My first job involved doing maintenance in a paper mill. Rules said steel toe caps had to be worn, but all the chemicals used in the plant used to rot the stitching, so we used to wear steel toe cap wellies, with a plate in the sole and reinforced ankle.
It was like wearing diving boots and to this day I can not wear wellies! I generally wear high leg boots and gaiters when out and about.
Simon
Animadvertistine, ubicumque stes, fumum recta in faciem ferri
(Ever noticed how wherever you stand, the smoke goes right into your face?)