Shoes For Work And Play

Shoes For Work And Play Lorn Manthey, Northfield, Minn.: “For the past 10 years, my personal favorite for indoor workshop and outdoor yard work has been the Merrell Jungle Moc work shoe. I’m on my third pair. They’re easy to slip on without tying anything, which is a big plus. I give this rugged yet comfortable waterproof shoe a five-star rating. “It has a molded arch support, a cushioned heel for long hours of wear, a slip-resistant rubber outsole and a protective abrasion-resistant rubber toe cap. I trudged my first pair through all types of dry, wet and semi-muddy conditions nearly every day, let them dry out overnight, and they were pliable and comfortable for almost four years. A good friend in the HVAC business says he’s had the same pair of safety toe Jungle Mocs for three years, working 50 weeks a year, and they’re still not worn out. The comfort and durability can’t be beat. “I defer to the Merrell Moab Adventure Polar Waterproof half boot for dirtier and wetter conditions. It slips on quickly, fits tight around my upper ankle and keeps dirt, wood shavings and other debris away from my socks. The treaded Vibram sole grips well for excellent traction in all conditions, even climbing around farm machinery. After hundreds of wear hours, these lace-free Merrell products still fit snugly to my feet. They don’t replace my lace-up hard-toe Red Wing work shoes for farming or hunting, but they’re excellent for lighter outside work. “My casual go-to favorites are Skechers Hands Free Slip-Ins. No shoehorn needed; just slip on and off. They have an engineered knit and synthetic upper with stretch laces, a memory foam insole and slip-free tread. As their name implies, I don’t have to bend down to put them on; just step in, and the heel pillow holds my foot securely in place. Skechers has many styles of this priced-right, cleverly designed shoe for men, women and kids.”

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