Boots - General Work

[Wudman]

Gentlemen,

I'm in the market for a new pair of boots.  I've been wearing Timberlands, Browning, Wolverines, and Rockies through the years.  Of the above brands, I usually bought what my dealer had on sale at the time.  I got good service out of all of the above.  The problem....I recently bought another pair of Rockies (from a discount store).  They were made in China and the leather tore at the base of one of the eyelets the third day that I had them.  I carried them back to the (discount) store that I bought them from and they would not take them back as I could not locate the receipt.  My brother in law runs a small farm supply business and he quit carrying Rockies due to all of the warranty claims he was getting on them.  He had to pay shipping to get them back to the company and was losing money on the line.

Anyway, it appears that most of these boot lines are now made in China.  Does anyone have a brand that they are satisfied with the service?  I'm rather partial to Gore-Tex and like to buy lightweight boots (and like to stay in the under $175 range).  Any suggestions?  Thanks for the help.

Wudman 

 

[scsmith42]

I asked a similar question a few years back - here is a link to the thread:

http://www.forestryforum.com/board/index.php/topic,22929.0.html

There is a lot of great feedback on that thread.

I found some US Made Redwings that are very comfortable, and I alternate between them and some imported Carhart boots.  The model numbers are in the string.  Both are lightweight, have a nice cushioned sole, and a tread type sole (as opposed to smooth), as well as being steel toed.

[ely]

good luck, most boot companys are making them across the pond these days. i still have some rockies that are holding up well, some two years old. our boot truck at work will stand behind whatever they sell.... so i just pick what catches my eye.

just ordered a new pair of 16" hoffmans last week. always wore westcos but wanted to try something else.

[Reddog]

I have been wearing Hoffman's and Danners.

Still the same.

[celliott]

I had a bad experience with a pair of danner boots one summer while working on a backcountry trail crew.  They were a discounted, made in china model, and needless to say, after a summer of abuse on the trail crew, they started leaking.(gore tex)  I give danner credit though, and they stood behind their product, and gave me the store value of the boots in credit(which was much more than I paid).  I used that credit to buy a nicer pair of American made danners, and am very satisfied with them.  I also bought a pair of steel toe chippewa arctic loggers, and am very pleased with those also.  Be careful if buying chippewa,  some models are made overseas, and some are made in the USA.  If I was in the market for a pair of good boots, the minimum I look for is gore tex(or equivalent), a vibram sole, and especially, a repairable goodyear welt.  You will end up paying probably at the least $50 more for a pair of American made boots.  But, IMO it is money well spent, you wont be dissapointed.  You shouldnt ever skimp on boots.  Like tires, they are what keeps you on the road, on the go.  You only get one pair of feet, treat them well.

[Mark K]

I like the American made Red Wing boots, the overseas ones dont hold up well. I recently bought a pair of Matterhorn 18" chainsaw boots. Leather is real good quality as well as the stitching.

[crd1957]

im still wearing red wings. not as good as they were 30 yrs ago ; but what is?

[Jasperfield]

When you buy boots and shoes, probably moreso than with any other product, you get what you pay for.

I've worn White's boots since 1988. There is no better boot or fit.

They're not in the $175 price range. However, you'll get much more wear and service from them.

[red oaks lumber]

iv'e owned all the above names can't get 8 months on any of them, went with echo boot got 1 year $200  been using keen boots close to 1 year $120  also trying ariat boot $120. i'm not in mud or water just work on concrete 10-15 hrs / day
 p.s every night my boots go on aboot drier.

[tyb525]

I got a pair of Wolverines for Christmas, I put some waterproofer/boot oil on, and they have held up really well so far, thats working in the snow and slush, as well as inside on dry concrete.

Make sure to get some good insoles! They make a huge difference.

[Magicman]

It's hard to beat Red Wings or Danners.  Whatever you get, I'd insist that they have steel toes.

[beenthere]

wudman
I am partial to the Danner boot. Nothing but, since 1983. Before that, Red Wing but my feet would sweat in those and they didn't hold up long. The Gore-tex in the Danners allow my feet to stay drier, breath better, and start out being comfortable (not like the Red Wing, that had to be 'broke' in).

[SwampDonkey]

The Red Wings I have been buying for the last 8 years don't require much breaking in and the sole is softer so you don't slip on packed snow like a cow on ice. I had a pair of hard soles once and couldn't stand up on packed snow on roads. Worst things I ever had on my feet. The rest of the boot was excellent though, good leather, Gortex and good lining, but I couldn't wear them in winter and forget the woods that have slippery logs. If working on concrete and gravel they would be great. They had no brand stamped on them, just CSA approved was all I seen. They were steel toed as well. $300

[Don_Papenburg]

I have Redwings now  Made in USA   my last wolverines were  assembled in USA  Most were made in China.  My next pair will be Whites

[Jamie_C]

I'm kinda partial to Terra workboots myself. They are a Canadian company and have two seperate product lines (or at least they did when i sold them) one line for Walmart and the other line for sale in "regular" workwear retailers. I'm usually pretty *DanG hard on footwear and i can usually get 2-3 years out of a pair of Terra's.

[wi woodcutter]

I have been using Redwings just make sure that they are the ones made in the USA. 

[Brad_bb]

Original poster, you really didn't say what your use it.  Is it working on a concrete floor mostly, or out in the woods cutting trees?  Steel toe needed or not?  I'm guessing not if you go with a lightweight boot.  I use a pair of all leather Redwings mostly for use on concrete(around the shop).  They are heavier than I'd like, but are protective (non steel toe) and have lasted awhile and have a good cushioned sole for concrete.  I also have had Lowa mid hiking boots which have been comfortable and light weight and give good support, but unfortunately don't last but a year, and the tread wears and they are $200 a pair.   

[des170stihl]

 I really like my Red Wings. My second choice on footwear is timberline...

[dutchman]

I like Red Wing for hunting boots.
I buy Cabela's brand for price, they will replace boots that
break down to fast.
My brother just got Bates boots to kick around in, says they
are comfortable and breaking in easily.

[Wudman]

Thanks guys.  I appreciate the input.  Back in the days when a forester worked outdoors, I stayed abreast of the boot market as I went through a pair every 6 months.  I'd have three or four pairs on hand so as to have dry ones any given day......Gore-Tex was the best thing ever invented.  A boot dryer was a close second.  I even had a pair of White's once.  I found them in a shoe (repair) shop in Virginia.  How they got there, I don't know, but they were basically new.  I bought them for $15.  I was in college at the time and would put them on to walk to class.  About half way there, I would have to take them off.  It took a while to get them broken in, but they served me well through a handfull of fire seasons after that.  They were delegated to "show duty" after I got stuck in the swamps of Eastern North Carolina.  They were laid to rest last year after 22 years of service (light duty for the last 18).  

As a forester today, I spend most of my time sitting behind a desk typing on a computer or riding up and down the highway checking on contractors.  My last rotation of boots (Browning and Wolverines) has lasted three years.  they were very good boots.  When I went for a replacement, everything I picked up was made in China.  Based on everyone's input, I think I'll stop by the Red Wing store.  They are always advertising "free cleanings and free laces for life" in the local paper.  I think I'll take them up on it.  

Wudman