Footwear question for the active railroaders...

[cyeargin]

I have been hired on as a Conductor Trainee with NS and have been scheduled to start training at the end of this month...I was told that I need to go ahead and buy a pair of work boots, and while I was given the criteria ( at least 6" tall, leather, defined heel), I was not given any specific recommendations on brand or style. Would any of you care to share what brand and style you like and that keeps your feet happy out pounding the ballast? Also, I was told NS doesn't require steel toes, but doesn't disallow them either apparently..any thoughts on yes or no on the steel toes? Just wanting some advice from the ones who have been there and done that before I spend money...

[edblysard]

Wolverines, no steel toe...why drag around the extra weight.

In some areas, car department and such, where the chance of dropping something on your foot or toes is higher, like tools or car parts, steel toes make sense.

In T&E service, about the only thing you will face is a knuckle dropping out, or you dropping an EOT on them, and if you follow the rules, your feet will not be under it anyway.

Beyond that, about the only thing your toes will have to fear is getting run over by a railcar, and steel toes will make zero difference then.

On the other hand, if steel toes make you feel more safe, try them.

On my railroad, Wolverines, followed by Red Wings.

I flat switch, so I find the higher ankle support of the Wolverines helps with the fatigue.

Ed

[cyeargin]

Thanks for the reply, Ed....I too anticipate doing quite a bit of flat switching, and the pair I'm thinking of right now is the Red Wing #964, which is an 8" non-steel toe. One other thing: I know most leather boots are water-resistent, but some are listed as water-proof. Is this something worth considering, or would they be too hot on non-rainy days and therefore not worth it. ( I'm going to be working in southeast Georgia).

[route_rock]

  The high ankle also provides great protection when stumbling across the ballast! I like my Red Wings, I get a boot allowance and we get to choose between a few styles but these are my favorites.

  Ask the shoe rep about your last question. Nothing like having sweaty feet for 12 hours then putting on nasty wet boots the next day ( ick)

[mudchicken]

Wise counsel from the frosty one.

I would add that the shoes you find favor with will change over time. Look for an oil & slip resistant sole and do make the effort to break-in those shoes prior to starting work.

From a trackman's perspective (not T&E, we roam around in ballast constantly... and after a whole day in loose ballast the next morning becomes a reinactment of Tim Conway's Little Old Man routine), the steel toe weight is a non-issue and the kevlar equivilent are no different. The trackmen and mechanical guys must have the steel toe and most have the metatarsel guards over the lower shoelaces. We love the 12" boots for the support (not for you), but you can't be as nimble in them...Do NOT buy a pair of cheap shoes, you will pay for it later in foot pain. Beware the shoe truck brands (Iron Age, etc.)...Be ready to spend $150+ for a pair of tough shoes that won't fall apart after 10 days.

My everyday shoes : Redwing Muscle Shoes (Stock # 6667, Steel & Kevlar Toe, Steel Shank protecting the bottom of your foot, ANSI Z41 PT99 rated)...look like & comfortable as hiking books. Darned near indestructable and I have a reputation for being hard on shoes.

My special duty/ trackman shoes are Redwing Irish Setters with a Vibram sole. IMHO, Vibram soles are the best for steady work in ballast. They might be too stiff for rung and ladder work. (I can no longer find Chippewa steel-toed 50-Below shoes which I found to be the best shoe I ever had) Leather and foam rubber soles will not survive where you are at. 

 

[Anonymous]

take the engineers promotion and wear sandals !

[edblysard]

Have yet to see a pair of boots that can keep out a southern thunderstorm!

Oil them up, then wax/polish the crap out of them, it will keep out some rain.

Do what the mudchicken suggest, look for a pair that feels good on you, has non slip soles, and expect to pay between $100.00 to $150.00, hopefuly your carrier has a boot allowance, mine pays 50% on one pair a year.

So far, the Wolverines have made it about two years on average.

Do not go "cheap", you will pay for it later with back pain and really sore feet, and blisters can get infected in a day.

And the dusty one has the one thing that will make a real difference...break them in at home first...if you wait till your at work, you will regret it.

Trust the mudchicken, he speaks from experience.

[Anonymous]

take the engineers promotion and wear sandals !

Ain't it the truth!

[edblysard]

Kevin,

Try food and clothes....

Everything tastes better on a Ritz, and you stay warmer in pants....

 

Ed

[tree68]

If you think sweaty boots is going to be a problem, consider two pair, so one can be "resting" while you wear the other.  It'll cost twice as much, and will take twice as long to break in, but...

Don't forget socks - wish I could tell you the best kind to wear, but I'm sure the experts will help.  I wear cotton under my EMS workboots while doing my railroad work - but I'm not T&E and my time on the ballast/climbing/etc is limited.  When I do upgrade, I'll be looking at some more suitable boots.

[edblysard]

Yeah, Thanks Larry.

Forgot that part,

Larry has it...cotton socks, white cotton gym socks.

Because your feet will sweat, and you can wash white cotton socks in hot water and bleach, kills all the bugs.

Sounds silly, but it only takes one time to have a good case of foot crud to make you never want to have it again, ever.

I keep my old worn out boots as "rain boots", the ones I wear when there is no chance the rain is going to quit on my shift...keep the "new" boots in the back of the car for tomorrow...dont really care if the olds ones get wet.

[Anonymous]

Actually...

Now that you mention rain boots, I borrow my Uncle's Armyboots (no Joke.)

They are by far the best. No leaks, lightweight...

If you don't have an uncle in the army with the same shoe size as you, perhaps an army surplus store?

[gradyo54]

I used to work for Illinois DOT Highway maintenance and would suggest a good Red Wing Boot good sole and lace up style, you will need the extra support for your ankles. I slipped one night in a pair of pull ons and sprained my ankle, my Doctor said if I had the lace up I might not have had  such a bad injury do to the lateral movement of the foot. Good Luck in your new career! Greg

[Anonymous]

Kevin,

Try food and clothes....

Everything tastes better on a Ritz, and you stay warmer in pants....

 

Ed

geez, 13 thousand comedians unemployed, yet look at you.. steaming along.

[cyeargin]

Wow, this has turned into a pretty good thread...thanks for all the good advice guys....btw, here is the boot I'm considering getting:

http://www.redwingshoe.com/productdetails.aspx?prodid=1063

Look like a good choice?

 

 

[edblysard]

So, Kevin, you saying I shouldnt give up my day job?

 

cyeargin, is there a Red Wing store near you?

If so, go try them on.

I havent worn Red Wings, only the Wolverines, but I see that boot at work a lot, and the other one like it with out the heavy padding at the top.

Pretty popular down here, so....

 

Ed

 

 

[daveklepper]

If you can afford the initial cost, by all means get two pairs.  In the long run you will save money because both pairs will last longer than twice as long if you equalize wear and maintain them with oil and polish, giving each pair one day of rest for one day of work.

[adrianspeeder]

Dad and I both go with Redwing Irish Setters for real nice boots.  I have also had Wolverine's, but he hasn't ever found a pair that fits him well.  Dad also prefers Rockys, but I haven't found a pair that fit me well.  Point being that every foot is different and you just need to wear them.  And not just 10 minutes in the store walking in circles.  The Redwing store we go to lets ya take em out for awhile to really be sure.

Adrianspeeder

[jeffhergert]

 I've worn Red Wings for years, even before working for the railroad. Now that the railroad pays for half, is just like icing on the cake. (I guess German Chocolate, for those over in the diner thread.)

 I've never worn Wolverines, but they are very popular out of my home terminal. Probably more so than Red Wings. I buy mine thru a local clothing store that handles shoes and overalls, the other important (for me) need.

 Both companies have a truck that comes around every so often. I don't know if it's direct or a dealer. You can buy work boots (depending on size and style of cours) right off the truck. Going thru a local store for me usually means having to order a pair, but only takes a week or two to arrive.  I seem to see the Wolverine truck more often. That may be why it seems to be more popular.

 BTW, my shoes have the steel (actually plastic) toe cap, even thought it's not required for TE&Y employees. Just happens to be the style I like.

Jeff      

[rvos1979]

I bought a pair of Wolverines this spring, and I'm satisfied with them, before these I wore Caterpillar boots, and they also served me well when I worked for the railroad.  I wore 8-inch tall steel toe boots (not required for RR use, but I now need them at Stoughton Trailer), have worn the steel toes now for eight years, they have saved my toes a couple times (drop a 24.5 truck rim on your toes once, you'll swear by them for life!)

[doghouse]

I disagree with those of you recomending cotton  socks.  We use socks with 65% polyester, 35% acrilic fiber.  Woven into the socks is "thinsulate" insulating fibers.  These socks wick moisture better than cotton and they don't "mash" (the fibers flaten out) like cotton does.  Also, Get boots that are insulated.  Wether cold or heat, insulated boots can't be beat.    

[UP #119]

I tend to use steel-toed boots that go at least two or three inches past my ankles. I had an incident years ago and I feel I can depend on these to keep it from happening again. For a brand, iI have tried many, and the only one that didnt last as long as the others was a pair of Wal-Mart bought Stanley steel-toes. So any brand is better so long as it is NOT those, I suppose.

[Anonymous]

CSX has the same boot requirements - at least 6 in high with oil-resistant sole, and a "defined" heel, for ladders.  Steel toe is optional, but it seems like all of the ones we order have them anyway.  We order safety gear thru the company, and most of their choices are from Georgia Boot. 

I always make sure to get waterproof boots.  I have 2 pairs - one run-of-the-mill pair for summer use, and the other pair is insulated for winter.  I get foam insoles if needed, but many boots have these already, so you may not need to buy them separately.

Here's a trick - if your boots get wet, stuff them with crumpled newspaper after you take them off.  When you get up later, the boots will by bone-dry.

[cyeargin]

 

Here's a trick - if your boots get wet, stuff them with crumpled newspaper after you take them off.  When you get up later, the boots will by bone-dry.

Yep, I'm well familiar with the newspaper trick: the job I'm leaving to join NS is the fire service, so I'm very familiar with wet boots, LOL.

[RABEL]

I disagree with those of you recomending cotton  socks.  We use socks with 65% polyester, 35% acrilic fiber.  Woven into the socks is "thinsulate" insulating fibers.  These socks wick moisture better than cotton and they don't "mash" (the fibers flaten out) like cotton does. 

I agree. I have found that WigWam hiking /outdoor Ultimax  sox  as a cure for sweaty feet.

Wool sox are are a better choice than cotton for foot comfort.

[tree68]

I disagree with those of you recomending cotton  socks.  We use socks with 65% polyester, 35% acrilic fiber.  Woven into the socks is "thinsulate" insulating fibers.  These socks wick moisture better than cotton and they don't "mash" (the fibers flaten out) like cotton does. 

Actually, I was expecting someone to come up with the blend - I just couldn't remember what it was.  I think it depends a lot on the climate you work in, too.  I'm going to take the middle road and suggest that folks try both and find out what works for them.  Same goes for wool, although some people have issues with it.  What isn't appropriate is your favorite argyle socks.  You need something with more bulk.  Many moons ago, when I was in basic training, they had us wearing "dress" type socks under heavier (might have been wool) socks. 

[Hugh Jampton]

The best combination is a natural silk sock worn underneath a wool or cotton one (depending on temperature). The silk draws the moisture (sweat) from your feet and keeps them dry (most important, especially in the cold) while the wool / cotton stores the moisture and provides insulation.

[cyeargin]

The best combination is a natural silk sock worn underneath a wool or cotton one (depending on temperature). The silk draws the moisture (sweat) from your feet and keeps them dry (most important, especially in the cold) while the wool / cotton stores the moisture and provides insulation.

That kind of sounds like what we did in the Reserves while wearing combat boots: wear a pair (don't laugh) ladies' calf or knee-high hose under a pair of wool/cotton blend boot socks. In addition to the reason you listed, I was told the hose acted as a sort of nylon "lubricant" to prevent blisters.

[dldance]

One thing my son is learning in the Army is that boots may be worn out before the uppers start looking bad.  Keeping the uppers oiled/polished is great -- but watch the arch support and the heel pad (inside) for signs of wear as well. 

I tend to prefer steel toes because they have to be more rigerously inspected than the non-steel toe boots to meet standards.

dd

[Anonymous]

Around here people actually stay away from Red Wing.     Why???  Because they say it takes forever to break them in.  But on the other side of the coin, IF you can successfully break them in then they last a good while.  Several people have bought them and got rid of them after about 3 months because they said they just could not break them in and they hurt their feet too much.  I stareted with a pair of cheapos from Wal Mart.  They were Brahma brand.  I wore them about two months and they hurt my feat all the time.  The outsole was hard and felt like walking on concrete with only socks.  However, within the first month their was noticeable outsole wear.  My second pair--Timberland Pro series.  They were pretty comfortable and broke in quickly.  Within only 3 months they developed a crack in the soles and now get wet inside because of the failed outsole.  I still wear them when I know it is not going to rain as they still are the most comfortable pair I have.  My third pair is a pair of Wolverines.  They meet all the standard requirements (as did the other two pair) but are shock proof also.  This pair is well broken in but hurt my feet.  Since I do a lot of walking in ballast and sand (tripped PC will do that ya know) I have a heavy heel stike.  It only took 2 months before extreme wear was noticed on the Wolverines. 

Most any shoe I wear does not hold up while walking on ballast and sand.  Someone mentioned oil resistant.  This is also required in most mechanical railroad shops.  The soles will hold up as far as oil is concerned but the blallast pretty much eats the soles.

Now, someone also mentioned socks.  I wear thick socks and found that Thorlos work best for me.  The basketball or tennis ones are pretty much the same except for the sole color (basketball is blue and tennis is gold).  Thorlos will last a good while also, something the other brands just do not do.  The Dickeys brand (thick sock) is so so and does not last very long.  They are comfortable but just don't last as they develop holes after only a month or so.  I have also tried the WigWam brand of thick socks.  The soles are ok but the tops stretch out quickly and do not stay up.  When I am out of clean thick socks then I wear two pair of regular socks.  However, one pair of thick socks work and wear much better.