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Best Footwear

icestationzebra

Senior Member
Joined
Jun 21, 2009
Messages
366
Location
WI
I just bought my third pair of Wolverine durashocks. The first pair went ~6 yrs and the 2nd pair went 8 yrs. I had never heard of them until my inlaws, who used to sell them, gave me a pair. Can't complain a bit. The biggest thing I do is use mink oil on the stitching about twice a year, especially around the sole, to water-proof them.

My dad used to buy Red Wings, but going by the comments on this page they have obviously gone down in quality.

ISZ
 

Abscraperguy

Senior Member
Joined
Aug 2, 2009
Messages
265
Location
Grande Prairie, Ab
I used to always wear Cats but got tired of lugging around all that weight. For the price they didn't last longer than other brands I had tried. My current pair is StormMaster by Pioneer. pioneerprotectiveproducts.com/ They were half the price of Cats and are as comfortable and half as heavy.
 

barklee

Senior Member
Joined
Aug 4, 2009
Messages
903
Location
ohio
Had several of the boots mentioned throughout. The best pair i have had is the Georgia logger style boots. I have had them for 5 years and wear them almost everyday. They are still waterproof, with a little help from some mink oil. Next would be the Danners that are American made, they are quite expensive though. Have a pair of the Irish Setters and they arent very well made but they are comfortable. It seems hard to get a good pair of boots that will last for under $150.
 

WerkBrau

Well-Known Member
Joined
Mar 20, 2012
Messages
58
Location
Findlay, Ohio
Redwings all the way - and they are made in America! From sewers to demo sites, to the factory floor they rock.
 

Jumbo

Senior Member
Joined
Nov 12, 2010
Messages
682
Location
Black Diamond WA
Occupation
retired
Redwings all the way - and they are made in America! From sewers to demo sites, to the factory floor they rock.

Actually, you need to check carefully about that I found my favorite Redwings are now made in China. I am guessing at least 50% are still made here. Danner is a similar mix. Thorogood and White are both still 100% USA.

Dang, I hate to find out all my work clothes are being made overseas. At least my jeans are still made local just south of me in the Oregon State Penitentiary, same place for my work shirts.
 

Dualie

Senior Member
Joined
Feb 23, 2007
Messages
1,371
Location
Nor Cal
I had cats and red wings before, i just bought a pair of timberlands and so far they are much more comfortable than the other brands i have worn. Time will tell how well they wear.
 

blitz138

Senior Member
Joined
Jun 22, 2011
Messages
335
Location
Utah
I grabbed a pair of Twisted X boots about a month ago. They seem to be worth the price but only time will tell.

Time did tell, Twisted X boots suck!

Thanks to the guys that recommended Timberland Pro, I got a pair at Sierra trading post for like 60 bucks. Btw if you want a name brand coat, boot, coveralls, and dont care if they are seconds (usually unnoticeable flaw) check out their website.
 

Dualie

Senior Member
Joined
Feb 23, 2007
Messages
1,371
Location
Nor Cal
I have had my timberland pro's for a couple months now. Jury says i like them! alot better than the cat boots i previously wore.
 

Boondocker

New Member
Joined
Jul 29, 2012
Messages
1
Location
Montana
I recommend Wesco boots, made in the US. They are very similar to Whites. Excellent quality. Do take a while to break in though.
 

materthegreater

Senior Member
Joined
Jul 25, 2012
Messages
642
Location
VT
I'm gonna chip in my 2¢, mostly because I need to up my post count! :D

I bought a pair of Wolverine buckeye boots last september, and it took a week or so to break them in, but after that they were fairly comfortable and seemed to hold up well. Until this may, when the leather on the upper heel of the right boot split. So I called the place I bought them from and asked if they would replace them under warranty. (Constructiongear.com) They said yes, send them back and we'll give you a new pair. The new pair didn't need any breaking in, but I hope they last longer than the first pair!
 

handtpipeline

Well-Known Member
Joined
Mar 28, 2008
Messages
214
Location
Sperry, OK
Occupation
Utility Contractor
In the late '80s, early '90s, we wore Justins all the time. Dad would order them, he wore the original ropers with rubber soles for work, and I think what I wore was called a "ranch roper". The lower part was a lot like a roper, but the upper was quite a bit taller, with rubber soles. We both wore ropers with the leather sole more for dress boots. At first they were good quality boots, but started going downhill about the time dad passed away in '92. They completely quit making the tall ones I liked, and it got to where the last ropers I bought just plain came apart within 6 months. I tried several different brands after that, from cheap $49 wal-mart specials to Wolverine dura-shocks. Sadly, for me, the wal-mart ones lasted just about as good as the Wolverines... Everything from sole splitting, to stitching ripping out. The Wolverines WERE much more comfortable than the wal-mart ones while they lasted. Tried some with the MACK truck logo on them... They WEREN'T built like a MACK truck... Total Junk. Tried some of the CAT brand, didn't last much better. I'm not a lace up boot person, but I bought a pair of H&H lace ups, and they did last well, and were very comfortable. About 10 years ago, I went to Red Wings for work boots, and have been very happy with them. I've had several pairs that I have worn for over 2 years (that's a LONG time for a pair of boots to last me), and then I broke out a new pair for myself and gave the old pair to guys that worked for me that weren't smart enough to spend a little money for quality footwear for work. Every pair of Red Wings that I've had, have been comfortable since day one. I usually have my boots on for about 16 hours a day, 7 days a week. You could count on one hand how many times I've had tennis shoes on in the last 5 years. I would try a pair of Ariat work boots if I saw a style I like. My dress boots are Ariat, and if anything they are more comfortable than my Red Wings. Just don't know if they would hold up to the abuse I put boots thru.

I do have a strange observation, back when I wore the other brands, I had a problem with "walking out" the outside of the boots. The outside of the soles would wear a lot faster than the inside, tilting my feet out. Everyone said it was ME, not the boots. Ever since I went to the Red Wings, I don't have that issue. The sole wears evenly, and the uppers stay straight. Don't really know the meaning of that, but my ankles don't give me problems like they used to.
 

KWD

Well-Known Member
Joined
Apr 23, 2012
Messages
76
Location
Ireland
Doc Martin riggers, only ones that seem to last, get about 6 months out of them at 120 euro a pair. Wear Jallette when driving around but put the Docs on for site work. Think them high heel Red Wings on men seem strange, reminds me of all them poser oneabees on the pipelines !!
 

waterman28

Well-Known Member
Joined
Dec 14, 2010
Messages
54
Location
Washington
Whites, long lasting and durable. Also they are rebuildable. But I may have an advantage living in the town they are built in.
 

SeaMac

Senior Member
Joined
Jun 2, 2012
Messages
549
Location
27.2730° N, 80.3582° W
Occupation
Operator
I'm going to add my name to the Red Wing fan club, by far the best, most comfortable and longest lasting boots I've ever had wrapped around my feet. Clearly, they are not the cheapest boots around but it seems you get your money's worth with them. I have purchased and worn just about every brand imaginable and always end up back at the Red Wing Store. I have this thing about waterproof boots and it never took long for the "others" to become less than, I hate wet feet but the 'Wings keep my feet dry without fail.

I'm personally convinced that going the cheap route with boots is a major mistake, at the end of the day it does make a difference. You'll notice with quality boots that your back doesn't hurt as much, your feet aren't as sore and if you have weak ankles you'll twist them less if you choose boots with 8" lace-up uppers. For those of us who spend the majority of our adult lives in work boots it truly does pay dividends to buy quality.
 

Hopuser

Well-Known Member
Joined
Sep 19, 2009
Messages
73
Location
Juneau,Ak
Occupation
Surface Supervisor
Keen work boots nice and comfortable light! I got tired of buying, 500.00 boots and havng them last two years I paid 189.00 for a pair and they have lasted two years and still feel like slippers. water proof.
check them out.
 
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