I usually wear the bates when we are down to finish work on stage (I do film and tv show set construction for hollyweird). When I am working in the mill or metal shop, I run heavier work boots. Heres my boot rack:
-Dewalt steel toe work boots mid high (surprisingly comfortable, a little bulky, kinda hot)
-Carhart composite toe high (excellent, just bulky, hot, and not very comfortable)
-Bates tactical boots (comfy, light, agile, breathable, just not much protection)
-Keen composite toe work boots low top (very breathable, good grip, no ankle protection, very bulky)
-Reebok Floatride Energy composite toe work shoe (damn near perfect, just no ankle protecton, being a shoe)
I am looking into welding boots, as recently I have noticed welding spatter and metal shavings falling in sometimes.