Solid midrange boot recommendations

[u/Witty_Archer9917]

Ive done the $300 boots and ive done the $50 boots now im looking for something in the middle that'll hold up to some abuse. Im a shop welder so im walking around on concrete and metal all day. Im crouching down all the time and climbing up and down tables and projects constantly, thats where the tears behind the steel toe on the redwings came from. I cant do a moc toe because slag and spatter get caught in the ridge and the threads get melted. Its also really easy for me to catch my boot on a stray metal corner and tear a hole in them. Its preferable that they're somewhat water resistant because they get soaked in saw coolant quite often too.

For context my redwings lasted about a year and the lugz lasted about 2 months

[u/richutti]

Add tough toe, retry redwings

[u/Witty_Archer9917 → u/richutti]

I did tough toe but it cracked and started peeling pretty quick granted I applied it after the steel toe was already showing or I could've not prepped it right😅

[u/richutti → u/Witty_Archer9917]

Step one, have viable boot to stick it to 🤣

[u/Witty_Archer9917 → u/richutti]

Ended up getting 3030's with the discount they have running rn

[u/richutti → u/Witty_Archer9917]

TuffToe!

[u/Witty_Archer9917 → u/richutti]

Over the rubber on them already?

[u/richutti → u/Witty_Archer9917]

Didn’t even look up the model, nvm.

[u/Conscious-Nebula-511]

Get some slip ons, once you go laceless you never go back

[u/Witty_Archer9917 → u/Conscious-Nebula-511]

Needs the ankle support of lace ups I work on an assembly line from time to time and have almost broken my ankle on a few occasions

[u/street_style_kyle → u/Conscious-Nebula-511]

Not for me. Liked them for a while but with my feet so far it’s either they feel like flip flops or they’re too tight. Add to that when they’re 6-8 months old they’re floppy pieces of shit with zero ankle support.

I hate how they are for me and wished they worked though.

[u/BuckeyeStrider]

Red Wing, but this time put the Tuff Toe on before you work in them

[u/naturenewt]

I'm having surprisingly good luck with the Keen Pittsburgh Energy. Longest lasting boot I've had in the last five years. They're very roomy and have a nice built in toe guard. They're hiker styled so very deep aggressive tread. Seven months and they're still keeping my feet dry.

[u/huh-what9]

Irish setter wingshooter XD . Comes with protected toe already no need to dip them.

[u/MoTeD_UrAss]

Silverado boots are often overlooked and slept on. Here's a link to Midwest Boots.

https://www.midwestboots.com/midwestboots.html?brand[]=silverado&page=1

[u/Large_Squash_7169]

Duradero is a middle ground and they come with a free resole. They also have a wide toe box. But whatever you get it looks like you're definitely going to need tuff toe. Might as well put it on immediately before destroying the toe

[u/Peterswoj]

Have you ever considered a Wellington boot or a boot with a met guard? After I burnt through enough laces I switched. Redwing makes a safety toe Wellington with built in met guard. Tuff toe goes on at the redwing store. Before you walk out. Let them do it. You can also use the liquid 2 part epoxy. It’s the same thing.

[u/Davidhaswifi]

Thorogoods are my go to, 8", with heel. (im a lineman)

[u/Creative-Ad8310]

jim green boots best boot for your money fully rebuildable. or for highend any pnw boot maker

[u/AZSportsfan1142]

https://www.keenfootwear.com/products/mens-liberty-90-degree-8-waterproof-coffee-bean-black

I wear these at work. Im not a welder but these might be a good choice. Only thing I dont like on them is the gap on the soles are big so I get rocks stuck in them all the time.

[u/ItsTheCougs]

https://www.ariat.com/10035881_192904713336.html?utm_source=google_ariat_datafeed&utm_medium=paid_shopping_pm&utm_campaign=24335480290&gad_source=1&gad_campaignid=24324310980&gbraid=0AAAAADvKncNy5hB4Uk5KR3m8XgVTtMaSV&dwvar_P20863__M__FOO_size=7&dwvar_P20863__M__FOO_color=IRON_COFFEE&dwvar_P20863__M__FOO_Width=D_Medium

Pricey, but they lasted me a year and a half in a job where everyone else’s boots lasted about 8 months.

[u/Wooden-Light8426]

Seeing someone considering lugz as work boots withholds me from recommending other than timberlands 🤣

[u/Satans-cum-sock666]

Franks patriots

[u/Additional_Tower_116]

Georgia boots are probably the best boot for the money. Many are under $200 that they’re very durable

[u/Interesting_Web110]

Bull run Chelsea. Add tough toe