Work Boots

Delkancott

Delkancott

Gold Member
Joined
Dec 30, 2010
Messages
615
So, I run a farm, on my feet nearly all day, all types of weather, all seasons. I grew up in a Red Wing house, but had very bad luck with my first pair (They were $220 and lasted 13 months with a 12 month warranty) so I won't be going back there.

That said, I was curious about people's experiences with Chippewa boots. I believe some models at least are American made and they look well made, but in my book, no product overview compares to a thorough users review.

If you have a great boot company not Chippewa, feel free to mention as I'm still all up in the air.

Thanks.
 
Weird, I was looking at Chippewas the other day myself, so I'd like to hear what other have to say. As far as I know most of them are made in the USA, and are labeled as such.
 
I work in the AG industry and really like Rocky leather work boots.

Waterproof and comfortable.

I usually buy a new pair every year, but I wear them everyday.

Sorry, no experience with Chippewa.
 
I have worked as a wildland firefighter for a number of years so good boots are of the highest importance to me.

Chippawa are comparible in construction and quality to Red Wings in my experiece.

If you want the best workboots made in the USA, get yourself a pair of Nicks or Whites.

http://nicksboots.com/

http://whitesboots.com/

I personally think the Nicks are of higher quality and construction, but either are light years ahead of what you are used to with Red Wings, which I have worn as well. Wildland firefighters have been known to get multiple decades of use out of a pair (several resoles though) which is probably about the harsest environment for a pair of boots.

I currently have a pair of the Nicks Hotshot and Alaska Tundra and prefer the Tundra.

They are not cheap by any stretch, but you will get much more life out of them than any mass produced boots you can buy currently - like 5x more life or more. When you look at it in those terms they get pretty cheap if you are buying a $220 pair of Red Wings every year.
 
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I've had a pair of redwings lumberjack steeltoes for about 5 years now. Beat the snot out of them. Got a pair of their steeltoe sneakers that are flat out worthless. Seem hit or miss, but I swear by the boots.

Redwings - http://farm5.static.flickr.com/4108/5074044624_584d916bcd_z.jpg

other than that, merrell kicks ass for me.
web.jpg

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This is what I wear daily, walking about 12-15 miles a day in varying conditions.
Merrell Isotherm 8's, with Outdoor Research crocodile gaiters. Perfect combo for this, and I've worn them in subzero temps and been comfy.
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It must be nice having a job that doesn't destroy your boots. (I do structural repair on fishing boats) I've never been able to keep mine for more than a few months. I generally buy sub $100 boots like wolverines or Georgia boot. Right now I split time between a pair of redwing "worx" slip on deck boots and a pair of western chief wellingtons. And a pair of xtra tufs when I'm working in standing water. I'd love to have a pair of nicks or whites, i can't imagine how comfortable a pair of boots would be after years of use.
 
Danner is my preference(wish they were all made in U.S though). Even Danners chinese boots are better then any U.S made Rocky I have owned. I always thought Redwing was overpriced, not that they dont or didnt make a good boot. I know for a while they had qc issues. My cousin was a big fan and when he had issues with two pairs different models back to back he quit buying em. I can't say Danner's are the best out there but they make a good boot at a decent price. I have slowly replaced all my boots to Danners.
 
ac1d0v3r1d3 said:
i can't imagine how comfortable a pair of boots would be after years of use.
Click to expand...

I replace the footbeds on my redwings about every month or two if I'm working on concrete floors. Less now that I'm not.

The amount I walk now destroys about anything in 3-4 months. Just happens.
 
dirtpig67 said:
If you want the best workboots made in the USA, get yourself a pair of Nicks or Whites.

http://nicksboots.com/

http://whitesboots.com/

They are not cheap by any stretch, but you will get much more life out of them than any mass produced boots you can buy currently - like 5x more life or more. When you look at it in those terms they get pretty cheap if you are buying a $220 pair of Red Wings every year.
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They seem like excellent boots and being handmade makes them very attractive, but at the moment I'm not sure I could convince the wife or baby that $400 boots would be a good investment. When I'm a bit more stable though I'll look back into them. Always want the best.

One question though, are they heavy, light, medium? I don't mind a moderate weight, but heavy boots tend to wear on me after a while, especially if they have no steel toe construction.

Dizwolf said:
I've had a pair of redwings lumberjack steeltoes for about 5 years now. Beat the snot out of them. Got a pair of their steeltoe sneakers that are flat out worthless. Seem hit or miss, but I swear by the boots.
Click to expand...

I wish I could say the same. The boots were/are (shoe goo'ing them atm) comfortable, fairly waterproof, but the way they disintegrated was astonishing (the stitching rotted, allowing the heel to tear away while the sole below the ball separated so much i could pass a ruler through), especially considering my father has bought Redwings (same model) for decades without more than a hiccup's issue.

djacobs28056 said:
Timberland pro


Hands down
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My brother recommended Timberland's too, have you beat the hell out of them, because mine get it pretty rough.
 
Delkancott said:
One question though, are they heavy, light, medium? I don't mind a moderate weight, but heavy boots tend to wear on me after a while, especially if they have no steel toe construction.
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They are heavy - about the same as the Red Wing Logger/lumberjack boots. But for me a heavy comfortable boot that is molded to you feet feels better and feels like "less" weight than a pair that is not that may be of lighter weight.
 
the danner american made are really good boots long lasting and comfy. the whites are hands down the best though.

take it easy
cricket
 
DH1 said:
Weird, I was looking at Chippewas the other day myself, so I'd like to hear what other have to say. As far as I know most of them are made in the USA, and are labeled as such.
Click to expand...

I notice you're from RI, being from SE MA thought I'd say hi neighbor.
 
Danner quarry 2' s hands down I would get un insulated and for the colder weather layer your socks. Get them in gore tex you will not be dissatisfied.
 
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Delkancott said:
My brother recommended Timberland's too, have you beat the hell out of them, because mine get it pretty rough.
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I worked in the petroleum industry. I went through quite a few boots. These timberlands were the most comfortable. Honestly, my boots never made it a year, if these don't, I will happily by another just for the sheer comfort.
 
dirtpig67 said:
I have worked as a wildland firefighter for a number of years so good boots are of the highest importance to me.

Chippawa are comparible in construction and quality to Red Wings in my experiece.

If you want the best workboots made in the USA, get yourself a pair of Nicks or Whites.

http://nicksboots.com/

http://whitesboots.com/

I personally think the Nicks are of higher quality and construction, but either are light years ahead of what you are used to with Red Wings, which I have worn as well. Wildland firefighters have been known to get multiple decades of use out of a pair (several resoles though) which is probably about the harsest environment for a pair of boots.

I currently have a pair of the Nicks Hotshot and Alaska Tundra and prefer the Tundra.

They are not cheap by any stretch, but you will get much more life out of them than any mass produced boots you can buy currently - like 5x more life or more. When you look at it in those terms they get pretty cheap if you are buying a $220 pair of Red Wings every year.
Click to expand...

I second either White's or Nick's. I have a pair of White's Semi-Dress that I had made up for around $350 or $375. You can design them yourself - add certain types of embellishments, leather, eyeholes versus fast-tye loops etc....they have multiple different styles to fit many needs. The White's have a very good arch support and a high lift in the back so your foot is in a more natural position while walking. I usually have to put some minor foam arch support inserts in my shoes but I don't with my White's.

If you are going to spend around $200 - $250 for another brand, it is definitely worth it go spend the extra money and get a pair of White's (or Nick's).

edit: my White's Semi-Dress are about medium-weight. They aren't too heavy and are very comfortable. They are ankle-high boots. The other ones I can't speak on, but the White's Boots are great.
 
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