I love RedWing, steel toed, Pecos Style boots.?ÿ Can't remember the number.?ÿ They slip on with the super sole.?ÿ The only time I use another boot is in the hills or swamp.?ÿ Then I have a lace up Red Wing steel toed boot.?ÿ
I'm a fan of Red Wing. My last pair was excellent. Plain toe, light and nimble. Had good support, but felt like a shoe instead of a boot. Of course, they discontinued it. I don't know the model number. Even though I abused them, I got two good years out of them. They were about $200, IIRC.
This year I bought a new pair because I abused my first pair by not oiling them very often. These new ones are heavy and steel toed. I don't enjoy wearing them as much as my old ones. I would wear my old ones all the time because they were some of my most comfortable footwear. These new ones are comfortable, but very heavy, so I look forward to kicking them off as soon as I get home. But, I will say this, my feet feel very protected in them.
I had a pair of pull-on Doc Martins several years ago. I like a lot about pull-ons, but ultimately I don't care for them for fieldwork. Too sloppy on the foot. I do like the convenience of not having to lace them up though.
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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
I had pretty good luck with those Vasque's as well. I had two separate pairs that made it for two seasons. My only issue with them was that they were CRAZY dangerous in cold conditions or on ice or snow. They about killed me many a time, and I eventually just couldn't wear them in the winter time. Super durable and comfy boot otherwise though.
Out of Spokane... custom sized, but pricey. Been making them for 150 years.
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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
I got my White's?ÿmore than?ÿten years ago. It's distressing to hear that the quality has degraded.
I've looked at Nick's, they are similar to White's, I've had one warning about them; be careful which arch support you order. One guy told me it was like walking on a round ladder rung all day. I do have high arches and it's one of the things about the White's that make them so comfortable for me, however, the Nick's will come with very high arches if you aren't careful. From reading on their site I see they do offer 3 different arches, chosing the correct one may be a bit difficult.
I've had a heck of a time finding what I think is the perfect boot:?ÿ leather, 8" high, a little but not a lot of insulation, Vibram sole, waterproof, composite toe, not too heavy or expensive.
Wearing Timberland Pro Boondocks, which have most of what I want, but they're a bit too heavy, with a little too much insulation.?ÿ Soles aren't Vibram, but they're not bad.?ÿ They've stayed mostly waterproof, just need to Sno-seal them every so often.?ÿ They cost $200 two years ago, and they're still in good shape, so I can't really complain.
I got my White's?ÿmore than?ÿten years ago. It's distressing to hear that the quality has degraded.
I've looked at Nick's, they are similar to White's, I've had one warning about them; be careful which arch support you order. One guy told me it was like walking on a round ladder rung all day. I do have high arches and it's one of the things about the White's that make them so comfortable for me, however, the Nick's will come with very high arches if you aren't careful. From reading on their site I see they do offer 3 different arches, chosing the correct one may be a bit difficult.
Hmm, my Nick's seem to have similar arches as the old White's and I wasn't even aware options existed. The Nick's fit much more snug than any other boot I have owned, custom made to your foot, I have different sizes for left and right feet and the uppers are still breaking in (toe box has been comfortably from day one). They are heavy, rugged and cost a small fortune, at 60 years old this spring, probably my last pair of boots ever unless I just want to try different things in retirement, these Nick's + my 1992 issue White's will be all the real work boots I will need until I hang the plumb bob up.
I got my White's?ÿmore than?ÿten years ago. It's distressing to hear that the quality has degraded.
I've looked at Nick's, they are similar to White's, I've had one warning about them; be careful which arch support you order. One guy told me it was like walking on a round ladder rung all day. I do have high arches and it's one of the things about the White's that make them so comfortable for me, however, the Nick's will come with very high arches if you aren't careful. From reading on their site I see they do offer 3 different arches, chosing the correct one may be a bit difficult.
Hmm, my Nick's seem to have similar arches as the old White's and I wasn't even aware options existed. The Nick's fit much more snug than any other boot I have owned, custom made to your foot, I have different sizes for left and right feet and the uppers are still breaking in (toe box has been comfortably from day one). They are heavy, rugged and cost a small fortune, at 60 years old this spring, probably my last pair of boots ever unless I just want to try different things in retirement, these Nick's + my 1992 issue White's will be all the real work boots I will need until I hang the plumb bob up.
Which style did you get? I kinda want to go to the two stores, but my little sister who used to live there moved and I don't seem to have a reason to make the trip.
The boots that I have been wearing for the past five or six years are Salomon. I have a pair of the X Ultra 3 which are light hikers and the Quest 4D. Both are extremely comfortable, but the X Ultra 3 only last about a year.
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Which style did you get? I kinda want to go to the two stores, but my little sister who used to live there moved and I don't seem to have a reason to make the trip.
I've owned a pair of Red Wings for over 25 years. In that time they have been resoled once, plus they've been repaired numerous times, even though they were worn only for special occasions. They're incredibly comfortable but not at all practical for workwear. This year I ordered a pair of workboots from https://rockroosterfootwear.com/collections/wedge-sole-boots. I am delighted with them because they are resistant to water and also are very comfortable. The biggest their advantage is the quality and price.
https://www.danner.com/men/work/vicious-4-5-brown-orange-met-nmt.html
Heard good things about Danner from a couple other surveyors so I picked up a pair of these back in June.?ÿ I'm really, really happy with these and will probably keep buying them until they give me a reason not to.
Redwing 2203 steel toe requirement jobs?ÿ
Redwing 608. Almost every day rain mud or dry. On farm, surveying, church, office, taking the wife on a date etc. ?ÿbetter than flip flops. ?ÿOnly issue is the sole is not very aggressive if on a hard slick steep clay bank. I keep them oiled up with mink oil. Keeps my feet dry.?ÿ
Dryshod. Pull on in the real mucky mud or water ?ÿor cow pies in corral etc ?ÿsnow.
years ago living in CO ?ÿi wore danners and whites ?ÿ Awesome boots. ?ÿBest money a country boy ever spent coming from Mississippi. ?ÿI was on my first job in CO a mine leadville ?ÿmy cheap Walmart catipillar boots totally fell apart. I finished the day bare foot literally. By crew chief drove me to town . Made me buy a pair of danners loggers and some sorrells. This was in the 90??s ?ÿ I moved from Mississippi to CO ?ÿin 2 days ?ÿby the end of the week i was above tree line . Barefoot on a mine topo geezers I learned the hard way.
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Due to difficulty getting boots that fit my long narrow feet I acquired a pair of Nicks 10? Builder Pros, smooth over rough out, walnut color. Medium arch (lower than a logger heel).
They are very comfortable and extremely good in steep, difficult terrain. I??ve had them 1.5 years and am having a hard time wearing the new off of them.
The close fit takes some getting used to but at this point I forget they are on my feet.
Cost at this point is over $500. They can be rebuilt for about half cost and resoled for cheaper than that.
These are, by far the best boots I have ever owned, can??t say enough good things about them. My Redwing 899s look like cheap thin cheap boots next to them.
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Danner Steel City are my everyday boot these days. I just had my Danner Rain Forest boots renewed for wearing on Sundays. The Rain Forests are built right here in Portland.?ÿ
I almost feel guilty after reading about all these expensive boots that I am able to wear Herman Survivors and a pair will last me for several years and I told my wife the other day that they felt so good that they make you feel important.
Talking about boots, I have been meaning for several years to ask how other surveyors tie their laces, I have always wrapped them around my leg twice and tie a square knot and tuck the ends under the wrapped laces, thus I do not have to worry about them coming untied.
