Happydivorcecard t1_j9x5yzj wrote on February 25, 2023 at 4:58 AM

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.

TheWonkiestThing OP t1_j9xtzkl wrote on February 25, 2023 at 9:53 AM

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.

Happydivorcecard t1_j9z6k15 wrote on February 25, 2023 at 5:22 PM

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.

TheWonkiestThing OP t1_j9z8nmn wrote on February 25, 2023 at 5:36 PM

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.