Yes!
Is it weird that I'm super excited about the new women's steel-toed boots by Keen? I spent quite a bit of time a few months ago trying to find some decent women's work boots, and was pretty sad to find very few decent options. (A decent option, in my opinion, does not weigh 20 pounds, does not reach more than an inch or two above the ankle, is not a military boot, and looks as much as possible like a non-industrial boot.) Then today, after finding out that I now am actually required to wear steel-toes for work, I find these! Perfect. And basically the same shoe that I already wear... just sturdier.
Man. I really am hopelessly casual, aren't I? I think I'd probably die if anybody ever asked me to come up with a "business" outfit. I don't even think I know what that means.
Hey, wow! I share your pain. A couple of months ago I bought a $200 pair of hiking boots for archaeology fieldwork. I only walked about 300km in them before they fell apart. And I couldn't buy any with steel / plastic caps.
ReplyDeleteThese ones look quite good, but I'd need a single piece moulded sole. My current pair has a sole like these ones, and all the edges lift and bits get knocked off. They became quite a safety hazard as I was climbing up escarpments to look at rock art.
It's now the end of my field season, and I have six months of dedicated hunting to find the perfect pair.
I wouldn't wear these boots for hiking and survey work, but they should be really great for excavation. You're right about the soles-- if I'm going to be spending lots of time hiking around, then I get boots with more solid soles because of the same problem you mentioned- the pieces all become separated and get shredded. Also, steel-toed boots are typically heavier than I like for long days of hiking. So, I guess I'll have two different pairs of "work" boots now- one for survey and one for excavating. :)
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