If the boot fits wear it.

[soundman]

I was going to reply to an old thread on steel blue boots, but, it just would not let me...so...

There was some discussion about how wonderfull steel blue boots are..and others will also have their preferences.

BUT, the single most important thing when selecting steel cap boots is making sure the boot suits your feet.

I've worn steel cap boots most of my working life...thank God the standard has improved since the 80's......there have been some shockers about.

ANYway.....Untill recently I wore Redbacks, often 7 days a week and was happy about them...I just kept going back and buying the same size and style.....but the last pair just seemed to be trying to break my toes off and the pair before that where not real flash either......I tried every trick in the book to break em in or soften em up, that I knew...heat gun, parafin oil, wearing them wet, tennis balls stuffed in the toes.....no joy.

I simply had to conclude that something had changed about the way they where made.

So I went boot shopping.....and bugger me no joy....some of what where offered where just shockers......yes and I tried a couple of steel blue styles.

ANYway, I went to another boot and safety gear shop, and they showed me a different style.......looked similar to what I had tried on in the past and is definitely the same size I've been wearing for decades.

BUT these seem to suit my feet and they look to be the best pair of safety boots I've ever worn.
My current work I do a lot of walking, and the stairs..OH the stairs.

The steel blues are an excelent boot......but like all steel cap boots, getting a brand type and style that suits your feet is most important.

cheers

[mach70]

I have forgotten more about Safety Boots than most people will ever know about them, but I agree, how they fit your feet and what you do for work etc makes a huge difference in the correct selection of boots.

The salesperson (if they know their product and understand the environment and job you do) can make the selection a much easier process.

Steel Blue have been the rage for a long while now due to the fact they know how to market their boots properly, oh and they do have a good product.

[SAISAY]

Queensland safety boots will always fit your feet
barefoot_family.jpg

[rustynail]

Queensland safety boots will always fit your feet
barefoot_family.jpg

They're not safety boots, they're qld dress shoes.

[_fly_]

They're not safety boots, they're qld dress shoes.

Nah, If they were dress shoes they'd have rolled their jeans down.

[FenceFurniture]

Good post Soundman. A few years ago I bought a pair of King Gee SC shoes for about $160, and all seemed to be good. In breaking them in I decided to walk down to the main street - big mistake - couldn't walk back because they were so painful. Nothing wrong with the shoes (although I looked for some kind of deformation). I just happen to have a little spur or something on the outside of each big toe.

Upshot is I can't wear them at all now, and will try to sell them, which is a pity as they are an excellent, well made shoe - just no good for me.

[terraaustralis]

You think you have trouble finding boots (or shoes of any description) to fit?

As a consequence of growing up in Queensland, I spent an aweful lot of time barefoot - yes, I understand the humour. No Bata Scout with the compass in the heel for me at school!!

I have a smallish foot and short legs as a consequence of my Welch heritage as being that of the prodgeny of coal mining trogolodytes. All other departments reasonably well appointed! The end result of my natural bush upbringing is a "duck paddle" of a foot. As you are probably informed, foot widths are (formerly?) given in alphabetics. My mudwalker's feet come in as Size: 7EEE. Very few manufacturers make a model of such width - though they do exist - and with most shoes I end up tearing the sides out of the shoe. Redback made them in my width. Do they still? I haven't bought a pair for 8 years. I have two new pairs awaiting in storage (yes: regularly inspected and dubbin rubbed) such is my paranoia in ever finding boots to fit in the "brave new world".

As I refuse to wear Japanese Safety Boots (the good old Thong = Jandal in NZ) whilst riding the motorcycle (you've seen those looneys - haven't you?), a pair of custom made boots is the go. Bugger the expense as I want to have feet to stump around on when I'm toothless and incontinent. That'll be okay as the boots will be self lubricated; there'll be no chance of tinea and I'll be easy to track down. Just follow the footprints.

[RedShirtGuy]

Not having tried many others, I'm a big fan of Mongrel boots. Made in Australia, comfy, good support and usually last a good while...unless your walking around burnt off ground and melt the soles

The problem is that I wear them 99.9% of the time as my everyday shoes so it's guaranteed that the other .1% is when I forget that I don't have them on and will kick something or drop something sharp or heavyish and try to stop it with my toes resulting in cursing the sky in pain

[rustynail]

Nah, If they were dress shoes they'd have rolled their jeans down.

They only roll them down at night, for the sandflies.

[RETIRED]

You think you have trouble finding boots (or shoes of any description) to fit?

As a consequence of growing up in Queensland, I spent an aweful lot of time barefoot - yes, I understand the humour. No Bata Scout with the compass in the heel for me at school!!

I have a smallish foot and short legs as a consequence of my Welch heritage as being that of the prodgeny of coal mining trogolodytes. All other departments reasonably well appointed! The end result of my natural bush upbringing is a "duck paddle" of a foot. As you are probably informed, foot widths are (formerly?) given in alphabetics. My mudwalker's feet come in as Size: 7EEE. Very few manufacturers make a model of such width - though they do exist - and with most shoes I end up tearing the sides out of the shoe. Redback made them in my width. Do they still? I haven't bought a pair for 8 years. I have two new pairs awaiting in storage (yes: regularly inspected and dubbin rubbed) such is my paranoia in ever finding boots to fit in the "brave new world".

As I refuse to wear Japanese Safety Boots (the good old Thong = Jandal in NZ) whilst riding the motorcycle (you've seen those looneys - haven't you?), a pair of custom made boots is the go. Bugger the expense as I want to have feet to stump around on when I'm toothless and incontinent. That'll be okay as the boots will be self lubricated; there'll be no chance of tinea and I'll be easy to track down. Just follow the footprints.

I have the same problem, only mine are 11's.

Not having tried many others, I'm a big fan of Mongrel boots. Made in Australia, comfy, good support and usually last a good while...unless your walking around burnt off ground and melt the soles

The problem is that I wear them 99.9% of the time as my everyday shoes so it's guaranteed that the other .1% is when I forget that I don't have them on and will kick something or drop something sharp or heavyish and try to stop it with my toes resulting in cursing the sky in pain

I wear Mongrels as they are the only ones wide enough and even then I have to go up a size.

[terraaustralis]

I can see I'll have to give these new fangled Mongrels a looking at! Thanks for that, gentlemen.

[artme]

As a kid I wore Enoch Taylor triple fits. As I grew up my feet were still a problem
width wise. For some years i wore Baxter elastic sided boots, but haven't seen
them for years.

I was having a look at some mongrels this morning. Will have to go back with a sock!!

My main concern with steel caps is that I have yet to find a pair that doesn't bloody near
cut my toes off.

[The Muss]

I have worn Oliver AT's lace up for the last 7 years, which are steel cap. Have tried Rossi slip on (no steel cap) and Steel Blue lace up (steel cap) in recent times, but for me and my feet there is nothing better then my Olivers. I will most probably never try any others again and just run with these. I love them.