American made Work Boots and shoes

[NE WOOD BURNER]

I typically wear a logger style work boot. What brands are people using? Looking for honest opinions. I am not having luck with boots lasting anywhere as long as they used too.

 

[Knots]

I've had good luck with Chippewas. I've only worn their regular work boots though, not their logger boots.

 

[Doug MacIVER]

we do some work for these folks. http://www.whitesboots.com/. great reputation.

 

[Warm_in_NH]

Either Chippewa or Red Wings. Not sure if they're American made. I think Red Wing offers an American made boot but it's like $100 more and they're already around 2 bills for the ones I buy.
I used to wear them all the time (work, weekends, 18 hours a day) and both brands would average 2-3 years.
Last Chippewas I had were a little messed up. Took me a month to figure out my ham strings weren't pulled, and it was the boot that was fatiguing my legs in a bad way.
So if you're a size 12, I'll send ya a free pair of chippewa boots like new, low miles. No returns. I can't bring myself to throw away a $200 pair of boots. I bought em on sale so I had em for a year before I wore them so no return option.

 

[Lake Girl]

If you won't wear those boots, drop them off at a Salvation army or Goodwill. Someone who can't afford decent boots will thank you....

 

[drz1050]

Chippewas or Thorogood. Red Wings aren't what they used to be.

My regular work boots are Thorogood, insulated/ waterproof boots are Chippewas. Both made in 'Murica. The work boots are due for a resole, but the uppers are still in great condition.

 

[Light in the Dark]

Red Wing does make an ALL American line... just need their search tools to find the styles in question. That is what I wear.

 

[NE WOOD BURNER]

Thanks for the replies. So far the WHITES are the only name I am not familiar with.
Red Wings: I am not certain but I was told their American made line is only assembled with outsourced materials. correct me if I have been misinformed.
Chippewas: I used them in the past, CRS kicking in and I do not recall the issues that I had with them.

 

[Doug MacIVER]

Red Wing, Weinbrenner, Carolina, White's all have domestic presents. White's produces around 400 dozen/ mo. ask the salesperson for the usa made selection. and yes be prepared to pay. due to the reduction in stateside suppliers many shoe components are sourced offshore. as an example, Montello heel is the last heel mfg. left in the USA. His production is sold out. Balance filled with Mexican and Brazilian product. Happy Thanksgiving folks

 

[NE WOOD BURNER]

Thanks Doug, The heel is where mine are failing. This is a big problem for me being in the 200lb + club.

 

[Doug MacIVER]

if they are welt construction and domestically produced the factory may have a rebuild dept. we reworked ET Wrtight's in our factory till they closed in the 90's. it also sounds like a simple cobble if you can find one. the great thing about welts are they can be rebuilt and literally last a lifetime. good luck. as a side thought, if you go with Carolina you wearing a Warren Buffett product.

 

[valley ranch]

I remember having a pair of Chippewas they cost $12.50, I'm not gona tell you what year that was. I was wondering if they still made them.

Richard

 

[Warm_in_NH]

If you won't wear those boots, drop them off at a Salvation army or Goodwill. Someone who can't afford decent boots will thank you....

I was thinking that, but my buddy said it would be cruel. They're put together just a little crooked somehow and there'll be another guy walking around going, hmmmm, "why are my legs so sore at the end of the day?"
May do it anyway, let it be their decision to keep them or not.

Good luck finding a Salvation army or Goodwill shop anywhere near here. Planet Aid has taken over everywhere, sad, really. Incomes are lowest in the northern part of the state, but the population density is too, so everything is a good hour south of here. Planet Aid it is........They'll be dropped in today.

 

[Lake Girl]

I am reminded of this story from a couple of years ago ... http://www.cbc.ca/news/canada/manitoba/winnipeg-bus-driver-gives-his-shoes-to-man-in-need-1.1152164

Donating those boots will help someone with limited means and will generate some income for other charitable works for the agency I think I would prefer sore legs to frost-bite...

 

[Light in the Dark]

Thanks for the replies. So far the WHITES are the only name I am not familiar with.
Red Wings: I am not certain but I was told their American made line is only assembled with outsourced materials. correct me if I have been misinformed.
Chippewas: I used them in the past, CRS kicking in and I do not recall the issues that I had with them.

On their site, unless they have changed it since the last time I was one... you can choose from American Made, American made with imported components, and Imported (exact verbiage is not right, but you get the gist).

 

[Lake Girl]

http://www.redwingshoes.com/red-win...ed-wing-mens-9-inch-logger-lineman-boot-black

 

[NE WOOD BURNER]

Yes I saw those, but they have a vibram sole. Correct me if I am mis informed, but I thought Vibram is an outsourced material/source.

 

[Alex C]

red wing 4417. i need the electrical hazard rating. they are a 9 inch lightly insulted boot with steel toe. i liked them better than the chips. i feel like the chips have too abrupt of a drop between the high heal and the arch. made my back feel better too! i still haven't sprung for the extra 100 bucks to get the made in USA, but they are available.

 

[Light in the Dark]

Yes I saw those, but they have a vibram sole. Correct me if I am mis informed, but I thought Vibram is an outsourced material/source.

Molded 20 min down the road from me

(broken link removed to http://www.vibram.com/index.php/us/VIBRAM/Where-we-are/USA/Quabaug)

 

[NE WOOD BURNER]

"Today, Vibram soles are manufactured in Brazil, China, Italy and the United States, and are used by more than 1,000 footwear manufacturers in their footwear products"-Wikapedia

JUst proves: You can't believe everything you hear!
I like the way Redwing breaks down the website like that. Much easier to shop.

 

[BrotherBart]

In any American made boot discussion I have to chime in for Matterhorns. I wear their 10" coal miner's boot and can't imagine any way I could ever tear them up. Run $250 to $300 according to who you buy them from.

These are mine.

http://www.hoffmanboots.com/ProductInfo.aspx?productid=MATTERHORN

 

[mustangwagz]

In any American made boot discussion I have to chime in for Matterhorns. I wear their 10" coal miner's boot and can't imagine any way I could ever tear them up. Run $250 to $300 according to who you buy them from.

These are mine.

http://www.hoffmanboots.com/ProductInfo.aspx?productid=MATTERHORN

Matterhorns!! Company i work for buys them by the pallet load...seriously! All the guys underground wear them day in and day out.

for me, ive tried a LOT of the big name brands, and i found the ones i like. Never looked up production origin, however i prefer "Georgia Boots" i LOVE THEM!! Flat foot boots, and they take a beating! I work outdoors, Mud, Water, snow, dust, dirt, coal, Oil spills, Anti-freeze, Diesel, anything....anything you could possibly spill on your boots, while bending wrenches, ive spilled it. lol Thats my 2 cents!

 

[Lake Girl]

Yes I saw those, but they have a vibram sole. Correct me if I am mis informed, but I thought Vibram is an outsourced material/source.

They seem to note whether imported materials are used on other models of shoes = those ones just said made in USA.

 

[Lake Girl]

In the United States, Vibram soling products are manufactured under exclusive license by Quabaug Corporation of North Brookfield, Massachusetts ... wikipedia

 

[Doug MacIVER]

In any American made boot discussion I have to chime in for Matterhorns. I wear their 10" coal miner's boot and can't imagine any way I could ever tear them up. Run $250 to $300 according to who you buy them from.

These are mine.

http://www.hoffmanboots.com/ProductInfo.aspx?productid=MATTERHORN

warren buffet again?