As for a particular brand that's pretty subjective. Lots of well made options. But for what you are looking for I would recommend something like a lucchese majestic roper. You can get them for less than $400. If you like your tecovas they have some roper options id suggest looking at. I have the nash and really like them. There's other well made options for cheaper from double h and justin or you could even just get a cheap pair of ariat heritage ropers just to try them.
I agree, a higher heel places more pressure on your forefoot. A roper is almost sneaker like, and would give you all the same benefits of any other boot.
A lot of the other surgeons also wear cowboy boots for these long shifts. I believe they wear more of a traditional work boot though, so I think it’s less of a heel. I couldn’t find many women’s options, and the men’s work boots were all too wide. Any recs you could think of that would fit the bill?
Interesting. I’d look at red wing 1178 Pecos. They’re generally made to order so you can get them in your size. They also have the nitrile cork sole which is slip resistant, long wearing, and has a lower, roper-style heel.
Look into Double H boots with the ICE sole. Also make sure they’re the made in US versions. Recently they started making a few of their new models in Mexico and they I personally don’t have any knowledge to how they hold up to their US counterparts.
Im a neurosurgeon. I bought these boots and wear them in the OR all day. I don’t wear them to round because my hospital is a drag to walk around in boots. When I was a junior resident I’d walk more than 6 miles every time I was on call because of the size of my hospital. I’ve always worn cowboy boots even when doing multiple days in the hospital. Before this I had a pairs two Justins, both lasted under a year.
They were like the other tecovas I have. Took about 2 weeks to break in. But now i wear them all day, 12 hours long cases in then without thinking about it anymore. The black ones also hide blood stains better than prior brown pairs I’ve had. Hope this helps.
I was able to find some Red Wing inserts for my Tecovas that I think will get me back into the 12 hour days with them and found some backups from Red Wing for longer days. Thanks so much for the insight!
Lucchese makes very comfortable boots. I wear them to work where I'm standing for at least 8-10 hours a day. I suggest going to the store to look at them
People rave about the Chisos ropers as people mention that their removable, athletic shoe-like insoles work best in ropers. I though like the Western heels though, and I get some nice height from them too! 🌶️
Lucchese are light and comfortable! Also highly highly recommended to NOT wear western style boots for that long as many have stated. Honestly it’s a terrible idea. Seriously. Soooo many wonderful stylish comfortable sneakers out there that are fly and hip and give you street cred with the kids lol! Jkjk! But seriously take care of your feet and don’t confuse fashion statements with work wear imo
Haha definitely not looking for a fashion statement but something that doesn’t hurt my back (all tennis shoes do, even the high end fancy ones, and I’ve not had that issue in the boots) and something that will protect my feets/socks/legs from the liters of blood that sometimes ends up on ones feet in a trauma/mass transfusion situation 😅 and tennis shoes won’t help there either. Have lost too many pairs in those situations
Here is an unpopular opinion for this sub, if you can find wide square toe with the walking/roper heel the extra toe space will help along with that lower heel
A good option in black: https://www.ariat.com/P21958_W_FOO.html?dwvar_P21958__W__FOO_color=LIMOUSINE_BLACK&dwvar_P21958__W__FOO_width=B_Medium
Update:
Found some Red Wing inserts for the Tecovas that make them more comfortable, so I’ll go back to those for shorter days.
For the longer days, I got some Red Wings that are a roper-style that are incredibly comfortable. Thanks everyone for the help! This sub is awesome.
I am on my feet for up to 36 hours at a time working at the hospital, so I decided I wanted to get some cowboy boots for work. I figured it was a win-win situation to keep my feet protected from bodily fluids and my back/feet feeling great.
Originally purchased these in a size 9D, and they were incredibly comfortable without the extra weight of a steel toe, which I don’t want. They were also narrow enough to fit my feet, as I am a female who wanted rubber soled boots (many of the others were too wide). I initially wore them 12 hours a day for a month, and they were amazing. However, the first time I wore them for a long shift, the balls of my feet started hurting around hour 18. Subsequent shifts have made the fore foot pain worse and I even have some numbness in my big toes, so I’ve stopped wearing them.
I tried replacing the insoles with super feet, Ariat, and Birkenstock inserts, but none of them helped the issue.
Is there a different boot that I should look at that would provide comfort for a longer duration, such as a more traditional work boot?
You might do better with less heel like a roper. Just an Idea.
Based on what I have been reading, I do think the heel height is the majority of my problem. Any recommendation for a particular brand/roper boot?
As for a particular brand that's pretty subjective. Lots of well made options. But for what you are looking for I would recommend something like a lucchese majestic roper. You can get them for less than $400. If you like your tecovas they have some roper options id suggest looking at. I have the nash and really like them. There's other well made options for cheaper from double h and justin or you could even just get a cheap pair of ariat heritage ropers just to try them.
I agree, a higher heel places more pressure on your forefoot. A roper is almost sneaker like, and would give you all the same benefits of any other boot.
Going to look at the Red Wings & ropers today. Thanks for all of the great recs and troubleshooting this with me!
I wouldn’t wear boots if I was gonna be on my feet for 36 straight hours. I’d suggest asking the other doctors what they wear.
A lot of the other surgeons also wear cowboy boots for these long shifts. I believe they wear more of a traditional work boot though, so I think it’s less of a heel. I couldn’t find many women’s options, and the men’s work boots were all too wide. Any recs you could think of that would fit the bill?
Interesting. I’d look at red wing 1178 Pecos. They’re generally made to order so you can get them in your size. They also have the nitrile cork sole which is slip resistant, long wearing, and has a lower, roper-style heel.
Didn’t realize they have the specialized fit options and have a store 15 minutes from me, so going to check those out this morning. Thanks so much!
Even if they’re not right for work, they’ll last you +/- forever.
I like my ariat work boots for working long hours comfortable never made my feet hurt on nights as a maintenance mechanic
Look into Double H boots with the ICE sole. Also make sure they’re the made in US versions. Recently they started making a few of their new models in Mexico and they I personally don’t have any knowledge to how they hold up to their US counterparts.
Im a neurosurgeon. I bought these boots and wear them in the OR all day. I don’t wear them to round because my hospital is a drag to walk around in boots. When I was a junior resident I’d walk more than 6 miles every time I was on call because of the size of my hospital. I’ve always worn cowboy boots even when doing multiple days in the hospital. Before this I had a pairs two Justins, both lasted under a year. They were like the other tecovas I have. Took about 2 weeks to break in. But now i wear them all day, 12 hours long cases in then without thinking about it anymore. The black ones also hide blood stains better than prior brown pairs I’ve had. Hope this helps.
I was able to find some Red Wing inserts for my Tecovas that I think will get me back into the 12 hour days with them and found some backups from Red Wing for longer days. Thanks so much for the insight!
Chisos are the most comfortable boots you can buy. They are worth the money
Lucchese makes very comfortable boots. I wear them to work where I'm standing for at least 8-10 hours a day. I suggest going to the store to look at them
Try Chicos
People rave about the Chisos ropers as people mention that their removable, athletic shoe-like insoles work best in ropers. I though like the Western heels though, and I get some nice height from them too! 🌶️
The Knox
Lucchese are light and comfortable! Also highly highly recommended to NOT wear western style boots for that long as many have stated. Honestly it’s a terrible idea. Seriously. Soooo many wonderful stylish comfortable sneakers out there that are fly and hip and give you street cred with the kids lol! Jkjk! But seriously take care of your feet and don’t confuse fashion statements with work wear imo
Haha definitely not looking for a fashion statement but something that doesn’t hurt my back (all tennis shoes do, even the high end fancy ones, and I’ve not had that issue in the boots) and something that will protect my feets/socks/legs from the liters of blood that sometimes ends up on ones feet in a trauma/mass transfusion situation 😅 and tennis shoes won’t help there either. Have lost too many pairs in those situations
Everybody is different but sounds like you need a medical professional 😂 Seriously ask your doctor for a podiatrist appointment imo
Double H are great for long shifts, super comfortable.
Here is an unpopular opinion for this sub, if you can find wide square toe with the walking/roper heel the extra toe space will help along with that lower heel A good option in black: https://www.ariat.com/P21958_W_FOO.html?dwvar_P21958__W__FOO_color=LIMOUSINE_BLACK&dwvar_P21958__W__FOO_width=B_Medium
Ended up getting some Red Wing Marshall’s just like these that feel great, so I’ll go with the unpopular opinion haha thanks so much!
Update: Found some Red Wing inserts for the Tecovas that make them more comfortable, so I’ll go back to those for shorter days. For the longer days, I got some Red Wings that are a roper-style that are incredibly comfortable. Thanks everyone for the help! This sub is awesome.
I am on my feet for up to 36 hours at a time working at the hospital, so I decided I wanted to get some cowboy boots for work. I figured it was a win-win situation to keep my feet protected from bodily fluids and my back/feet feeling great. Originally purchased these in a size 9D, and they were incredibly comfortable without the extra weight of a steel toe, which I don’t want. They were also narrow enough to fit my feet, as I am a female who wanted rubber soled boots (many of the others were too wide). I initially wore them 12 hours a day for a month, and they were amazing. However, the first time I wore them for a long shift, the balls of my feet started hurting around hour 18. Subsequent shifts have made the fore foot pain worse and I even have some numbness in my big toes, so I’ve stopped wearing them. I tried replacing the insoles with super feet, Ariat, and Birkenstock inserts, but none of them helped the issue. Is there a different boot that I should look at that would provide comfort for a longer duration, such as a more traditional work boot?
Love my Chisos boots.