loggers boots? what do you wear?

[zackman1801]

Hey guys, im looking into getting some new boots to wear for the summer season when it gets hotter.  I am wearing the Husqvarna light 24's  right now and they are  not extremely comfortable, between being made of kevlar and rubber they are cold in the winter and really hot in the warmer parts of the year.  So im looking into getting leather ones. but the problems im running into are the fact that almost no companies except for labonville make leather boots with kevlar protection for your feet.  so my question is what do you guys wear for boots and do you know of any other companies that make boots that are protective enough to wear in the woods. Most places advertise "loggers boots" but then when reading the description they also say , not waterproof,  uninsulated, and some dont even have steel toe.

[timberfaller390]

My danner tillamook fireline boots pull double duty. the are water proof but plain toe because of NFPA standards. Most logger/ fire fighting boots are un insulated leather. a pair of bailey's red dawgs may be right up your alley or a pair called metatarsel boots google it to find a dealer. It's a style not a brand.

[zackman1801]

but are they cut resistant?
All places around here like the osha standards and thats one of them. i surely dont want an osha inspector showing up and writing me a fine that i cant afford. i can hardly afford to do any cutting let alone pay unneeded fines.

[thecfarm]

Don't labonville sell kevlar inserts?Buy a pair of boots one size bigger and than put these kevlar socks on.I think these are OSHA legal.

[Dan_Shade]

does osha require kevlar shoes?  or is that a personal preference thing?

[Kevin]

I wear Royers in the summer.

http://www.superiorsafety.ca/catalog.asp?imagename=boot%208614&action=client&can=3802963E&keys2=Royer

The regs only require you to wear a safety boot. (steel toe)

[Dale Hatfield]

Kevin
I dont have the paperwork to back it up right now . But I believe in the Logging Regs its says foot cut protection.
Here i found it.
1910.266(d)(1)(v)

    The employer shall assure that each employee wears foot protection, such as heavy-duty logging boots that are waterproof or water repellent, cover and provide support to the ankle. The employer shall assure that each employee who operates a chain saw wears foot protection that is constructed with cut-resistant material which will protect the employee against contact with a running chain saw. Sharp, calk-soled boots or other slip-resistant type boots may be worn where the employer demonstrates that they are necessary for the employee's job, the terrain, the timber type, and the weather conditions, provided that foot protection otherwise required by this paragraph is met.

http://www.osha.gov/SLTC/etools/logging/mainpage.html

[pappy19]

White's are the true logging boot still made in the USA in Spokane, Washington. I have 2 pairs, one logger and one packer. Had my first pair in 1965 along with a Ruana knife from Bonner, Montana. Still the best in both worlds.

[Craig]

These are what I wear,

http://www.cspoutdoors.com/swedeproboots.html

I have them with caulked soles but you can get them with or without.

Craig

[woodmills1]

I am all red wing for work and for play, I even use their wool socks.  I get incredible wear from the boots and shoes and the socks keep the sweat away from my feet.  Free laces and stiching for life and the socks cured my stinky feet.

[Kevin]

Thanks for posting that Dale, the regulations are different on this side at least in Ontario.
I'll see what I can find  for a reference.

Looks like there's something in the works but it hasn't passed yet.

It is not yet known when the new standard will be in place

http://www.ofswa.on.ca/thelog/march2001/footwear.html

Canadian regulations

Heavy, well-fitted, safety work boots approved by standards like CAN/CSA Standard Z195-M92: Protective Footwear, or ANSI Standard Z41-1999: Personal Protection - Protective Footwear.

In addition to the regular requirements for safety boots, chain saw operators should wear boots made from cut-resistant materials that offer protection from contact with running chain saws.
Boots made of ballistic nylon offer the best cut protection.
Rubber soles for wet weather and snow, and hobnail boots, grip soles or cork soles for rough terrain.


The wording here is should wear and not must wear but I'm sure it's coming.

[snowman]

Pappy said it, Whites! If you want the best you want whites. Heres an interesting side note though. "You can't get good leather anymore, boots will never be as good as they once were". Thats what guy at Whites told me a few years back. I said, what, cows are different these days? I guess it's about chromoly leather though. You apparently can't use chromium  tanned leather anymore and thats what makes the best leather. Enviros strike again. Anyway, I'm no leather expert, just what I was told.

[roger 4400]

    Hi ! Do you have any friend that works as a solderer? Or in a steel shop?
    Their booth are leather, steel toe and over the laces they have a special *tongue * of steel that cover all from the ankle to the toe cap.... so this way the upper part of the feet is protected.    Good luck                              Roger

[timberfaller390]

    Hi ! Do you have any friend that works as a solderer? Or in a steel shop?
    Their booth are leather, steel toe and over the laces they have a special *tongue * of steel that cover all from the ankle to the toe cap.... so this way the upper part of the feet is protected.    Good luck                              Roger

 These are what I refered to as metatarsel boots.

[zackman1801]

thing is if i do cut my boots i want just the boots to be unusable not my chain too. if you were to hit a steel tongue in one of those your chain would probably look pretty crappy after.

[Dan_Shade]

i don't think a metatarsal or a steel toe mean much to a high speed chain.  I cut a 3/8 bolt nearly in half once before I realized I hit something...  I also cut a 5/16 cable in half completely by accident once....

[beenthere]

I think the most important thing to worry about is the foot and the tendons in the foot that is in the boot....

Can easily get new boots and new chain....

[zackman1801]

although im not sure about how moving around in the woods with those would be. although i like the suggestions about the boots. im not sure why they dont make more boots with cut resistant materials more readily available. i see all kinds of boots around that advertise for logging but they fall short of the mark in one way or another.

[woodsrunner]

I have been wearing Matterhorn boots for some years now. I have been very satisfied with them.  :-*They have a loggers boot that is pricey but they have kevlar to foul the chain, steel toe and gortex lining to keep your feet dry and a vibram sole. As far as the steel toe not stopping the chain, I disagree. Saw a video on youtube demonstrating the plastic toe and the steel toe chainsaw boots with kevlar lining. The chainsaw chewed right thru the plastic toed boot with kevlar. The steel toed boot did not allow the chain to cut thru the boot to where your foot would be. On a real life personal observation of this, about 2 months ago, I was standing about 6 feet away from my brother when he let the tip of his bar hit the steel toe of his chainsaw boots head-on. The chain when thru the leather and kevlar and hit the steel cap and bounced back out. Instead of having to deal with an emergency way back in the woods (30 minutes on the 4 wheelers to the truck and another 45 minutes to a hospital) all that happened was "DanG it, I cut my boot!!!!! BTW, we also wear chaps and hardhats with hearing protection and eye protection. I have learned the hardway, getting injured hurts too much, costs too much in the short run and costs way too much in the long run.

[twobears]

 when,your limbing on the offside of the tree keep your toes back and you won,t have to worry about cutting your foot..  

  delbert