Breathable work boots

[rambo19]

Wear boots for work everyday-truck driver.

I have about 3 pairs of boots which I rotate.
This week iv'e ended up with a bad fungal infection on my right foot, and the doctor was asking about my boots, and were they damp at the end of the day, and yes, they can be.

I'm after a pair of decent, black, high leg, not ankle length boots.

I do have HiTec magnums, which are brilliant tbh, I also need steel/safety toe caps.
Something that can be polished as well would be a bonus.

Ideas?

[Condi]

Surely anything high and laced up is going to be more problematic than an open or airy lower boot?

Redback boots are worth a look - made in Australia and super comfortable. They do something which might work for you, if they're good enough to keep feet dry and airy in 40 degrees of heat they're probably okay for the UK.

https://redbackboots.co.uk/collections/safety-boot...

These are their most popular safety boot, I've worn them in the outback for work and had no issues, but not breathable and only ankle boots.

https://redbackboots.co.uk/collections/boots/produ...

[J6542]

How often are you in and out of the cab? Can’t you wear something breathable and comfortable while driving and slip boots on before you jump out? fk wearing steelies all day if you don’t have to.

[smifffymoto2]

I used to wear slip on leather Caterpillar toe caps and leave them on the top step,drove in something more comfortable(deck shoes usually)

[Turn7]

Truly breathable is going to dictate some Goretex or similar boots. Expensive but should solve the issue.

[Snow and Rocks]

Even goretex boots are going to make your feet damp and sweaty if worn all day. I had the same while wearing work boots for 12 hours at a time on an oil rig.

Could you wear slippers or other more breathable shoes, even just socks I guess while driving?

Another thing that helps is taking your boots off while you're on your breaks. Allowing your socks to dry off is half the battle. You could even take a fresh pair for the second half of the day.

Drying your feet with a hairdryer after you shower so they're properly dry is also helpful.

[rambo19]

I'm muti drop, so changing into other footwear whilst driving isn't really and option.

I know have 4 pairs of boots, and have disinfected all of them, and will rotate them daily.

[J6542]

rambo19 said:

I'm muti drop, so changing into other footwear whilst driving isn't really and option.

I know have 4 pairs of boots, and have disinfected all of them, and will rotate them daily.

If that doesn’t work, then safety dealer or rigger boots would only take 30 seconds to change every time you hop in or out the cab.

[sherman]

Strauss do some pretty decent kit.
STRAUSS High Performance Workwear | Strauss.com https://share.google/lHjPjnwFlvnpSBYGY

You can even get safety trainers these days.

[Chumley.mouse]

Crocs in the van , and as above riggers when you get out…… both slip on.

[Snow and Rocks]

rambo19 said:

I'm muti drop, so changing into other footwear whilst driving isn't really and option.

I know have 4 pairs of boots, and have disinfected all of them, and will rotate them daily.

Rotating is a good idea and as above, definitely get the hairdryer out after showers and get the boots off and air your feet/socks whenever you can through the day.

[MC Bodge]

When I worked on sites, I wore Trojan Pandia boots every work day.

They are light, very comfortable and I never found them to be sweaty (presumably breathable due to being nubuck leather). They are comfortable shoes that happen to be safety rated.

I have had a few pairs of them. I still wear them for DIY, car jobs etc.



https://www.arco.co.uk/Web-Taxonomy/Footwear/Safet...

Edited by MC Bodge on Sunday 11th October 19:01

[J6542]

You could also wear technical socks,

[gusko]

For years working up to 100hrs a week wearing all different types of safety boots in all weather conditions ,the solution for stinky boots and the onset of trench foot is to change your socks at lunch time and in the evening have a drying area for your boots and to sprinkle a bit of talc in your boots
Safety boots in my mind are impossible to be breathable and truly protect your feet from injuries .

[AndyAudi]

gusko said:

sprinkle a bit of talc in your boots ….

Talc is a thing of the past now, I use an ant fungal shoe spray on my footwear’s rest day.

I sometimes have long periods in boots, albeit not safety ones. I’d struggle with wearing safety boots all the time.

If you need boots all the time for support, I’d seriously consider some “easy on / off” ones to swap with safety footwear to swap when out of cab like others have suggested. (It amazes me the European drivers we have come across mostly driving in flip flops now!)

[megaphone]

It will be your socks causing the sweaty feet. I bet they are polyester, or mainly polyester. Get cotton socks so your feet can breathe. Problem is 100% cotton socks are getting more difficult to find, you can get 70/80% cotton which are ok.

Edited by megaphone on Monday 12th October 08:52