Work boots. Dealer boots. Your experience.

[TheBrick]

Not sure if this is the correct forum for this so apologies if it isn't.

I am in need of some new work boots. I practically live in them for 3 seasons. Work, dog walking, working around the place.

I quite like the idea of dealer boots as they look good for popping in and out of houses as they are slip on but are they sloppy and are they waterproof? Dog walking and around the house / yard requires water proof (not Welly level obviously but longish wet grass level, bit of slop).

I have narrow feet if relevant.

 

[Shiny Steve]

I’m currently wearing redbacks got em from an agg supplier (agwoods) much cheaper than some other retailer, they fit quite nicely. Last pair I had were dewalts variant they last very well but are a wider fit

 

[TheBrick]

Yeah not a fan of DeWalt footwear. Trading on their tool reputation.

Redbacks advert was the first ones I had seen that didn't look too clumpy.

Are the water proof or do splashes soak though the side stretchy bits?

 

[tigdlo]

I've always had good look with Cofra, bought them for 15 years.

 

[daleyd]

I’m in the same market so watching this with interest!

Seen a few people wearing the Hard Yakka ones, seen some in our local country supplier place, they look pretty decent - anyone any experience of these??

(Sorry for hijacking your thread by the way!!)

Hard Yakka Outback Steel Toe Safety Dealer Boots - Brown

When it comes to durable, comfortable, and safety-oriented work boots, the Hard Yakka Outback Steel Toe Safety Dealer Boots are second to none.

www.charlies.co.uk

 

[Trevorleach]

I've always had good look with Cofra, bought them for 15 years.

First pair of Cofra Baronoff riggers I bought (ebay 70 quid) were still good after a year of use at work, impressed enough to buy another pair for year two.
Most previous work boots including expensive cats only lasted 6/8 mths at best.

 

[winchman]

I feel your pain
I have spent years looking for a good boot.
In the end I went to a proper outdoors shop and bought a Pair of Ozbos at £175 and Altbergs at £240! Shocking I know but a much better fit for me.
The Ozbos came apart after 3 days so they swapped them this time the opposite boot is coming apart they just refunded me and told me to keep them, yes bits are still falling off so I wear them for the mucky jobs, the Alterbergs are great
The Dealer boot I suppose its down to who has made them?

 

[premmington]

Blundstone 550's

Have had Redback boots before - but prefer Blundstone ones.

No steel toe caps - leather lined - wear them all day at work - dog walking and gardening. Only time I put any other footwear on is wellies or going out shoes for a few short hours having a meal out.

I normally have two pairs of work boots on the go at any one time - let them dry out in summer from sweaty feet and dry out if wet in winter and proof them with Grangers Bwax - natural beeswax..

Reckon I get a year a pair of hard use out of them...

 

[hotponyshoes]

If you don't mind looking like a cowboy (and all your mates laughing)
Ariat Workhog.
The H20 version is 100% waterproof, get the ones with the BOA system to customise the fit.
Carbon toe caps available as well if required.

They hold up very very well.
And they are so comfortable I put up with the p**@taking

 

[wyn]

I've used steel toe dealers for quite a few years.

Have used redback and blundstone but thought they were overhyped and nothing special.

Just use anything up to £50 ish.

 

[nickk]

They are my daily footwear,only spend 15-40 pounds as they all leak after 2 months,from back problems,I spend a lot of time on my knees so the steel of the toe cap quickly becomes exposed,I’m going to experiment with glueing an external cap on to see if it prolongs the life. I too have two worn pairs and wear in rotation to minimise wet feet. Always have supportive insoles. Find them very comfortable.

 

[premmington]

If you don't mind looking like a cowboy (and all your mates laughing)
Ariat Workhog.
The H20 version is 100% waterproof, get the ones with the BOA system to customise the fit.
Carbon toe caps available as well if required.

They hold up very very well.
And they are so comfortable I put up with the p**@taking

My mate into these...

But he does have horses - or his high high maintenance wife and daughters do...

 

[premmington]

They are my daily footwear,only spend 15-40 pounds as they all leak after 2 months,from back problems,I spend a lot of time on my knees so the steel of the toe cap quickly becomes exposed,I’m going to experiment with glueing an external cap on to see if it prolongs the life. I too have two worn pairs and wear in rotation to minimise wet feet. Always have supportive insoles. Find them very comfortable.

Having two pairs of work boots on the go - is the plan for sure...

 

[Bornfree]

I've always had good look with Cofra, bought them for 15 years.

I always used to have uvex boots but the soles just come off them now so I've gone to cofra they seem good so far.

 

[Agrismith]

I wear them day in day out. Always bucklers find anything else uncomfortable.
The suede type ones aren't waterproof and are no good for walking in long grass. The shiny ones are fine. They don't seem to leak through the side in my experience. Although grubs do a rubber one if you want proper waterproof. I find that once they are oily and been around tarmac they are pretty waterproof anyway.

Grubs Driver 5.0 Ceramic Safety Boots - Charcoal/Black

Grub's Driver 5.0 Ceramic Safety Boots - Charcoal Black at Charlies Direct - Quality Products, Famous Brands, And Competitive Prices. Buy Online.

www.charlies.co.uk

They are my daily footwear,only spend 15-40 pounds as they all leak after 2 months,from back problems,I spend a lot of time on my knees so the steel of the toe cap quickly becomes exposed,I’m going to experiment with glueing an external cap on to see if it prolongs the life. I too have two worn pairs and wear in rotation to minimise wet feet. Always have supportive insoles. Find them very comfortable.

There are plenty available with hard rubber toes on the outside.

Buckler Boots B1990 Safety Dealer Boots Brown Buckbootz

Shop for Buckbootz B1990 Safety Dealer Boots Goodyear Welted Buckler Boots from the Workwear Gurus. Full Buckbootz range. Sale products. Free shipping

workweargurus.com

 

[addjunkie]

If you don't mind looking like a cowboy (and all your mates laughing)
Ariat Workhog.
The H20 version is 100% waterproof, get the ones with the BOA system to customise the fit.
Carbon toe caps available as well if required.

They hold up very very well.
And they are so comfortable I put up with the p**@taking

I have a pair of Ariat groundbreaker rigger type boots, dear, but now broken in superb. I do like the waterproof!

 

[nickk]

I wear them day in day out. Always bucklers find anything else uncomfortable.
The suede type ones aren't waterproof and are no good for walking in long grass. The shiny ones are fine. They don't seem to leak through the side in my experience. Although grubs do a rubber one if you want proper waterproof. I find that once they are oily and been around tarmac they are pretty waterproof anyway.

Grubs Driver 5.0 Ceramic Safety Boots - Charcoal/Black

Grub's Driver 5.0 Ceramic Safety Boots - Charcoal Black at Charlies Direct - Quality Products, Famous Brands, And Competitive Prices. Buy Online.

www.charlies.co.uk

There are plenty available with hard rubber toes on the outside.

Buckler Boots B1990 Safety Dealer Boots Brown Buckbootz

Shop for Buckbootz B1990 Safety Dealer Boots Goodyear Welted Buckler Boots from the Workwear Gurus. Full Buckbootz range. Sale products. Free shipping

workweargurus.com

Wasn’t aware,however I think that would only give another month or two,based on the original leather cap lifespan.

 

[Hotstuff]

Army surplus Altberg boots. Comfy as an old pair of slippers and just £35.00.

 

[Mark 5]

I have been wearing Cofra footwear/shoes for many years when at work and find them great.

Be it boots or a shoes, regardless of brand, any with a PU sole and heel and many do, it's important to try establish when the pair were made.

Such shoes and boots, their soles and heels can be effected by Hydrolysis where they simply disintegrate, especially if stored for long periods before sales, what may look like a decent retail bargain buy or reduced maybe not what it seems.

Oddly, if recently manufactured, beating the crap out of them, exposing them to all conditions helps deter this issue.

 

[premmington]

Army surplus Altberg boots. Comfy as an old pair of slippers and just £35.00.

I got a pair of these Altberg sneeker tabbing boots - brown ones - soles like trainers - they do them in half sizes!

My problem is they got laces - and got a bad back - so thus I need slip on dealer boots!