Work Boots
- Thread starter AgronAlum
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Another vote for Redwings 953's from Weaver's. I preferred the 6" boot vs. the taller boot. Easier to get on and off....but I think they dis continued that model?
By the way Weaver's is by far the best shoe store in all of Iowa. Great family and I love how they write the receipt on the top of the box. Four generations of my family have purchased shoes at Weaver's, to the point Tim knows our shoe sizes. It is worth the trip to Buffalo Center to buy your shoe's there.
By the way Weaver's is by far the best shoe store in all of Iowa. Great family and I love how they write the receipt on the top of the box. Four generations of my family have purchased shoes at Weaver's, to the point Tim knows our shoe sizes. It is worth the trip to Buffalo Center to buy your shoe's there.
I wear Redwing 2408s daily. Been my boot of choice for 10+ years now. I'm a field engineer in heavy civil / marine construction so I'm a mix of office / field work. Some days it's all office, some days it's 12hrs straight outside in all sorts of conditions (not a ton of winter, but I did wear them through 4 NYC area winters). Technically this is my third pair (I've had them resoled once or twice as well). I typically wear through the soles completely. Never had an issue with the uppers.
I typically don't wear waterproof boots. If it's going to be that wet, I switch to muck/rubber boots. Just my preference. I think waterproof boots make your feet hot and sweat more. I wouldn't go stand in 6" of water for hours, but if I'm just stomping around a muddy jobsite with puddles they are just fine.
The Red Wing uppers do take time to break in. I've been in my current pair in more of an office setting for about 2 months now and I think they are just starting to feel broken in.
On the flip side, I had a good friend/coworker who swore by his $60 walmart steel toes and just bought a new pair every 9-12 months (sometimes as little as 6) when they inevitably fell apart at inopportune times
I typically don't wear waterproof boots. If it's going to be that wet, I switch to muck/rubber boots. Just my preference. I think waterproof boots make your feet hot and sweat more. I wouldn't go stand in 6" of water for hours, but if I'm just stomping around a muddy jobsite with puddles they are just fine.
The Red Wing uppers do take time to break in. I've been in my current pair in more of an office setting for about 2 months now and I think they are just starting to feel broken in.
On the flip side, I had a good friend/coworker who swore by his $60 walmart steel toes and just bought a new pair every 9-12 months (sometimes as little as 6) when they inevitably fell apart at inopportune times
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I’m pretty brand loyal to red wing. I have to wear metatarsal style boots at work and the pair I have now is 5 years old. I have a pair of plain steel toes that I used to wear everyday but now just occasionally that are probably 15 years old. I don’t do anything special to take care of them but oil them twice a year and if they get muddy I clean them when I get home for the evening.
Make sure you get actual Red Wing boots, not the cut rate Irish Setter by Red Wing. Significant drop off in quality without the commensurate drop off in price.
I love my keen steel toes. Not necessarily boots, but they're super comfortable in the office and the shop. Typically last about 2 years as a daily wear for me.
Men's Work Shoes | KEEN Footwear
Our men's work shoes keep you comfy all day, whether you need something waterproof, slip resistant, or other safety features. FREE SHIPPING on orders $100+!www.keenfootwear.com
I agree with the durability of Keen shoes. You can buy replacement insoles. They are a bit pricey but very comfortable. Many styles (also boots) to choose from: https://www.keenfootwear.com/steel-toe/
Add another vote for Red Wing 953’s. Won’t wear any other boot.
Edit.
Forgot to add the great thing about them is you can re-sole them. I generally get 3-5 years out of a pair with a resole in the middle. The full grain leather forms to your feet and are insanely comfortable after broke in.
I also own two of their heritage boots for business casual meetings, every day use, etc. When it comes to boots my opinion is the simpler the design the better.
Edit.
Forgot to add the great thing about them is you can re-sole them. I generally get 3-5 years out of a pair with a resole in the middle. The full grain leather forms to your feet and are insanely comfortable after broke in.
I also own two of their heritage boots for business casual meetings, every day use, etc. When it comes to boots my opinion is the simpler the design the better.
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I love my keen steel toes. Not necessarily boots, but they're super comfortable in the office and the shop. Typically last about 2 years as a daily wear for me.
Men's Work Shoes | KEEN Footwear
Our men's work shoes keep you comfy all day, whether you need something waterproof, slip resistant, or other safety features. FREE SHIPPING on orders $100+!
I like Keen as well. I need a safety toe shoe that breaths otherwise my feet sweat so bad in full leather boots.
these were my last work boot from Danners. loved them for the comfort and fit. only reason I stopped wearing them is the tread wore down enough they became hard to climb with. co-worker has the Quarry and likes them if the stitching went bad within the year on them they should have been warrantied.
I have a pair of Thorogood GenFlex series 6 boots now that are less then a year old and I can not wait till my boot reimbursement is back for work for the year to replace them. they felt great in the store but they have broken down fast. I only put them on when we go out to the tower anymore and just wear my Nike boots in and around the shop. will go back to Danner's if I can find the ones I want (Trackwelts) around here or will give Timberland Pros a try.
I have a pair of Thorogood GenFlex series 6 boots now that are less then a year old and I can not wait till my boot reimbursement is back for work for the year to replace them. they felt great in the store but they have broken down fast. I only put them on when we go out to the tower anymore and just wear my Nike boots in and around the shop. will go back to Danner's if I can find the ones I want (Trackwelts) around here or will give Timberland Pros a try.
Thats the one bad thing I have read reviews onThorogoods is they don't last long. Now that I have heard someone with first had experience, I will probably stay away from Thorogoods. The current boot that I decided to try is Durango. They seem to be pretty decent but haven't had em super long.
the exterior of the boot has held up pretty well. but the interior padding is shot around the ankle and heel. might try some new insoles in them for now. if it wasn't for the fact they feel like they are 10 lbs a piece I would be using the still mostly new Danner steel toes I have left over from the marines for now. the other thing I will try is a carbon toe boot if I can find one.
I'm a big fan of Doc Martens 1 size larger than my foot size with a Dr. Scholl's custom insert inside of it, but that's just me.
Keen Cincinnati...best boots I’ve ever owned. Took me a minute to get used to a 6” boot (usually wear 8”) but they are really comfortable. Have read good things about longevity but time will tell (had them for about 2 months). Wedge boots changed my life...so much more comfortable than normal arched sole boots.
