Work boots

[Heavywrenching]

What work boots do you guys like? Comfort, traction, and durability are my top criteria in that order. I currently have a pair of redwing 2418 wedge soles that are the most comfortable thing I’ve ever worn, but after a year the sole is pretty slick as to be expected with a wedge. I also have a pair or thorogoods with the heeled sole. Traction is much better on these and the comfort is decent but nothing to write home about. I also screwed up and got the non waterproof version. I’ve tried lots of different styles and brands, just haven’t found “the one” yet as I’ve never bought a pair of boots twice. Thorogoods might be the first that I do if I don’t find something else I like. What do you guys like and what works for you?

 

[1693TA]

I too like the "Thorogood" brand. I need to replace mine as the stitching has rotted out and there are gaping holes. These were waterproof in the beginning but as said, they are falling apart. They are just over five years old and have received no care but plenty of oil and diesel fuel spilled upon them for good measure.

I plan to repurchase the same as I've been through the Red Wings, Keen, and a couple of other industrial rated boot brands but have found none I like better. I went with some special insoles and they have been very comfortable for me over the duration. I asked about repairing these but the cost was over 50% of new.

 

[Truck Shop]

Whites.

 

[Junkyard]

I’ve got a mixture of boots. Several pairs of Thorogood wedge sole, one with heel and waterproof but I don’t like them quite as much. I have two pairs of Hoffman lineman boots and like them. The newest pair is far from broke in but they’re getting better. Thorogood is the best for break in. I have learned some of theirs are US made and some aren’t. The US are better in every way based on what I’ve seen.

 

[DMiller]

Size 14D hard to come by in ANY brand, tried Thorogood a few decades ago, then the nuke required a 'Defined Heel' tried another bunch across the years and always fell back to Carolinas. Fit my Long Narrow foot well, had all the features I wanted in a boot, water resistance to a few inches was always a plus. Used to have a Made in USA line, can no longer get.

 

[doublewide]

Size 14D hard to come by in ANY brand, tried Thorogood a few decades ago, then the nuke required a 'Defined Heel' tried another bunch across the years and always fell back to Carolinas. Fit my Long Narrow foot well, had all the features I wanted in a boot, water resistance to a few inches was always a plus. Used to have a Made in USA line, can no longer get.

My size as well. I need to find a pair with a smooth sole. I hate tracking stones into customers houses.

 

[DMiller]

I used Online Store last purchase, had the replacements in two days. Sad they are Vietnam production but fit good, they have the old style Vibram Lug Tread sole though. Check the Carolina Site, has option radio buttons to weed out what do NOT want.

 

[Truck Shop]

People are always talking buy American Made-----Whites are American Made, the best damn boot you can buy.
Expensive as all hell, so Americans step up to the plate and buy Whites Boots-Average price $575 to $675.
Custom built for bad feet. And will completely rebuild them when needed.

https://whitesboots.com/our-legacy/

 

[Heavywrenching]

People are always talking buy American Made-----Whites are American Made, the best damn boot you can buy.
Expensive as all hell, so Americans step up to the plate and buy Whites Boots-Average price $575 to $675.
Custom built for bad feet. And will completely rebuild them when needed.

https://whitesboots.com/our-legacy/

I’ve always wanted a pair of whites or nicks or wesco etc. Just can’t bring myself to shell out the 500-600 dollars and safety toe doesn’t seem too popular with that style. Logger style are a little too much heel for me but I believe most of them make a low heel version also. Maybe someday. Also I take it you wear whites then. What style?

 

[Steve Frazier]

Carolina #1821 for me. Discovered them about 30 years ago and have been buying them ever since. They call it an 8" logger boot, supports my ankles, has a steel toe and Vibram lug sole. There are speed lugs up the sides so they're easy to lace up each morning. I take a 14EEE and these are very comfortable. I keep a pair ahead so I can step right into the new ones when they wear out. I buy from www.shoeline.com, they throw a sale on them, 30% off every now and then, that's when I buy

 

[Coaldust]

Whites 10” smokejumpers and 8” packers. My packers are twenty years old with one rebuild. Spread over 20 years, the initial purchase price makes sense.

Keen makes a decent, comfortable, safety toe, lightweight boot. I like the utility Detroit model. Sure, they are disposable, but price right and I can get a two years from a pair. Interestingly, my safety dept. liked the Keen product because the soles remained flexible in negative temps and have decent traction.

 

[emmett518]

I love my Wolverines - warm, comfortable, and not horribly expensive, but they are beyond suck on ice and snow. It's as if they have greased bottoms, so I only wear them during warm weather.

 

[1693TA]

Whites 10” smokejumpers and 8” packers. My packers are twenty years old with one rebuild. Spread over 20 years, the initial purchase price makes sense.

Keen makes a decent, comfortable, safety toe, lightweight boot. I like the utility Detroit model. Sure, they are disposable, but price right and I can get a two years from a pair. Interestingly, my safety dept. liked the Keen product because the soles remained flexible in negative temps and have decent traction.

I've had two pairs of Keen boots and both have split the sole across the "ball" of my foot. The first pair they warranted with replacement. The second pair I wore just over a year and they've split also. I still have them and if I can remember I'll snap a photo to show.

 

[Truck Shop]

Also I take it you wear whites then. What style?

Have a pair of 40 year old Elk hide Packers, rebuilt twice. Wear them in the after hours anymore.

 

[DMiller]

As I am ALMOST Retired I may end up looking to Whites, a final pair to end my career paths and the rest of my final working days. Can remember my Great Uncle Emmet Branson, was from south of here but ended up in the Refinery Switchyards at Wood River IL, passed away 1969 a bachelor at 85. We had to clean his rented room out where placed ALL of his belongings into a small suitcase and a small box. He had been buried in his Work Boots and had a duplicate pair in his room, only shoes he had, full high top lace to the top smooth leather soles and spit shined to a high gloss, Never knew him not to be wearing working man's boots. Worked as a Yardman at first stepping into Brakeman and car switchman for the old tank operations. Retired from Standard Oil in 1955.
His official clothing were Pleated and Pressed cuffed slacks, Long sleeve WHITE shirts, of course the boots with a Cardigan Sweater and a Hounds Tooth jacket topped with a Stetson Fedora. He had a set of Coveralls for when had his cars(Still had as died), an extra and New Fedora in a box, the two pair boots six pair slacks and seven shirts, Misc under clothes and eight pair socks. A Bible, a Rosary, a small gold band for whatever purpose or from his Mother?, a pocket watch received as retired with his bifold wallet, a pen knife and a pocket knife, A few odd old books and was all he had, a radio in his room was there before he got the room. Never owned a house, always lived in rented rooms and ate at a local diner two meals a day.

 

[John C.]

I do the Wolverines as well. Used to do the black leather stuff with the Vibrum soles. Lost my footing getting up or down off a machine more than once and didn't like the feeling of becoming a basket ball after bouncing off the tracks. Had Redwings for a few years and they wouldn't take the hydraulic oil. Threads and leather turned to mush and my feet would stink for days after a week of wearing them. Only bought the Wolverines because that's all I could find in steel toe that happened to fit. Can't find what I want in them at any retail store now so have to order them on line. Used to get them for about $70 a pair. Last pair were $120 plus. With limited use I've had the current pair for about three years now.

 

[Truck Shop]

I've got a screwed up left foot from a accident years ago, left is almost 1/2" shorter.
So finding footwear is rather difficult. Whites custom built those Packer boots.

 

[Heavywrenching]

Anyone got experience with Danner?

 

[Truck Shop]

Danner is what I wear in the shop and Hawx back and forth.

 

[doublewide]

..... wedge soles....

How are those wedge soles in snow and ice?