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Work Shoe Recommendations

V

vrDrew

macrumors 65816
Original poster
Jan 31, 2010
1,376
13,412
Midlife, Midwest
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?
 
vrDrew said:
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?
Click to expand...

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.
 
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?
 
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.

web-a89d3a1d7bd25b5dfaeefc39be50ff86.jpg
 
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:
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.
 
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.
 
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