Boots, how are they looking?

[pfhWJ]

I think a lot of people over look their footwear. Your boots see what you see. Experience the brunt of your work conditions. They are investment; another tool in the tool box. Thought boots/work shoes deserve a shout out.

So here are my Red Wing 405. Picked them up in December. Best pair yet. Bought caterpillar for many years but wore them out to quickly. Recently started working in a shop doing car repair, these have kept my feet comfortable.

The leather conditioner works great in the picture. Keeps them shiny and protects my investment.
View media item 38007

 

[top drive]

Lined Jalette rigger boots for use at home. So comfy , warm and importantly - easy to slip on so no hassle changing shoes when going out into the yard/garage

What ever work supplies for work - no longer jalettes currently dickies.

 

[warpipe]

Had a pair of Caterpillars, the most comfortable boot I've owned but the sole let go at three months (glued together). I was hoping these boots would last but switched back to the Terra Lites.

 

[pfhWJ]

Had a pair of Caterpillars, the most comfortable boot I've owned but the sole let go at three months (glued together). I was hoping these boots would last but switched back to the Terra Lites.

I was having the same problem with mine. They only seemed to last me 3-6 months.

 

[mmack66]

They look okay to me.

 

[sdguy55]

I'll have to take pics but my keens are going on something like 5 months now and I really laid on the boot protectant thick when I got them. I try to do it every couple of weeks now. Very comfy boots.

 

[theoldwizard1]

If you buy boots with Goodyear welt construction, they can be resoled for a fraction of the cost of new ones.

 

[Airframer]

Used to keep my good Corcoran's polished until some ******* stole them. I got a pair of Thorogood boots for Christmas - about $149, made in USA, goodyear welt construction, and super comfy out of the box. The only "problem" is I can't shine them due to being oil tanned, and all. Best boots I've owned.

 

[brownbagg]

everybody loved to brag about their high price boots, nobody will agree that any of the boots are best. I wear walmart $7 tennis shoe, with velcro, why because i order a pair of justin workbooks and they are ****. i alway like justin, really like them. This pair i just order are made in china. no i don't think that the reason, these are just a crappy design, from get go.

 

[jvitez]

Here's a previous thread I started. The boots are looking great and holding up really well. I don't need boots for work mind you, so these are used around the house but I'm still very happy with my purchase.

http://www.garagejournal.com/forum/showthread.php?t=148936

 

[Airframer]

I think oil tanned will buff, not polish, very nicely.

True, but spit shining shoes is kind of a zen thing for me. The boots are awesome though. The Georgia Boots these replaced were extremely comfortable up until the sole split less than a year in, and they would not honor the warranty due to lack of a receipt.

 

[Airframer]

http://www.amazon.com/Thorogood-American-Heritage-Plain-Walnut/dp/B008H0Q9EQ/ref=sr_1_15?ie=UTF8&qid=1392955393&sr=8-15&keywords=thorogood+boots These are the boots. The wife said they dipped down to $99 when she purchased them.

 

[pfhWJ]

wow that a great looking boot good price too. nice to see a made in America boot

 

[Kaasdief]

Caterpillar for me!

 

[bry@n]

Timberland pro boots for me.

 

[Bobdog]

I have a mix.......

October to March boots = Red Wings

March to October boots = Used to be Timberland Pro, but they wear out at 3 months and the soles split around 5, so I just bought a pair of Keen..........ask me how that worked out come next October.

 

[LOTW]

I'm pretty happy with my thorogoods. Pretty comfy for 10 hour shifts on concrete. Made in the USA and affordable too!

 

[Buckgnarly]

Belleville 790 for wet or cold, Altama desert combat boots for summer. Got attached to them during my desert "vacations".

 

[mygarageone]

I worked commercial construction for yrs always working in harsh environments . I tried them all . And of course the cheap ones. Seems I would buy 2 set of the cheapies a yr , opposed the spending almost a couple hundred dollars on either Red Wings or Wolverine.
They would last me 2-3yrs before replacement and those Wolverine dura shock boots saved my feet and knees from a lot of trouble.
Spending good money for quality boots , you can't go wrong.

 

[NUTTSGT]

Belleville 790 for wet or cold, Altama desert combat boots for summer. Got attached to them during my desert "vacations".

Belleville 340 for daily wear here, soles are starting to get thin.

 

[James E]

Timely thread. I have a pair of Browning boots that are the best footwear I've ever owned. They're the kangaroo 9" boots with shark skin on the front, steel toe and waterproof. The kangaroo leather is soft so no break-in time was necessary and after all these years, the leather is scuffed but the shark skin looks like it did the day I bought the boots. They should make tanks out of shark skin.

Problem is that now I've had them eight years, they've been re-soled twice and they look rough. I noticed in the last snow that they're no longer waterproof. There must be a leak around the soles.

I'd gladly pay full retail for another pair but Browning doesn't make them anymore.

I should have bought two or three pairs once I realized what good boots they were, but I never imagined that they'd stop making such a perfect product.

 

[Tucko]

With 23+ years working on my feet in shops, construction sites, rooftops, etc. I've FINALLY found my favorite boots. I've tried just about every major brand out there, CAT, Die Hard, Georgia Boot, Red Wings, etc until I found Thorogood Boots. Union made in the USA, with union member discounts. Most comfortable boot I've ever worn. I even bought a "good" pair that I use as everyday wear, not for work. That's how much I like them. I have 2 ratty pairs that are covered with dirt, solder drippings, and grease.....

 

[gayler]

I'm pretty happy with my thorogoods. Pretty comfy for 10 hour shifts on concrete. Made in the USA and affordable too!

Same here.

 

[James E]

Hmm, you had me until you said they offered a union discount. Do they offer a middle-aged white guy who has sold out to the Man discount? That's the only one I qualify for.

 

[Stevie-Ray]

Generally I just use my street shoes, usually New Balance 600s. But, I still have my work boots, which are Wolverine hikers, a steel toe boot that is perfectly comfortable the first wear. Used these expressly, once I found them. About 49 bucks at Meijer's or wherever. They lasted me 3 or 4 years at work, where weld slag and hydraulic oil would eventually take it's toll on them. Here at home, the pair that I have was only a year or so old when I retired and will probably last me a lifetime. Have used them a bit here, especially cutting wood, clearing dead trees from the property, etc.

 

[cderalow]

I replaced a set of 15 year old timberland pro nubuck's this year with a new pair of timberland pro nubuck's. they're 3 months old and all ready look like they're 3 years old.

 

[crewchief888]

my "summer" work boots are just like i left them,
soaked with hyd oil and fuel

last years snow boots finally started leaking this year, so in the trash they went.

last week, i bought a new pair of wolverine insulated/waterproof "work" boots to get me through the rest of the winter.
after 3 days of above freezing temps, and a days worth of rain, they are currently plastered with mud.

 

[MatBirch]

10+ hrs per day here, and. I've been through Red Wings, Cat, Timberland pro, etc, I usually get just about a year out of a pair, if I push it. This time, I just past the two year mark on a pair of 6" slip-on Redbacks. I went on vacation last week, so I took advantage of the downtime and rebuilt the soles at the heel with shoe goo, so it'd have a good long cure. I have a bum wheel, so I walk kinda goofy on my right foot and the sole wears off kilter. I had the toe caps sprayed with bedliner as well. Been really happy with them!

 

[holt2ton]

I used to always buy the Die Hard steel toe shoes. Then I switched to a pair of Georgia Boots, And found Caterpillar (really Wolverines) but they seem to fit better than similar style Wolverine boots. And That's all I buy.. I do put an extra set of insoles in them for a little extra comfort when I don't have to do much walking at work but am still standing on my feet.

 

[hippie2cams]

Hell since I retired I mostly go bare footin, except when I go to town. then I wear some sort of M/C boots as I ride alot.

 

[bobemmerich]

Always liked the ruggedness of the Military footwear. Corcoran, Altama, Wellco, etc...in my 5 years in The Service, I had 3 pairs of boots. Even beat the hell out of 'em when I got out.
My latest is probably the most warm and comfy pair I've ever had...Wellco U.S. Navy Flight Deck boots. Style 1003(which has since been upgraded). Waterproof, steel toe, insole cushion and very comfy for those days when I'm on my feet most of the day.

 

[zporta]

After 3 straight sets of redwings lasting me from 1-2 years at a time before coming apart at the seams I switched to carolina. So far I am very happy with them. $80 cheaper then redwings and better quality.

I'll never buy a another pair of redwings

 

[Qball]

I just picked up a pair of steel toed boots from JC Penny for $35.00. They're pretty comfy and keep my feet warm in the garage. I wear them when I'm running the snow blower, as well. They're damned rugged and since they were so cheap, I don't fret about getting them wet or dirty.

 

[Bugeyed Earl]

Looking good

 

[skyking]

Im retired and dont see the need to polish my FLIP FLOPS !!!

 

[NUTTSGT]

I'd gladly pay full retail for another pair but Browning doesn't make them anymore.

I should have bought two or three pairs once I realized what good boots they were, but I never imagined that they'd stop making such a perfect product.

Isn't it funny how that happens, you find a boot you like and they quit making them. If they don't quit making them, they try to upgrade them and make them worse.

 

[Mike in Ohio]

Seems like I always come back to Red Wings, I will get 2-3 years out of a pair then less than a year out of the next pair. I try some other brand, don't like them go back to Red Wings and the cycle repeats itself.

 

[lat905]

I have to have 6" safety toed boots at work. I have huge feet, size 15 4E.
I used to buy these for many years: http://www.hytest.com/Shop/detail.aspx?pid=27776&sid=&stid=M but they started getting very expensive and I'd have a 6 month wait to get my size. Used to just get them off the shoe truck that came into the plant every 6 months, but now they are like finding hen's teeth. Very comfortable, soles and outer wore very well, but the glued in insole always wore out fast and was a PITA to remove and replace.

Now I get these: http://www.redwingshoes.com/red-wing-shoe/2234-red-wing-shoes/2234-red-wing-mens-6-inch-boot-black in the King Toe version. Surprisingly I can wear a D width in these with the King Toe. ***** that RedWing has them made in China, but they are the ones that fit me well. They hold up pretty decent, and the insoles actually last very well.

I've tried Timberland Pro's in the past and they kill my feet. Carolina and Georgia boots fall apart fast. And not too many other make boots my size.

Luckily my job buys them for me, I have a pair in each of the 12 sites I'm responsible for across the country. Too big and heavy to carry the boots in my luggage. Half of them are Footrests still (haven't worn them out), and half are RedWings.

 

[mesquiteforge]

Finally broke down and got another pair of Redwing 2233's. Great boots, comfortable-old ones still good-just need better looking ones for work-since I'm trying to sell stuff..

 

[Schwartzint1]

my duty boots are danner acadia. I had a hard time swallowing the cost at first, but boy have they been worth it. Made in the usa and lifetime warranty. Feel like slippers on a 24hr shift.