I need a suggestion on work boots I’m a Diesel mechanic my newest pair of boots only lasted 3 months and they already are falling apart they were thorgoods, pair before that lasted about 6 months timberland pros pair before that was 8 months with a warranty exchange at about 3 months they were USA redwings. I’m tired of buying boots to have them fall apart right away. Need some good safety toe boots recommendations thanks.
Work boots
- Thread starter Bdemutis
- Start date
Stuart in MN
Well-known member
This is a common question so there are a number of past discussions. The search function here doesn't work very well, so try this google search of the site instead: https://www.google.com/search?sourc...y-ab..3.6.728.0..0i131k1j0i10k1.0.VyxRH39CHI0
mdog892001
Banned
My first question is what are you walking in that’s doing that to your boots? I work on drill rigs for a living and am up to my knees in drill mud. I get a year out of redwings no problem.
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Capt. Spaulding
Well-known member
My question as well. My Redwings usually last 2 - 3 years of daily use. I’m not walking over jagged rocks or through anything real rough normally but they are worn for work daily and on my days off as well.
ihateminimumwage
Well-known member
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- Jan 26, 2012
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Redbacks all the way.
Either pick them up through your Matco dealer, or about $100 through Boots4all on ebay (they ship faster from Australia than most US sellers do a couple of states away).
https://www.ebay.com/itm/New-Redbac...oots-Black-Non-Steel-Toe-UK-Size/132257118668
You need to get your foot measurements (in MM), as they're not marked in US sizes. Also buy the Redback leather insoles, they make a world of difference.
I'm on my 3rd pair in the last 10 years (just realized the set I live in is at 4 years old now). I work diesel/gas field service on Gensets. Worked in shops and on trucks before that. I literally wear them on my days off since they're better than shoes. Most comfortable boots I've worn, and have nothing but good to say about them.
Either pick them up through your Matco dealer, or about $100 through Boots4all on ebay (they ship faster from Australia than most US sellers do a couple of states away).
https://www.ebay.com/itm/New-Redbac...oots-Black-Non-Steel-Toe-UK-Size/132257118668
You need to get your foot measurements (in MM), as they're not marked in US sizes. Also buy the Redback leather insoles, they make a world of difference.
I'm on my 3rd pair in the last 10 years (just realized the set I live in is at 4 years old now). I work diesel/gas field service on Gensets. Worked in shops and on trucks before that. I literally wear them on my days off since they're better than shoes. Most comfortable boots I've worn, and have nothing but good to say about them.
I always found Chippewa USA made comfortable and durable. I will say that I was needing a cheaper option for getting me through a certain job that had a lot of torching cutting & welding . I bought a pair of CAT boots that have this Rhino lining stuff on the outside and was pleasantly surprised how well they hold up to abrasion, slang&sparks. While not as comfortable I don't cry when I slice open the leather upper on a $200 Chippewa.
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I've had similar issues with boots. I had USA red wings last me about a year and a half but I really stretched that out. They had started falling apart in the first 3 months.
My last 2 pairs have been Danners and they hold up great for me.
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My last 2 pairs have been Danners and they hold up great for me.
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He said that he wore out a pair of Thorogoods in three months... I have a pair of Wolverine wellingtons that I'm very happy with., but I hate laces with a passion, so that might not be the right direction for the OP to go in.
Sunset_Z28
Well-known member
I’ve had good luck with Twisted X work boots.
plinker
Well-known member
I currently have some lace up Redback's, so far they seem decent, no issues. They are pretty light weight. The socks (bamboo) are awesome as well.
I'm currently doing automotive, before I was did hydraulics/crane/truck repair & install. Boots would last usually nine months, +/-. Timberland and Wolverine were ok and were fairly comfortable. I'm not sure how well the Redback's would hold up to what I was doing (grease, oils, water, misc. fluids & abrasion), but some other guys I know have them and have not had an issue that I know of.
FWIW, I put insoles in everything.
I'm currently doing automotive, before I was did hydraulics/crane/truck repair & install. Boots would last usually nine months, +/-. Timberland and Wolverine were ok and were fairly comfortable. I'm not sure how well the Redback's would hold up to what I was doing (grease, oils, water, misc. fluids & abrasion), but some other guys I know have them and have not had an issue that I know of.
FWIW, I put insoles in everything.
wyattstihl
Well-known member
Ive been cutting wood and farting around the property and workshop in a pair of these for almost 10 months now. snow, rain, ice, water, mud, clay, anything. I can say with confidence, I will never wear another work boot besides these.
https://www.carhartt.com/products/Made-in-the-USA-6-Inch-Brown-Work-Boot-CMZ6340
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https://www.carhartt.com/products/Made-in-the-USA-6-Inch-Brown-Work-Boot-CMZ6340
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Beat the piss out of em oil grease concrete floor and blacktop they always seem to separate idk if it’s from to much bending or what. The toe caps show in about 8 months no support left to them and the threads all started popping and they were US made boots.
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I split them at the seam and the toe cap was basically non existent after 9 months. I was working about 12 hours a day I do allot of kneeling when putting trans in so the boots are always bent then. When working on engines usually have allot of coolant and oil getting on them.
My thorogoods are only 3 months old I got them when I started at a international peterbilt dealer and their already splitting.
Got a pair of chipps also had two pairs I can’t wear them anymore the heal hurts my back to much anymore and I’m only 23 lol.
I used the search function not every one is in the same line of work I need people who are rough on their boots I’m going through boots like underwear I needed input for my situation of being in oil, coolant, solvents gear oil, working on concrete floors.
Wamsutta
Well-known member
I'm going to try a pair of Danner boots if I can ever get ahold of an extra $300.
I’m tired of spending over $200 on workboots I rather buy new cowboy boots to wear around lol.
the intimidator
Well-known member
My go to boot are boulet steel toe cowboy boots have had them on my feet for 15 hours so far today their comfortable and durable I average two full seasons out of them before their delegated to barn boots winter I go with a pair of stc full composite 10 inch boots their top notch as wwell and both made in Canada I'll get some product numbers later I do slot of everything in my boots mostly heavy equipment mechanics and then farming think you're boots are tough try walking around in cow **** all day the ammonia eats most leather and stitching within 3 months if you ddon'tnt clean and oil them
Wamsutta
Well-known member
I've been wearing a pair of Red Wings for the last 10 years. The steel toes are exposed and the left boot has big a hole all the way through the sole. I'm stuck with buying expensive boots because of my 12B snow ski feet.
Bluedodge
Well-known member
When you first get a set of new boots, what are you applying / treating them with?
Mink oil?
Leather treatment?
Scotch Guard?
Motor oil?
Mink oil?
Leather treatment?
Scotch Guard?
Motor oil?
Seams splitting soles seperation from oil and other solvents I guess toe caps always peeling.
wyattstihl
Well-known member
There are kits you can buy that allow you to sew the soles directly to the leather so they wont and cant seperate.
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Never have time to clean and oil my work boots they get enough motor oil them lol I only oil my cowboy boots.
Motor oil and what ever else is on the shop floor the red wings were treated and cleaned by redwings before they had no toe cap or support left in them
I worked in an autoshop and as a tow operator for a number of years. I never had seams split but I did have the soles wear out and break down over time. I usually got 6-9 months out of a pair of tim pros. I think you should just bite the bullet and understand that perhaps the work you do eats boots. I found tim pros ok but not that comfy. I spent a few bucks on some timberland insoles and love them now.
As soon as the sole gets a hole in them I chuck em. 10 years on one pair of boots?
hrichard
Active member
I too am a diesel mechanic and I get almost 2 years out of timberland pros, however, I take care of them. Mink oil when they need them, which can be every week if I am on the road in dusty conditions. usually the soles wear out before cracking or splitting. They are a dark brown almost hiking style full leather upper. They seem to hold up better than the thurogoods I have tried. I usually end up with brown paracord in them for laces about 3 months in and usually go through 2 or 3 pairs of insoles but the really do seem to hold up. Anti freeze and engine oil are really bad for boots, I do a lot of engine repairs and aside from the occasional drop or 2 of oil or fuel I manage to keep them clean. I think whatever boot you choose will last longer with a little care and maintenance.
KnurledNut
Well-known member
Sounds like a different STYLE is needed that is better suited for the task. Because what you have isnt working.
What kind of insoles do you use and what timberlands I was looking at the pit boss pros I need a darker leather boot.
samss
Well-known member
The Carhartt boots wyattstihl mentioned are comfortable. I went through about 6 pair in 4 years with the soles separating or wearing a hole. Do you have multiple pairs so today's pair can dry out tomorrow?
wyattstihl
Well-known member
Bdemutis, have you ever tried sending a pair in for rebuilds? If you spend a lot now on nice boots such as Nicks Custom boots, you can run them hard for awhile, send them back for rebuilds, and run them again.
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No I wear the same boots every day.
Never tried that I usually just throw them away I mean my hunting boots I wear in water mud soot they last a few years. I guess the oils break them down.
hrichard
Active member
I have had several pair of the TITANS that have lasted well, color doesn't show much oil and or grease, but like I said 20 minutes of love once in a while with a brush and mink oil helps that too. I recently bought a pair of pit bosses to try out, have worn them shopping and such, but my last pair of TITANS aren't dead yet. they still have good tread on the sole at 16 months. I use DR.Scholls insoles, not the gel ones, they don't hold up. they are a yellow foam type insole, supposed to be for police duty boots, that I get from our local army navy store. they last about 6 or 8 months before they are smashed flat and the balls of my feet have worn through them.
Wamsutta
Well-known member
Yes that's how I'm able to afford Snap-on tools; that plus doing without pizza.
This is the insole I have, 6 months and going strong and very comfy https://www.timberland.com/shop/timberland-pro-anti-fatigue-technology-insoles-91621000#hero=0
I think your issue is your using the same pair every day, you need to alternate and have a 2nd pair you swap with every few days.