safety boots

Yup. 11.5 EE. I have the groundbreaker’s. They stay on all day sometimes sleep in em and they have decent ventilation. Very decent for Vegas heat

 

Steel Toe Flip Flops

 

I have a wide foot also. I always have to find a place to try boots on first. I haven't bought online yet, for that reason.

I used to like Georgia Boots as a nice compromise between price and durability, but IMO their quality has gone in the dumper in the last five years.

A lot of guys in my shop swore by Red Wings. I could never get past the "sticker shock", by my resistance is breaking down, and we have a local store. There may be one near you.

If there's a police/fire uniform store near you, try some of the tactical boots. I got some on a voucher that are going in their third year of shop work and still holding up.

Other than that, the most durable boots I ever wore were the government issue, black leather, steel toed "combat boots" they used to issue. Once you got 'em properly broken in, they were pretty comfortable, IMO.

I've also had good luck with Lehigh, but they ain't cheap, and only got them on a voucher. Very durable.

Good luck!

 

red wings are ok middle of the road boots. pick a reliable style as almost all of their new styles have problems. matterhorn and white are good.

i’m in the market for new boots, but i need short lace ups this time so i can wear short pants with them. gotta be fashionable. good news is i don’t work in the drilling industry anymore so i can afford to buy a lesser boot now.

 

I've never had a pair of "waterproof" Ariats last more than 3-4 months before they start leaking. Never really cared much for steel toe, but when the local farm store had some square toe HH composite toe boots for $65 on black friday, I went ahead and got a pair. They're pretty much all I wear anymore, even on my days off. Funny thing, despite the fact that they are just leather (no lining, no claims to being water resistant), they still keep my feet drier on a rainy day than the allegedly waterproof Ariats I had been wearing.

 

I’ve been in the desert long enough to not experience a reason to have the leaking problem lol. But I agree. My work boots are my going out boots as well. To the OP, no one boot is for everyone. How you work and play will determine the tool for the job

 

I'm going on two years in my Chippewas and they are going strong. They are high top with full gussets, meaning a leather strip goes up either side of the tongue to keep it waterproof well above the ankle. That's critical for what I do, often working in mud or filthy water. Because of that gusset it took about three weeks to break in the boots, before the gussets softened enough to not give me a bone bruise on my ankle. After that they have been the most comfortable boots I've had.

As someone mentioned, it sucks cutting that good leather on sharp metal. I repaired that cut with Gorilla glue.

OP, go to Boot Barn. They have a great selection and the prices are fair. I paid about $240 for my Chippewas.

Whatever boots you buy, be sure to treat them regularly with a waterproofing leather grease. That's critical to help break them in. I do it about once a week. Apply a thin layer, rub it in, then set them in the sun. After that dries repeat. Two applications is good for the leather, prevents cracking, and will extend the life of your boots.

 

Also if you have never worn rugged boots, be patient on the break in. They may take a week or two before your feet don’t hurt. Trust me when I say it’s worth it, considering how well they will fit your foot once broken in