Request: Flexible Steel-Toe Shoes that are Extra Wide

Submitted by TheWonkiestThing t3_11auu65 in BuyItForLife

I'm an Automotive Technician and need to bend down a lot. I've tried Redwing Boots (sole and upper separated), Sketchers Memory Foam Shoes (sole and upper separated), and Indestructible Shoes (lasted the longest but eventually the inside of the shoes deteriorated to where I started getting bad blisters).

All of the shoes were a wide (E/EE) size but I have feet wider than Bilbo himself so even these I have holes on the outside from where my pinky toe frees itself from the clutches of footwear.

I could really use the help because the redwings and sketchers only lasted a year and the indestructible shoes were great but still weren't wide enough. I feel so miserable with all the blisters and Chinese Foot Binding going on down there and I feel hopeless trying to find shoes!

TL;DR: The shoe industry has worse size discrimination than Victoria's Secret.

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Comments

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CarriageTrail t1_j9wh2mj wrote

My husband swears by WesCo boots for comfort and durability. They are expensive, but will custom build for your size and can be rebuilt when the sole wears out.

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numaxmc t1_j9u4xik wrote

I dont think any shoe will be buy it for life. If the sketchers worked then just get a few pairs, their cheap enough.

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Muncie4 t1_j9wq1au wrote

Your thoughts on this matter are false. Please read Rule 1 and perhaps buy BIFL shoes....if you need tips, just ask.

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numaxmc t1_j9z70qc wrote

I've never created a post to BIFL therefore could not break rule 1. I have read the shoes thread already, there is a clear consensus that no ONE pair is BIFL and a system of alternates must be in place for them to last. If you dont want to see people post opinions that differ from yours then maybe reddit isnt the place for you.

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Muncie4 t1_ja1hgpn wrote

Go read the rule. Read it. No one here that is a vet of this sub will say that any shoe will last you 100 years. But there are Walmart safety shoes and there are Timberland Pro safety shoes. One is not remotely BIFL and one is BIFL.

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numaxmc t1_ja1iasj wrote

I'm well aware what the rules are. Also read through your past comments earlier, clearly you instigate more arguments here than you contribute usefull information. That being the case I have no reason to converse with you.

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Muncie4 t1_ja1ps4h wrote

OK boomer, thanks for stalking.

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numaxmc t1_ja2dt4d wrote

Millenial but close, piece dude.

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pacmunchkin t1_j9ufa76 wrote

I really like the Birkenstock QS700

I've worn them everyday for over 2 years and they are showing minor signs of wear. I even wear them for gardening and walks in the woods. I usually wear the soles out on shoes and these are still going strong. I wear barefoot shoes and these are wide enough for me. They come with the cork insole which I removed leaving a flat sole underneath. I'll take some photos later on. I'll definitely be replacing them with the same ones.

https://www.thebarefootshoereview.com/post/episode-44-birkenstock-qs700

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Aunt_Slappy_Squirrel t1_j9v0xgp wrote

I have a similar shoe issue. Those shoe sizers put me in a 12 length, 14 by width. Can't say they'd be bifl, but carolina broad toe might help with the fitting issue. Daily use, farm, outdoor, in the shop and I'll get 1.5-2 yrs out of a pair.

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Ragnar_DanneskjoldSr t1_j9xstmc wrote

As long as you don't have an arch

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Aunt_Slappy_Squirrel t1_j9yvn0u wrote

I put insoles in everything I wear. For the pain it causes me from getting my toes crunched I'll forgo arch support and buy inserts.

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Ragnar_DanneskjoldSr t1_j9yvuul wrote

Arch supports that I'm speaking of are inserts. You haven't had a quality pair of footwear if you've had to add insoles or any other accoutrements.

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Aunt_Slappy_Squirrel t1_j9yz3zp wrote

It's always been a trade off for me. Damage from Lyme disease kinda fried the nerves in my feet. If I don't get a broad toe or extra wide it just kills me. If I get something that is wide enough then 75% if the time they are too big in the heel and rub blisters. Toe fitment is my priority, if inserts or insoles are needed that just what I have to do. If I could find another brand that fit as good as the Carolina broad toe is love to try then, but haven't found anything close yet.

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Ragnar_DanneskjoldSr t1_j9yzpsg wrote

Birkenstock is the perfect brand for you. Seriously, it will change your life. Danner, Wesco, and some Redwing Heritage, are the only American footwear that comes close to quality. I have an extremely narrow foot. Italian brand LaSportiva is perfect for me. The Germans and the Italians are the only serious footwear designers and makers left on the planet. Having four times as many sizes, twice as many withs alone gives them a huge advantage.

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Aunt_Slappy_Squirrel t1_j9z8smy wrote

I've got some danner winter boots. My carolinas seem to outlast them. I'll look up the birkenstocks. Thanks.

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Ragnar_DanneskjoldSr t1_j9za8kl wrote

It's the wide toe portion that makes me think of them. Danner is real footware Carolinas are for sale at tractor supply...

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clc1076 t1_j9x8xm8 wrote

They're expensive and the lead times can be long but Nicks Handmade Boots is known for having some of the most heavy duty, durable boots you can buy and they go up to FF. I'm not sure but they may even go up to FFFF on custom orders (long leads). My neighbor just bought a pair of Ready-To-Ship 10.5FF Urban Drifters last week and received them within about 4-5 bus days. Good luck.

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keyprops t1_j9uev91 wrote

I wear Thorogood boots. They're steel toe and come in a EE wide. First pair is still going strong 6 years later, after a resole. Also alternate with another pair exactly the same that I bought 2 years ago.

Specifically I wear these.

Not sure about any of their non-leather models.

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meborz t1_j9urmew wrote

Try Keen.
They are known for having wider toe box shape, and they also sell a wide version of many of their shoes/boots.

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TheWonkiestThing OP t1_j9usf3b wrote

So I just ordered from Keen and ordered a 12 Wide and it still wasn't wide enough. Have to send them back and look for an Extra Wide (EEE) shoe.

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meborz t1_j9v7v59 wrote

I typically wear XW/4E in NB/Rockport/Dunham. I know the pain of steel toes not made for wider feet. :)
If you must have steel toes, then I feel for you.
Maybe look for a bootbarn.com near you. There are a lot of them around US.
Thorogood does make Redback knockoffs (and probably others) with comp toes in XW, but those are not likely going to last more than a year or two. https://thorogoodusa.com/thoro-flex-6-black-safety-toe-804-6134/
You could also try places like wideshoes.com or healthyfeetstore.com for wide work shoes/boots, but those are again probably not going to last more than a year or two.
If you don’t need comp/steel toe, you could possibly try https://jimgreenfootwear.com/store/rambler-vellie-black , but you may need an 8$ walmart airplus ultra work insole to add. Those are very comfortable for me, even though they are not really in the XW range. I also have a pair of their rangers built on same last, but with true leather cap toe… the stitching/stiffness on the cap toe bothered me until broken in and moleskin patches added inside on the hotspots. They do also seem to have a steel toe boot on thar same last, but I expect it would be bothersome as it isn’t truly XW.

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Ragnar_DanneskjoldSr t1_j9xsqbx wrote

All Chinese junk

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meborz t1_j9yg35k wrote

Incorrect.

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Ragnar_DanneskjoldSr t1_j9yg9uv wrote

Random troll on the Internet is not a reliable source. Sorry. Redwing heritage is the only line made in America.

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meborz t1_j9ygjgo wrote

Hmm… someone can’t read. I didn’t mention redwing brand at all.

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Happydivorcecard t1_j9x5yzj wrote

OP my feet are 4E-5E depending on brand. It’s been a long time since I needed steel toes boots for work I have a pair of Red Wings that were never quite wide enough for me at EEE width, and they haven’t held up that great with the sole separating from itself.

Get onto Zappos and use the filters there to narrow down to size and width with the features you need. That’s the easiest way of you can bear buying shoes online.

Otherwise find a wide shoe store and call up and ask if they sell work boots, or call a shop that specializes in work boots and ask if they have wide widths. There is one near me that carries every conceivable brand and size or else can order it for you. Good luck. Having wide feet makes shoe shopping hard.

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TheWonkiestThing OP t1_j9xtzkl wrote

I'm really not looking for leather boots and all the shoe stores near me, that's all they carry. I need something more that will flex like a mesh upper. If it's leather they always separate at the sole for me. I bend down a lot.

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Happydivorcecard t1_j9z6k15 wrote

Quality leather should last a lot longer than man made materials. Mesh fabrics in particular tend to wear badly over time. Your problem is shoes that don’t fit and aren’t made properly, not that they are leather. Fit and meeting ANSI standards should be the first priority, then materials.

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TheWonkiestThing OP t1_j9z8nmn wrote

I've found mesh fabrics to last longer. I haven't tried a good quality leather boot. It's usually out of my price range. More importantly than durability from damage and protection from the elements, I need flexibility and leather can only provide that if it's very high quality leather, properly stitched, and proper leather care. I simply do not have the money nor do I want to put in the effort for all of that. I've tried a low quality mesh product that costed $70 and it lasted twice as long as my Redwing boots that cost $200 on a huge clearance. I know redwing isn't very reputable anymore but my point is that mesh lasts longer for me because I need the flexibility in my field as an automotive technician constantly bending down and walking.

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Ok_Nectarine_8233 t1_j9wketu wrote

Timberland pr series are comfortable as fuck. I also have a pretty wide foot, size 11-12 depending on the boot, and they are awesome. Not built for life. But I'm in a heavy industrial field and they typically last a solid year and a half before becoming yard work boots. As a rule I wear pull on boots but I've owned a few of their lace ups and couldn't complain at all for the quality vs price.

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Muncie4 t1_j9wpy2z wrote

You know you can go to a Red Wing store, get a fitting and then ask for some quality Red Wing steel toe footwear right? Red Wing sells like 900 pairs of footwear with some being BIFL and some being shitbox, so you cannot disparage the brand when you bought shitbox Red Wing shoes.

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Happydivorcecard t1_j9x6foy wrote

I did this and paid $300 dollars and the soles have failed twice on me even though they aren’t worn very much. So my choice is to with resole for a hundred bucks or stop wearing them. Red Wing just isn’t the brand it used to be.

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Ragnar_DanneskjoldSr t1_j9xsnet wrote

Try something in German or Italian. They seem to be the only places that make quality shoes anymore. Almost everything else is manufactured in China and doesn't come with an arch, and are easily wide enough for the average Sasquatch.

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Ragnar_DanneskjoldSr t1_j9yewep wrote

Only a brand called Redwing heritage. Not plain red wing. Danner and Wesco are the only American made footwear worth considering. German and Italian where is far superior on many levels.

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ConBroMitch t1_j9wvsml wrote

Which redwing did you try? Very shocked to hear you burned through them. We’re they an entry level boot?

Since you work on your feet, you shouldn’t even be considering any safety toe boot below $300.

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Ragnar_DanneskjoldSr t1_j9xsxnj wrote

Red wing is Chinese junk and has been so for years.

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ConBroMitch t1_j9ybhm0 wrote

Completely untrue. Many of their models are still made in the US and are fantastic quality.

Don’t buy cheap boots and you won’t have that problem.

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Ragnar_DanneskjoldSr t1_j9yc952 wrote

You don't know what you're talking about. I buy the finest footwear on the planet. La Sportiva mountaineering boots. I take 40,000 steps a day.

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ConBroMitch t1_j9ydh6n wrote

Imagine comparing sportiva to redwing. They’re completely different type of boot - as if that was some kind of flex? Lmao. Oh, and sportiva manufactures in China and Vietnam you clown.

You’re on a roll in this sub, spewing garbage product recs without understanding what you’re talking about.

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Ragnar_DanneskjoldSr t1_j9ydz89 wrote

The quality is completely on a exponentially higher level. Redwing is made in China. With no concern for quality footwear. 60% of La Sportiva's products are made in Italy. I guarantee you it's the top-of-the-line stuff. First, no American sized footwear can come close to the European size model. Infinitely more sizes and width options. Go away. You don't know what you're talking about. I wear out a pair of $200 redwings in six months. That's with adding insoles with an arch and maintenance of leather. I can make $700 LaSportiva last five or six years. You do the math.

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ConBroMitch t1_j9yeu5c wrote

Dude. I drive by the Redwing plant on a regular basis and personally know people who work on their buy side supply chains…

MOST OF THEIR BOOTS ARE STILL MADE IN THE US.

I’m not sure what else to tell you.

Maybe respond to this comment 13 more times.

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Ragnar_DanneskjoldSr t1_j9yfh7d wrote

Only redwing heritage. If it's just redwing without the heritage, it's Chinese junk. And it's a far inferior work boot than what I mentioned. I don't give a shit what you do. You don't know what you're talking about and you're a typical Midwestern American male. Haven't been anywhere, haven't seen anything, haven't read anything, But you know stuff. Shameful. If you can't provide a credible source for your claims, they're just bovine fecal matter.

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ConBroMitch t1_j9ygsd8 wrote

Lmao - yeah you got me pegged bro! 😂. Classic Lib L. You legitimately think you’re better than everyone, and yet, you’re still… you.

Enjoy getting your product recommendations spoon fed to you from multi-million dollar ad platforms and thinking you’re “informed”.

I sincerely hope you can pull yourself out of your crippling depression, and I wish you great success in your career at Starbucks… In the meantime, I’ll have a Venti Pistachio Latte please.

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Ragnar_DanneskjoldSr t1_j9yj92y wrote

I'm not about product reviews. I use and on all of the products I have mentioned. You are completely just making things up at this point. I'm not liberal, I'm progressive. And I suppose you consider yourself "conservative"? Reading about something doesn't mean you know it. I know when I told you is correct because I've done it. Disingenuous douche canoe is no way to go through life. If I am purchasing something that I've never owned anything in that category in my life, I defer to professionals. Not reading the reviews. People who use that particular item and others in the market niche. You don't know anything about me, your comments are quite telling about you.

Perfect example. You've never worn a pair of high end long Sportiva boots. Making any claims to them whatsoever is flat out foolish and painfully ridiculous on your part part.

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Ragnar_DanneskjoldSr t1_j9ye248 wrote

Troll elsewhere. Random dude on the Internet saying stuff. Disingenuous ignorant stuff at that.

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Ragnar_DanneskjoldSr t1_j9ye94d wrote

Troll someone else. I actually have knowledge and a life experience. I'm sure your mother had higher hopes for using agitprop bovine fecal matter dissemination tool

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