About Dem New Boots?

Mikki I got me a pair of Redwing hiking boots and love them. They did take some getting used to but they are all I wear when I am on the road. Since I do a regional dedicated route I am in and out of my truck quite a bit and I like the stability and support they give me climbing in and out of my truck. I opted not to get the steel toed ones because I have only been one place that required them and that was when I was in training. You would never be able to tell mine aren't steel toed just by looking at them. Not sure what I will wear when the weather gets warm, but I have grown to love my boots.

What are you going to do when your toes get chopped off!?

I haul cookies and crackers and do mostly drop and hooks. None of the places I go require boots of any type so I think I am OK.

Mikki I got me a pair of Redwing hiking boots and love them. They did take some getting used to but they are all I wear when I am on the road. Since I do a regional dedicated route I am in and out of my truck quite a bit and I like the stability and support they give me climbing in and out of my truck. I opted not to get the steel toed ones because I have only been one place that required them and that was when I was in training. You would never be able to tell mine aren't steel toed just by looking at them. Not sure what I will wear when the weather gets warm, but I have grown to love my boots.

What are you going to do when your toes get chopped off!?

There's been great debate about the toe chopping argument for years. Some say steel toe some say safety toe (heavy fiberglass toe) some say no need because a crush injury is a crush injury and trying to get a foot out of a crushed steel toe boot usually means lost toes anyway. I know me personally, I've always bought the ones with metatarsal protection because it seems nothing ever hits your toes but always right across the laces.

I have the metatarsal boots as well but I don't think they would be good to drive in for 9 to 11 hours a day

Miki. I own a pair of redwing boots and they are the most comfortable shoes I own. Yes, there is a break in period where they are a pain, but trust me, once they wear in you won't know how you got along without them.

I drive in either tennis shoe or a low cut hiking boot....I like to feel the reaction on the clutch... with boots on I cant feel it and just not comfy to me...But i do carry a pair with me for when they are needed

Mikki, this pretty well thrashes out the question. Throughout today I've been wondering about the steel toe thing.

I think steel toed shoes for truck drivers would be like wearing a hard hat on every loading dock you visit: sure it's safe, but really a bit too much. Lose the steel toes, keep the Wings.

I prefer sneakers 99% of the time, but I also carry a pair of Lacrosse knee high rubber boots. Same type I used to use for bowhunting. I am more concerned with keeping my feet dry than warm, since my exposure time is limited.

You will notice if you ever get your shoes saturated with water, that they will start to stink really bad. This is because there is a lot of accumulated sweat inside a shoe that has been worn for a long time. Once they get wet, the sweat starts to sour, causing a terrible stench. This is why on rainy or snowy days, I switch to rubber boots outside the cab.

As for steel toes, I have yet to have a customer ask me if I have them, even of they have signs posted.

The issue of steel toes for me is a lot like snakes. Since my exposure to danger is very limited, I simply go into defensive mode and watch where I step and give forklift drivers the right of way. If I were working in that type environment all day, I would definitely have all the PPG available to me.

Hey Mikki, this has been an interesting discussion in this thread. I seriously would have never expected your original post to have garnered as much attention as it has, but it's fun to see a discussion develop in here the way they do sometimes. Of course since I am a husband and a father to three daughters, I know how important a discussion on foot wear can be, and how important it is to the ladies to have just the right shoes and hand-bag!

One thing I haven't seen mentioned in here is that there are some ladies work boots out there in the market, and some of them are very good. Okay, Mikki, don't tell anybody why I know about these ladies work boots, but I'm gonna let you in on one of my deepest secrets... are you ready for this? When it comes to work boots, I am a "cross dresser"! That's right, I have very narrow feet, and I discovered a long time ago that when available, ladies foot wear just fits me better, and a better fit means better comfort - I'm all for comfortable foot wear.

If you can find them you should check out Ariat brand boots. They have an extensive line of ladies work boots. If you can't find them at a retail store you can definitely order them on-line by searching the brand name.

As a flat-bedder I always keep a pair of steel toed boots with me in the truck, there are place we go that require them, and I have had several places check to make sure that I am wearing them when necessary. Other than the times that I'm required to wear them, they mostly are unused. For the most part I wear some Ariat slip on ankle high boots that I find to be both conveniently easy to get on and off while also being very comfortable. They are the type of boots that my grandfather called "Brogans". I drive in all different types of foot wear though, even just my socks a lot of the time.

Hey Mikki, this has been an interesting discussion in this thread. I seriously would have never expected your original post to have garnered as much attention as it has, but it's fun to see a discussion develop in here the way they do sometimes. Of course since I am a husband and a father to three daughters, I know how important a discussion on foot wear can be, and how important it is to the ladies to have just the right shoes and hand-bag!

One thing I haven't seen mentioned in here is that there are some ladies work boots out there in the market, and some of them are very good. Okay, Mikki, don't tell anybody why I know about these ladies work boots, but I'm gonna let you in on one of my deepest secrets... are you ready for this? When it comes to work boots, I am a "cross dresser"! That's right, I have very narrow feet, and I discovered a long time ago that when available, ladies foot wear just fits me better, and a better fit means better comfort - I'm all for comfortable foot wear.

If you can find them you should check out Ariat brand boots. They have an extensive line of ladies work boots. If you can't find them at a retail store you can definitely order them on-line by searching the brand name.

As a flat-bedder I always keep a pair of steel toed boots with me in the truck, there are place we go that require them, and I have had several places check to make sure that I am wearing them when necessary. Other than the times that I'm required to wear them, they mostly are unused. For the most part I wear some Ariat slip on ankle high boots that I find to be both conveniently easy to get on and off while also being very comfortable. They are the type of boots that my grandfather called "Brogans". I drive in all different types of foot wear though, even just my socks a lot of the time.

Ha your secret is safe with me! The selection for women's boots was almost nil at that particular store. Almost convinced I should keep them. However, I think I will be taking a second look around. I am well aware a good pair of shoes can be the difference between agonizing back and leg pain or heavenly relief, at least in my experience. Thanks to everyone and their opinions.

Got that sorted out. It really was a big deal to me, as I have worked many long hours on my feet. I went with more of a hiking boot, great orthotic inserts, more flexible, almost broke in already, no steel toe. Thanks so much everyone!

I used to own a pair of pink steel toe boots until diesel ruined them:/ Honestly every girl that gets in my truck drives better in a more comfortable shoe. I used my boots for winter or when required. As a reefer driver i dont do much but open the doors. Its just easier to feel the clutch without steel toe. Now in OS situation being a flatbedder boots is surely a must. See what works best for you.