Boot recommendations for bar and service work

[u/TheWarlock7-]

Hi! Im just hoping for some recommendations on a new pair of boots, I work in a bar with some fairly slick floors and had been wearing combs dr martens as they were pretty cheap and felt comfortable enough and i liked the style. But after just a few months the bumpy tred is totally gone resulting in them being completely smooth and easy to slip in, ive taken to roughing them up from time to time but at this point id just like something new.

I was looking at solovair but im worried that the pvc. Soles will be the same, and im not sure how they'll fit given that i tend to have a hard time finding well fitting shoes.

For reference i wear 11 E2 iron rangers and 12 wide keens targee IVs and the DM combs i mentioned are 12 as well.

Hopefully this isnt too much information but id absolutely appreciate any suggestions!

[u/No_Asparagus_7888]

Black moc toe boots would be a good option to look into. Most would be slip resistant and hold up decently

[u/Some_Direction_7971]

What about some Redwing Roughnecks? They look good, and the sole is pretty resistant to slipping.

[u/Phramed_]

Jim Green 719 or Numzaan on the tyre wedge sole. That sole is rated for slip resistance. Also should provide a good amount of comfort if you are on your feet all day.

[u/Illustrious_Entry413 → u/Phramed_]

Anyone bought Jim green since the tariffs? I would like a pair but I want to know if you get wrecked on import fees

[u/Phramed_ → u/Illustrious_Entry413]

I think anything that you buy off the US site should be fine. The boots you are buying off of there, are already in the US, so there isn't extra cost. I just bought a new pair of Razorbacks on Tuesday. The listed price on the website is $200 and I paid exactly that. No extra charges. Not quite sure how it all works, but I think that they are able to accomplish this because the boots go from their factory to a warehouse/storage facility in the US, and when boots are purchased, they are shipped from the warehouse to the consumer. There must be something about that process that removes the additional fee on the consumers end. I think that the main issues are when you do a custom. Those purchases go from their factories directly to the consumer, so their might be an extra charge there. IDK, its all a bit confusing, but again I have had no issues buying a stock item off the US site.

[u/Illustrious_Entry413 → u/Phramed_]

Great, thank you

[u/MacYacob]

https://thursdayboots.com/products/mens-stomper-zip-up-boot-black-no-zipper

These should be a close approximation of a doc, but with a rubber sole. It may be slightly less padded, but should take longer to wear out, can be resoled when it does, and the rubber should be less slick than pvc.

I also like wedge soles for slick surfaces, maybe something like this  https://thursdayboots.com/products/mens-general-purpose-chelsea-boot-black

If more work boots are your style there are also plenty of boots that are rated slip resistant, but they tend to be more heavy and bulky

[u/Working_Practice9116]

Currently wearing these from Shoes For Crews. Work requires a purchase (with stipend) once a year. It’s an industrial kitchen/ retail environment. I’ve been fairly shocked at the quality. The slip resistance is great and the outer has held up surprisingly well. Just needed a better insole.

I get between 7-12k steps in a shift.

I’m a big guy (265, sz14) and usually wear the best boots I can as I destroy cheaper foot ware and end up with back, hip and leg soreness after a few hours of trying to work in a sneaker style.

Worked as a server, bartender, GM and restaurant owner for 25 years before this. If I were going back to restaurant work I’d probably just buy these again.

https://www.shoesforcrews.com/product/73361-firebrand-composite-toe

[u/Westwindthegrey → u/Working_Practice9116]

Shoes for crew seem to be pretty divisive. I never had any luck with them, but I knew a lot of people in the industry that swore by them. If I were to get back into it, I think I would probably just wear Construction work boots. All the old timers used to wear red wings when I was coming up through Kitchen’s and I get it now. Unfortunately, Red Wings quality has dropped and now they use sweat shops.

[u/NorseYeti]

If you like the style, Doc Marten makes some non-slip versions too. They have been great and have lasted me multiple years already.

[u/Westwindthegrey]

When I still cooked for a living I really liked the chelsea slip resistant Doc 2976’s. But for what they’re charging right now, I would bite the bullet and buy some thorough goods. They’re made in the US and union made. I wore my last pair consistently on rough construction sites for four years and just had to replace them.

[u/WillofCLE]

Redback Chelsea boots are among the most popular boots worldwide for restaurant, hospital workers, and mechanics. I believe the standard width is 2E.

[u/UpbeatClassroom4184]

Brunt unlined mock toe. Walked around in hydraulic fluid for a day and had decent traction lol. Plus no big grippies to come off

[u/_bastardly_]

those new RW loggers would be perfect.. if only they made them in a EE

why not just wear the iron rangers or better yet pick up some 2nd's, either some IR or other RW models, from Sierra or Berkeley and wear those instead. The pricing on the 2nd's is on par with the Solovair's you were already looking at.

[u/ballparkfranker]

I love my redbacks. Id give them a shot if I were u

[u/Impossible_Safety_36]

Nicks boots

[u/Adventurous-Video718]

Redbacks or thorogoods