Redback vs Redwing work boots

[kapster]

I work in a machine shop, 10 hr days standing most of it. My feet get hot so I don't like boots with liners, insulation or waterproofing; this limits my choices.

I've tried two different thorogoods, neither has worked for me. The last was the 805-4367, barely got a year and the sole was visually collapsed, made my knees and feet hurt.

I had Redwing before and after the above mentioned Thorogoods and both were great. First I had the 2406 steel toe, I got an unbelievable 4 years from these till my legs told me they're shot. Currently have the 606, same boot minus the steel toe. I barely have a year and a half and my knees are killing me! Hard to believe they would last that much less time.

I'm going to try new insoles but does anyone have any experience with the redback boots standing on concrete? I'd have to try my luck at purchasing online. If they're nothing special, I'll just get another pair of the 606 but I've always been curious about the Redbacks. They seem to be popular with mechanics in a similar situation standing on concrete, worth it?

Thanks!

 

[seanb02]

If the sole and the leather isn't worn out then it is just the insole breaking down over time. No reason to replace an expensive boot because of a worn out insole. They don't typically put in very high quality ones to start with, and everybody's feet are different. Find a good insole that fits your particular foot and run with it. Steer clear of the soft padded or gel insoles, as comfortable as it may feel walking on a cushion it breaks down quickly and that cushion isn't good for your legs and back either.

I work as a farm mechanic/equipment operator/irrigation guy/whatever needs done that day. I average around 20,000 steps per day, and get about 6 months out of the original insoles that come with boots. Soles of the boots and the leather uppers is worn out in a year, but I have a good quality set of insoles I've swapped into 3 different pairs of boots so far and they are still going strong. I swap them in when the factory ones start hurting my legs and back.

 

[noid]

I work in a machine shop, 10 hr days standing most of it. My feet get hot so I don't like boots with liners, insulation or waterproofing; this limits my choices.

I've tried two different thorogoods, neither has worked for me. The last was the 805-4367, barely got a year and the sole was visually collapsed, made my knees and feet hurt.

I had Redwing before and after the above mentioned Thorogoods and both were great. First I had the 2406 steel toe, I got an unbelievable 4 years from these till my legs told me they're shot. Currently have the 606, same boot minus the steel toe. I barely have a year and a half and my knees are killing me! Hard to believe they would last that much less time.

I'm going to try new insoles but does anyone have any experience with the redback boots standing on concrete? I'd have to try my luck at purchasing online. If they're nothing special, I'll just get another pair of the 606 but I've always been curious about the Redbacks. They seem to be popular with mechanics in a similar situation standing on concrete, worth it?

Thanks!

http://www.roleclub.com

These guys make bespoke leather boots with full goodyear welt construction.

You can also send them your current boots and they can completely resole them (inner, midsole, and outer sole).

If you need them to be extra waterproof consider asking for a Norwegian welt (aka Storm Welt).

They normally use 6/7oz leather (thick), and have options if you want to go with horse hide or other.

Complete resole of redwings:

Full view of their resoles:

Custom horsehide shoes from scratch:

If you wear boots 10 hours a day, spend the extra money and get exactly what works for you, and just keep getting them professionally resoled inner, mid, and outer.

 

[Basskiller]

https://whitesboots.com/#/page/3

My work boots and casual wear boots are from Whites. I cannot recommend them enough.

 

[Rory Bellows]

I just picked up my Redwing 2406 today at the Redwing store. Got them resoled, new laces, and new insoles for $85 plus tax. Straight from the Redwing factory. Take your Redwings back to where you bought them it's cheaper than sending them back yourself.

 

[kapster]

My current Redwings are in great shape, upper and sole. The supersole 2.0 seem to wear very well. Both pairs of redwings, I replaced the factory insoles with Thorogood shock-zone insoles right away (the factory insoles didn't work for me at all). I had the same insoles in the 4 year redwings till the end, really should have changed then but it worked. My current insoles really don't seem to be worn out but I will definitely replace them to see if that helps.

I forgot to mention, I've been considering hiking boots or something like that. However, most if not all are waterproof and some insulated. Many have mesh or fabric on them, the toe at least would need to leather-ish to shed dirt and occasional coolant/water.

 

[Skin]

concrete floors and no anti-fatigue mats?

 

[kapster]

No concrete floors and no anti-fatigue mats?

Yes concrete and yes mats, they help but only so much. I do quote a bit of walking also.

I was in an old shop couple years ago, the floor was 4x4 posts on end over the entire building. Was very noticeable how much less the fatigue was.

 

[Wamsutta]

Custom horsehide shoes from scratch:

Who makes those boots?

 

[American Locomotive]

I've worked in a machine shop; we were required to have steel toe shoes that had non-slip soles. Non-slip is not the same as oil-resistant. Non-slip soles look more like snow tires with hundreds of small lugs made out of very soft rubber.

I found that those types of boots have much less fatigue on concrete floors compared to normal boots. Keen was pretty popular, as were some of the Shoes-For-Crews brand boots.

 

[noid]

Who makes those boots?

The place I linked out of California.

http://www.roleclub.com

 

[Wamsutta]

The place I linked out of California.

http://www.roleclub.com

thank you sir

 

[Aaron_W]

I used to have good luck with Redwings, but haven't bought a new pair in 15 years.

Redback makes a slip on boot popular as a firefighter station boot, I've not worn them personally, but heard good things. I've thought about buying a pair to use in the shop.

My work boots are Nicks, and I've had Whites in the past. They both make excellent boots but they are hand made so not cheap. Whites was bought out a few years ago by a large company (same company that owns Danner I think) and have heard their quality is starting to slip. My Whites are 20 years old so I can't say one way or another from personal experience. Mine have been great.

Whites Boots

Nicks Boots

 

[noahwins]

I have a pair of the non steel toe slip-on Redbacks. I got them off the Mac truck because I saw the other guys in the shop were wearing them. Think I paid $165ish? They're good, no complaints. I forget I'm wearing them which is the sign of a good boot I suppose. Feet don't ache at the end of the day. Pushing cars around, they grip really well and they never feel like they're going to slip off or like my heel lifts off.

I wish I had got them half a size smaller (they're sized in Australian/UK sizing so 9.5 is 10.5 US). They loosened up after breaking them in. Or wear thicker Merino wool socks.

 

[bugnut]

All, when I was a youth going to work in a shop on concrete and needed a work permit cause I was underage the family doctor suggested: Buy the best boot I could afford, replace the insole and wear two pair of thick socks, I stand on concrete and walk everyday in a shop environment. Today I am wearing Keen steel toes, two pair of socks, 1 white cotton athletic thick and 1 pair of thorlos hiker. Seems to keep me from having trouble..

 

[danski0224]

I work in a machine shop, 10 hr days standing most of it. My feet get hot so I don't like boots with liners, insulation or waterproofing; this limits my choices.

Somewhat similar working conditions as far as concrete goes. My feet also sweat a lot and get hot. I can also be on a roof or otherwise exposed to high ambient conditions.

That said, I tried a non-insulated pair of Redwings, and it was a bad experience. I was on a couple of roofs on a sunny day, and my feet got *really* hot and uncomfortable.

Insulated and waterproof Redwing boots keep my feet comfortable, even in summer.

I tried insulated and waterproof Thorogood boots, and they were not as warm in winter, and the waterproofing was not so waterproof after about 6 months. A defective Redwing polyurethane sole on my almost $400 boots split at the ball of my foot, and they would not fix it under warranty, so I tried something else that was a little less $$$ but still not as good.

My feet NEVER get wet in the Redwings- unless the sole has a hole in it.

I have tried a few other, cheaper, readily available work boots, but keep coming back to Redwing. I have recently cycled through the pairs I own and have had them re-soled. I actually despise their polyurethane sole and get the Vibram logger style.

I would like to try some of the other brands that get mentioned in these work boot threads, but most of them are custom order and no way to try before I buy. It isn't really the cost, as the Redwing boots I buy are pushing $400 out the door. Because I spend so much time in boots and on my feet, if there was something better than Redwings for me, I would not hesitate to spend $1,000 on a pair of boots. Fortunately, I have been happy with the Redwings.

Redwing has specific boots tailored for "comfort on concrete". I would look at those. Based on my personal experience, I wouldn't buy another pair of boots without insulation- and I haven't since that one pair I tried because I thought it would be better.

 

[RedneckWelder]

How is the upper support of redbacks? The most comfortable pair of boots I ever got (Belleville brand Navy flightdeck boots, mode 880ST) had one and only one downfall- absolutely no upper support so I’d roll my ankle all the time. Otherwise my feet never hurt from 10 hours a day of standing on concrete or steel machine decks (wedge vibram sole was soft, grippy, and never slipped on oil or water) and they had a thin liner that was comfortable.

I wear Keens now. They are...ok. Factory insole is ****, throw it out before leaving the store. Good support and slip resistance though.

I wish they’d make more boots with a thin liner but breathable. Everybody wants “waterproof” though

 

[matt_i]

I forgot to mention, I've been considering hiking boots or something like that. However, most if not all are waterproof and some insulated. Many have mesh or fabric on them, the toe at least would need to leather-ish to shed dirt and occasional coolant/water.

I've had a great run of Vasque Sundowner hikers (eventually acquired by Red Wing) for the last 10 years. I work in factory maintenance and I'm on my feet probably 9 of 10 hrs per day. They have held up well. I wore the treads down to smooth in about 3 years the first time, I retired that pair to "dirty work" at home like slogging thru mud, and just noticed I finally wore a hole thru the sole this year when my sock was getting wet for no apparent reason lol. The uppers require an occasional treatment of saddle soap to keep the leather pliable and there are silicone-based treatment to make them shed water. They do come with a gore-tex liner that is originally truly waterproof, but my big toe seems to wear a hole thru that eventually. I've had 3 pairs in 10 years and bought a backup pair when it seemed like they were going to discontinue my favorite color which is the red-brown.

 

[crrcoal]

Have you looked into Keens? Love those boots!

 

[Treeman]

Those boots shown above with stitching through the bottom - what happens when the sole wears and the stitching breaks??

 

[noid]

Those boots shown above with stitching through the bottom - what happens when the sole wears and the stitching breaks??

I'm no boot expert, but quick google search says:

Question: I was looking at the picture of the Wesco highliner boots with the Vibram soles on your website. I noticed they are stitched through the soles. I can't believe the stitching would last a week walking on any cement at all since the outer loops will eventually wear through. Won't the stitching just unravel?

You have a good question. It looks like the stitching would come apart and the soles would fall off once the soles wear down a bit since the outer loops for each stitch would be worn through.

This would certainly be the case if this was cloth, but with the leather and rubber soles the stitches stay in and do not pull out when the outer stitching loops wear through.

There are several reasons why the thread doesn't pull out and unravel as the soles wear down.

This is one of the secrets of boot making. The white "thread" you see is a very special cord composed of several ingredients... typically linen, cotton, dacron, nylon, kevlar and a special lubricant which makes the thread slippery enough for the special sole sewing machine to get through the multiple layers of leather and rubber. The lubricant is designed to quickly loose its slipperyness and becomes like a glue... holding the thread tightly in place. The moisture in the lube also causes the cord to swell up which further anchors it into the sole.

The special machine used to sew the soles is about 8 feet high and uses very thick sewing needles. This machine sews the sole on using a lock stitch which further prevents the stitching from unravelling.

Bootmakers used to be called "cordwainers" ("cordonniers" in French). One of the most closely guarded secrets of their trade was the special thread they made which held the soles on. The thread didn't deteriorate when wet or come apart as the loops were worn through. Linen and hemp were used in most of the formulas since they don't rot easily. Because of all the drug hysteria, hemp, unfortunately, is no longer used.

I'm sure the brass fittings help too with wear.

 

[seber]

I used to have a lot of trouble with my knees on the concrete floors at work. I tried air cushion, gel inserts, Red Wings, even steel toed dress shoes. I finally got hold of steel toed cowboy boots. Problem solved. The extra tall heel relieved the knees of that backward locked position. I never had the problem again.

 

[mykvr6]

I used to have a lot of trouble with my knees on the concrete floors at work. I tried air cushion, gel inserts, Red Wings, even steel toed dress shoes. I finally got hold of steel toed cowboy boots. Problem solved. The extra tall heel relieved the knees of that backward locked position. I never had the problem again.

this may help. You probably need to look into finding someone to help you with choosing footwear. Get a good handle on what kind of foot you have (low arch, high arch, flat, etc etc) how your walk or gate is and what feels comfortable for you legs and back over a long day. You may have to experiment with a few different types of boots or inserts.

I have high arches and sometimes after a long day my back and hips get tight if I'm in a shoe that is a bit too "squishy". I work in a hospital and do a LOT of walking so I need some cushion or the balls of my feet start to kill me after a few hours. Im also a bigger guy 250lbs. I have a pair of cowboy style work boots and they are pretty comfortable if I am standing and not doing much walking. they start to hurt my feet if I do too much walking. I use them for yard work and such since they are steel toe as well. I recently bought a set of Keen shoes that I really like. They are kinda stiff, the insert is not very cushy so when I tried them at work my feet hurt at the end of the day but offered more support so my back and hips didn't hurt. I use them a lot in the garage so if I'm standing in the garage a lot working on the cars or working at the bench they are very supportive and dont leave me fatigued like some of my other shoes. They have gotten more comfortable after breaking in a bit as well. I want to try some Keen boots for home yard and garage work with a steel toe and I'm constantly trying to find something that is supportive enough for my weight and springy enough for all the running around I do at work on hard floors in the hospital. i tend to go with athletic type shoes with good springy support, not super squishy and they tend to be uncomfotable after about 6 months. They still look great but the support has kinda been walked out of them and they become my weekend or knock around sneakers.

I've tried a few of the red wings and I will say a couple of the heritage models feel very supportive and of course look great but would probably kill my feet walking around in them for more than a few hours until properly broken in. I tried some Thorogoods and the wedge soles seem very supportive and comfortable standing and walking around in the store but you seem to have already tried those with not so great results.

 

[kapster]

Thank you all for the tips and ideas!

I drove to one of the largest boot shops in our area this morning, tried on some Keen Mt Vernon boots. They felt nice but are waterproof like everything Keen, seemed to get pretty warm just wearing them in the store 10 minutes.

They had Blundstone boots, similar to Redback but made in china. They're so light its insane, like wearing tennis shoes if that. Redback's weigh HALF of what my Redwing 606 do, crazy. Trying those on made me more confident to try Redback.

I ended up just getting a new pair of insoles to see what that does. I did ask about resoling, they can resole with the same redwing supersole for $55. Not bad, at this point I think I'll try the insoles and look into the Redbacks. If they work out, I'll get my 606 resoled.

 

[ihateminimumwage]

They had Blundstone boots, similar to Redback but made in china. They're so light its insane, like wearing tennis shoes if that. Redback's weigh HALF of what my Redwing 606 do, crazy. Trying those on made me more confident to try Redback.

You won't regret getting a set of Redbacks, I switched over around 10 years ago and live in them (it helped immensely with my back). I now currently have a set of steel toes for work and regular toes for home (in place of shoes). If you pick up a set, definitely spring for the Redback insoles as well.

I literally just got home with my work provided set of Redwings, so I'll be able to give a good response to how they compare doing 10 hour days in a shop.

 

[kapster]

You won't regret getting a set of Redbacks, I switched over around 10 years ago and live in them (it helped immensely with my back). I now currently have a set of steel toes for work and regular toes for home (in place of shoes). If you pick up a set, definitely spring for the Redback insoles as well.



I literally just got home with my work provided set of Redwings, so I'll be able to give a good response to how they compare doing 10 hour days in a shop.

Good to know! What model Redwing did you get?

 

[crrcoal]

I'm wearing the Keen Milwaukee. Have held up great working on the railroad. Walking ballast really chews up boots, but these have been awesome so far. In the winter depending how cold it it, I sometimes double up the socks. I would/will buy another pair when the time comes.

 

[hammerhead611]

Bought a pair of Redback steel toe slip ons last year with my boot allowance at work (I think they are the Great Barrier style). They are more comfortable than any other work boot that I've had. I will be getting another pair with my boot allowance again this year. Like was mentioned earlier though, they did take about a week to get broke in good and they did cause my feet to hurt during that time. They loosened up a little after that.

 

[ihateminimumwage]

Good to know! What model Redwing did you get?

After years of slip on boots, I went with Redwing 2231 steel toe Pecos.

 

[American Locomotive]

Thank you all for the tips and ideas!

I drove to one of the largest boot shops in our area this morning, tried on some Keen Mt Vernon boots. They felt nice but are waterproof like everything Keen, seemed to get pretty warm just wearing them in the store 10 minutes.

They had Blundstone boots, similar to Redback but made in china. They're so light its insane, like wearing tennis shoes if that. Redback's weigh HALF of what my Redwing 606 do, crazy. Trying those on made me more confident to try Redback.

I ended up just getting a new pair of insoles to see what that does. I did ask about resoling, they can resole with the same redwing supersole for $55. Not bad, at this point I think I'll try the insoles and look into the Redbacks. If they work out, I'll get my 606 resoled.

Keen has plenty of vented, non-waterproof boots and shoes. Also keep in mind that if you don't need the ankle protection/support, Keen (and others) make a variety of steel-toe shoes. A lot of people I know in industry liked the steel toe shoes for being much lighter and cooler.

 

[G1GRANDEUR]

i tried Carolina, keen, red wing boots. they all made my feet hurt (no flat feet).

now i wear danner bull run, i am very happy with it and i will keep buying them.

 

[tarbellb]

My Keens sole pulled off after 10 days.... not impressed.

Plus not nearly as comfortable as my Thorogoods.

 

[scooby074]

http://www.roleclub.com



Custom horsehide shoes from scratch:

If you wear boots 10 hours a day, spend the extra money and get exactly what works for you, and just keep getting them professionally resoled inner, mid, and outer.

Thats a beautiful pair of boots. Custom made, horse hide.. Wow. I know Bedo Leatherworks would be capable of that work and he charges $300+ for a resole, these would have to be $1200!

 

[Skin]

Bearing in mind I only like 6" boots and like to stay USA I like my Chippewa 25223s. I usually keep a spare pair incase the model gets discontinued. Carolina's (composite safety toe) get a pass. I usually switch to those in the winter.


Tried Thorogood and dumped them at a loss. Didn't have near the padding as the Chippewa or Carolinas. Especially the tongue which was basically just a leather flap. Same reason I wont ever touch a pair of Redwing Heritage.

 

[shanker]

Have you thought about what type of socks you're wearing as part of the factor?

I work in the oilfield and had issues until I found Darn Tough socks. They're expensive, but made in USA and are the best socks ever. They're wool, but keep my feet cool & dry. My personal favorite are the Over the Calf X-Tra cushion Mountaineering socks. I like over the calf so it keeps them from sliding down and promotes good bloodflow after being on my feet a lot, not quite as much as compression socks, but better than any Wal Mart socks you've ever worn.

 

[Pasha]

If you have to spend a lot of time standing on concrete or flat surfaces, I highly recommend getting a pair of boots with a wedge sole. I have been wearing Danner Bull Runs for about 3 years now, and I will never go back to a non wedge sole boot. They're so much more comfortable.

I would look into getting some Superfeet insoles too. They're a bit pricey, but they're by far the best. They don't just provided cushion, but they also support your foot arches. Just match your foot type with the correct color and you're good to go.

 

[kapster]

All good points!

I can't say I've ever seen Chippewa boots local, I'll have to check them out.

I agree 100% on the socks but don't believe its my problem. I switched years ago to Wells Lament thick wool socks. I wore cheap, thin cotton socks before. I couldn't believe it but it really does make a big difference on keeping your feet dryer even in hot weather. Helps with cushioning too. I have a pair of darn tough, really nice socks but don't work as well for me in work boots.

I've tried superfeet insoles and powerstep, neither worked for me. They both made my feet hurt, didn't feel they had enough heel cushion in my workboots. I do want to try a powerstep comfortlast but they were out of my size. Its like their pinnacle but its all cushion like the thorogood shock zone.

What is the deal with the wedge soles, I see people recommend that a lot for comfort but I don't really understand how it's any better? To me it seems like it would cushion less since your weight is spread out over more insole, less bounce? Is it just that the white insole they use is soft?

 

[guppymech]

I've got pretty much a full career standing on cement Aircraft hangars and have had good luck with unlined Redwing's with their SuperSole soles. I like the 953 model, they stand up to the jet fuel, engine oil and hydraulic fluid (Skydrol) I come in contact with. I'd like to try some of those white wedge soled boots but I don't think they'd stand up to the chemicals.

 

[mykvr6]

All good points!

I can't say I've ever seen Chippewa boots local, I'll have to check them out.

I agree 100% on the socks but don't believe its my problem. I switched years ago to Wells Lament thick wool socks. I wore cheap, thin cotton socks before. I couldn't believe it but it really does make a big difference on keeping your feet dryer even in hot weather. Helps with cushioning too. I have a pair of darn tough, really nice socks but don't work as well for me in work boots.

I've tried superfeet insoles and powerstep, neither worked for me. They both made my feet hurt, didn't feel they had enough heel cushion in my workboots. I do want to try a powerstep comfortlast but they were out of my size. Its like their pinnacle but its all cushion like the thorogood shock zone.

What is the deal with the wedge soles, I see people recommend that a lot for comfort but I don't really understand how it's any better? To me it seems like it would cushion less since your weight is spread out over more insole, less bounce? Is it just that the white insole they use is soft?

changing over to wool socks (I prefer my Farm To Feet though I do have some Keens, SmartWool, Darn Tough and Carhartts) was the biggest thing that helped my with cushioning and what had become everyday foot pain. I used to wear ankle cotton socks. I honestly believe wearing a little longer wool sock has done the trick. The Farm to feet have some compression qualities as well as keeping my feet dry, has almost eliminated foot fatigue and pain for me.

As far as wedge soles I recently tried on some wedge sole Thorogoods and damn they felt comfortable as heck. Seemed more supportive than the similar sole they offer with a traditional heel. Weird but they felt great. I think they would be great for standing for long periods of time

 

[mykvr6]

Thats a beautiful pair of boots. Custom made, horse hide.. Wow. I know Bedo Leatherworks would be capable of that work and he charges $300+ for a resole, these would have to be $1200!

Probably in that range if not a bit more. Regular lace ups are a bit over a grand. Currently thinking of having Brian the Bootmaker (owner of Role Club who made those boots up above) resole some lace up boots I currently own and having him relast them as well. Will cost more than the original boots did but the better quality sole, midsole and fit (he'll custom make a last to your foot measurements) may be worth it. He also adds a triple ridge steel shank that would be an inprovement over the wood one currently in my boots and should offer more arch support for me.