About a year ago there was a thread on good footwear for brewing. I rather dismissed it at the time, but now realize how nice good footwear could be. After 6-7 hours in the brewery and on the cement floor, by knees are killing me. And the next morning is even worse. I tried to find that thread, but came up empty. I hate to start a new thread on this, but any help you veterans could give would be great.
X-tra tuff boots. I love them for fishing and brewing also.
Reef flip-flops. No joke, it’s what I wear half the time. Or vans off the walls. If you are looking for boots, don’t go cheap. Boots are in the “get what you pay” for category.
Those extrtuf boots look nice. They just went on my wish list.
Only boots I’ll ever fish in.
Do the x-tra tuff boots have good arch support? They look nice, but I wonder about all day on a cement floor???
The key to a good pair of xtra tufs is getting a good pair of insoles with them. I have a pair of dr scholls work boot insole and it is like walking on air. If you can find some old tufs made in the USA, that is best. a few years back they moved the production over seas, and the quality has gone down. on another note most xtratuf retailers will exchange them if they start to fall apart. living in SE Alaska I wear mine year round no matter the task.
I also wear a good thick cushiony pair of flip flops (sanuks) for the days I don’t feel like wearing socks
darn, at first glance they are still made in the USA but as I actually try to confirm that on the website it becomes apparent that they are not.
With a nice pair of insoles yes.
The non us ones are still good. Just don’t last as long.
I just got a pair of Muck Boot Jobbers so time will tell. My wife swears by them on the farm. If you want a good made in the USA leather boot look at Thorogood, you have to check each boot style as some are not made in the states. If you ever get to Merrill, WI they have an outlet store where I picked up a $200 pair of boots for $60 because of a scuff on the heel.
I just get cheap mid-calf steel toe boots, usually Servus, which do happen to be made in the US. Even with daily brewery use, they hold up for a couple years. The key is to get quality insoles that work for your feet, and replace them every few months.
Pants outside boots! There’s no point in having a chemical barrier if you then funnel the chemicals inside it.
are they waterproof? or do you deal with wet feet?
Waterproof. I think it’s neoprene. Servus XTP Steel Toe Hi Boot - S75109
I remember reading a lengthy thread on the probrewer forum about boots once. You should be able to view it here:
Just bought my second pair of muck boot shoes as I ended up wearing them more than just brewing. I like them but might not be. The best if you suffer from knee pain.
I actually go to a store that sells work boots and ask them to suggest something. I tell them it needs to be water proof, slip proof, and comfortable to stand on concrete for 12+ hour shift. The last pair I got were Rocky’s and they were great for almost 2 years. The heal broke off today and I’ll be going back tomorrow to buy a new pair.
+1 to good insoles.
Call me crazy but I wear tennis shoes in the brewery. If I get wet (rarely) I have a spare set of socks and shoes on hand.
I abhor wet feet. You are crazy. Also, tennis shoes are terrible for concrete. I also got a nasty burn when, even though the clamp was off, the 1/2 cup of boiling liquid in the line spat out through my tennis shoe.
As a rule, we don’t allow tennis shoes in the wet area. Some of my guys will sqeegee the floor outside the wet area in sandals or flip flops and wash the dirty water over their feet. Gross, dudes.
I’m a huge fan of the Georgia Boots, 6", steel toe and water proof. I’m a landscape contractor and these things go through hell and back in 14 hour days! One pair will easily last two years through mud, dirt, water, etc. Www.gemplers.com, they have a huge selection on any kind of footwear or workwear you can imagine!
Carolina Boot Co. USA made, hands down the best boots I’ve ever owned. I think model 308, water proof, have been awesome. I get the boot and take out the insole, then buy the black insole made by SOLE. If you’ve never tied them, I highly recommend them.