Who makes good boots these days?

[Mad Trapper]

You can still get 100% USA Danners that get great reviews. If you shop around I've found them < 1/2 retail.

(broken link removed to http://www.danner.com/product/work/rain-forest-mens-womens-plain-toe-work-boots.html)

Georgia boot might be worth a look.


The best were Herman Survivors when they were still a USA company not the Chi-Coms they are selling now.

 

[TMonter]

I have a set of Georgia boot stacked heel boots which aren't bad but I prefer the timberlines I bought a couple years later for a boot when I'm on jobsites. The biggest complaint I had with the georgia boots is they took a long time to break in.

 

[mustangwagz]

I have a set of Georgia boot stacked heel boots which aren't bad but I prefer the timberlines I bought a couple years later for a boot when I'm on jobsites. The biggest complaint I had with the georgia boots is they took a long time to break in.

Really!? thats odd.. I own a couple pair, and Ive Worked outside, Day in and day out now for 4 years as a heavy equipment mechanic..all and any weather conditions, Oil, Grease, Pressure washing, crawling in mud, Walking through Caustic water treating solutions, all kinda crap ya could think of at coal preperation plants. Walked them across Strip jobs over tons of rocks, ankle deep fly dust, Climbed ladders etc etc. Ive Owned Redwings, Wolverines, Carolinas, Danners, Muck boots, Amish made boots, Rockys, and prolly others (walmart brands too) In All Honesty, Ive bought more Georgia boots than any. Found them 4 years ago bought em outta pure chance...and ill never buy a different boot for work ever again. I have the 8" Georgia G8362 Steeltoe, Insulated, waterproof, arctic toe boots. Only problem i found locally was no one stocks them...so i order em online. As for Outta the box comfort, these are the only major work boot ive ever bought and not had issues with...Never had "Ground meat feet" from break in periods. Their 1000 Gram insulated, and usually make my feet sweat. (started carrying fresh socks in the truck) The pair i just retired to my "backups" pile is 3 years old, still waterproof and fairly comfortable yet too. about 3 weeks into owning my first pair, i sliced the top of my boot somehow, i figured great...these will be junk in a couple weeks...great way to blow 200 bucks...it NEVER went any further, and actually kinda self healed itself, its not CLOSED, but it dang close to it. I cant say for sure you'll LOVE them, but may wanna try them. the ones i got are not a logger, but they offer same type in loggers. Here's what i bought....

http://www.georgiaboot.com/georgia/...oof-insulated-steel-toe-work-boots/G8362.html

 

[bholler]

I have yet to find a brand that will last me more than 6 months The most comfortable ones i have had are carolinas i have wolverines now the winter pair is holding up well but the uninsulated ones not so much I have had redwings danners georgia rocky ect and havnt found one that hold up for me. so i dont spend a ton of money on them any more 1 to 150 is about it for me i havnt seen much gain when i go more expensive

 

[D8Chumley]

Mustang wags those look like some nice boots with a good review. May have to put them on the short list to try

 

[Maxgussam]

I like the Keens. I wear the Pittsburg model at work as a garbage collector. I have the 6" safety toe. Very comfortable right out of the box.

That right there is a high recommendation!
Trash men are one of the hardest on boots of all jobs.
I would also stay away from the composite toe boots if you are going to run a saw in them.
A chainsaw will cut through them like butter.

 

[phatdonkey]

Redwings get my vote too. to break mine in i put them on and stepped into a bucket of water. then walked around for a while. loosened up and are super comfy now.

 

[D8Chumley]

That right there is a high recommendation!
Trash men are one of the hardest on boots of all jobs.
I would also stay away from the composite toe boots if you are going to run a saw in them.
A chainsaw will cut through them like butter.

Yes I got the Milwaukees this time, an oversight on my part. That's what I get for buying online I guess. The Pittsburghs look like the first pair I had

 

[salecker]

I'v been buying Cofra boots.I'v bought the same style for about 8 yrs.I do everything in them during the summer.Run equipment,drive truck,build houses,cut wood,last year i wore them for an aerial adventure course and kept up with some collage kids half my age.
The best part i like is they only take a day or two to feel comfortable.I had my big toe crushed once and these have been the most comfortable boots i'v had in years .
They may not be as rugged as some,they don't get to hot in the summer either.
Thomas

 

[skfire]

http://www.steel-toe-shoes.com/Merc...roduct_Code=Z-Keen-1007969&Category_Code=Keen
these look pretty good...any reviews???

 

[JP11]

Red Wings are great. Look out for the red wing 'worx' line. they are the made in China ones. I prefer to keep my money local

JP

 

[Sleeper-6]

Yeah, The Worx line is terrible. Irish Setter is supposed to be the mid line, never tried them. The Red Wing branded ones are the only one I buy.

 

[jotul8e2]

Selling boots and shoes in retail stores has been my life since the late 60's. I have sold, taken refunds for, repaired, and replaced pretty much any boot you can name with the exception of White's and Wesco.

Red Wing Shoe Company sells product they pretty much make themselves under their own brand - Red Wing. They also design and market Vasque, Irish Setter, and Worx made in various countries - mostly China. Some of the Red Wing brand product is now sewn overseas then lasted (uppers are pulled over sized forms called "lasts") and soled in the US. Anything carrying the Red Wing label for under $150 retail is made this way, I think. Probably some more expensive boots as well. Worx brand product seems to give very good service for the money. Irish Setter is made to be very comfortable, with little break-in, flexible, and lightweight; these features are not necessarily compatible with long wear.

Carolina Boot does much the same - some USA made, some overseas, and some (I think) a mix. As does Thorogood. As does Justin. And Wolverine (Bates is a division of Wolverine). And others.

Timberland and Chippewa both still make very good boots; some of the best in terms of construction quality. Chippewa are all US made, I think.

I may be reacting to getting burned pretty badly too many times, but I never recommend Wolverine brand anymore. I still like some of their Bates product. And I could certainly be wrong - there may be some stock numbers that do the job - I just do not know what they would be these days.

Now, the important think to realize is that you cannot say that any one brand is "best", or even "good". That leaves out the issue of "best for what?", or "good for what?". If there was a "best" boot the manufacturers would only make one style. Different people prize different features. One may be happy to sacrifice durability for flexibility, others demand all day comfort and support over easy break-in, and so forth. This is where your retailer should (but probably will not) be able to give you guidance.

Vast sums of money are spent developing new products. But here is how it works: The designer develops a boot for excellent flexibility, short break-in, and stability on rough ground, while giving up durability. The company head of sales will tell his salesmen that the boot is flexible with good flexibility, and it is made in three colors. The Salesmen will tell the retailer it is their best selling new item and they can get 5% off with an early order. The retailer tells the customer it looks like a nice shoe. The customer is back inside a year complaining the boot did not hold up.

The only organization I know of that makes a real effort to combat this on a nationwide scale is the Red Wing franchise stores. They do have training and information on what a given boot can and cannot do, but even there it all depends upon the store management.

 

[Mwinder98]

Hands down best boot that has ever been on my feet are Kenetrek, I have their hardscrabble and I've worn them everyday for 2 years minus the 5 weeks I didn't have them to send them back to get reconditioned, they have a steep price at $400 a pair but you can send them back for reconditioning for $150, and they come back like brand new, except the leather is already broken in. I will probably never buy a different boot.

 

[drz1050]

$150 is a lot for a resole. You can probably get it done for half that price at a local cobbler shop.

 

[Mwinder98]

$150 is a lot for a resole. You can probably get it done for half that price at a local cobbler shop.

Local shop isn't going to have the same soles and conditioning process, I understand it's pricey but my feet sure do thank me for it.

 

[F4jock]

Red Wings are great. Look out for the red wing 'worx' line. they are the made in China ones. I prefer to keep my money local

JP

X 2! Love my insulated Red Wings.

 

[hcbad96]

I have never had a more comfortable boot than the Timberland Anti-Fatigue. I am on concrete all day and my feet never hurt anymore.

 

[drz1050]

I have never had a more comfortable boot than the Timberland Anti-Fatigue. I am on concrete all day and my feet never hurt anymore.

13 hr days on concrete and raised metal flooring here. Vibram Christy soles are where it's at. Have you tried a pair of boots with them? It's that thick white soft wedge sole, no heel... Only thing that sucks a little about them is they wear kinda fast, and if the job gets muddy you'll be cursing them (no tread to speak of). Nothing beats that smushiness for comfort on hard flat surfaces though.

 

[ChadD]

I like Chippewa for lace up boots and I recently bought a pair of Muck Woody Max boots and after snow blowing my driveway they are my new favorites dry and warm!

 

[Squeaky_6]

I vote Red Wing also, hated them at first... But now I love them.