Jesse Posted August 15, 2011 Report Share Posted August 15, 2011 i no the look ridiculous but who cares. i wouldnt be caught dead in public with those things on my feet but the first thing i do when i get in my shop is off with the boots and on with the clown shoes(crocs) Heck yes! Props to the crocs! They make a huge difference versus boots or sneakers on that unyielding cement oppressor. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
PeteJr Posted September 10, 2011 Author Report Share Posted September 10, 2011 Thanks to everyone who offered their advise on this topic. I am now the Imelda of woodworking. LOL! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Jesse Posted September 10, 2011 Report Share Posted September 10, 2011 I just realized with some horror that pretty soon it will be too cold out for crocs in the shop... ...or will it??? Hmmm, crocs with wool socks? Might work as long as I shovel the path to the garage in my big yellow galoshes! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Rick LoDico Posted September 10, 2011 Report Share Posted September 10, 2011 I wear Keen Attack sandals and try to stay off my feet as much as possible. I can be in the workshop all day like this. 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Bobby Slack Posted September 13, 2011 Report Share Posted September 13, 2011 I am not suggesting to use Trex for your floor. At the same time, somehow when I bought trex for my Colorado cabin I ended up with a huge amount of leftover, so my wife asked me to get this off the deck (had it on the deck for two years .... lol). After cleaning the garage/shop I did not want to have another stacked pile of lumber so I laid it over the floor and now I see good benefits. I also love wearing my Chaco's http://www.chacos.com/US/en-US/Product.mvc.aspx/23766M/0/Mens/Z-1-Vibram-Yampa?dimensions=0 I use these in Colorado because they are easy to take off when I come in the cabin and don't drag, mud, dirt, and other debris coming in. So in that note ... why not wear shop shoes which are easy to take off coming in your home while being comfortable? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
TimV Posted September 13, 2011 Report Share Posted September 13, 2011 I used to use athletic, cross-trainer shoes and my prior pair wore out finally (to my wife's chargrin). I was looking for another pair but it seems like all the brands that I saw were made with a open mesh material around the toe area of the shoe or had open holes. Makes sense to keep the foot cool but not so much for wood dust! I wanted a shoe that was enclosed so that dust and chips can't work their way through. And I thought maybe a hiking type shoe or boot would work since those are made for standing/moving on your feet for longer periods of time. But all the hiking boots had big bulky soles and the hiking shoes were all totally open, worse than athletic shoes. Then I stumbled upon a New Balance walking shoe. I've had these for a couple of months now and so far they have been very comfortable and work well in the shop. http://www.shopnewbalance.com/men/shoes/walking/country/MW646BR Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Popular Post Imaginos Posted September 18, 2011 Popular Post Report Share Posted September 18, 2011 I figured I'd weigh in on this one because it took me about 15 years to figure it out. Shoes and boots are only one part of a system to prevent achy feet Most people probably don't need the extremes of money that that I've spent on foot wear. But the moral of the story is that no matter what you are doing, your feet do not need to hurt at the end of the day, even a little bit. I have the industrial solution below, so take from it what you need. I spent about 7 years of my youth as an addicted rock and mountain climber, also with technical/mine rescue out west (rather than in this swamp you people call the east coast). That left me with quite a perspective on personal gear. It also left me with nerve damage in my lower back, severe sciatica in my left left, months of physical therapy for my knee, chiropractor, some other stuff. For the last decade I've spent 12-17 hours a day stomping around steel ships, chronically up and down ladder wells, and otherwise crawling through industrial ship yards. Point being that quality footwear is hugely important to me. For most people this will border of frivolousness, however, at the end of the day my feet don't hurt from walking on them. In fact, when I take my boots off, my feet are fine aside from the clamminess of being wrapped up in a 9 inch leather boot for 16 hours. The downside is that I spent about $400 on a footwear stuff, but it lasts about 7-10 years (so far). That's around $4 a month for several years of hard use. I pay it gladly. I don't have anti-fatigue mats on the floor. I have them in my boots. Whenever you get a new footwear, throw away the stock insole. I might happen, but I's extremely rare for footwear come out of the box with a quality insole. Even in premium $600 alpine expedition boots I threw out the stock insole. In fact, most of the pharmacy-bought gel insoles cause more problems than they solve. Your feet evolved to walk and run on the plains of Africa long before shoes were invented. They don't need padding, they need stability. Go to a running or hiking specialty store that has a large selection of insoles. You want the kind of place where they will have you stand bare foot on a wet rag to examine how your foot is shaped. A conversation with the staff will probably reveal a vast field dedicated to footwear, and it's been growing fast as hiking/running have been gaining in popularity. The insoles that work best for me are Superfeet for around $50 a pair and they are custom cut to each shoe. I use Orange Industrial in my work boots and Blue Hiking in my street shoes. A word of warning though: after you do get a quality insole, you will have mild soreness in your feet, ankles, and lower legs for about two weeks after you start walking on it. Your muscles will be adjusting to how they're taking the weight. It's a good thing. Once you're through that, you are are probably walking on you feet closer to how they are designed to than they were before. Socks aren't about padding, they're about stability. The advantages of the insole can absolutely wrecked with the wrong sock. Socks can let your foot slide around inside the boot/shoe and alter the fit, thereby causing shifting weight distribution, stretching muscles and joints, so on. You want a snug sock with enough of loft, not for padding, but to fill voids and add to the stability of the boot. This is why the super thin ankle socks are popular for runners. They get great fitting and the sock is only there to keep the nylon of the shoe from rubbing against their skin. How the sock distributes the tension of it's own fit over your foot is important too because it can change how your arch and ankle are being held inside. It's subtle, but it can show up if you're on your feet for 12 hours or more. I like the Smartwool PHD line of socks. I spent about $200 to get 10 pairs of the On the Job Heavy Crew for work. I got 10 only because that made sense for my laundry and travel cycle. After 3 Years of heavy industrial use they're still in perfect condition. I also have a collection of their PHD Outdoor socks for day to day use, but prior that I've been using Smartwool Trekking Heavy Crew that are finally wearing out after about 7 years of abuse. These are all thick, heavy winter socks and I wear them year round, even in 100°+ summer heat. I wear them anywhere from the Arctic to the Middle East and Africa. My feed do get warm, but really, you adapt to it. More so, it's far better than painful feet, knees, and lower back at the end of the day. Fit is the priority over function. Comfort isn't a property of the shoe itself, it's derived from how the shoe is holding your foot. Your feet are capable of a remarkable amount of abuse if you let them take the load correctly. Also, the recurring theme so far is stability over padding. Take the socks you intend to wear with you when to shop for shoes and boots. Make sure they fill out all the voids and that there's no room for your foot to slide around and there's room for your insole of choice. There are the basic requirements (steel toe, leather sole, oil/fuel resistant tread, so on), but with the number of vendors out there's rarely a limit in selection. You will undoubtedly have to experiment a little since you'll never truly know how good the fit is until it's broken in. But once you find the brand and size that fit well, stick with it. At work I've used CAT, Danner, Redwing, Bates, all sorts of work boots for industrial environments and there's a lot of good one out there. I wear boots out quickly because they're frequently exposed to fuel, oil, metal abrasion, all sorts of horrors. There's plenty of links in this thread to good boots so far, but the boot/shore shouldn't be thought of in isolation. 6 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
PeteJr Posted November 6, 2011 Author Report Share Posted November 6, 2011 I recently purchased a pair of John Deere boots and they are wonderful. Model is JD 3604. The uppers of these sturdy brown Hiking Boots are made from super-tough Tramper waterproof leather. It goes through a special tanning process to make it three times stronger and two and a half times more abrasion-resistant than traditional leathers. It's made just for rugged, agricultural use and is resistant to a slew of barnyard chemicals including caustic alkali, sulfuric acid, calcium hydroxide, potassium phosphate, caustic potash, oils, grease, salt, urine, and manure. Plus, it's waterproof. Thanks to the leather and tough waterproof construction, this pair lets you traverse through muck, mud and soggy soil with dry comfortable feet. Should be just fine for the workshop! Inside you'll find Agion antimicrobial green lining. This durable, quick-drying lining is extremely breathable and wicks moisture away from your feet to keep them cool and dry. It's treated with environmentally-friendly Agion to prevent foot odor and fight the grown of fungus that lead to athlete's foot and other nasty foot stuff. Sturdy steel shanks offer solid arch support and protect your feet from the impact of driving a shovel into the ground or climbing ladders or rugged terrain. Innovative Air Flow Comfort Insoles will make you feel like you're wearing tennis shoes. The insoles store energy as you step down and release it as you lift up so they absorb shock for improved comfort and less fatigue after miles in the backcountry or long days on the farm. Slip- and oil-resistant polyurethane outsoles keep you grounded on a variety of surfaces. They're rated electrical hazard-resistant too so you're protected from shock in charged areas. For additional protection, you'll find approved steel toes so potential impacts and other jobsite hazards don't slow down. The sporty, hiker-style design of this pair is versatile enough for a variety of tasks and features solid brass eyelets and padded collars. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
man of wood Posted November 22, 2011 Report Share Posted November 22, 2011 Get mats for Casco. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
dwacker Posted November 22, 2011 Report Share Posted November 22, 2011 Ive worn my leather sheep skin lined slippers to work everyday for 20 years. Now i have plaid flanel sheep skin lined slippers for the past five years. Only upsets the wife when i wear them out to a nice dinner. To make her happy i put on my big boy shoes, black convers low top chucks. Don 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Tom Zillig Posted January 3, 2012 Report Share Posted January 3, 2012 Visit a podiatrist and find out if your footwear are causing any posture problems which will surface in your woodworking. Once I learned that one leg was slightly shorter than the other, a proper insert fixed my problems and I can finally spend an entire day on my feet in my shop. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Chris Adkins Posted January 3, 2012 Report Share Posted January 3, 2012 I tend to agree with most on here. Wood floor is my first choice but a lot of us including myself don't have a choice in this. I keep and old pair of my running shoes to wear in the shop...now this is not really the advice I like to give as the construction manager in me says you should be wearing steal toe boots to protect your feet. However, most of the projects I build are small so I take a caluclated risk. I also highly recommend the anti-fatigue mats as they do make a big difference. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
PeteJr Posted February 13, 2012 Author Report Share Posted February 13, 2012 Any recommendations for a good shoe insoles? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
dcustoms Posted February 13, 2012 Report Share Posted February 13, 2012 Redwing 676 work boots are made for standing on concrete since I started wearing them my back, knees and feet have never felt better. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Randy Belk Posted February 14, 2012 Report Share Posted February 14, 2012 REDWING. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Bobby Slack Posted May 11, 2012 Report Share Posted May 11, 2012 Howdy guys ... Here I am chiming in again on this very important issue. I used to laugh about it and now I changed my mind. I wear my Lowa backpacking boots because they have a Vibram sole and make a huge difference. This is for long days standing up on concrete. I have two pairs of these boots a new pair which made it to the top of Mt. Kilimanjaro and an old pair that I just got back from a repair shop in Seattle. One of the reasons of using Vibram was that I can repair them. So there you have it. I hear great things about Merrel shoes but I don't own any. From a sbob backpacker which I am ... probably the next pair I will try will be Zamberlan ... I read nothing but wonders about them ... not cheap but having our body intact is very important. OK ... good night friends. Rest well for a productive dust/shaving weekend. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
PeteJr Posted May 11, 2012 Author Report Share Posted May 11, 2012 The exerts at Redwing recently told me this. If you are looking for a style that will provide the most comfort I would look for a style with a polyurethane sole or PORON insole. If you are looking for a style that has a durable longer lasting sole I would recommend looking at styles that have a Vibram sole. that Vibram soles are excellent. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Bobby Slack Posted May 11, 2012 Report Share Posted May 11, 2012 I use these insoles http://sectionhiker.com/green-superfeet-insoles/ Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
PeteJr Posted November 21, 2012 Author Report Share Posted November 21, 2012 I'd like to remind all the woodworkers that a new pair of boots for the shop would make an excellent Christmas gift. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
tim0625 Posted November 22, 2012 Report Share Posted November 22, 2012 I'm not sure what Bobby said, but it sounded like he knew what he was talking about! I use a combination on my concrete floor of a Nike cross trainer and a Wolverine hiking boot. Just which ever hits me. The Wolverines are warmer on my feet so will probably get used more now. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Bobby Slack Posted November 22, 2012 Report Share Posted November 22, 2012 OK I will keep it simple. I use my backpacking boots http://www.lowaboots.com/ since my wife and I backpack a lot. I have two pairs and swap them after resole them. The insoles I use are a brand called Superfeet http://sectionhiker.com/green-superfeet-insoles/ I am aware there are a lot of great backpacking boots. Using these two items took all my body pains away. During the summer I felt that boots were a bit much so I wore the traditional Gaucho footware ... espadrilles ... or sometimes walked barefoot ... all my pains came back. Good footware is crucial. I'm not sure what Bobby said, but it sounded like he knew what he was talking about! I use a combination on my concrete floor of a Nike cross trainer and a Wolverine hiking boot. Just which ever hits me. The Wolverines are warmer on my feet so will probably get used more now. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
tim0625 Posted November 24, 2012 Report Share Posted November 24, 2012 Bobby, I've checked out Lowa boots on line and they look nice and stylish but please allow me to play the other side a moment....the Renegade II GTX look like they'd be the thing for not only hiking, but around the shop or around town -but, $173 a pair is a little pricey. I'm 53 and the body is beginning to complain more than it used to. If they're that comfortable to wear for long periods and my back, feet and legs will feel good from working on concrete, I'm all in. I'm just not up on things in the hiking world so Lowa may be what everyone swears by....my question is, is Lowa worth it for what I'm doing and do you think it could be a game changer for working on concrete? Thanks Tim Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Eric. Posted November 24, 2012 Report Share Posted November 24, 2012 Flip flops. Plus socks when it's nipply. Yeah, I'm a badass. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
jsiard Posted November 25, 2012 Report Share Posted November 25, 2012 Bobby, I've checked out Lowa boots on line and they look nice and stylish but please allow me to play the other side a moment....the Renegade II GTX look like they'd be the thing for not only hiking, but around the shop or around town -but, $173 a pair is a little pricey. I'm 53 and the body is beginning to complain more than it used to. If they're that comfortable to wear for long periods and my back, feet and legs will feel good from working on concrete, I'm all in. I'm just not up on things in the hiking world so Lowa may be what everyone swears by....my question is, is Lowa worth it for what I'm doing and do you think it could be a game changer for working on concrete? Thanks Tim Hey Tim, If you've read the entire 4 pages of this thread you know there are vastly different points of view on this topic. I'm a golf course superintendent by day which means I spend at least 10 hours a day on my feet in season which isn't so bad when I'm moving around on grass. My boots of choice are Asolo and have been for over 12 years, I go through two pairs a season. There is no question that when your feet are happy the rest of the body, aging as it is, follows. However when I get home and into the shop the boots come off and the crocs go on. The boots are great outside or when I'm moving around but in the shop on concrete I end up with a very sore back. As soon as I went to crocs I can spend 10 hours in the shop and am right as rain at the end of the day. The added bonus is that they sell for $19.00 at a store in town and I don't need any pricey orthodics! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Trip Posted November 25, 2012 Report Share Posted November 25, 2012 A good percentage of surgeons now use ecco boots/shoes -- got several medicos in the family. While not the site-resistance of redwing, they are very comfortable. I've been using redwing since i was a teenager (on my forth pair) and love them outdoors, on a site where nails abound, etc... but ecco is the shop footwear around here. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Recommended Posts
Join the conversation
You can post now and register later. If you have an account, sign in now to post with your account.