What's on your feet...

ramjo

ramjo

Well-Known Member
Joined
Apr 13, 2010
Location
Marion,NC
I'm in the market for a new pair of work boots. Right now I'm in a pair of 8" Timberland Pro Helix which have been probably the best boot I have had for my work (residential construction). I have had Georgia, Chippewa, Rockys, and Danners before but I'm lucky to get a year out of most of them before they start to come apart and none have been as comfortable as the Timberlands (feel better than my Nike).


They are on top of my list right now and hard to beat at $140. I have eye- balled some Keen Tacomas online and some Thorogoods but I like to try on boots before I buy. I want something that feels good straight off the rack......and under $150
So, what's on your feet?
 
I agree with you on the Timberland Pros, the only better boot I've ever had was Redwings. The timberlands were a lot lighter though so I started buying them more often. Both of my timberlands don't weigh as much as one of my Redwings, and when you're walking a lot that really helps.

I don't like the Thorogoods, only pair I've ever tried on just didn't feel good. I don't have wide feet but even their wide size felt tight.
 
Any boot/shoe you go with it's WELL WORTH ripping the crappy insole out that come with them and put in a quality set of Aftermarket insoles. Find your arch and size and swap them. Lucky for me, we have a couple of customers that make insoles, so I get my pick.
 
Rockports. Not a work boot, I have more of an office/lab job. But I have a habit of wearing the same shoes every day for years, except when in the shop or doing yardwork so I wear them out. I've found Rockports to be the most comfortable and longest lasting, and I have wide short feet (wear a 9.5 wide).
 
Related - socks:
I highly recommend Darn Tough socks. They are made of merino wool and come in any size and shape. They are expensive per pair, but they are guaranteed for LIFE - I have already mailed some back, within about a week got a new pair, no questions asked.
I never wear cheap cotton socks anymore - the awesome thing about merino wool is that they wick moisture away and dry very quickly, and are still comfy on hot summer days and warm in the winter. And they don't get stinky nearly as fast so I can wear them 2 days in a row w/o any problems. That's all I wear now.
 
I love my Tony Lama boots
 
At work, I have to wear dress shoes, not even sure the brand I have on since I just went with some cheap shit on sale. When I am away from work, I wear wolverine work boots with an aftermarket insole for comfort and arch support. I have always really liked the way wolverines felt and held up to abuse.
 
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Wolverine work boots goretex, comp toe, light last about a year and that's long enough for me. I've bought red wings, tony lamas, Georgia boots, Rockys, tried em all these boots are light and comfortable at about 100 bucks a pair all I need.
 
Ariat work boots..I have a flatter foot and they are the only ones that dont try to break it in half with some stupid triangle arch.

They also make a 4x width
 
These for work. Last longest in a combo of crawling in mud and standing on concrete. Last about 3 months Londoner than everything else. Wore out the insole before anything else. Last a year.

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These for on concrete and general outdoor stuff. There are over a year old and still going strong.

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Wolverines lasted 32 days on the first pair, and 3 months on second pair.

USA made Red wings made it 3 months on first pair and 3 months on second pair.

Used to wear Carhartt lace ups and they would make it a year, but they discontinued and changed them.

Before that would regular timberlands that lasted about 6 months each. Haven't tried the pro series.

The best comfort and lightweight are the danner, but durability and comfort are with the Keens.
 
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X2 on replacing the insoles. I have an almost new pair of timberland pro boots that I can't wear. They were very comfortable on the bottom of my feet but the way the top part is cut digs into the top of my foot, which is narrow with a high arch. No amount of special lacing techniques would help so I went back to my old brand. I've had good luck with wolverine w01191. They're not real expensive, I've had a pair last well over a year, and usually toss them due to smell long before they come apart. I'm a mechanic in a non air-conditioned shop. They are oil and slip resistant.

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I've got a pair of Keen steel toes that I do NOT like. The body of them is wearing quickly and they are heavy, but not in a durable way. The sole is holding up great. Previously, I've had a couple pair of Hytest and was very pleased with them. Light and durable, but the sole did wear a bit quicker than the Keens. A few years ago I had some Redwing's and they were just too darn heavy and seemed to hold stink better than any other shoe I've ever owned.
 
I wear slip ons and got tired of wearing out the liners...so found that Wolverine makes their "Drillbit" slip on boot with a Boa lacing system. Best thing ever! Still no laces to tie, but my foot can't move around in the boot at all! Also, I have no idea what they're made of, but it's some tough shit! I always put KG's Boot Guard on the toe and heels of my boots and could barely scratch the material of these with 80 grit. They're awesome!

My main reason for wearing these boots is the particular style of Vibram soles they use. Large cleats that are easy to knock mud out of, but they're very durable and metal chips won't stick in them. I have yet to wear out the soles on any of my boots and I'm very rough on them.
 
Georgia boot farm and ranch for the concrete shop. Lightweight, flexable, and last about 1.5-2 years. Tony lama TLX for the dirt. Georgia mud dogs for the mud and winter.
 
I wouldn't buy boots without the Vibram sole. I have a pair of Ariat slip ons that have last a few years, after 2 trips to the cobbler to get reglued. Seams, leather and sole have held up great, the sole delaminated. Also have a pair of asolo gore Tex, but I'll only wear those with a backpack. Great boots once you get past a 6 month break in. Both of those aren't really adequate for construction, but nice boots none the less. My friends who do landscaping will ruin a pair of timberlines or Irish setters in about 3 months.
 
RatLabGuy said:
Related - socks:
I highly recommend Darn Tough socks. They are made of merino wool and come in any size and shape. They are expensive per pair, but they are guaranteed for LIFE - I have already mailed some back, within about a week got a new pair, no questions asked.
I never wear cheap cotton socks anymore - the awesome thing about merino wool is that they wick moisture away and dry very quickly, and are still comfy on hot summer days and warm in the winter. And they don't get stinky nearly as fast so I can wear them 2 days in a row w/o any problems. That's all I wear now.
Click to expand...

I recommend Keen Socks. I can't stand putting White tube socks on my feet anymore. These are made with a left and right foot with arch support and again attribute to a better feeling foot at the end of the day.
 
Like many of us, I've tried all different kinds.

I have always gone back to Red Wings after trying all different kinds. A close second would be Keen. But, they aren't nearly as easy to find and the selection is kind of limited compared to Red Wings.

Try on and wear what is comfortable. I e found that anything I bought for less than $150 had been pure crap and either fallen apart at 3 months or made my feet hurt.
 
I wear Clark's (Desert Boots) every day to work for a nicer look, but wear Red Wing 438 8 inchers whenever I'm outside or in the woods.
 
Keen. That is all. I work 14 hr days in the powerhouse. Some times 40-60 days straight. The Keen Pittsburghs steel toe have worked well for me. I stand on concrete, metal grating, and climb ladders. They are diesel fuel and oil soaked. I walk through coal and liquid limestone that will dehydrate the leather. It's the only boot that works for me. I got mine at a discount boot store in Ashville. They were cheaper there than any place local or internet. Within the $150 range.
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Like many I am a fan of the Keen boots. However, Due to working outside in the winter, I stay away from steel toe, and get the composite toe instead. Makes it very hard to find.
Most boots last about 6 months, keen about 10-12 months. Currently wearing carhartt, but not super happy with them. Keen fit better.
I don't believe in a 'break in period'. It should fit and be comfortable out of the box.

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Nothing but keen for the last 5 yrs or so. They're on my feet for over 13.5hrs every workday.
 
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