Home Forums Hunting & Shooting Hunter's Campfire ? - work boots...

Only pair of Wolverines I've ever had were by far the most uncomfortable boots I've ever put my feet in. Granted, those were never advertised as work boots, but still sucked for hunting ware, even after many miles and hours of "breaking in". Best luck I've had for immediate comfort have been with either Redwings or Rockies. If you like what you have try resoling if possible. If boot seems intact, possibly an innersole. Either way, hope you find a comfort level that suits you, cuz unconfortable boots truly SUCK.

Absolute worst pair of boots ive owned were Red Wing. Insoles were hard as a rock. Split between two for me, Timberland and Wolverines. I actually like cheap Bates side zips, but again the insoles hard as a rock after a week. Got a pair of Reeboks back in the spring that dont seem bad, a little heavy, but comfortable. Ill be trying them out when I go back in November.

5.11 ATAC's

I have a good pair of Redwings but I got the weird oil/slip resistant soles and will one day replace with vibram or something similar

Mike

Buddy was telling me how redwings are made in china. Said your full of it as I took them off and showed him the made in china label. Oh well they are still comfortable even if i proved my stupidity.

Guys posting on a chinese computer over an internet made of chinese parts wanting a USA boot crack me up..

Keens.

I don't understand how a pair of work boots could last 15 years.

As to the question I wear asolo hikers for work and just general everyday footwear.

Doesn't meet your criteria for US made but, Timberland Pro 8"Titan boots work quite well for me. Comfortable from day one. I get about 10 months out of a pair of boots. I walk on concrete and gravel. Lots of big sharp rocks.
About $150. a pair.

Ernie

He does a lot of whining, but not a lot of work.

This:



Many of their styles are made in the states.

BTW, we just went through this last week:

What's Your Favorite Work Boot?

Thorogoods are great if you don't mind a wedge sole.

I like Chippewa loggers,without the steel toe.

My buddy has the Danner quarry boots and says they are the worst boots ever made.

ive 4 pair of danners and owned many a wolverine. both good boots, but if price isnt an issue than Danners all the way. Wolverine is my second favorite boot, right behind the danners.

2-3 years absolute max on work boots.

I have shoes that might be 10-15 years old but I never frikken wear 'em either......grin



The key to good boots is few seams as possible. Straight leather and a good sole. And of course stitching to hold it together.

Got some keen newports that are going on 10 years, and I can't kill them, and not for lack of trying. Pretty amazing.

More and more guys are going to keens on the jobsite, and everyone loves them.

I always thought "Carolina's" made a decent work shoe/boot. Everyone's feet are different. My feet are wide, and Carolina's makes an extra wide and high toe box, and they always worked for me. I guess it depends a lot on what surface you're walking on for 8 hours a day, concrete or firma terra. Anyway, check out Carolina shoe makers. As good as Danner's looked, I ordered a pair and couldn't wear them. Along with a wide foot, I have a high instep, and Danner's didn't work. Where ever you order from, make sure you can return them. I've found that there's usually a trial and error period, before you find the right one. Good Luck.

I went to a local store about a year ago, looking for a walking shoe. I had just had back surgery and my Doc said I needed to walk for therapy. The guy sold me a pair of $125 KEEN shoes. Apparently, their work shoes are better than there walking shoes, because these phuggin things broke down quicker than a pair of Wal-Mart sneakers. It would be hard for me to buy anything with the KEEN name on it again.

Then don't.

Sound advice.

Everyone has different uses for boots and wear them out differently.

A lot of guys swear by red wings but they won't last a year for me.

I have:
keens, whites, hoffman's, nicks, buffalo, hawthorne, red wing and tony lama right now.

when I work at work as a crane operator, I like the keens. mine are slip on wellington type. I like them fine. theyre china built and I added cabelas perfekt insoles becaus they work for me and I work 12-14 hour shifts.

when I work anywhere where I need to stand on concrete or hard ground, I would throw my keens, red wings and tony lamas in the garbage. you can't beat a nicks or whites for that.

my hoffmans are easily the strongest shanked boots ever built. I can stand my 250lb arse on a ladder rung all day without fatigue.

they all do something better and worse than the rest, be it support, weight or cost. pick it based on the application.