Real Work Boots

[sniper7]

I have red wings irish setters for my hunting boots and they get used a ton. 6 years and they still work great and keep me warm and dry. This year I did buy some on sale that are amazing. I have used them a few times already this year to break them in and the quality is awesome

[BPTactical]

Feel your pain Mike. I tried all different types of boots and nothing would last. My wife just about shit kittens when I dropped 275.00 on a pair of Fabiano mountaineering boots. But the boots lasted 9 years and 3 re-soles. Pretty good when you break it down- 9 years of quality boot that boiled out to about 60.00 a year including the re-soles. They made it through mud, asphalt, concrete, Magnesium Chloride and all kinds of abuse.
Your a wrench IIRC so your boot killer (beside stinky feet ) is the oil and diesel. They will rot seams and leather in an instant. Forget the mink oil and such- SnoSeal or NikWax work pretty well at keeping oil and diesel out. But you have to re-apply it 3 or 4 times a year. I have seen where guys will put hockey skate ProtecTo on the seams and it seems to keep the nasties out of the stitching.




Hey Byte- how come that link goes straight to red 6" Stiletto pumps??

[tmleadr03]

I got a pair of Redbacks two years ago and they are excellent. The toes are all scratched up but they are very comfortable. The soles barely show any wear.

For reference I am an Auto Tech so I am on my feet all day on concrete. I constantly have some oil or another splashing on my boots.

[mcantar18c]

Dunno if its your style, but I wear Ariats... these ones, specifically: http://www.ariat.com/Western/Men/Foo...tageCrepe.html

Worn every single day for about a year now, been subjected to oils, grease, caustic chemicals, gravel and mud, stepped on by horses, etc., plus daily average wear and tear... no sole separation, no seam separation, the insole/liners are getting worn but those are easily and cheaply replaceable.
Paid $170 on sale.

[Mtn.man]

If you are wearing out Redwings then you need to see a foot doc you got some serious prblems.
Or a back doc. get help.

[Outlaw1]

Regardless of what boot you settle on, paint the toe of your boots with rubber bed liner material. Concrete finishers spend a lot of time dragging the toe of their boots across concrete and it keeps them from tearing the leather off of the safety toe.

[EvilRhino]

Working offshore in the oil industry and riding motorcycles for most of my life I have been through many kinds/types of boots until one day a buddy of mine turned me on to Caterpillar boots and it's been nothing but ever since. They are the most rugged and comfortable boots I have ever owned. Army surplus carries a good selection also.

+1 for the Cat's. I have 1 pair for motorcycling a "casual" and a pair for work, commercial construction sites for years. When the work wears out, I rotate in a new pair. I'm sure I could have them resoled or whatever, but new boots are nice too. Plus Cat makes em in 15.

The "Indianas" model are a high boot, steel toe, etc. Usually about $90-100.

Tried redwings once. Got custom fitted and everything. They hurt like hell! Everyone said they have to break in. 6 months later they still hurt like hell.

[tmleadr03]

+1 for the Cat's. I have 1 pair for motorcycling a "casual" and a pair for work, commercial construction sites for years. When the work wears out, I rotate in a new pair. I'm sure I could have them resoled or whatever, but new boots are nice too. Plus Cat makes em in 15.

The "Indianas" model are a high boot, steel toe, etc. Usually about $90-100.

Tried redwings once. Got custom fitted and everything. They hurt like hell! Everyone said they have to break in. 6 months later they still hurt like hell.

Good lord that is a set of shit kickers.

[Wulf202]

I use bates boots. My last two pair were on sale for $25/pair. Paid $70 for the side zip model last week.

I get atleast 12 months depending on the project.

[Graves]

Sorry Martin, my back and feet are fine...for now. I've honestly got more use out of my Timberlands than any RW's I've had.