Long shot - does anyone use safety boots in their work and what type have you got?

[Twinklemegan]

I know this is a bit specific. I need to get steel toe-capped boots for going on construction sites etc. but I also might need to walk a fair way so they have to be comfortable. They also have to be easy to clean as conditions are usually v muddy. I can't decide whether to get normal boots, rigger boots or wellies - I've got Doc Martins at the mo and their very uncomfortable.
Thanks in advance.

dh swears by hi strainer type ones - after trying loads he reckons these are teh most comfortable (he got them from a builders merchants)

Dh wears rigger boots- loves them.

Are they easy to clean gothicmama?

Strauss Direct is good
here There are some rigger boots and some nice trainer & walking type steel toecap shoes & boots

Thanks people. I feel really butch now as it's your DH's that wear them, and I'm not at all really. Do any ladies out there have safety boots? Some of them are so heavy they're really uncomfortable to walk any distance in.

The ones on the link are a bit less builder like than rigger boots!

yes they are, they've stayed looking good for ages much better than the leather ones he had before, In the spirit of helping you I have tried them on , they are not too heavy (to big but not heavy)

Twinkle, you do need some proper SAFE boots. I'm a civil engineer and fortunately my boots are provided by the company. (Goes out to look at muddy exhibits by back door).

They are Totectors Pioneers and they come right down to about a size 3. I have used them for long days out on site and they are very comfortable.

I don't find rigger boots as comfy, you do need to keep waxing them or they go rock hard, and they don't give you ankle support either, I find a lot of clients prefer laced boots on rough/sloping ground eg. motorway embankments. Get some nice woolly socks too!

If you can find them, get some BS Safety wellies too for those foot-deep in mud days.

PLEEESE get yourself some safe, legal boots. You shouldn't be allowed on a construction site without them

Quick question - why isn't your employer providing them, are they being pathetic about finding ladies sizes?

What's taking you out into such an uncivilised environment by the way?

I'm a development control archaeologist viticella so I have to go out and monitor excavations, some of which may be on construction sites. They also may be in areas that aren't easily accessible hence the need to walk a fair way. There may not be machinery on site but we have to wear the safety boots anyway for H & S. My employer is paying for them but I was looking through the catalogue and there are so many to choose from I got really confused. The ones I've already got are really uncomfortable and I don't want to make the same mistake again.

Sorry for the little rant. It was wonderful to talk about WORK rather than anything to do with CHILDREN for once - have been on leave for the last year! Enjoy being out and about - and no, it's impossible to get hi vis clothing in any reasonable size.

dh is a mechanic and says anything £50 or more, any less and they are not worth wearing.
Dickies are good he adds.

they are medium weight.

Sad reality is that there is about 1% of the choice in ladies sized safety boots compared to mens and they're often not the better quality ones. I've only had about 4 pairs in my entire working life.

Check out these Hunter Century Super Safety Wellingtons ! deliciously expensive. I want some now.

The lace up trainer ones look nice and all that but if you are going on contruction sites the vehicles churn up the ground so much that the muddy ruts and huge and your shoes will be engulfed, I would go for a boot type either rigger or wellie type especially for the winter months.

My work supply rigger boots only. They last quite well and they need the longer leg for on-site work. (Civil Engineering company..)

And if you are looking for ladies sized ones - the riggers come in size 5 upwards generally. Just managed to order size 4 for one of our staff but could only get them from an Ebay shop of all place.

Thanks people. I asked around at work and the public rights of way staff have all got some hiking-style ones with steel toecaps and midsoles. They are apparently really comfortable for walking as well as being safe so I've gone with them. They're pretty expensive though - feel a bit embarassed as I think I've blown the clothing budget. But hey, I put up with a lot so I deserve to be treated I reckon. Fingers crossed they're OK.