Thorogood Boots/work boots

[ChrisLS8]

Finally chucked down for my first pair and after a few weeks I'm wondering why I hadn't bought a pair earlier. All those pairs of Timbos and Cats I feel like I wasted all that time. I also grabbed a pair of Keen insoles and Fox River work socks

What other brands of Made in US boots would you recommend for someone who spends most his day walking up scaffolding or on concrete? Also recommendations for work socks and inserts would be appreciated

 

[vjlobel]

I've been super impressed with Keen work boots- not all of them are made in the USA, but I've found them all very comfortable and durable. The only pair I had a problem with, I sent them a picture and the next day they gave me a credit for a new pair of boots in the online store.

 

[gmwelder86]

Big fan of thorogoods. Have two pairs of the slip ons. Union made in the USA and much more reasonably priced than redwings I think.

 

[dr_clyde]

I'm on my 3rd or 4th pair of Thorogood boots in maybe 5 years. I am hard on boots. Usually wear out the soles in a year or so. I get them re-soled for $80 or so.

I'm happy with my Thorogoods. I wear slip-on boots, sparks and welding slag tend to burn up laces and get down in the leather where the tongue is on laced boots. Now that I'm used to the slip-on, I'd have a real hard time going back to lace up boots.

My last pair of lace ups were Chippewa, and they were great boots. But at over $300 and only getting a year out them, I went with the cheaper slip on, at around $150 or so for a pair.

I never had great luck with Red Wing. They wore out just as fast as the others, and cost more. Comfortable and all, but not really any better or worse than other boots I've tried.

I had a pair or two of Danner, they were pretty good IIRC.

I bought one pair of Snap-On boots in high school, they were pretty ******.

I only buy USA made boots now. I try to keep them in reasonably good shape. But they are a wear item.

I don't understand guys who get years and years out of work boots. I wear mine every day, and they just seem to come apart after 14 months or so. Either the sole wears off, the stitching disintegrates, or the leather gets torn up and trashed.

 

[ChrisLS8]

I looked at Georgia Boots and sad to say....made in Bangladesh. Carolina Boots looked nice as well I may try those as well next.

For non US boots I tried on a pair of Dr Martens Industrial and they were super comfortable in the store but I can't really find feedback on them.

Has anyone tried the Irish Setters for a soft to?

 

[kctyphoon]

Have keen now. Thorogoods are my next

 

[Al Borland]

Wearing Thorogoods as we speak/type. Probably 2 1/2 years old. Uppers are showing their age, but the boots are holding up well.

 

[Wamsutta]

Do any of you guys have the 814-4549 soft toes?

I'm thinking about trying a pair.

 

[larry_g]

Do any of you guys have the 814-4549 soft toes?

I'm thinking about trying a pair.

As a matter of fact I do. They are ~5 years old and only worn 8-10 times a month, mostly in inclement weather. I would say go for it. I did upgrade the insoles though.

lg
no neat sig line

 

[ChrisLS8]

I usually do a waterproofing spray, but was told about mink oil. Anyone use it on their boots?

 

[Wamsutta]

As a matter of fact I do. They are ~5 years old and only worn 8-10 times a month, mostly in inclement weather. I would say go for it. I did upgrade the insoles though.

OK ... so you upgraded the insoles to what?

 

[kctyphoon]

I’m getting the flat bottomed thoro’s.. nothing else..

 

[ChrisLS8]

I’m getting the flat bottomed thoro’s.. nothing else..

So wedge style vs standard heel? More comfortable?

 

[Wamsutta]

So wedge style vs standard heel? More comfortable?

Iron Workers like the the wedge sole because there's no heel to get got in between the rebar intersections.

 

[kngelv]

Big fan of thorogoods. Have two pairs of the slip ons. Union made in the USA and much more reasonably priced than redwings I think.

I usually do a waterproofing spray, but was told about mink oil. Anyone use it on their boots?

Look on Amazon or elsewhere for Obenauf’s LP Boot dressing. Miles better than mink oil.

James

 

[MANelson85]

Love my thorogoods. Just got my 4th pair last week

 

[McFarmer]

Thorogoods are the best.

I have narrow feet (B) and they have several styles.

 

[pstemari]

Interesting thread. I'm a little surprised Redwing hasn't come up.

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[Caddybill]

Im on my 2nd pair of 804-4655. Love them much more that redwings.

 

[ChrisLS8]

Interesting thread. I'm a little surprised Redwing hasn't come up.

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I went looking but most the ones I saw were Chinese sourced. A few USA but they were all soft toes.

My dad used to wear Redwings decades ago but he said they aren't the same. I have no idea what he uses now

 

[brownbagg]

i hate keen, they are the most ugly boot i ever bought, no where near waterprrof like they say. I bought them just because the slaes guy kept throwing them in my face, they seem well build and doesnt feel bad on the feet. but i just hate them, right up there with red wings, two brand I will never buy again.

 

[highland512]

Pull-On's I only buy USA Made Double H with the ICE soles, they hold up very well. They usually last me about a year and a half carrying my fat *** around heavy civil construction sites. Previous boots lasted 6 or 7 months

When I wear lace ups I love to put on my Carolina 809's. USA made and more comfortable than tennis shoes!! Again this is another boot that has lasted incredible well where other brands have fell short.

I plan on getting a pair of Thorogoods next to see what all the praise is about, I never hear anything bad.

 

[McFarmer]

True story.

I always ordered a particular style in my narrow foot size, for years. I tried once and the web site said unavailable.

I called customer service to see what the deal was, got a guy on and explained. He asked if I could wait two weeks, he would run a batch through the line, he couldn’t do just one pair.

Yeah, he was the plant manager.

 

[pennsylvaniaboy]

Pull-On's I only buy USA Made Double H with the ICE soles, they hold up very well. They usually last me about a year and a half carrying my fat *** around heavy civil construction sites. Previous boots lasted 6 or 7 months

When I wear lace ups I love to put on my Carolina 809's. USA made and more comfortable than tennis shoes!! Again this is another boot that has lasted incredible well where other brands have fell short.

I plan on getting a pair of Thorogoods next to see what all the praise is about, I never hear anything bad.

How "waterproof" have both of these been for you?

 

[larry_g]

OK ... so you upgraded the insoles to what?

I have no idea now. It was something the boot store recommended.

lg
no neat sig line

 

[ChrisLS8]

I've had good luck with even the Dr Scholls ones. I only bought the Keen cause they were on sale and I didn't have to make another trip.

The ones I like are where you use the machine to test your feet, arch, heel etc

 

[Mazdaratti3]

Double H and Danner are my go to's.
I tried some Thorogoods but didn't care for the way they fit.

 

[kjdhawkhill]

, sparks and welding [ding ding ding]

I had a pair or two of Danner, they were pretty good IIRC.

I don't understand guys who get years and years out of work boots. I wear mine every day, and they just seem to come apart after 14 months or so. Either the sole wears off, the stitching disintegrates, or the leather gets torn up and trashed.

I don’t deal with welding, electrical or corrosives, but my Danner Acadias are on their third set of outsoles and are 7-8 years old. They got a break last winter with their insulated brethren taking over in December through March, but previously, they were 5 days a week, 49-50 weeks a year. And doubled up for snow shoveling etc.


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[Bert_]

I bought boots from bomgaars/ect for years. Usually started falling apart after a year, year and a half. Finally spent the money on some red wings from a real shoe store and have been wearing them for over 2 years, they are still in decent shape except the soles are getting worn uneven. Not the shoes fault though.

 

[SARG]

I'll stick with Bates / Wolverine ( same company ). I must have over a dozen pair in the rotation.

 

[93fs]

Thorogoods are the only work boot I’ll buy, and I typically wear them everyday, especially if I know I’ll be walking a lot. Long days at the track or a swap meet and I’m still in no hurry to take them off, plus they’ve outlasted everything I’ve owned from similar priced Carolinas, and $400 halls (which in my opinion were compete junk) only other boot I’ll wear are USA made double H cowboy boots, accidentally bought a pair of non USA double Hs and definitely won’t do that again.


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[ChrisLS8]

I wish they offered a composite toe especially with winter coming in. I see Wolverine, Timberland and Caterpillar offer em from what I've seen

 

[jdoe213]

I love my RedWings. I've bought the same style for 13 years. They last about 2 years. I do have to say that the last pair I got were the worst made. I think they were made in China.

 

[jumpdrive]

I don't understand guys who get years and years out of work boots. I wear mine every day, and they just seem to come apart after 14 months or so. Either the sole wears off, the stitching disintegrates, or the leather gets torn up and trashed.

Not that it will solve all your issues, but try to alternate between pairs of boots.

I wear pair #1 on Monday, pair #2 Tuesday, Pair #3 on Wednesday, then back to pair #1 on Thursday, #2 on Friday, and so on.
Alternating like this allows the boots to dry out.
I also never put my boots near the fire stove or other hot heat source, I just let them air out in the room.
It costs a little more for multiples but I think it prolongs the life overall.
Danner here...

 

[ChrisLS8]

Not that it will solve all your issues, but try to alternate between pairs of boots.

I wear pair #1 on Monday, pair #2 Tuesday, Pair #3 on Wednesday, then back to pair #1 on Thursday, #2 on Friday, and so on.
Alternating like this allows the boots to dry out.
I also never put my boots near the fire stove or other hot heat source, I just let them air out in the room.
It costs a little more for multiples but I think it prolongs the life overall.
Danner here...

Yep I do this with all my footwear, lasts much longer. That and properly taking care of em, cleaning, moisturizing and drying

 

[dr_clyde]

Not that it will solve all your issues, but try to alternate between pairs of boots.

I wear pair #1 on Monday, pair #2 Tuesday, Pair #3 on Wednesday, then back to pair #1 on Thursday, #2 on Friday, and so on.
Alternating like this allows the boots to dry out.
I also never put my boots near the fire stove or other hot heat source, I just let them air out in the room.
It costs a little more for multiples but I think it prolongs the life overall.
Danner here...

I've considered it a few times, but honestly the bottom of the sole is what gives out for me first, no matter the brand. The leather is almost always ok to get re-soled, and I'm good to go again.

I'll have to get another pair re-soled so I can have 3 for a rotation, but honestly I don't think that will make the bottoms last any longer.

 

[phule]

I wanted to try thoros, nobody had stock in my size. Went with a set of timberland pros. Gotta say ten times better than the timberland pit boss. None pro boot. Have a vibram sole. Very comfortable. I've had Carolinas lasted a year. Timberlands, Wolverines from Walmart. Everything last about a year, 5 days a week in a auto shop. Gonna try & plan ahead to try thoros or another slip on if I can get them in my size.

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[kctyphoon]

I wish they offered a composite toe especially with winter coming in. I see Wolverine, Timberland and Caterpillar offer em from what I've seen

Thoro has composite

 

[MarcusBoggiano]

As for working socks, I can't recommend anything because they are constantly tearing at me, regardless of the price and shoes. However, I can advise you to try to buy RockRooster Work boots, which you would probably like, because they are very comfortable and, most importantly, inexpensive. And despite the low price, I was surprised by the quality of these boots. In general, I advise you to look at the review on YouTube on them, and I think you will understand that I am telling the truth. So I hope my post will be useful to you, and if there are any more questions regarding work clothes, write to me in PM, and I will give recommendations.

 

[Xcursion88]

I'm extremely picky about footwear. Take care of your feet they take care of you.
I wear them 16 hours per day @ 6 -7 days oer week.
I went through a ton of "work socks" and I was reading all kinds of articles...obsessed with finding something great.

I stumbled upon a write up about using a Nike basketball sock. Don't laugh.
Needless to say they work great. At least great for me.
Everyone is different.
Nike makes many socks so make sure you're careful in looking and be exact....

Nike Elite Crew Basketball Socks

Find the Nike Elite Crew Basketball Socks at Nike.com. Free delivery and returns.

www.nike.com

"Elite" is the key word you need to look for if Nike shopping.

I've got 6 pair and rotate them forward in the dresser every day. That way I've only worn each pair around 60 times in a year because I utterly hate clothes shopping.

These socks and Danner Super Rain Forest Made in USA boots