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Started by Mr Mom, January 17, 2006, 12:02:13 PM

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Mr Mom

     I need a good pair of boots.
     They have to be waterproof,steeltoes,and not to much money.
     I only wear workboots. My wife keeps trying to get to buy shoes but that is not going to happen.
     What do you guys wear???


     Thanks alot Mr Mom

Tom

I generally wear Red Wing quarter boots.  They aren't cheap but last a long time in comparison to the boots I used to get from the department store.

Their costs is bordering on becoming prohibitive to me though.  I just haven't found anything else that is as good for much less money.

Wolverines are pretty good boots too.

I have really come to like the Oiled leather boots.  They seem to last longer, stay softer, are easy to waterproof and maintain.

Corley5

I like Red Wings too.  That's what I wear in the summer.  I also like Rockies.  I've had several pairs or their waterproof Gore Tex models.  I'm probably not going to buy any more Rockies though as many if not all of their shoes are made in China now ::) :( :(  Danner makes really nice boots but their price is pretty high.
Burnt Gunpowder is the Smell Of Freedom

beenthere

I buy and wear the Danner boots.

What's "too much money" ?
south central Wisconsin
It may be that my sole purpose in life is simply to serve as a warning to others

Phorester

Redwings for me mostly.  I wear the steeltoed logger boots with the Vibram sole.  Cost around $160 or so.

Corley5

Over two hundred bucks a pair.  I can Red Wings for just over a hundred and Rockies for about the same depending on the model
Burnt Gunpowder is the Smell Of Freedom

brdmkr

I like wolverine with durashock soles.  They last a long time and are very comfortable.
Lucas 618  Mahindra 4110, FEL and pallet forks, some cant hooks, and a dose of want-to

thurlow

Red Wing "Pecos"; get between 2 and 3 years per pair.  Been wearing them for 30-plus years.  Got a new pair for Christmas......$122.95;  mine are not steel-toe, but they make'em that are............
Here's to us and those like us; DanG few of us left!

Roxie

Cowboy Bob and I wear Justin Work Boots.   8)
Say when

rebocardo

I guess it depends on what you call waterproof. Many waterproof boots means a membrane that does not allow water through to the actual foot, though it still gets inside the boot by soaking through the leather. Which makes your foot cold and wet.

> They have to be waterproof,steeltoes,and not to much money.

Timberland is a good stand by.

My experience with Wolverines, worse shoddy China construction I ever bought. They basically became unglued and fell apart before the tread was even 1/2 worn. Oh yea, was the last time I was in Walmart too.  :D

www.sportsmanguide.com has a ton of reasonable boots. They have waterproof, steel toe, loggers for under $100 too. Have not personally tested them since I like side zip boots so I get the Bates with the steel toes.


iain

Wearing at the moment John Bull steelies

have got JB desert boots for the summer      nice boot

sounds like a dollar fifty a week to keep you in work aint that much to me



  iain

Quartlow

I've got a pair of Carolinas that I wear around the shop, comfortable but the soles came unglued on the first pair, I can say they gave me no troulbe replacing them.

I've also got a pair of Brownings that I wear in the woods closest thing I've found to waterproof.

Most shoes are made in china these days, including some if not all of the danners
Breezewood 24 inch mill
Have a wooderful day!!

Mr Mom

     Thanks alot guys i wear my boots all the time for everything.
     I was thing about 150.00 is the limit.
     I need a boot that will keep my feet dry.
     Their is a store in P.A that sells most of the brands you guy have talked about.
     I guess that i will have to go and look at them all.



     Thanks alot Mr Mom

srjones

You might also think about Viking boots.  They're about as waterproof as they come and steel toed too. 

Available at Bailey's and other fine retailers...

http://www.baileysonline.com/x-boots.htm
Everyone has hobbies...I hope to live in mine someday.

Modat22

I have redwings but I heat them up in the oven for a little bit and coat them with a beeswax based sealer called "Snow proof" or "Snoproof".
remember man that thy are dust.

crtreedude

On the finca I wear a good pair of redwings with Snow Proof (will I be deported for using Snow Proof in a country with no snow?) and around the house I wear sandles.

I have another, less pair of hiking boots (Timberland) just for kicking around town.

There is a pair of dress shoes somewhere just in case.
So, how did I end up here anyway?

Quartlow

Quote from: Mr Mom on January 17, 2006, 02:34:15 PM
.
     Their is a store in P.A that sells most of the brands you guy have talked about.
     Thanks alot Mr Mom

The Boot Box? I do business there
Breezewood 24 inch mill
Have a wooderful day!!

beenthere

Mr Mom
I need to wear a boot the LETS my feet dry, as my feet sweat a lot in a boot. So the Danners I have grown to like come with the GoreTex sides, and that lets my feet breathe along with silk liners in wool socks. Even in the summer time, this sock combination keeps my feet dry. They also are waterproof to outside water, at least the first 4-5 years. I'm on my third pair now since buying the first pair in 1983.  It was my first elk hunt, and had only two weeks to get ready, as one in a party of 4 took ill. Danner boot claimed to be already 'broken in', and I found that to be true. Hiked in 9 miles in the mountains of CO when they were right out of the box. Through streams and 2' of snow.
Your $150 should get you a good boot.
south central Wisconsin
It may be that my sole purpose in life is simply to serve as a warning to others

Mr Mom

     Quartlow   Yes it is the boot box.
     I havent been there in a long time.
     I like all the stuffed animals that they have.

ksu_chainsaw

I wear a pair of Belleville boots that I got issued to me.  They are the 390DES style.  They are the most comfy combat boots that I have ever got- nothing like the old issue boots.  They make them in either black leather or tan swade, steel toe or regular.  Oly problem that I have had is some of the stitching holding the fabric to the leather came undone, but that was a cheap fix at the local leather shop.  They run around $95 for military or law enforcement, and higher for others, but thats about the same price I would pay for a pair of good jungle boots from the PX.

http://www.bellevilleshoe.com/index.htm

Charles

submarinesailor

Aren't Red Wings the only boot still make in the USA?

Bruce/subsailor

WH_Conley

I think some of them are made "over there now". >:(
Bill

SwampDonkey

Quote from: submarinesailor on January 17, 2006, 05:31:41 PM
Aren't Red Wings the only boot still make in the USA?

Bruce/subsailor

I like Red Wing also. Mine were $185 on sale, no steal toe. Has Gortex liner and are not real slippery on icy ground. I had some Viberg type boots (soles) and I couldn't stand up on frozen ground or hard, packed, frozen roads.  Felt like a cow on ice. ::) Be careful with Red Wing models if your looking for made in USA. Their Irish Setter line are Chinese now. Most all Canadian brands are Chinese made and all steal toed work boots. I can't wear those. And I don't knwo what it is about their construction, but my feet sweat in them badly, can't take that. Where I walk in the softwood ground there are lots of springs and wet areas that soak the lether all day, but the Red WIng has kept me dry unless I'm in a heavy down poor day with water running down my rain gear into my boots. :D  ::)

The local boot shop near where my folks live sold father a pair of 'sneakers' for $225. Irish Setter, but made in China. I told them to watch what they buy from that place, because they're big rip-off artists. Those sneakers aren't worth anymore than $50 if they're comming from China, it only cost them $5 to make. Shipping is worth more than the shoe.  If your feet sweat in a shoe, their CRAPOLA >:( My feet sweat in Walmart slippers, CRAPOLA. Can you guys say CRAPOLA?? :D Gosh, and their opening another Walmart this thursday. I'll be there will bells on, but not for shoes. :D
"No amount of belief makes something a fact." James Randi

1 Thessalonians 5:21

2020 Polaris Ranger 570 to forward firewood, Husqvarna 555 XT Pro, Stihl FS560 clearing saw and continuously thinning my ground, on the side. Grow them trees. (((o)))

maple flats

I like Red Wings too. Not using steel toe but plan to start. What I wear is their #1212, an insulated boot. i tend to wear them to the max. All day, every day. The ones i have on now are 8 years old and still are solid. I waterproof them about 6-8 x a yr using Snopruf. They don't leak in minor water but if you get caught standing in several inches of water you will eventually get wet. When I water proof them I warm the boot next to the woodstove or in the oven and apply then warm them again for a little while. I wear these year round, except weddings and funerals. 8)
logging small time for years but just learning how,  2012 36 HP Mahindra tractor, 3point log arch, 8000# class excavator, lifts 2500# and sets logs on mill precisely where needed, Woodland Mills HM130Max , maple syrup a hobby that consumes my time. looking to learn blacksmithing.

Tom_Averwater

Redwings for me too .I even got married in a pair of Redwing shoes . There is a store on rt. 33 west of Logan, Ohio that sells seconds in Redwings. Alot of the shoes are actually new, first quality but sent back from the factory stores at the end of the seasons. A $150 pair of shoes were $85 - 90 .If anybody goes to the Paul Bunyan show, the store is about 20 miles west of Nelsonville. I'm on my third pair from there .
He who dies with the most toys wins .

sprucebunny

My feet hurt. Bunions, fallen arches...who knows ::)

I still like red rubber, insulated, steel toe boots. Lots of room. Easy off and on. About $80 and last good. Unfortunately they are made in china now and got smaller and less comfy. I wear them year round.

Here is where we talked about it last year

https://forestryforum.com/board/index.php?topic=9544.0
MS193, MS192 and an 026  Weeding and Thinning. Gilbert Champion sawmill

karl

Recently gave up on Mason after many, many years. Last two pair were total chinese junk AND hurt my feet. Bought a pair of Timberline wellingtons (Lazy ole fart, eh? just think of the time and laces I save in a year ;)) Didn't expect much for $60 (Sportsman's Guide)within a week I ordered another pair so I can rotate. I like 'em- most water resistant boot I have ever had, and comfy and cool too. 'bout half what I normally pay- it's all good so far- a year will tell if they are indeed good.

Wear boots everyday- 'cept one pair of marryin' n buryin' black loafers.
"I ask for wisdom and strength, Not to be superior to my brothers, but to be able to fight my greatest enemy, myself"  - from Ojibwa Prayer.

Tillaway

I just purchased a pair of Nicks Boots but they are a bit out of your price range... over $300.  The ground here does not lend themselves well to the most popular brands so people do spend quite a bit, usually over $200 and pretty close to $400 at times depending on what you need.
Making Tillamook Bay safe for bait; one salmon at a time.

pigman

I have a nice pair of boots and they only cost about $40 US. They are real comfy and are 1/2 water proof. :(  you see they let all the water in but none can get out. :o   I think they put the leather on reversed or something. What the heck, I don't work in the rain much and I can always pour out the water every night.  When my wife increases my allowance I will get a good pair of boots. 8)
Things turn out best for people who make the best of how things turn out.

CHARLIE

Not that it matters but Redwing boots are made in Redwing, Minnesota which is on the shore of the Mississippi River (an old riverboat town).  It's about an hours drive from my house. :)
Charlie
"Everybody was gone when I arrived but I decided to stick around until I could figure out why I was there !"

jon12345

I just 'retired' my old redwings from actual work I got in sept '02 because the heel came off the sole in one of them.  I will still wear them if I'm not going to be stepping in any puddles to get my feet wet.  The soles are worn down on one side near the toe, cause thats how I walk.  I have had  lot of good memories with those boots and it just isn't time to let them go  I just cant do it  :'(

You're nothin in the woods without your feet, so take care of them and hopefully they will take care of you   :)

Those vikings I think someone mentioned looked pretty nifty too I think I might check those out after Uncle Sam gives me back some of my hard earned dolla's  :D  Anyone had experience with these?  I know husky has an 'equivelant' but prolly costs a lot more than a buck 10  ???
A.A.S. in Forest Technology.....Ironworker

Rockn H

Nothing wrong with a pair of Red Wings.  That's what I'm wearing now.  It's the first pair of boots that I've had in ten years that were'nt Double H.  When these wear out ,and I've already had to glue one of the soles back together because I do alot of squating.  I'll be going back to Double H ropers with their comfort sole.  These are about five dollars more than Red Wings, but to me Double H are hands down the most comfortable boot I've ever worn.  As far as water proofing, I use a Silicon spray ever so often and it doesn't seem to hurt the leather.

Mr Mom

     Thanks guys.
     Im in the same boat as pigman my boot allowance is controlled by my wife. (suck not having a job)
     I think i will try out red wings.




     Thanks Mr Mom

Corley5

I use a hairdryer when oiling boots.  The oil soaks right in
Burnt Gunpowder is the Smell Of Freedom

iain

Why all the complaints about cheap chinez boots and tools?

aint it your parent companies that set the spec and the quality control?

if your home grown company's have moved production, to the far east (my far east), is it not so they can make more money? or cause they can't afford to pay American rate's?

if the quality has gone down let them know how *pithed you are that they have taken the decision to offer a lesser quality produt (normally for the same or more money)

wal mart found out the hard way here when they bought one of our bigger supermarkets (ASDA), people moved to the next store till they sorted things out, now they work with local producers etc where they can, and the product guarantees are a lot better

not sure how long that will last, but it worked (prob helps that this island is small, and another store is never very far away)


iain

Tom

Redwing stores around here keep an open container of oil at the door with a paintbrush in it.   It's purpose is to allow Redwing customers the opportunity to 'oil' their boots when they visit the store.  I don't know if it is common throughout the company but we sure like it here.  It promotes a lot of visits to the boot store that you normally wouldn't take.  :D      It's a free service for wearing Redwings.   Most of the guys I've talked to who wear Redwings will arrange their schedule so that they will go by the Redwing store about once a week.  :D

I've met a lot of folks at the oiling station who I'd never have met otherwise.  :)

SwampDonkey

The store that used to carry them never had an oil bucket, they tried pushing a product for extra $$. But they lost their franchise I heard, don't know why and I doubt it had anything to do with oiling shoes. ;)  There is another store in the next town that carries a much wider range of RedWing, I haven't been there for years. When I need a new pair, I'll be heading up there.
"No amount of belief makes something a fact." James Randi

1 Thessalonians 5:21

2020 Polaris Ranger 570 to forward firewood, Husqvarna 555 XT Pro, Stihl FS560 clearing saw and continuously thinning my ground, on the side. Grow them trees. (((o)))

Phorester


"I've met a lot of folks at the oiling station who I'd never have met otherwise."

Probably a better class of people than you'd see at the newest local politically correct   "latte cafe' ".  (No, I don't eat that stuff called "keesh"  either   ;D) 

rebocardo

www.sportsmanguide.com

#e603c-94586

Just found my ideal boot, because I have wanted a snake boot for a long time, but, never found one with steel toes or zippers.

snake boot
side zippers
water proof
Armour toe and heel cap for long wear (dont know if this means steel or just protective rubber)


Engineer

In the past six years, I've gone through two pair of Wolverines and two pair of Rockys.  All have 'given out' somehow, ranging from soles coming off, to linings separating, to a complete loss of waterproofing.  Last pair of Rockys was almost $200, and there's gotta be something better.

I'm inclined to try Red Wings, although I know a couple of guys that swear by anything with the Cabela's name on it, and another couple guys that only wear Danners.


Tom

The trick to getting the life out of Redwings is to have two pair, alternate them and keep them oiled. 

I don't always have two pair, wear one pair all the time and still get good life, usually 2 to 3 years.  The soles go before the tops. 

I've been tempted to get them resoled, but usually Redwing has to do it and they send them off.

No telling what kind of life I could get from a set of tops if I resoled.  Usually I just give the old boots to my son who destroys them working on Diesel engines and crawling around on concrete.  The tops don't hold up too good when they get scrubbed on concrete all day.  :D

I had a paire of climbing boots that I retired after 5 years and gave them to my brother who uses them in his landscaping business.   They don't get used regularly, maybe twice a week, but they are going on 8 years and show no appreciable wear.   Like I said, the secret is keeping them oiled.

I've always used Reddwing's boot oil.  It is neatsfoot, basically,  and other compounds of which I no nothing.

Reddog

Quote from: Tillaway on January 17, 2006, 08:40:52 PM
I just purchased a pair of Nicks Boots but they are a bit out of your price range... over $300.  The ground here does not lend themselves well to the most popular brands so people do spend quite a bit, usually over $200 and pretty close to $400 at times depending on what you need.

How do your Nick's compared to the White's? I have two pair of Whites and have been real happy but you have me wondering.

maple flats

Many years ago I oiled my Red Wings and thought they were doing good. When I went to get another pair at an old time REAL shoe maker who also carried Red Wing he told me I was over oiling them and pointed out how the part of the boot that surrounds the heel  on the sides and back was limp. He said that was bad, no support, i said they were comfortable, he told me it was bad for my feet with no support. He told me to only waterproof them whenever the leather started to look slightly dry on the surface and to use snopruf, not oil. Said the snopruf would work better and be better in maintaining the support as apposed to oil. Since then I have used the snopruf and he was right. You don't have to be in snow country to use it, it conditions and waterproofs the leather without penetrating too much sealant wax, greese ? in too deep so as to lose the support built into the boot. As I said in my post earlier, i tend to keep my boots very long, I work hard out in the woods, in the blueberry fields and in everyday activities, on the tractor etc. They last me anywhere from 4 to the eight years the ones I now have on (which is the longest I have ever gotten) However I do wear rubber Muck boots if i am working in mud and water rather than just getting thru a wet spot or in wet grass. I find the snopruf to do as that old shoemaker told me. No i do not own any stock in the company, (maybe I should)
logging small time for years but just learning how,  2012 36 HP Mahindra tractor, 3point log arch, 8000# class excavator, lifts 2500# and sets logs on mill precisely where needed, Woodland Mills HM130Max , maple syrup a hobby that consumes my time. looking to learn blacksmithing.

maple flats

I do have 2 pair of Red Wings. The ones i am wearing and the ones i bought to replace them at a booth at the NYS Woodsmens field Days this past Aug, they are still new in the box, tried them on and put them back to wait for these to fail. I forgot to mention, the soles on this model are made out of urethane, doesn't sound very tuff but I have never worn thru yet and the heel still has about 1/2 thickness at the most worn spot which is the back of the heel and slightly off center. Must be I don't walk correctly.
logging small time for years but just learning how,  2012 36 HP Mahindra tractor, 3point log arch, 8000# class excavator, lifts 2500# and sets logs on mill precisely where needed, Woodland Mills HM130Max , maple syrup a hobby that consumes my time. looking to learn blacksmithing.

maple flats

Update. I am thinking about replacing my old pair of Red Wing boots, which I have now been wearing for 10 years this coming August. I already have the replacement pair, which I bought in 1999 and have only worn them on a few occasions when I wanted a better looking boot. When I finally retire the old pair I will need to buy another replacement pair. These are getting thin in the sole so I can sometimes feel stones when I walk on them and the backs have now lost their support. I just hate to give up on them but I guess I must. I have really gotten great mileage from these Red Wings, #1212, worn almost daily for nearlt 10 years. They do look worn but do not look worn out.
logging small time for years but just learning how,  2012 36 HP Mahindra tractor, 3point log arch, 8000# class excavator, lifts 2500# and sets logs on mill precisely where needed, Woodland Mills HM130Max , maple syrup a hobby that consumes my time. looking to learn blacksmithing.

little Bark

I picked up my redwings on ebay for $30.00 two years ago.  If you know what you want you can do that and feel confident that they are going to fit right.
Always use the rite tool for the job.

SwampDonkey

I have a brand new pair of red wings to, waiting to be worn. I have a pair of Carolina's that are not the same boot. I gotta wear them out first and probably won't take long. The leather in them is like card board.  :-\
"No amount of belief makes something a fact." James Randi

1 Thessalonians 5:21

2020 Polaris Ranger 570 to forward firewood, Husqvarna 555 XT Pro, Stihl FS560 clearing saw and continuously thinning my ground, on the side. Grow them trees. (((o)))

woodmills1

I have all the redwings I ever bought.  one pair low tops with one resole every day wearers, one pair high tops, 2 more pair low tops as dress shoes :o, waiting to replace the evry day pair ifin they ever quits.
James Mills,Lovely wife,collect old tools,vacuuming fool,36 bdft/hr,oak paper cutter,ebonic yooper rapper nauga seller, Blue Ox? its not fast, 2 cat family, LT70,edger, 375 bd ft/hr, we like Bob,free heat,no oil 12 years,big splitter, baked stuffed lobster, still cuttin the logs dere IAM

tyb525

I got some Brahma's boots awhile back at Walmart for about $30, high top, steel toe, waterproof, oil resistant sole, thinsulate insulation, and not to mention they are actually very comfortable. When I wear them around my shop I usually wear shorter socks (like you wear with tennis shoes) and I can hardly tell that I'm not wearing taller socks.
LT10G10, Stihl 038 Magnum, many woodworking tools. Currently a farm service applicator, trying to find time to saw!

Phorester


I too have a couple pairs of leather boots that I alternate every week, or if I get a pair sweaty after a hard day, I will wear the other pair the next day.

I bought a pair of Thorogood's last year. Their firefighting model.  American made - Merrill, Wisconsin.  Seems to be a good boot.

What's y'alls experience with the rubber/leather combination boots, like L.L. Bean?  I had a pair that I wore completely out, had them resoled twice over the years.  The second time thay came back with a leather patch added where the tops and bottoms were stitched together.  Had a note that said sorry, this is the last time they can be resoled. Wore them until the soles were smooth and a hole started in one of them.  So I bought a brand new pair a couple months ago.  I like them for rainy day work.  Also good for dewy grass fields in the mornings.

Other opinions on these?

woodhick

I have tried others over  the years but hands down the best boot I have ever had on my feet
.     
http://www.redwingshoes.com/productdetails.aspx?prodid=1156

My only gripe with this style is the sole wears out before the uppers.  I have had a couple of pairs resoled locally but they were not the same.  I wear them daily.  I usally get about a  year and half to two year out of a pair before I replace them.  Usally the soles are wore out and the uppers are still in great shape (unless I have cut them, another story).  The last pair I bought was about two years ago.  I do need a new pair now.  At that time this style was still made in the USA and it was marked so on the end of the box.   I looked at other styles and some were marked made in USA and some were marked imported.  My wife complains about why I wear them all the time and not "tennis shoes" which I have a pair of that are 6-7 years old and look new because I hardly ever wear them.  I prefer a hard sole shoe. Just my opinion but I will keep buying RedWings.  I hope they can stay in the USA.  The last pair I bought the price had actually dropped to about $135.  I'm sure there not that cheap now. 
Woodmizer LT40 Super 42hp Kubota, and more heavy iron woodworking equipment than I have room for.

Phorester

Woodhick, that's exactly the same boot I bought years ago at that exact price ($135) to work my Christmas trees with.  I was looking for a steeltoed leather laceup boot with a smoother sole than my vibram-soled heavy work boots. I don't wear them near as much as my regular work boots though, and they are well worn but still in good shape after 10 years or so.

Ron Scott

I have a pair of LL Bean rubber bottoms. They are very light weight. I wear them when the woods are wet. They have held up very well.
~Ron

fuzzybear

   Being in the north, all I wear is Sorel boots. Their winter boots can't be beat. -50 and my feet are warm.  The work boots are great, short and high top depending on what I am doing. Both my winter and summer boots meet all safety requirements for oil field work so they are good for all applications.
   I have always had a problem with boots not fitting good (I have WIDE feet). I have to try on 4 or 5 different pairs until they fit. With Sorel I pick up a box and walk out, I know they will fit. I have never had boots that have felt "broke in" out of the box until I bought these.
I never met a tree I didn't like!!

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