Roofer's Boots

2ndGen

When I was a kid, I remember my father wearing these types of boots for years and years and years. I think their known as "crepe soled" boots.

Supposedly, they were the choice of boot for Roofers?

They were like these boots:



Does anybody here know why they were preferred by Roofers?

__________________
"I've been up on the roof. I know what those guys go through.
My whole life has been about making that profession respectable."
Ken Hendricks
www.SolutionsRoofing.com

Teetorbilt

They were called Desert Boots and the tops were splits as opposed to top grain leather. One of my brothers (in charge of roofing) wore them almost eclusively. They were also popular with surfers ?? at the time. They had a gum rubber sole that allowed you to walk on tile roofs without slipping or cracking the tiles.

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You can't solve you're problems with the same level of thinking that created the problems.

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mdshunk

I've seen a few guys using those "Cougar Paws". I swear they could walk on a 12/12 almost.


http://www.cougarpaws.com/

guppy

the crepe rubber used in the soles is now hard to find and expensive.
i wore desert boots for 20 plus years,could walk almost any pitch, not damage shingles in the heat.
only desert boots available now are Clarks-over $180.00 in canada.
the lace eylets on the Clarks do not hold up-made in China now,.not England

catalfanoc

they still make a roofing boot it looks like a hightop bowling shoe they are about 100.00 they have real soft soles. The one guy that works with me were's them all the time.

Patrick

I wear merrils and can walk on almost anything with them

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Originally Posted by Celtic
Like I said...I'm sure you are very good at what you do ~ whatever that is and where ever it happens.

A W Smith

oh thats a tough one. Ill bet ill be buying them eventually though. I'm already walking on 10/12 with K mart sneakers. I must be out of my mind.


http://www.shoplocal.com/default.asp...1383733653.jpg

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Al Smith
http://www.awsmith.com

2ndGen

My boot of choice:

__________________
"I've been up on the roof. I know what those guys go through.
My whole life has been about making that profession respectable."
Ken Hendricks
www.SolutionsRoofing.com

tinner666

MCGregor Tennis shoes and SafTrax have good traction.

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Frank Slate Roof Repairs, Richmond, Va.

MikeForsch

The boot that you show was generally used by general contractors, and sometimes by roofers.

In both types of boot the sole was the factor. A worker had a variety of surfaces that must be encountered on the job. Hard, abrasive, jagged, sharp objects, junk-yard or rock quary type environment might call for a boot with a lugged, hard sole to protect against those types of hazards.

On the other hand, you would choose a boot with a soft sole, foamy, open celled rubber (crepe), even cork with a rubber binder (the real roofers boot) and the sides of the boot were usually double layered with a plain soft toe.

The foot would work at weird angles all day, so you wanted great side support. The reason for the soft toe was the same; if you worked with your feet pointed downhill, your toes would get torn up after a few hours (like a bloody knuckle) so therefore the soft toes on the boots.

You wanted the soft sole so you would not damage the roofing material; sometimes sheet-metal, aluminum, copper, not just shingles or tiles; so, no hard type soles. Leather slides badly on metal roofing. Cork will stick to most things, even when wet; but, it doesn't wear very long if used in a rough evironment.

Thorogood shows a perfect example of the "old-school" roofer's boot; it looks like a high top bowling shoe-----the sole isn't the same---mine had a cork/rubber sole and were an 8 inch version for $49.00 which was big bucks in the 60s (yeah, I'm older).

Hope this was a good answer for you--

Roofman20033

I met an old school adjuster who had been walking on roofs for 25 years. He had tried every shoe known to man and swore by the Wallabee shoe from Australia. They run about $100.00 in the states with the crepe rubber sole.
I like them better than cougar paws as you don't have to keep buying new soles!

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Whitmore Lake roofers,Ann Arbor roofers,Michigan roofers www.callroofpros.com

avguy

I get a new pair of Pit Boss every year and a half.
I've never had a problem, except for the crap laces Timberland puts on them.

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Philip LaDue
Empire State Light and Sound
646-397-5028

edwardBe

The tradtional roofer's boots are made by Thorogood and have an extra piece of leather riveted to the upper that keeps the upper from ripping off from the sole due to standing on a tilted surface all day. Gemplers.com has them for about $140.

skyhook

Dickies still makes them. About $60 at Sears and some sporting goods stores. Not preffered by this roofer. too slippery on comp shingles. Cold and slippery as heck in the snow. I wear Timberlines on the roof.

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2ndGen

Duluth is also selling them but with a much better (IMO) color scheme.
Going for about $175. there (but I'll pay the extra for the nice brown leather).
The Duluth version is like the King Ranch Series of boots.


Thorogood


Duluth

__________________
"I've been up on the roof. I know what those guys go through.
My whole life has been about making that profession respectable."
Ken Hendricks
www.SolutionsRoofing.com

larryb

I remember some years ago standing on top of a 3 1/2 story roof on a home that was on top of a hill on a very windy day while I and an insurance adjuster measured out the roof. After nearly being blown off the roof (no traction with my work boots) I asked him about his boots (Cougar Paws). I ordered a pair of my own the next day and swear by them.

Wanting an extra pair to keep in my other vehicle, I ordered the second pair several years later. Unfortuneatly, "Cougar" changed manufactuers and the new pair were junk and tore up my feet. I still swear by the old much better made pair but can only swear at the low quality of the new pair. I offered another contractor friend to trade my "new" pair for his old paid but he refused. C-Paws used to be great. Now, not so much.

buildpinnacle

This might sound wierd, but I wear steel toe dr. martens 2295 wellington boots. The sole is good for me up to a 9 with caution. I don't trust anything over a 7 without being very careful anyway which is a good rule of thumb. When you start trusting your wonder shoes, you'll end up hanging off a gutter. Boots run about $120. I like them b/c I don't have to switch shoes between low slope jobs and steep slope.

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2ndGen

Something newer and cheaper...Don't look like they'll last though.

http://www.skechers.com/style/61709/...LAID=720376012

__________________
"I've been up on the roof. I know what those guys go through.
My whole life has been about making that profession respectable."
Ken Hendricks
www.SolutionsRoofing.com

2ndGen

Can't believe I'm actually seriously contemplating spending $175. on a pair of semi-custom Duluth/Thorogood
Roofer's Boots to replace my beloved 5 year old Timberland Pro Pit Boss boots that are worn beyond repair.
I'm pretty sure I'm going to do it. I'll let you guys know how I like them. Worst case scenario,
I can always go back to my trustworthy (and significantly less costly) Timbs.
But! I HAVE to try these Thorogood Roofer's Boots! I just HAVE to!


Duluth


Timberland

__________________
"I've been up on the roof. I know what those guys go through.
My whole life has been about making that profession respectable."
Ken Hendricks
www.SolutionsRoofing.com

red_cedar

I wore the Thorogood for a lot of years. Hard to break in but when they are, they are very form fitting and comfortable. back in the late 70's thru the 80's they were $90- $100. maybe they were closer to $65 -$70 in the late 70's. Not the best sole for walking 10 /12's, but a lot of roof walking is feel. That flap in front wasnt there when I wore them.
If you dont drag your foot and wear out the side, you can resole them a few times. ( dragging your foot would occur when handnailing and sitting on your hip )


I got the cougar paws when they first came out. Good traction. But getting off the roof onto the ladder then ground, seemed like it was a waste.