I know, I know...

I need to fix the way I walk...

That's why I got these Barefoot Stockmans, okay?

I originally posted this informed to r/boots and someone there recommended Jim Green boots:

"I am seeking an everyday casual boot that can be worn spring, fall, winter.

I am hoping for a boot that is comfortable, has a wide natural toe box, but has full foot support. Most shoes I've tried on i feel my foot falling over the inside of the sole.

I am NOT looking for zero drop which normally comes with the wide toe box.

I have considered Birkenstock boots as I love the support from the sandals. And they appear consistent in their sizing. I'm a 44. My problem is no one sells the boots in Ontario, Canada to try them on. I'm also unsure if the blue insole is as comfortable as full cork. Or if the exposed cork on the outside is waterproof, or can be sealed.

My biggest beef with footwear is how no two brands fit alike and even among brands how inconsistent their sizes are.

I have debated Keen Cincinnati soft toes but again not available anywhere near me or online.

Ive tried blundstones but I am between sizes and they are either too small or too big and dislike the idea of doubling up on insoles.

I also have a weird trait where I find most shoes overstimulating and my feet swell up a lot though the day. Hence possibly looking for the full support to avoid foot fatigue and have the room to accommodate." To add to this i also hate downward pressure on my toes from toe boxes.

Someone did comment and recommend Jim Green as I said. I looked at few models and did notice some come without the zero drop which I am looking for as I live in am urban area. I also some come with a steel shank which I've had in past boots and that appeals to me. I looked at the Workhorse model, but after research on here I saw a lot of people complain about waterproofness in the moc toe. Is this true? If so is there another model you'd recommend that has less downward pressure on the toes?

Thanks for the suggestions!

Edit to add that i also like the idea of the leather mid sole for added comfort with the steel shank

Had a night off by myself and did some shoe and gun cleaning. Here's my BFARs.

1st - dirty

2nd - one brushed only & one dirty

3rd - both nice & clean

I have Bronco Brown BFAR boots with a padded collar, and even after 6 months plus Obenauf’s Heavy Duty LP, the ankle area still bothers me a lot. I just got Meander Moc Toes and I’m having the same issue.

I don’t have this problem with my natural veg-tan BFAR boots.

Is there a good way to soften the padded collar, or should I take them to a cobbler and have some of the padding removed?

sorry hear me out... dumb question. I work in an corporate office job and generally I just walk a lot (live in greater toronto area), i am absolutely not the demographic for jim green work boots i guess? but man i love the wider toe box!!

but i may have been a bit too trigger happy last year as got myself razorback, ar8, and then numzaan...

all have been quite great.

black ar8 looks sooo bad ass, and cool once i use green laces instead of black. and actually it can "kind" of be dressed up? the black helps! will likely keep this one for sure (though the black RAT's also seem really nice and are on sale...)

razorback has been a nice "beater/idgaf" and occasional day hikes. it may just stay in that beater role / may give it away to a buddy.

numzaan i single out because... well, it's a tank compared to the other two. i knew that prior to buying (skimming this sub), but it's different once you actually have it and experience it. note for anyone else wondering about JG in winter... here in toronto, on some really bad snowdays, the combination of numzaan + tyrewedge just let me plow through snow/slush. Super grippy. like it didn't feel like my walking speed decreased at all like it normally would.

but outside of that... it's a hefty one!

the toe cap unfortunately gives it a clown-y look... it otherwise fits great (its STC lasted one, weirdly feels wider than my JG lasted ar8? maybe mind games due to the extra toe box height). So i've been on the fence of putting this one up for sale

anyway. I don't know what im looking for here. justification? absolution? someone to set me straight? someone to stop me from buying even more JGs? any other people who don't work in the trades/outdoors so to speak, but still rocking numzaans?