Work boots

danielzreyes

Looking for a pair of comfortable workboots. I've been wearing/buying the same pair for over 6 yrs (Timberland PRO 6" Steeltoe).  They are getting a bit heavy.
Looking to maybe getting some Redwings. Worth it?
I work at a construction site for a homebuilder. 
What do ya'll wear/recommend?  

IndustMech

I've been wearing Redwing 6" boots w/composite toe for 15 years. Work will buy me two pair a year, but they'll last more than a year if I change the insoles.

NorCalR1

Redwings and only Redwings for 8 years. I too get the composite toe and right away when I got my first pair I coulda feel the weight difference. You can get replacement insoles when they get worn and replace outer soles as well if the boots are still worth it

ForMud

I've been wearing Carolina logging boots for the last 15 years. Probably be looking for a different brand next time, I noticed the quality starting to slip.
I tried a pair of Red Wings years ago, they feel apart in less a year. They were very comfortable boot just not put together.  

Captain_Call

I use red wings too. I have two identical pair. I walk the bottoms off one and send them in for a rebuild. Then wear the others until they need it. I get about 4 years out of a pair. The rebuild costs about a third of new depending on how bad I have torn them up. I'm thinking about switching to another brand since my last rebuild came back a little under expectations. They get one more chance though

dirtdude

Been rolling with a pair of Redwing Irish Setters  for going on 5 years, they are super trashed but so damn comfortable I can't give them up.

peter4jc

I wore steel-toes for 30 years, and liked Redwing the best.

My employer paid $120/yr towards shoes/boots.  My trick was to get a new pair every year when the pair from the past year was half worn, and then switch off every day.  It seemed if the boots had a day to sit and rest, they dried out and my feet were happier because they never got used to the same boots day in and day out.

silvermouse

@peter4jc-- I thought you were a preacherman; I guess steel toed boots would come in handy, now that I think about it.

danielzreyes

Damn. So everyone is all about Red Wing. So damn pricey though.  $275+ for a pair. I guess they're worth it.  
 Anyone ever wore Wolverines or Carhartt? My dad wore Wolverines and that's all he bought ... 

and  If any of you mention Die Hard, you can go suck on a Padilla 8x80.

Bob_Luken

Your socks deserve these. Just sayin'!

peter4jc

silvermouse said:

@peter4jc-- I thought you were a preacherman; I guess steel toed boots would come in handy, now that I think about it.

For 25 of those 30 years, I was a missionary... cleverly disguised as a factory worker.



Daniel... I'd say it comes down to who is paying for the shoes, and what feels best on your widdle footsies.  If the boss is paying for a pair a year, and something like Wolverines or Carhartts feel best, those should last long enough and keep your feet happy.  If it's coming out of your pockets and Red Wings are comfy, in the long run you might come out ahead.

OTOH, if this was only the slickest work boot dry beg in the history of the planet, I hope you get bombed w/ the right size and color.

Captain_Call

A sassy but wise woman once told me, there's two things in this world you don't skimp on, your boots and your bed, because if you ain't in one, you're in the other. 

A guy I work with refuses to spend money on a good pair. In the two years we've worked together he has killed 6 pairs of Walmart boots. I've only replaced the laces in my red wings once. By my calculations, I've spent less. Buy once cry once is cliche but true

ForMud

danielzreyes said:

and  If any of you mention Die Hard, you can go suck on a Padilla 8x80.

In pinch one time I gotta a pair of CAT boots at Kmart for $30.....Actually they weren't that bad. 

deadman

I have a pair of redwings I wore for 3 years. The company buys shoes every year so I put them up and get a new pair of Bates yearly 

CharlieHeis

New Balance

silvermouse

Irish Setter here, most comfortable work boots I've ever had, wish I could have afforded them when I was working on the farm. 

dirtdude

Agree with Edward, these Irish Setters are so comfortable I can't wear the new ones I got from work last year.

Markwell

Red Wings all the way man. Got the new Irish Setter logging boots this time around. Very comfortable and the soles are holding up very well. 

Wylaff

I got about 9 months out of a pair of Carhartts. I got 6 months from Caterpillar, and 2 years from White's. My Redwing's are on their 5th year. I got the molded sole for cheap replacement, and it's nowhere near replacing yet. The leather seams to get noticeably softer every week, and if you take them in, they will oil them and replace the laces for free (no limit). It's definitely worth the initial investment. 

Markwell

Yeah I forgot about that. Laces are always free at redwing. I oil them myself, and couldn't agree more...leather holds up well.

danielzreyes

Thoughts on Thorogood boots?

Bob_Luken

danielzreyes said:

Damn. So everyone is all about Red Wing. So damn pricey though.  $275+ for a pair. I guess they're worth it.  
 Anyone ever wore Wolverines or Carhartt? My dad wore Wolverines and that's all he bought ... 

and  If any of you mention Die Hard, you can go suck on a Padilla 8x80.

I've had good luck with most, but not all, the wolverines I've tried. And I've had a couple of good pair of Sears ******* shoes that did really well for me. 

genareddog

I have been wearing wolverines for years. I seem to get about 3 years out of them. I wear the cheater style boots. 

Bob_Luken

genareddog said:

cheater style boots. 

I googled it. 

jgibv

danielzreyes said:

Looking for a pair of comfortable workboots. I've been wearing/buying the same pair for over 6 yrs (Timberland PRO 6" Steeltoe).  They are getting a bit heavy.
Looking to maybe getting some Redwings. Worth it?
I work at a construction site for a homebuilder. 
What do ya'll wear/recommend?  

Do you need toe protection? 

If so, a composite toe is gonna be lighter than a steel toe and offer the same protection.  I like Red Wings simply because they fit me well, they are pricier than Wolverienes/etc but find the size/style you like in store then shop online and you can usually save some $$$. 

If you don't need toe protection, look at a pair of unlined boots.  I've heard good things about Woolrich and Thorogood but, personally, have never worn them: https://huckberry.com/store/t/category/footwear/boots/work-boots

jlmarta

Bob_Luken said:

genareddog said:

cheater style boots. 

I googled it. 

Oooooohh,  I think those are just precious......  <gag> <choke>

ForMud

This made me start looking around. I think I might give Chippewa boots a shot this time round......Made in the USA and only about $60 more than the import ones I buy now. 

Rhamlin

I always wore Wolverines back when I was decking. Very comfy and can take punishment. 

genareddog

Bob_Luken said:

genareddog said:

cheater style boots. 

I googled it. 

Didn’t know I was on google 

CalvinAndHobo

Bob_Luken said:

genareddog said:

cheater style boots. 

I googled it. 

He looks like he brings his bow and arrow to the tanning salon in the winter. 

First_Warrior

Oboz makes great footwear. No breaking in and they last.