Workwear; or, Dandy rigouts in which to perform manual labour.

Sounds like climbing gloves territory. But there are some very spendy (sorry) options out there.

Maybe something like this (I'm sure somebody on here recommended some others from the same website a while back):

https://www.safetygloves.co.uk/ejendals-tegera-297-insulated-waterproof-work-gloves.html

The very best, and not expensive at all, are Showa 281 and 282.

https://www.outsideonline.com/2270896/review-showa-281-and-282-gloves

https://andrewskurka.com/review-showa-281-gloves-temres/
https://andrewskurka.com/review-showa-282-gloves-cold-wet-conditions/

I'd look at work gloves for the best value. I tend to get stuff from https://www.safetygloves.co.uk/ I think someone on here recommended the site.

I’m currently using Screwfix thermal gloves with nitrile gloves as a liner. It’s not really keeping me warm.

Climbing gloves are a great idea. I’ll look in Decathlon.

Neoprene cycling gloves might also work but I can see them disintegrating quickly handling gritstone.

Maybe something from here
https://www.lomo.co.uk/acatalog/neoprene-wetsuit-gloves.html
Kayak or winter sailing gloves

Best gloves I have found for that type of work are Briers washable leather gloves
I treat them with a bit of nikwax waterproofing and use two pairs, letting one pair dry whilst the other is in use. If it's really cold I put a thin fleece inner glove on first.

On wet days I’ll go thru 2-4 pairs of gloves(Towa powergrabs usually) as whatever you wear they’ll get wet in the end. Talcum powder and never put a wet glove back on. I’ve got at least 10 pairs on wear/wash/dry rotation at any given moment.
I just got my box of winter work gloves but still too warm f out right now.

I don’t get the nitrile liner thing. So sweaty and gross it negates the warmth/need to be waterproof...

Cheap shit from Screwfix, they die soon when handling slabs, stone or sleepers. Buy 10 pairs for £20. Change when wet, sometimes half a dozen times a day, 30 mins wash, radiators overnight. This will win the Pepsi challenge against any £30 glove I can imagine, but will get you sneered at in the golf club.

My Dickies steel toe-cap boots have finally bitten the dust after ten years.

Brown, trad looking, steel toe, good arch support. What are the gents around town wearing these days?

These are sick, but don’t actually appear to exist (Wawoo Vintage Steel Toe).

https://www.wonderfulwellies.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2016/05/Wawoo-Vintage-Steel-Toe.jpg

Red Wing seem to be the nicest out there from what I've seen, a little spendy but if you're going to get a decade out of them the right pair would be good value at any price!

Red Wing 2415

V12 are a hard wearing classic style of steel toe cap:

http://v12footwear.com/product/boulder-v1236/

Tried (non-steel-toe) Redwings on a while ago, wasn't really into them, defo not for £250 anyway.

Those V12 are ok, if a little shiny. Shall I just get some of the weird tech-sneaker ones I keep getting Instagram spam about?

I’d try William Lennon

https://www.rufflander.co.uk/brands/rufflander/

Or

http://bolton-bros.co.uk/index.php/bespoke-footwear/bespoke-safety-footwear

Buckler. Made in Scotland. Mine have lasted years. They weigh a ton but are incredibly warm and comfortable.

Approx 8 years later and after a full tin of dubbin over the nubuck

2 Attachments

They’re lovely. Too nice to wear to work!

Not heard of them, I’m into the Scottish connection, though the Dickies were pretty heavy, don’t think I really need a steel mid-sole this time around.

Another vote for William Lennon. Their steel toecap Rufflander boots are actually amazing and £60 must be he best value out there. They're made to order so you'll have to wait. I have had a pair as work boots for three years, astoundingly comfy.
But if you phone them and have a chat they'll make something exactly as you like, they'll send you leather samples to choose from, pick your own soles etc.
I was so impressed by the Rufflander I bought a couple of pairs of their best boots and I am sure they'll outlive me.

I bought these after I finished plastering but I still haven’t got over the time I jumped off my hop-up when boarding a ceiling and straight onto a screw through the middle of my foot. That’s why I went for the steel sole.

Maybe not quite what you’re after, but red brick safety boots are one of the few options that are a rare combo of: mid ankle, trainer-ish, but with Kevlar toe and midsole. They’re the right balance of durability vs lightness for me. Can’t be chewed hiking about with 2kg of boot on.
https://www.checkfrank.co.uk/redbrick-smaragd-s3-working-shoes/195519
Popular in the Netherlands but rarely see them here.

I went for non steel midsole this time and a composite cap in a trainer style shoe. I never work anywhere where there’s a risk of foot stabbing but I always end up with a lot of walking and standing around waiting. The lighter more flexible shoe is a godsend.

Also, massively kicking myself for not picking up some Carhartt dungarees while they were on sale everywhere. Didn’t clock they had an updated version coming out. I find the stuff so much more comfortable to work in compared to most brands but the price is getting up there. £86 for their new double fronted trousers and £100 for dungarees ffs.

Since about 2 years I have Cofra Stoppata, of which the other models look similar to the one you mentioned: http://www.cofra.it/en/products/footwear/footwear-lines/1-footwear/49-old+glories?

Thanks for all the suggestions. Custom made boots for £60, really!?

Think I’m leaning towards the v12, would be good to try them on though

Incidentally, they'll be paired with my signature weird traditional German carpenters' guild trousers, which are very good if you want extremely hard wearing hot-works proof trousers. Drainpipe, not flair.