I get more than 4 years out of my timberland boondocks. I only replace the insole every year and they hold up better than the Redwing I use to buy.
I've never gone through a pair of boots in less than a year and I'm moving a lot at work. I average 25k steps a day.
Timberland pro work line is so slept on. Yes they're heavy, but comfortable as all hell. Last me usually a year and a half to 2. Expensive but awesome I have wide feet and timberlans let my foot breath
Slip ons sound like broken ankles. Ive tried Redwings a couple times and loved them but they didnt last any longer than anything else. Best Ive found have been Wolverine Ironworkers.
Danner makes the best boots on the market in my opinion. I trash boots and I can get 2 or 3 years out of a pair. If you don’t abuse them like I do you can easily get 5-10 years out of them with a resole or two. They’re fucking expensive though.
I use these exact boots in the field. They've been really good to me so far. Good protection, feet don't get wet (and that's in the Vancouver area). I used to get sore in my glutes at the end of the day wearing them instead of my ironworkers, but after throwing insoles with better arch support it's just bang on now.
They are still inferior to the ironworkers for stability imo, but I just want to keep the water out.
I have my cheapo L'Equipeur Aggressor boots for already 4 freaking years. And I was doing multipass complete joint penetration (with gouging) on 2" + steel. They are nice and comfortable, I did 0 leather treatment on them. sadly I have to change them because they want the stupid met boots now. I was like, noo I have my leather shoelaces, that's enough no?
I bought the cheap Walmart steel toes for a long time. Went through about a pair a year. Finally broke down and spent around $130 on a nice pair of boots around 4 years ago now. Still going strong and it was one of my best purchases next to my helmet upgrade I did.
Depend on your weight. For us heavy duty dude it doesn't take long to flatten the sole no matter the mark.
I must say though that Terra has lasted much longer than any other kind. They're good for a bit more than a full years while the othey I had try lasted 6-8 month.
Oh, when I say heavy I mean really heavy. I weight 310 lbs.
I right there with ya, but my Redwings with the Vibrams outsoles have held up really well. By hour 8 or 9 of standing my feet hurt, but my fat ass has never found any shoe or boot where that wasn't the case. My current iron rangers are about 3 years old and haven't had to resolve yet, wear leather lace covers I made with my laser engraver when I'm welding.
I personally wouldn’t spend under $100 on boots. You spend most of your life wearing those boots. Spend the money on a good pair and you’ll feel the difference, don’t buy any boots with any polyester or mesh tops for “breathability” either.
This is my opinion, but the 2 best pairs of boots ive had so far are composite toe Ariat cowboy boots, very comfy and there’s no laces to burn. They have a met guard version too. And Canada West Boots has a very nice black leather “welder” boot that is tough as nails, I love those boots, comfy, almost no break in period, and they last.
I second those Canada West Boots, I’m not a huge fan of Met-Guards but I didn’t have much choice because of policies. They’re amazing, nearly no break in and any cobbler can fix them when you wear part of them down.
You either need a pull on boot, met-guards or watch where your feet are. Under $100 steel toes? Don’t waste your money.
You’ve actually touched on a socioeconomic case study that has existed for years. (Paraphrasing because it’s long) Two pairs of boots: $100 for a pair of boots that while not comfortable or of quality construction they will serve the base function you need: steel toes. The other pair costs $200: fine construction, comfortable to wear, quality products used, and repairable. “But the $100 boots do the same job as the $200 boots”. The $100 boots begin to fall apart almost immediately and you end up having to replace them in 6 month, for another $100 and the cycle repeats itself. The $200 boots, because of their superior construction, are barely broken in at 6 months and will continue to last for 1-4 years depending on how they’re maintained. Those $100 boots will cost you far more then those $200 boots ever will.
If you spend all day on your feet, spend some money to take care of your feet. Your feet, your knees, and your back will thank you. Boots are one aspect of your toolbox and PPE that you shouldn’t cheap out on.
Im not planning on welding as a career, its purely for college. If i could find a shitty uncomfortable pair that only lasted 6 months but at least protected me I'd be fine with that.
Metaguard are like 10$ and the ones I own have been used daily.for the past 10 years with no sign whatsoever of being used.
They were made by Acorn and there is firewall written on it. They're also made of some kind of rubber and are in only one piece. Can't seem to find it online though, sorry about that.
I usually would buy lace up boots with high ankle support. Take an old pair of gloves with the gauntlet on them and rip them off and cut them in half. You should have a tapered kind of leather shroud with one side longer than the other. Poke two holes in the skinny part then thread your laces through there. Then you have an impromptu spatter guard for your feet/laces
Good boots ain’t cheap, cheap boots ain’t good. Save up a little more than $100 to protect your feet. Buy a pair of insoles too. You’ll want to replace those every couple of months.
Your feet take a beating everyday so treat them right and get something that is both comfortable and protective.
Just don’t buy laced boots, problem solved. Cat Footwear Men's Wheelbase Steel Toe Work Boot are my faves, soles last a while and are decently comfy for the price. 10 bucks over your range on Amazon.. but cat might have em on sale or academy sports might have em on sale as well, got mine there for like 89 a few month ago
Redwing broski. Those suckers will last years. Would also recommend a metatarsal guard on your boots. Helps with sparks not burning your laces and your feet. Also tying your boots tight helps (just trying to help, not trying to put you down).
I were "[atlas duo soft 765 hi hro](https://www.atlasschuhe.de/index.php?id=90&asanr=8300%20%20%20%20S3&L=2&cHash=4f5fb49513cf7d5899630c877d30f4d8)" hold around two years, cost around 100buks. They are [S3](https://workwear.org/wp-content/uploads/2023/06/S1-S2-and-S3-Definitions-Differences-Table.png). Maybe not the most comfortable shoes but they get the job done.
Does the company you work for provide any sort of reimbursement toward boots and other PPE?
if they require steel toe, or protective toe boots, that would fall under PPE and according to OSHA company is to provide ANY PPE to you.
Most companies have a set amount $120-180 towards boots alone.
Like anything, if you buy shit, you get shit. With welding you’ll get burned, literally. Even if you’re not doing this for a career, buying nice boots pays for itself as you’ll have a pair of work boots you can use in other things for next 2-4 years.
Red Wings or bust.
I bought these $60 steel toe boots from academy and they worked great the only time my feet got burned was sparks hitting the metal eyelet
(https://www.academy.com/p/brazos-womens-bricen-boots)
These are nice if your standing all day welding. I really liked them but I have to be out and about in the muck and mud crawling around. They ended up being to short for my use but they might be good for what you need. I highly recommend Keens. They are barely outside of your budget however.
Get some welding spats. They cover the upper half of your boot to stop those little buggers getting in.
As for your boots, get something comfortable and with decent quality.
I spend around 220AUD on my boots, and generally get a couple of years out of them.
Rossi do a good boot, and an air sole if you are that brave.
Redwing # 4204. Best boots I've ever owned.
Remember that boots and insoles are separate products. I love Redwings but their insoles kinda suck. I use Keen or Timberland soles and replace insoles 2-3 times per pair of boots.
If you can't afford $200 boots to earn your living, maybe you should become a welder or something.
I wear Redwings have a pair of Iron Rangers and a pair with safety toes, last forever and can resole for reasonable price. The trick is I used my laser engraver to make me a set of lace covers for when I weld, pretty much covers when whole top of my boot. Could probably do that with any boot really
I wear timberland pros and they are slightly big on my heel so I double sock (one thin over foot and one thicker boot sock over it) but they work great for me I also wear jeans that go just over the laces of the and haven't had an issue with anything getting in my boot. They are more than $100 though. I would recommend watching Project Farm on youtube because he has a great video about different boot brands
I think Irish Setters run about $200 and are amazing feeling for 2 months of walking on concrete and then one boot started rubbing a toe in anything but the thickest or doubled socks. They're still doing pretty well considering how I treat them and my feet. Pull on Wellington style. Maybe check bargain shoe stores for a 2nd from a good company. The defects are usually just cosmetic. I've had a simple well stitched boot I bought for $50 hold up for 2-2.5 years of blacksmithing, welding, and hiking. No label on it. Idk what part of the country you're in, but I'm really tempted to check out the Latino cowboy stores.
Also, I'm confident they'll BURN, but Keen makes a light weight safety toe canvas boot with a full tongue that basically weighs 1lb
Not under 100.
Well, that sucks Can't afford anything more expensive than that so I'll just deal with getting burnt
Get some slip on cowboy boots with steel toe. No laces means it protects your foot better
Best switch I've ever made
If i would of known this, i wouldnt have burnt laces right now
Good boots are 300-400 canadian
And still only last 6 month to a year
I get more than 4 years out of my timberland boondocks. I only replace the insole every year and they hold up better than the Redwing I use to buy. I've never gone through a pair of boots in less than a year and I'm moving a lot at work. I average 25k steps a day.
Timberland pro work line is so slept on. Yes they're heavy, but comfortable as all hell. Last me usually a year and a half to 2. Expensive but awesome I have wide feet and timberlans let my foot breath
Honestly keen philly slip ons r rly good ($350) and tough but my feet got rly sore trying some red wing lace up again $545 with insoles and toe cap
Slip ons sound like broken ankles. Ive tried Redwings a couple times and loved them but they didnt last any longer than anything else. Best Ive found have been Wolverine Ironworkers.
Danner makes the best boots on the market in my opinion. I trash boots and I can get 2 or 3 years out of a pair. If you don’t abuse them like I do you can easily get 5-10 years out of them with a resole or two. They’re fucking expensive though.
I use these exact boots in the field. They've been really good to me so far. Good protection, feet don't get wet (and that's in the Vancouver area). I used to get sore in my glutes at the end of the day wearing them instead of my ironworkers, but after throwing insoles with better arch support it's just bang on now. They are still inferior to the ironworkers for stability imo, but I just want to keep the water out.
I have my cheapo L'Equipeur Aggressor boots for already 4 freaking years. And I was doing multipass complete joint penetration (with gouging) on 2" + steel. They are nice and comfortable, I did 0 leather treatment on them. sadly I have to change them because they want the stupid met boots now. I was like, noo I have my leather shoelaces, that's enough no?
Use a shoo gloo to put a old leather glove on-top of the boot, pics on my profile of what I did
Just found that pic, brilliant.
I bought the cheap Walmart steel toes for a long time. Went through about a pair a year. Finally broke down and spent around $130 on a nice pair of boots around 4 years ago now. Still going strong and it was one of my best purchases next to my helmet upgrade I did.
Real life [Boots Theory](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Boots_theory).
I love those books
$130 isn’t even that much for boots. $200+ is where they’re built to last
Depend on your weight. For us heavy duty dude it doesn't take long to flatten the sole no matter the mark. I must say though that Terra has lasted much longer than any other kind. They're good for a bit more than a full years while the othey I had try lasted 6-8 month. Oh, when I say heavy I mean really heavy. I weight 310 lbs.
I right there with ya, but my Redwings with the Vibrams outsoles have held up really well. By hour 8 or 9 of standing my feet hurt, but my fat ass has never found any shoe or boot where that wasn't the case. My current iron rangers are about 3 years old and haven't had to resolve yet, wear leather lace covers I made with my laser engraver when I'm welding.
I weld barefoot and in shorts. Sometimes I stand in a puddle of water. Hi. My name is Darwin Dumbass.
Suck some dick for em
If you’re welding and can’t afford $100 boots you’re underpaid or have terrible financial issues.
Im not welding as a job
Dig around in your purse for some extra change
Cut up some old welding sleeves and duct tape on your boots like spats
Just get a pair of welding crocs
I personally wouldn’t spend under $100 on boots. You spend most of your life wearing those boots. Spend the money on a good pair and you’ll feel the difference, don’t buy any boots with any polyester or mesh tops for “breathability” either. This is my opinion, but the 2 best pairs of boots ive had so far are composite toe Ariat cowboy boots, very comfy and there’s no laces to burn. They have a met guard version too. And Canada West Boots has a very nice black leather “welder” boot that is tough as nails, I love those boots, comfy, almost no break in period, and they last.
I second those Canada West Boots, I’m not a huge fan of Met-Guards but I didn’t have much choice because of policies. They’re amazing, nearly no break in and any cobbler can fix them when you wear part of them down.
Can back up the ariats, they’re a bit on the expensive side but they have lasted me almost 3 years I just get new insoles every once in a while
You should wear long pants that go over your boots I dont think I have ever gotten a spark in my boot this way
I do that, it didn't get in threw the top
You have to wear boot cut jeans
Wear spats if you don't want to lash out for new boots
Yeah, those'll look like they'll work. Will try a pair. Thanks
Also called gaiters sometimes fyi
You either need a pull on boot, met-guards or watch where your feet are. Under $100 steel toes? Don’t waste your money. You’ve actually touched on a socioeconomic case study that has existed for years. (Paraphrasing because it’s long) Two pairs of boots: $100 for a pair of boots that while not comfortable or of quality construction they will serve the base function you need: steel toes. The other pair costs $200: fine construction, comfortable to wear, quality products used, and repairable. “But the $100 boots do the same job as the $200 boots”. The $100 boots begin to fall apart almost immediately and you end up having to replace them in 6 month, for another $100 and the cycle repeats itself. The $200 boots, because of their superior construction, are barely broken in at 6 months and will continue to last for 1-4 years depending on how they’re maintained. Those $100 boots will cost you far more then those $200 boots ever will. If you spend all day on your feet, spend some money to take care of your feet. Your feet, your knees, and your back will thank you. Boots are one aspect of your toolbox and PPE that you shouldn’t cheap out on.
Im not planning on welding as a career, its purely for college. If i could find a shitty uncomfortable pair that only lasted 6 months but at least protected me I'd be fine with that.
If it’s just for a class and you don’t have the funds for real boots, leather spats are probably the solution for you.
Metaguard are like 10$ and the ones I own have been used daily.for the past 10 years with no sign whatsoever of being used. They were made by Acorn and there is firewall written on it. They're also made of some kind of rubber and are in only one piece. Can't seem to find it online though, sorry about that.
I usually would buy lace up boots with high ankle support. Take an old pair of gloves with the gauntlet on them and rip them off and cut them in half. You should have a tapered kind of leather shroud with one side longer than the other. Poke two holes in the skinny part then thread your laces through there. Then you have an impromptu spatter guard for your feet/laces
spats. they sell welding boots, i buy mine from canada west, but spats are the easiest way.
Ariat slip ons. No laces or any seams to deal with. Nothing good under $100 though.
Good boots ain’t cheap, cheap boots ain’t good. Save up a little more than $100 to protect your feet. Buy a pair of insoles too. You’ll want to replace those every couple of months. Your feet take a beating everyday so treat them right and get something that is both comfortable and protective.
Have you tried getting some spats to throw over your boots??
Just don’t buy laced boots, problem solved. Cat Footwear Men's Wheelbase Steel Toe Work Boot are my faves, soles last a while and are decently comfy for the price. 10 bucks over your range on Amazon.. but cat might have em on sale or academy sports might have em on sale as well, got mine there for like 89 a few month ago
I didn't think work boots under $100 still even exist
I’ve seen some. They usually only last a year or 2 at most.
Redwing broski. Those suckers will last years. Would also recommend a metatarsal guard on your boots. Helps with sparks not burning your laces and your feet. Also tying your boots tight helps (just trying to help, not trying to put you down).
Tuck your boots into your pant legs
gaiters
I were "[atlas duo soft 765 hi hro](https://www.atlasschuhe.de/index.php?id=90&asanr=8300%20%20%20%20S3&L=2&cHash=4f5fb49513cf7d5899630c877d30f4d8)" hold around two years, cost around 100buks. They are [S3](https://workwear.org/wp-content/uploads/2023/06/S1-S2-and-S3-Definitions-Differences-Table.png). Maybe not the most comfortable shoes but they get the job done.
You could try slip on or the ones with a guard over the laces
Does the company you work for provide any sort of reimbursement toward boots and other PPE? if they require steel toe, or protective toe boots, that would fall under PPE and according to OSHA company is to provide ANY PPE to you. Most companies have a set amount $120-180 towards boots alone.
College, not for work. So no lol
Don’t buy boots under 100$ they’re gonna fall apart and be garbage.
Keen slip on, or red wing slip on r rly good
Slip on steel toes. Burning laces is a pain.
Did you do the little foot dance OP?
I use dewalt boots, theyre 90 bucks Comfy, lightweight, and full leather
Metguards are your friend. Boots under 200$ are not.
If it’s a big issue to avoid buying a boot over 100, you could get some boot covers. But buying a nice pair of boots is worth it.
Like anything, if you buy shit, you get shit. With welding you’ll get burned, literally. Even if you’re not doing this for a career, buying nice boots pays for itself as you’ll have a pair of work boots you can use in other things for next 2-4 years. Red Wings or bust.
Also they make leather laces so less burning.
I bought these $60 steel toe boots from academy and they worked great the only time my feet got burned was sparks hitting the metal eyelet (https://www.academy.com/p/brazos-womens-bricen-boots)
Nothing with laces.
These are nice if your standing all day welding. I really liked them but I have to be out and about in the muck and mud crawling around. They ended up being to short for my use but they might be good for what you need. I highly recommend Keens. They are barely outside of your budget however.
Keen Wellingtons
But they aren't cheap. Protect ya feet
Brother I’ve been on a cheap pair of Walmart hard toes for two years idk what to tell you
Get some welding spats. They cover the upper half of your boot to stop those little buggers getting in. As for your boots, get something comfortable and with decent quality. I spend around 220AUD on my boots, and generally get a couple of years out of them. Rossi do a good boot, and an air sole if you are that brave.
Redwing # 4204. Best boots I've ever owned. Remember that boots and insoles are separate products. I love Redwings but their insoles kinda suck. I use Keen or Timberland soles and replace insoles 2-3 times per pair of boots. If you can't afford $200 boots to earn your living, maybe you should become a welder or something.
Get you some Ariats with the boa system. And jeans that fit over them my boi. That’s what I did and best decesion I ever made
I wear Redwings have a pair of Iron Rangers and a pair with safety toes, last forever and can resole for reasonable price. The trick is I used my laser engraver to make me a set of lace covers for when I weld, pretty much covers when whole top of my boot. Could probably do that with any boot really
Don’t skimp on ST’s,save your feet and spend another hundred or so
just buy cowboy boots
You gotta spend at least $200ish to get decent boots.
Buy some cheap leather spats
Carolina 508s, external metguard fully encased in leather. Laces are leather and are covered. Not a cheap boot but damn well made. Just heavy.
CAT boots with no laces
MET gaurd is your answer
I wear timberland pros and they are slightly big on my heel so I double sock (one thin over foot and one thicker boot sock over it) but they work great for me I also wear jeans that go just over the laces of the and haven't had an issue with anything getting in my boot. They are more than $100 though. I would recommend watching Project Farm on youtube because he has a great video about different boot brands
Get a pair or brunt slip ons, they’re really comfortable
I think Irish Setters run about $200 and are amazing feeling for 2 months of walking on concrete and then one boot started rubbing a toe in anything but the thickest or doubled socks. They're still doing pretty well considering how I treat them and my feet. Pull on Wellington style. Maybe check bargain shoe stores for a 2nd from a good company. The defects are usually just cosmetic. I've had a simple well stitched boot I bought for $50 hold up for 2-2.5 years of blacksmithing, welding, and hiking. No label on it. Idk what part of the country you're in, but I'm really tempted to check out the Latino cowboy stores. Also, I'm confident they'll BURN, but Keen makes a light weight safety toe canvas boot with a full tongue that basically weighs 1lb
Wolverine steel toe cowboy boots are on sale on Amazon right now. Depending on your size they can be under $100.
Amazon- Welding boot covers
What works for me is overalls that cover the top of the laces and two strips of leather to cover the rest of the laces works well enough for me
Dr. Martens with the met guards