Shoes

[dlskidmore]

A little off topic, but what do you all wear for shoes about the farm? I’m becoming convinced that sneakers are causing me more issues then they’re solving, but I’m not about to go barefoot around equipment and possible parasites in pastures.

[dominiquer60]

Well, being the typical woman I have a lot of pairs of shoes and boots, being the atypical women they range from Chippewa steel toes, Baffin winter boots, Muck boots and shoes, sneakers, Crocs and Chacco sandals and many more in between. It is always good to have a back up pair of rubber boots and work boots in case you get wet when you didn’t plan to. Although some may frown upon working with animals and tractors in sandals, I find the Vibram soles on my Chacco sandals can take quite the beating, give a good amount of support, and keep my feet cool.

These are some of the things that work for me, I can switch many times during the day for maximum function and comfort depending on what we are doing that day. Some footwear is costly, I find good bargains online like Sierra Traders now and then. I know too that some of this footwear will also last me many years.

Good luck finding what works for you, there are many options to choose from, and if you are worried about parasites just remember all the good that they can do too. http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Helminthic_therapy

Best Wishes,

Erika

[Marshall]

A good pair of leather work boots. No steel toes for me. I could never get used to them.

[J-L]

Right now I’m wearing my Tony Lama cowboy boots. These have more of a cushion sole than good riding boots but are a good compromise when I have to do some work on my feet and ride in the same day (right now waiting for my helpers to go sort cows and castrate a few calves). In the hayfield I wear these or my Red Wing work boots. In the early winter/late spring it’s muck boots. Dead of winter (Thanksgiving-Easter) it’s usually some warm snow boots.

[Tim Harrigan]

I wear Red Wings that come up above the ankle with steel toes for just about everything I do around the animals or equipment. In the winter or when it is wet or muddy I have LaCrosse boots that I pull over the work boots and they come up to six inches below the knee or so. In winter the work boots with LaCrosse pull-ons keep my feet warmer than anything else I have used including Sorrels with felt inserts. I am not sure how often the steel toes have saved me, seems like the cattle like to step on the side of my foot, but I feel safer when I have them on.

[dlskidmore]

@dominiquer60 21514 wrote:

I know too that some of this footwear will also last me many years.

I’ve got a crooked hip, so anything with a heel lasts me about 6 months. That left outer heel wears out, and then it totally messes up my gait and hurts the hip more. I have used barn boots for particularly wet conditions, and extra sturdy leather boots for climbing on rocky ground, but it’s cheap sneakers for everyday wear. I’m considering learning how to be my own cobbler, and make myself a pair or two.

[Andy Carson]

i wear leather work boots for most of my horse activities. Steel toes never seemed confortable to me so I avoid them. I have worn sneakers on light jobs there my horse can walk very fast, as heavy work boots feel heavy and clumsy if I am walking with speed for over about an hour or two. The sneakers wear fast though, and I think I am going to invest in a pair of hiking boots for these jobs. I will probably still wear the leather work boots for most activities. I tend to just change socks to adjust for the weather, unless it’s deep snow. Then I switch to a pair of boots with heavy insulation and rubber bottoms. They are nice and warm, but I can’t walk very fast of very far in them, and for me these factors are important.

[Carl Russell]

Well… risking sounding like the typical woman Erika mentioned, I have gone from the days when I thought I could only afford one pair and make them work for all uses, to where I now have many different pairs. I have spent a lot of money over the years on leather boots, only to have the manure and urine eat them alive. I wear Redwings logger heels with steel toes in the woods, and for many things, but try to never wear them for barn chores. I have a cheap pair of flat soled non-steel-toed Redwings for barn work, and some gardening type stuff, and a pair of good hiking boots for cruising timber and other work requiring mobility.

I have gone to three pairs of Lacrosse 18″ boots, a lug sole light boot for barn chores, insulated pair for hunting/mudding etc., and steel toe with Vibram sole for wet conditions in the woods. I also have a heavy pair of steel toed Lacrosse boots with liners and spiked soles for winter logging and icy conditions.

And I also find that Merrill “sandals” and a good pair of walking shoe/sneakers come in pretty handy in light work situations.

I have found that although the initial outlay adds up to be greater, the investment per pair lasts far longer like this….. wearing the right shoe for the job…. letting the wet boot dry, and being able to keep them all in better condition seems like the way to go.

I don’t wear the steel toes because of the animals. I have only been stepped on a few times. I have worked around my animals barefoot, cleaning stalls, leading to water, etc., but I usually wear shoes for traction, comfort, and protection against the elements, rather than as protection from the animals. I train them early not to get that close to me.
Carl

[Big Horses]

I’ve worn “Whites” for years ( http://www.whitesboots.com/index.php?dispatch=categories.view&category_id=184 either original smokejumper or original packer), and always had good luck with them. The last pair I got was about 4 years ago, and it’s apparent that the quality has slipped just a little.
I’m thinking I’ll go with “George’s” boots next time (he advertises in SFJ) as it looks like he builds a really high quality boot, from visiting with him. I spend alot of time on my feet, and it’s worth it to spend a few more $$ to me for something high quality, and I’m spoiled by having my Whites, as nothing compares to a boot that’s made specifically for your foot!
John

[Tim Harrigan]

Carl Russell;21558 wrote:

I don’t wear the steel toes because of the animals. I have only been stepped on a few times. I have worked around my animals barefoot, cleaning stalls, leading to water, etc., but I usually wear shoes for traction, comfort, and protection against the elements, rather than as protection from the animals. I train them early not to get that close to me.
Carl

I agree somewhat about the animals, I have only been stepped on a few times as well and usually, at least the last time in the spring, it was my fault for stepping into them when they were moving. More often I have seen folks get stepped on, mostly I think when training new teamsters at Tillers. You see the animal slowly shift their weight on to the unsuspecting foot, the new teamsters eyes get big and their mouth opens wide but no sound comes out for several seconds. Ouch.

If steel toes save me from that just once it will be worth it. I just like solid work boots when I am working. I have had nails go through flimsy shoes and into my foot. I have had heavy lumber and wagon tongues drop onto my foot to be saved by the steel toe. I had a piece of wire get caught in a rotary mower and whip the side of my foot, would have been a nasty cut without good leather work boots. I like high shoes that keep dirt, stones and burrs out, so work boots in the garden etc. I agree there are times when hard bottom work boots lack traction but I am willing to work around it.

[blue80]

Best luck with winter boots are Sorel Extreme. They have extra stitching and patches for snowboarding I think.

Light get around work shoes some of the Vans skateboarding shoes hold up well.

A saddle shop referred me to http://www.rockyboots.com for durability, said a lot of people were happy with them, mine are holding up after 6 months, which is usually the limit for me. I like steel toes but not in the winter. I like the cowboy boot style more and more to keep junk out of my socks and because I’m scared of rattlesnakes. Tried to go American made with Double H but wore out three pairs in a year.

I’ve kindof gone from expensive favourite boots that work well to picking up a wide assortment at 2nd hand stores, especially when going through ritzy areas in towns. Amazing what people trade in. Three weeks ago picked up a pair of Italian hikers for 12$ and spent 200 miles riding and walking in the mtns. got a deer and an elk with them so far. Lucky boots. Checked them on the internet and someone payed over 200 for them new!.

Got in the habit of putting my boots on a boot dryer at night, which seems to make them last longer and more comfy.
Can’t get enough of carhart socks….

[dominiquer60]

Carl, it pleases me to hear that you are in touch with your feminine side 🙂

[Mac]

Redwing six-inch lace ups. We call them plow shoes around here. Been wearin em since I was a little feller. They will last for YEARS!

[Tim Harrigan]

That’s it!

[Author]

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