Real Work Boots

[Graves]

After several years and thousands of dollars dumped into footwear, I've grown tired of boots that won't pull their weight any longer than a year...If I'm lucky. I've tried a few different pairs of Timberland pro's, Redwing's, and Wolverine's and have had stupid problems with them within a couple months (exposed toes, split soles/seams, liners wearing tearing, etc.). I figured spending $100-$200 on a pair of boots should get me through the year but that's usually not the case so I'm looking for some suggestions here - where can I find some real work boots locally? Anybody ever try some of the upper tier makers like Viberg or White's?

[Byte Stryke]

what I wear...

http://www.militaryboots.com/mens-magnum-8-elite-spider


they last me about 2 years daily service
I run 2 pairs, alternating daily


I bought my last set(2 pr) in Oct 2009
I am just about due for another set

[henpecked]

I was in the same boat as you. Was tired of 200.00 boots lasting a year at best. Last year I tried these.
http://wardenssupplyco.com/cart/inde...products_id=81

I wore them everyday on concrete and the soles are now thin
No issues other than a shoe lace. For 40.00 well worth it
They are light weight, comfortable, not sure there waterproof.
The soles are slippery on ice. Have a handle on the back for pulling them on and speed laces. Getting ready to buy another pair.
these are made by Belleville......... they sell em for 180.00

[Outlaw1]

Did you contact Red Wing with your problems? After 5 years I had the liners fail in a pair that I bought in Minnesota in 2005 that were pretty well worn out to begin with. The lady at the Red Wing store in Silverthorne sent them back for me. Red Wing said they were unrepairable and they gave me a $75 credit towards a new pair of boots.

I have a pair of Red Wing Irish Setter hunting boots I've had re-soled several times that I bought when I was 18, back when you didn't really have to wear steel toed boots on a job site. They are still in good shape and they're 19 years old now.

[SideShow Bob]

Another vote for Red Wings, loggers. ( No Byte not the red wings you are thinking of. )
Had a pair for almost 15 years, they were on their second resoling. I cleaned and used boot oil from RW almost every week, but 15 years of real construction work daily, also applied toe protectors.

[Byte Stryke]

Another vote for Red Wings, loggers. ( No Byte not the red wings you are thinking of. )
Had a pair for almost 15 years, they were on their second resoling. I cleaned and used boot oil from RW almost every week, but 15 years of real construction work daily, also applied toe protectors.

Red wings $30 shoes $90 Name and 200 price tag..


and Bob... screw yerself.

[BlasterBob]

I am having great luck with my RedWings and they are the "Clapton" model. Little tag sewn on inside of the tongue shows, "Made in U.S.A." Been resoled once and I really like them because my feet NEVER sweat in these boots/shoes.

[twitchyfinger]

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.

[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??

[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