Boots 101

[smokinj]

Wound up driving 80 + miles to a FRENCHS SHOES AND BOOTS 1837 S CHURCH ST MURFREESBORO, TN....................

Super nice place and the folks were a great help.....

Ended up with a pair of these.. (broken link removed to http://www.chippewaboots.com/boots/logger/26379)

Let me know how you like them would love to be able to wear mine or how you get them broke in?

 

[Mass. Wine Guy]

Over the years in logging and fighting forest fires, I've used nearly every leather conditioner/waterproofing product out there. This is the absolute top of the heap, in my opinion:

(broken link removed to http://www.obenaufs.com/product_info.php?cPath=33&products_id=11&osCsid=489af55ec2aafc1a35c3a9afaaebe2ca)

 

[smokinj]

Over the years in logging and fighting forest fires, I've used nearly every leather conditioner/waterproofing product out there. This is the absolute top of the heap, in my opinion:

(broken link removed to http://www.obenaufs.com/product_info.php?cPath=33&products_id=11&osCsid=489af55ec2aafc1a35c3a9afaaebe2ca)

looks like its worth a shot I have a 150.00 in mine boots and cant keep them on more than a couple hrs. at a time.

 

[southbound]

I have had them on this am hoping to loosen them up a little before I go off for 12 hours tomorrow.. So far so good they got wet and stretched a little...The only issue I have and it is the same on both boots kinda hard to explain too..The tongue is attached to both sides of the boot to stop water from getting in.This stops about half way up the tongue and this bit of leather has to fold onto it's self so you can pull the laces tight..This has created a lump inside the boot on the inside just over my ankles and is causing a pressure point....Thinking that after 12 hours of sweating and stretching they will work out fine...

On another note I like their custom boot restoration option...

$90 complete restoration (classic restoration plus welt and midsole replacement and any stitching necessary)

Or...

$65 classic restoration (new soles,insoles,laces,and refinish of upper)

 

[smokinj]

I have had them on this am hoping to loosen them up a little before I go off for 12 hours tomorrow.. So far so good they got wet and stretched a little...The only issue I have and it is the same on both boots kinda hard to enplane too..The tongue is attached to both sides of the boot to stop water from getting in.This stops about half way up the tongue and this bit of leather has to fold onto it's self so you can pull the laces tight..This has created a lump inside the boot on the inside just over my ankles and is causing a pressure point....Thinking that after 12 hours of sweating and stretching they will work out fine...

On another note I like their custom boot restoration option...

$90 complete restoration (classic restoration plus welt and midsole replacement and any stitching necessary)

Or...

$65 classic restoration (new soles,insoles,laces,and refinish of upper)

Let me know how you do monday with a 12hr on them may just need to give mine another shot.

 

[Mass. Wine Guy]

looks like its worth a shot I have a 150.00 in mine boots and cant keep them on more than a couple hrs. at a time.

I also use this to seal all the seams. It's sold by Madsen's, so apparently it's used by many loggers:

http://www.mcnett.com/Freesole-Urethane-Formula-Shoe-Repair-P186.aspx

 

[smokinj]

Bump.......How did the new boots work out?

 

[Mass. Wine Guy]

You beat me to it, Jay. Also, how does your new job seem? It sounds great.

 

[southbound]

The boots are great Good traction and no blisters.......

Turns out these folks really need help and no one will do the work they ask you to do so... My bil told the boss I like cutting timber so they call and ask me to do so BUT that is not what they had in mind...They have me bush hogging under power lines with a MS 440 mag..See I was on the tra thing so I was still able to draw some but now I have taken this job I loose all my benefits and they knew this...They know I can't quit so they lied to get me to work.......

Any way I got a new MS 440 Mag..They wont let me use my chaps so I got a new pair of Stihl that are 8 inches to short.... O and we work 12 hours but only get paid for 10..Not sure how that works but I will find out when I get my first check....

Best part is it has been in the lower 100's high humidity and the terrain is strait up and then strait down..Boots are working great tho..

Remember the episode of axe man when they send the noobs up the hill for choker holes??? Well they did way better then I have been...

 

[smokinj]

The boots are great Good traction and no blisters.......

Turns out these folks really need help and no one will do the work they ask you to do so... My bil told the boss I like cutting timber so they call and ask me to do so BUT that is not what they had in mind...They have me bush hogging under power lines with a MS 440 mag..See I was on the tra thing so I was still able to draw some but now I have taken this job I loose all my benefits and they knew this...They know I can't quit so they lied to get me to work.......

Any way I got a new MS 440 Mag..They wont let me use my chaps so I got a new pair of Stihl that are 8 inches to short.... O and we work 12 hours but only get paid for 10..Not sure how that works but I will find out when I get my first check....

Best part is it has been in the lower 100's high humidity and the terrain is strait up and then strait down..Boots are working great tho..

Remember the episode of axe man when they send the noobs up the hill for choker holes??? Well they did way better then I have been...

lol at least your doing it with out blisters.....Step on a hot coal this weekend barefoot the blister was about the size of a golf ball. Your right that humidity bad here to getting an inch of rain a day.

 

[Mass. Wine Guy]

Man, I don't understand all of what you said, but take my advice and walk away from this. It sounds horrible and like they're realling screwing you over. Not to mention that your personal safety is at risk. What's worth more than that?

 

[smokinj]

Man, I don't understand all of what you said, but take my advice and walk away from this. It sounds horrible and like they're realling screwing you over. Not to mention that your personal safety is at risk. What's worth more than that?

They suck him in!

 

[southbound]

Little update on the boots....

So far I really like them and will get another pair..............

Here they are after 80 + hours on the job...

My chaps aren't so new anymore either...

They look a lot dirtier in person.....

 

[smokinj]

Nice They are broke in NOW!

 

[Mass. Wine Guy]

Nice They are broke in NOW!

I'll say. Looks like they could use a coating of that great boot paste I posted about earlier in the thread.

Also, if those chaps have a lot of oil and gas stains, keep in mind that this reduces the chainsaw stopping ability.

 

[Nixon]

Also, if those chaps have a lot of oil and gas stains, keep in mind that this reduces the chainsaw stopping ability.

Seriously ? hows that ?

 

[Mass. Wine Guy]

According to a U.S Forest Service study, dirt, oil and gasoline contamnation degrade the protective fibers within safety chaps. This causes them to lose effectiveness:

http://www.wildlandfire.com/hotlist/showthread.php?t=12679

 

[Nixon]

Thanks for the education !