I need a new pair of work boots. My company gives me an allowance of $80/year or $160/2 years. I've already got a pretty good pair of just regular plain old boots so I'm thinking I'd really like a great pair of winter work boots. The only requirements are insulated/waterproof/steel toe. I went to Dick's in person twice and they had the shittiest inventory. 2 in my size. total.

2/4/2009 7:00:56 PM

red wings?

2/4/2009 7:10:58 PM

^seconded

they have a pretty wide selection if you look around online idk ab their stores i think ive only been in one once, but ive pretty much worn only my redwings for two years with no complaints.

[Edited on February 4, 2009 at 7:13 PM. Reason : ]

2/4/2009 7:12:12 PM

i think an old coworker recommended that so ill give them a shot, thanks!

2/4/2009 7:14:11 PM

you might want to try Lehighs over on miami and tw alexander, they had a good selection and some waterproof boots. I bought some logger boots from them. I already had a pair of steeltoe Wolverine wellingtons with 200g of thinsulate, I have been very happy with them. Look at man-mur at the blundstones, they are light as a feather but not waterproof.

2/4/2009 7:23:33 PM

im just up in NH and ME right now with all the snow and these Vinyl Sorels are not cutting it!

2/4/2009 7:31:30 PM

Red Wings are great

2/4/2009 7:37:27 PM

http://www.thefirestore.com/store/product.cfm/pid_3451_5_11_atac_shield_8_side_zip_boots_w_safety_toe_black/

these are my station boots, and i swear by them. i'm on my second pair in 4 years. by FAR the best boot i've ever owned.

they last a hell of a long time, comfortable, breathable, water/bloodborne pathogen proof, easy to slip on (side zip), and the composite toe is hard as hell.

2/4/2009 8:07:12 PM

Red wings are the best boots I have found for elevator use. Never slipped wearing them even on grease/hydraulic fluid/oil/ etc. I have never gone with the 5.11 ones for work as I get a discount with Red Wing from work, plus Red Wing is an 'approved safety vendor' so I can turn in the receipt. If you want all leather its hard to beat the Wing.

2/4/2009 8:22:55 PM

theres no insulation on the boots, evan

2/4/2009 8:28:56 PM

I have a pair of Garmonts that I love.

2/4/2009 8:29:59 PM

Quote :

"theres no insulation on the boots, evan"

not sure how cold it gets where you are, but my feet have never been cold in these. sometimes outside for hours at a time, temps get down to 20 or so at their very lowest here.

2/4/2009 8:33:20 PM

there is a little store out in durham with a very good selection - it's not too far of a drive

Saf-Gard Safety Shoe Company?

http://tinyurl.com/b2dpkt

2/4/2009 8:37:08 PM

I always buy the cheapest $20 boots Walmart/Kmart sell. As long as they have plenty of leather in them they'll breathe and adapt to you and wear as good as a $150 pair. I avoid insulation because my feet are usually hot anyway, even on these 16F days.

Save your boot money, buy good socks and change 'em often. I change socks 2 to 3 times a day and life is good.

2/4/2009 8:48:59 PM

cheap boots have cheap ass rubber in the sole. Every cheap boot I have ever gotten has had the sole delaminate and come apart. That include 'diehard' brand sears/kmart ones, wally world brahma brand, etc.

2/4/2009 8:53:28 PM

Red Wings

Expensive, but damn worth it.

2/4/2009 8:56:15 PM

Red Wings!

The most important thing about a pair of boots that you will be wearing for 10+ hours a day is the fit. The guys over at the Red Wing store on South Saunders will not sell you a boot that doesn't fit. I recommend anything but the Euro Hikers...the are just not durable enough for heavy abuse. I currently have two pairs; a pair of non-steeltoe Pecos and a pair of mid-high laceup steeltoes. I wear RW's at least 5 days a week and have no complaints. If by chance that you try them and do not like them, look online for a pair of Doc Martens... IMHO they are a close second to RW's.

[Edited on February 4, 2009 at 10:52 PM. Reason : A]

2/4/2009 10:51:13 PM

I recommend Wolverines. Somewhat expensive with gor-tex, but amazingly comfortable. I've never worn any other type/brand of boot/shoe that is even close to as comfortable. The only drawback is they don't last too awful long. I typically have 2 pairs at a time, a "good" pair and a work pair. After one year of being a good pair, they become a work pair and I buy a new set, so maybe 2 years.

2/4/2009 10:59:49 PM

Nick's Boots


just kidding...they aren't waterproof, insulated, or steel toe and cost 5x your yearly allotment.

I'm curious though, what kind of work do you do?
That's a big factor in the brand and model of boot you should get.

2/4/2009 11:09:15 PM

80? i paid 160 for the last boots i got...waterproof, insulated, steel toe(though i prefer composite toe)

they are the best ive worn, thats for sure.

2/4/2009 11:14:04 PM

And their make and model are...?
Help the original poster out a lil.

2/4/2009 11:26:41 PM

avoid timberland pro, redhead, cabelas brand, dickies

redwings, georgia boot, irish setter, danner, lacrosse are all amazing

2/5/2009 12:41:39 AM

i work outside, sometimes all day 8am-6pm so good fit and warmth are key

im in NH right now and my feet are numb! even with those toe warmers in them!

2/5/2009 1:28:10 PM

I abused the living hell out of the Red Wings that I have when I was at the paper mill and until now they still in good condition. They are really comfortable and they fit perfectly. I got mine for ~$140. If they give you $160/2 years you might as well these. I'm sure they will last you through more than two years.

2/5/2009 1:51:55 PM

Get a pair of Danners. As soon as I can afford them, I getting a pair of Danner Acadias. They can be resoled at the factory so it saves you the cost of having to keep buying new boots.


http://www.danner.com/

2/5/2009 3:04:34 PM

im surprised no one has commented on the word "fucking" in the title of a thread in the lounge

2/5/2009 4:24:29 PM

^ i sent qntmfred a PM about that when the thread was first created and copied the idiot creator

2/5/2009 4:25:18 PM

Quote :

"Red Wings Expensive, but damn worth it."

if you're in a cold climate look into "mickey mouse" boots. warmest boots on earth (or says my husband and other people in his field)

2/5/2009 5:47:56 PM

You work at FDH?

2/5/2009 6:55:33 PM

Boots: Red Wings
place: Red Wings shoe store on 401 across from Montlawn

2/6/2009 1:55:27 AM

i'll preface this by saying i'm hardly a boot expert, and there probably is better stuff out there... this is just what's worked for me over the years in plumbing, automotive, and metalworking related stuff. i wear vasque, sold at great outdoor provision and probably other places. they're really more of a hiking boot technically i guess, but i've never been able to find a true work boot that was comfortable. i can wear my vasques as long as i want to and feel just like a pair of tennis shoes. they are totally waterproof with gore-tex and a sealed tongue. no steel toe, but it is a stiff/re enforced toe so there's at least some extra protection vs. a normal toe. they wear like iron too, it's nearly impossible to damage them beyond use. the only reason i'm on my second pair is because i was in a motorcycle wreck wearing my original pair and ems had to cut one of them off. they were about 12 years old and still in decent shape. the soles were getting worn badly and i had to get new laces once, but they were still waterproof, still warm, no cuts/holes, etc. i believe they have excellent warranty services also. i've never had the need, but i've heard that they guarantee the gore-tex for life no questions asked and they'll resole them once free of charge.

2/6/2009 4:34:54 AM

red wings im in favor of, but if he's in new hampshire it may be out of the way to get to 401

2/6/2009 4:58:15 AM

just in case anyone was wondering, i got assigned to Louisiana so i ended up getting a pair of $90 Snake boots that are waterproof and steel toe AND another pair of short steel toed Wolverines for $60

3/26/2009 2:43:12 PM

ooh and the kind i got up there were bellevilles..

3/26/2009 3:15:19 PM

Come on, 'quote out of context' on red wings...

3/26/2009 3:37:01 PM