STEEL TOE SHOES
and Boots for Log Building
Log builders are unique in that their footwear needs to meet a few more special requirements...
You can't wear spiked shoes and wreck the logs. Here are some great steel toe shoe choices for log-walking and offering great comfort, durability, and agility.
First, you must wear steel toe shoes. You won't cut your toes off until you do. Accidents do happen every day and you like your toes where they are, don't cut them off with your chainsaw.
Second, the shoe needs soles that will not leave black marks behind on the logs.
Third, the shoe needs to be supportive to allow you to walk and climb comfortably on odd-shaped surfaces for long building days.
Fourth, the shoes need extra-grippy soles that help prevent slipping off logs. Some shoes have hard non-contouring soles. We've avoided those here. We chose shoes we can walk around in like a gecko on the logs.
*You should have a pair of shoes for hot, dry days, and a waterproof pair for warm, wet days. For winter, choose a boot that will keep your feet dry and warm, yet still allow enough flexibility to walk on logs. (Our favorite winter boots list will come in the fall.)
Having walked backwards on slippery wet and icy logs while chainsawing, you understand what it takes for a shoe to stick to the surface. That's why I've hand picked my favorite shoes and present them here for you.
Note: Steel toe shoes and boots are inherently stiffer than non-steel toe shoes. But steel toes are essential when operating a chainsaw, and the shoes available here are going to keep toes safe.
Thanks to Robert Chambers for his recommendation for the Caterpillar Corax seen here and available right here for delivery from Amazon. Check out the super grippy non-marking soles!
They are great looking too and will help you keep your toes!
Wicking Socks | Hiking Socks | Steel Toe Socks
Are you still wearing those crunchy threadbear cotton socks to work in? Are you suffering from sore feet day and night?
The socks you wear every day can be a huge part of your foot problem.
Supportive socks with a great pair of new log building shoes is heaven for your feet and will make your day at work or play super comfortable.
Here are some great hiking socks, wicking socks and steel toe socks to choose from. Upgrade your sock drawer with always-comfortable supportive wicking socks for comfy dry feet and steel toe socks that add more cushion for your toes.
Saw dust and wood chips ruin your nice new socks and your shoes and ruin the rest of your laundry at the same time. I found the simple solution; keep chips and rocks out of your shoes with light weight ankle gaiters. I used to wrap duct tape around my socks and shoes to keep the chips out, but that got old quickly. I upgraded to light weight gaiters. I even wear gaiters with shorts under my chainsaw chaps and they keep all the chips, dust, dirt and rocks out of my socks and shoes. And you don't even know they're there and are easily fitted using rip tape sides. I love mine!
*Be sure to always wear chainsaw chaps regardless if you are wearing shorts or long pants. Pants alone will not stop a chain saw or a drawknife. And they really work!
NEW Outdoor Research BugOut Gaiters $35.00
These are the ones I use and I love them. Ultra light weight. Velcro makes them super easy to slip on and off.
You'll find they save your laces from getting worn out too. Also great for back packing, hunting, and yardwork.
* Specifications for the BugOut Gaiters by Outdoor Research: * Avg. Weight: 4.4 oz. / 125 g * US: S - 4-7; M - 6-9; L - 8-11; XL - 10-13 * Euro: S - 35-40; M - 38-42; L - 41-45; XL - 43-47 * Fitting Gaiters: Wrap gaiter around ankle and boot top with OR logo on outside of ankle * Fitting Gaiters: Close hook/loop front closure and fasten shear tabs * Fitting Gaiters: Attach hook through boot laces * Fitting Gaiters: Fasten instep strap * Intended Usage: Insect protection for hiking and backpacking * Features: * Insect Shield clothing repels mosquitoes, ticks, ants, flies, chiggers and no-see-ums for ultimate insect protection * Odorless, EPA-registered Insect Shield lasts through approximately 70 washes * 8 oz. packcloth * 1"-wide hook/loop front closure * Hook/loop shear tabs at top and bottom of front closure prevent separation * Elastic bottom and top edges * Double-riveted boot lace hook * Hypalon instep strap.
Outdoor Research Rocky Mountain Low Gaiters $25.00
Also available in black...
* Specifications for the Rocky Mountain Low Gaiters by Outdoor Research: * Avg. Weight: 4.8 oz. / 136 g * US: S/M - 5-9; L/XL - 8-12 * Euro: S/M - 37-43; L/XL - 41-46 * Fitting Gaiters: Wrap gaiter around ankle and boot top with logo on outside of ankle * Fitting Gaiters: Close hook/loop closure and fasten shear tabs * Fitting Gaiters: Attach hook through boot laces * Fitting Gaiters: Fasten instep strap * Intended Usage: Hiking, backpacking, and cross country ski boots * Features: * Uncoated 8 oz. packcloth * 1"-wide hook/loop front closure * Hook/loop shear tabs at top and bottom of front closure prevent separation * Elastic bottom and top edges * Double-riveted boot lace hook * Hypalon instep strap.
WIN WIN WIN!
If you have a favorite log building shoe, please let us know about them here and your name will be automatically entered to win a 10 pair pack of Log Frogs and Robert Chambers' Log Construction Manual. Drawing is September 1st, 2010!
We will never share your information with third parties.