What shoes do you wear while servicing pools on a route?
I've been wearing Vans canvas deck shoes. Good traction on wet surfaces, and the canvas breathes and dries out after getting splashed, but the chlorine bleaches out the color pretty quickly, Maybe I should try white ones?
What do you wear and why?
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Replies
I Wear Water Shoes - It has grip and I dont care about the color if bleach gets on them and it gets good traction and it is mesh so of course is breathes easy! Love them!
I too wear Wolverine boots and go through about 3 pairs a year. I always spray my new boots with Camp Dry to extend their waterproofing. Most comfortable boots I found right out of the box.
It is so true if you don't have comfortable and supported footwear, you can get foot pain and even worse back pain. Spending some dough for your feet is worth it especially if you are on them all day.
Right now here in New Jersey, I have been wearing waterproof snow boots for all the MUD on our job sites-go figure.
No winter to speak of here. Been loving the mild temps.
I wear Wolverine Durashock Waterproof construction boots. They provide great support and are designed for workers who are standing on concrete all day. I must say that over the years, the waterproofing qualities of Wolverine waterproof boots have gone downhill. I used to be able to stand ankle-deep in a flooded room or vault and my socks would be completely dry. Now they are damp if you have to do repairs for any length of time in standing water. I agree about the importance of taking care of your feet. I also think that you present an image of a professional worker when you use work boots. Flip-flops are for recreation and make you look lazy or unprepared to work, in my humble opinion. My $.02
Brian Brennan
QuickLeakCheck.com
Man, feet are important, much like anyother tool in the tool bag or on the truck. I can not afford to injure my foot/feet. If I cant walk, I cant work...so I bought 2 pair of Redwing work boots, w/ inserts, leather uppers, great traction and fantastic support. I alternate them every other day. I wear a pair of wicking wool/poly/ spandex sock over a sock liner. My feet stay dry, comfortable and I go all day lugging gear and equipment back and forth. I've been doing that with these boots for almost 2 years now. My previous set lasted about 3. I repair broken pools, and hot tubs so I'm up/down/under/on top of everything/anything. The days I have to clean filters, I have a pair of rubber boots, and the days I get to clean pools all day when its warm enough I'll wear crocs while standing in the shallow end. Like Tal said, you gotta do what you need to take of yourself.
-Jeremy
Florida Leisure Pool & Spa
www.FloridaPoolSpa.com
I've tried flip-flops, crocs, sperrys, boots, water shoes, and everything in between, and sadly, nothing seems perfect. I currently have a pair of skateboard shoes with very little tread on the bottom, so I don't drag dirt onto decks. Finally got them wet today, and I was miserable. I'm just going to start going barefoot.
Interesting replies guys. Thanks.
I'm consideriing a Sperry Topsider moc with sailing soles for anti-slip and waterproofness, while still feeling cool enough in this climate...
Anybody else?
timberland 6" style boot with tan soles. I stay away from black soles just in case I am working in a empty white pool.
What realy wear out my boot is working on my knees and tearing up the toes on rough concrete decks mostly spring and fall from pulling plugs.
I wear Merrell Jungle Mocs. They offer me great support and slip on and off quickly & easily if I need to get in the pool or just cool the dogs off.
A pair usually last a year, and they hold up well on the decks, no slipping or sliding. I waterproof them with a spray, hitting them with a few times a year. And I don't think you can beat the Vibram sole for long days on a deck.
I won't let my guys wear flops for safety reasons. I want the feet covered in case of a chemical spill. I also buy them to shaded safety sun glasses for the same reason. A slight splash in the eyes and life sucks for a bit.
I just purchased for winter (yes, it's Florida, but we still gotta service the pools) a pair of 'duck boots' from Lands End--Lace-up with leather uppers and rubber soles. They keep the feet nice n' dry when washing filters or sloshing through tall grass, puddles and mud during hurricane season . We aren't yet into our 'cold' weather here, but I've been wearing them anyway. They are quite comfortable and my feet stay cool and dry. I know you guys and gals out there in Paradise Far West don't have to be too concerned about cold weather so flip-flops'd probably do. But personally, I need footwear that (1) has lots of support and stability on uneven ground for me and what I'm hauling to each pool (2) keeps my feet dry and (3) minmizes the possible snake, spider or scorpion bites. Some of my pool's equipment is located in uh, challenging landscaping. Tampa gets cold and hot, but I wear water-proof work boots year-round. I go through about a pair every 4-5 months, so I buy 2-3 pairs at a time and rotate them. Ya gotta spring for decent tires if you plan on goin' the distance. -TM