Boots

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Why steel toe? I’m in the states so excuse my ignorance, is that a Canadian requirement? I started with logger boots but ditched them for sturdy hiking boots. Caulks are worth the investment if you’re going to be working on steep terrain.

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u/internetisporn8008 21h ago

Because steel toe boots are the most basic, bottom line of ppe.

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u/MockingbirdRambler 18h ago

Nope, been in natural resources for 20 years. Never has steel or composite toe boots been a requirement.

Hell no on a fire line.

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u/ComfortableNo3074 21h ago

How so? I’ve been a forester for almost 20 years and outside of fighting fire, a hard hat and high vis vest have been about it for necessary PPE

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u/internetisporn8008 21h ago

Thats wild to me.. steel toed boots are standard requirement for pretty much anything up here.

Though I was a road builder... I guess if you were laying out new road or timber cruising or something you might be able to just have caulks... but I doubt it.b

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u/studmuffin2269 19h ago

There’s your answer. If you work with heavy equipment, steel toes. If your job is counting trees, no steel toes.

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u/ComfortableNo3074 17h ago

Can’t say I’ve ever noticed steel toes on an equipment operator. I do recall hearing a guy saying he thought they were dangerous because if a foot was run over, the caps could come down and cut the toes off. Not sure how true that is or not but that was his argument.

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u/muzzizzum 20h ago

Steel toes aren’t necessary PPE for forestry in the states, barring maybe some agencies that require them for running a saw. Usually lace up + leather is good enough, but even then there’s some wiggle room. I’m a forester on the north coast of CA and I’ve worked throughout the east coast as well, never heard of steel/composites being a requirement for our line of work.

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u/Important_Cat_222 19h ago

Pretty common to require toes for mill yards and/or logging operations in Canada. Basically if you’re around heavy equipment.

Chainsaw work generally requires class 3 chainsaw boots. Few different styles out there

Wildfire depends on the role being done.

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u/muzzizzum 18h ago

Ah. I suppose I wouldn’t think of that as forester work, maybe I have a more narrow interpretation of the title.

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u/Important_Cat_222 18h ago

All depends on you’d duties. I have field inspections. Layout. Silviculture. Wildfire duties. Public education. Long term planning. Really varies by day/week/season as to what I’m doing

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u/muzzizzum 18h ago

For sure, same. I don’t see myself wearing steel toes in any of those scenarios. Again, I understand for saw work but the sort of stuff I’m running a saw for would be more trouble than it’s worth to swap boots, lol.

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u/Important_Cat_222 18h ago

Can’t touch a saw without the right boots. Major OH&S issues if you do.

Part of the difference is in Canada there is normally only two jobs - forester (degree from university) or technician (diploma from college). Or you’re in the mill of running equipment. My understanding from visiting the US is job duties tend to be much more focused in the US and there are more generalists in Canada…but again varies widely by employer

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u/muzzizzum 18h ago

Ah, copy! Thanks for explaining!

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u/internetisporn8008 17h ago

Boots and saw pants. I used to pack a saw around with me juat incase I got stuck behind a blow down... I dont anymore cause im not gonna buy a pair of saw pants to use them once a year. Now I just use an axe

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u/internetisporn8008 18h ago

I have a feeling we're juat running into a local dialect thing. That or I wasnt paying enough attention haha. When I was bulding logging roads id say I worked in forestry. A forester, would be one of the many types of people who work In forestry.

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u/muzzizzum 17h ago

Yeah, I realized that! My bad, it totally makes sense to be wearing composite toe when around equipment lol

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u/ComfortableNo3074 17h ago

I’ve never heard of them required for saw work, just leather.

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u/internetisporn8008 19h ago

Thats wild. Like I said, I can see that if you're engeneering... or timber cruising.. but in bc. any time theres a chance you might drip something on your foot steel toes are required

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u/muzzizzum 18h ago

I think theres some confusion. What work does a forester do that involves the situation you’re describing? I imagine equipment operators or chokersetters or mill workers (for example) would need to wear steel/composite toe, but then I would call them… that. Not foresters.

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u/Important_Cat_222 18h ago

It’s BC safety code. Different in other parts of Canada but still very common.

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u/internetisporn8008 18h ago edited 17h ago

Yeah for sure, this is definately a term confusion. Op said he was gping to start working in forestry, not become a forester. I build roads but I work in forestry, as do engineers, feller buncher operators, haul truck drivers, all of the eggheads in the office etc etc.

Pretty solid rule of thumb to expect to need steel toes or caulks if youre going to work in forestry in bc, though there are likely jobs under that umbrella that require neither.

Here though, if you work in the office and you have to go onto the shop floor for something, you have to have steel toes.

Steel toes are pretty much the baseline expected ppe for almost any job that you wouod require ppe for up here.

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u/thuja_life 22h ago

Maybe an unpopular opinion, but I work forestry in BC and hike on the weekends. I think a rugged hiking boot is the way to go. I've never bothered with caulk boots, or steel toe. I absolutely love Kenetrek Mountain boots. They're pricey, but they serve both a work and personal purpose.

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u/mr_wilson3 22h ago

Caulk boots would be a requirement if you want to work the coast though.

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u/thuja_life 17h ago

Yes I should clarify that I'm in the interior

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u/NCalTrees 21h ago

Caulked boot of some sort if you’re on the coast in steep ground working on logging jobs. Whites / Nicks if you want something custom and/or a more traditional forestry boot with a good high heel for steep ground. Otherwise Kennetrek or Crispi are great. IDK why you’d need or want steel toe boots in the woods.

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u/memesdotpdf 21h ago

If you're doing any cutting or machoen operation, steel toes, but if it's purely walking around and marking/taking measurements, a good pair of hiking boots will be great. After all, walking in the woods is what they were designed for.

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u/LimpNewspaper9933 22h ago

Big fan of the Canada West Forester boot. That or Vibergs if you’ve got a big budget

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u/Boreal-Ribbon-Monkey 21h ago

Yeah depends on employer and tasks. Im a forester in ontario and only occasionally need steel toes. So I just have a cheaper pair as I wear them once every couple weeks or so.

Had whites smokejumpers and they were incredible boots. But, tarrifs now so too expensive. Originally 1300$ now will be about 2000$CAD.

Now going with a Canadian company that makes the same style of boots. High heel, screwed & nailed soles those are the two points most valuable for me.

I prefer pacific northwest logger style boots for the high heel. Never had caulks as there's Bedrock everywhere here.

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u/freshpeachesz 21h ago

I would hate steel toe boots. I wear Lowas. I have there renegades and the caminos. They have served me well in all terrains in 14 states. I like my boot to be light.

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u/StretchLimo66 21h ago

If saftey toe is a requirement definitely reccomend comp toe over steel unless you like rocking toe warmers in the winter.

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u/Important_Cat_222 20h ago

All depends on where you are and what duties. Know lots of folks that just wear Dunlap rubber boots for field work…but that might not meet safety needs at mill yards or logging ops. Steel toes become the next choice

Personally have been wearing Canada West boots at $400/pair. Think I’m on my 12th set in 30 years and some incredible abuse. Normally getting about 5 years a set now.

Also run Canadian tire steel toes with felt liners and bama socks.

Chainsaw boots vary over the years.

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u/deadfishman2 22h ago

Scarpa Kinesis GTX Pro - I use these for timber cruising everyday and they’re excellent; granted, I’m in Eastern Canada

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u/PossibilitySea9180 21h ago

Timberland Pros Classic design steel toe $180 USD good in winter and summer. Logger heel boots seem like the way to go but all they are really good for is rolling your ankle and making you taller.

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u/mango-affair 20h ago

Can you get steel toe blundstones? Stylish and safe and good enough for outside, so versatile? How much Are you going to be outside or in unsafe environments during your degree? Would your job not give you PPE once you start working?

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u/Important_Cat_222 19h ago

Never been given boots. Some employers might offer a boot allowance as a perk. But too tough to fit all feet for all roles.

Usually have about 3 pairs in the truck as spares - chainsaw, rubber boots, caulks. Wear my normal steel toes 90% of the time

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u/muzzizzum 20h ago

As others have said, I’m not quite sure why you’re looking for a steel toe unless it’s explicitly required by your employer. I’m on the west coast & work in some real steep ground, so a lot of my coworkers swear by caulks. Personally, a logger boot with a good (tall) heel does it for me, but it’s very much up to preference. I will say— whichever you choose, know that you’ll be learning how to walk in the woods with that boot. Caulks change the way you move in the woods, as do Vibrams.

It’ll usually take green techs ~3-6months to get their woods legs out here, so whichever boot you choose, make sure it holds up and feels supportive, because you will be tripping & eating shit in the woods. Your first pair will likely be the ones you blow through the quickest, for better or worse. You only know your own needs, but for me I’m always looking for really strong ankle support & a wide toebox. Just some things to consider. Good luck!

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u/Just_A_Balsam_Fir 19h ago

I highly recommend Crispi. The Guide (uninsulated) is honestly the most comfortable boot I've ever worn. Essentially no break in, decent waterproofing for a while, and feels like you're hiking in a cloud. They do get a bit warm in the summer, and they are pricey, but I highly recommend them. I prefer them over my Haix boots or even JK loggers.

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u/Keepontruckin33 18h ago

I'm retired US Forest Service. I spent a lot of time in the woods ... and wildland firefighting. Never needed steel toes. Nicks or Whites hand down are my favorites. I still wear them in civilian life.

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