- Location
- Western Massachusetts
Alright guys and gals, I need your input. I'm on my feet at work for 45-65 hours a week, and I'm pretty over-due for a new pair of work boots. My current pair have held up very well, and are still going strong; other than the holes worn through them by the balls of my feet.
I want to buy my next pair online, because the local boot shops here are very over-priced. I'd like to get the same exact boots I have now, in the same size, because:
A) They fit great
B) They're the most comfortable boots I've owned
C) They're affordable
D) They've held up to about 5 1/2 years of constant abuse, and other than the soles wearing through, they're still in very good condition.
My current boots are Timberland Pro Series, mid-top I guess you'd call them. They're not low-tops, and not high-tops. I've never been a fan of low-top work boots, they don't offer enough ankle support for me. I just have no need for high-tops.
I'm open to other brands and styles as well. I don't want to spend a boat load of cash on them, which is silly when it comes to work boots; I know. Unless I can get a killer deal of course. I've tried the whole work-sneaker thing, and only found one pair that I liked. I don't remember the model, but they were made by Stanley. I'd like to keep it simple with a good, honest, work boot.
To meet safety requirements, the boots must be steel toe, and oil-resistance is a plus. I'd really like mid-tops, but would consider high-tops as well.
The biggest problem is that I've got extremely flat feet, so bad that my feet roll inwards towards where my arches should be. This throws everything in my legs out of alignment, and has caused me to wear out the cartilage in my knees. When I was 14, and unable to walk up/down stairs or squat without excruciating pain, I was told by specialists that by 16 I'd need to have both knees replaced. I'm 27 now, and still on my original knees, though they are in terrible shape. We've been planning on a double knee replacement in the near future. The misalignment is also making it's way upwards to my back, which has recently started giving me more trouble than before.
I had custom orthodic inserts made to strengthen and re-shape my feet, and I went through a month of physical therapy to strengthen the tendons and ligaments to help form the arch; but never saw any progress from it. The orthodic inserts are very expensive and insurance won't cover it. Last time I had them made I spent just shy of $500 on a pair, and they didn't last all that long. I've found some decent Dr. Scholl's inserts that seem to work well for me, so I'll likely be pairing these with whatever boots I choose.
And so, I ask you, good people of XterraNation, to voice your opinions on work boots! If you could use the following form, that'd be killer...
Brand & model :
Price range (approximate or guess is fine) :
Steel toe :
Oil/slip resistant :
Specialty comfort features :
Sizing (How close to a 12, for example, is a 12? i.e. Do they run big or small?) :
Personal experience with brand/model :
Link to a deal? :
This is my Dr. Scholl's insert, the original boot insole, and the upper sole of the boot. These are from the left boot, and between the two boots, this is the smaller of the two holes. I didn't want to pull everything out of the right boot for fear that it would tear and not be usable any longer. The hole in the right boot continues right on through to the top side of the sole.
See? Still lots of life left on the outside. They'll definitely be retired to spares/yard work boots:
I want to buy my next pair online, because the local boot shops here are very over-priced. I'd like to get the same exact boots I have now, in the same size, because:
A) They fit great
B) They're the most comfortable boots I've owned
C) They're affordable
D) They've held up to about 5 1/2 years of constant abuse, and other than the soles wearing through, they're still in very good condition.
My current boots are Timberland Pro Series, mid-top I guess you'd call them. They're not low-tops, and not high-tops. I've never been a fan of low-top work boots, they don't offer enough ankle support for me. I just have no need for high-tops.
I'm open to other brands and styles as well. I don't want to spend a boat load of cash on them, which is silly when it comes to work boots; I know. Unless I can get a killer deal of course. I've tried the whole work-sneaker thing, and only found one pair that I liked. I don't remember the model, but they were made by Stanley. I'd like to keep it simple with a good, honest, work boot.
To meet safety requirements, the boots must be steel toe, and oil-resistance is a plus. I'd really like mid-tops, but would consider high-tops as well.
The biggest problem is that I've got extremely flat feet, so bad that my feet roll inwards towards where my arches should be. This throws everything in my legs out of alignment, and has caused me to wear out the cartilage in my knees. When I was 14, and unable to walk up/down stairs or squat without excruciating pain, I was told by specialists that by 16 I'd need to have both knees replaced. I'm 27 now, and still on my original knees, though they are in terrible shape. We've been planning on a double knee replacement in the near future. The misalignment is also making it's way upwards to my back, which has recently started giving me more trouble than before.
I had custom orthodic inserts made to strengthen and re-shape my feet, and I went through a month of physical therapy to strengthen the tendons and ligaments to help form the arch; but never saw any progress from it. The orthodic inserts are very expensive and insurance won't cover it. Last time I had them made I spent just shy of $500 on a pair, and they didn't last all that long. I've found some decent Dr. Scholl's inserts that seem to work well for me, so I'll likely be pairing these with whatever boots I choose.
And so, I ask you, good people of XterraNation, to voice your opinions on work boots! If you could use the following form, that'd be killer...
Brand & model :
Price range (approximate or guess is fine) :
Steel toe :
Oil/slip resistant :
Specialty comfort features :
Sizing (How close to a 12, for example, is a 12? i.e. Do they run big or small?) :
Personal experience with brand/model :
Link to a deal? :
This is my Dr. Scholl's insert, the original boot insole, and the upper sole of the boot. These are from the left boot, and between the two boots, this is the smaller of the two holes. I didn't want to pull everything out of the right boot for fear that it would tear and not be usable any longer. The hole in the right boot continues right on through to the top side of the sole.
See? Still lots of life left on the outside. They'll definitely be retired to spares/yard work boots:
Last edited:
