www.ultimatehandyman.co.uk

Just started 4 weeks ago a new job and was given my first ever work boots. They are the most uncomfortable pair of shoes I have been ever forced to wear. They are extremely heavy and one of them bruised my left little toe it eventually turned into some sort of scab. I need to stop using them soon really. Any suggestions of relatively cheap but comfortable and definitely lighter alternatives please

A lot will depend on how much you want to spend,go and try a few on to see whats best for your feet
i tried on about four brands before settling for some Himalayan S3 boots around the £50 mark

dr martins

I have scruffs tornado


Dead link removed by admin 08/11/2013

they are very tough and will probably last years but I wouldnt be buying them again.

Do you need to have steel toe caps? thats whhat adds a bit of weight and makes them uncomfortable, on the cheaper ones especially.

To be honest don't know why the huff with boots, most of the permanent staff wear just regular rugged outdoor shoes but my agency is insisting on work boots. The work itself is fairly straightforward work, Hardly any lifting and really manual work. I think I will just get a good outdoor shoe with good non-slip sole

If you're working onsite you need safety shoes by law.

soon as you get a steel toe on, you wont regret it.. when you need to kick something, drop something and slow it down with your foot before it hits the floor they are priceless.

sounds daft, but true

I've been wearing Dewalt trainer style boots for the last few years and they've been very comfortable. A pair tends to last about a year or so.

This is the latest pair that I got.

http://www.screwfix.com/p/dewalt-nailer ... ze-9/40993

I dont think it's Law in the sense of the word
Employers have a responsibility to provide PPE fit for purpose,
http://www.hse.gov.uk/pubns/indg174.pdf

bobo70 wrote:To be honest don't know why the huff with boots, most of the permanent staff wear just regular rugged outdoor shoes but my agency is insisting on work boots. The work itself is fairly straightforward work, Hardly any lifting and really manual work. I think I will just get a good outdoor shoe with good non-slip sole

Agency!
You never said that before!. If you work through an agency they get rules they have to abide by, by the companys they send staff too. If you got the boots off the agency to do the job your doing because you didn't have boots then you can replace those boots with ANOTHER PAIR OF SAFETY BOOTS, but if you go to work without those safety boots and you get your foot smashed or your toes cut off then NO claims people will just laugh at you and so will the agencys lawyers and the same goes at the company your at if you try to get compensation money, and if and when the place your working at sees you haven't got the right boots on you will either get sent home without pay or fired, that's when the agency finds that out also and they don't give you any good jobs ever again.

That maybe true but what about my damaged toe. It really hurts badly, at one time it had a really painful blister. I dont think its right to have to damage my body to keep safe.
I am thinking of comfortable work boots/shoes not just any shoes

The trainer style work shoes are slightly better on the feet, but not sure any of them don't cause blisters.

I always pack cotton wool around the toes or an extra pair of thick socks in the winter.

I have Dr Martens as shoes and they are far more comfortable than most I have tried and they have Toe Tectors. I do not do much lifting but I was very gratefull recently when I dropped something on my foot. Don't even think about taking the risk, it is not worth a lifetime of pain.

See thescruff's thread in 'Bargain Tools'.

Ive been wearing DMs Industrial for years, never had a blister.

I expect the agency have given you the cheapest ones £15 a pair jobs. Stiff old leather and cut small, all the decent brands seem pretty good and comfortable, £30-40 should get you a nice pair, no need to go spending £80-90 on Caterpillars or Timberlands.

You get used to the weight of work boots after a short while.