Lets hear about Boots for working in the woods.

I think i know what i need in a boot for working in the woods, but i know other forum members know a lot more about it then me.

So what type and brand are other forum members using?

 

I wear Kenetrek or Meindl it’s a you get what you pay for thing. The footbed is unbelievable, I like the partial rubber above the sole, ankle support and durability. I wear them from for everyday task, work, sawing, moose and sheep hunting. Up on a mountain at the grass line and above are the scree fields these sharp small flatish rocks will shred footwear. Both brands have yet to fail in thousands of feet crossing scree fields, speaking volumes about durability.

I used to love my Redwings, but the footbed left something to be desired. Then I found the Meindl and Kenetrek not looking back.

 

If your looking for a logging boot Hoffman boots has specialty foot wear. They have both corkers and chainsaw boots.

 

Well, boots are such a personal opinion I hate to offer even a suggestion so will stick just to what I wear and know of through word of mouth.

Deep stiff tread. Loggers here in the Pacific Northwest have boots for different weather and usually a pair of each. Most guys still wear cork boots, (spikes in the tread) but unnecessary for just woodcutting, and can be a hassle. That leaves us with the heavy Vibram lug sole as the top choice by far for a leather boot.

Tall heels. Nothing is better on steep soft ground than a really tall heel to dig in with.

Cut protection. Haix makes a boot with cut protection built in. Worth a look.

Insulation. An insulated pack boot in the winter for dry feet and a heavy leather boot for the rest. Synthetics are becoming more popular. A pair of muck boots is great for a trip down to the barn or some light work, I got mine cheap from Moosejaw.

Tall tops. I love tall tops, because I can bust through the brush without nailing my shin on a stob or joe-poke stick. Also, the tall tops are great when splitting wood by hand when pieces tend to fly around. Look for good ankle support. They are amazing.

American made. Boots (and socks!) seem to be one place that is well worth the extra money in the long run. My boots are handmade in Kellogg Idaho by Hoffman, but Whites Boots Inc., Wesco, JK Boots, Nick's Boots, Dayton Boots made in Canada, all make them and have off the rack selections too. Some companies, like Keen out of Portland, Oregon have some lines American made but others that are not - watch 'em carefully. Danner Boot Co. I think is the same way. I had a pair of Wolverines to knock around in and they had been a fantastic company - but sold to China I bought unknowingly and they of course were absolute crap.

So that leaves me with what I have - here's my Hoffman's when they were new, they are re-soleable and can be reworked for about half the price of new, but all the top brands are actually about the same in my opinion.

 

Curious if anyone has tried Lion fire boots made by Thorogood? Kinda looking at the "Station 1 wildland/EMS boot". Waterproof, puncture resist insole,triple rib ladder shank and composition safety toe. Certified for wildfire firefighting.

 

My preference is definitely made in the USA!

 

Bucken Billy Ray got a pair of JK Boots free from them, i looked on JKs web site and i don't see the boot Bucken Billy Ray is showingh him putting them on in his videos.

I have looked at White's Boots seems many like them, some don't but most have liked them and received good service.

 

Which is a better toe to have on a pair of boots, steel or composite?

 

I've only bought red wings for the past 30 years and I will honestly say the quality is lacking on my last 2 pair.

 

Lacrosse alpha burlys are my winter outdoor slippers . Un insulated muck boots spring/fall and regular work boots in summer.

remember to put your pantlegs over the rubber boots or they will fill up with saw dust.

 

I have been wearing red wing king toe boots recently. Had to return the first pair because the sole separated from the upper. The replacement pair did the same thing. I’ll be looking elsewhere when I decide to replace them. First time red wing purchase, very not impressed!

 

I wear whites for the three months of the summer. I get two to three years out of them before they need rebuilt. Winter boots I buy 1000 gram irish setter, elk hunters. I put tough toe epoxy on the front and I usually get a whole winter out of them, but I put on 15 plus miles a day wearing tool bags. I should never have wore that calibrated pedometer! Just makes me feel more tired now.

 

I wear Viking Chainsaw rubbers with pants/chaps over .

 

I have a pair of Keen steel toe that I used in the machine shop that work well for me. They also have a toe chemical guard that works well in the snow for keeping the tootsies dry.

 

I tried 2 different pair of Keen work boots. Both pairs the toe ended up curling up and looks a bit like elf shoes. I noticed this on a co workers boots as well. Have you noticed that at all?

also they stunk real bad after a short while. Don’t get me wrong my other boots have smelled like roses but these were particularly bad. Wife made me keep them in the porch.

 

Wow you guys have some nice boots. Your making me feel insecure with my 39.95 specials from Big 5.

 

Can't say I've had either of those experiences. I actually like them. Once they get broke in, they are good to my feet. I have several of their hiking boot type too and I will definitely buy again.

 

If it makes you feel better, I didn't flip the bill for mine. My company buys them for us every year and I just use them at home after that year is up. Before that I was using tennis shoes.

 

Are they insulated?

 

I haven't heard anything bad, only good about thorogood boots, especially the made in the USA ones.