Work boot

[Walnut Beast]

@Walnut Beast what model of those boots do you  wear? I prefer a hiking type boot vs a full leather work boot curious if you have any experience with them. I'm always on the lookout for quality footwear that's comfortable and will last. Tend to go through 2-3 pair a year no matter what I buy and I don't get cheap footwear. Wouldn't mind finding a brand that would last a year, seems to be a tough thing to come across.

They are the Comfort fit. Those are made in Germany. Some of the other models are made in Italy. I understand what your saying and I like those and have had them. The problem with them I had was I would get to much stuff in the shoes from being shorter. So I have the tall but I only lace them half way up wrap them around each way and tie up. I'm very picky and hard on shoes and these are the only ones I like. I've had several pair. I'm due for a new pair. The current pair are 3 1/2 years old and have been bulletproof  through everything and doing everything in them. I will get some pictures of what they look like after serious use. They make one insulated with 400g and one non insulated. I've  got the insulated ones and wear them all year around. The cork footbed liner is one of several unique to Meindl boots. For the money they are a bargain with the comfort and durability!!

They are also water proof with Gore-Tex and are still that way
 

 

 

 

[doc henderson]

I do the moldable inserts and brush on toe guard as well.  these days brings the price up a bit.  over 300 bucks total.

[alan gage]

I much prefer a plain leather boot with no waterproof membrane. Even though the membranes might be breathable they aren't nearly as breathable as plain leather. I used to wear goretex boots daily and I would also daily have socks damp with sweat. Since switching to plain leather (Redwings) about 7 years ago the difference was night and day. If my uses were more outdoorsy in damp weather I might feel differently but even with plain leather my feet rarely get wet from rain or snow. I'm not often out in the rain for extended periods of time and in winter it's cold enough that the snow doesn't melt. 

I have no problem keeping warm feet in plain leather boots and regular cotton socks at -10 degrees F. I still wear that combo down to -15 when going for 4 mile walks and while I can feel a chill in my feet they aren't cold. It would be different if I was just standing rather than walking. 

During the summer I switch from my 8" tall redwings to plain leather low top shoes because they're a little cooler. It's hard to find plain leather shoes that are rugged enough with good tread. This summer I bought a set of Keens that would seem to fit the bill but while they don't have a waterproof membrane or insulation there is something inside the boot that either gives some insulation or retards vapor flow as after only a few hours of wearing them I could feel my feet slightly damp from sweat. 

Alan

[barbender]

I agree that Gore-tex does hold moisture. Usually the trade off is worth it for me. Authentic Gore-tex does way better than all of it's knock off products. Many of those leave me feeling like I went back to my childhood with plastic bread sacks inside my wet moon boots😁

[rusticretreater]

In my camping days we used bear grease to waterproof our leather boots.  You can buy it online or at outdoor supplier stores.

[Kindlinmaker]

A bit late to the party on this one but wanted to share some info that might help those who mentioned they suffer from plantar fasciitis.  Had to wait until I got home to dig up the info I wanted to share.  I have had a couple bad episodes which would literally lay me up from walking so I'll share what I learned through the recovery process.  

First time I went to podiatrist who set me up with some over-the-counter orthopedic inserts that cleared my problem up in a couple weeks.  Spenco RX Thinsole 3/4-length Orthotic Arch Supports.  I still use these and won't change for anything.  These are rigid supports with fiberglass bases; not the soft flexible jobs that they also make.  Problem solved so I went back to regular activity and pretty much forgot about it.  Sometimes I used the inserts, sometimes not.  Everything was great until.....

Second bout actually hit me while I was walking around the Paul Bunion Show in work boots.  Just like a needle into the bottom of my heal.  would come and go over the next few months until it got so bad I couldn't put weight on it.  First doc is long gone, off to an othopedic surgeon - I'll fix this once and for all - wrong.  He explained how involved and how long the recuperation would be for surgery and I readily agreed to physical therapy and new inserts.  3 sessions per week for 6 weeks and the pain was less but still there.  I did learn a whole lot about what causes it and how to avoid it.  Back to the Dr. who seemed pleased with the progress and proceeded to shoot cortisone into my heal.  I was in pretty good shape a month later.  So I asked why he didn't just shoot it the first time he saw me and his answer was "your whole heal was involved, where was I going to put the shot that would work"; fair point.

The doc explained that everything starts to shrink a bit as we get older and those tendons don't stretch as well as they once did.  The therapist offered that the best way to avoid this is to do simple stretching exercises, eliminate shoe flex and support the arch as much as possible.  Moral of the story, I don't put on a pair of boots, shoes or sneakers without rigid inserts.  Five years without another episode even though I am about 30 pounds heavier now.  To avoid screwing it up and forgetting, I have a set of inserts in every shoe or boot I own.  The initial outlay for a dozen or so of these at $25 - $30 a pop seems steep but it was easy to spend right after my recovery; limping around just isn't fun.

[GRANITEstateMP]

@Walnut Beast what model of those boots do you  wear? I prefer a hiking type boot vs a full leather work boot curious if you have any experience with them. I'm always on the lookout for quality footwear that's comfortable and will last. Tend to go through 2-3 pair a year no matter what I buy and I don't get cheap footwear. Wouldn't mind finding a brand that would last a year, seems to be a tough thing to come across

newoodguy78
Take a ride up to Conway some day and stop in at Limmer Boots, by Peter Limmer & Sons. They do full custom, but that was a LONG wait list, and off the shelf. Before we had a kid, when we had extra money every once in a while, I bought my wife a pair of there "off the shelf" hikers.  I think the were imported from Austria or somewhere around there. The fella was telling us about wanting the off the shelf boots to be built by real boot makers, not laborers, and that was the best factory they could source from. They are holding up great.  Really neat old barn that they work out of too! 

[newoodguy78]

If I get up that way I'll check them out. Thanks for the heads up hadn't heard of them. 

[Magicman]

I have been searching for a lighter weight safety toe boot for a while so when my Son, Marty made a suggestion in Reply #36 above recommending Brunt boots, I at least had to investigate.

Short story shorter, I ordered a pair of Brunt Marlin 8" Boots LINK and they arrived today.  I have them on now and they were comfortable out of the box.  I'll wear them sawing Friday.

Does this mean that I am following in my Son's footsteps??  ???

[doc henderson]

You are at least walking a mile (or more) in his (choice of) shoes!   :D :D   8) 8) 8)
What size does he wear?  Might be big shoes to fill!   I am sure he feels the same way about you!

[Magicman]

I introduce him quite often as da chip and I am da block, but the fact is that I'll never measure up to him and that is good.    

[doc henderson]

I am sure you all get along well, and usually agree, but that second part might be a rare exception.  You have the respect of us all, and even more I am sure, your family.  If it is true, it is likely because of the advantageous start he got from his parents.  bring um up right.  Not many can say they worked a summer with a grandson.  Cheers

[Magicman]

 

 Brunt Marlin composite toe.

[Wlmedley]

I wore the same size boots every year for at least 35 years after I got out of high school.The company I worked for had a deal with Iron Age boots so that's what I bought for years.Lucky to get 9 months out of them.When I got to making a little more money I started buying Red Wings and they would last a year.When I got about 55 years old I bought a new pair size 10 1/2 D same size I always bought and they just about crippled me.I wore them till I couldn't stand it anymore but hated to give up on them being they cost so much.Finally went to shoe store and told them I needed a pair of boots but didn't want anymore Red Wings because they hurt my feet.The lady that worked there asked if I had my feet measured.I said I've wore the same size for years.She measured my feet and said no wonder they hurt your feet you need size 13.I tried a pair on and they felt fine.I said I can't figure it out.She said that there was only two things that get bigger on a man when they get older and that's their feet and their ears  :laugh:

[barbender]

 Haha some of those gals are more than happy to level with ya'!😂

 I looked at the Brunt boots because I keep getting swamped with ads from them. They are a completely new style of quality boots for people in the trades that haven't been able to get the boots they need for years, because boot companies don't listen to them. Or at least that is the story Brunt tells in all of their ads. To me, it just looks rebranded imported work boots, with a very active marketing team. I'm sure they're a decent work boot, but I just find some of their claims kind of silly.

[trapper]

my problem is finding any shoe wide enough.  4e and 5e would be better.

[Kindlinmaker]

She said that there was only two things that get bigger on a man when they get older and that's their feet and their ears  :laugh:

I don't want to be boasting but I think maybe that shoe lady might be missing something else that's grown with age.......................my belly now blocks the view of my boots so I'm not sure what's going on with them half the time!!!!!! :D

[fluidpowerpro]

I've never been willing to spend the money for a pair of Red Wings or some of the other premium brands, but I did spend a little more on my last pair. I bought a pair from Ariat and they are super comfortable, light weight and are holding up really well. So far the best boots I have ever had.

[Magicman]

I ordered a pair of Brunt Marlin 8" Boots and they arrived today. I have them on now and they were comfortable out of the box. I'll wear them sawing Friday.

OK, the Brunt boots did not work out for me.  I wore them a total of 16 hours and as the day progressed they hurt my feet across the tops.  Brunt's return policy was no questions asked if returned within 30 days, so I did.  They provided the shipping label and my CC has been credited.

So next I tried these:


 
I did not know that Reebok made safety toe boots but these are winners.


 
This is also my first experience with side zipper boots.  I have worn them for a couple of days and they are as comfortable as walking/hiking shoes/boots. That plus very lightweight.  My feet are now happy.  

[Walnut Beast]

Made in Germany 🇩🇪! These guys make many variations as shown here. and not all are available in USA. Got a extra set of the form fitting cork board inserts. As far as I'm concerned these are the most comfortable best wearing boots out there. Just got a new pair! Last pair were four years old and used hard! And still didn't leak walking through creek water.  

 

 

 

 

 

 These are the same size and model after four years of hard use. I've got a flat wide foot and real picky on shoes! 11 two EE and have always fit beautiful. That's why the call them the comfort fit!

[gspren]

Just got a pair of Merrell Moab 2 mid height hiking boots. I have a bum ankle and knees so thought I'd try a hiking boot with more support. I don't officially "work" anymore but I'm in my pole building on concrete for hours at a time so I'll report back what I think.

[Don P]

That is maybe a whole other aspect, trashed ankles. I'm wearing 13H red wings from smushes but the ankle is toast, By the end... middle, of the day with a brace in there I'm about done. what are your go to's for off road?

[Texas Ranger]

I started my forestry career with three pair of army combat boots, cheap, they only cost three years of my life.  After I wore them out (in about three years) I bought Redwings, which lasted about six months of Texas heat, water and brush.  Then I found a boot called Magnums, which I still wear. They still wore out in 6 months but were a LOT cheaper than Redwings.

[mike dee]

Workman CSA Men's Comp Toe Boots | BOGS

Light, warm, comfortable, good winter traction. I wish they had metatarsals as an option.

[Old Greenhorn]

Well since this seems to be a never ending issue for me (finding decent work shoes at a decent price that is not discontinued later), I figured I would give this thread a bump.
 Every time I have found a shoe (boot) that makes me say "this is THE one, I am buying these from now on!" the company discontinues them, then I spend a couple of years trying others until I find a good one. Seems like this has gone on since I was about 14 years old.
 We a year and a half ago, Bill and I were on our way home from Boonville and Bill saw a sign on a shoe and uniform store stating they had their big annual sale going on. Since I had looked for high end work boots at Boonville and found none, we decided to give it a shot. Well, I found a pair of sketchers (yeah, imagine my surprise) that felt fairly good for everyday general boots, steel toe, fairly waterproof, etc.. They were only $104.00, so I bought them. Well they turned out to be great! very comfortable, good support, kept my feet dry, not too hot. I have a winner. But the store was 200 miles from here. I wore them every day since then, so about 19 months full time use.
  Last August we are again returning from Boonville and We stopped to get a new pair. DISCONTINUED. ARRRGGGGHHHH! I wound up buying something that looked close, but is not, and I have only worn them about 4 times in the last 7 months. I figure I'll keep them clean because they look nice but don't cut the mustard for work. Maybe as a summer shoe.

 SO a few days ago I am out in the woods and realize these boots are finally going. They no longer give my feet the support they need when walking on broken ground carrying heavy logs, they are also starting to let water in around the seams. They are squatting out and loosing form. It's time to take action. Still wanting that same exact boot I got on the internet and located a dealer that still had some in my size! With taxes, shipping and all in they were just under $90.00. So I am hoping this truly is exactly the same boot, size, and fit I have now. If so, I may get another pair as soon as I confirm that.
 Everybody is different with shoes and it is difficult to find the right ones that work for you. I hate it when they discontinue a model for no reason other than to sell something new and different.
 Seems like the battle never ends on this front.