i need some steelies and having not needed for years, i want to avoid the horrible, heavy uncomfy things i've known in the past.
Zero rise, flattish sole works well for me and make my feet less tired.
any recommendations then for some barefoot steelies then? or just something light, without too much 'support', and all day comfortable?
they just need to have a toe-cap, not anything else special.
done a bit of google-ing, found some reeboks which look ok, pricey, and nice japanese ones with a seperate toe. otherwise maybe just some blundies?
I don’t wear any low-rise footwear for work, I favour boots that support my ankles, but the boots that I get issued are excellent, they’re Portwest, steel toecaps and shank, the leather is very soft, almost glove-like, and speaking as someone who’s job involves driving cars around, I average five miles a day walking around the various storage sites and I’ve done seven miles at times, and a lot of that is on really rough aggregate surfaces. Plus, I’m out in all weathers, and often through large deep puddles in places, and those boots are like slippers, they’re so comfy; I even wear them at weekends if it’s wet.
These are the ones I have, but Portwest do lower boots and shoes in the Steelite range as well.
https://activeweargroup.com/portwest-steelite-all-weather-workwear-boot-s3-wr-fw57-p3061/s54151?cid=GBP&msclkid=d4ef699bbe141fa16ff3362be59eecb6&utm_source=bing&utm_medium=cpc&utm_campaign=(SC)%20All%20Products&utm_term=4587506111450148&utm_content=(SC)%20All%20Products
Haix do a range of safety shoes. I have 7pair of Haix boots and approach shoes for hiking/walking and they are brilliant well made footwear although not cheap.
https://www.haix.co.uk/workwear/
Have a look at the screwfix safety trainers and the scruffs ones.
I have had some scruffs ones for a 2 years probably wearing about 50% of the time maybe a little more, added a gel insole. Mates had the ones from Screwfix. Factory use so not rough ground. Mate is electrician and found the Screwfix really comfortable but toe
Wore quickly as he is always kneeling. I don't have to kneel much so lasted me fine.
P.s. old college had these look horrible but really light weight and cooler as we were working in hot country.
Last point unless required by the environment don't get steel plated soles (heavy!!!) And don't get steel toe caps get Kevlar / composite toes if you can. Lighter plus you can ware on a plan if needed without taking shoes off at security.
I'm in exactly the same boat as you. All my other shoes are Altra, Lems, Freet, Vivo and Xero. However, I cannot find minimalist safety boots anywhere (nor cycling shoes, but that's a whole other thread). Unless people actually understand minimalist, then they don't notice toe spring, heel drop or toe box space, let along not having pointless arch support (which wouldn't be needed if they didn't force the toes out of line).
Work have recently cut down on the range they off. Cost saving drive from someone sat in an office who's never warn safety boots in his life. Not that the old range was idea but the new ones are like tottering around in high heels. Ironically, I'm more likely to go over on my ankle in these than anything else.
I'm about to take a closer look at some Keen trainer style ones and some Birkenstocks.
I've seen those Japanese toe boots that look great, but I don't think they pass UK standards. Plus, I don't think the fabric upper would work for me as mine is an outdoor job. I can end up yomping for miles through wet woods and fields.
Check out Cofra; they do a great range of safety trainers, shoes and boots. I’ve been wearing them for a few years now. Comfiest I’ve ever come across.
I’ve got some cofra ‘fluent’ trainers that are very light but perhaps counting against them for the op is they’re really quite high at the heal - feels like wearing lifts.
ive used some dunderdon chukka boots that are light (for boots - as in they feel like and look like non-safety boots) and have have quite thin soles (deceptive compared to their looks) without too much rise for the heel. Just replaced them with some sparco evo boots which again are pretty light weight and of less of a clompy sole than most safety wear - I’ve got big feet and the dunderdon and sparco ones are rare examples or work boots I don’t have to take off to drive the car
I’m about to take a closer look at some Keen trainer style ones and some Birkenstocks
I got some Birkenstock safety shoes 2 week ago. £105, so I expected them to be lush.
They arent.
They are close to the most uncomfortable shoes I've had for maybe 30 years. OK, some safety trainers I bought a few weeks ago lasted a day, but they are not the great things I expected.
Firstly, they are quite tight in the toe area. Far tighter than the equivalent size sandals.So much so that I had to take the cork insoles out to be comfortable.They were tight across the top of the toes too.
Then the next problem was rubbing on the back of my ankles. I havent had this for 30+ years, but have now got skin off as they rubbed so much. I didnt wear them this week, but tried them for 10 minutes on Friday, and had to take them off pretty quick as they rubbed so much. It's strange, it's like there is a sharp metal blade digging in, yet the rear collar of the shoe is quite smooth. Oh, they are heavy too.
I'm giving them another go, with thicker socks, but on first impressions, I'm quite disappointed.
I got some Grafter extra wide fit boots previously, they are nowhere near to extra wide, tbf, I have got duck feet, even so, some shoes are a good fit, but safety shoes are a nightmare for me to get a good, comfortable pair.
thanks everyone
not doing birkies and crocs, too sculpted inside generally.
i should have said it' shoes, or 'mids' at most i'm after, for indoor workshop use.
sparcos look good, thanks maccruiskeen
yes Onzadog, saw some keens i liked but can't find in stock
Cofra look good rakas. god there's loads of them!
I have to wear rail compliant safety boots. They're himalayas or something and they are 9mile heather and bog and steep slope pathless hacking comfortable.
Times have changed cheap safety boots have definitely got comfier.
I have a pair of Screwfix boots "savanah" I think. Once broken in (which TBH does take a good few miles) they're completely comfortable. I wear mine all day every day.
Trick is to buy a new pair a while before the soles worn out, then start breaking them in, keep one for round the office and one for outside. That way you dont look scruffy in meetings and dont end up walking round sites with blisters 🤣
I think Xero shoes might be working on some safety work boots. No idea if or when they will appear but worth keeping an eye on their Facebook page or subscribing to there emails. I only wear barefoot shoes (apart from on a bike or site work) and have tried freet, vivobarefoot, tadevo and Xero shoes. I have several Xero models and they're all brilliant for their intended use and easily my favourite brand of those listed above. If they do make some safety boots I'm sure they'll be excellent. I will certainly buy some.
I tend to wear safety wellies as the cheap ones I buy seem to have zero drop (at least I don't notice much) and quite flexible soles. Not barefoot by any measure but much, much more preferable to rubbish heavy boots. I am generally working in muddy fields though!
I have been wearing some Englebert Strauss ones all summer, very light and have a mesh upper so breath really well. Have stood up to the abuse they have had and I really rate their stuff.
It spent my working life in safety shoes, boots, shoes, trainers. I'm now in these:
UVEX comfiest shoes I've ever worn
I spend a quarter of my life in them, on my feet 12 hours at a time. Best shoes I've ever worn.
If Xero are going to do a safety boot, I'll take it!
@CheezybeanZ - I would say they’re probably pretty close to whatever your normal footwear sizing is; for me, they don’t feel too big or ‘boxy’, if you know what I mean, but I can wear ordinary cotton sports socks in summer, but in cooler weather I wear thick wool socks, or what I’m wearing currently, cotton sports socks with ankle-high neoprene ‘booties’, because I’ve been finding my feet get warm with all the walking I do, but the steel toe caps cause condensation which makes my toes feel cold and damp.
The booties I bought years ago to wear in my wellies, but they’re perfect in my work boots for winter, I just slackened the laces and they’re really snug and comfy.
I get them supplied as part of my PPE, but they’re so comfy to wear I use them at weekends if the weather’s crappy.
They’re surprisingly light, which is good when you’re on your feet all day regardless of weather.