I agree on that point. The USA made ones. I have a pair of Hoffman line boots that have held up well as well. Halls makes a good boot too. All 3 of my line boots (halls, Carolina and Hoffman) are American made.
I got carolina loggers, no saftey toe i hate steel toe boots. There holding up good. Ya i agree i dont like logger heels for walking on pavement .
Like most companies, Red Wings has moved much of their production overseas. Out of 263 styles of work boots, only 76 are still made in the USA.
Working in the woods, the logger boots are great. But as others stated, they are for working in the woods, not walking in a city. I've had only one pair of steel toed boots in my life and hated them. I think I managed to wear them about 2 weeks before I lucked out and sold them so someone else.
Here's what I'm leaning towards as my next woodcutting boot - Would be nice if they had the calk sole/steel toe combo,but I don't think it is.... http://www.baileysonline.com/Footwear/Calk/Logger/Red-Dawg-Boots---Lace-to-Toe-Calk.axd Wore Carolina Vibram lug sole steel toe loggers on my M-F construction gig for almost 20 years,same in the woods on weekends.But the last pair didn't fit as good as previous ones so for a change I tried Carharrt loggers with Vibram Tacoma lug sole (their most aggressive,its practically self-cleaning) in 2008,like them so much I'm almost worn out the 2nd pair.Bad thing is they're not US made nor does current models have the Tacoma sole,it was my favorite.
I'll throw in a plug for Whites, they are expensive but are USA made in the great state of Washington http://www.whitesboots.com/ http://www.whitesboots.com/index.php?dispatch=pages.view&page_id=37
I don't like steel toes, but I like Danner boots-have several pairs in various heights and insulation levels.
I want a pair of calks but everywhere I cut is so rocky or I'm off and on equipment there not practical.
I put $20 in a coffee can every month. By the time my current pair wears out, I have more than enough for a new pair. I'd give up beer before I gave up my boots.
I have been very pleased with Danner boots. They started out making most of the boots here in the US, but like so many other companies cheap overseas labor has driven them to have more of them made "over there".
Hard to beat a pair of White's, I have had 2 pair and they are outstanding. I wear my boots everyday winter and summer, not sure I own a pair of Nike's or anything like that, except for my wading and kayak shoes. Lol... I am by boots like women are about there shoes. I have owned about every kind, White's, Chippewa Artic's and some Danner's are my favorite boots. Also look at a company called Drew's boots.
Redwings here too! Required to wear them at work and are so comfortable and provide support to my slopped out ankles, I barely wear shoes at all. Steel toes have saved my toes quite a few times! Tried Wolverine boots once and didn't care for them, too wide. Downfall of wearing a 13B. Others I know love the Wolverines though. Try on numerous brands and go with what feels the best to you.
I switched to Wolverine Harrisons 5-6years ago and won't look back. They offer true EW width, comfortable and light weight - something to consider when going steel toe I get new pair every year only because work pays for them. I'm in my boots 13+hrs a day and they are more comfortable than sneakers to me when on my days off. With lots of steep terrain you want good ankle support stay in the 6-8" range anything taller becomes cumbersome and way too hot when it's not cold outside
