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b54red · February 4, 2018

I had a hard time finding a perfect shoe for gardening here. We have a lot of rain and a ton of fire ants so I needed some protection and preferably waterproof shoes especially in cold weather. I still sometimes wear old running type sneakers but they tend to collect too much debris in the overly complex treads on the soles which is very hard to clean without using a hose and then you end up with wet shoes which cannot be used comfortably until they dry. The one good thing about them is they are comfortable but they don't protect from moisture very well and they wear out way too fast. I found boots too hot most of the year down here and tiring due to the extra weight and not very comfortable for long periods. I have foot issues from arthritis and high arches so I needed something that helped in that regard and until I found Merrrell's waterproof slip in shoe I had to rely mostly on worn sneakers. I have used Crocs and Croc type shoes but found them uncomfortable, slippery and easily invaded by fire ants and they just don't give my feet the support they need.

I found what I think is the perfect garden shoe about 5 or 6 years ago. I know it is expensive but if you have foot problems and need the protection these shoes are fantastic. They last a long time and as a matter of fact I still wear the first pair I bought but have since bought two more pair though one has not been worn in the garden yet. My first pair started losing a bit of its waterproof ability after three years but only under the worst wet conditions and the small tread is pretty worn down now so they are not the ones I wear when it is really wet and slick. They have a decent amount of tread which works great for me and before going inside I just hose of the bottoms without worry. They are nice and warm in the winter and wet conditions but not too hot for our blistering summer days. I am currently wearing my first pair and fixing to head out in the wet garden as soon as the drizzle stops.

This is the one that I wear but they have one that is designed for more icy and cold conditions than I have to deal with.

https://www.merrell.com/US/en/jungle...rproof&start=1

Bill

February 4, 2018	#45
b54red Tomatovillian™ Join Date: Sep 2009 Location: Alabama Posts: 7,068	I had a hard time finding a perfect shoe for gardening here. We have a lot of rain and a ton of fire ants so I needed some protection and preferably waterproof shoes especially in cold weather. I still sometimes wear old running type sneakers but they tend to collect too much debris in the overly complex treads on the soles which is very hard to clean without using a hose and then you end up with wet shoes which cannot be used comfortably until they dry. The one good thing about them is they are comfortable but they don't protect from moisture very well and they wear out way too fast. I found boots too hot most of the year down here and tiring due to the extra weight and not very comfortable for long periods. I have foot issues from arthritis and high arches so I needed something that helped in that regard and until I found Merrrell's waterproof slip in shoe I had to rely mostly on worn sneakers. I have used Crocs and Croc type shoes but found them uncomfortable, slippery and easily invaded by fire ants and they just don't give my feet the support they need. I found what I think is the perfect garden shoe about 5 or 6 years ago. I know it is expensive but if you have foot problems and need the protection these shoes are fantastic. They last a long time and as a matter of fact I still wear the first pair I bought but have since bought two more pair though one has not been worn in the garden yet. My first pair started losing a bit of its waterproof ability after three years but only under the worst wet conditions and the small tread is pretty worn down now so they are not the ones I wear when it is really wet and slick. They have a decent amount of tread which works great for me and before going inside I just hose of the bottoms without worry. They are nice and warm in the winter and wet conditions but not too hot for our blistering summer days. I am currently wearing my first pair and fixing to head out in the wet garden as soon as the drizzle stops. This is the one that I wear but they have one that is designed for more icy and cold conditions than I have to deal with. https://www.merrell.com/US/en/jungle...rproof&start=1 Bill