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Steel toe Boots

4759 Views 35 Replies 32 Participants Last post by  DrifterTex
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Does anyone wear steel toe boots? Iwear regular boots but have been thinking about switching to steel toe and wondered if the benefitsoutweigh the risks. What could the steel toe do to you in case of an accident. :? Any input?
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I personally don't see where a steel toed boot s going to offer a substantial increase in protection from that of a regular boot. The typical steel toe is bulky and will actually make riding cumbersome until you can get used to it. There are steel toed work shoes available that aren't as bulky though and might be easier to adjust to.

I really don't know that any gain in protection is worth the added wait and temporary to somewhat long lasting awkwardness involved.

Also if you have a big foot a steel toed boot to fit is going to be a real pain to slip under the head to get to the shifter. I know this because a good friend of mine wears like a size 13 and has a hard time with it when he wears steel toed boots.

I have very little experience with riding in steel toes. i did it once and hated it never did it again.
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I think if you get a whack hard enough to dent a steel toe boot, you probably won't care anyway.

I just found a new pair of boots at Shepler's Western Wear of all places. Same identical boot in steel toe and without.

I tried them both on. The steel toe decreased my toe room severely and I can't wear it.
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my riding boots have steel toe and are size 11, sometimes it hits the head when downshifting but i dont mind.
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I wear Timberland Pro steel toed boots for work, they are mandated (steel toed shoes that is) in our shop. I have the ones with the titanium toe and they are lighter than the regular steel toed boots. I wear a 10 1/2 extra wide and have no problem shifting with these on. I find that the steel toe gives me a better feel on the shifter and a positive push on it. When I ride with tennis shoes it feels weird and I have more problems shifting because I have to move my foot farther to get the same result. I have a spare set in the closet that I wear while working in the yard, at the farm or any other toe crunching endeavore that I may be doing. These are very comfortable, breathe quite nicely and cover the ankle. Maybe I'm just used to them but I like the extra added protection, couldn't hurt anyway.



Plus if you get ticked off you can kick the snot outa somethin and not hurt your toes....:D:D, ask me how I know.........
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I have a pair of Red Wing steel toes and haven't noticed any problems. On Mythbusters a while back they tested to see what it would take to make a steel toed boot dent to the point of foot injury and the result was that it takes a tremendous amount of pressure in just the right spot on the boot to get it to fail that way and the odds of it happening are extremely low. Also, if you had the same amount of force in the same spot without a steel toe you're still going to lose half your foot more than likely.

I have Markland floorboards on my bike and I don't think I could shift with the steel toes on without my heel-toe shifter, so there is that. With pegs, wouldn't be a problem.

Having said all that, my next pair of boots will likely be purpose built motorcycle boot because of the added ankle protection they provide as well as multiple features designed to deal with the elements.
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I used to wear steelies but a long winter ride put me off for life! After only 50 miles I realized I had 2 radiators strapped to my feet and my toes were frozen :(
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I've worn steel toed shoes most of my adult life for work and ride with them all the time. Wear a size 12 and have no problems shifting. I do imagine that if your not used to them they would take some adjustment. I was glad I had them when I wrecked my 1200 last year, one of them had the leather scraped off the toe, hate to think what the top of my foot may have looked like without it.
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I'm on my last pair of steel toe's,I used to wear them years ago,and went back with them because I got a deal on them but,It turned out not to be a deal after all because they are rubbing my toe and are not even a year old,I always get 2 years out of a pair.......
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I honestly do not feel comfortable driving without my steel toe boots on, to top it off they are Goretex also so waterproof to boot. (pun intended)
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I have been wearing the same danner steel toed boots for 4 yrs now and love the. Size 14 and my clearance is good for the most part. They were the only lace up the front, zip up the side I could find and as it turns out, they are the most comfortable boots I have ever owned. (on my second set of soles) I am not sure if the steel toe is an advantage or not, but I did watch the myth busters program on them. Some people thought that if the toe was hit with enough force that it would collapse at the opening and cut off toes. Not so from their tests. Anyway, that is my two cents worth. Good luck in your quest.
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You guys wear boots? I prefer sandals and I like my girlfriend to hang on for dear life with her thong sticking out of her pants. Oh wait, that's just a fantasy. :(
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Check into the newer (more expensive) composite toe boots.

Much lighter...

I roll with RedWings myself.
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I use Redwing steel toed boots for riding. No problem shifting. I have been using this type for many years.
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At the A/C manufacturer place I worked for a short time, they required S/T boots. Since I was an electrician, they said the composites were ok. I bought them and they were ok to ride in, but never was really comfortable with them. I've bought two pairs of the boots I currently have (Hi-Tec Altitude IV). I am getting ready to buy another set if I can find them. Bass Pro Shops dont carry them anymore.
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Yes, but only because my employer requires them and pays for a new pair each year. Therefore, I wear them all the time I'm on the bike. Beats buying my own! The Timberland Pro is very confortable.
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Redwing steel toe all the time riding, working or whatever.

Jeff
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Steel toe boots have come a long way. Before I retired, I got a pair that looked like hiking boots, plus metatarsal guards. They were approved for foundry use, and was a big seller. Very comfortable, plus didn't interfere with my shifting.
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I have been wearing steel toes for so many years I forgot. I've had to wear them for work. The composites (I also have administered the program for many years since I am the Safety Specialist at the plant) are only about 1 oz per shoe lighter than the steel. Depending on the vendor, they really aren't much more expensive. I feel more comfortable wearing steel toes while riding and as I said, have worn steel toes for so many years, it isn't a problem for me. I do have a pair of non steel toe riding boots and they are okay, but I like my steel toes.
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I ALSO WERE STEEL TOES BECAUSE OF WORK,AND THATS WHAT I USUALLY HAVE ON.SO WHEN RIDEING ITS JUST NATURAL.
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