Good boots for work/hiking?

Oboz are great hiking boots. They are comfortable, durable, and the tread has excellent grip.

 

KEEN does a huge military discount for anyone who is a Vet and has a wide toe box.

 

+1 for Keen. I found a pair of composite toe, waterproof, electrical hazard rated on clearance for $35 at Sportsman's Warehouse about a month ago, and they have been outstanding, even before break-in.

 

I love my White’s. Smokejumper. Mine are non insulated. They were/are expensive but have lasted well over 25 years. 18 of those were daily wear. I owned and operated a landscape maintenance and construction company which included tall tree removal. I still wear them for tree work and hunting.

I also have a set of Oboz. Great arch support and very comfortable. Purchased at REI for around $200

 

I work in a shop daily so it's steel-toe oxfords with a legit non-slip sole. There's a brand out of Australia called Redback, they're bomb-proof. I've been in the same boots for almost 3 years. Gotta get the glue-on toe caps (boot savers) though because I'm always going down on my hands and knees to rack up cars.

https://www.redbackboots.com/

Hiking is more of a quiver.. summertime I'm in Salomon trail-runners. Asolo mid-ankle hiking boots and gaiters in the rain/mud/snow. And snowboard boots while touring on my splitboard

Go to REI and find the used/returned section in the back. Every store has one..

 

Do it
Keen Braddock
They are no joke

 

I wear timberland pros and I walk 20 to 25k steps a day in them doing 70 hours a week they’re pretty comfortable people make fun saying they look like clown shoes but I tried them all from 500 dollar redwing lineman boots to keens etc and the the timberland pros have been my favorite to date

 

Outside running around on all terrain but want durable and water resistant/proof says hiking boot to me, not “work” boot as in steel toe clunky construction trades style.


Some durable hiking boots:

Hoka Kaha 2 GTX (newcomer)
Merell Moab 3 Mid Waterproof (super popular)
Solomon Quest 4 Gore-Tex (also common)

Even these might be heavy duty for just walking without carrying a lot.

Outside running routes on all terrains (what do you mean by running routes by the way, just curious) sounds like something I wouldn’t be caught dead doing in the same boot I weld and do construction work in!

 

I’ve had Danner Mountain Light, Vasque St. Elias, Vasque Breeze, and currently Merrell Moab boots for hiking. The Merrell is by far the most comfortable for average hiking and could be a good work boot. The Vasque St. Elias is like wearing armored shoes, heavy, rugged, and good for really rough and rocky country.

 

Still not quite sure what "running" might mean but I've generally worn Redwing steel toes for work. I used to get the 4473 but when they discontinued that I went 2233 last time. It's not as good but similar (unlined, no padded collar).

I'll still wear those around a lot of heavy construction or inside a shop. But my most recent job was almost all outside running around ski areas and lifts. I wore Scarpa Fuegos and those were perfect for the task. Better for the terrain, warmer, more waterproof (I prefer traditional treated leather over a Gore Tex liner, which make my feet swampy), easier to climb (like steep ladders and steps on lift towers) in.

 

buy Origin. handmade in USA

 

Merrill Moab for hiking. Don't spend more than necessary.

 

Salomon Quest 4. Best hiking boot I've ever owned.

Redback boots for work/everyday.

 

I can't think of a single mid or high top hiker that also has a safety toe. If you just want a comfortable safety toe boot Danner and Thorogood are both great. I swing a hammer and use Keen Durand Evo's. They are waterproof, light, comfy as hell with zero break in but lack a safety toe. I'm curious what you'll settle on.

 

Any of these work well for wide, flat feet?

 

Most of the guys I know who are firefighters wear the Redbacks. I have a pair of the Great Barriers and absolutely love them:

https://www.redbackboots.com/

 

I have super wide feet. Keens fit me best out of the big name brands. Also 50% off is nice for veterans and others if you’re a teacher or first responder or anything like that.




EDIT:
For $88 to my door taxes included I have had a few pairs of these





A lot of guys like these for the winter (more padding and insulation):



And OP, these have a more outdoor/dirt tread if you don’t end up with straight up hiking boots like the Moabs:



The big, heavy, clunky high heels that old timers swear by are horrible for your back and feet once you’ve worn regular or more minimal hiking or hybrid boots.

I wear these at work because they’re cheap and have an aluminum toe but I wouldn’t be caught dead even hiking around outdoors in something like these. The hiking shoes I mentioned a few posts back are super popular but even those were designed specifically with you carrying a heavy backpacking load and hiking long distances day after day in mind. The combat boots I wore to Afghanistan and fought in for 7 months were even lighter than the hiking boots I posted. Not sure what kind of mileage or weight everyone is carrying but I’d consider something lighter if at all possible. Cheers.

 

Running routes meaning im delivering the stuff my company makes. So im constantly walking around, climbing in and out of the truck, etc

Dont care about a safety toe. I just need something mobile that wont get shredded

 

Ah, comfort first, durable and good tread close second. Hiking boot of your choice over work boot would be my call. Good luck!

 

HANWAGS !