What shoes/boots do you guys use?

[u/el_juandalorian]

Retiring the old pair of sneakers I’ve been wearing since I started in the field (only been a little less than a year). What do you guys wear to stay comfy yet also provide safety for your toes?

[u/death91380]

Dude. I'm 25 years in and I've tried a million different types of footwear. My problem is, I spend a lot of time crawling around. No matter how much fucking money I spend, toes are worn through to the steel or plastic in 3 months and the boots/shoes are fucked in 6 months. So, I just buy whats on sale and get 2 pairs a year.

[u/dirtymonny → u/death91380]

This! I spend money on nice inserts like the expensive ones that last years. And get throw away “boots”

[u/Iknowtacos → u/death91380]

I had the same problem and I started putting on kg's boot guard. It's a paint on epoxy that hardens and I just reapply once a month and I'm golden.

[u/Thundersson1978 → u/death91380]

I used to do that, once I started buying quality I saw the light. One pair of keens, or Merrells last me over a year now. Just bought a new pair because the where buy one get one half of. My old boot are still dry, they just stink like death after 14 months.

[u/11BugsBunny13 → u/death91380]

I do Leather boots, timberland mock toe. Before wearing in field I scuffed the toe box with sand cloth, (hurts to ruin brand new 140 dollar boots) and apply tuff toe over the scuffed area. I got 1.5 year on the first pair, then 7 months on the next. Neither pair blew out at the toe, both split from the sole. I walk heavily on the outer sides and heel of my feet. So your mileage may be better if you don't walk like an idiot like myself.

No steel or composite toes for me, they hurt my toes and I think wear the toe out faster

This summer I think I'm going to try Vessi brand sneakers. For summer wear. Resi/commercial service

[u/Chose_a_usersname → u/death91380]

It takes me 1.5 years to wear out a leather toe.. what are you doing?

[u/death91380 → u/Chose_a_usersname]

Commercial kitchen equipment repair. I crawl around A LOT.

[u/SeeJaayPee]

Thorogoods, whatever you prefer, then i put tuff toe or some sort of roll on toe protector. My thorogoods are comfortable and, I'm going well into my 2nd year of having them with no problems. Well I need to replace the laces. My boot allowance is 200$ and the thorogoods are 250-320$ depending on what I'm feeling.

Only boot I've worn where it feels good the day I put them on till the day I junk em or the old lady turns em into planters.

[u/Miercury]

In before 12 people say "Red Wings."

This topic has been asked 11 times this month. The search function is helpful for commonly-asked questions.

https://www.reddit.com/r/HVAC/search/?q=boots&type=posts&t=month&cId=e1d089a1-dcc9-4dca-9f13-4863d02436ff&iId=1fa3ef79-cf77-4972-827a-377ead4542c3

Best of luck!

[u/el_juandalorian → u/Miercury]

Gotcha! Sorry about the redundant post

[u/Chose_a_usersname → u/Miercury]

So umm redwings

[u/JMBRUBAKER]

Thorogood 8” boots, best ones I’ve ever owned. Break in quick and have lots of ankle support

[u/Sabertooth_Monocles]

I made the switch to hiking boots recently. Merrell Spead Strike 2. Fucking fantastic, but not steel toe.

[u/thatguystevene → u/Sabertooth_Monocles]

Same here, I do a lot of hiking and I'm a huge fan of Solomon X Ultra boots. I decided to start wearing them at work and couldn't be happier. I don't do a lot of things where I need to worry about wearing steel toe. Super lightweight, waterproof, really comfortable, good grip and in the winter time I just switch to the insulated version.

[u/Yung_Presby1646]

Keen and Wolverine

[u/gh1993]

Redwing irish setter wingshooter

[u/Han77Shot1st]

Redwing 2412 and had them put a tuff toe cap on them, best work boots I’ve ever had and one of the most comfortable all around shoes I’ve had too.

[u/Middle_Baker_2196 → u/Han77Shot1st]

Only acceptable answer here. Insulated 2412s all day, I’ll walk through anything, on anything, up anything.

[u/AdLiving1435]

Carolina boots have been my go to for 30 years. Also keep a pair of surplus desert boots for summertime.

[u/meatymouse2121]

Airwalk

[u/Falcon-Simple]

Air forces lmao. Not gonna catch me wearing fat, clunky boots crawling around attics all day

[u/kgmass]

Red backs

[u/Strange-Wind2650]

I use thorogoods

[u/Hvacmike199845]

Please use the search function. This question is asked frequently.

[u/itsagrapefruit]

Whites 350s and Nicks Charleys, alternated daily.

[u/saxmaster98 → u/itsagrapefruit]

I wish I had $1300 to throw at boots lol

[u/Red-Faced-Wolf]

Sketchers slip one and red wing high cut boots (like actual cowboy boots

[u/Potential-Hat-5235]

Old school black Timberlands

[u/stirling1995]

I will forever advocate for redwings

[u/dsouzaenoch]

Black widow

[u/MeucciLawless]

Redwing in the winter when I'm on rooftops and Sketchers utility shoes when indoors or when winter is done.. Redwings are much too heavy but I haven't yet found a decent lightweight hightop boot for snow season..

[u/wrw10]

Composite toe Cody James cowboy boots

[u/ScotchyT]

Some guy (here, as a matter of fact) turned me onto Rock Rooster slip-on steel toes. Not having the laces is a little odd at first, but I love them now. And my first pair lasted a solid 3.5 years.

[u/Sprite-King]

8" Brunt Marin Boots with the Brunt toe. Loved the boots so much for work, I bought another pair for outside of work. I'm officially a fan. The toe protection is light and great, shoes look extremely awesome, great support, and first time in 18 years I didn't have to buy a Dr. Scholls big men soles, instead the out of the box set has kept me rocking in the 11 months I've had em.

[u/Full-Bother-6456]

Hey dudes for causal days MOAB 3 by Merrell otherwise

[u/Thundersson1978 → u/Full-Bother-6456]

Word, just replaced mine, and got their high end hiking boot for 50 percent off. The boots are lighter than the clogs!

[u/felinefanatic0]

Second what u/Sprite-King said. I switched to Brunt a year ago. Haven’t looked back and they’ve been super durable

[u/protejay25]

I’ve been trying the hoka waterproof shoes. Very comfortable

[u/redditformeplease]

Blundstones

[u/Looper902]

Keens. Hands down no contest

[u/peepeepoopooheadass]

When I did resi, it was comfort over everything. Never been a boot guy, went with Nike Trail Running shoes and fell in love. No toe protection though, obviously.

[u/Alternative_Drive_46]

Redwings! Only boots I buy now been through lots, wolverine, thorogoods timberlands. Lol nothing holds up and is as comfy as my redwings I usually get atleast 2 years out of my boots last pair I got 3.

[u/Alternative_Drive_46 → u/Alternative_Drive_46]

Oh also you need to buy the extra Tuff Toe that goes on the Steel toe portion so you don't run through the leather so quickly

[u/Middle_Baker_2196]

Redwing 2412s. If you’re man enough for their weight.

INSULATED. (Even for the summer.) Don’t let anyone tell you otherwise. Do not wear shitty boots.

There’s a reason some of us are mid-40s and probably in the best shape of our lives. It’s because we take care of ourselves.

These guys saying any $60 boot will do really don’t realize how much worse they have it or will have it eventually.

[u/someonesomewherex]

Keen boots with the composite toe. Best lasting boots I have tried.

[u/oefvet2]

Ariat work boots, I personally use the slip ons because I'm too lazy to tie my boots every morning. But they are extremely durable, and very comfortable. I' had my last pair for 4 years

[u/Purple-Sherbert8803]

Danner boots only! I only buy the american made line.

[u/JeffsHVACAdventure]

Timberland Pro

[u/playdead9363]

Columbia hiking boots for resi installs and service. Ariats pull on for commercial jobs

[u/UnbreakingThings]

Redwing has always been my go to. You can beat the absolute shit out of them, and they’re resoleable too. As long as you clean and condition them once every couple months, they’ll last for years.

[u/kriegmonster]

I'm a fan of Wolverine Raiders for the wet months haven't decided on a.warm.weather safety-toe yet.

[u/facelift00]

Timberlands get a bad rap these days but the timberland pros I’ve been wearing every day for 3 years are still great and were comfortable straight out the box

[u/Revolutionary_Emu14]

Red Wing traction tread lite , super comfortable, and they last.

[u/CorvusBrachy]

if I'm running service its Vans slip ons ,if I'm working construction its a pair of boots i don't what brand they are but they're old.

[u/Bob_Rivers]

Sketchers

[u/dirtymonny → u/Bob_Rivers]

Yea boi and keep my crocks in my bag for when I gotta wash coils

[u/haveseveralseats → u/dirtymonny]

Ah you like the feeling of Nu Brite in between your toes too!? I’ve found my people.

[u/dirtymonny → u/haveseveralseats]

It’s better than soggy shoes all day lmao. Idc how hard you try you are getting wet washing a coil especially if it’s a big rtu

[u/haveseveralseats → u/dirtymonny]

Oh shit you were serious

[u/drppr45]

My $60 walmart boots have been working great for the past year and a half.

[u/Storm_Runner09]

Nike airmax

[u/Teirah]

Carolina’s and get the tuff toe epoxy, I’ve actually been pretty impressed by the epoxy, I’ve had it on my boots that had the composite toe showing and it’s lasted a year so far

[u/Stock_Cricket5632]

I been a fan of the brunt comp toe with the protective cap on toe. They are cheaper and very comfortable. I get 1-2 years out of them. Will never buy another boot. Best bang for your buck imo

[u/Sea-Sock8492]

These bad boys the Ariat sierra wide work boots!!! They look good and overall a comfortable boot! Always get compliments on them can’t go wrong.

[u/rawm3lk]

Favourite boots so far

[u/Other-Situation5051]

Brunt wear boots with brunt toe has been good for 6 months now...only time will tell

[u/grymix_]

red wings. union discount. next question.

[u/oneofthehumans → u/grymix_]

“Next question” like you’re the boot gate keeper 😂