Boot input?

[gman98]

Hello guys.  I'm looking to get a new set of boots for the summer and need some input.  During the summer I do pre-commercial thinning and planting crew management.  This means a lot of PCT layout, as well as planting and thinning plots.  I wear chainsaw boots doing thinning plots (they are the only boots that will hold up to the task), but I'm looking for another pair for regular work and weekend logging. I'm tossing up between the danner loggers, Georgia lace to toe loggers, and the Chippewa square toe loggers.  What are you guys opinions on those boots?

Thanks

[nativewolf]

I would suggest taking a look at Haix boot offerings.  I've never spent that sort of money on boots before but man do I think it was a good idea now.  Composite not steel toe (warmer), I can walk all day without aching feet, cut proof to boot.  I am a mite bit clumsy so cut proof was another benefit.

[Skeans1]

My caulk boots are Wesco and my regular work boots are danner line men boots, a 16" tall boot seems to help me walking in the brush.

[celliott]

I'll second the haix boots. I have the protector primes, awesome boot but they are pricey.
They're so comfortable and rugged/well made and waterproof I will never again buy a pair of the high heeled leather logger style boots. I've had American Chippewa's over the years and they don't hold a candle to the haix boots.

[just farming]

I just purchased a pair of White's Boots Lineman/Logger last Sunday. They're not cheap but after the second day they sure do feel good. I have worn Chippewa and Red Wing loggers as well. At $300.00 I didn't like the service of the Chippewas and they never did fit the way I thought they should. The Red Wings are insulated and see only limited winter use, but they fit like a glove. The good thing about the White's is they will completely rebuild them for $100.00 or less. That makes the sticker shock a little more bearable.

[Skeans1]

Another place that has their boots made by White’s is Madsens. Another name to look into is Nick’s out of Spokane, and Kulien boots but have your wallet out for any of these 300 is a cheap pair of boots. My last set of custom Wesco was just shy of 900 but worth every dime 10 years of falling before they’re due for a rebuild.

[BargeMonkey]

I've never owned Danners. The Georgia boots dont seem to be the quality they once where. I've got a pair of the American Chippawas, EDITED BY ADMIN, NOT APPROPRIATE FOR THE FORESTRY FORUM WHICH IS A FAMILY SITE and they still keep taking it, that's what I will buy again.

[petefrom bearswamp]

Wore out 2 pairs of Danners over my 25 year career as a consultant forester.
One pair resides at my adk camp for emergency use, but is barely serviceable.
But I was only walking and not felling.
Much easier on footgear

[quilbilly]

I have a pair of whites going on 5+years great shape still, however I am easy on shoes. All my stuff seems to last longer than most. I think it depends what temps and conditions you're in and whether or not you like maintenance. With leather boots like Wesco, Nick's, White's, etc you need to maintain them. I have a $100 pair of aku boots that fit well and are waterproof. I wear them in summer or when running the skidder. Leather boots are heavy and can be a bit warm, but if I was cutting everyday they'd be my go to.

[KyLogger]

I have had really good luck with the Red Dawgs from Bailey's. I have had two pair of Vibrams and a pair of calks. Best bang for the buck for a production line boot. I usually end up getting about a year and a half or so out of the Vibrams.

[millcreek40]

Haix all the way  very comfortable once broken in. I where mine everyday winter &summer. With any other boot my feet freeze in the winter.with the haix boots they stay warm with one pair of socks. Also the only boot that I have ever had that are truly waterproof.  Just changed the shoe laces after 1 1/2 years of use everyday. I order haix laces on line. Had them in one week. Worth every penny in my book

[Mike_M]

Wesco in the winter and Danner Corvallis corked hiking boot in the summer. 

[deepsouth.us]

I'm in my first pair of Haix black eagle safety 52. Best $195 I've ever spent. Super light weight. Great support. I can honestly say my feet are less fatigued at the end of a work day. Also, Haix sells narrow, medium and wide insoles to fit in the boots. Basically the narrow ones are thicker than the medium and so on. This is great for me as I suffered a shattered calcaneus two years ago. The foot is longer than it once was and still swells a good bit. With Haix I can size to the bigger foot and stick the narrow insole in the opposite boot thereby taking up the slack.

[nativewolf]

Did not know that re the insoles.  I have been happy with mine but might have to return them as the top leather separated from sole on one foot.  Unfortunate because they broke in well, wear well, and my feet don't hurt at the end of the day.

[Bosco]

 used Redwings for decades, got me some Kennetrecks now wish I'd tried em sooner.

[Satamax]

Hey guys, a bit of advertising for a french product! 

These are mountaineering boots originally, and they modified the design for loggers. Swedish welt, so completely rebuild-able. 

Chaussure Bûcheron SUPER-FORESTIER anti-coupure Coq+SAP - Paraboot

I have some farmers friends, who swear by the normal mountaineering, non toe caps ones, one, going in the mountain twice a day, to check his cows, has kept a pair for 30 years iirc. Tho, resoled every year or so. 

[GRANITEstateMP]

does anybody in the New England (NH) area carry the Haix boots?  I always like to touch, feel, try on a pair, before I buy?

[Stoneyacrefarm]

There is a dealer in New Hampshire. 
I bought a pair of protector primes at the logging show in Vermont last weekend. 
I think they were called windy ridge. 
If you can't find them let me know and I'll send you their info. 

[mike_belben]

Sam's in brattleboro vt and hadley Ma have always had the most boots of anyplace ive been.  Lots of loggers.

[barbender]

I've had a pair of Haix 200 chainsaw boots I wasn't overly impressed with. They were never very comfortable, and the soles came lose from the uppers at about 1 1/2 years. Someone on here suggested I contact Haix, I did and they sent me a brand new pair (I thought that was pretty stand up of them, the boots were out of warranty). I've been wearing these ones for 2 months, and for whatever reason they are more comfortable than the other pair. Also, the 2 zone lacing system works correctly on this pair, and it gives a lot of ankle stability. The other pair the eyes wouldn't latch on the lace. Maybe that pair was made on an off day at the Haix factory😊

[John Mc]

I was the one who suggested Barbender contact Haix about his XR200 chainsaw boots. Haix makes good stuff and has a reputation for standing behind what they make.

[barbender]

Yes, it was you John- and I thank you for it!👍

[John Mc]

Not sure what was wrong with your first pair. Glad the second one is working out. Mine have been great.

[mike_belben]

Not really the specific question asked, but while we are on the subject of standup warranty.. I have to mention Boggs. 


 I bought a pair of their muck boots and loved them right out of the box.  But one started squeeking and eventually sprung a leak a few months later.   I called sams where i bought them and they said yeah, one year warranty just bring in your receipt.  It was summer, backburner, etc. The day i finally find the receipt was literally one year later to the day.  I made it in an hour before closing, and they gave me a brand new pair of boots no charge. They were a cheap boot and not terribly durable but i was stunned to get another pair. 

[celliott]

does anybody in the New England (NH) area carry the Haix boots?  I always like to touch, feel, try on a pair, before I buy?



Windy ridge in Tamworth has an ad in northern logger magazine for the best price I've seen on the protectors.