New work boot options

[Krieg Hetzen]

I'm currently in the market for a new set of work boots to change out with my Danner Acadias. The Acadias are due for a resole and some TLC at Danner's rebuild shop and I'm looking at boot of par with or better than the Acadias. Some back ground for work: I average 6 miles a day on concrete, steel and asphalt. I work in corrections so I prefer to have some sort of waterproofing available, even if its just applying mink oil or wax to the leather. I also want a hard outsole so that they don't have to be replaced as often with enough cushion that my feet arent killing me by the end of the day.

So far my choices are:
Another set of Danner Acadias
Kenetrek Hard Tacticals
Crispi Nevada Black GTXs

Those are the better options I've found so far that sound like they can do what I want them to do, in my experience the standard hunting boot reskinned in black just fall apart in a couple months. I'm a huge fan of Kenetrek after running a set of Mountain Guides for this years hunting season and I've been running a Danner Acadia or similar style (desert tan Hot Weather in 29 Palms) boot for 10 years now. Thank for any input you have.

 

[[email protected]]

Different industry but same environment I had good luck with Drew’s linecutter II boots definitely not the boots intended purpose but they did me well.

 

[Ace12]

Thoroughgoods are the most comfortable work boot I’ve ever used. Standing on concrete or ladders all day as an electrician. Made in USA

 

[Krieg Hetzen]

How well do the soles of those boots do on concrete? My current pair of Acadias are almost flat on the balls of my feet and I started wearing them in August of 2018.

 

[Mike Islander]

I put in thousands of steps a day in papermills, hot wet environments. Timberlands with steel toe are comfortable out of the box, last me years, and cost about $100. I use the stock sole insert that comes in them.

 

[[email protected]]

The Drew’s Intended purpose is wildland firefighting concrete doesn’t have anything on heated rock.

 

[OneRingTrTa]

I buy red wings. Never even once have I thought about regretting it.
Work boots are 2408s I believe. 8 inch lace up steel toe.
My at home boots are 3505s. 10 inch tall pull on steel toe. I’ve been buying the exact same 2 pairs of boots for 13 or 14 years.
I did not like danners, Carolina, cat, and a few other brands.
If you go the red wing option they offer free laces and oiling for the life of the boot. But make sure you read where they are made, they now have half the models made in China and all of the Irish setters made in China. Make sure you get the red wing made ones. Big difference.
I’m in my boots 10 to 15 hours a day and come home and put on the at home boots after words.

 

[Krieg Hetzen]

So I decided I may as well just get a selection. Ordered Kenetrek Hard Tacticals, picking up a set of Redwing 2416s (black version of the 2408s) and I have a set of Danner Tactical Wildland Firefighters on the back burner. Unfortunately having to have solid black boots limits me quite a bit as quite a few brands get knocked out cause of their little accents (looking at you timberland). I appreciated the input and it’s definitely helped point me into some new options.

 

[Evangela]

I mostly work outdoors, and I always have to break in a new pair of work boots. I've tried all sorts of methods, but nothing beats the technique recommended by the great writer Hunter S. Thompson: "Put on brand new work boots and walk for 15 miles." You need new boots because those are stiff, and that makes walking uncomfortable at first. So, my advice would be to get a pair of wedge sole work boots that are very comfy and are made of high-quality material. I have pairs from this brand, and I am quite delighted with it.

 

[Firestone]

If you like the mountain guides then try the hard scrabbler. They even make them in a steel toe for guys like me