Ok so, I work on communication towers and used to wear lace up boots. We work with ropes and rigging to bring things up and lower things from the tower. A coworker told me about a time where he got caught in a rope and he felt that if he had slip on boots rather than lace up boots on he would have been able to get free faster than he was….Since then I have been wearing slip on/pull on boots. I do agree that lace up boots probably protect your ankle and foot better if you hurt either because of the pressure/stability the lace ups provide.

I know this is an old vid but i wear a brand called "steel blue", not sure if they're available where you are but they're pretty big here in Australia. They're lace up boots but they have a zip on the inner ankle which makes them easy to take on an off, which in terms of lace up vs slip on, it gives you the best of both worlds. Mine have lasted 4 years so far and i wear them 5-6 days per week and they're surprisingly comfy compared to other boots ive had. I paid about $200AU for them, which were on the pricey end at the time and are probably more expensive now with inflation, not to mention that i can be a bit of a cheapskate sometimes, so was hesitant about spending the extra coin, especially after basically needing to buy new ones every year up to that point. But well worth it in my opinion. For context, i lay flooring for a living, so im always on jobsites and getting up and down all day means they are constantly bending/flexing and they get dragged around a far bit when im installing. Also, i sit 25kg boxes of flooring on the steel cap sometimes when im moving boxes around (just so its easier to pick them back up again, especially when im working in a small area like a walk-in wardrobe or pantry). Im alot like you in terms of mindset and side-hustle, so i do some landscaping stuff as well, some vehicle mechanic stuff (oils/fluids), amongst other bits and bobs, so they get put thru alot and i have no complaints about the boots at all. I know this is a long comment, but for some more context, i found you thru your slab pour vid after researching how other countries and people do slabs, given that concrete slabs directly affect my work and we've had some issues with the way they've been done here recently, but that's another story. Also, there's a product called "scotchgard" which might help protect your boots from absorbing oils or whatever, again, not sure if available where you are but i have also used some spray on cooking-oil, which is supposed to help act as a repellent. Although, I used these on a previous pair of boots and i think they worked, but cant guarantee that as i ended up needing new ones about 6months later after they got ripped apart from a hydraulic tilt tray on a tow truck coming down on them lol. I haven't used these products on my current steel blue boots though, as the toe area on them is rubber anyway, so no need. Hope that explains everything. Sorry for the essay.

I have been a Big Rig Diesel mechanic for 11 years. The absolute best are Nick's and the next best is White's. They are expensive. A good quality decent work boot that is not like $700 is Wolverine. What I do that makes them last even longer is heat them up to around 100 degrees and use snow seal on them. You need to work it in. Get it in the stitches, work it into the leather and you just increased the life of most boots by 20%. Then what you want to do is buy a boot warmer. That will increase boot life another 30%. I run my boot warmer on a 15 amp timer. If you own 2 pairs and alternate and leave the pair you are not wearing I have heard it will extend life up to 2x I have never seen that though. For insols you want Dr Scholl's heavy duty support. The last about 6-8 months. For height you want 8 inch minimum. I have hurt my foot bad and literally was told I would have had bones sticking out and more damage had I not had 8inch and tight laces. For laces I buy Ironlaces they are made by blind people which is cool but, they allow you to lace really tight. Now steel toe is better in most cases because it will cut your toes off and allow them to be resewn on. Composite will not. Down side is steel toe is hard on your knees because of the weight. Feet are one of the most important things for any tradesman. You are often in tough conditions etc. As for the asphalt guy the snow seal will help he is going to need to apply it roughly at the temperature that the asphalt is going to be at. But, it's going to be a temporary thing. I have heard sneakers is what most asphalt people use new balance more specifically because no matter what you are just going to go through shoes. As for diesel fuel etc it will rot the boot out. It rots and breaks down the fibers and is why it normally goes bad right at the corners of the toe cap up top. Anything patroleum based will do this. Snow seal will protect the boots a lot from that. My boots normally either get cut from something sharp or the sole wears out before anything else when I use snow seal. There are 2 types of sole you can get with wolverine bonded aka glued or stitched. Stitched can be taken to a cobbler and have the sole replaced. The Wolverine boots I normally wear are Raiders or McKay. I have thought about buying Nick's but, I am still paying off bills and I doubt they will last that much longer than what I use.

I know that Red Wing makes good work shoes and boots, I have never owned any though. I like the slip on wellington style boot. For years I wore Wolverine steel toe, they didn't last that long. For the last 5 years I have been buying Justin pit stop, but they quit making them in black. You can get a brown I think the model is 4767. I don' know what the best is but the Justins fit me good and I like them a lot. I am currently wearing Ariat non steel toe slip on. They are okay. For me It would be nice if they lasted a long time but depending on what I am doing they usually start looking real bad after 6 months. Its good to have two pairs and be switching them out. I really don't care for laces. Good luck on your boot journey.

Hoffman 10” Dri Line or Power Line models are the absolute best boots I’ve ever worn. I see you’re a climber as well, and you will absolutely love how they feel in hooks

OMG! Please, I'm begging you, have Sallie make you a tee-shirt that says "Lace up for Life"! I'm sorry this happened to you. Foot, ankle, leg injuries are tough. Please take it easy, even though it goes against every fiber in your being, lol

I prefer laces for many of the same reasons you listed. Essential Craftsman turned me on to Sears Diehard boots years ago. He has used them hard for quite a number of years. If I remember correctly, he was replacing them every 6-12 months. He has a few videos on boots and doesn't take endorsing brands lightly. If you have not, you should check out his recommendations.

Jon, well-fitting boots are what we all need. I don't want to be Debbie Downer, but our feet are at risk. Blisters can lead to open soars and gangrene, and amputations. So listen up and check your feet every day. If you have a family history of diabeties, get good fitting shoes and take care of your feet. You come with two. Prosthetics are expensive and, trust me, expensive. I had knee cancer, but I see the people who lose feet because of a blister that did not heal. Jon lace-up boots are what you need to try Red Wing; Carolina has some. Steel toes or safety shoes should be fitted.

I'm in the northeast (NY) so I deal with all weather conditions. Check out Chippewa. No way I'd ever be wearing slip on's doing serious work. As a New Yorker I also have ab affinity for Timberland construction boots. We wear them for style. But once they are broken in. I've done my fair share of construction work in my old Timberlands.

Lace up boots for sure. They stabilize the whole foot., ankle etc. My background is construction. CAT is the brand that seems to last the longest. Steel toe shoes are a little heavy at first, but you get used to it quickly. I’m sorry for your accident and hope you heal quickly!

Lace up boots for working on your feet. If your horse or vehicle transports you, then you can get away with slip or pull-on boots. . . . Thorogood boots are American sourced and made in USA since 1892. I'm not a rep. I own a pair, and have worn them almost daily, for up to 12 hours a day sometimes, to work my construction projects for over four years now. Care for them with Saddle soap and Neatsfoot Oil and they will last a long time. They are more "Go" than "Show". Comfortable to work in from day 1; no break-in period. They are in the $200 price range, but if cared for will end up costing you less in the long run than the cheap Chinese and other places junk out there. . . . . Besides, if you work in America, buy from other working Americans.

Hi Jon, Having no fear or a high pain level is dangerous, especially those guys (and i am one of them) needing the best gear. I don't have time (and i don't want) to go to the doctor. So, to prevent that you are getting badly injured and need to be carried away to the hospital... go to a store and try some boots on, and invest in your and your families future. When boots costing 200 box and you can wear them 3 years, 250 days a year, 12 hours a day is 3000hours. 200 box/3000hours = 7 cents per hour.... Write them in your tax declaration and it cost you almost nothing 👍. Sounds like a plan or not? Don't play with safety, it will cost you more then 200box 😉

Brahma oil resistant steel toe boots are the ones I have. I used to own several pair of red wing. I worked in manufacturing but mainly office however every time I would travel to the car manufacturing plants or visit my suppliers I had to wear safety shoes. Those plants have all sorts of dangers. Those boots saved me from lots of toe injuries and sprained ankles. Lace boots always. I'm a short person and they are bulky to wear but safety first. So sorry about your injury. Please remember that you have a family and you are their world. Not fun being out of commission but it is best you rest and recover so you don't prolonging it.

Check a chemical compatibility chart when selecting boots. It's about the only sure way of getting the right boot for the job. I like redwing as well but I am not in them all the time.

This is so weird b/c I was thinking about buying some redwings earlier today, but my paycheck hasn’t hit yet lol.