Work Boots - Who likes what?

[max power]

My expensive Chinese made Redwings are splitting in half after a year and a half and I need a new pair of work boots. My requirements are:

- fairly light

- all day comfortable

- 6' lace or pull on "wellington" style

- Vibram sole

- preferably American made

I tried on a pair of these today and wasnt real impressed:

http://www.georgiaboot.com/products/3698/1600G6044/Georgia-Waterproof-Logger-Work-Boots/

Also tried on a similar pair of Carolinas and didnt think much of them, though they werw a little more comfortable, the waterproof flap on both pair rubbed right on my ankle bone. Not good.

Considering the following so far,

http://www.onlinebootstore.com/great-boots/items/20077.html

http://www.onlinebootstore.com/great-boots/items/72000.html

http://www.onlinebootstore.com/great-boots/items/25290.html

but need to find a local place to try them on and possibly buy them.

Any other brands or models I should be considering?

And where the hell do you buy good work boots in central Ohio besides ZZ Boots and Buckeye outdoors (whose selections suck).

Edited January 17, 2012 by max power

[Bad324]

don't Redwings have a rediculously good warranty policy? I love mine

[MidgetTodd]

In the mall there's a store called shoebile. Decent selection and good prices. Diehard line from Kmart and sears isnt bad either.

[BadTrainDriver]

USA made Red Wings are all I'll wear, period.

You get what you pay for.

Buy from a Red Wing store, and if you do ever have trouble, you'll be taken care of.

My last pair lasted almost six years.

$250 over six years is pretty cheap.

[serpentracer]

I have to have a boot that isn't so hard on the sole. it MUST be soft like a sneaker.

the only boot I've ever tried on that was like this is the timberland pro's with the anit-fatigue sole.

it's like a pair of nike air's.

http://shop.timberland.com/product/index.jsp?productId=4208474

the only problem is they tend to wear out quickly.

Edited January 15, 2012 by serpentracer

[Simplysix]

My Redwings are splitting in half after a year and a half

how did you kill a pair of redwings that fast?

[max power]

don't Redwings have a rediculously good warranty policy? I love mine

Unfortunately, no.

USA made Red Wings are all I'll wear, period.

You get what you pay for.

Buy from a Red Wing store, and if you do ever have trouble, you'll be taken care of.

My last pair lasted almost six years.

$250 over six years is pretty cheap.

They dont make any boots besides loggers with Vibram soles anymore. And their American made line is getting pretty small.

I always dealt with the RedWing store on Main st. in Reynoldsburg. Good dude. I have been ordering the same boots for the last couple pairs, but they used to last about 3 years and now I barely get a year out of them. Time to try something else.

[max power]

how did you kill a pair of redwings that fast?

I work my ass off!

They are living shorter and shorter lives. I have had 3 pairs of the same model and they last less time every pair.

My next pair will have Vibram soles. Period.

[serpentracer]

Unfortunately, no.

They dont make any boots besides loggers with Vibram soles anymore. And their American made line is getting pretty small.

I always dealt with the RedWing store on Main st. in Reynoldsburg. Good dude. I have been ordering the same boots for the last couple pairs, but they used to last about 3 years and now I barely get a year out of them. Time to try something else.

you know what's sad. I can wear a pair of sneakers to work and they last longer than some work boots.

[max power]

I have to have a boot that isn't so hard on the sole. it MUST be soft like a sneaker.

the only boot I've ever tried on that was like this is the timberland pro's with the anit-fatigue sole.

it's like a pair of nike air's.

http://shop.timberland.com/product/index.jsp?productId=4208474

the only problem is they tend to wear out quickly.

Those are alot like the ones I have been wearing.

http://www.redwingshoes.com/red-wing-shoe/8683-red-wing-shoes/8683-red-wing-mens-5-inch-hiker-boot-brown

I love the things, but the soles on them suck.

Edited January 15, 2012 by max power

[Simplysix]

http://www.ironpony.com/ironponydirect/product.asp/ImageName/supertech-r-boot-white.jpg/Brand/ALPINESTARS/Class2/Footwear/Class3/Street%20Boots-Mens/Class1/STREET%20PRODUCTS

[Duck]

Walking hundreds, thousands of miles. I have grown accustom to USMC issued boots. I'm stuck on our new RAT boots. Made with gortex Kevlar... Good stuff, holds up well.

[jagr]

Make a run down to Rocky in Nelsonville.

My last 5 pair of steeltoes have been Rockys.

I've had good luck with fit and finish. I get the mostly nylon hikers but stepped up to a full insulated leather boot this last time.

Everything isn't imported. Also have many other lines.

[max power]

I've had many pairs of the cheaper Rockys when they were made here and I was a poor college student, all crap. I also lived in Nelsonville when they moved 90% of their production to Mexico and saw what it did to the local economy and workforce. Fuuck them.

[snot]

I love redwings! Paid 150 lasted 2 yrs. Also doc martins are really good, you can get them from MSC.

[jester3681]

I wear Wolverine I buy at Andersons. I have ad my pair for about a year and they're still in good shape. I work a lotand have very specific requirements for work (6" or more, less than 1" defined heal, oil resistasnt sole, etc.). Mine are safety toe. Very comfortable, but need to double up socks in the winter. Almost all of the walking I do is on large ballast rock (railroad bed). I paid $80.

[Gump]

I bought a pair of rubber pull on's and their great but not for work, too schweaty.. http://www.tractorsupply.com/-701509899

TSC is having a big sale...Cat, wolverine, Justin, Carhart and some others.

My old carharts are still good?

http://tsc.tractorsupply.com/search?p=Q&srid=S6-4&lbc=tractorsupply&ts=custom&w=*&uid=32002824&stateid=s6-4_s6-2_s6-4%3aFDGTWc7R&method=and&isort=globalpop&view=grid&srt=0

Edited January 16, 2012 by Gump

[ReconRat]

Wellingtons? Holy crap. I used to wear Justin brand Wellingtons. Big name in Texas boots. I don't know about local sources, I had to order them from the factory in Texas. I did that because they had them in narrow sizes.

Justin has at least one Vibram sole pull-on Wellington:

Briar Pitstop

They've got lace boots, but I favor Wolverines for that:

Wolverine has a lot of Vibram soled choices:

I usually discount mail order them from somewhere, or some of them can be found at Meyer's.

edit: I noticed one of the safety gear stores up in Dublin has Wolverines at nearly mail order prices.

Wolverine also has pull on Wellingtons. I haven't tried those.

Note that Caterpillar boots are made by Wolverine now. I think.

At least I've seen it on the side of the shoe boxes.

Wolverine boots with Vibram soles

Basic 6 inch with Vibram -

Barkley - Wolverine DuraShocks® WP Insulated 6" Boot

I used to wear these, especially riding an old school motorcycle:

Edited January 16, 2012 by ReconRat

[Jst2fst]

I quit paying high price for boots that lasted a couple of months. Went to Wally world and got a pair on the cheap to see how they would work Brahma boots steel toe and seem to be good so far on my third pair in three years first pair was a hand me down still good. I used to go through them quickly. $30-80 for a pair works for me.

[jagr]

I've had many pairs of the cheaper Rockys when they were made here and I was a poor college student, all crap. I also lived in Nelsonville when they moved 90% of their production to Mexico and saw what it did to the local economy and workforce. Fuuck them.

I hear you. I do wish they still MFGd in the US. The company does employ alot of people in an area with few jobs. That keeps alot of money in SEO area that supports other small business.

I don't feel they have a poor product though. Their slip resistance is tops. I work on wet/oily dairy tile. That stuff is like Ice but Rocky's grip like no other. the outlet also carries Georgia and Carolina boots.

Good luck with the search.

[max power]

That company USED to employ a lot of people in an area with few jobs. Now they employ a few people in an area with a lot of unemployment, and a lot of people in Mexico.

[Steve Butters]

timberland pro

/thread

[Sniper_308]

5.11

[Strictly Street]

Bates

Had them three years, dragged at every stop sign in the summer.

Got them at the surplus store off Cleveland Ave.

[chevysoldier]

I wear Timberland Pro Series steel toe work boots, actually think they are composite toe and not steel so they don't get hot/cold like the standard toes. Very comfortable and durable.

I also wear Herman Survivors boots. Laced on front and zip up on the side, water proof and very comfy. Not steel toe though. $45 from Wal-Mart.