Smart but comfortable shoes recommendations?

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macdo

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Jan 20, 2006
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My son is working in event security. He's a big lad - well suited to the job. He has to be smart (black leather shoes essentially) but is on his feet for long periods of time. He's looking at a pair of New Balance MW577 shoes but interested in any recommendations from the collected wisdom here.
 
Maybe Olu-Kai? they are really comfy and a nice blend between function and style. Hand made in hawaii Or like Ecco's are another good choice.
 
macdo said:
My son is working in event security. He's a big lad - well suited to the job. He has to be smart (black leather shoes essentially) but is on his feet for long periods of time. He's looking at a pair of New Balance MW577 shoes but interested in any recommendations from the collected wisdom here.
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New Balance is great stuff. I worked as a machinist for the last half of my working life, and stadning around on reenforced concrete floors is hard on your feet. I tried all the boots out there, Wolverine, Red Wing, Danner, Timberlands, and none were that great. THen I just said the heck with it, and went with New Balance. My feet felt great. After a month or so, the factory insoles go to hell, so I replaced them with Spenco foam inserts. A couple of my co-workers had problems, and the podiatrist recommended New Balance all terrain shoes. No more problems. Soon, all the guys in the shop were wearing either New Balance or Rockports which seemed to work out well too. We started cranking on those mills and lathes at 6AM, and were on our feet all day. Good shoes with good cushioning was essential.

Carl.
 
I just got a pair of danner mt lite II boots 2 days ago and they are very comfortable. I've been wearing them everywhere trying to break them in.
 
Used to work on my feet for long hours on concrete floors. Once the cork footbed is broken in (exact match of your feet) Birkenstock Footprints (with the blue Birkenstock insert for a little extra cushion) worked the best for me. For a tennis shoe, Brooks Addiction lives up to the reviews. In my experiance, both hold up better than other brands and both are available in black leather.
 
Another brand that you might be able to find there for a little less $$$ is Redback. Their boots are pretty well built, and not too terrible for cost if you can get them for similar cost to Oz. Personally I try to spend as little as possible on my boots and shoes, just enough to fill my needs, and then instead of holding on to them way passed their usefulness I can toss them without feeling too bad. That said, my current pair of classic Magnums are holding up much better than I expected they would.
Does he need steel-cap?
 
ddml said:
Danner is a great recommendation. I don't have that particular pair but my Mountain Light II are the most comfortable pair of footwear outside of sandals. made in USA.
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THIS! My Mountain light IIs are the most comfortable footwear I own! And if he is in even security, they should do the job well!
 
Why not go Old School?

Mens-Corcoran-Steel-Toe-Work-Boot-X.jpg


As somebody here once told me: "nothing says Badass like a fella in a suit with a pair of Corcoran jump boots".
 
Doesn't comfort depend largely on the insoles as well? I've tried a number of them, though most failed to deliver. The Sof Sole 3/4 graphite insole was by far the most comfortable, though I wasn't 100% sure how to wear them properly. If I use them without the standard insole with the shoe, the bottom of the shoe will shred the top of my foot(because the insole only covers the bottom portion of the foot). If I use them below the standard insole, the bottom of the insole squeaks loudly against the bottom of the shoe, plus I suspected a thicker insole would not mesh well with the contour of the 3/4 insole. If I use the 3/4 insole on top of another insole, it feels much better, but slides around when my foot is off the shoe and completely shreds the bottom insole.
 
Was at a hotel, working an event, and came out of the event to find the lobby full of screaming 16-20 year old girls, a stressed looking film trio and some guy I assume was a bolywood star (no, not just because he was indian, there were other clues) anywho, I saw two guys "loitering" trying to be as inconspicuous as possible, tailored suits. Not hard to notice the jump boots. And we all know who the body guards are.... Wasn't even trying to spot them, just had one of those "spidey sense" moments, and they didn't belong. Funny moment though.
 
Thanks for the pointers guys - he's taken with the Danners so we will see how they go..
 
I used to do up to 30 trade shows a year (never home...) The best shoes I found for standing on concrete for hours (shoes, not boots) were Cole Haans. They teamed up with Nike to make a air sole for dress shoes that works. I've tried Born, Ecco, NB< Birkenstock, etc...Spend the money; get good shoes.

Boots...I always wear Danner.
 
Dexter makes some nice dress shoes with good cushioning.
I've stood in a suit for hours with them...no issues.
 
macdo said:
He's looking at a pair of New Balance MW577 shoes
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I have a pair of New Balance shoes on my feet right now that are very similar to those, though mine have gray accent stripes. But they are very comfortable, and I wear them all the time and everywhere it is appropriate. But I can attest to the comfort.
 
macdo said:
My son is working in event security. He's a big lad - well suited to the job. He has to be smart (black leather shoes essentially) but is on his feet for long periods of time. He's looking at a pair of New Balance MW577 shoes but interested in any recommendations from the collected wisdom here.
Click to expand...

I don't know what brand options you have in New Zealand but, pay the premium to be properly fitted for the shoes. People harp on brands but, everyone's foot is different and Brand A that works for one person won't work for another. When I was professionally fitted, I got a pair of boots from a brand I had never heard of before. They fit, "broke in" easily and, were comfortable, and have held up well to hard use. The key again was being properly fitted by a professional.
 
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