PREP Workboots
- Thread starter ibetiny
- Start date
good is a relative term. For light duty, not on your feet all day, the work boots at Walmart will work. I wore them when I was broke and just getting started. Next step up..Hit the farm and ranch stores and check the clearance sections... Ariats are decent
I work in the oilfield....The 200 dollar boots will last for years and are much more comfortable... cheaper in the long run for boots that actually get used.
I work in the oilfield....The 200 dollar boots will last for years and are much more comfortable... cheaper in the long run for boots that actually get used.
mechanic 217
I was told there would be cookies!
Redwing all the way, I am on my feet in the shop 10+
hours most days ,the only boot that has lasted is Redwings,
hours most days ,the only boot that has lasted is Redwings,
I've had good luck with Altai combat boots (made in Korea) even though they're a bit warm in summer. They're the easiest boots to break in that I've ever worn and waterproof. They're normally in the $130-$150 range but I buy their 2nds which drops them down to $55-$75. They're real comfortable to wear and walk in.
The only thing I don't like about them, really, is that they don't have a Goodyear welt design so they're not resoleable.
https://outlet.altaigear.com/
The only thing I don't like about them, really, is that they don't have a Goodyear welt design so they're not resoleable.
https://outlet.altaigear.com/
You’ll either pay a couple hundred or end up with cheap Chinese crap.
Choose.
Choose.
Hi-Tec Men's Altitude IV Waterproof Hiking Boot - Amazon $60
Best fitting, most comfortable, longest wearing boot I've evet worn, bar non. Buy 1/2 size over if on your feet all day.
First pair I put on for the first time in parking lot of Zion National Park six years ago, went on a 10 hike in uncompromising comfort. Still have them, along with a new pair as backup.
Best fitting, most comfortable, longest wearing boot I've evet worn, bar non. Buy 1/2 size over if on your feet all day.
First pair I put on for the first time in parking lot of Zion National Park six years ago, went on a 10 hike in uncompromising comfort. Still have them, along with a new pair as backup.
Jackpine Savage
Veteran Member
You got poisonous snakes down there. I wouldn't settle for anything less 
I second the Ariats.
I buy the work hogs
Long ago I found Wolverine Boots held up better than most other brands you may try shopping around to see who has them. For years as a very young man I went found a pair when I needed replacements and put them to the test in the woods and wet lands where I grew up and would get three to four years of really hard use out each pair and I do mean hard use, most of the other big name brands gave out (fell apart) in weeks or just a few months, wet lands plus wood land brush is hard on a boot.
Capt. Eddie
Veteran Member
I would say Ariats, most of my boots are either Ariats or H&H, but through some logistics problems at work I ended to without my steel toes, we were in shipyard. Walmart was the only thing open so I got some Herman Survivors until I could get my regular boots back. I thought I would suffer through them, but I LOVE THEM. They've held up well so far, about six months, and are very comfortable and water proof.
I think they were like $67
YMMV
I think they were like $67
YMMV
Capt. Eddie
Veteran Member
Herman Survivors Men's Ranch Steel Toe Waterproof Workboot
20Gauge
TB Fanatic
We are at the farm and ranch stores for the wife. They are much better for her.
hiwall
Has No Life - Lives on TB
Everyone has a different situation.
One of my kids works in heavy construction. Some days he is in equipment all day, some days he is shooting lines for grading, and some days he is working in muddy water all day. Very seldom are his boots dry when he gets home. He always has two pair in case even with a boot drier they are still damp the next morning he has a backup dry pair. He has found no boots that will last a whole year.
After countless trials, he has now settled on work boots from Walmart. They last about six months for him on average.
One of my kids works in heavy construction. Some days he is in equipment all day, some days he is shooting lines for grading, and some days he is working in muddy water all day. Very seldom are his boots dry when he gets home. He always has two pair in case even with a boot drier they are still damp the next morning he has a backup dry pair. He has found no boots that will last a whole year.
After countless trials, he has now settled on work boots from Walmart. They last about six months for him on average.
Peter
Senior Member
What do you like Matt?
turtlegent
Contributing Member
I love Redwings. I need them for work, and for around the farm. Yes they are $200, but when I wear the soles off them, I send them back to Redwing, and get them rebuilt for $100, and they pay the shipping. I wear a fitbit to keep track of how far I walk in my job, and it is 50 miles a week in these boots. So if SHTF, I know each of my pairs of boots is good for about 2500 miles, or a year. When I get them resoled, I do not have the painful new boot break in period.
Samuel Adams
Has No Life - Lives on TB
Diehard Redwing man, myself.
Turns out, dying wasn’t so hard, when Redwing went Chung Ho.
Now it’s ebay, used.....usually Chippewa brand.
Found one pair, (out of several—I like to remain well-stocked) nearly new, $25 and shipping.
Turns out, dying wasn’t so hard, when Redwing went Chung Ho.
Now it’s ebay, used.....usually Chippewa brand.
Found one pair, (out of several—I like to remain well-stocked) nearly new, $25 and shipping.
Not all Redwings are Chinee made.
night driver
ESFP adrift in INTJ sea
Red wing is owned (or used to be owned) by Vasque. DAMN GOOD hiking boots, equally good work boots, even if I DO wear Justin work boots.
LYKURGOS
No Surrender, No Defeat!
Love my Redwings. 2.5 years each pair makes the $250 pretty cheap. I hate breaking in new boots. I always buy the heat mold able Redwing insoles as well. On my feet 10 hours a day concrete, grease, oil, gas, welder burns, grinding, mud, gravel etc never go home with sore feet, calves or knees. I don't buy steel toe because I squat and kneel so much I kick the toe out in 6 months if I do.
I currently have a pair of danner composite toe. My employer gives me a 150 allowance, covers about half the cost, but they last for years. I also like redwings, last pair lasted 3 years in a gas plant.... survived Amine, TEG and therminol exposure.
Hognutz
Has No Life - Lives on TB
Redwings all the way. They are usually $250+ , but I am know on the same pair 6 years, I got a Russian cobbler in myrtle beach who keeps resoling(sp?) them for me and recovers the steel toes for me.
Got a brand new pair waiting on me under my counter but hate to break them in, and my old ones fit like a glove...
Got a brand new pair waiting on me under my counter but hate to break them in, and my old ones fit like a glove...
desertvet2
Veteran Member
Georgia boot
hiwall
Has No Life - Lives on TB
That is what I wore for many years. They were good back then anyway.
rob0126
Veteran Member
Nice looking boots but wow at the price.
I have worn several types. Tried Keen and will nevr look back. By far the best I have ever owned. I do have a size 14 EEEE so some person with a smaller foot may not agree. I have a pair I have been wearing while clearing our land for 5 years after working construction in them for about five years. Still wearable but they are starting to break down at the soles. I ahve been pulling hundreds of trees down as my son cuts them. Anyone who knows what that is like will tell you it can destroy the best of boots fast.
You buy cheap boots and you will compromise your feet. Ask my how I know. Plus I spent far more on cheap $25 Walmart boots over the same period of time I wore expensive boots. Why hurt your feet unless you just walk around in them a bit then maybe cheap is good for you. If you plan on actually using a pair of boots buy the boot that best fits your foot and with the best support that fits your needs.
You buy cheap boots and you will compromise your feet. Ask my how I know. Plus I spent far more on cheap $25 Walmart boots over the same period of time I wore expensive boots. Why hurt your feet unless you just walk around in them a bit then maybe cheap is good for you. If you plan on actually using a pair of boots buy the boot that best fits your foot and with the best support that fits your needs.
14 EEEE?
Dammit boy. I have big feet and I wear a 13 E. I have a boy that wears a 14 E but he is not fully grown.
Good boots will save a man. Generally, you get what you pay for. I have never benefited from cheap boots.
If it is any consolation I had an in law that wore 16EE. RIP
ibetiny
Veteran Member
I went with something not suggested yet. I finally went with Dewalt boots. They had about 20 kinds of workboots plus the ones at tractor supply and orchelens and of all the ones I tried these for my feet the best. At 100.00 weren't the cheapest but wasn't the most expensive either. I'm still looking at the thread in case these are crap.
I love my Boggs. Soles with tread, so I don't slide in the mud or ice. Rated to -40* so they keep my feet warm, but are not overly hot during the summer. Hard material up about 4 inches above the ankle (although not sold as any kind of snake boot). Cute to wear (obviously not a consideration for everyone). So far, they are holding up well, but I've only had them about a year and I don't wear them every day
ivantherussian03
Veteran Member
Good boots =$
Danner are American made
Danner are American made
Orion Commander
Veteran Member
I'm trying Danner quarry model. I use an insole from the store. Maxx or new balance I think. Very comfortable so far. Water proof and can be resoled. $270. Safety toe is$10 more.
Redwings, Wolverine, and Georgia boots are good.
I have found a really good boot that can be rebuilt a couple of times is more comfortable and costs about the same as three pair of cheap boots.
If you can't swing the money for a better boot find the $40 for a good pair of insoles.
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momma_soapmaker
Disgusted
Redwing are the only ones my husband will wear. He's a machinist and a welder, and is on his feet a lot. He tried cheaper brands and they all hurt his feet, and didn't hold up.
We decided you can do it right and get a good pair the first time, or wind up buying crap twice that doesn't hold up during the same length of time. Then you still have crap and out the same amount of money.
We decided you can do it right and get a good pair the first time, or wind up buying crap twice that doesn't hold up during the same length of time. Then you still have crap and out the same amount of money.
I was wearing cheap boots when I was young and thought I could not afford expensive boots. That was before I realized how expensive cheap boots were. Not only monetarily but to my body.
There was no support in those cheap boots and with my big feet on a ladder they looked like bananas when the sole just gave way and my foot wrapped around the rungs. My feet hurt so bad every night that I could not stand sheets to touch them.
Bought good quality boots after years of suffering and problem solved. Never looked back.
naegling62
Veteran Member
Here is some advice from experience. I had a fantastic pair of Wolverines, used them for decades. One summer I left them in my truck. The soles fell off because of the heat in Alabama. Don't store your boots in your truck in the deep South.