Is There A Good Roof Shoe?

PetulantToiler

still fairly new to this business. i've been asking around for a while now and can't find a good roof shoe. i know it all depends on the person wearing it, but i was wondering if you have any suggestions i might not have heard of. i have yet to buy into the whole cougarpaws phenom. some have told me that all they do is provide a false sense of security. others have told me to check into merrell or columbia hiking shoes.

so i guess what i'm asking is, what do you prefer to wear when you're on a 7/12+ roof and why?

mdshunk

My father kept a pair of Converse All-Star high top canvas basketball shoes for roofing. ("Chuck Taylor's", to us younger guys). He never wore "gym shoes" in his life, except for roofing. Swore they were the best for roofing traction and not leaving footprints on hot shingles.

PetulantToiler

of course, it's got to be something i already have, but would never have thought about.
thanks. i'll give it a whirl.

Eric K

I always wore "skateboard" shoes ie: vans, dvs, etnies, something with a flat foot.

dougger222

There is a brand of shoes made specificaly for roofers. I had a link on my old pc but of course lost it when it crashed. The site has a hot blonde with a lot of legs one the bottom edge of a 12/12 with the shoes on with one hand on a rope. Kind of silly if you ask me.

I like high top (not many made anymore) basket ball shoes. In the Summer you need very flat traction but here in MN can get by with boots in the Winter.

Wallmart shoes are junk. Used to have good luck with McGregors at K-Mart but haven't bought a pair in years. Target's basket ball shoes are ok and are made by Rebok.

Used to pay good money for Nike's and some pairs would last four months other would last two weeks, were talking a hundred dollar bill too.

I got really lucky a couple months ago. My wife was looking around at a thift store and I scored 7 pairs of old school high top basket balls shoes either Nike or Rebok for dirt. Thinking I paid around $5 per pair and all were in nice condition.

PetulantToiler

i was expecting more name brands and commercial believers. thanks for the input, i'm glad to hear all the hype seems like just hype. looks like i'll be visiting the thrift store on lunch tomorrow.

Squrtgun

http://www.cougarpaws.com/

I know a few guys who clean really steep roofs that use these and swear by them.

red_cedar

Do you want them for durability or walk on steep pitches.?
There are no magic shoes, it pretty much depends if the person knows how to walk the roofs. From boots to gym shoes to barefeet. I ve seen guys use all kinds of shoes with success.

Cougar Paws stick well. The Weinbrenner roofing shoe is a good boot.

AaronB.

Red, what do you use when walking those steep metal roof you do?

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Seamless Industrial and Commercial Roofing Systems, Residential Repair. For Those That Demand Quality!
Free roof inspections within 12 miles of our locale.

MJW

I use cheap hiking boots winter and summer. It is hard to find a good pair. I buy some gel inserts for them and it makes a cheap shoe somewhat comfortable. Basketball shoes are probably the best, but the new ones are all white and ugly as can be. I try to stay under $30 for a pair because they don't last long on the roofs. I also like high tops the best.

red_cedar

We dont walk on them.

AaronB.

We try not to also, but the system I do, with ridge details, etc, requires some walking on them.

What is your most installed panel?

__________________
http://www.roseroofing.net/
Seamless Industrial and Commercial Roofing Systems, Residential Repair. For Those That Demand Quality!
Free roof inspections within 12 miles of our locale.

red_cedar

I have been liking the Firestone systems.
We are starting the job in Wilmington next week that you looked at in the summer. Its going to be Firestone. That job is pretty cut up, but will look good. Colonial red is the color.

AaronB.

How do you get around walking on them totally?

__________________
http://www.roseroofing.net/
Seamless Industrial and Commercial Roofing Systems, Residential Repair. For Those That Demand Quality!
Free roof inspections within 12 miles of our locale.

RidgeWalker

I used to use deck shoes, the kind for walking on boats. Those were for when I was installing. Now I use cougarpaws for steep roof inspections. Otherwise I just wear my regular tennis shoes.

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Restore My Home Construction
Atlanta Roofing Repair
My SN Profile

Measure Up

I use Pro Spirit (Samuel).
It is a white Tennis shoe from Target for $14.99.
They Usually last around 1 or 2 Months.
Works great up to 10/12 Shingles or Shakes.

Norrrrrrrrrrrrm

When I did roofing I used my skate shoes. They are one of the toughest shoes made. They are designed to take a beating with a ll of the tricks always rubbing against the felt, which is not much different from shingles. The soles are real grippy and made to stick to the felt. You can get a good pair for around $60. I heard rock climbing shoes are supposed to be comfy and durable too.

__________________
Norman Sharp
http://www.sharpimprovements.com

hatchet

I've tried the "flat" shoes with little to no success. I buy into the same principle as a snow tire - the less surface area in contact with the surface bearing the same weight will have better traction. The vibram sole on the Merrell seems to be the best combination - for me anyway.

__________________
Rich
WIT Construction Co.
Superior MT Contractor

reveivl

Last roofer I hired took his shoes off when the shingles got hot and walked around in sock feet. He swore by it, but I dunno. I generally use my work boots, and switch to running shoes when the temp goes up.

Like someone said, it has more to do with how you walk on asphalt shingles, avoid the edges, don't twist.

I put 8" strips of 3/8 ply on the roof resting on the toe-boards when it is hot, this means I don't have to watch ALL the guys ALL the time.

__________________
From where does knowledge come? If you need to know what is in a box, you could ask someone (not reliable), you could pray, (not useful), you can consult with the scripture (not helpful) or you could open the box (science)

carroll smith

Try cougarpaws.com they have the best roofing shoe i've found. However make sure you hold to the safty regulations given with your shoes.