Work Boots

[timmymac24]

In search of a nice pair of comfortable work boots. No steel toe needed. I have worn hiking boots in the past for support, comfort and not cooking my feet. Tried some Carharts at TSC this am but waited. Have been looking online at JK Boots, Whites, Thorogood, etc. Would prefer 6" boots. The reviews are all over the place on many brands. I realize that it's best to have the option of trying before buying but the custom boot sellers don't have stores in my area. Any input on what to avoid or what has been good would be appreciated. I do some construction part time and work for a local farmer part time beside the typical yard work needed on my property.

 

[Wheels]

Redwings

 

[7RemMag]

I’ve worn primarily Carolina’s for years. I’ve had a pair or two of Red Wings and a pair of slip on Irish Setter’s. The Carolina’s aren’t as good as they used to be but they still hold up decent enough that I can get a year or so out of them. I work in construction. Plenty of time in mud, blacktop, and salt in the winter when I worked for the highway department.

 

[Pony Soldier]

I bought one pair of whites in 1981. I'm still wearing them.

In about 2005 I bought a new pair of whites (loggers) same as before. I'm still wearing them. If it's dry I wear the old ones and if it is wet and muddy I'm in the newer pair.

When the vibrums wearout I have a new put on and get another ten to twelve years. They have always been very comfortable in them. I change to pacs when the snow gets deep.

I can't vouch for how good they still are but I would consider Hoffmans if the whites don't pan out.

If possible have them custom made to fit each foot.

You can buy cheap every couple years or buy once every 30-40 years with a little maintenance on the trip.

 

[dlee56]

I’ve been digging my Origin boots a lot. I have about 2.5 years on them and they have been super comfortable since day 1 and have lasted through a home renovation and multiple garden/yardwork seasons with plenty of years left in the tank.

I liked their low heel which you can’t get with the custom boot makers and obviously the American made & sourced aspect is really cool. You can order and return them if they don’t fit right. Origins are more expensive than some for those reasons but on par with the custom whites etc. They also have some good deals on their factory seconds site, that’s where I got mine. The only reason they were a factory second was because of a small scuff on one of the heels.

 

[Sunshine40]

I'm a union carpenter and do vertical concrete so I put a pretty good hurting on boots. I was a big thorogood and redwing guy for a long time. They are extremely comfortable as soon as you put then on. The downfall to them is they are pretty pricy, $300+ and I was buying new boots ever 6 months or so.

I found out I got a union discount on Danners and decided to give them a try. I'm on my 3rd pair right now and I'm pretty pleased with them. I can't say they are as comfortable out of the box but after you break them in they are awesome. I'm also getting a little more life out of them, 8-10 months.

I have a few buddies that swear by Georgia's as well but never tried them.

I've never heard anyone say anything good about Brunts.

 

[Zeke6951]

I worked as a forest tech, and wore boots in the woods almost daily, retired now but still work part time and hunt, my wife says too much. I have spent more time in boots that any other foot wear for the last 50+ years. My only advice is: If you find a pair of boots you like, buy a couple of extra pairs while you can get them. Years ago I bought Danner Pronghorns, great. I bought another pair, same. Next time they had started making them somewhere in Asia. Not the same, leaked out of the box, only got about 6 months. Irish Setter, Havocs, a couple of pairs great. Discontinued. I tried to like Cabela's Mendl Denali, (lifetime guarantee) they hurt my feet until I gave them away. I now wear Thorogood, great boots, I've worn them about 2 years, maybe a record for me. I like them. They are heavier than most, and do require some break-in.

 

[MOLC09]

Give Hoggs of Fife a try. Good boots etc and prices are good.

 

[Tjdeerslayer37]

A few years back i bit the bullet and got a pair of nicks boots.... Then a second pair, then a 3rd pair on order im a giant cheap ass but im so happy i coughed up the money for them, after break in they are truly molded to my feet like a custom fit. super comfy, rebuildable and resoleable, beefy as heck.

 

[Muledeerfanatic]

Thorogoods are all I use any more
Construction
I think they are the only American made as well

 

[GSPHUNTER]

Redwings....................................................................

 

[Customweld]

I wore Whites loggers for years and still do from time to time. Like @Pony Soldier said, they last a while and are rebuildable when they wear out. There is a learning curve in those styles (Whites, Nicks or Hawthorn's) for the back of your ankle, until you get a callous worked up. It did bother me going from a rather high heeled boot to a flat soled boot. I wear the Hoffman Explorer's for work and my feet are pretty happy. Boots have a short time to make it for me. If they aren't comfortable in a few days of wearing, they are down the road. Life is too short for unhappy dogs.

 

[GetWestern]

Im a painter and have been using a pair of Thorogood 6” non steel toe for my work when i’m not on an inside job, its very comfortable and seems to hold up well. My brother in law is the hardest person on work boots i’ve ever seen and i’ve seen him go through all the big brands, he says the best he uses now are Nicks. They are pricy but seem to be the best to hold up with rough work.

 

[alecvg]

JK boots are the most comfortable piece of footwear I own. It took about 6 weeks for them to break in for me, but I love them. I used to buy cheaper work boots, but got real sick of replacing them once a year.

 

[TaperPin]

What kind of work? Whites (purchased by a Japanese shoe company) and Nicks are similar. The guy who started Nicks used to work for Whites. Both designs are heavy with thick high quality leather and thick leather footbeds that all mold around your foot, combined with a significant arch that takes most people some time to get used to. Once broke in they are the most comfortable boots known to man. The two reasons I switched from Whites to a hiking boot for framing and finish work are the weight (over 5 lbs) and a standard vibram sole has a slight curve that wears out quickly in the middle when worn on concrete. Flat vibrams are used for working on concrete. Love those boots and you’ll get a second pair to have something to wear while they are getting resolved or rebuilt. It’s pretty cool they will replace worn leather in a full rebuild. If your foot is odd shaped they can use a custom last. Cost per year depends on how often soles or rebuilds are needed and I needed soles every other year and rebuilds every four. These are a premium boot and soles are 1/4 of new boot price and rebuilds were 1/2 price of the boot so it’s still not cheap.

I switched to hiking boots that still have a fairly stiff sole and are a little under 4 lbs and my legs definitely felt better with the lighter weight since carpenters walk all day. If you get a model that popular with hikers and backpackers, there will be a continual supply of sales and new condition used boots. For instance these go for $250 new and it was rare to spend over $150 on sale, and used in new condition for under $100. These are ideal for me and wearing them all week at work and all weekend going hunting or fishing. These aren’t worth putting new soles on since the uppers wear out about when the soles do - maybe got a year out of pair working full time. I’m out of construction, but over a full career that was a lot of boots. Cost per year comes out to whatever you can find them for.

 

[wowzers]

I wore caulk boots most of my career, now I’m more of a manager and I picked up a pair of the Danner RAT boots. For $99 they are hard to beat.

 

[techmanil]

Diesel mechanic. Always had Redwings until I purchased a pair of Danner boots. Even with toe guards, the redwings would rip out @ steel toe but the Danners last considerably longer.

 

[backcountry_hunter]

the best deal going right now in the boot industry is franks patriot. That's a ton of boot for the money.

If you don't want the heel a RW877/10877 or Whites Perry are my fav moc and no ST is required.

My overall best boots I've ever owned (still have) are wescos

 

[COJoe]

I've had a pair of Redwings for about 7-8 years now and they are still in very good shape as I take care of them and oil them when needed and restain the toe area. I also buy Wolverine Raiders which are very comfortable right out of the box and seem to last 4-5 years before the sole wears out. I work in a hospital setting in facilities so they see little outside use which would change the longevity for sure though. The Raiders used to be $125.00 but now are over $150.00 probably which is reasonable I guess.

 

[intunegp]

I've been really happy with my Thorogoods. Coming up on two years of Monday-Friday in a machine shop and haven't done anything but clean and condition them twice. Soles are definitely worn but probably have another year or two before I need to look into replacement. No loose stitches or signs of the leather giving up any time soon.