New Shoes or Boots for a New Trucker

Discussion in 'Questions From New Drivers' started by badgerdono, Jul 13, 2012.

If you own steel toed boots/shoes, how often do you wear them?

Poll closed Aug 19, 2012.
  1. *

    Every Day

    50.0%
  2. *

    Less than daily, but usually every week

    10.0%
  3. *

    A few times each month

    2.5%
  4. *

    More during bad weather

    5.0%
  5. *

    Only when required by customer or employer

    20.0%
  6. *

    Never wear them

    25.0%
  1. barroll

    barroll Road Train Member

    1,096
    544
    Nov 23, 2010
    Southwest Michigan
    0
    I started driving in composite toe boots, but when I got stuck pulling a dry van, I switched to wrestling shoes for better pedal feel. Now that I have a bit more experience, and am driving a much older truck, I can drive wearing anything, so I wear CAT composite ankle high boots. They've got more traction than a pair of sneakers, but are still flexible enough for me to climb around on a flatbed fairly well (wish I could wear wrestling shoes for when I have to walk over a tarped load). Nearly lost a few toes in my teens when my steel toe was crushed in. I've worn composite toe boots since then, and nobody will call you on it.
     
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  3. The Bird

    The Bird Medium Load Member

    386
    268
    Apr 10, 2012
    White Rock, NM
    0
    I've been wearing desert combat boots for almost 15 yrs now. No steel toe but they have an aluminum plate in the sole, which I'd rather have than the steel toe. I can't climb loads in steel toed boots.
     
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  4. AZS

    AZS Honk if anything falls off

    2,912
    1,303
    Sep 30, 2010
    PHX, AZ
    0
    Every day, honestly feels weird to wear regular shoes at this point. I do flatbed which is why I started in the first place. Timberland Pros.
     
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  5. Quickfarms

    Quickfarms Heavy Load Member

    898
    236
    May 29, 2012
    Los Angeles, Ca
    0
    I wear military desert boots either bates or danner but I do have a pair of steel toe boots if required
     
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  6. Dexterr

    Dexterr Medium Load Member

    384
    327
    Jul 25, 2011
    Lafourche parish
    0
    Is those like the police officer boots
     
  7. The Bird

    The Bird Medium Load Member

    386
    268
    Apr 10, 2012
    White Rock, NM
    0
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  8. SavageSam

    SavageSam Medium Load Member

    344
    123
    Feb 7, 2009
    0
    I'm gonna guess you're either a big guy or you walk a little bit unusual? You'll like the wear you get, it's a Vibram kletterlift sole. Also the Danners use "Stitchdown" construction which gives your feet a little extra room. Order the "EE" width.
     
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  9. badgerdono

    badgerdono Bobtail Member

    Quick update since my original post - Thank you to all of you who have taken the poll at the beginning and for the great suggestions. I just completed Week 2 of my four week driving school (Diesel Truck Driver Training School in Sun Prairie WI - http://www.truck-school.com/). Great classroom instructor. I have passed all the WI CDL written exams (General, Air Brakes, Combo, Tanker, Doubles-Triples) except HazMat. I may not have time to complete HazMat before my Skills Test with the WI State Examiner (but I'll try to squeeze it in).
    Yesterday my "In Truck" instructor said I turned the corner on double clutching both up and down. He sees a CDL in my hand two weeks from today if I keep up the solid progress. I admit I'm just a gear jammer, but I love driving the rig and look forward to hauling some frieght for a solid carrier in the near future. The school has given three recruiters time at the end of the day to tell us about their companies and pass out applications (Schneider, HO Wolding and NTB). Looking forward to listening to other recruiters during the next two weeks, but I'm consumed with the road practice, both forward and backing, so I nail the over-the-road test with the Examiner. And I still need to swallow the second half of my 600 page test book (with 32 "hand-in," homework quizzes that are graded and form a portion of my final school grade).

    Again, thank you all for your suggestions on steel toe boots. It has helped me evaluate which pair to purchase. I hope it has helped other newbie gear jammers with their boot selection. There is no doubt I will be wearing them - as a new driver, I need all the protection I can get, from head to toe, while I move safely down the road.
     
  10. badgerdono

    badgerdono Bobtail Member

    Another update - On the road doing my first 34-hour reset in Mobile AL. I wear my Rocky low cut boots, with steel-toe and non-slip, oil-resistant soles. GREAT BOOTS! I wear them every day. And I am thrilled that I waited until hired by Schneider. At the end of the first week, they sold me my first pair of boots, the ones I wear every day, for $25. If I make it a year, as I plan to and am showing I am able to do, they give me another pair from a huge selection for free. One pair annually, for free. Not enough of a reason to sign up with Schneider, but this is a hard-working, safety oriented, family oriented company. Thanks for everyone's suggestions. I know it will help other newbies. The advice and suggestions from other posters on The Truckers Report have helped me get this far. I will keep reading and posting.
     
  11. lexmark

    lexmark Medium Load Member

    304
    80
    Dec 18, 2008
    0
    What do you drivers do for winter? Do you keep the same footwear and hope for the best or do any of you keep a pair of slip-on rubbers with the little spikes/nubs for better footing in the snow and ice? Or have another pair just for winter conditions?
     
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