Which pair of work boots should I buy?

Rattlers at least give a warning; copperheads don't.
Copperhead snakes hang out in blackberry bushes. If you're picking blackberries, use caution.

 

I wear Caterpillars and like them.

 

Caterpillar has some very nice pull-on work boots. Lace-up boots are a PITA for truckers.

 

Timberline. $200, lasts 4 years

 

I have found Ariat blunt steel toe pull on tall boots wear very nice under extremely rugged scenarios, think everything dealt with after a wreck - carnage, fluids fuels, climbing jagged steel frames to rig, rock climbing to get to & from a wreck down a ravine, on and on.

I wear the soles out long before any seems start to crack a stitch.

I also ran across these for the sandal-semi truckers, maybe we can convert them! lol
(I have a new thread pending about that, but is actualy positive comments for one particular breed of drivers out here, it will be in the anything forum)

 

Having served in the Navy you should know and understand tides. Most anybody that has lived in Hampton Roads knows how it can flood in low-lying areas. I have seen some of the streets in the lower part of the VA Hospital here under a foot or more of water. The day I came across that Copperhead I had been out walking near the high water just looking at things. I had also decided to wear my boots. I had stopped to answer my phone when for some reason I looked down. I finally killed the snake by stepping on it. When this happened I was so close to the HRBT I could hear the sounds of tires.

 

I have a pair of slip-on Redwing boots. My last place of employment bought them for me for the rare but occasional times I'd need steel toe boots. So, didn't have to buy another pair. Being a reefer jockey, I have yet to actually need them. But, it's nice to have them handy just in case. My Redwings are about as comfortable as any slip-on steel toe boots. They're OK, but still prefer to simply wear sneakers most of the time. Only time I wear flip flops is in the shower. Not an open toe shoe kind of person. I'm just a tender-foot and prefer to wear shoes than flip flops or barefoot.

 

I have a pair of Chippewa boots and Redwing with a safety tow. Both are loggers and I wear them in the winter only. Both are made in the USA, however the owner of the store I go to told me that Chippewa boots will be made overseas, and only one style will be made in the US. If this happens O won't buy Chippewas any longer.
In the summer months I wear timberland pros they have a safety toe as well and are like sneakers and are very comfortable. Hope this helps you.

 

TIMBERLAND | Men's Timberland PRO® Powertrain Sport Alloy Toe Work Sneaker