Work Shoe Recommendations

vrDrew · Mar 6, 2013, 04:06 PM

I work in an environment where I need decent looking, but hard wearing, work shoes.

Upon taking my new job about eight months ago, I bought a pair of Sketchers black Oxford shoes. And I have to say, I'm not at all happy with how they have held up. Despite being worn only ~ 24 hours per week, regular cleaning with appropriate polishes and waxes, and daily use of shoe trees - the shoes are rapidly falling apart.

The leather has split, badly, in several places - despite only minor contact with metal objects. In a couple of places the upper is separating from the (rubber) sole. And in a several areas it appears that the "coating" of top surface is separating from the underlying leather.

I don't mind taking time and effort to look after my shoes. I don't think I'm particularly hard on them - although my work environment does mean I will sometimes get water or other contaminants lightly dropped on the upper. And I don't mind investing in (multiple) pairs of good quality shoes. The main (work) requirement is that they should have soles that are non-slip, and that they should be suitable for an environment where I'll be on my feet 6-8 hours at a stretch. The job is almost 100% inside, walking on a polished VCT tile floor. Toe-protection would be nice, but is not a requirement.

I'd like to be able to buy some new shoes, confident that I'll be able to get multiple years of decent service out of them. Any suggestions of brands and/or models I should be looking at?

Vader2 · Mar 6, 2013, 04:18 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by vrDrew

I work in an environment where I need decent looking, but hard wearing, work shoes.

Upon taking my new job about eight months ago, I bought a pair of Sketchers black Oxford shoes. And I have to say, I'm not at all happy with how they have held up. Despite being worn only ~ 24 hours per week, regular cleaning with appropriate polishes and waxes, and daily use of shoe trees - the shoes are rapidly falling apart.

The leather has split, badly, in several places - despite only minor contact with metal objects. In a couple of places the upper is separating from the (rubber) sole. And in a several areas it appears that the "coating" of top surface is separating from the underlying leather.

I don't mind taking time and effort to look after my shoes. I don't think I'm particularly hard on them - although my work environment does mean I will sometimes get water or other contaminants lightly dropped on the upper. And I don't mind investing in (multiple) pairs of good quality shoes. The main (work) requirement is that they should have soles that are non-slip, and that they should be suitable for an environment where I'll be on my feet 6-8 hours at a stretch. The job is almost 100% inside, walking on a polished VCT tile floor. Toe-protection would be nice, but is not a requirement.

I'd like to be able to buy some new shoes, confident that I'll be able to get multiple years of decent service out of them. Any suggestions of brands and/or models I should be looking at?

I have had the same experience with Sketchers. They look great and are comfortable at first and then go to heck in a hurry. I tend to look for quality shoes on close out. Kenneth Cole usually has a large selection of clearance on their site. Those have probably been the longest lasting for me.

eric/ · Mar 6, 2013, 04:25 PM

I like Red Wings for work boots.

They have different options for different stuff (waterproof, electricproof, steel toe, etc....)

oh nvm.

I am a huge Allen Edmonds fan, so maybe look into those?

duneriderltr450 · Mar 6, 2013, 11:23 PM

Have you looked into Danners? They are pricey but worth every penny.

waloshin · Mar 7, 2013, 02:11 AM

Shoes For Crews

RawBert · Mar 7, 2013, 09:07 AM

Nike Conquer ACG (Air Max)
I wear these to the office. Super comfortable, light and durable. I liked them so much I bought five pairs in a few colors.

ejb190 · 09:34 AM

I suggest checking out a place that carries Red Wing, Carhartt, Dickies, and other "Blue Collar" clothing. There is a place near me that carries a lot of different shoes for police, construction, outdoors, and so on. Find a place like that and ask them what they recommend. They cater to people who abuse shoes - like me! Red Wing, Wolverine, and some of the other work shoe companies also make oxford style work shoes.

I wear Timberland hiking boots. A new pair every two years. And by the time I am done, they are shot!

Tomorrow · Mar 7, 2013, 09:53 AM

Interesting. I was going to suggest Skechers, because I've owned several pairs and they've all lasted me a LONG time, and are VERY comfortable. I have about five pairs in my current rotation.

vrDrew · Mar 7, 2013, 11:11 AM

Thanks for all the recommendations.

I think part of the problem may have been that I "overwear" the shoes - ie. wear them sometimes two days in succession, without letting them thoroughly dry out between wearings.

I'm going to check out the Red Wings and a couple of other brands.

Thanks again.

spencers · Mar 13, 2013, 09:58 AM

Allen Edmonds

Alden

sk1wbw · Mar 14, 2013, 04:46 AM

Red Wings, definitely. I have a pair of steel toe boots which are broken in now. They feel like a pair of heavy socks. Oh so comfy.

Mar 6, 2013, 04:06 PM	#1
vrDrew macrumors 6502a Join Date: Jan 2010	Work Shoe Recommendations I work in an environment where I need decent looking, but hard wearing, work shoes. Upon taking my new job about eight months ago, I bought a pair of Sketchers black Oxford shoes. And I have to say, I'm not at all happy with how they have held up. Despite being worn only ~ 24 hours per week, regular cleaning with appropriate polishes and waxes, and daily use of shoe trees - the shoes are rapidly falling apart. The leather has split, badly, in several places - despite only minor contact with metal objects. In a couple of places the upper is separating from the (rubber) sole. And in a several areas it appears that the "coating" of top surface is separating from the underlying leather. I don't mind taking time and effort to look after my shoes. I don't think I'm particularly hard on them - although my work environment does mean I will sometimes get water or other contaminants lightly dropped on the upper. And I don't mind investing in (multiple) pairs of good quality shoes. The main (work) requirement is that they should have soles that are non-slip, and that they should be suitable for an environment where I'll be on my feet 6-8 hours at a stretch. The job is almost 100% inside, walking on a polished VCT tile floor. Toe-protection would be nice, but is not a requirement. I'd like to be able to buy some new shoes, confident that I'll be able to get multiple years of decent service out of them. Any suggestions of brands and/or models I should be looking at?
	0

Mar 7, 2013, 02:11 AM	#5
waloshin macrumors 68030 Join Date: Oct 2008 Location: in my world.	Shoes For Crews __________________ My Site Come Check It Out! 2011 Macbook Air 13 1.7" i5
	0

Mar 7, 2013, 09:07 AM	#6
RawBert macrumors 68000 Join Date: Jan 2010 Location: North Hollywood, CA	Nike Conquer ACG (Air Max) I wear these to the office. Super comfortable, light and durable. I liked them so much I bought five pairs in a few colors. __________________ THE ART OF RAW Steve Lives On
	0

Mar 7, 2013, 09:29 AM	#7
ejb190 macrumors 6502a Join Date: Apr 2002 Location: At the intersection of Indy Cars and Amish Buggies	I suggest checking out a place that carries Red Wing, Carhartt, Dickies, and other "Blue Collar" clothing. There is a place near me that carries a lot of different shoes for police, construction, outdoors, and so on. Find a place like that and ask them what they recommend. They cater to people who abuse shoes - like me! Red Wing, Wolverine, and some of the other work shoe companies also make oxford style work shoes. I wear Timberland hiking boots. A new pair every two years. And by the time I am done, they are shot! Last edited by ejb190; Mar 7, 2013 at 09:34 AM.
	0

Mar 7, 2013, 09:53 AM	#8
Tomorrow macrumors 603 Join Date: Mar 2008 Location: Always a day away	Interesting. I was going to suggest Skechers, because I've owned several pairs and they've all lasted me a LONG time, and are VERY comfortable. I have about five pairs in my current rotation. __________________ I would scream just to be heard, as if yelling at the stars - I was bleeding just to feel. You would never say a word, kept me reaching in the dark - always something to conceal.
	0

Mar 6, 2013, 04:25 PM	#3
eric/ Guest Join Date: Sep 2011 Location: Ohio, United States	I like Red Wings for work boots. They have different options for different stuff (waterproof, electricproof, steel toe, etc....) oh nvm. I am a huge Allen Edmonds fan, so maybe look into those?
	1

Mar 6, 2013, 11:23 PM	#4
duneriderltr450 macrumors 6502 Join Date: Sep 2012 Location: Oregon	Have you looked into Danners? They are pricey but worth every penny.
	0

Mar 7, 2013, 11:11 AM	#9
vrDrew Thread Starter macrumors 6502a Join Date: Jan 2010	Thanks for all the recommendations. I think part of the problem may have been that I "overwear" the shoes - ie. wear them sometimes two days in succession, without letting them thoroughly dry out between wearings. I'm going to check out the Red Wings and a couple of other brands. Thanks again.
	0

Mar 13, 2013, 09:58 AM	#10
spencers macrumors 68000 Join Date: Sep 2004 Location: Fayetteville, AR	Allen Edmonds Alden __________________ Mac user since the late 80's MacBook Air 13" 1.7ghz i5 128GB \| iPhone 5 16GB AT&T \| iPad 3 16GB Verizon
	0

Mar 14, 2013, 04:46 AM	#11
sk1wbw macrumors 68000 Join Date: May 2011 Location: North Carolina	Red Wings, definitely. I have a pair of steel toe boots which are broken in now. They feel like a pair of heavy socks. Oh so comfy.
	0

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