I've been wearing my new White's Logger boots for a couple of months now. The break in period was rough as can be expected from real leather boots and it took a while to see how well they would perform.
The weather has turned brisk and nothing but leather (even well-oiled leather)between me and the outside world keeps my toes well aware of the current temperature. I went back to an older pair of Justins with some Goretex in them for my planned snowy day in the field today. I have bought no less than 5 identical pairs of these Justins over the last decade because they were the best boots I could find and I liked them. This morning was a wake up call. It was all I could do to walk in them. Sure, my feet will be warm today but I now feel very vindicated for paying the premium on my Whites. They feel good on my feet but the best way to describe them is that they make my footing very secure, and not from the tread but from the way they fit my foot and ankle. I have never felt such stability on any other footwear in my life. Perhaps I'll have to invest in some warm socks. There is an alpaca farm down the road and I hear that alpaca socks can't be beat for warmth.
I've been finding wool blend socks at Academy. They come in a two or three pair package for less than $15 and are very warm.
You can get a pair of the "cheaper" whites called the hawthorn explorer which have gore tex and you can get them insulated. Of course "cheap" is a relative term with Whites.
I only wear my smoke jumpers in the field until the weather gets nasty, then I have some red wings insulated waterproof boots, they are Ok but nothing compares to the Whites for support and making your foot feel good at the end of the day.
I of course, prefer the cowboy pac, but there are others that will work great for you.
I was taught that you buy the boots with a tight fit with a thin sock, them stretch them out by wearing 2 pairs of socks. 1 pair of thin socks and 1 pair of wool socks over. Makes for the most comfortable fitting boot.
My feet get very sore if I only wear 1 pair of thin socks.
Once there is much snow, I switch over to insulated Sorel boots to prolong the life of the expensive boots and keep the toes warm.
I have never heard of White's boots. I went to the web site and I don't know much more now. How do these compare with Corcoran Military "Jump" boots? I have found those to be quite excellent once you get over the painful break-in period ... takes about two weeks of wear 16-18 hrs/day.
When I was doing surveys for the USFS on the Olympic Penninsula in the early 70's, 90% of the loggers wore Whites calks. Think about it. 2 times the money of the next best competitor then as now, but judged by the hard core users as well worth the money.
I think they cost about 2-3 times as much and probably last 5 times longer. They are a bit like a ski boot when you first start breaking them in, but after a week they feel good and after two you won't want anything else. But you pay for it.
danner
nuff said
danner
> nuff said
Not quite. Some Danners are made in USA. Most are made elsewhere. Watch for the Made in USA tag.
danner
I've worn them and they are ok. Not like Whites however, last pair of Danners I had lasted a short time and Whites are a lifetime boot.
danner
"Life time boot" is getting a little carried away unless you only rarely wear the boots. I have several pairs of Whites laying around that are so broken down, I didn't even consider sending them in to be re-built.
They will however last for numerous years wearing them every day.
Danner's are very good boots as are Wesco's. However, having wore them all more than once, the Whites have them beat hands down. You do pay for the difference and I think it may be a wash when it comes to which brand is actually cheaper over a decade.
:good:
danner
Don't get me wrong. They won't actually last a lifetime. But you wear them out and send them back and they get rebuilt. I don't get in the field as much as in the past but mine I've had for four years now are in remarkable shape they've been through creeks, snow, wet grass, mud, you name it. And one thing they are great for is when you put your foot in a cactus they you don't even notice it. Unlike other boots I've had
