Lightweight steel toe boot suggestion?

[SC Maintenance]

I normally wear mets (steel rolling, stamping) but have a couple places I am going now that only require toes, and I literally have to walk a mile at one of them. So looking for something lighter.

Still prefer a boot, not a shoe. Preferably something I can order online - not go find the boot truck (those still exist?).

Thank you for any suggestions!

 

[Inked]

A composite toe would definitely be lighter if you don’t need the full strength of a steel toe.

 

[jadmt]

Keen makes some pretty comfortable composite toed boots.

 

[SC Maintenance]

A composite toe would definitely be lighter if you don’t need the full strength of a steel toe.

I guess I will check. All of the safety manuals say steel toe, but likely have not been updated in years. I usually look and maybe plug into a control panel. I purposely stay far away from any actual work being done.

 

[Sequoiasoon]

I have Redwing King Toe with the BOA system, ratchet them tight and they don't untie. If the cable wears, redwing replaces for free. I don't find them too bad and need to wear them 8-10 hours/day, 5 days/week.

I have a wide foot and many of the safety toe boots/shoes are not wide enough at the toe because of how the safety cap is shaped. These are one of the very few that I can get and be comfortable.

 

[gman2304]

I wore Wolverine Dura Shock for years. The most comfortable boots I’ve ever worn.

 

[JunkdrawerDog]

I purposely stay far away from any actual work being done.

I've always made that my practice as well.

 

[AutoMechanic]

I personally have always like Carolina or Justin boots. I’ve had two pairs of Justin and one pair of Carolina all have gone 3+ years of everyday in a mechanic shop. All composite toe except the Carolina are steel toe. I’m getting ready to replace my Carolina boots from 2022 because they are worn on the inside and starting to wear on the outside too.

 

[nomas]

When I was working I wore Timberland low quarter shoes with the TITAN alloy safety toe . Super light .

 

[Kansas_Ron]

I switched to a slip on boot the last few years wearing a Wolverine W221005. A very comfortable boot. But it's been discontinued. Look at Wolverine W221045.

 

[SubieRubyRoo]

Composite or carbon toe will meet safety requirements and isn’t as cold on your feet if the work is outdoors.

 

[wavinwayne]

Several guys I work with that have to wear steel toe boots wear Thorogood and they all seem to like them.

 

[Skippy722]

Danner Vicious, they're composite toe and super comfortable.

Though now I wear ariat work boots thus completing my emo to redneck transition. I wear my boots EVERYWHERE and I got sick of having to tie my boots everytime. These are 2 weeks old... But man are they comfy.

 

[97prizm]

I normally wear mets (steel rolling, stamping) but have a couple places I am going now that only require toes, and I literally have to walk a mile at one of them. So looking for something lighter.

Still prefer a boot, not a shoe. Preferably something I can order online - not go find the boot truck (those still exist?).

Thank you for any suggestions!

I went in and picked up some red wing work boots for my job a couple of years ago. Not steel toed but solidly built. Might be worth a look as that's what type of client they deal with every day.

 

[Jim Rogers]

I have Redwing King Toe with the BOA system, ratchet them tight and they don't untie. If the cable wears, redwing replaces for free. I don't find them too bad and need to wear them 8-10 hours/day, 5 days/week.

I have a wide foot and many of the safety toe boots/shoes are not wide enough at the toe because of how the safety cap is shaped. These are one of the very few that I can get and be comfortable.

+1 on the King Toes! I have several pair, all 8", with different levels of insulation appropriate for the outdoor season:

2239: no waterproofing, no insulation = indoor/summer outdoor
2280: waterproofing, no insulation = cool weather outdoor
2244: waterproofing, insulated = winter outdoor

(Note that in my experience, breathable waterproof membranes are neither waterproof nor breathable, so I consider them to be a vapor barrier layer that is fairly effective at increasing warmth.)

I believe these boots are sneered at by the "Redwing and Carhart as fashion" crowd as they don't have a Goodyear welt (and thus not resoleable) and are "globally resourced" (i.e., made in China). Sort of the "Geo Metro of boots."

However, that unfashionability works to my advantage because I can find used ones (in excellent condition) easily on E-bay for very good prices. Because they are so cheap/easy to replace, I don't care about repairability.

Evidence for their nice combination of durability and comfort? I use them daily on my small farming operation, as my distance backpacking boots, and (believe it or not) in the winter when there is snow/slush on my running path, I use them for 3K training runs!

Years ago, on another forum I mentioned how comfortable these Chinese Redwings were, and someone responded with a snarky "are they really that comfortable-- if so, do you run in them?

I was able to respond in the affirmative!