Replies

1. 
   Sphere | Mar 13, 2009 04:24pm | #1

   I just gave mine away after trying to sell them here. The paws were great on shingles, but mine didn't fit well ( I should know better than to but mail order) being too wide.

   They are not good for driving, they are bulky wide. The soles are neat but on wood shakes, can trip you up..they are so soft that splinters and big slivers ( I was on an OAK shake roof) can snag you.

   The guy I gave em to, just happened to swing by here like 2 nights ago..looking to find where to get new soles , he wore em out, in short order..I gave him the website name is all I could do.

   All in all, they may be great for shinglers, but I just didn't like them that much..and it took forever to get them broke in.

   On a scale of 1-10..I'd give them a 4.

   Spheramid Enterprises Architectural Woodworks

   Repairs, Remodeling, Restorations

    

   They kill Prophets, for Profits.

    

    

1. 
   Sasquatch | Mar 13, 2009 05:33pm | #2

   I wouldn't mind trying a pair of those, since I have such wide feet.  They only sell up to size 14 though, and I wear size 16.  I have a special pair of ugly green sneakers that I wear only on roofs.  I bought them five years ago for $15 at a sports store.  I have only used them on asphalt shingles, but have found nothing that holds me up better.How can you understand God if you can't understand people?  How can you understand people if you can't understand yourself?

1. 
   Henley | Mar 13, 2009 05:43pm | #3

   Size 16 ! Dang

2. 
   Marson | Mar 13, 2009 06:18pm | #4

   "They only sell up to size 14 though, and I wear size 16."I guess we know where your screen name came from!

1. 
   Piffin | Mar 14, 2009 04:25pm | #11

   ask him about how much the hair on his palms interferes with typing 

    

   Welcome to the Taunton University of Knowledge FHB Campus at Breaktime. where ... Excellence is its own reward!

2. 
   natgas | Mar 14, 2009 06:40am | #5

   It is not politically correct to mention this, but most roofers use running shoes if they think they will not get caught by the safety inspectors. I am on the roof for 24 years (Ontario Canada), and stick with running shoes with the softer sort of rubber. Not as soft as tennis court shoes, but the next level up of hardness of rubber sole. I never pay more than $30 for a pair and go thru about 2 or 3 pairs each season. You must be very careful about nails and where you drop things, but the grip, comfort, and manouverablilty have not been matched by any safety footwear I have tried (several). Most (not all) roofers I meet share the same view.

1. 
   JeffyT | Mar 14, 2009 07:03am | #6

   You guys supposed to wear safety soles/toes for roofing?Hardhats too, in case of hail?Worksafe inspector told me last summer I should be wearing my 'toes to the ladder, then sneakers OK on the roof. I paid attention to the second part at least. ;) This is the boonies, I'll grant you that. j

1. 
   natgas | Mar 14, 2009 07:13am | #7

   We are req'd to have full five point harness fall protection, hard hats, and approved footwear with green triangle label (that indicates minimum guage of steel toe and under foot steel plate. All of this at all times now or a minimum $5000 fine - zero tolerance policy.In the old days hanging the hard hat on the top of ladder was ok while you were on the roof - not any more - must wear all the time now. Same with footwear, all the time now. No more changing to work boots on the ground for ground traffic.

1. 
   JeffyT | Mar 14, 2009 07:48am | #8

   Wowee. Now I really feel like a hick. Harnesses and other fall protection is one thing but hardhats on the roof always makes me grin. Does your inspector measure your tether? There's a crew near here that harnesses right up for show, but with ropes long enough that they'd still be a bit slack when you hit the ground after falling off. Where are you anyway? Fill in a bit of info in your profile for all our benefit. Welcome to breaktime. j

2. 
   Sasquatch | Mar 14, 2009 08:15pm | #14

   The sky is falling!

   The sky is falling!How can you understand God if you can't understand people?  How can you understand people if you can't understand yourself?

2. 
   Hazlett | Mar 14, 2009 02:08pm | #9

   Marson,
   i used thorogood durogaurds for 20 years- they are made specifically for roofing and around here almost every professional roofer wears them.
   they are extremely drable and hold up very well to the abrasion---- but they ARe uncomfortable---- last fall I went "old school' and went back to Red Wing Irish setters--which are Sooooo comfortable AND can actually be bought in a size that fits my foot--- they really hold well to the roof---- but they are not as durable AND they are a bit pricier-- but well worth it in my opinion.

   I wouldn't recommend sneakers/running shoes-- i dropped a piece of 2x10 on my foot at home in sneakers- and have the broken bones to show for it!
   stephen

1. 
   Sphere | Mar 14, 2009 02:27pm | #10

   Yeah, in summer I wear the mid high hiking boots I found some w/steel toe. Winter I go for the higher type steel toe too,whatever brand I find that fits and I can afford. I can't do sneakers on a roof, got an ankle I can't trust like the old days.

   And roofing on copper is a whole different world than shingles, once some sweat or dust is on it, its slicker. Cut in some flashing and where you could walk before you started suddenly gets like ice.Spheramid Enterprises Architectural Woodworks

   Repairs, Remodeling, Restorations

    

   They kill Prophets, for Profits.

    

    

1. 
   florida | Mar 15, 2009 04:06pm | #21

   How steep a roof can you work on wearing hiking boots? We've got some painting to do above a 7/12 painted steel roof. The roofers are all over them but I don't feel safe even trying.

1. 
   Sphere | Mar 15, 2009 04:12pm | #22

   Steel with exposed screws you can walk up to about an 8, but it ain't fun. Catch the screws in the lug soles and hope for the best.

   I've wimped out lately and rather have a rope handy..life is short enough without making it shorter. Or more painful.Spheramid Enterprises Architectural Woodworks

   Repairs, Remodeling, Restorations

    

   They kill Prophets, for Profits.

    

    

1. 
   florida | Mar 16, 2009 12:48am | #24

   No screws, just ribs every 14 inches or so. We made a bunch of chicken ladders that we clamp to the ribs but they take a lot of time to install and move and aren't very comfortable. I guess what I need are a couple of younger guys with bigger..........boots.

2. 
   fingersandtoes | Mar 16, 2009 12:09am | #23

   I find the "stickability" of metal roofs changes very quickly. When I first start installing it's great, but a couple of windy days where it gets even a small amount of dust on it and away you go. I even noticed the difference when I walked through a restaurant kitchen before going up.  Lately I've been wearing my work boots rather than sneakers because I find I can jam them between the ribs of the 12" snap-locks when I start to slide.

1. 
   florida | Mar 16, 2009 12:50am | #25

   The dust really does it. It doesn't worry me to much on the first floor roof but by the time we get to the third floor roofs the pucker factor is pretty high.

2. 
   Marson | Mar 14, 2009 04:36pm | #12

   To hijack my own thread....a guy we recently hired who wants to do all our roofs came to me asked me if the company would buy him a pair of Cougar Paws. My first reaction was no way, we aren't going to start buying footwear. But he pointed out that they would make him more productive. He's a guy that is pretty broke, and why would he fork out his own money? $135 is pretty small potatoes really. What should I do?

1. 
   theslateman | Mar 14, 2009 06:51pm | #13

   Buy them for him and deduct $10 a week once he's going full bore.

1. 
   Sphere | Mar 14, 2009 09:25pm | #15

   Knowing the boots? I'd not do that...they really are no better than a good cross trainer.hiker..the soles are a gimmick.

   The boot construction is terrible, Alan was just here the other night, and the wear spots, like we see from folded leg? was through the leather, left foot out side , tucked under the butt had a hole already.Spheramid Enterprises Architectural Woodworks

   Repairs, Remodeling, Restorations

    

   They kill Prophets, for Profits.

    

    

1. 
   theslateman | Mar 14, 2009 09:45pm | #16

   My roofing footwear is and always will be a decent sneaker.

   I like to be able to feel exactly where my feet are and what they're doing.

   After a recent snow I'll wear felt lined rubber bottom leather topped boots , but only till it's packed enough for my " sneaks " again.

2. 
   Sphere | Mar 14, 2009 11:34pm | #17

   I wish I could..Spheramid Enterprises Architectural Woodworks

   Repairs, Remodeling, Restorations

    

   They kill Prophets, for Profits.

    

    

2. 
   Hazlett | Mar 15, 2009 12:20am | #18

   Marson,
   i have done it like slateman suggested--- in fact I have had them delivered to the job site by one of our regular roofing suppliers----and i usually deducted $25/pay untill they were payed for but I won't do that anymore---other than for maybe a helper just starting out who needs guidance on what tool to buy or whatever but an experienced guy?--a working tradesman with some skill?--- I just don't see how a guy can be say 30 years old and need a loan from me spread out over weeks-- to buy a pair of shoes! seriously- i have to thank jim allen for this--- he taught me last year to just lay it out for'em---this is what is required- this is what you MUST have to work here--if you don't show up with that-- you don't work here. I don't think appropriate footware, a toolbelt and a short list of basic handtools is to much to ask of someone who expects to earn a living-- if they won't invest in themselves- why should I invest in them? Best wishes,
   stephen

1. 
   Marson | Mar 15, 2009 05:05am | #19

   I pretty much decided not to buy him the boots. Sound like a gimmick, like Sphere says. He has basically what he needs. I think he's just a tool junkie who want's the company to feed his habit.

3. 
   JeffBuck | Mar 15, 2009 09:53am | #20

   flip side of the coin ...

    

   will a pair of $135 boots make a guy work his butt off for ya for a year or so?

   I'd be inclined to buy the boots and tell him the replacement pads are on him.

    

   I know a company that wouldn't buy a lead carp a new chop saw after he burned "his" chop saw up after working for them for 10 years. He ran about $750K worth of work for them each year ... for 10 years ... and they pissed him off over a saw he burned thru working on their jobs.

   No matter how ya slice it ... bad math!

    

   I'd ask the guy how happy it'll make him ... then tell him keep any complains to himself there after. And let him know you expect results too.

   Jeff

        Buck Construction

    Artistry In Carpentry

        Pittsburgh Pa

1. 
   Dinosaur | Mar 16, 2009 03:32am | #26

   I'll wear my plain, old Kodiak workboots while stripping a roof, but once that's done I go put on my sticky sneakers. Like Walter said, I gotta feel the roof under my feet. Plus, my boots tear up new shingles too much. The sneakers don't.

   I use old-style tennis sneakers with rubber soles (not the EVA plastic ones they put on 'runners' today). Rubber-soled tennies are getting harder to find now, but there's nothing else I know of that has both the sensitivity and stickiness.

    

    

   As to whether or not to buy your guy a pair of special safety roofing boots, here's a story that's semi-related:

   I used to work for Crowley Towing, sailing out of San Juan, Puerto Rico. On my arrival, the Port Captain informed me company policy was for all crew and officers to wear full safety gear on deck at all times. He then sent me to the nearest shopping mall to buy a pair of steel toes. 'Bring back the receipt, and I'll reimburse you cash money right here.' No limit on how expensive a boot I could buy; they even paid the taxi fare to and from the store.

   The next day, I sailed on my first trip for them. As we left the company pier to pick up an empty molasses barge at Bacardi's wharf, the whole crew was on deck dressed in all the required safety gear.

   But 20 minutes later, as we passed the sea bouy outbound for the Dominican Republic, the whole crew (including the captain, but not yet me) was on deck dressed in cut-offs, tank-tops, and flip-flops. And they stayed that way till just before coming into San Juan on the return trip.

   Dinosaur

   How now, Mighty Sauron, that thou art not broughtlow by this? For thine evil pales before that whichfoolish men call Justice....

3. 
   LittleItaly | Mar 17, 2009 04:40am | #27

   Wear skateboarder shoes.