Good Boots?

[RTII]

I work in the oilfield down here and tried most brand of boots, redwings are absolutely the most durable, but are just to heavy. My company buys us a pair every year so I choose wolverines which don't last as long but are much more comfortable.

+1 on the above post. I wear wolverines to work because they are lighter and more comfortable than redwings to me. My last pair of redwings lasted 4 years. Was glad when they wore out and I got back into the wolverines. That being said, I wear danners around the house and property and consider them the most comfortable pair of boots I've ever worn. These are more outdoor boots rather than work boots so I don't know if they make a steal toe or not.

 

[dodge man]

I like Redwings, although I've had good luck with Wolverines also.

 

[RobertN]

I have two pair of boots.
First is my "work" boot; Redwing Logger, which happens to be NFPA approved Product Detail

My other is pair is my wildlanf fire boots, a set of Danners.

Both are comfortable and have held up very well.

 

[clemsonfor]

You guys that wear the loggers, have you tried to switch to a normal sole? You will lose at lest 3 pounds of weight i bet. Unless your on steep slopes they serve NO purpose.

 

[Depmandog]

I read everyone's posts. Only one or so mentioned repairing their "worn-out" boots.

When I was 18, I had the opportunity to work in a shoe repair shop for several months. I knew it wasn't a lifetime career choice, but something I wanted to experience, and to learn.

I had all of the minor repairs, like replacing heels on women's high heel shoes, stitching up, and patching holes in leather.

The owner - wow what a talented guy, he could replace boots soles in his sleep. After he was done, I would recolor the leather and put a shine back on those old work boots. Pretty easy to do if you have the right equipment. I got a kick every time the guys would come in to pick up their boots and argue I had given them the wrong pair.

I know that there are fewer shops around...but they are around. If your soles are shot, but the upper leather is still good - and they fit you like a glove, consider having them resoled.

 

[RobertN]

We have one in our little town. My wife and I both have had boots re-soled. I would recommend it too, on a quality pair of boots.

I don't think it would work as well on the cheap imports though...

I know that there are fewer shops around...but they are around. If your soles are shot, but the upper leather is still good - and they fit you like a glove, consider having them resoled.

 

[RobertN]

Oh, me and the other guys at the fire station use Obenauf's leather preservative/conditioner on our boots. Originated by an Idaho wildland firefighter to stand up to the ash and goo from wildland firefighting.

Obenauf's Leather Care

 

[dmccarty]

Depends on how serious your needs are. When I was a working forester, White's and Buffalo were the best; Buffalo is now out of business and the name is used by a German outfit. Westco (West Coast) were next. Danner and Redwings? Good for about one summer of working in the woods every day. I started with Redwings and by the end of the first summer they had stretched so much that on a side slope they would often twist out from under my heel. A guy on my crew had holes in his Danners at the end of the summer. First fire paycheck I got in 1975 went to Whites. I still have them, but I also bought another pair, caulked (the ones with the spikes on the bottom). Bought 2 pair of those so I could alternate day by day to let a wet pair dry out. White has rebuilt them about 3 times.

I had a decent boot a few boot purchases back. I think it was Iron Age. Good quality but after awhile the heel had stretched out and I was walking on the side of the boot. On flat land.

The current boots I bought are ok but not great fitting. Quality is good but does not fit quite right. Another pair of boots fit ok but the quality of the boot is not so good but they work well enough for light duty work.

I bought an excellent quality hiking boot 15-20 years ago. Those things are really nice but HEAVY. I don't wear them often but when I do you feel them even on a short 3-4 miles hike. For the price I paid for them I should have bought custom boots but I did not know about custom boots when I bought them.

If I can time it right and if I have the money I think the next boot is going to be White. I ordered their catalog a few years ago and their is a dealer just up the road. I guess I should starting saving my quarters. :laughing:

Later,
Dan

 

[clemsonfor]

I read everyone's posts. Only one or so mentioned repairing their "worn-out" boots.

When I was 18, I had the opportunity to work in a shoe repair shop for several months. I knew it wasn't a lifetime career choice, but something I wanted to experience, and to learn.

I had all of the minor repairs, like replacing heels on women's high heel shoes, stitching up, and patching holes in leather.

The owner - wow what a talented guy, he could replace boots soles in his sleep. After he was done, I would recolor the leather and put a shine back on those old work boots. Pretty easy to do if you have the right equipment. I got a kick every time the guys would come in to pick up their boots and argue I had given them the wrong pair.

I know that there are fewer shops around...but they are around. If your soles are shot, but the upper leather is still good - and they fit you like a glove, consider having them resoled.

Problem for many of us is that we like our boots Waterproof! I can deal with leaks for a while then get tired of it and buy a new pair to get my waterproofing back. NOt sure that they can put new gortex lineing back in the boots for a reasonable price? I dont want the greeses and oils that like i siad keep your feet dry in wet grass, i want to be able to stand in a creek and have dry feet, why cause sometimes i have to cross a creek and i cant jump and there is not log to span it, that or there are puddles all over that i have to walk thru.

 

[wedge40]

My first pair of Redwing boots lasted over 15 years. But then again I'm a smaller guy and tip the scales at about 130#s. I bought a second pair a few years back and they look brand new. I believe they are some sort of Harley workboot. Product Detail



Wedge

 

[sixdogs]

Recently went to a Redwing store. The owner actually took the time to size my feet. Splurged and bought a $225 pair. No steel toes, 6in high, made in US. My feet are still thanking me......

Finding your actual shoe size is as important as the shoe you buy. Get measured. I wear Red Wings for light duty work around the house/farm but have had good results with some Mason boots via mail order as well. I wear a 10EEE or 10EEEE and have a high instep (where the laces are) so my choices are limited.
Its hard to find out, but if you are creative you can figure out what shoe "last" style your boots are made on. My best fit is the "Munson" last typical of US Army boots and that is how I would up at Red Wing and Mason. It's a wider last with a high instep which is what I have. I don't wear them any more but Army boots used to fit me perfectly.


Edit--Oh, when you buy shoes, save the receipt. I had a warranty claim on my last pair of Red Wings (they sqeaked) and I was almost out of luck, even though the boots looked nearly new, because I couldn't find the receipt.

 

[Bogi]

Lacrosse Quad-comfort gets may vote. Check them out, best shop boot I've tried.

 

[tractorski]

What are you going to do with them?

Different shoes have different purposes.

I recently(4 years ago) switched over to a high end hiking boot, Asolo to be specific. They have several different widths and fits. I am a commercial mower and landscaper in the summer, I spend at least 12 hours a day in my boots. The hikers have given me the best support and durability that I have found in the 15 years of landscaping.

I am also a Board Certified Pedortist(CPED). Please see http://www.footco.com/c__ped_.htm. Find the best fitting boot you can find, that is more important than anything!

Sent from my iPad using TractorByNet

 

[Artisan]

CLICK HERE

 

[Rodiron]

I have to agree on the Redwings as for comfort and wear,I can normally get about 4yrs. from a pair,thats having them resoled once in that time. Although as many have stated here, it really depends on the "fit" The one thing I really like about Redwing boots is that they will sell you 2 different sizes. I have one foot 1/2 size bigger than the other and thats how they will sell me the pair. I also have a high instep and the neck on Redwings seem to be a bit narrow in the newer style boots but I have a set of heavy brass zippers put in and good to go. I have always worn steel-toed do to safety rules in construction and even though I have retired (supposedly) I still wear the steel toed boot, funny thing though, I remember the first pair cost me $68 and the last pair, 6mos ago was $235. I do want to wish all who reads this and their families a very Merry Christmas and Happy New Year!!! Now, everyone can go Boot-Scootin

 

[hslogger]

Redwing still makes a pretty decent boot if you are average Joe and have average feet.
West Coast makes a much heavier duty boot, again for average folks.
If you want the BEST in custom lace up boot, because your feet are different, and your ankles are different
Then spring for handmades from Nick's or Whites. You will be looking at four hundred a pop for measured to fit you specifically.
In the West, those are the best, and anything else not even in the same category.

 

[Mace Canute]

I had occasion to climb a pole a couple of weekends ago (2 days before my 64th birthday) so I hauled out an old pair of Lineman's boots made for working up a pole with a belt and spurs...nice very thick soles on them...but the darn things were a tad too small for me and really pinched my toes. I guess my feet have grown a bit and maybe the boot leather has shrunk somewhat but those boots are 41 years old and still in very good condition. They are Pierre Paris boots that cost me $131 in 1974.

 

[Mysfyt]

My advice is this: go to a real shoe store and have your feet measured and then try on boots until you find the ones that feel good. After years of buying them from department stores my wife talked me into going to a family owned, well established shoe store (she is a nurse on her feet all day). They took their time with me and had many of the top boots mentioned previously. I ended up with a pair of soft leather Red Wings that my feet and back just love. Yes, you will pay more, but it is worth the money spent at the end of the day.

 

[DrRod]

I have a pair of low-top boots made by Columbia. They are light, comfy, and very easy to get on and off [an important feature as one gets older]. Also have Carolina high-tops and I like them as well. Got both at a country/general store [Stickell's of Upton] that stocks boots by the hundreds -- lots of choices. My first criteria is to have soles that don't pick up dirt. Those lug soles always hold some dirt, which adds weight and leaves droppings on the porch and house. Its a feature that can be hard to find but Stickell's has about a dozen choices just with those kinds of soles.

Agree on rotating boots on a daily basis. Easier on the boots and on you -- slightly changes posture, stress points, rub spots, muscle use, etc., sort of like rotating the tires on your body.

 

[Fawken]

Love my Bates Tacticals. Very comfortable and have a sturdy fiberglass shank for my occasional tower climb.