I just ordered a new pair of boots for the first time in three years. That is the longest stretch I have had in between new boots since I started surveying and mostly with the same style of logger Redwings. I used to get just a little over one year out of a pair. Now I might be slowing down a bit, but I have also sort of recently adopted this fancy new satellite technology that allows me to go around a property just once instead of 5 times while traversing solo, backsighting, foresighting, and running to all of the sideshots while hoping it was a clear line of sight. I get a lot more work done in a day with a lot less effort and apparently, less wear and tear on my boots.
The inspiration for new boots came after a full day of surveying in melting snow conditions in an area known as "The Gorge" where every hill is straight up and straight down. One of my favorite white buttons is "distance to last shot" that is more helpful than you might think and it said my last shot was 53' over and 58' down. The lugs had worn way down on those 3 year old logger boots and I must have fallen a couple dozen times throughout the day on that slick wet snow on steep hillsides. And even though I had just spent the previous evening rubbing mink oil into the leather in front of a fire, there was enough moisture that got through to discolor my socks. I have gotten my money's worth out of this pair.
IMO, Mink oil is a great leather conditioner, Snoseal is the best waterproofer, and Huberds Shoe Oil is a good combination.
SO...what kind of boots have you ordered, and what did they set you back?
I just sent my 6 y/o White's Cascade Hikers back to the mother ship for new soles. Just under $250.00. Seems like a lot, until you price a new pair. The reason they lasted so long is because I only wear them in the field May-Oct, 2-3 days/wk. They're a beotch to break in, but then they're as comfortable as my slippers.
I ordered Redwing Loggers without the safety toe and they set me back about $270. They are pretty heavy but very rugged. Several years back I made the plunge into a nice pair of custom made Whites loggers and with those boots my footing felt the most secure of anything I have had on my feet. It is great that they are apparently rebuildable for life. About 6 months after I got the Whites I lost them in a house fire and never did replace them. The Redwings come with Gore Tex that is the second line of defense against water intrusion behind the leather and is ever so slightly insulated so good enough for year round wear. The Whites seemed a little cool in the winter, being all leather. It has been my experience that the Gore Tex only lasts about a year for water integrity but I did get a new pair once for free when they started leaking before the warranty ran out. Once the Gore Tex gives up, mink oil on the leather is critical.
I got my White's rebuilt, they were very used and when I got them back they are kinda like new. All the important parts are new. I won't ever buy a new pair of work boots for spring/summer/fall.
I also bought a new pair of water proof Whites for snow weather. They have been great, not as high end as my work boots (they are made in Italy I believe) but they do work good in light snow, early winter.
My go-tos from Nov-April are LaCrosse Burly 18" foam insulated down to 30°, then LaCrosse 800g Thinsulate Burlys.
