Non safety work boot / tough boot

I could do with a pair of boot for everything, I have safety boots but these would be for when I can not ware them, but still get used through the winter for work, walking most common tasks.

Requirements:
Lace hooks on top for easy on off and lazy slipping on for short hop.
Casual looking, but not walking shoes.
Waterproof ish, at least long grass splashes from puddles, I am not expecting Welly performance.
Generally tough.
Brown.
Probably leather but not against man-made.

I don’t like the padded bit on top of timerberland boots.

I think I have seen what I like before but searching throws a blank, I end up with work boots with a steel / composite tow or horrid walking boots or poncy boots for smart people.

Budget?

Quick scan of John Lewis and found these which have a chunky sole but smartish leather uppers.

https://www.johnlewis.com/cotswold-woodmancote-waterproof-leather-boots-brown/p5891592

I’ve got a couple of pairs of Sorel boots that I’m very happy with. Warm, waterproof and hard wearing. I’d be looking at something like this in their range which pretty closely fit your criteria;

https://www.sorelfootwear.co.uk/p/mens-ankeny-ii-mid-outdry-waterproof-boot-1915101.html

In fact these might be better

https://www.johnlewis.com/john-lewis-partners-high-top-leather-work-boots/p5871692

Clarks?

https://www.clarks.co.uk/c/Batcombe-Lord/p/26127190

Caterpillar boots have been the default for me for years as they are very comfy and last ages. My current pair don’t have the padded bit you don’t like so might be worth seeing what they stock atm.

A couple of suggestions, based purely upon the fact I have both:

https://www.grisport.co.uk/comfort-shoes-c81/crieff-brown-slip-on-boot-p573

V1261 Rancher

Blundstones or RedBacks?

https://www.aussieboots.co.uk/

I think that’s the usual answer for easy to get on and off, hard wearing work’ish boots, I really like my redbacks

I’d suggest Hoggs Jason boots but they have the padded bit. I’ve had various Hoggs work boots for a few years now and wouldn’t buy anything else for work.

Haix Hi liability military boots. Great for dog walking and kicking insurgents

Most of the tough boots are quite heavy but i’ve had a few pairs from Chatham – pretty good overall:
https://www.chatham.co.uk/men/footwear/boots

vans MTE boots comfy warm and waterproof

In fact these might be better

https://www.johnlewis.com/john-lewis-partners-high-top-leather-work-boots/p5871692

Ooh they are quite nice.

In fact these might be better

https://www.johnlewis.com/john-lewis-partners-high-top-leather-work-boots/p5871692

Yeah that’s getting there.

https://www.clarks.co.uk/c/Batcombe-Lord/p/26127190

Waaaaaaay poncey. Doesn’t look at all work like or hard wearing.

My current pair don’t have the padded bit you don’t like

Ok I will do a bit more digging thanks. I have always been put off caterpillar because they seem like a very bulk boot (I know boots are bulky but cat seem VERY bulky)

A couple of suggestions, based purely upon the fact I have both:

https://www.grisport.co.uk/comfort-shoes-c81/crieff-brown-slip-on-boot-p573

Thanks but although I like the idea of slip on boots (from a I am lazy pov) I’ve tried them before all be it safety version and because I have very narrow feet they tend to slop a lot.

https://www.aussieboots.co.uk/

I think the slip on will slop for me. Thanks

Haix Hi liability military boots

Too high I think for me

Most of the tough boots are quite heavy but i’ve had a few pairs from Chatham – pretty good overall:
https://www.chatham.co.uk/men/footwear/boots

Yeah this is my issue, I want something that will last several seasons but I do prefer a lighter boot. I have seen some that looked perfect but didn’t take proper note!

vans MTE boots comfy warm and waterproof

Style wise I love them but not convinced about toughness, I want several winters out of this purchase. Outside of winter I live in vans and similar but they don’t last long anymore (seemed to last for ages when I was younger though?)

Some food for thoughts guys and a few possibilities at the top, you have give me some more avenues to explore as my googling was being week. I’ll defiantly have a hunt around non tradition al caterpillar boots and see what else they have.

If you can dispense with the hooks need, William Lennon boots might fit the bill. I have a pair and they are very nice, iirc someone on another thread said there’s a couple of month or so waiting list for them atm.

107F Ox-blood Zug Grain Field Boot

If the Haix liability are too much have a look at the tatical range.
I have a pair of the black mid’s – very light but tough. Have done some big tabs/runs in them.

Haix are my go-to for my outdoor footwear – I have 6pairs of them!

Non safety work boot / tough boot

i’m currently using been using mine since august in my work as a stage builder rigger and they are tough and holding up well after a few hundred miles of walking
ps buy vans extra tough with the little chequered flag on the side

if you don’t like a padded ankle the lace up version of blundstones might be worth a look

Yeah, I know the requirements say non-safety, but I have a very good reason for posting these:

https://activeweargroup.com/portwest-steelite-all-weather-boot-s3-wr-fw57-p3061/s54137?cid=GBP&glCurrency=GBP&glCountry=GB&msclkid=d53d5e1075db17fa5df13c15ea1614f1&utm_source=bing&utm_medium=cpc&utm_campaign=%5BVS%5D%20-%20(SC)%20All%20Products&utm_term=4587506113845793&utm_content=(SC)%20All%20Products

I wear these for work, which means they’re worn for nearly eleven hours a day, and sometimes those days involves me walking up to eight and a half miles, (7.2 miles, and 8.5 miles on consecutive days a couple of weeks ago, I average about four). So far I’ve worn out two pairs, and because our supplier is currently out of stock I’ve actually bought two pairs for myself, and I’ll either get reimbursed for one pair, or I’ll get the ones from work and keep them for backup once I wear the new pair out.

They’re very light, the leather is really soft and flexes well, and they’re really incredibly comfortable, enough so I wear them for general walking around town, to the pub, country walks, etc. having a steel toecap is handy for stopping the leather soaking through in wet grass, etc. mine are black, but the brown looks more like a hiking boot. For that sort of money you could buy three pairs for the price of some swanky fashion boot.
I really can’t recommend them highly enough, they’re excellent boots, my feet depend on them!

If you can dispense with the hooks need, William Lennon boots might fit the bill.

They are nice as well. Over budget for me I was hoping more around the £100. They do look good though.

If the Haix liability are too much have a look at the tatical range.

they look a bit better! thanks

i’m currently using been using mine since august in my work as a stage builder rigger

You link seem to loop to this thread.

Yeah, I know the requirements say non-safety, but I have a very good reason for posting these:

Thanks I’ll take a look. I am no dead against safety boots, its just I have had the usual experience of heavy, clunky, sweaty but your review is very positive. I actually strained my ankle using safety boots for walking. I no longer have to ware safety shoes / boots maybe its past trauma:). I still have several old pairs I use when lifting heavy stuff so still appreciate a good cap.

buy vans extra tough with the little chequered flag on the side

That is useful info thanks

Bookmarking

I don’t know if cheap-ish work boots will be that comfy for walking. The Dickies ones I bought certainly aren’t, so I just use them for working outside (with insoles).

And I have some light walking boots for dog walks.

https://www.outdoorgb.com/p/Berghaus_Hillwalker_II_Gore-Tex_Mens_Hiking_Boots/?utm_source=froogle&utm_medium=directory&utm_content=GBR&currency=GBP&country=GBR&SelectedBundle=189053&SelectedItem=734991&gclid=Cj0KCQiAr5iQBhCsARIsAPcwRONBTv_bSVY12jnkzmojbweiuV3gIkFl5ALvOoksNmqxHTGfv7xdog8aAvMrEALw_wcB

Is it not tradition to always recommend Red Wings when anyone asks about boots?

STW – you are slipping!

Haix Hi liability military boots

Still have these stored in my eBay watch list as I keep meaning to buy a pair on your recommendation RNP. Look the business…

Red Wings

Too expensive unfortunately, budget about £100. I know my cousin used the winter version in Canada and said they were brilliant but he was working in -40 for 12+hr so there is serious justification and motivation for the best!

I don’t know if cheap-ish work boots will be that comfy for walking.

I am not on about bike walks (I actually use light weight shoes for this when I can) more odd walks in the winter slop than hiking a mountain.

Red Wings

Overpriced tat

@TheBrick – Honestly, they’re outstanding boots to wear, my other pair I wore into town today, I’ll be wearing them to the pub tonight, and I’ll be wearing them tomorrow. Their name, Steelite, is spot-on, they’re a very lightweight boot, and very comfortable indeed, although I do put a slightly thicker comfort insole in, but I do that with my desert army boots as well. My boots are black, just because that’s what work gets, but I’ll probably get a pair of the brown ones as well.

As I said, while my job involves moving and driving cars, I’m part of logistics, so there can be significant amounts of walking involved, averaging about four miles a day, and over eight occasionally – comfy, and especially at this time of year, dry boots are essential!

Also good for wearing to gigs if there’s likely to be a bit of ‘energetic’ jumping up and down going on – your toes don’t suffer!

+1 for Hoggs of Fife Jason boots. Yes, they do have the padded bit, but it adds to the comfort. Fantastic boots.