When they do wear out i'll replace them with another pair.
Dec. 29, 2011 5:11 p.m. Salanis SuperDork

I bit the bullet and got some good made-in-America Red Wings. Cost about twice what I was hoping to spend... but should be worth it. US made, waterproof, not insulated (breweries can get warm), best slip resistance, sewn on soles, and laces that go down to the toes so that I can custom cinch them to fit my weird feet.

Edit: wait, what? "Made in China"?

Super Edit: Girlfriend's response, "Those are some seriously sexy, manly boots."
Dec. 29, 2011 9:23 p.m. Twin_Cam SuperDork

Salanis wrote:

wringing unfermented beer out of my socks

One brewer to another- it won't be in your socks. You'll be covered in it. Expect it. It's one of those "will" happen things, not "if."

So you have that to look forward to It best when it's from a chilled brite tank, ~29ish degrees or so.

Oh, and don't get Red Wings, they're super overpriced and not nearly as comfortable as a $180 boot should be. I have a $70 pair of Wolverines that are way more comfortable and are holding up better that do fine.
Dec. 29, 2011 9:44 p.m. Salanis SuperDork

In reply to Twin_Cam:

Do you wear a regular work boot? Or like muck boots? Or just safety-toe shoes?

Yep, and I'm used to beer slopping everywhere. Just home brewing I figure I need to wash up to my elbows to get it out of my arm hair.
Dec. 30, 2011 8:07 a.m. Twin_Cam SuperDork

When I'm on a cellar shift, I wear steel-toed rubber boots that come up to mid-calf, they look like rain boots. The cellar is usually where the big, big messes happen, like walking around in six inches of yeast that clogged the drain or sanitizer running along the floor. When I'm brewing, there's usually a lot more lifting (hops, grain bags), more walking around the brew platform, and it's usually drier, so then I wear my regular Wolverine work boots. They are still waterproof, so if a disaster does happen my feet stay mostly dry.

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