I??ll second the Danner Rainforest boots. They are not waterproof but other than that they are awesome. I wear mine daily, currently I??m on my second pair. My first pair was good for about 5 months then one of the boots stretched to much. Danner replaced them with no cost to me though.
Out of Spokane... custom sized, but pricey. Been making them for 150 years.
Swore by Redwings for decades, but have they been cutting corners of late?
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that is the style I chose, with the lighter tread so it wouldn't mark up tile in the office or the house, I'm glad I did spring for them, I changed them a bit got them to make an 8" model and you can change the heel so it's not so high, although I'm glad I left it like it is in the picture, kicked around lots or rocks with it, still it's going strong. They can be rebuilt when they wear out, I'm starting to get there, but not yet. You can order a "lessor" model in the Hawthorn brand for about $150 less, still a great boot.
Say what you want about cheap made in china crap, but these just damn work! I am proud to wear these $60 boots (with $30 superfeet footbeds), and I own $800 Leather handmade Italian mountaineering boots. For under a hundred bucks, ?ÿI have a great pair of waterproof steel toed boots equally adept on a construction site as they are on a 6 mile hike. I put zero effort into maintaining these (neglect), and replace after 3 years.
(was going to attach photo, but forum doesn??t appear to be iPhone friendly)
These boots will last me two years of everyday in the field use. Before I found these boots I'd have to buy a new pair every year and never really found one that I liked. If your walking a lot like I do then the hiking boots are a much better option than the work/logging boots IMO.
I wore Westcos from Scappose. OR for about 18 years (amounted to 2 pairs of vibram and one of calks). I found the best mentoring I got along with my first pair back in 1975 was to use seal fat, not mink oil. Now I can't find canned seal fat anymore, hard to find mink oil, but did get a pair of Whites about 10 years ago and wish I would have got them the first time out because of workmanship and fit. I getting ready to send them in for a rebuild an consider that worth the money. We are supposed to be fairly good at math (or simple arithmetic): Westco boots=8-10 years (cost new $60/pay $2.88 per hour), Danners boots=1.5 years (cost $100 {according to crew}/pay $25-$30 per hour). Which is the better investment?
These boots are the greatest boots I've ever owned. I still own them and wear them regularly. In the first year, part of the sole, where it meets the leather, began to peel. I quickly pasted it back together with shoo-goo and haven't had any other issues with it. This is the second most comfortable boot I own. The only downside is that the mesh type fabric that drops down the sides really hinders waterproofing. Stepping into a shallow puddle will soak your foot. Wet feet are one of my worst pet peeves. When these boots finally die (which isn't going to be for quite a while given how well they are holding up) I will make every effort to replace them with the same boot. These boots have some weight to them but they aren't the heaviest boot I own.
These have been great boots too! I've worn these a bit less and reserve them for heavier work and worse conditions. Even after nearly 3 years they still look almost new. Great construction and comfortable enough, however, I wouldn't wear these for longer hiking jobs. Walking on a logger heel for long distances (especially on pavement) is painful and uncomfortable, in my opinion. These are pretty heavy boots, weight wise.?ÿHowever, these things are WATERPROOF up to the ankle. I've waded through several inches of water and stayed dry. I can't stress?ÿenough how much I love how waterproof these boots are.?ÿI will always have a pair of loggers on the shelf, and these have been a great workhorse. I'd recommend them.
Basically hikers. Again, the mesh on the sides completely negates any option for waterproofing, only on these the mesh runs so low that even in normal rain my feet get wet. They are a bit harder on the bottom, they feel a bit wide, and they aren't overly comfortable unless I'm wearing a heavy sock. I've retired these already to be my shop boot. They aren't worn much and I wouldn't buy them again.
Kind of hiker-esque, but not really. These are the number one most comfortable boot I own. When I tried them on at the store, I had tried on about 10 other boots. I slid my foot into this boot and instantly knew I was done looking. It's like walking on a cloud and they are just the right width to support the sides of my feet. They feel like sneakers. I have them in "work boot tan" and they have gotten dirty quickly. I'd recommend something darker. These are my winter office boots. I likely won't wear these much in the warmer months as they seem very warm and my feet tend to sweat (stink) a lot in them, even though I own more insulated boots. I haven't tested their water proofing but they don't have any low reaching mesh so I'd guess that shallow puddles would not penetrate them. I really enjoy these boots.
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Year 5: I plan to get a mid-height pull on for winter/spring wear.
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I'll likely stay with Keen. I find them to be the most comfortable, well balanced, durable, and consistent of the boots I've tried. I like the full toe cap, and I feel confident when kicking up the ground looking for a pin.
My boot of choice is the Vasque Summit GTX. I've had many pairs as they only last about 2 years of daily use but they're comfortable, light, have sticky soles and good support. Most of my work is in the woods. I have also wore boots from Scarpa and Asolo but I prefer the Vasque because I can usually find them online with 50% or more discount.?ÿ
I've heard of people swearing by certain boots because they last many years but I have never had any daily worn boot last more than 2 or 3 years including Carolinas, Redwings and Danners.
Out of Spokane... custom sized, but pricey. Been making them for 150 years.
Swore by Redwings for decades, but have they been cutting corners of late?
?ÿ
that is the style I chose, with the lighter tread so it wouldn't mark up tile in the office or the house, I'm glad I did spring for them, I changed them a bit got them to make an 8" model and you can change the heel so it's not so high, although I'm glad I left it like it is in the picture, kicked around lots or rocks with it, still it's going strong. They can be rebuilt when they wear out, I'm starting to get there, but not yet. You can order a "lessor" model in the Hawthorn brand for about $150 less, still a great boot.
Used to be White's, last pair was bought in 1992 and has been rebuilt about three times. About a year ago I bought a similar boot from Nick's (also in Spokane and started by an ex White's boot maker 50+ years ago). IMO, White's quality has suffered a bit of late (less handcrafted IMO), due to mergers and acquisitions. From Wiki: "In July 2014, White's Boots was sold to LaCrosse Footwear of Portland, Oregon, which also owns Danner Boots. LaCrosse Footwear's chief financial officer, Kirk Layton, cited the made in America heritage of White's Boots as a motivating factor for the buyout. LaCrosse Footwear is itself owned by Tokyo-based retailer ABC-Mart". Nick's still seems to be high quality where White's was 20+ years ago. Neither White's or Nick's or other high end boots come inexpensively, expect to pay in the $400 range! They are NOT light, nor are they waterproof, but they are a heavy rugged boot made for serious work in rugged terrain! Best boot dressings bar none are the products from Obenauf's, believe me, I had a box full of other stuff collected over the years, all went in the trash after I switched to those products. SHG
Out of Spokane... custom sized, but pricey. Been making them for 150 years.
Swore by Redwings for decades, but have they been cutting corners of late?
?ÿ
that is the style I chose, with the lighter tread so it wouldn't mark up tile in the office or the house, I'm glad I did spring for them, I changed them a bit got them to make an 8" model and you can change the heel so it's not so high, although I'm glad I left it like it is in the picture, kicked around lots or rocks with it, still it's going strong. They can be rebuilt when they wear out, I'm starting to get there, but not yet. You can order a "lessor" model in the Hawthorn brand for about $150 less, still a great boot.
Used to be White's, last pair was bought in 1992 and has been rebuilt about three times. About a year ago I bought a similar boot from Nick's (also in Spokane and started by an ex White's boot maker 50+ years ago). IMO, White's quality has suffered a bit of late (less handcrafted IMO), due to mergers and acquisitions. From Wiki: "In July 2014, White's Boots was sold to LaCrosse Footwear of Portland, Oregon, which also owns Danner Boots. LaCrosse Footwear's chief financial officer, Kirk Layton, cited the made in America heritage of White's Boots as a motivating factor for the buyout. LaCrosse Footwear is itself owned by Tokyo-based retailer ABC-Mart". Nick's still seems to be high quality where White's was 20+ years ago. Neither White's or Nick's or other high end boots come inexpensively, expect to pay in the $400 range! They are NOT light, nor are they waterproof, but they are a heavy rugged boot made for serious work in rugged terrain! Best boot dressings bar none are the products from Obenauf's, believe me, I had a box full of other stuff collected over the years, all went in the trash after I switched to those products. SHG
Those are nice boots. I wouldn't start tying them until I was on the clock though!
My boot of choice is the Vasque Summit GTX. I've had many pairs as they only last about 2 years of daily use but they're comfortable, light, have sticky soles and good support. Most of my work is in the woods. I have also wore boots from Scarpa and Asolo but I prefer the Vasque because I can usually find them online with 50% or more discount.?ÿ
I've heard of people swearing by certain boots because they last many years but I have never had any daily worn boot last more than 2 or 3 years including Carolinas, Redwings and Danners.
Gregg
Same here hard to get more than 3 years out of daily worn boots.
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So far the Irish Setter 11" Marshall's are very comfortable and light weight.?ÿ Today I had a little more difficulty navigating the ravines than I'm used too.?ÿ Which I did expect being used to the logger tread.?ÿ But still managed.?ÿ So far satisfied.?ÿ?ÿ
