My husband and son work in our meat store. They wear sneakers and the stench is really bad because they get full of chicken juice, etc.
What footwear can anyone recommend to reduce this problem. I would think something waterproof but they want something lightweight and breathable. Also I would think sturdy in case of dropping a knife or heavy box.
Really would appreciate input because I got in the car this morning with my son and we were stopping to finalize the paperwork on a car he had just bought and it was awful. He is so used to the smell he doesn't notice it but it was embarrassing going into the car dealer with that smell.
The best solution is have slip resistant shoes or boots that he leaves at work every day. Tennis shoes are not good. I like black leather safe-t-step from payless shoes. Because they are light weight and give good traction. Do not get brown leather, they stain too easy. They dont just stink they leave stains on the carpet too. It depends on what kind of meat cutting they do. Sometimes we need boots sometimes shoes.
safe-t-steps are water proof and very slip resistant, but the are also low tops.
-- Edited by fdarn on Friday 22nd of August 2014 08:48:23 PM
I agree with fdarn. Sneakers/tennis shoes are a poor choice in a meat dept. I also wear back leather shoes. Mine are steel toed Red Wings. They are expensive, but worth it. A lot of people in my area get "shoes for crews" at work. I hear they are affordable and very slip resistant. Not sure if they are steel toed or not.
I leave my work shoes at work. I do not bring them home every day. I have taken them out for hard outdoor work jobs, but 99% of the time, they stay at work.
Thanks everyone! Does anyone have a link to the Redwings you use? I'm guessing there are various ones and I just wanted to see which one you are using. Are they waterproof? Are they fairly breathable and lightweight?
thanks again.
Thanks everyone! Does anyone have a link to the Redwings you use? I'm guessing there are various ones and I just wanted to see which one you are using. Are they waterproof? Are they fairly breathable and lightweight? thanks again.
Not 100% waterproof like a rain boot. Or one a full time clean up person wears. Not like a rubber boot that has no tongue, or lace holes and goes up to the knee. If you're doing a lot of work in 1/2 inch deep water, you need a second boot for that. For sure your feet will get wet if you flood the floor and walk around in it for 20 minutes. For basic meat dept work, Redwings are great.
They aren't known for their lightness. Unlike running shoes, a good work boot needs to be a little heavy.
I think toe protection is important for a meat dept work boot.
-- Edited by Burgermeister on Saturday 23rd of August 2014 10:28:59 AM
Good boots will keep your feet safe and dry for a long time and are like an investment in a good tool. They will outlast several pairs of cheaper, lower performing shoes They should be waterproof and steel toed . I used 8 in. lace up Red Wings for many years, got them 1/2 size bigger and added extra insole cushions. My new favorites are John Deere pull-on wellingtons, they're lighter and have a softer, sneaker like bottom. No tongue means you can use them in higher water. Treating with silicon spray or waterproofing oil will be necessary to keep them waterproof, also this will reduce the water/blood absorbtion that causes the stink, thay can be hosed off. http://www.sportsmansguide.com/product/index/mens-john-deere-steel-toe-waterproof-wellington-boots-dark-brown?a=1566279
1 year ago, I bought "Worx" shoes "by Redwing" at the Redwing store. They are made in China. I think genuine Redwings are made in USA. Is that correct? Worx are cheaper and I shouldn't have bought them. The Rewing store didn't have the pair I wanted. I could have ordered it, but didn't want to wait or make a second trip.
My left Worx shoe weighed 1.7 lbs today including fat and grease. It's a low top. I prefer taller. Mid size, not real high.
1 year ago, I bought "Worx" shoes "by Redwing" at the Redwing store. They are made in China. I think genuine Redwings are made in USA. Is that correct? Worx are cheaper and I shouldn't have bought them. The Rewing store didn't have the pair I wanted. I could have ordered it, but didn't want to wait or make a second trip.
My left Worx shoe weighed 1.7 lbs today including fat and grease. It's a low top. I prefer taller. Mid size, not real high.
Those big treads are not good for walking on meat juice covered floors. They are actually dangerous. I can't really see the treads but this looks closest to what i would get http://www.gbrworkwear.com/slip-safety-shoes-fw81-p-1199.html
See the picture. I find these smaller treads to be the safest. They do get caked up sometimes and have to be sprayed off.
Here is a link to them. There might be some Steel toe options in there.
By the way I have been wearing these for a couple years and they do not smell bad. They smell like old shoes. They do not absorb the meat juices. They are not the best but I have been satisfied with them. They last me a couple years before having to replace them.
-- Edited by fdarn on Saturday 23rd of August 2014 03:44:56 PM
-- Edited by fdarn on Saturday 23rd of August 2014 04:24:59 PM
I bought these at a local mall shop. They are hands down the best work shoes I ever owned. I have had them for almost 3 years, I have wide feet and they are comfortable. I do suggest getting the wax to keep the leather pliable and sealed.
1 year ago, I bought "Worx" shoes "by Redwing" at the Redwing store. They are made in China. I think genuine Redwings are made in USA. Is that correct? Worx are cheaper and I shouldn't have bought them. The Rewing store didn't have the pair I wanted. I could have ordered it, but didn't want to wait or make a second trip.
My left Worx shoe weighed 1.7 lbs today including fat and grease. It's a low top. I prefer taller. Mid size, not real high.
so you sat it on the meat scale?
Yes, but on top of a sheet of paper.
And then I soaked the scale tray in sanitizer for 1 hour, then boiled it for 20 minutes. Changed the water and boiled it for another 30 minutes. Soaked it in sanitizer again, rinsed it off and hopefully it's safe to use.
1 year ago, I bought "Worx" shoes "by Redwing" at the Redwing store. They are made in China. I think genuine Redwings are made in USA. Is that correct? Worx are cheaper and I shouldn't have bought them. The Rewing store didn't have the pair I wanted. I could have ordered it, but didn't want to wait or make a second trip.
My left Worx shoe weighed 1.7 lbs today including fat and grease. It's a low top. I prefer taller. Mid size, not real high.
so you sat it on the meat scale?
Yes, but on top of a sheet of paper.
And then I soaked the scale tray in sanitizer for 1 hour, then boiled it for 20 minutes. Changed the water and boiled it for another 30 minutes. Soaked it in sanitizer again, rinsed it off and hopefully it's safe to use.
Good man, it should be decontaminated now. Its nice of you to go through that trouble for our original poster.
If you haven't made your footwear purchase yet, I agree that pull-on waterproof boots would be the way to go. Our Processor boot is one of our best sellers. Here's a link to our waterproof footwear selection: www.bunzlpd.com/home.php
__________________
Bunzl Processor Division/Koch Supplies Over 130 Years of the Right People, Right Products and Right Prices. www.bunzlkochsupplies.com
I was buying waterproof (Gortex lined) Timberland 6" hikers for about 6 years. each pair would last about 2 years but only because I kept treating the leather with "Sofsole" water proofer/ protecting spray. It keeps the leather from drying out and cracking. In between the spray treatments I use "ArmorAll" leather wipes to clean and condition the leather. They are very handy and keep them looking nice and the leather nice and soft. I buy that stuff in the automotive dept at Wallmart, Target, Kmart etc. The spray repels water so it may keep the chicken juice from soaking in also but I really kinda doubt it will keep them from stinking. Sure don't miss cutting butt loads of ice pack chicken lol! This last pair of boots I bought are "Rocky" hikers. The sole is a lot harder than the Timberlands so they weren't as comfy out of the box they took a little break in period and I put a pair of those Dr. Scholl's insoles in them. They are super comfy now, look nice and because of the more durable sole I fully expect they may even last a little longer! I prefer brown over black but like I said, those wipes keep them clean and looking nice. I'll bet a person could put a little sanitizer on a cloth and wipe em down to help keep them from rotting lol. The best solution would be rubber boots for cutting chickens though.
I wished I bought better boots years ago,, our bodies take a pounding on the cold concrete floors all day long,
I leaned towards cheaper boots and put soft soles in them, I should have bought the expensive comfortable boots..
I always preferred leatherwork boots from Red Wings with steel toes and shanks. They last forever and they are (or at least were) made in USA. When my first pair started to go after about 3 years due to the chemical germicide we used to sanitize the department I went back to the store to buy a new pair. I explained the situation and told the store manager I wanted to buy a new pair. He replied that I would get a new pair, but he would GIVE them to me not sell them to me, as the shoes should have held up better than that, and he INSISTED I take the best model they have, not the model I originally bought. That second pair is still doing fine after about 22 years! About $200/pair back then but you get what you pay for.
As a second choice I also liked a dress style work boot from Knapp with steel toes and shanks. They were less than $100/pair back when I bought them in the early 90's but I still have that pair too and they are doing fine. And they look like a dress shoe which is wht you want as a meat manager.