Barefoot Style Steel Toes

[RepeatPete]

I’m sure there’s more guys like me on here that have to wear steel toes all day, so I wanted to throw this out as an FYI.

I noticed that Jim Green boots from South Africa had both a steel toe model and a barefoot boot model in their lineup. I reached out to them to ask about combining the two and illustrated the lack of good options and the interest shown online. They responded in early June stating that they had received the lasts and were making a few samples to make sure everything worked as planned.

They said that the barefoot steel toe last would be added to their custom page by the end of the month, that it would be compatible with any of their uppers, and that the current lead time is 28 working days.

I really do like my Thorogoods, but the toe box is too narrow and pinches my toes on the side and the built-in arch is uncomfortable now that I’ve really started wearing barefoot shoes outside of work. I’m stoked for this and plan to try some as soon as the option is available.

 

[Jimbee]

I've been looking for a decent barefoot safety toe shoe. This is exciting.

 

[GerGa]

On your Thorogoods toes being narrow: If the Jim Greens don't work out, take a look at Red Wing King Toe work boots. I wear them for the wide steel toe because I need a very wide toe box.

 

[Miflatlander91]

This has my interest! My wedge sole thorogoods have been good to me but I’d be willing to try a boot like this


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[pipsubipse666]

On your Thorogoods toes being narrow: If the Jim Greens don't work out, take a look at Red Wing King Toe work boots. I wear them for the wide steel toe because I need a very wide toe box.

There no such thing as a RW King Toes steel toe; the entire series is non-metallic aka NMT.

 

[pipsubipse666]

I’m sure there’s more guys like me on here that have to wear steel toes all day, so I wanted to throw this out as an FYI.

I noticed that Jim Green boots from South Africa had both a steel toe model and a barefoot boot model in their lineup. I reached out to them to ask about combining the two and illustrated the lack of good options and the interest shown online. They responded in early June stating that they had received the lasts and were making a few samples to make sure everything worked as planned.

They said that the barefoot steel toe last would be added to their custom page by the end of the month, that it would be compatible with any of their uppers, and that the current lead time is 28 working days.

I really do like my Thorogoods, but the toe box is too narrow and pinches my toes on the side and the built-in arch is uncomfortable now that I’ve really started wearing barefoot shoes outside of work. I’m stoked for this and plan to try some as soon as the option is available.

Wide Load Australia safety boots make the widest and most voluminous toe cap currently available. The have a phone order retailer in New England and you can get them on ebay.

 

[Dave_S]

On your Thorogoods toes being narrow: If the Jim Greens don't work out, take a look at Red Wing King Toe work boots. I wear them for the wide steel toe because I need a very wide toe box.

The King Toe line really doesn't compare to a true barefoot shoe. I have a wide pair on my feet right now, and they are much narrower than anything I wear outside of work. Certainly better than most other safety toed boots though.

 

[Dave_S]

They said that the barefoot steel toe last would be added to their custom page by the end of the month, that it would be compatible with any of their uppers, and that the current lead time is 28 working days.

This is pretty exciting. I prefer a pull-on, but I would be super psyched to get any barefoot boot that I could wear at work.

 

[RepeatPete]

Just saw that the barefoot steel toe last is now added to their custom page. The delay was too long for me, so I got a different pair, but excited to try the Jim Greens for my next pair.

 

[SouthPaw]

The Birkenstock QS700 is the best I've found. They are legit zero drop with a wide toe box, steel toe, heat and puncture resistant, etc. Wear them loosely tied for barefoot comfort all day. The insole is junk, throw it away. Get an aftermarket flat thin insole, or (what I did) use an old used set from some old Vivo shoes.

I had to order direct from a UK distributer as nobody in the US carries them.

 

[ropeup79]

Thorogood also has the emperor toe models that are wider. Not sure how much though as the regular round toe Thorogoods fit me.

 

[thme24]

Were you able to order the Jim Greenes?

 

[RepeatPete]

I didn’t - they took to long to offer the barefoot steel toe last and I need a pair of boots sooner. They are available now, so whenever my cheap intermediate pair wear out, they are next.

 

[bpro2001]

The Birkenstock QS700 is the best I've found. They are legit zero drop with a wide toe box, steel toe, heat and puncture resistant, etc. Wear them loosely tied for barefoot comfort all day. The insole is junk, throw it away. Get an aftermarket flat thin insole, or (what I did) use an old used set from some old Vivo shoes.

I had to order direct from a UK distributer as nobody in the US carries them.

Love my qs700's but being in the oilfield they lasted about 7 months. They are no longer even water resistant.

 

[dgfavor]

While I wouldn't consider them barefoot footwear per se the Plasma Dewalts are a near zero drop, plenty wide in the toe box in the "wide" sizes, come with safety toe, and I've found to be comfortable as heck. I pull out the insert that comes with them and put in a Run 619 zero drop insert. My pair must be approaching 4yo and look like they're just going to keep on going. They're my everyday chore, run to town, etc boot (mine are the plain toe vs safety toe). I forgot to switch out of them one day, accidentally wore them in the chukar hills and they were just fine minus lacking traction with their industrial sole.

Run 619

Plasma DeWalt

 

[Dave_S]

Love my qs700's but being in the oilfield they lasted about 7 months. They are no longer even water resistant.

I'm about a 2 months into mine, and they are pretty great. I treated the leather with nikwax when I first got them, which has helped slightly with water resistance. But the oilfield is pretty tough on any boot.