More work boots...

It's that time of year again. My boots are trashed, my feet hurt, and it's time for some new kicks. I usually wear Danner Crafters - they fit and treat my feet well, the outsoles aren't chunky and don't catch on stuff for me to trip over and rip up, and the price point is usually pretty good. I can usually get them on sale for 20 or 30% off depending on the time of year. The downside is they aren't made in USA like my Bull Run's (ya, I know, made in USA with imported goods like virtually every other MITUSA boot), the insole is toast after 6 months, and the upper always comes unglued from the outsole due to the construction method.

I ran across a brand today that I know very little about, and another brand that I've known about for a while but are fairly cost prohibitive - Avenger Work Boots and Origin Boots, respectively.

I know next to nothing about the Avenger Boots, but one of the local stores had them for stupid good closeout money (they routinely close out decent/good/great gear at crazy good prices so I don't know if they are really a good deal or just a cheap boot, if that makes sense). Looking specifically at the Avenger Wedge Lace-up Boot. I don't typically wear wedge boots to work as the sole is pretty chunky and catches on stuff. But I might get used to it. I wear them to church on Sunday, instead

Origin boots have a cool story and I whole-heartedly embrace their push to bring manufacturing goods back to the states. I'm also willing to pay a little more for them. BUT.... that's assuming they are as good a boot as they purport to be. Looking specifically at the 6" Coronado Christie or 6" Lincoln Christie. I don't particularly care for the dress toe cap on the Lincolns, but they might help them last a little longer.

What do you guys think?

 

https://www.vans.com/en-us/shoes-c00081/ultrarange-exo-hi-mte-2-shoe-pvn0a4bvsbka

Something out of the box that work for me at work

 

I like these from Danner. They're pricey, but will last years. I used them on several construction sites, and even wore them when doing the training course for becoming a firefighter. I love them.

https://www.danner.com/marine-expeditionary-boot-8-gtx-mojave-m-e-b.html

 

Redwing or Wolverine boots with a set of Spenco insoles were always my choices when I wore boots for very long hours. Never had a bad experience with either.

 

What are your work boot requirements?

Safety toe, oil/slip, resistant, specified height, defined in-step etc?

 

I have had good luck with Redwing, they usually last a year or two. They’re cheap disposable footwear.

I have had good luck with Whites Smoke Jumpers, they are agony to break in if you buy them off the shelf though. Best get fitted. They’re the toughest boot I have ever owned and can be rebuilt easily. Plenty comfortable once molded to your feet. Made 100% in the USA. Also look at Nick’s Boots, another Spokane, WA boot maker.

Currently I’m wearing Crispi Nevada’s and I like them a lot. Crispi’s can be re-soled so they’re not just a single use boot. Mine have held up well and they’re comfortable out of the box. Made in Italy to be a mountain hunting boot.

 

I have no specific requirements defined by somebody else that I need to meet. But for me, no safety toe (ruins the toe box and I don't need it), Yes oil/slip resistant, prefer a 6" boot, don't need a heel step necessarily. Lugs are a usually a detriment. Weight is... well, ounces are pounds, and pounds are pain. So I'm told.

The Danner Crafters listed above are about perfect if they were more durable and maybe a little more breathable. Think heavy duty shoes or sturdy hiking boots with a sissified sole. In the summer, I usually wear Solomons in the summer. Most of my shoes and boots die from the inside out; the footbed self destructs, then the outsole wears flat, then the outer edge by the pinky toe or big toe split. So I don't need a boot that will survive a nuclear holocaust or halo jumping to a volcanic bobsled through the jungle to swim 15 miles past snake island to drag my feet down a nail and screw infused concrete road... Well, sometimes, it feels that way. But it isn't.

The Origin boots look great. I have no idea about the avenger boots but have seen a mixed bag: Avenger = budget Thorogood, or Avenger = Budget Walmart special.

 

Should add that I'm usually 8-12 hours a day, but sometimes 30+ hours in the same boots. cuz I'm an idiot.

 

I've looked at Whites and Crispi's before. $$$ but that might be well worth it. Years ago, I swore I'd never spend $100 on shoes; I still bought durable name brand shoes, but thought $100 was ridiculous. Now I'm like, '$200 for a good pair of boots? Sounds like a good deal to me.' Not cuz my wallet got much thicker, but my priorities got smarter..

 

I wore nothing but Danner for years, work and hunting.
I had a pair of their Frontier hunting boots I wore on and off for 18 years, sending them to Danner to recraft them every 5 years.
My problem with Danner now is they change the styles of the boots too often.
The style of many of their USA boots I loved were discontinued and replaced with nonrecraftable Chinese crap.

I've since worn Ariat the last couple years, wearing them to work now, but they aren't as comfortable.
And this pair doesn't have the quick lace top eyelets.
Terrain Waterproof Boot | Ariat

I've got a pair of cheaper Columbia boots sitting on Mavericks kennel, but I've yet to try them on..

$75 Columbia mens Newton Ridge Plus Ii Waterproof Hiking Boot, Cordovan/Squash, 12 Wide US

Amazon.com | Columbia mens Newton Ridge Plus Ii Waterproof Hiking Boot, Cordovan/Squash, 12 Wide US | Hiking Boots

 

THIS. EXACTLY. Else I would just keep buying/recrafting my Danners. Makes me kinda sad cuz every pair of Danner's I've had fit better than just about any other shoe or boot I've ever had.

 

Check out Zamberian boots

 

But not anymore.
I ordered 6 pairs of Danner boots a few years ago and took some time to wear them in the house to see if I wanted to keep them.
Sent all 6 of them back..

I hope you find what you need..
My issue now is my feet are developing Tailor's bunions in my old age..
Not as bad as in this image, but it's starting to get there.
I probably need to start ordering a WIDE size and see if that works..

 

Bummer.

 

I don't wear boots all day for work but I have had many pairs that I wasn't kind to. I found the best value and comfort in military surplus boots. Can get them pre owned and broken in or new. For the price I felt they performed amazing. And I have flat feet so I always wear arch support with every shoe an the military stuff always accepted them the best. Some boots are not tall enough and would pinch.

 

If your boots are dying from the inside out and you like a lighter boot without crazy aggressive tread I’d go for Crispi. The rubber welt all around the bottom has kept the Nevada’s I’m in how in great shape for over 3 years. Just about time for a re-sole. The inside has held up great, no damage in the heel from interior wear at all.

A new set of treads and a new Crispi insole and I’ll be back in business. Maybe some new laces. I’ll buy a second pair while my originals get reconditioned. Simple enough.

 

Railroading 19 years, Red Wings were the company's choice, but the past 5 years I've been with Thorogood, I'll never wear RW again, my feet thank me

 

I walk on ballast all day, sometimes logging many miles a shift, playing with trains. And I have had foot issues because of it. I've had good luck previously with the Danner Quarry. Pretty comfortable boot. Unfortunately, they are on the heavy side and my feet would get hot in the 100+ degree days.
Currently using the Danner Vicious 8" for the past week. The soles are pretty comfortable, but the toe box is pretty narrow and it's bugging me. May go back to the Quarry.
I've used some Redwings in the past, too. Some were good, some weren't.

Good thread, I'm always looking out for a better boot.

 

Have you tried Blundstones ?

 

Thorogoods have been high on my list.

I have a pair of vicious 6” boots; they are good for a few hours but don’t seem to work well for me for all day. Not sure why.

Chelsea slippers… I mean boots.. aren’t really my thing. I tried a pair once - Chelsea’s, not Blundstone specifically - and honestly hated them. I much prefer a lace up boot or at least a boa lace.

 

I need safety toe boot at work. It’s required. Redwing quality has not kept up with the times. I have a pair of Brunt’s now. Super comfy right out of the box. Every day since September and still super comfy, waterproof. Good luck. D

 

I’ve always enjoyed Ariat’s for work. Comfortable, almost no break in.

 

My 2 cents...all costing many cents
-Ariat for casual/easy work days
-Thorogood for working
-Crispi on the trails(used to be Lowa tibets but the Crispis are lighter, require less break in.
-Hoka are nice for workout/jogging/casual as well

 

I used to wear Redwing and changed to Thorogood. They break in easily. They wipe off easily due to not being a stepped sole, and this also makes a big difference being on ladders. They are also quiet when you walk. I’m on concrete a lot.

I have worn a moc toe, wedge sole, Thorogood for about 5 years and doubt I’ll be changing.

 

Whatever work shoe I wear it HAS TO BE WATERPROOF.
I can't stand a wet sock.
I don't need any safety toe, I don't find them comfortable.
Although maybe with my wider foot issues I should try a boot with a toe box in it.

Most of my coworkers wear low top leather sneaker looking shoes.
I prefer a mid

My last favorite Danner was the Springfield.
I went through a couple of pairs, then I went to buy one more in a wide size.
Guess what? They stopped making them...
Not even on their website anymore.

Danner Men's Springfield 4.5" M's Construction Boot, Brown/Orange, 15 2E US

Amazon.com: Danner Men's Springfield 4.5" M's Construction Boot, Brown/Orange, 15 2E US : Clothing, Shoes & Jewelry


I'm going to look into some of the suggestions y'all made in this thread.

 

I have a couple pairs of Hoka shoes. Recommended by my Orthopedic Doctor. Most comfortable shoes I've ever worn. I need to get a pair of their hiking boots. Unfortunately, I couldn't wear those to work, though.

 

I have 2 pair of keens steel toes & 3 pairs of Reeboks composite toes. They all work for me. I do find I can stand/walk all day in the reeboks.

 

Currently own and wear a pair of Carhartt round steel toes and they've been awesome. They're water-resistant too.

 

Thorogood no break in, but upper is very soft, red wing got the best upper, but the sole are gone in 9 months, Irish settlers the plastic weld crack if you on your knee a lot, its like the sears die hard boot that made by red wing in china, timberland pro is heavy.
If you need some support around the ankles, go for red wing their leather are more rigid. if you want a boot that form to your feet, go thorogood.
If you just want a cheap good boot go Irish settler.

 

I don’t bother with the RR approved boot list anymore. They all suck. No trainmaster has ever looked at my feet anyway.