Best Footwear

I know that there are already a few threads on this topic, but none very recent. I want to know what you guys consider the best footwear for a mechanic. I currently wear a pair of Pecos Red wings, but the soles have worn flat, making them useless. As of right now, my next pair of work boots will be a pair of black, high-top lace up Wolverines or CAT boots.

So all you guys work barefoot?

I have been a lifelong Red Wing guy but strayed from the path a few months ago and bought a pair of Justin's. The Justin's were $120 at Tractor and Supply and a comparable pair of Red Wings were $200 plus. My thought process was I could buy 2 pair of Justin's for one pair of RW's.

Well, I already have a little buyers remorse, the Justin sole already has a chunk out of the heal (cowboy style work boots) and I am not sure if they are re-solable like RW's.

Haven't decide yet on the next pair of boots, I'll give it some time and see how the Justin's work out.

You might want to try a pair of wolverines. Ive found that when I can find them, they last longer than Red Wings without needing a resole and the leather stays cleaner. Also, my pair of red wings is less than 6 months old.

I bought a pair of Justins through Sears.I have been doing business with Sears for a long time and I wanted their guarantee behind me in case anything went wrong.
When the boots arrived I unpacked them and found myself looking at the worst pair of of boots that I ever saw.
I wore them for a couple of days and started making some phone calls to Texas to see what they had to say for themselves.
It turns out not very much.The boots are made out of the country for one thing and my criteria required that they be made in the US which was written on their label.
The material that they were made of was terrible. They called it (artificial).The boots felt like they had a nail poking up through the sole.
I called the boots the worst I ever saw over the phone to the "salesman?" in Texas and he did not deny any of it.
I told him that I have been buying work boots for 50+ years so could speak with some authority on it.
They asked that I return them and mark the box for them to inspect.
I took them to Sears for a refund and ended up buying my boots from Sears on sale at half the price.They are their Diehard boots,probably not my first choice but since I really don't work every day now they seems to be ok.
So,the bottom line is I could not insult the Justin crowd,they sell junk and they know it.Ron G

I haven't been able to find USA made reasonably priced boots for like 3-4 years now but these Rocky's [8'' high insulated] I've had for 2 years now have gone through hell and back and still don't leak water after the initial bees wax treatment and are real comfy.China I'm sure but my feet are happy.

I buy Red Wings or the Chippewas made in Chippewa Falls Wi. I always liked the Chippewas that had the logger heel for hooking the clutch pedal when you used to run blades standing up.

I just bought a pair of Wolverine 6" Durashocks. No regrets yet. They're mighty comfy, but I don't work in them daily so I'm not sure how well they'd hold up.

Well, if you want to start a friendly heated discussion, this is a good subject. Everybody has their own opinion and all opinions are held strongly. I have seen fistfights in bars over shoe manufactures and who is the best. So to add fuel to the fire…….:stirthepot

Danner or Thorogood from my perspective are the best, and made in the US. Well, at least 50% of Danners are made in the US. My shoes run from $250 to $400. They last around five to 8 years so I figure I get my money's worth on them. I used to wear Red Wing, but they went to China (at least the style I wore) and Chinese shoes will cripple me in about a week. If you really want to go high end, go to Spokane and get Whites to make a custom pair. I still have a pair of 14" top White caulks that are 30 years old. They have been rebuilt several times and the uppers are still in good shape.

RonG said:

It turns out not very much.The boots are made out of the country for one thing and my criteria required that they be made in the US which was written on their label.

Click to expand...

That's the reason why I bought the "model" Justins I did because they were supposed to be made in the USA. Interesting to see if they are true to their label.

Like I said, having a little buyers remorse, which usually happens when I stray from the tried and true to save a buck..ointhead

for me there is only one brand of boots. Whites. I will not even look at boots unless they have the whites name on them. I wear my boots 7 days a week and about 12-15 hours a day,these are the most comfortable boots i have ever owned and i see no reason to try something else.

http://www.whitesboots.com/


Make sure you sitting down when you look at the prices.

Stay away from the cat boots, they are the worse pair of boots I have ever owned.:Banghead I have had real good luck with redwings, sure you pay more, but worth it in the long run

whites boots




i agree with trainwreck. Whites are the best. I do wear ariat's for chore boots and around town.

regards, cd

I have alway been a redwing no laces guy then i bought my first pair of wolverine lace ups and will never go back to red wings. my wolverines have outlasted the redwings. I feel like i have wasted money all these years buying redwings. The souls hsve lasted much longer and the inside of the boot have outlasted redwings also.

My Wolverine laceups I currently have(purchased them instead of my usual Redwings because they were on sale)have outlasted any Redwings I have had 2 to 1 already.

I was a Redwing Irish Setter user for years. My last, and I mean last pair were real garbage. They had hardly any wear on them and the sole actually cracked full depth all the way from one side to another. I returned them to where I purchased them and received a full refund. The lady at the service desk told me that, yes they were getting they were getting Redwings returned with the same defect. I purchased a pair of Wolverines and am quite satisfied with them.

Well I ended up with a new pair of redwings 2235s. It is hard to find 15ee anywhere, except for redwing. They seem like a better pair than the other pair I have.

Try a pair of Thorogoods any style that suits you. The best boots I ever owned and the last truly American made ones too.

I grabbed a pair of Twisted X boots about a month ago. They seem to be worth the price but only time will tell.

I am not sure of the number on them but have seen Red Wing Irish Setter Engineer style boots on Ebay. They are offered out of Great Britian. Are these boots made for off shore market? Never have seen them here in the states. I would like to try a pair if I could find them