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hedgehog

(36,286 posts)
Sun Jan 1, 2012, 05:09 PM Jan 2012

Best gardening boot?

I generally run around in sneakers, a/k/a tennis shoes, so I never thought arch support was a problem. But when I wear my rubber boots from the ag store, it feels like my feet roll in on the arches and it really hurts after a while. I live in the Lake Ontario snow belt and my garden is sandy loam over a clay bed. During the Fall and the Spring, the ground tends to hold water, so even if I'm walking on the grass, I'm sinking in and leaving foot prints.

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Best gardening boot? (Original Post) hedgehog Jan 2012 OP
I have always liked duck boots for muddy walks. Curmudgeoness Jan 2012 #1
Try waders with sneakers inside them. HopeHoops Jan 2012 #2
Hmmmm - that sounds intriguing. hedgehog Jan 2012 #3
I lived in NH for 10 years - great combination for muck and snow. HopeHoops Jan 2012 #6
I wear old hiking shoes. Gormy Cuss Jan 2012 #4
I would wear rubber clogs, but I need "arch support" Kolesar Jan 2012 #5
I have a pair of rubber professional Birkenstock clogs. wildeyed Jan 2012 #7
I wear Superior Boot Company tall neoprene boots. CottonBear Jan 2012 #8

Curmudgeoness

(18,219 posts)
1. I have always liked duck boots for muddy walks.
Sun Jan 1, 2012, 05:34 PM
Jan 2012

I would assume that they would work as well for gardening in spring and fall. LL Bean claims that their boots are still made right here in Maine. They are waterproof, and I love that I can just hose them off when I am done. And since they are great for walks, I figure that the arch support is good. I have a pair of the rubber boots you speak of for when I am in the streams and creeks, and you are right, they are not for walking or working in.

http://www.llbean.com/llb/shop/507872/4/Relevance/1?nav=ln-507870

 

HopeHoops

(47,675 posts)
2. Try waders with sneakers inside them.
Sun Jan 1, 2012, 06:36 PM
Jan 2012

I wear a size 10 sneaker. They fit in rubber waders of various sizes (like 13). They're great for snow, muck, water, or whatever. You get arch support and extra warmth at the same time.

 

HopeHoops

(47,675 posts)
6. I lived in NH for 10 years - great combination for muck and snow.
Mon Jan 2, 2012, 09:23 AM
Jan 2012

Rubber waders also keep your sneakers dry.

Gormy Cuss

(30,884 posts)
4. I wear old hiking shoes.
Sun Jan 1, 2012, 08:16 PM
Jan 2012

I need the arch support and the thick soles help when I'm digging with the fork or shovel. I have heavy clay soil that's still pretty dense after amendment.

Kolesar

(31,182 posts)
5. I would wear rubber clogs, but I need "arch support"
Mon Jan 2, 2012, 07:28 AM
Jan 2012

I might buy them anyway just to find out. It would be great to be able to just hose them off.
At this time, I wear old steel toed boots with oil proof soles that hose off very well.
Happy New Year
http://www.clogsonline.com/IBS/SimpleCat/Shelf/ASP/Hierarchy/05.html

wildeyed

(11,243 posts)
7. I have a pair of rubber professional Birkenstock clogs.
Mon Jan 2, 2012, 10:42 AM
Jan 2012

I have *horrible* ankles. Injuries, surgeries, etc., so I can't wear the cheap clogs at all. The Birks have some arch support and they are hard to roll. Dog ate one of the inserts in October, so I should look at getting a new pair.

CottonBear

(21,613 posts)
8. I wear Superior Boot Company tall neoprene boots.
Tue Jan 3, 2012, 09:50 AM
Jan 2012
http://www.shoebuy.com/superior-boot-co-14-neoprene-boot/263249/560962?cm_mmc=googleproductads_pla-_-none-_-none-_-%7Bkeyword%7D

I have very long and narrow feet (ladies 9.5 narrow) and a surgically repaired right ankle. I need a well fitting, comfortable and supportive boot. I wear these boots in a size 10. I wear fairly thick socks. My feet never get cold or wet even in the cold, wet North Georgia winters. You can easily tuck your jeans or pants into these boots. They can be rinsed off with water for easy dirt and mud removal. I've had mine for about 6 years and they are just like new. I wear them to work at a horse farm so they get exposed to lots of manure and dirt. I wear them year round. They are well worth the money. You will never go back to rubber boots.
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