I just got a new pair of boots after looking for months for a nice comfy pair of boots for being out in the woods, cutting, splitting, and all the other activities that keep me off the couch. We discuss splitters, axes, saws, chains, tractors, files, trucks, and all the other stuff we use all the time. But this search for a good fitting pair of boots left me feeling like I could have used some good advice from folks like me that have similar needs and interests. I'm normally a pretty rough and tumble kind of guy and can work through a lot of inconvenienc, discomfort, and even some pain. BUT, my feet are real pansies and need to be comfortable in safe well fitting boots that don't slip around that can protect my toes from dropping rounds or splits, out of control axe heads, chains and the other hazards that come with wood... It doesn't help that I'm becoming a fat old guy that is still trying to be twenty. I started out working in a steel mill and always wore steel toed boots with meta-tarsal guards, but my time after that while in the Army got me away from the steel toes. For many years working in an office I got by with run of the mill clod hoppers. In the late 90's we started heating our house with wood and I needed a step up in boots. It seems I would go get a pair of Red Wings and be happy with them for a couple years and when they would reach end of life, I would end up getting another cheepo pair just trying not to spend so much. I would be disapointed and after those wore out in 6 months I would go buy a pair of good Wolverines. Happy again for a couple years. Cheepo's again, not happy. You get the picture. Well the last couple pairs of Red Wings I had I have also been disappointed with. Same with Wolverines... I have used aftermarket insoles in them to adjust the arch support and extend the life of the boots. The last pair of Wolverines the leather seemed to stretch out and they got too loose. So I use those now with steel bottom insoles for when dropping and limbing Honey Locust. The protective steel insoles are thick and take up most of the extra space from the stretched leather. So. This time I hunted and hunted and 5 or 6 times swore I would come home with a pair of good work boots on a reasonable budget. Store after store I would be disappointed in not finding something that fit, didn't rub in a bad spot, squeeze my toes, or just plain hurt, not to mention the lack of arch support. Throw in a little neuropathy from Sugar Diabetes and it's just getting harder for me to find work boots. SO, after all this whining, I ended up spending about $150 on a pair of Carolina 8" Waterproof steel toe Logger boots. I have gotten to wear them for 3 weekends and are pretty happy with them overall. Great traction with the lug soles. The steel toe area has room for my toes and doesn't rub anything the wrong way. The heel doesn't slip around very much but does a little, less than most others (I have what some call "duck" feet, wide at the toes and narrow heels making fitting difficult). I like the "high top" ankle protection cuz I tend to roll my ankles way too often. Arch support is adequate but I would like a little bit more. I tried adding arch supports but that raises my heel up out of the heel cup. The heels on these boots seem a little higher than they need to be for me. The high tops are a little harder to get on and off than I would prefer since I do have high archs and large ankles. Like any other equipment I buy I would like to go into it next time armed with as much info as possible and with all the tips / does and don'ts available to help me get the best quality and fit I can for my hard earned money. What have been your experiences with work boots, good or bad. Anything to look for? Anything to Avoid? Tips on getting the best fit? Can / do socks make a difference?
For cutting firewood have used steel toed RedWings for many years .I find myself going off the road into the logging slash more and more to collect firewood so caulk boots became a necessity Meta-tarsal Protectors . Large upper eyes so a loggers knot can be used . Caulk soles to prevent slipping while walking on logs . The raised splitting table on the beaver splitter make steel toes and meta-tarsal protection a requirement in foot wear .
I am a rookie. I've never seen real timber boots like that in any stores around here. I guess I'm not looking to get that far into a purpose made boot. I'm needing to stay with a more all around boot for on and off the tractor and sneaking into the basement for a drink out of the basement fridge (the wife hates when I come in even the basement with workboots on. I'd be met at the door with a shotgun if I tried coming in the house with those on... I guess the Ohio forestry industry isn't as active as other parts of the country or I just haven't found the right shoe store yet. I'm not comfortable buying shoes on the internet without walking in them first. What brand are those and where did you get them?
Viberg Boot MFG . Victoria BC. The boots were custom made for me as I have a B width foot and ankle. If I didn't have the narrow foot a person just could have bought a pair of Red Wings and had them resoled as caulk boots would have been a lot cheaper .
Not a logger so do not use logging boots. I do work 12 hours a day at a plant that does require steel toe boots and have gone through many brands. Red wings do not hold up! Wolverine has been good in the past but the last pair was totally not comfortable. Timberland pros seem a bit heavy but do hold up. Rockies are good. Outside of work I wear a tactical desert boot made by Rocky and those are my go to boots outside of work. 0 break in and feet stay cool! But to each their own!
First & only pair of Red Wing Steel Toed Vibram lug sole steel toed loggers in around '88-89.Heavy contruction full time,tree work part time. Granted I didn't oil them or otherwise maintan them,they were trashed in barely a year.Next went with same style Carolina loggers,about 1/2 the cost,they lasted on average 12-18 months per pair depending on where I was,what I was doing. Stayed with them until around 2008 last pair I had didn't fit as good or last as long as pervious ones.Switched to Carharrt loggers then,I liked their super aggressive self cleaning Vibram Tacoma soles the best of all. Again they changed the design,3rd pair not as good as the first,so I went looking for another brand again. Since 2017 moving to inside remodeling/no more rough terrain/mud/snow I switched to these just about the most comfortable boots I've ever worn.Dont do a lot of tree work now compared to just 3-4 years ago,but I found these last summer & they're a lot like my first Carhart pair,Red Dawg Boots Safety Toe Vibram Plus I have 2 pair of vintage caulk boots bought online a couple years back -handmade leather Kulien's for those steep/muddy/icy slopes I seem to be always at,plus a vintage pair of rubber Wesco's for when its rainy and/or snowy & I need more water resistance. Both pair together in excellent shape cost less than 1 pair of a brand new pair.I don't do enough tree work now being close to retirement to justify $350+ for a new pair of either.
I wear Thorogood wedge soles also and I love them, best boots I have found. I had a pair of Carolina 1809 boots before the Thorogoods and liked them very well also. I like the looks of the moc top Thorogoods but I would burn the stitching out in a hurry. In the woods I wear a pair of Justin western style work boots with composite toe for cutting, at all other times other than cutting I wear a pair of Merrell Moab shoes. In the event that I'm crossing a creek while hoarding then I use lacrosse rubber boots
I've worn Tony Lama steel toe work boots for the last few years with no comfort or wear issues. They are a little pricey but their comfort and durability can't be beat.
I dont have a pair currently but I have had great luck with the danner quarry boots. Also heard great things about their super rainforest boots
I worked on cargo ships and offshore rigs for 10+ years so I went through boots pretty regularly...walking on steel decks, nonskid, salt water environment etc...a lot of that time was spent in Red Wings which I would have said were great until I was introduced to my Danners. Personally I think Danners are some of the best boots for the money. Fit great and are comfy from day 1, no month of break-in like I always had with Red Wings and theyve been lasting great through some real abuse. I have a pair of the 11" Crafter Wellingtons (I LOVE slip-on boots, super comfy and easy on/off for when you're in/out of the house frequently like I often am working around the property). I also have a pair of the military style Gortex boots in sage green. I use them for various non-work winter activities (snowshoeing, ice fishing, etc). I am planning to pick up something like these for summer work...those Wellingtons are great but kind of heavy for summer. I want a pair of work "sneakers" that are not so tall and heavy and more casual for when Im wearing shorts. Something like this Im thinking: Anyway, I love Danners and would highly recommend them.
I have a couple pair I wear, Wolverine Dura-Shock and a pair of Avengers I got off the boot truck. I am diabetic too, so I'm really trying to take care of these puppies. I do have problems with plantar facitious occasionally, so swapping pairs every couple days seems to help. And yes, good socks make a difference...
Am no pro, I cut and process firewood more of a hobby so no need for logging boots. I wear Timberland Pro steel toe if I am going to be cutting and or splitting/stacking firewood. Had them for few years, love them! Extremely comfy and the steel toe is really useful when splitting.
Redwing Iron Rangers that I've had since 2013. Replaced the sole on them once (earlier this year) only because they came with a flat sole which was deadly in the winter. The regular vibram sole now makes them a 4 season boot in my opinion. I don't take care of them too well, just the very occasional saddle soap or leather conditioner. Honestly they seem to only get better with age. I wear a pair of Red Wing 2233's at my industrial paint/blasting shop every day also since 2013. The soles are shot on them but I've had them restitched/patched once by red wing (they do this for free) and I want to see how long I can make them last. I never oil these ones. Overall I've had great luck with Red Wing and I'll continue to buy them. The free patching, restitching, laces and cleaning is a great perk.
I went "buy once, cry once" and bit the bullet a couple years ago and got a pair of Westco Jobmasters. I really wanted Whites but I have flat feet and Whites have high arches. I've heard great things about Nicks as well. I can tell my wife still wants to smother me over the price but the way I figure it, if they can stand up to forestry work my knees will wear out before those boots will. I treat them with Obenauf's so with my use they'll probably be the last pair of heavy duty work boots I buy. The build quality is excellent and once broke in they're extremely comfortable. Plus you can have them rebuilt for under 250. I've also got a pair of Thorogoods. They're excellent as well.
Red wings, just have to make sure they are made in USA ones with the Goodyear super sole, not the made in China ones with the vibram foam soles made to look like rubber. My USA ones have held up for two years now and I am easily going to get a several more years and will get them re soled at some point, it’s unbelievable how much better they are. China ones only hold up for a year. I have also tried Chippewa and Justin, the soles wear out ridiculously fast, same foam crap not rubber. Made in USA carhartt also hold up really well, they are made in the red wing plant
I used to wear work boots but don’t even own a pair anymore. I wear nothing but Hoka brand sneakers. They are so soft under foot and take a beating. Not steel toed though so I learned to be quick of foot.
I tried nicks once, after waiting 5 months they showed up and they fit horribly one was way bigger than the other and I had even verified the fit with a test pair prior, perfect fit. It was only with pictures I was able to get them to take them back. I truly believe they mixed up two different pairs. Told them I wasn’t going to wait several more months not knowing if they would get them right. The boots were nice, but for that $$$ it was a major disappointment. If I didn’t live on the east coast and could easily visit their store I would give them another shot since they were amazing quality, possibly last a lifetime nice.
