Top notch foot apparel

[BearCuda]

Ok, so I'm fed up with buying walmart work boots that last a couple of months and fall apart. I need suggestions for great work boots for an auto shop environment, preferably steel toe. Looking to pay up to and a little over one hundred dollars if that's what it takes to get a decent boot that won't fall apart after a few months. I need something water proof and comfortable. What are your suggestions please?

 

[bullnerd]

My favorites, I have one pair insulated and one pair un-insulated.

Made in the USA,

http://www.redwingshoes.com/red-wing-shoe/4406-red-wing-shoes/4406-red-wing-mens-6-inch-boot-brown

Woops ,about $180, sorry.

But, I put them on at 5am and take them off at 11pm everyday. I dont wear sneakers or sandals or flipflops or slippers.

 

[ken w.]

I've had them all.Nothing will hold up to automotive work.The oil and chemical's take their toll on boots.I started using Georgia Boots. Very comfortable and I waterproof them at home.Chippewa boots were pretty good too. These are much better than anything Walmart sells.

 

[iajonesy]

No matter what brand you buy,the first thing you should do with them is give them a slathering of mink oil. Put on a nice thick coating and let them sit in a warm place overnight. The mink oil will soak into the leather and the stitching and they will become nearly water proof. I had my last pair of Redwings last 8 years and the uppers were still in decent shape but the soles split. I wore them every day during that time period. I hope this pair does as well.

Mike

 

[Snapped-off]

I personally like Thorogood boots made in the USA (Wisconsin) by Weinbrenner.

They will be a little over what you're looking to spend though, but they're the most comfortable boots right out of the box in my experience. No break in necessary.

 

[jefferyb_2]

Doc Marten safety toe boots. They're comfortable and tough. I'm an Electrician and I'm hard on boots, and Docs are all I buy now.

http://www.dmusastore.com/p-2434-ironbridge-st.aspx

 

[Zeke]

I personally like Thorogood boots made in the USA (Wisconsin) by Weinbrenner.

They will be a little over what you're looking to spend though, but they're the most comfortable boots right out of the box in my experience. No break in necessary.

I have Thorgoods and I'd rate them a 7 or so. Good boot and American made. I don't wear boots every day these days. I have gone through countless Red Wings and frankly I wouldn't give that kind of money again for what they have. RW's are extremely comfortable and no break in, I'll give them that. I rate RW's at a 9 to 10 for comfort but about a 4 for price and durability.

 

[Lkdelta]

if you can water proof them, my caterpillars have done a good job for me

 

[Mikey M]

I would have to say Timberland Pro's. I've been wearing that style for a couple of years. I think they last long enough for me. They are very comfortable. I weld for a living 45hrs a week, every week. I'm also on my feet all day.

First link I found. http://www.bootbarn.com/Timberland-...793,default,pd.html?dwvar_1001793_color=Brown

I'd like to know what you end up picking.

 

[Honda guy]

Anybody ever try these? http://specialtyfootwearinternational.com/mechanic-shoes/
I almost bought a pair of the older style, but couldn't find any reviews. They look like they might be worth a try, especially for the price. $80 for the new model and $40 for the old style.

The best boots I've ever owned, are the RedBacks that I've been wearing to work for the past 2 years. Made in Australia. Super comfortable. Thick, waxy leather. Critical areas have 3-row, or 4-row stitching. I have friends that have gotten 4-6 years out of theirs. The only downside that I've seen, is that they took forever to break in.

They don't meet the OP's requirements though. Price is over $200 and they're water resistant but not waterproof.

 

[madmanmerc]

I love my snap ons

 

[Bjm364]

I wear Red Wing 608's. They have held up well, and if the seams split or the sole comes loose within a year they will replace them. Plus they are able to be re-soled. I have heard that if you buy 2 pairs at the same time and wear one one day and the other the next they each will last twice as long. Never have been able to fork out that kind of cash at once for boots though.

 

[CTester]

I went from Red Wings to Rocky's long ago. A good boot SHOULD last you a couple years. IMO, they started out further ahead of the competition and remained that way. Strayed a few times, - only for a short time lol.

 

[BearCuda]

Thanks for the suggestions. I will definitely look into several of these. I liked the link to the doc martins until I came to the bottom-- made in China. I'm so freakin sick of Chinese products.

 

[Zeke]

I wear Red Wing 608's. They have held up well, and if the seams split or the sole comes loose within a year they will replace them. Plus they are able to be re-soled. I have heard that if you buy 2 pairs at the same time and wear one one day and the other the next they each will last twice as long. Never have been able to fork out that kind of cash at once for boots though.

Where do you take them to be resoled and how much for the basic Vibram?

 

[bullnerd]

I walked on the Red Wing truck and said show me the ones made in the USA.

Just replaced my pair from 2007.

Machine shop to home shop though, not a mechanic.

I also went through many brands before settling on RWs.

Some would pull my socks down....thats fun!

 

[BearCuda]

I would have to say Timberland Pro's. I've been wearing that style for a couple of years. I think they last long enough for me. They are very comfortable. I weld for a living 45hrs a week, every week. I'm also on my feet all day.

First link I found. http://www.bootbarn.com/Timberland-...793,default,pd.html?dwvar_1001793_color=Brown

I'd like to know what you end up picking.

I like those, definitely my style. Thing is, whatever I decide to look at, I need to physically go somewhere that sells them as it seems I wear between two different sizes depending on the shoe type. I definitely need to try them on first.

 

[BearCuda]

I walked on the Red Wing truck and said show me the ones made in the USA.

Just replaced my pair from 2007.

Machine shop to home shop though, not a mechanic.

I also went through many brands before settling on RWs.

Some would pull my socks down....thats fun!

They have a boot truck?

 

[Ironhorse]

I have worn Red wing for the past 15 years...but switched last year to Wesco...no complaints as of yet. Last trip to Redwing they had a whopping 2 pairs made in USA and the rest were ying sing...Wesco's are all hand made in USA and they seem to do pretty well so far. They also make the boots for most of the loggers, pole climbers, etc. Very Tough boots

 

[bullnerd]

They have a boot truck?

Yes, its pretty common for large companies that require safety shoes.

I've read about the Wescos , good call.

Yeah ,shame about the made in USA thing.

 

[Bjm364]

Where do you take them to be resoled and how much for the basic Vibram?

I go to a place downtown (Rockford IL) called palace shoes. Real old school shoe store with the cobblers working on ancient machines behind the counter. I got new vibram heels put on, new laces, and had them oiled for $25.

 

[brownbagg]

i got some redwing made in china, very nice boots, quite waterproof. bought some justins last week, haven't came in yet, mail order. Got some nice timberlands too. I rotate my boots to keep dry.

go some place like boot barn.com or bay boot.com and just see what they have at what price. only boot i really hate are wolverines.

 

[75toolman]

I am averaging 4 years per pair of redwings.I think that is pretty darn good.By far the most comfortable steeltoe waterproof boot I have worn.I just bought another pair yesterday.That makes 12 years on 3 pairs.I am a full time mechanic.

 

[nicksnothereman]

Ok, so I'm fed up with buying walmart work boots that last a couple of months and fall apart. I need suggestions for great work boots for an auto shop environment, preferably steel toe. Looking to pay up to and a little over one hundred dollars if that's what it takes to get a decent boot that won't fall apart after a few months. I need something water proof and comfortable. What are your suggestions please?

Bates is usually my default. Not everything is steel toe or waterproof or stain free though. Also, tactical boots aren't great to wear if you're standing on your feet all day but you could put better insoles in them and be okay.

I have a pair of those hermans walmart boots (the tactical variety; got em cheap). I think the real problem is that they're too rigid compared to other tactical boots. For a hundred bucks you have a lot of options. Look at frye lace up "engineer" boots (not sure about steel toe); those are pretty nice. No clue on the country of origin. I just buy what I can find, I don't go searching for shoes or blind buy stuff I can't find in store (that much) unless they're on dead clearance. Though I'm also the guy who gets more than 5 years out of a pair of chinese hiking boots.

 

[innealtoir]

Bates would fall within your price range and are comfortable, but after a year or so the soles of them usually start to crack on the bottom with normal to heavy wear. I don't think I had the issue with the black Bates, but when we still had black boots I usually wore Bellevilles. For sure the green ones we were issued it was a common problem after a year or year and half they would crack on the bottom. Comfortable boots though.

For work I wear and have wore Redwings for a fair amount of time and I have zero complaints. You can have then resoled for ~75 dollars per pair as well if the heal counters are still good. The small shops that sell Redwings are usually pretty good to work with to make sure they get repeat business as well.

 

[SchuLace]

I love my Redwings. They are expensive but are well worth it. They may be $200 but when I come home everyday without aching feet it is worth it

 

[Ruger_556]

I like my Hawthorns... Took two months to break in but man they're sweet

 

[jallt81]

I have had real good luck with timberland work boots

 

[DTE]

I like boots made by GEORGIA BOOTS, but they are China made also. they are light and have worn well for me, Tractor supply stocks a few of their styles. I have the Renegade and they are $80.00 when on sale.

 

[bobemmerich]

I'm not a mechanic anymore, but I do Security work. On our feet a lot of the time. I have found 2 sets of boots I like, Bates and Altama. The Altama's were what I was issued in the Army, and they wear like iron. Comfy if you put in a gel insert. The Bates I wore were made in U.S.A.. I'm not sure if they are anymore, though??

http://www.batesfootwear.com/US/en-.../Mens/5-inch-Tactical-Sport-Boot?dimensions=0

http://www.altama.com/products/4157-black-combat-mil-spec-boot

Sorry. I doubt the the Altama would be a good choice for a full time auto tech, the length is too high(although they did serve me well as a 63 Bravo-Light wheel vehicle mechanic- once they were broken in).

 

[ludakris04]

I am not in a shop all day, so I usually go for comfort first. Lately I have been wearing sketchers boots. I can attest to the waterproof as I was shoveling and playing in the snow with my kid all day this past weekend. They are not made in china but Vietnam. They seem to wear pretty good and for the price they don't have to last for ever.

http://www.skechers.com/style/4442/verdict/blk

They have a Work boots line with steel toe, non slip, etc..

 

[someone else]

I've got a pair of Chippewa boots I absolutely love - took some breaking in, but once they were, they are super comfortable. They're pricey, but I've had my pair for 3-4 years, they're fully rebuildable, and made in the USA. Wouldn't own another pair.

 

[Tucko]

Union made in the USA, and an online discount for union members. Best boots I've ever owned, comfortable right out of the box. However, I get the construction boots, not the auto tech type shoes.....Prices are in your range also....
http://www.thorogoodworkboots.com/

 

[chrisa7164]

my redwings have lasted 17 yrs..worn in a dealership and home shop..and been resoled only once. Took them into the redwing shoe store and they send them out. Cost me $83 to have it done and it was back in a week.

 

[rodm1]

Union made in the USA, and an online discount for union members. Best boots I've ever owned, comfortable right out of the box. However, I get the construction boots, not the auto tech type shoes.....Prices are in your range also....
http://www.thorogoodworkboots.com/

I've had good luck with them some are imported sow check that. They might not be rebuild able but I don't think that will matter to you.

 

[BlindViper]

A lot of people skimp on your footwear. I wear redwings and I am on my feet 12-14hrs a day. My sneakers I can wear for a few hours and they need to come off. When you get a pair of work boots make sure u get a pair that are comfortable and fit your feet. I realize some times $ is a big part but consider them a investment in a happy body.

 

[alinc100]

I like my Thorogood's .I wear boots on a daily basis is the construction industry.
I have worked indooors/outdoors,rain,snow ,mud,oily/chemicals from a refinery.
I only wished I had broke away from Red Wings and Die Hards sooner.

http://www.theunionbootpro.com/

 

[dmacri25]

I wear a 15 extra wide so my options for boots are very limited. I have had great luck with wolverine boots. Specify 6" steel toe. I get them for $70 ish. Last me two years on average, and if taken care of would last longer. Setting lifts kills my boots. I highly recommend them.

Sent from my EVO using Tapatalk

 

[parnass]

I personally like Thorogood boots made in the USA (Wisconsin) by Weinbrenner.
...

Amen. I've been buying Thorogood boots for probably over 20 years, many of them sold under the Work and Sport name at Farm and Fleet stores here in the midwest.

They are super comfortable. They cost about $90 and up now.

Link: http://www.weinbrennerusa.com/dspNavCategory.cfm?rootid=1

 

[RedneckWelder]

I've got a pair of the Schmidt brand boots from TSC. Steel toe. I like them a lot...and better yet, got them on clearance for $35 vs. the $70 normal price. very comfortable to me.

Feet are very subjective to comfort. Something you may also want to look into is custom insoles for maximum support and comfort.