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  

[pappy19]

I am a huge White's bbot fan. I have one pair that I have had rebuilt 3 times over 20 years. I personally like their "Packer" laceup cowboy style in a 12" top, with the mini-Vibram sole. For hard forestry work and fire fighting, their Smokejumper is very popular. Not cheap, but made in Spokane, WA and the best, IMHO.

[fstedy]

Just love my Red Wing Wellington Boots. Usually get new soles and heels several times before they wear out in about 5 years.

[IMERC]

chippawas...

[moonhill]

Red Wings....

[IMERC]

red wings

[pineywoods]

I must be an odd ball. Have a real wide foot. Georgia Boot is all I can find that fit. I keep 2 pair and swap out every day. You won't find them at wal mart

[MrMoo]

I wear Chippewa work boots and Cabelas hunting boots for dressier occasions. Both have served me very well.

[moonhill]

I wear my Red Wings for work and dress up.


Tim

[DanG]

Wudman, if you get sticker-shock at the Redwing store, look for a cop store and check out Magnum boots.  The pair I have on look much like military jungle boots, but they are Goretex.  They are pretty deep into their 3rd year of daily wear and going strong.  Mighty comfy and very little break-in was needed.  The great part was, they were $57!  This pair is not steel-toed.  I can't wear those as I have feet shaped like a duck's!

[coldnorth]

Gotta check out Bellevilles!  They make all kinds. I've used them for a few years (ever since red wing and others went overseas)  Made in USA!   I believe it is what our military uses.

[Brad_bb]

I was so frustrated with my redwing show laces that were worn out and refused to stayed tied more than 10 minutes.  I was so frustrated I went into the Redwing store in a huff, frustrated.  The guy gave me a new set of laces for free (I didn't know that they did that), but was worried I'd still have the same problem.  Well I found out that the laces are impregnated with something to give them more friction against each other and now they stayed tied!  To my shock, someone already solved this problem.  Thank goodness!  Attaboy Redwing.

[rick f]

Redwing here   I use the slipons and get 2-3 years out of them. I do construction work so I'm on concrete alot. I also farm so they get hard use out in the fields.

[DonT]

I have a pair of Thoroughgoods.They are a structural firefighting boot,eight inches high, They meet all safety reqirements.Downside to them is they have hard sole that is slippery in the sub-zero weather.They are made in the staes.

[Don K]

I wear Timberland Pro model boots I get through work. Steel- toed, easy to break in, and fairly good cushioning on the sole.

Don

[Paul_H]

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.

I have to put my Teflon shoes on, .

Swampy,

What made you think those shoes would be comfortable? Everybody knows teflon is slippery  

[SwampDonkey]

  Just madness.

[SwampDonkey]

Here's what I use for operating a brush saw. Just ordered a new pair today. They are water proof as well when working in the alder/moss type ground to.

http://www.deakin.com/shop/products/?p=1518

I can only get them there as the local saw and boot shops don't order them anymore. One guy says it's getting hard to sell logger's boots. He's the biggest saw dealer in the area, chainsaws and brush saws. These boots are made in Vernon, BC. Most thinners wear those rubber boot type chainsaw boots. They don't give much support and are too hot for me. Hard on the feet I find and chafe the legs. This shop always bought the Swede brands and they are about $100 more and no better.

[DanG]

I like my Magnums.  They're very similar to the old jungle boots the Army had.  I have feet shaped like a duck and need the wide toe, and the sole is thick but flexible.  I've worn this pair daily for almost 3 years and the tops are finally wearing out, but the soles are still like new.  They were only $55.

[SwampDonkey]

I should add that softwood thinning is very hard on boots. Your walking on stubs anywhere from pencil sized to 6", but mostly around 2" and fairly dense. That will rip the best pair of boots up within a season.

[woodmills1]

redwings

and check out their socks ifin ya has da stinky feet

[Toolman]

Bought a pair of Irish Setters at Bass Pro 2 1/2 yrs. ago. The only American made boot they had. Paid $180 for them only because I had a $100 gift card! They are the most comfortable and well made boot I ever owned. I was at Bass Pro a couple months ago to get a pair of chest waders and see that they no longer carry those Setters. I guess they lasted too long. All of the boots they sell are China made now.

[Ivey]

Bought a pair of Red Wing tactical, I like.

[captain_crunch]

If you want a good pair of boots check oue White Boots made in Oregon USA. Not cheap but hand made
Brian

[Papa Bang]

I used to use  Whites in the late 70's and early 80's and I like the high arch but the last couple or pair did not hold up well. I have a pair of Meindl 800 gram from Cabela's that I have worn every day in the winter for six years and although they look pretty ragged they don't leak. The bad part is that they are $300.00 but some models with less insulation are less money. They are made in Germany not China.

[SwampDonkey]

For my workboots I use mink oil/grease on them. Keeps the leather from drying out. With those boots I linked to, the leather stays good because of that. But, the rubber is what blows and I tried using epoxy to repair, which is strong in itself, but once the rubber loses connectedness it keeps ripping out. Wish I could just get some rubber to dip the boots in, because it's a shame to toss them out because of the rubber.  I'll have to try some tire patches or something.

[DanG]

SD, have you tried Shoe Goo?  It's made for repairing rubber shoes.

[Gary_C]

For my workbooks I use mink oil/grease on them.

Does it make the pages stick together?   

I'll second the Shoe Goo idea.

[SwampDonkey]

Doesn't hold Dang, the epoxy holds but it also pulls more rubber from the boot after about 2 days. 

[bill m]

I have used inner tube patches to fix my rubber boots. They last about 2 years.

[Ironwood]

My feet are fatigued ALOT lately. I have had Thoughgood that had "cushion" soles in the past that REALLY helped. I talked to the top of the line dealer and he said Redwing will be coming out w/ a very cushion"y" style sole soon. This layer is just above the vibram sole. He carries both Thoughgoods and Redwing, and some other good lines.
 

 Look for the new Redwings.

 Ironwood

[SwampDonkey]

Tire patching (maybe not their words) is what the boot shop uses they told me.