Stylish Steel Toes

mikearena · Oct 2, 2009

I just started a job in a mailroom, and I need some new shoes. I've already run over my foot with a 300 pound mail cart once (and that's enough) so I'm convinced I need something with a steel toe, or at least more protection than regular leather provides. However, I'd prefer something more akin to a dress loafer than a typical work boot so that I don't stand out when I'm making the rounds in the offices.

The best I've found so far is a Rockport penny loafer or maybe a Florsheim. Though judging from the pictures, both would make my feet look like Herman Munster's (tall, tall toe boxes).

Is there anything sleeker and more subtle out there? Thanks for the help!

greekgeek · Oct 2, 2009

^eBay is your friend for this search.

mikearena · Oct 2, 2009

Thanks. I don't plan on actually purchasing either of the shoes from the links I've posted -- I'm sure much better deals can be found.

I've checked out ebay, but I'm just not ready to pull the trigger on these monstrosities just yet, and the only other suitable option (in my size, at least) was this, which actually looks somewhat decent, but has a leather sole, which doesn't go too well with a dusty laminate floor.

I've done a fair bit of research, but I'm just hoping that I'm missing something and someone else has already found the perfect solution.

greekgeek · Oct 2, 2009

How about these?

mikearena · Oct 2, 2009

Hey, those aren't bad. I mean, as long as I'm being a picky asshole, I'd prefer something in a non-wingtip and a slightly lower vamp, but my options at this juncture are limited.

Thanks for your help.

I have a feeling it's the moc-toe on all the shoes I'm looking at that are adding to the tall look, so I'd like to avoid that too.

js0930 · Oct 3, 2009

these are kind of ugly but they might do the job. or you could topy the second option up there.

infamousk · Oct 3, 2009

Try some red wings,
or clarks,
than get back at us.

mikearena · Oct 3, 2009

At the moment I'm leaning slightly toward these Hush Puppies "oxfords". Except for right around where the ball of the foot falls, they seem to downplay the tallness factor a bit.

Maybe I should look into composite toe shoes too.

mikearena · Oct 3, 2009

Originally Posted by infamousk

Try some red wings,
or clarks,
than get back at us.

Tried Red Wings first, didn't see anything that spoke to me. As far as I can tell, Clarks doesn't have any steel toes? Or at least ones that are dressier.

CunningSmeagol · Oct 3, 2009

Nothing with a steel toe is going to 'speak to you'. Redwing is the best you're going to find. Just get some simple boots.

mikearena · Oct 3, 2009

Originally Posted by CunningSmeagol

Nothing with a steel toe is going to 'speak to you'.

This is what I was afraid of.

Thanks.

CunningSmeagol · Oct 3, 2009

Originally Posted by mikearena

This is what I was afraid of.

Thanks.

I went though the same exercise a couple years ago and ended up with the following:

http://www.redwingshoes.com/productd...px?prodid=1156

They are very well made, but there's no mistaking them for anything other than a work boot. There are, however, no goretex or other weird plastic add-ons, so you don't look horrible in an office setting.

I saw some wingtips and other classic designs from other makers, but something was always off with these making them worse, in my opinion, than a full-fledged leather work boot. The former was too blatant a compromise. The redwings were at least honest.

Poshak Man · Oct 3, 2009

Originally Posted by greekgeek

How about these?

What shoes are these?

greekgeek · Oct 3, 2009

Get your metal detectors and start mining eBay....

otacon · Aug 4, 2010

I'm in the market for some nice looking chelsea boots with steel toes. I've found these, but I'm not too sure how excited I am with them: http://workingperson.com/products/22...Shoes_782.html http://www.redwingshoes.com/productd...px?prodid=1904 http://www.redwingsafety.com/safety-...ukka,steel-toe http://www.rwleatherboots.com/leathe...helsea-rancher (not steel toe, but I'm curious about opinions on it.) It looks like I'm going to end up trying to find a cheap steel toe boot, and something more stylish as well, but I'd much rather find a stylish steel-toe, chelsea. EDIT: came across a website. Didn't really help me, but has a few for the general topic http://www.steel-toe-shoes.com/MENS-...OE-SHOES-1.htm

Stylish Steel Toes

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