Hoping to get some advice from guys here who may be diesel or heavy equipment mechanics. I've been a diesel mechanic almost 16yrs now, working on concrete all day, every day, and up until about two years ago, I thought the most comfortable work boots I had tried were timberland pros. I'd get two years max out of them, before the soles were worn that bad ( I wear the outside edges the worst ) that I'd go home at the end of the day with my lower back, knees, and ankles killing me. Took me a long time to realize it was my boots causing the issue, not just the job itself. Also had big issues with heel spurs for a couple years and foot doctor told me i needed more arch support. Anyways, almost two years ago, I read somewhere that logger boots, with their taller heel and better arch support can actually put your back in better alignment and help with lower back pain. But also heard they can be a bear when working on concrete all day. I went ahead a tried a pair of redwing 620 logger boots. Original insoles weren't very comfortable, but after putting in a pair of redwings moldable insoles, they've been great. First pair of boots I've had that I didn't feel fatigued in by the end of the day, and my lower back pain all but went away. Fast forward two years, and they have held up better than anything before them, but the liner wore through at the heels about a year ago, and the insoles are worn out and before I spend another $50 on insoles for boots I might get 1 more year out of, I think I'm gonna spring for new ones.
Now, here are my questions... I have a pair of redwing 877's I wear everyday outside of work and love them. I love American made, quality, old school boots, and this was the first time I had the money for something that fit the bill. However, I've had them over 6months, and realize these soles won't last even a year working on concrete all day. Not only that, but I'm afraid going to a shorter heel again will start affecting my back again. I don't get to wear my 877's long enough during the day to be able to tell if this might happen. So I'm considering thorogood moc toe boots for work. I've heard good things about them, and they're sole seems to wear much better from what I've read. But again, I'm afraid of the shorter heel affecting my back, especially since I've been going to a chiropractor since October to try and fix a pinched syatic nerve. One thing I'm sure of, I definitely want an unlined boot this time around. This is always the first part to wear out, and can't really be fixed. Any one ever had experience with back pain and these boots?
Now, something else I've been considering, custom made boots. Yes they aren't cheap, but I've never heard anything bad about them. I have a very hard foot to fit... Narrow instep, but they get wide at the ball of my feet. So if I get a boot wide enough to fit the ball of my foot and not crowd my toes, the whole boot fits loose, and the sides almost pull together when I pull the laces tight. And if I go narrow enough to fit my instep good, then my toes get crowded and they just don't feel comfortable. This was what attracted me to moc toes. So, custom sounds like the better way to go, all leather construction, so no insole to wear out, great arch support, should fit like a glove, and completely rebuildable. My only concern is, my boots constantly come in contact with oil, diesel fuel, antifreeze, and def fluid ( mix of water and amonia ). I do clean my boots and condition with obenaufs lp, but I didn't learn proper care soon enough with my current work boots, and there's not much I can do to save them now. I just hate the idea of spending $500-600 on a pair of boots, if the chemicals at work are just gonna kill the leather anyways. Anyone here a mechanic and have custom work boots? What is your experience, and how do you maintain them? Should I go with a logger or rancher style boot, or more of a wedge sole like my redwing 877's or the thorogoods? I'm mainly considering Nicks Boots if I go custom. I've heard whites was bought out by the Japanese parent company of Danner and quality control has suffered a bit. I thank you guys for any help you can offer.
Now, here are my questions... I have a pair of redwing 877's I wear everyday outside of work and love them. I love American made, quality, old school boots, and this was the first time I had the money for something that fit the bill. However, I've had them over 6months, and realize these soles won't last even a year working on concrete all day. Not only that, but I'm afraid going to a shorter heel again will start affecting my back again. I don't get to wear my 877's long enough during the day to be able to tell if this might happen. So I'm considering thorogood moc toe boots for work. I've heard good things about them, and they're sole seems to wear much better from what I've read. But again, I'm afraid of the shorter heel affecting my back, especially since I've been going to a chiropractor since October to try and fix a pinched syatic nerve. One thing I'm sure of, I definitely want an unlined boot this time around. This is always the first part to wear out, and can't really be fixed. Any one ever had experience with back pain and these boots?
Now, something else I've been considering, custom made boots. Yes they aren't cheap, but I've never heard anything bad about them. I have a very hard foot to fit... Narrow instep, but they get wide at the ball of my feet. So if I get a boot wide enough to fit the ball of my foot and not crowd my toes, the whole boot fits loose, and the sides almost pull together when I pull the laces tight. And if I go narrow enough to fit my instep good, then my toes get crowded and they just don't feel comfortable. This was what attracted me to moc toes. So, custom sounds like the better way to go, all leather construction, so no insole to wear out, great arch support, should fit like a glove, and completely rebuildable. My only concern is, my boots constantly come in contact with oil, diesel fuel, antifreeze, and def fluid ( mix of water and amonia ). I do clean my boots and condition with obenaufs lp, but I didn't learn proper care soon enough with my current work boots, and there's not much I can do to save them now. I just hate the idea of spending $500-600 on a pair of boots, if the chemicals at work are just gonna kill the leather anyways. Anyone here a mechanic and have custom work boots? What is your experience, and how do you maintain them? Should I go with a logger or rancher style boot, or more of a wedge sole like my redwing 877's or the thorogoods? I'm mainly considering Nicks Boots if I go custom. I've heard whites was bought out by the Japanese parent company of Danner and quality control has suffered a bit. I thank you guys for any help you can offer.
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