DieHard Work Shoes - poor quality

[markhm]

Got a pair of DieHard Work Shoes towards the end of 2017. They were supposed to be water, oil and gas resistant. Leather shoes with rubber soles. Gave them light use in a normal environment and after 3 months the soles separated from the leather uppers. Contacted Sears about replacing them under warranty and was told that there is no warranty on their DieHard shoes and that they would not do anything for me.

There is no way I will ever buy another pair of shoes from them and I don't want to turn this post into another hate-them rant. But since these are virtually new, I would like to try to repair them. Does anyone here have any recommendations on glues that are flexible and strong to bond leather and rubber that are readily available for this repair?

 

[WhiffySpark]

I wouldn’t bother. I’ve had good luck with wolverine lately. Red back too.

Probably spring for red wings next

 

[cgrutt]

Contact cement should work on that.

For what it's worth I recently bought a pair of Red Wings (USA made ones) and they are the most comfortable work boot I'd ever owned. Took a good week or two to break in but they are great.

 

[chaosracing]

I had 2 pair of Craftsman Boots. 1st pair was a Chinese Redwing boot. That one lasted for 2 years (Lucky if I get 2 or more out of boots, reason why I hate spending alot on them) I really liked them, they were comfortable out of the box, had toe protector over the leather.
2nd pair was a Chinese made boot (not Redwing) was a very similar design to first pair. In about 3 months time they were falling apart.

I have had Caterpiller boots (I think Wolverine made them) they lasted a while (1st pair) 2nd pair, again, fell apart fast. Leather tore on the side where the boot flexes from walking. That happend after 3 months. I even had saddle oil on them to prevent that from happening.

I have owned Bates and they were good, but I could only get 1 year out of them before the soles were worn smooth. It ***** because near me is a mennonite store that can resole boots, but they have to be the ones that look sewn on, not glued on ones.

Currently I am on year 2 of a pair of Timberline Pro boots. Took about 2 weeks to break in, but mostly comfortable out of the box. They have a toe protector over the leather (steel toes as well) and are great. Soles still look great. Kinda look like a hiking style boot.

 

[BD1]

Die Hard boots were good 30 years ago. I tried them because they were less than Red Wings. They are terrible !!! Went back to Red Wings and bought the MADE IN USA ones. You gotta check label

 

[markhm]

Yes, the DieFast shoes are made in China now and junk. Last pair of DieFast shoes I will ever buy.
Sounds like the Red Wings are the way to go with the replacements.

 

[cgrutt]

Yes, the DieFast shoes are made in China now and junk. Last pair of DieFast shoes I will ever buy.
Sounds like the Red Wings are the way to go with the replacements.

If you buy the Red Wings be sure to buy them snug they loosen up quite a bit. The guy who sold them to me told me this and I was a bit reluctant to listen to him as they were kinda uncomfortable in the store. 1st day I could only wear them a few hours but it eased up over course of 1st week. By second week they were awesome. I bought the 1412 8" insulated boot. Going to pick up a pair of 914s for the summer which is same boot without insulation. Made in USA, full leather upper with Goretex liner. Check them out your feet will be happy!

 

[chaosracing]

If you want to go with Red Wing, then before you buy, ask them at the store which ones they will fix. I did that when looking and they told me that not very many can be worked on anymore. 3/4 of the Red Wing store I was in was China made Red Wings that they will not work on. Out of the USA made ones, there were maybe 5 that they would work on. In the end, I can not justify the cost of Red Wing boots. It ***** because thats all my dad used to wear and they were great boots. It seems like alot of boots have gone down hill over the years.

 

[cgrutt]

If you want to go with Red Wing, then before you buy, ask them at the store which ones they will fix. I did that when looking and they told me that not very many can be worked on anymore. 3/4 of the Red Wing store I was in was China made Red Wings that they will not work on. Out of the USA made ones, there were maybe 5 that they would work on. In the end, I can not justify the cost of Red Wing boots. It ***** because thats all my dad used to wear and they were great boots. It seems like alot of boots have gone down hill over the years.

I wouldn't buy a Red Wing boot that was made in China either. I believe for them to be able to work on any boot (regardless of manufacturer) the sole must be sewn on like a traditional shoe or cowboy boot. Many of the new soles are no longer sewn on. Can't replace the sole when they wear out. On the other hand they are much better for waterproofness and generally wear (sewn soles are usually leather). While they may not work on many USA made boots, they are warrantied (for normal use) for a period of one year so they will replace them if they fail under normal use within the first 12 months. They will also refund your money within first 30 days if you are not satisfied with them. These are the USA made boots have no idea about made in China.

 

[6PTsocket]

Yes. Shoe Goo. It made by Eclectic products; the same people that make Goop and E6000. It is tough enough to be used to build up worn heels. It is a bit slow drying but very strong. Barge cement, which is a contact cement for shoes has been around forever and is another choice. When I just checked Shoe Goo just popped up in a Lowes ad. It is reasonble to assume that the same company that is looking for ever cheaper places to source their tools is doing the same thing with the rest of their merchandise. Unless you are a glutton for punishment, you are now a certified Sears basher. "I bought a pair of work boots that promply fell apart and they would not make good on them". That would be it for me.

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[markhm]

I went to my local Red Wing dealer. He didn't stock any of the shoes or low boots and they were all imported anyway.

I did end up buying the Shoe Goo and fixed the DieFast shoes with it. Seems like a great product and I'll see how it does long term.

 

[alinc100]

Thorogood at http://www.thebootpro.com/ Union made,American made,comfortable out of the box.

Shoe goo may help repair the soles and get a few more months out of them.

 

[DTE]

I have wore out several pairs of work shoes from this company https://www.shoesforcrews.com/ they have held up good for me although they see limited oil/grease exposure. Three months ago I bought a pair of Tactical research boots and they are the most comfortable boot I have ever worn. http://www.militarybootsdirect.com/tactical-research-boots-tr550.html. I do not have to have a boot every day so I switch between three different style shoes and my feet hold up better. they are like the rest of me wore out !

 

[sweet victory]

Contact cement should work on that.

For what it's worth I recently bought a pair of Red Wings (USA made ones) and they are the most comfortable work boot I'd ever owned. Took a good week or two to break in but they are great.

I spent the $70 on the fitted soles. I loved them so much, I bought two more in various materials. The soles that you stand on the machine to get fitted for are life changing!

 

[Musicinabottle]

Contact cement should work on that.

For what it's worth I recently bought a pair of Red Wings (USA made ones) and they are the most comfortable work boot I'd ever owned. Took a good week or two to break in but they are great.

Second that on the American made Red Wings.

 

[Skin]

Reminds me of my first pair of Diehard boots. Bought a pair about 10 years ago, felt like they stuck the sole to the boot with no padding or insole. Junk, gave them away. They were also stupid cheap, something like $50 after discounts. Get what you pay for.

 

[ed007]

not a fan of the sears diehard stuff i use wolverine have had no issues yet

 

[6PTsocket]

Contact cement should work on that.

For what it's worth I recently bought a pair of Red Wings (USA made ones) and they are the most comfortable work boot I'd ever owned. Took a good week or two to break in but they are great.

Unless they have changed their policy, Redwing will resole their boots for free as long the uppers are still serviceable. I got a new set of soles and they replaced a torn scree collar at no charge.
Barge cement (shoe contact cement) will bond that shoe back together.

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[Neil 70]

I have used Gorilla Glue on a pair of boots and a couple of pairs of shoes with good results. So far they have all stayed glued together. Gorilla Glue has a you tube video on how to do the repair.

 

[markhm]

Hi Guys
The info from my original post has been great. But I still am in limbo. I have used the ShoeGoo and it works great to repair the shoes.

But the recommendations for RedWings don't help because they make boots and I need shoes. I need slip resistant soles and waterproof constructions. Many make slip resistant soles but they aren't waterproof and it seems the chinese glues they use are water soluble. The waterproof shoes don't seem to have slip resistant soles. Regardless, none seem to be USA made in shoes only in boots. The smallest 5 inch boots are still taller than I can use.

 

[potato]

reebok?

 

[Lassen Forge]

My boots are Columbians, and they have withstood 12 kinds of fury... they're boots, but I use them as work shoes as well.

Check Mason Shoes - they weren't cheap, but they seemed to be one of the preferred brands of work shoe for guys that worked in uniforms. I know a lot of our guys at work were loyal to them and loved them (so much so we got a discount on them).

I thought RW also made professional work shoes. Also check San Antonio Shoes (SAS).

 

[Dzlpete]

Like was posted earlier- THOROGOOD shoes . USA made boots AND shoes. Theunionbootpro.com
Better than Red Wings, and at a better price point.
I used to own Wolverines before they went offshore.

 

[tym]

Not even remotely economical, but I have a pair of Aldens and they are readily the nicest and most comfortable pair of boots I've ever owned. Took a solid month to break in, though.

 

[davethorik]

Unless they have changed their policy, Redwing will resole their boots for free as long the uppers are still serviceable. I got a new set of soles and they replaced a torn scree collar at no charge.

http://www.redwingshoes.com/boot-repair

Per that link, Redwing charges $100 for resoling. Wtf, might as well just buy new boots at that price.

 

[Hilltopmasonry]

http://www.redwingshoes.com/boot-repair



Per that link, Redwing charges $100 for resoling. Wtf, might as well just buy new boots at that price.

Most redwings are more than 200 new and a lot are closer to 300

The ones I wear are $240

I agree though you’re better off just buying a new pair instead of spending half just for the soles


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[6PTsocket]

http://www.redwingshoes.com/boot-repair

Per that link, Redwing charges $100 for resoling. Wtf, might as well just buy new boots at that price.

It was quite while ago. Things usually just get worse. For $100 I would junk them, too.

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[6PTsocket]

Hi Guys
The info from my original post has been great. But I still am in limbo. I have used the ShoeGoo and it works great to repair the shoes.

But the recommendations for RedWings don't help because they make boots and I need shoes. I need slip resistant soles and waterproof constructions. Many make slip resistant soles but they aren't waterproof and it seems the chinese glues they use are water soluble. The waterproof shoes don't seem to have slip resistant soles. Regardless, none seem to be USA made in shoes only in boots. The smallest 5 inch boots are still taller than I can use.

I'm sorry I don't remember the brand but somebody used to advertise shoes for restaraunt kitchen workers. Apparantly, the kitchen floors can be very slippery. They definitely were shoes, not boots.

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[markhm]

Actually, we ended up going with Merrell Moabs for replacement. So far, they have been very good and appear to be very well made. Found they run a little large and Merrell was terrific at replacing them and even paying shipping both ways. Merrell often has sales & coupons making the price quite good.

 

[Shiftless]

Not even remotely economical, but I have a pair of Aldens and they are readily the nicest and most comfortable pair of boots I've ever owned. Took a solid month to break in, though.

So if you find a boot that fits you well, is super comfortable and has replaceable soles and it costs let’s say $500...

Isn’t that a better deal than buying 6 pairs of $100 boots that fail after one year (or less) of use?

I bet Aldens have soles that will last for a really long time.

 

[lancer lane]

In my opinion the work shoes is most important for a worker who is a labour or doing the physical work . There were many qualities manufacturing in the work shoes but it depends on the user that what he want to wear for what type of work.

 

[ClappedOutBport]

Contact cement should work on that.

For what it's worth I recently bought a pair of Red Wings (USA made ones) and they are the most comfortable work boot I'd ever owned. Took a good week or two to break in but they are great.

I think the only boots Red Wing still makes [in the USA] are the heritage line. They're VERY expensive.

http://www.redwingshoes.com/boot-repair

Per that link, Redwing charges $100 for resoling. Wtf, might as well just buy new boots at that price.

Idk. I might spring for it someday. Mine are 6 years old now, but I don't wear them daily. I've had them repaired twice. Hiking is by far the roughest on them.

With their current degradation and use rate, and assuming 1 resole and tongue, I think they'll last 15-18 years. At that point I will have probably spent $500 or so on them. Not bad really, for a comfortable, reliable boot.

The best thing about a boot that is 100% leather on the inside is you can stick your face in them 5 minutes after removing them and they aren't even foul. Not gonna get that with a cheap lined boot.

 

[jsmeece]

I have two pair of Carolina boots, one pair has the ceramic toe insert, the other does not. Both pair are still holing up, one pair is almost 10 years old, granted I no longer wear them everyday, but the best work boots I have ever owned. Not had too much luck with Redwing, had one pair lasted about three years before the they stated to crack near the sole and let water in. I HATE wet socks!

 

[bushmechanic]

Not even remotely economical, but I have a pair of Aldens and they are readily the nicest and most comfortable pair of boots I've ever owned. Took a solid month to break in, though.

I was about to suggest Alden. The only problem is they can be difficult to get in most areas, as you're really meant to have them fitted. I expect you may be able to have someone measure and then place the order, but you run the risk of someone getting it wrong.

Maybe you know a way I don't?

Danner makes some smaller stuff, but it's still not short enough for him.