Anybody wearing Redback boots??

[bb1970]

I've got a good friend that has a pair of these Aussie boots. Raves about them. Says they are soo great. I looked into some of them. Prices range from $75-$145 range. Does anyone own a pair? Or atleast heard anything? Or a place to get a deal. I heard the Matco lady sells them on her truck around here. Thanks guys, Bill

 

[M5 LiTE]

Yep - I got mine from the MATCO guy as well. They're comfortable and the leather stands up well to general abuse. Cleans up easy.

The best part are the soles - slip-resistant. Now walking through a puddle of ATF on a tile floor is still slippery, but you still have traction whereas with other boots with say something like a Vibram sole (excellent for most other conditions) there isn't any. I say Vibram because I have a pair of Vasque boots with them and I wore in the shop one day. Awesome trail boot with, but not good in the shop.

 

[Stick]

I wear them at work and I'm quite a fan after going through a number of redwing boots. The redwings were nice boots, but a pair only lasted me a year before the soles cracked out and a factory resold is about a hundred bucks after shipping each way is factored in. I tried the redbacks and other than the soles getting hard when it is -15f or colder, I love them. My current pair is over two years old and still going strong. Break in time was a week at most. I'd reccomend getting the toecap protectors and the thicker insoles, well worth it for an extra $20-30 or so. The leather treatment they sell also works pretty well, and greatly extends the life of the boots.

Enough rambling, final word is that I wouldn't hesitate to buy another pair when these wear out.

 

[flightlessbird]

I hope that they are good, my employer is issuing the as part of our new work uniform.
Not much call for minus 15 degree capability here in Australia, so shouldn't have problems with stiff soles

 

[Simplespeed]

I realize this is an old tread but its the only thread that came up in the search and i didnt see a need to create a new one.

I just picked up a pair of redbacks from my matco guy and my feet are in heaven. Worlds better than my 3 month old red wings. These things are light as a feather and soft as a cloud. Hopefully they will stand up to some abuse. Iv heard nothing but good stuff from other techs.

 

[I can fix anything]

I wear mine everyday, they are pretty much all I ever wear. If i wear anything else my feet hurt. The pair I have on now I have worn for 3 years. It is time for a new pair, my girlfriend found where i can order them online because i have no matco dealer.

 

[mrholeshot]

The only boots I ever wore that were comfortable was Sears Die Hard boots. Been wearing them since 1981. I have one pair that I bought new in 81 that had a lifetime warranty. I've had the same pair replaced about 30 times. I have a few other pairs that are still almost new but they quit the lifetime warranty around 1984. As long as I keep my original sales slip I can always get a new pair. I'm not on my feet much anymore but I use to spend 12-16 hours a day on them. Those Diehards were unbeatable from a comfort standpoint. I had a pair of Wolverines back in the 90's that were real comfortable but only lasted 3 weeks before the soles were gone

 

[Toolhorder]

Wow,
I'm surprised hearing these are better than Redwings. I have two pair of Redwings that are over 2 yrs. old and look great and still work just fine.
Do these boots come with lifetime laces like Redwings? Free oilings?

 

[Simplespeed]

These boots dont have laces. No free oilings and stuff like red wings, but i do that myself anyway. My redwings are still great boots, they just arent great for my foot for 12 or more hours. Ill still wear em in the woods and 4 wheelin and stuff. But for 12 hours or more in a shop, hell no. Red wings are great boots, but every foot is different and every boot is different, even the same model. Theyre just not for me.

Im off work today but iv been wearing em today running around town to break em in and they feel good. The leather is so soft that there really isnt a break in period. I went into cavenders to check out some new cowboy boots and got a compliment on my redbacks.

 

[TheGrooveking]

Redwings don't offer 13 wide EEEE sizes that I need, which is ashame since I like their boots.

TheGrooveking

 

[Theloniousmonk]

Must be clear on what version of Redwings... hard to find US (at least around here) or the import version... there is/was a difference.

Personally, don't laugh people, I wear a couple 15yr old. pairs of doc. martins (made in england!), resoled (vibram) 3 times each now by the same shop. I have had problems /w the gumsoles melting a bit in some chemicals, but most shoes will do that. I did the Cat/Wolverine/Redwing/steel toe tanks dance and ended up going back to the old DM's... Also wear merrels from time to time, and maybe a pair of old clark walabees... maybe it's time to get a pair of grownup shoes?

With that, these Redbacks look mighty interesting...

 

[american lockpicker]

Are they made in Australia and do the come in size 13 4E US or 12 wide German?

 

[mspecperformance]

my partner has a pair, had them for about 3-4 months now. Holding up decent, his feet tend to destroy boots. Only gripe has been that the inner boot bleeds the color (black) onto his socks.

 

[catfish]

I like Victor Mongrel boots , most comfortable boots i've worn.Says here you can get them in USA.
Theres plenty of boot manufacturers here but most of them don't offer a laced boot , i find the non laced versions not tight enough around the heel area so i prefer lace up models.
http://www.mongrelboots.com.au/about-us.html

Just five years ago we began the search for a brand name that might underline our determination to maintain our Australian Made strategy. We wanted a name that encompassed our safety and non-safety ranges and communicated the basic toughness and longevity that is built into all our boots.

The name was Mongrels. Launched originally as non-safety – it caught the imagination of Australians and with this catalogue becomes the brand name for the entire Victor range. While symbolic of our Australian Made policy – Aussie Born and Bred – the change to Mongrels comes at a time when we are developing a new factory site to support greater volume and more advanced technology in our products.

Victor now exports to a number of countries in Europe, Asia and North America. We are enormously proud of our product and our Mongrels brand name.

 

[rayzor32]

Wow,
I'm surprised hearing these are better than Redwings. I have two pair of Redwings that are over 2 yrs. old and look great and still work just fine.
Do these boots come with lifetime laces like Redwings? Free oilings?

Redwings have lifetime laces? If so i need mine replaced. Have had mine for 2 years too and the steel toes have poked through but they still keep on working. Redwing most comfortable/durable boot ive ever worn well worth the $$$ Plus made in usa.

 

[Simplespeed]

Are they made in Australia and do the come in size 13 4E US or 12 wide German?

Inside of the boot says 100 percent Australian company. Bottom of boot says made in Australia. They use australian sizes. I dont see anything about width sizes.

 

[Simplespeed]

Redwings have lifetime laces? If so i need mine replaced. Have had mine for 2 years too and the steel toes have poked through but they still keep on working. Redwing most comfortable/durable boot ive ever worn well worth the $$$ Plus made in usa.

My laces got a kink in em and the white stuff in the middle is slowly coming throught the lace more and more. This was within the first week of haven em. I have the red wings king toe and they say made in china on the inside of the tounge, could be the problem.

 

[rayzor32]

My laces did the same thing after about 4months. You have to buy the $199 or higher redwings to get the made in usa's. Mine were 199 but I bought the inserts and he knocked off 25 bucks, they say "made in usa with imported materials". Leather is leather I suppose. The 100% USA ones are about 299.

these are the ones i got:

http://www.redwingshoes.com/productdetails.aspx?prodid=1141

Will be buying them again when the time comes, and you have to get the insoles they are so much more comfortable with them, you put them in the oven then stand on them they are great.

 

[marcusicp]

I have had a pair of Redbacks for about 6 months now and love them! I got mine from my Matco dealer. I also got a Redback belt from him and I do not recommend it. It is made in Mexico and within the first day had "chips" of the leather color peeling off.

 

[lwlobo]

I love my Redbacks. I've been wearing them every day for over 2 years and they're in excellent shape. Very comfortable. I also liked my Doc Martens, which I wore every day for over 4 years and still have lots of life left, but the Aussie slip on design beats the heck out of laces. That design was primarily Redback and Blundstone until recently when everyone began copying it.

The quality of the leather and soles are outstanding. The soles are cast on to the leather, so there's no stitches to come apart.

Mine are steel toed, which means the leather over the toes gets scuffed easier since it can't give when banged or scraped against something, so the finish on the toes is scuffed. If you don't need steel toes, the standard boots look nice longer.

I love my Redbacks.

 

[wafrederick]

My Matco dealer sells them too,has to order them since he does not have a pair on the truck.

 

[Toolhorder]

Yes you get free laces. Don't know what models are "china" but my Redwing store only sells US and A made boots. COO is important to them, they even gave me American flag bottom lace holders for free. One of my laces came apart on my second pair but they gave me a new lace and oiled up free of charge. They seem like a stand up boot to me. Now the price is going to be up there but I'm used to paying for quality. I think both pair were over $300 each. (pair)

 

[Tatersalad]

The Redbacks are good boots. I've had three pairs of them over the years. Two pairs of the slipon (like pictured) and my latest with laces. After a few years the stiching would come out were the leather meets the elastic sides, but that was after a LOT of use. I did however get some flack from a few friend cause slipon work boots aparantly arn't the most fashonable footware.... My latest pair have been great for almost a year now, all I've had to do is relace them once ($2 shoelaces from walmart). I'd say buy them they're worth the money!

 

[Simplespeed]

Im never buying brown boots again. These are my redwings new. Right is befor oil and left is after.

This is less than 3 months of use.

 

[rayzor32]

^ They are work boots they are meant to get dirty who cares?

Im gonna have to stop by redwings then and see if theyll give me free laces, I need to get that epoxy stuff for my toes too, the holes are starting to get big. Best pair of boots i ever bought and ill never buy anything different. Redwing store a guy actually measures your foot and gets you a pair of boots that FITS, which is the biggest thing.

 

[johnnybentwrench]

check out BLUNDSTONES, they are better imo. Redbacks are very well made, I just like the sole of the blundstone better. I have had both and wear the blundy's only, my last pair lasted ten years with everyday use and a motorcycle crash at 60MPH that ate all the elastic away on oneside. You will not regret owning either brand, i promise that

 

[catfish]

check out BLUNDSTONES, they are better imo. Redbacks are very well made, I just like the sole of the blundstone better. I have had both and wear the blundy's only, my last pair lasted ten years with everyday use and a motorcycle crash at 60MPH that ate all the elastic away on oneside. You will not regret owning either brand, i promise that

Blundstone moved production to China 4 years ago but never dropped the price.
**** blundstone.
Australian made boot brands : Victor , Rossi , Redback (Do safety boots) , RM Williams (Do not do a safety boot)

Theres a couple others that have slipped my mind right now.

 

[jpoe]

I have worth these for duty boots for the last 9+ years. I have put a few dr schools inserts in them steer the cushion wore out. They have held up great and will buy another pair when these finally give up the ghost.

 

[Simplespeed]

I have worth these for duty boots for the last 9+ years. I have put a few dr schools inserts in them steer the cushion wore out. They have held up great and will buy another pair when these finally give up the ghost.

Which inserts do you use? My feet get pretty tired towards the end of the day no matter what boots im wearing. Im trying to drop a few pounds but its hard cause im not really fat but i know the weight is whats causing the problem. I havent messed with inserts much yet.

 

[Simplespeed]

^ They are work boots they are meant to get dirty who cares?

Im gonna have to stop by redwings then and see if theyll give me free laces, I need to get that epoxy stuff for my toes too, the holes are starting to get big. Best pair of boots i ever bought and ill never buy anything different. Redwing store a guy actually measures your foot and gets you a pair of boots that FITS, which is the biggest thing.

True, but at work i like to look clean and appear as professional as possible since i work in front of a window to the waiting room.

Im sure my problem was the cheap china redwings. I bet a red wings store could hook me up with a good boot.

 

[johnnybentwrench]

Blundstone moved production to China 4 years ago but never dropped the price.
**** blundstone.
Australian made boot brands : Victor , Rossi , Redback (Do safety boots) , RM Williams (Do not do a safety boot)

Theres a couple others that have slipped my mind right now.

THAILAND actually, they still kick *** no need for the f word, really

 

[Jack Olsen]

I just got a pair of Redbacks after years of wearing 'whatever's cheapest.'

Now that I've got a pair of boots that are worth taking care of, I realize I've got no idea how to do that.

Can anyone give me a little guidance on what I should do (and where I can get) oil to protect them?

Anything else I should know or do about breaking in and taking care of a new pair of boots?

 

[lognom]

To Jack Olsen,
IMHO

1) saddle soap

2) http://www.obenaufs.com/product_inf...id=11&osCsid=21e071167db1a987821b050e922edbac

 

[BanjoSavesTheDay]

I just got a pair of Redbacks after years of wearing 'whatever's cheapest.'

Now that I've got a pair of boots that are worth taking care of, I realize I've got no idea how to do that.

Can anyone give me a little guidance on what I should do (and where I can get) oil to protect them?

Anything else I should know or do about breaking in and taking care of a new pair of boots?

There is some great advise on this thread I started: http://www.garagejournal.com/forum/showthread.php?t=82184&highlight=waterproofing. I am still in the testing phase with Obenauf's but the preliminary results are VERY good.

 

[iagsxr]

I bought a pair of lace up Redbacks from my Matco guy and hated them immediately(still do).

How many of you guys keep multiple pairs of boots around? I kill the inner sole on mine. People tell me that's because I wear the same pair every day.

 

[daveblank]

How many of you guys keep multiple pairs of boots around? I kill the inner sole on mine. People tell me that's because I wear the same pair every day.

Redback has a thicker inner sole that is made of leather. It's more durable & comfirtable than the original.

 

[bb1970]

I have a pair of Redbacks and Blundstones. Before you go drop $100-$150 for a pair. Try E-bay. I got the Redbacks for $75 shipped. Blundstones for $55 shipped. They both are great boots. I prefer the Redbacks.

 

[Hammer1963]

I have owned Redwing, Wolverine, Die Hard and Redback. The Redback is hands down the best boot I have ever owned. I use the Crazy Horse style which is a lace up boot for work and they outlast my USA made Wolverine Durashocks 3 to 1. Seriously. Add the toe protector and you are set for abuse. I do use Pinacle insoles in mine, but other than that, they are 100% Australian made. I have the pull on version for casual Fall / Winter use. These things are great. Well worth the money. I purchase mine through my Matco dealer. Try them, I've always been hard on shoes and these are the best wearing / comfortable boot out there

 

[bart1]

I used to wear Aussie boots all the time - several pairs of blunnies and redbacks. I preferred the Blunnies, though the RBs seemed beefier. I finally went to resoluble boots. The leather was always in good shape after the sole wore out on both Blundstone and RB. Super comfy, good looking and convenient, though.

 

[Drew_flux]

i have gotten as much as 3 years out of a pair of redbacks. though the soles do bleed black onto socks.