After almost getting my toes cut off delivering steel to a machine shop, I have worn 9", steel toe boots. Currently, I am wearing Georgia workboots, and they kast about 2 years for me. I keep them well polished, and they have saved my ankles more than once. As for the weight? you don't notice it after a week. As yes they look funny with shorts, but as I told my coworkers when I was in package, all a lot of dogs got was a mouth full of leather.