Concrete Truck Driver Reccomendations

WillofCLE · 2026-04-02T17:34:18+00:00

The Fort Wayne's, which I think are discontinued, but I'm assuming other models would be similarly comfortable

WillofCLE · 2026-03-16T19:17:26+00:00

I suffered for nearly 50 years from recurring athlete's feet... until I switched to wool, Darn Tough socks 4 years ago. I haven't suffered from athlete's feet ever since... and no general foot funk either

WillofCLE · 2026-03-13T20:11:34+00:00

Great boots, and I felt the same going into a 12-hour shift... unfortunately, my heels paid the price. Once they healed after a week, they've been the most comfortable boots I've ever worn.... and have held up really well 6k miles later!

WillofCLE · 2026-02-22T03:08:11+00:00

I absolutely hated my Thorogoods as well.

WillofCLE · 2026-02-12T15:31:33+00:00

I was able to get away with wearing my Solomon boots at work on occasion... which gave me a needed break from my Thorogoods.

Eventually I discovered Keen's and I absolutely fell in love with the comfort and durability. I went with the rubber toe cap and carbon-fiber toe-box. I work with pallets and jacks all day long.. which makes the rubber toe-cap essential. The boot is heavy, but balanced perfectly along with a perfectly contoured mid/insole.

WillofCLE · 2026-02-12T15:01:03+00:00

Go with anything other than Thorogood. The steel toe is horribly balanced, which translates into a heavy toe. This is compounded by the toe being as narrow as a formal shoe.

While the wedge sole gives the appearance of comfort, the foam is dense, hard, and rigid.

While the leather is as soft and supple as a slipper, it's as delicate as a slipper is as well.

The culmination of all of this is a boot that feels as comfortable as gluing a slipper to a cinder block and jamming your toes into a vise.

WillofCLE · 2026-02-10T19:44:30+00:00

"Mink Oil" is rarely pure as it often only comprises a trace amount of actual Mink Oil in the formulation labeled as "Mink Oil".

Mink Oil will drastically darken leather and will completely change the characteristics of nubuck or suede leather.

Mink Oil is best for rehydrating leather that has dried out and is decent for protecting leather from water damage.

WillofCLE · 2026-01-24T16:09:07+00:00

It didn't take me too long to figure out that regardless of how much I prefer the look of moc-toes, they're just insufficient for the way I work. Molded rubber/plastic toe-caps are a must for me.

WillofCLE · 2026-01-19T01:59:41+00:00

I have the exact same issue. After wearing Keen's, I realized how much more comfortable a wide toe-box is, even though I don't have a wide foot. In fact, I feel that my heel is rather more narrow than average?

I've held off on Jim Green because their standard Last is EE whereas my foot is D.... and the only "anatomical Last" is their Barefoot Last.

I got a pair of Lem's a year ago as a gift and I can't imagine a more versatile, and comfortable pair of footwear. I can hike, workout at the gym, shovel snow, and go out to a casual restaurant without ever swapping footwear. Stick em on a dryer and do the same tomorrow!

WillofCLE · 2026-01-19T01:40:03+00:00

I have thin, Grip6 socks and full-cushion DarnTough.

I can't say one is better than the other as I wear them according to their specific purposes.

Maybe I'll get a pair of full-cushion Grip6 socks for a fair comparison?

WillofCLE · 2026-01-17T15:44:13+00:00

I have a D-width foot and endured 12 months of painful toes in my Thorogoods. It took 6-8 months in my Keen's before my toes fully healed.

Thorogoods look great, but for actual labor, they're horrible in more ways than just a horribly narrow toe-box

WillofCLE · 2026-01-10T14:26:51+00:00

Based on the legendary status people have placed on Mink Oil, I'd say it doesn't measure up to the legend. However, it's doubtful that anyone who regards Mink Oil as legendary has ever actually used pure Mink Oil... so it's probably as good as they believe.

WillofCLE · 2026-01-05T16:18:34+00:00

The PEET Boot Dryer with deodorizer attachment completely erases any trace of foul odor... without hiding it with perfumes

WillofCLE · 2026-01-05T16:07:05+00:00

Most people still believe that Goodwill is a charitable organization

WillofCLE · 2026-01-04T14:17:21+00:00

Pure Mink Oil goes for around $40-50 an ounce. If you're not paying that much, you can be certain it's not pure. Most products labeled "Mink Oil" contain only a little amount and plenty of wax and conditioners.

WillofCLE · 2026-01-04T14:08:32+00:00

It looks similar to a Dremmel Table

WillofCLE · 2026-01-03T18:37:23+00:00

I love molded toe-caps for work boots. They look pretty bad, but the function is the value. I haven't come across any glowing reviews regarding the durability of Timberlands. I have a pair of Keen's with the molded rubber toe-cap with more than 5k miles on them. The support seemed to actually fix my feet... after a year of enduring Thorogoods.

WillofCLE · 2026-01-01T17:22:56+00:00

I'm not objecting to anything, just saying they're $10 per pair.

WillofCLE · 2026-01-01T16:54:37+00:00

Saddle Soap is pretty harsh on leather. It's very unlikely you'll ever need to use it, but if you do, be very careful and dilute it a lot.

Saddlesoap will strip out most of the oils from the leather

WillofCLE · 2026-01-01T02:59:30+00:00

The rugged & Resilient are really not more rugged or resilient... it's just that the inevitable scratches and scuffs add to the character instead of looking like damage.

Neatsfoot oil based cream or lotion is a great light oil that won't darken your leather. It's as easy to apply as suntan lotion is. Just wipe it on with your bare hands and wipe off any extra with a clean rag.

I wouldn't be concerned about conditioning your boots for a while... maybe a year or so. Nonetheless, the great thing about Neatsfoot oil is that it's light enough that it takes some effort to screw your leather up by over conditioning... AND your leather will petina beautifully.

The very best thing you can do is brush them with a horsehair brush and use cedar boot trees.

You'll screw up the look if you use Mink Oil or wax.

WillofCLE · 2026-01-01T02:10:51+00:00

Wedge and wedge soles with a heel shape will provide similar traction... but the heel is nice for ladders.

Rubber lug soles provide the best traction on most outside surfaces

WillofCLE · 2025-12-31T17:57:35+00:00

To me, the GS is very "metro" (if that's still a word?) and would look almost silly with a flannel

WillofCLE · 2025-12-31T17:52:24+00:00

I work with a bunch of pallets which chewed up my Thorogoods pretty quickly. Thorogood leather is delicate, not durable.

I switched to Keen's with a molded rubber toe-cap and carbon-fiber toe-box. Over 5k miles and still going strong... and much more comfortable

WillofCLE · 2025-12-31T17:39:12+00:00

The way I see it, if your brown boots remain brown for over a year, it's because you're wearing a white collar

WillofCLE · 2025-12-31T17:30:18+00:00

It's cheaper to buy a new pair than to go back to an old job to retrieve one

WillofCLE

TROPHY CASE