Shoes or boots?

[Voyager]

Hi I’m due to start with GTR soon. Would any of you ladies out there recommend the shoes or boots. As a station assistant in a small station I’m going for trousers for warmth and protection so I can get away with either. Which is the least ugly/most comfortable ?

 

[lae150]

If you are going for trousers then boots i would say. no shoe/trouser gap then!

 

[choochoochoo]

Always go for trousers, even on the hottest days. If you ever have to go and lay protection, you'll be grateful for the leg coverage stopping those spiky brambles/bushes from scratching you up !!

 

[Validation]

As ex-station staff, definitely boots

 

[Stigy]

Always go for trousers, even on the hottest days. If you ever have to go and lay protection, you'll be grateful for the leg coverage stopping those spiky brambles/bushes from scratching you up !!

I couldn’t wait to be allowed to wear shorts to work.....not a great look with boots though

 

[choochoochoo]

I couldn’t wait to be allowed to wear shorts to work.....not a great look with boots though

I always looked forward to the day i could show off my knees too. But then I had to go lay protection, and was so grateful i had trousers on. I'll never complain about being hot in them. Our TOC also do a nice light material summer trousers.

 

[Fred Dinenage]

The boots with metal “hooks” at the top can catch the inside hem of your trousers and rip them from the inside...better if they’re a normal type, with circular metal eyelets. Not easy to find out if you’re just starting, I know.

Just a thought.

 

[alxndr]

The boots with metal “hooks” at the top can catch the inside hem of your trousers and rip them from the inside...better if they’re a normal type, with circular metal eyelets. Not easy to find out if you’re just starting, I know.

Just a thought.

Interesting, I've been wearing hooked boots for the last 7 years and never experienced that issue, but perhaps our trousers are more robust as I work on track. The benefit of hooks is in the ease of getting them on and off.

 

[8J]

Shoes for me. If you value your ankles and feet. Having worn both, I found boots are way too heavy and restrictive.

 

[Stigy]

Shoes for me. If you value your ankles and feet. Having worn both, I found boots are way too heavy and restrictive.

Depends what boots you have, I’d say the opposite and that boots generally support your ankles better. Some boots are admittedly very heavy, but certainly not as a rule.

 

[8J]

Depends what boots you have, I’d say the opposite and that boots generally support your ankles better. Some boots are admittedly very heavy, but certainly not as a rule.

I think it also depends on what sort of feet/ankles you have to be fair.

 

[Stigy]

I think it also depends on what sort of feet/ankles you have to be fair.

This is true too.

 

[choochoochoo]

Boots everytime, the extra ankle protection is useful if you're as clumsy as me.

 

[Undiscovered]

Boots every time. Good pair of shock absorbing insoles-changed regularly- thick, good quality hiking socks-keep your tootsies cosy, sweat and rub free- and a liberal spray of shoe deodorant at the end of the day.
As soon as your boots start wearing out, order a new pair. Railway procurement takes a long time, especially if you have tiny feet, like me. My boots are a size bigger than my normal size to take into account insoles and socks too!

Carry, or have quick access to, a spare pair of laces. Life saver! Break them in well and apply a good dose of waterproofing or polish too.

 

[alxndr]

Carry, or have quick access to, a spare pair of laces. Life saver! Break them in well and apply a good dose of waterproofing or polish too.

Don't wait until one pair is completely knackered and unwearable to start breaking in the next either!

 

[SlimJim1694]

Generally (in my experience) the footwear supplied by the employers is not great quality or comfortable. I've always bought my own boots. I know you don't have to, but for the wear I get out of them I'd rather cough up £100 for a good pair that will be comfortable from day one and last.

 

[Stigy]

Generally (in my experience) the footwear supplied by the employers is not great quality or comfortable. I've always bought my own boots. I know you don't have to, but for the wear I get out of them I'd rather cough up £100 for a good pair that will be comfortable from day one and last.

We were given a catalog to chose from so I just went for the most expensive looking Dr Martens

 

[tiptoptaff]

We were given a catalog to chose from so I just went for the most expensive looking Dr Martens

I tried on three different pairs in various sizes from that catalogue and gave up and bought my own

 

[SlimJim1694]

I find a decent pair of black walking boots does the trick. Never got on with Docs due to the agony of breaking them in, they are comfortable once you've done it though.

 

[Stigy]

I find a decent pair of black walking boots does the trick. Never got on with Docs due to the agony of breaking them in, they are comfortable once you've done it though.

These ones were comfy from the outset which was good, but I know what you’re saying. They even have a cont of memory foam in the toe area which was weird at first as it was all bobbly, but really nice in the end

 

[SlimJim1694]

These ones were comfy from the outset which was good, but I know what you’re saying. They even have a cont of memory foam in the toe area which was weird at first as it was all bobbly, but really nice in the end

That's good, I remember breaking docs in as a teenager and spending weeks hobbling about in pain... it put me off buying them again for life!

 

[Undiscovered]

Generally (in my experience) the footwear supplied by the employers is not great quality or comfortable. I've always bought my own boots. I know you don't have to, but for the wear I get out of them I'd rather cough up £100 for a good pair that will be comfortable from day one and last.

Oh, absolutely agree there.
My work boots are steel toe and midsole, whereas a pair from a previous occupation were composite and the difference in weight is noticable.
It's tough to find a set of composite boots with the same spec though, and I only get a £50 contribution to buying my own. I'd've been out of pocket getting boots direct from the manufacturer, who had my size in when stores didn't.

 

[Voyager]

Thanks so much for all your help.

 

[43066]

Stiletto shoes are preferable to boots. Depends on skirt length, and of course neatly pedicured toe nails go well with both.

Oh... Are we talking about work gear? Boots in DC land, shoes are fine when there’s no juice rail to worry about...

 

[tiptoptaff]

Stiletto shoes are preferable to boots. Depends on skirt length, and of course neatly pedicured toe nails go well with both.

Oh... Are we talking about work gear? Boots in DC land, shoes are fine when there’s no juice rail to worry about...

Well, it IS the weekend

 

[craigybagel]

When I was platform staff we weren't issued shoes. I lasted about a week before I obtained my own safety boots with steel toe caps. You may not have PTS and have to worry about going on the track, but after your first extended family all going to the airport with multiple suitcases each along for help, you'll be grateful for them.

 

[Voyager]

Thanks CB I’m working somewhere part time at the moment with heavy cages running over my toes so I get what you’re saying x