I need a pair for my job and will be around heavy machinery. I don't know anything about them so any advice would be helpful.

Redwing. Get fitted and keep them oiled and they'll last a long time. When the soles wear out get them resoled.

Whatever you buy, make sure they meet the ANSI standard for steel toes. Remember OSHA/MSHA fines are payable by he company except fines related to personal protective equipment, those fines are to the employee.

Check with your employer, some places require lace up boots.

I got a pair for work 2 years ago from the company sponsored "boot truck". They are made by Georgia Boot. I only need to wear them when going into the factory or out into the field, but they are so comfortable, I wear them all of the time.

Add me to the list for Redwings. These are the only work boot I'll own.

I like my Timberland Pro Titans. Meets ANSI and ASTM standards, safety toe, lightweight, breathable, oil-resistant, waterproof, and very comfortable for me. They did take about 2 days of walking around to break them in.

Whatever boot you get, spend some time walking around with them in the store and on inclines (if you are able). If your foot is rubbing against the toe cap, move on to another size or model.

redwing, i also have a pair of wolverine work boots

"You win some, you lose some, and you wreck some"-Dale Earnhardt

"Courage is being scared to death and saddling up anyway"-John Wayne

I don't think Redwings are comfortable at all, I prefer Wolverines. Used to work for TXDOT during the summers while in college and loved them. Spent 8-12 hours a day in them on hot asphalt and they didn't bother me.

I got a pair of pecos Red Wings. They've worked great. I got oil and water proof so they're easing to wash.

Don't get laces. Those are lame.

Redwings are good but my latest pair are a pair of Rocky's round toe western boots. Most comfortable steel toe boots i have ever worn.

RedWing Pecos for me. I wear them all day, every day.

They are 7 years old and going strong.

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Check with your employer, some places require lace up boots.

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Personally, I would recommend lace ups for serious work boots period. The pair I have now are some justin lace up work boots and I will never go back to a pull on for a work boot. The Justin's I have now are actually more comfortable than the redwings I used to own. They are so much nicer on uneven ground and unstable situations than pull ons.

Make sure you do get the right width in a boot, even if that means you have to order them. I have a big, narrow foot, 13B, so I have to order almost every pair of boots I buy. Don't try to compromise by getting a different size boot to make up for width problems, you'll never be comfortable in them (most people with average feet won't have issues though...)

I'm on my second pair of Georgia Barracuda 8" Lace ups. They are much more comfortable on my foot than the Red Wing 2238's I had.

i'll second my answer from houston board
http://www.texags.com/main/forum.reply.asp?topic_id=1633612&forum_id=38

redwing pecos here as well, got steel toe and the electrical hazard proofing as well

another redwing pecos.
I have been wearing them for years. Probably on my tenth pair by now.

Wolverines >>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>> Ariat >>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>> Redwings

I've got a pair of lace-up Justins that I wear every single day. They are comfortable and very durable.

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Probably on my tenth pair by now.

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that doesn't sound very promising as far as durability goes. unless you're like 130 years old.

Bought some Wolverine Multishocks laceups about 2 years ago, and they come in EE width (huge selling point for me), and were supremely comfortable right out of the box, and have stayed that way. They're easy to care for, and relatively inexpensive for a decent work boot. Some people complained that the tread wore off fast on them in the past, but they must have reformulated it, because mine are fine.

There are some REALLY nice boots out there, and then some that are affordable and still quality. Wolverines are in the latter category for the most part.

I really prefer laceups to pullons. I can flat out sprint in a pair of laceups, and walk through sucking mud, and they stay on.

[This message has been edited by MouthBQ98 (edited 6/8/2010 5:21p).]

I have some doc marten steel toe slide on's that i got about three weeks ago for my new job. i really like them so far. i had some doc martens in high school that i really liked, but when i asked my uncle what he wears i was surprised to hear him say doc martens. if you have a wide foot look at something like doc martens that have a really round toe. at least that was what was most comfortable to me.

speaking of laceups, i saw a thing that you lace into the shoe, and it turns it in to a zipper.
pretty nifty.

Diablo if you can get them.

Wolverines....tough, last long, and very comfortable on the feet. I have been wearing them for 10 years now....my Dad was a Red Wing guy and wore them for 38 years on the job. Either is a good choice.

If you're going to be around heavy machinery I'd make sure that the metacarpal-style isn't required.

Redwings are well made boots but don't fit my foot well, especially the steel toe version as the toe box is too narrow. Ariat just started making square toe boots in my size and they're awesome, but I don't know about steel toe. I think they have a fiberglass toe model.

I've owned every brand mentioned. I currently own Redwing pecos, and Doc Martins.

Doc Martins are hands down the best boot I've worn. I work in a chemical plant and every other brand falls apart within a year (in large part due to the chemicals.) Doc Martins last so long that I only replace them when the insides are worn out- ~2 years of every day wear. The leather, stiching and soles hold up to anything that I can throw at them. I'm on my third pair. For $100 they can't be beat.

Of course, you do look like a grunge rocker from Seattle when you wear them, but who really cares as long as your feet don't hurt.

if you are going to be around welding operations you dont want lace ups

Just curious as to why? I've welded in all kinds of footwear.

wait until you have an ember make it through your laces