Good boots

[adventure_ingles]

The past few years ive been unable to find a pair of boots that last more than 3 months. I recently bought a pair of boots from Cabelas and they lasted me about 3 months and they are already falling apart. Rocky boots have also just gone to hell in their quality since they moved the factory from Nelsonville ohio to some other country. I had a pair last a month and a half and returned them for a new pair just to have them disintegrate after 2 months. They used to last forever. My dads got pairs that are eight and nine years old.
Are there any good brands of boots left?
And it doesnt help with my left foot being considerably larger than my right. Hard to find a boot to fit it. Have to get extra wides. And then when i get them they are just right for my left foot but way to big for my right.

Any body know of any good work boots? And hiking boots while im at it.

[jen_in_southtexas]

The work boots i use are made by Redwing and are the most comfortable boots ever. They are lace ups and are the one's that say that they are 44% wider.

As for hiking boots, I have found that my Columbia hiking boots are the best. They are a coupla years old now and still feel great. They are durable and rugged.

My work boots and other shoes are something I do not skimp out on. My feet have been so tore up before with certain brands and no name brands so when i find something that works for me I stick to it, even if it costs a little more. But what works for you may not work for someone else.

Let us know what worked for you. Remember that feet are VERY important.

-jen

[Oldman]

I don't know if they still are but the best boots I ever bought were Wolverine boots. Now, I busted the heel loose from one of them after 3 yaers but that was my own doing. Kicking plate steel into place on a job.
But I went home, brushed them down good and shot some clear silicone chauking it the joint and stood on it a little bit then took a brick and stood it up in the boot with a couple more laying flat on top of that one and let it set for two days. I wore those boots 8 more years before they finally gave up on me.
Then I order a pair from Masons shoes because I have a small foot and they had some C width boots. After the wolerines, I have always keep two pair of boots and swap every day. Regular shoe store boots around here and the masons. I have had the masons for about 8 years but I haven't put a lot of milage on them the last 5 years being disabled, but they have out lasted either 3 or 4 pair of shoe store boots already and I am still wearing them. I really like them,because they fit better than any pair I ever bought plus they are lighter too.
I do know Masons are still made in america. And they aren't a bad price for a good boot either.
Hope you can find some that will last this time.
One thing I do, is I have a cleaning kit and about every two weeks I brush them down good, clean them with saddle soap and then put mink oil on them. That will help them last and keeps your feet dry too.
Oldman

[Oldman]

Jen posted while I was typeing and I didn't see hers intil I posted.
I worked heavy constrution for many years and there was a lot of guys that wore Red Wings. I was trying to think of the name of them on the last post but it slipped my mind at the time. But there were a lot of guys swore by Red Wings.

[Buck]

The past few years ive been unable to find a pair of boots that last more than 3 months.

Most people don't know how to make shoe/boots last. The common wearing
pattern is the same pair of shoes/boots everyday couldn't be more wrong.

Good shoes/boots are made of leather which absorbs a lot of moisture from
your feet as you wear them and they compact from your weight. So here's
the formula my Grandad (a cobbler) always has his customers follow.

Buy two pair of the best leather work boots/shoes you can find (Redwing
in this case today) and rotate then every other day never wearing the
same pair two days in a row. Also let your work foot wear rest on weekends.

The rest period will let the shoes/boots dry out inside as well as rebound
from you weight to refresh the shoe/boot for the next wearing.

For those customers of Grandad's that followed his advice often got 10 or
more yrs with re-soleing out of the shoes/boots they bought from him. I've
followed Grandad's advice also still wearing the Redwings I bought 12 yrs
ago with minor repairs to them.

[bigjack]

Chippewa boots are high quality and still made in the USA. Danner boots are also excellent although I see they are now making ay least some of their boots in China.

[ldsparamedic]

You could try Drews or Whites. They are the ones loggers and wildland firefighters use.

[mom2]

Best I ever had was bought at Tractor Supply - Georgia Giants (I think). I wore them almost constantly for 3 years and they might have lasted longer if not for a puppy.

[adventure_ingles]

Allright thanks yall for the replies. Ill be looking into Redwings.
Thanks for the adveice about having two pairs and alternating them. Ive always just wore them day after day. Never even heard of that before.
Would a store sell me two sizes of shoes? Because my left foot is real wide and a boot that fits that is way to big for my right foot which is a lot smaller than my left for some reason. A good bit smaller. I seem to have been encountering this size problem since i broke my left foot and pinky toe 4 or 5 years ago and then accidentally drove a big spike thru it 2 years ago. Never remember this problem before.

[Buck]

Allright thanks yall for the replies. Ill be looking into Redwings.
Thanks for the adveice about having two pairs and alternating them. Ive always just wore them day after day. Never even heard of that before.
Would a store sell me two sizes of shoes? Because my left foot is real wide and a boot that fits that is way to big for my right foot which is a lot smaller than my left for some reason. A good bit smaller. I seem to have been encountering this size problem since i broke my left foot and pinky toe 4 or 5 years ago and then *accidentally drove a *big spike thru it 2 years ago. Never remember this problem before.

Yes, Redwing WILL sell you two sizes as one pair for a slight extra charge.
That said make sure that you vist a Redwing factory store or ask the
independent dealer if they can sell you two sizes as one pair. Most will
but ask anyway. The factory stores do on a regular basis.

One thing is sure Redwing will not sell you shoes of boots that don't fit
"Right". No way no how.

Now I will mention that Redwings are not cheap BUT they are the best
bargain you'll ever own long term. So bite the bullet and buy 2 pair for
your best overall health. You feet, legs and back will thank you. Believe it!

[cinok]

Red wing factory stores are hard to come by anymore but they are the best. Ialso like wolverines Quick tip we have a sears in the mall and they have a shoe clearance section and I have pickedup some great deals $100 boots for 19.995 wolverines

[jen_in_southtexas]

Buck made a good point about alternating two pairs of shoes. *That is what I do. *My boots take some good abuse because of the platform *conditions that I encounter on the job and I am not easy on them either. *I even wear them outside of work too ;D. *They are that comfortable for me. *I never throw my old pair of workboots away because I can always find use for them around the place...unless I have just wore out holes on the inside of the boots.

Be advised that some Redwing shoes are not water resistant but the tag should indicate that and ask anyway. *WORX workboots are made by Redwings. *Those are good boots too. *Sell em there at the Redwing store. *

-Jen

*edited for typos.

[flatwater]

Custom boots like whites are expensive (about 600) but I have been told by the lineman at work that they truly are the way to go. They measure each foot and work from there. Just how much bigger is your one foot then the other ? I have a friend that has 6 toes and you thing you have problems finding shoes to fit. :-[ I also believe that they will resole them for as long as you own them.

[Buck]

*WORX workboots are made by Redwings. *Those are good boots too. *Sell em there at the Redwing store. *

Yes, WORX boots/shoes are a Redwing brand but they are not made "by"
Redwing. WORX is the Redwing brand made in China to Redwing specs.
That said, WORX will not hold up or fit as well as an American pair of
Redwing brand shoes/boots and WORX doesn't allow for two sizes per
pair. It's same size of nothing.

WORX shoes/boots are ok for light to medium heavy work but they will
not last like a good ol' pair of Redwings.

[jen_in_southtexas]

ok.

[Kyhome]

My favorite pair are a pair of Wolverine boots that are over 20 years old. they have a few miles on em not pretty but they still do the job. Rick

[adventure_ingles]

well i got on the Redwing website and emailed customer service about my problem and they said that they do not sell 2 sizes as one pair.

[Buck]

well i got on the Redwing website and emailed customer service about my problem and they said that they do not sell 2 sizes as one pair.

This must be a new policy 'cause my factory store does mismatch all the time.
Sorry to hear that.

I still can assure you that you will not walk out of a Redwing store with shoes
that don't fit unless you really do need custom made shoes/boots and some
folks do.

I still recommend Redwing to anyone who works for a living with their hands or has foot/back problems.

Best of luck,friend.

[Buck]

ok.


Please know that I'm not picking or trying to embarass you with my post.

I just wanted to share the info I have to help other make the right choice
in quality work footwear. I wear both Redwing's and WORX'S so I know
they both are the best price/value for the money spent. 8)

[tufhelp]

I did a quick Google search for Shore Exchange and here is the first hit:

NATIONAL ODD SHOE EXCHANGE is a 501(c)(3) non-profit organization that is a source of footwear for those requiring single shoes or pairs of differing sizes. Many have this need due to injury, disease or genetic disorders.

NATIONAL ODD SHOE EXCHANGE is made possible by financial donations and in-kind support.
Shoe Exchange Link (http://www.oddshoe.org/)

[jen_in_southtexas]

Buck,

I didnt take it that way but thanks anyway.

I too wear both Redwings and have two pairs of WORX boots and they both have been great boots. Wouldnt wear any other workboots!!

-jen

[rodamala]

Friends and coworkers have sworn by redwings; However, my boots, for the past 20 years, have been carolinas.

Shortline railroading is particularly tough on boots. I've had mine last for 3 years before resole. My last resole at the local cobbler was $75.

[Buck]

Are "Carolinas" still American made" ???

[lefty-mi]

I actually sell boots for a living, so maybe I can help. No, carolina is no longer made in the u.s. :( Although not all Red Wings are made domestically, some styles still are--gotta check it out. For the money, they really are an exceptional boot. Two pairs and alternating them, if you can afford it is a really good idea. A good pair of red wings will set you back between $150 and $175. Keep your reciept. As a general rule, most better boot companies (Rocky, Georgia, Wolverine, and Redwing, among others) warranty their boots for a year, but ya gotta have proof of the date you bought them. So if they start to fall apart, at least you have some recourse. There are a few boots that actually carry comfort guarantees, too, which is nice, it should say on the box. As far as an outdoor sport boot, red wing makes irish setter, their sport line--some of the nicest sport boots I've seen. Pricey, but nice.

[rodamala]

Are "Carolinas" still American made" *???

no... but they don't even make the boot i wear anymore... i have to find "new old stock". my next boot will most likely be a redwing... but by then they won't be made here either.