Most rugged work boots?

[Grayguy]

The work pants thread gave me this idea.

I just recently destroyed another pair of Redwing boots, and after coming home again from a day or work with wet feet and 20degree temps, I'm in need of new boots. I am VERY disappointed in redwings longevity, I've had 3-4 pairs in 3 years, which is damn near $1000 in boots. I've tried their highest level boots, and even all their synthetic ones, and while they all are amazingly comfortable, if I'm paying that much for boots I'd like them to last more than 10-12 months.

I will admit I don't take care of them as well as I should, but this last pair the leather is holding up and all the stitches are failing, not to mention the soles coming apart in chunks...

So who makes a good rugged boot than can stand up to being covered in sticky red clay, submerged in mud/water practically daily and kick around in sand and 3/4" rock and hold up and be comfortable for 10-12 + hours a day?

 

[Mud]

Check out oliver boots!

 

[packofqtips]

im on my first pair of chippewa's no complaints yet. maybe 6 months old and no major wear on the leather or soles. and i usually eat up soles.
lots of oil and diesel on them (diesel mechanic)

 

[V70R]

American made Danner's.

 

[balrog]

If they are less than 12 months old you may be able to obtain a partial credit for them:

http://www.redwingshoes.com/red-wing-shoes-warranty

Take a look at Whites or Wesco boots. You are going to have to take the time to give any set of leather boots a bit of TLC if you want them to last. You admit to being rough on your boots. I know at the end of the day you just want to relax and grab a beer, but how about having a drink and doing a little PM on your expensive shoe investment?

Get more than one pair and rotate wearing them. Look into getting a boot dryer, Peets makes good ones. Use Obenaufs leather treatments to condition and preserve the leather.

 

[BigK600]

I'll second Danners most water proof boots I've ever had.

What type of work do you do with your boots.

 

[TreePointer]

That's pretty rough treatment on any boot. The Redwings I've had sure were comfy, but I've switched to something less expensive:

Georgia Boot 6" steel toe weatherproof:
http://www.tractorsupply.com/-734146599

I remove the factory inserts and put in appropriate SofSole inserts:
http://www.sofsole.com/mens/arch

I will say that this Georgia Boot can be worn year round, but is not the best for long periods in freezing weather.

 

[Vinko]

I will admit I don't take care of them as well as I should, but this last pair the leather is holding up and all the stitches are failing, not to mention the soles coming apart in chunks...

My guess is that you don't really take care of them at all. I don't see, from the photo, the chunks of sole coming off, but if that's really the case, that's certainly odd.

If you're really treating your boots to this:

So who makes a good rugged boot than can stand up to being covered in sticky red clay, submerged in mud/water practically daily and kick around in sand and 3/4" rock and hold up and be comfortable for 10-12 + hours a day?

You need to take care of your investment. That means oiling them properly, let them dry out naturally (no artificial heat), and probably using boot trees (cedar). Also, you need two pairs and you need to alternate them. They will last much much more than twice as long, because you give the leather a day to rest. Wearing the same shoe or boot every day, all day, significantly decreases the life of the footwear. That seam stitching that pulled apart: have the seams seen regular cleaning and boot oil? I can't see that happening without serious neglect.

If you're using the US-made Redwings (my last cost was about $150 or $160 a pair), and your thrashing them like that, I'd guess that nothing's going to hold up without proper care. But, I'd be curious to see if you tried something else, and neglected them as much as you do, if the others' would hold up any better.

 

[gauder the goof]

I like my steel toe and shank Doc Martens. Not made in England anymore, but I get a year out of them.

 

[Roots]

No work boot that I know of will hold up to not being oiled or cared for. I'm still very happy with my Red Wings. I'm on my second pair, my first pair lasted about 3x longer than any Doc Martin or other work boot I previously had. I'd consider Carolina Boots in the same quality level if you want an alternative.

The next step up in quality($) would be to go with some of the companies that make lineman boots like Danner, Hoffman, etc. Lineman Supplies.

 

[Grayguy]

I am in excavation, so there is no avoiding being this rough on them during the day. Believe it or not I always water proof them when I get them, and I always wash all the mud/junk off them at the end of the day. I try to oil them periodically, but it's hard to do it on a regular basis with using them everyday.

I think the real secret for success for me might be buying 2 of the cheaper pairs of redwings ($150-175) and rotate/ oil them instead of buying 1 pair of the $300+ boots and wearing them everyday. I'll have to try to get out thus weekend and see what I can find, hopefully the crazy shoppers stay outta the boot store.

 

[kxxr]

I second the recommendation for some kind of treatment. SnoSeal is good. Grease them up and put them in the oven on warm to soak the snoseal in to the leather.

 

[furbis]

You could look at whites/Hawthorne their hand made to your foot. But I agree if your not going to take care of them nothing will last. Think of your boots as tools and treat them as good as your snap on ratchet.

 

[TheGrooveking]

Besides oiling them one of the best things you can do is buy two pairs and alternate days with them. Letting them dry out internally and externally will keep them and your feet in much better condition. Yes the cost is twice as much up front, but you'll extend the life of the boots/shoes by a factor of almost 2.

TheGrooveking

 

[lowbucktruck]

On that note (treatment for leather)... the best product I've ever found for waterproofing leather is Hubbard's Shoe Grease. I use it on all my leather work boots (heck, I even use it to waterproof my saddle!). A little bit goes a long way.

Cedar shoe trees are a great idea, helps keep your boots fresh. I made my own for my work boots.

 

[Roots]

I think the real secret for success for me might be buying 2 of the cheaper pairs of redwings ($150-175) and rotate/ oil them instead of buying 1 pair of the $300+ boots and wearing them everyday. I'll have to try to get out thus weekend and see what I can find, hopefully the crazy shoppers stay outta the boot store.

That really might be your best bet. Something else to consider would be, Overshoes/boots.

 

[5lima30]

Check out Georgia Boots. I am a big fan of the Barracuda models. Comortable right out of the box, very tough made to resist oil, grease and barnyard acids. I got mine at TSC or about $90.00. YMMV.

 

[Jim85IROC]

I just buy whatever appeals to me at the local ****'s Sporting Goods store. Most years it's the normal tan suede boots. I throw a set of insoles from my sneakers in, and they feel like a million bucks. I typically go through a pair a year, but at $60 a pair, that's not a big deal.

 

[Judd55]

I like these, Terra Ripcurrent, http://terrafootwear.com/detail.php?cat=136&id=566&type=men Balistic Nylon, Water Proof Gortex, Breathable lining, Best all round boot I have found. Light and comfortable. Boots would last me an average 10-12 months, I have had a pair of these going on 3 years now and they are still in good shape, I am going to buy another pair before I wear these out, just in case I can't find them or they quit making them.

 

[HandyManny]

I like my steel toe and shank Doc Martens. Not made in England anymore, but I get a year out of them.

I second that. Even the newer Chinese made Docs that cam out about ten years ago were pretty durable. I typically used to get about 4 years out of their oxford shoes, once got 7 years out of a pair until I started feeling pavement under my feet. I thought the fit of the last few English made ones sucked badly. When they went Chinese the fit improved and the durability seemed to remain the same.

Redwings are not what they used to be. Recently I've been wearing Matterhorn 1998 boots and Carolina logger boots (USA made versions). Both seem to hold up well. I don't like steel-toes, never have. But it's like others have said, you need to take care of your boots once in while. You don't have to get all Gucci or metrosexual on them, just give them some cleaning and treatment when they need it. I like Obenouffs bees wax leather preservative. Just never use mink oil on leather footwear, it tends to over soften a tough durable leather.

 

[74grabber]

The work pants thread gave me this idea.

I just recently destroyed another pair of Redwing boots, and after coming home again from a day or work with wet feet and 20degree temps, I'm in need of new boots. I am VERY disappointed in redwings longevity,

if I'm paying that much for boots I'd like them to last more than 10-12 months.

I will admit I don't take care of them as well as I should, but this last pair the leather is holding up and all the stitches are failing, not to mention the soles coming apart in chunks...
So who makes a good rugged boot than can stand up to being covered in sticky red clay, submerged in mud/water practically daily and kick around in sand and 3/4" rock and hold up and be comfortable for 10-12 + hours a day?

WOW I cannot believe them are so beat up! On our job sites (sand and gravel plant with your conditions exept temp here obviously) 9 out of 10 guys wear redwings. I got a pair on my feet right now that are over a year and half old (other pair is over a couple years old) and are not showing much of any wear besides the toes from kneeling down. Boot laces are a whole different story! I always keep spares in my glove box.

The only thing most of our guys do and myself included is we have 2 pairs of work boots to rotate them out. Some times they get so wet they are just uncomfortable the next day. I also oil each pair of my boots atleast once a month. The rotating of boots may help someone get in the habit of doing this.

The way I see it work boots are one of the most important tools I own. Take care of them they will take care of you.

 

[dbleskey]

I sold shoes for years. Your plan to rotate them is key. Leather just cannot take being submerged all the time and the acid from your feet helps them rot. All in all Redwings as well as many other great boots are not what they used to be, or maybe my old feet are just harder on them.

 

[kv501]

Besides oiling them one of the best things you can do is buy two pairs and alternate days with them. Letting them dry out internally and externally will keep them and your feet in much better condition. Yes the cost is twice as much up front, but you'll extend the life of the boots/shoes by a factor of almost 2.

TheGrooveking

Uhh.......

I have a hard, hard time believing that skipping a day with a pair of boots is going to make them last twice as long. That just doesn't add up. If you get, say 400 work days (around 18 months) use out of a boot by wearing it every day, you are saying I will get roughly 800 uses just by wearing it every other day?

By that logic, if I have 2 pairs of boots, I will get 1600 work days out of them, or roughly 6 years. I say not.

 

[Need4racin]

You might need some slip on rubber boots.

 

[countryroad82]

Vinko is right, proper care is the key to making boots last the longest. When I was out in the field I kept 2 pairs of boots, just the cheapie Worx line of Redwings was my choice and they lasted me pretty well, but I still didn't expect many miracles because I was in quite a bit of oil and deisel fuel. These days I wear Chippawa and I get good use out of them for the shop work that I do.

 

[Vinko]

Uhh.......

I have a hard, hard time believing that skipping a day with a pair of boots is going to make them last twice as long. That just doesn't add up. If you get, say 400 work days (around 18 months) use out of a boot by wearing it every day, you are saying I will get roughly 800 uses just by wearing it every other day?

By that logic, if I have 2 pairs of boots, I will get 1600 work days out of them, or roughly 6 years. I say not.

Rotating boots allows the two pairs to last quite a bit longer (more so than twice as long -- and not just because you're wearing it 1/2 times as much) because wearing the same pair every day leads to the leather degrading quite a bit faster than if it'd been given a break. You're not allowing the leather to dry out (even in dry conditions, your foot sweats).

I wouldn't put my boots in the oven -- that's not a good way to keep the leather good.

 

[idubvdub]

As for autotech work I've had my Ridge slip on style boots for the past 4 years. I did have them resoled earlier this year, other than that they're going strong. Well I really need to get new inserts as well, still on the worn out originals. Hands down the most comfortable work boots I've ever worn for 12 hours a day.

For outdoor mud, water, sand ect. I highly recommend the Bates boots I was issued in basic. I'm very thankful we had a great S.D.I. who had myself and several others, exchange them for a new pair just prior to graduation, because "they were defective"
lmao for some reason the top and front of the toe area had worn down before the rest of the boot. lol quarter deck
They are great boots. I think this is them:

http://www.amazon.com/dp/B002YM9P58/?tag=atomicindus08-20

 

[idubvdub]

Rotating boots allows the two pairs to last quite a bit longer...

I wouldn't put my boots in the oven -- that's not a good way to keep the leather good.

x2

your feet will thank you as well

 

[Zeke]

Always lay your boots on their sides after wearing them. Try to open them up. This allows a better air exchange as the insides dry out. You can put them near, I said near, a humidity robbing source such as a water heater, but you don't want them to absorb heat and dry out un-naturally. In the winter I lay them open to the sun if it's sunny. IN the summer I just lay them on a shelf in the patio with the opening over the edge.

 

[poprockcrusher]

60 bucks a pair and longevity ? With Chinese tanning techniques ? I doubt they would last very long

 

[jvitez]

Uhh.......

I have a hard, hard time believing that skipping a day with a pair of boots is going to make them last twice as long. That just doesn't add up. If you get, say 400 work days (around 18 months) use out of a boot by wearing it every day, you are saying I will get roughly 800 uses just by wearing it every other day?

By that logic, if I have 2 pairs of boots, I will get 1600 work days out of them, or roughly 6 years. I say not.

It may not be logical, but it's true in all manner of clothing: mens suits, socks, running shoes, hunting boots, work boots. Clothing fibers need to spring back to shape and dry out naturally. If you wear the same business suit 5 days a week it will look awful far too soon. Have 3 suits and alternate them and your clients will think you always look like a million bucks.

Oh oh, wrong forum. I thought this was Business Etiquette 101.

But seriously, it does hold true for all clothing including work boots.

 

[bart1]

Check Wesco or White's. What size are you?

 

[CAOS]

I wear Redwings for dry weather and inside the shop. They hold up amazing considering they get covered in molten metal all day(plasma,oxy./acetylne, welding, grinding).

For wet enviroments and winter time I wear a pair of the -40*c Dunlops. Best winter boot I have ever worn. Most sought after boot in the oil patch. Light, warm and no liner inside to get soggy.

 

[wafrederick]

Redback is anothor rugged work boot and not Chinese made,are 100% Australian made.I just bought my first pair of Redbacks last week from my Matco tool dealer and love them.Threw in the toe caps for free.I have no back pain at all anymore and my feet don't hurt.The boot sizes are differant with Redback,an Australian boot size one size smaller than the United States sizes.Don't buy the cheap boots and I learned my lesson on them.Don't last at all,a year most of the time.

 

[jk47]

I wear Redwings for dry weather and inside the shop. They hold up amazing considering they get covered in molten metal all day(plasma,oxy./acetylne, welding, grinding).

For wet enviroments and winter time I wear a pair of the -40*c Dunlops. Best winter boot I have ever worn. Most sought after boot in the oil patch. Light, warm and no liner inside to get soggy.

+1 for the Dunlops... The monster truck of work boots. Been goin' strong for 2 years in the patch. Oil, diesel, condinsate, and invert mud can't even put a dent in them. Got them from a former company I worked for, $100. Usually around $200, but worth every penny if you work in a cold, wet workplace.

I have the standard green.

http://www.dunlopboots.com/business/boots/purofort-thermo-safety

 

[acer66]

For wet enviroments and winter time I wear a pair of the -40*c Dunlops. Best winter boot I have ever worn. Most sought after boot in the oil patch. Light, warm and no liner inside to get soggy.

Do you where the dunlop's are made?

Thanks

 

[Grayguy]

Well, it's been a year. The Timberline Pro's i bought have held up maybe 25% better than the redwings, but they are still about dead after 1 year. I started using an aerosol Saddle oil spray every couple days, and for most of the summer it seemed to really help. then this fall the seems started popping and they now are starting to leak. So I guess it's time for another pair. a lot of guys at work have gone to lace-less slip ons, I might give those a whirl

 

[beerdog]

I will admit I don't take care of them as well as I should, but this last pair the leather is holding up and all the stitches are failing, not to mention the soles coming apart in chunks...QUOTE]

why not put some time into maintaining them. There are allot of inexpensive excellent products to treat leather, stiches, et. 15 minutes a week can make a huge difference. If you are not sure what to do just go to a good sho repair shop and ask them what they recommend. They will likely sell the supplies.

 

[amitchell]

Check out Viberg. http://www.workboot.com

Very nice stuff, made right here in Victoria BC.

 

[Mastermind]

Uhh.......

I have a hard, hard time believing that skipping a day with a pair of boots is going to make them last twice as long. That just doesn't add up. If you get, say 400 work days (around 18 months) use out of a boot by wearing it every day, you are saying I will get roughly 800 uses just by wearing it every other day?

By that logic, if I have 2 pairs of boots, I will get 1600 work days out of them, or roughly 6 years. I say not.

but, if you wear them half as much they last twice as long!

i wear redbacks myself, i dont take care of them, have never done anything more than wipe them with a wet paper towel for special events, and wear them nearly everyday, exception being long walks and when i worked retail i liked to switch to tennis shoes once and a while. and a pair of flip flops for the beach i've worn like three times. never oiled, treated or anything, go from washing cars to covered in bondo dust, to snow,mud etc. same pair for three yrs. second pair in 7yrs. starting to come apart at the seams, but i'm not complaining. i can ruin a pair of cheap boots in 3 months, wear thru toes,sides and soles. i'm 6'5" 260 lbs. my dad turned me on to them, he's 6'1" 350lbs + on his second pair too.