Red Wing boots

[oldrustycars]

I'm a big tightwad. The only two things I'll spend the money to get the best is tools and boots. I used to love Red Wings. The last two pairs haven't lasted, and are uncomfortable. Even the logger boots used to feel like bedroom slippers, Now they seem to give me blisters. I buy them at the Red Wing store, and the salesman fits me, no good. What boots are all of you wearing?

 

[Mike in Ohio]

I just went back to red wings last fall after a couple of pairs of cheap boots left me with sore feet. The red wings cured the sore feet but they do seem to be wearing out faster than they used to. These are the logging boots also. Mike

 

[Ga Jack]

Ga Jack wears "Georgia Boot"
Many years of great service with no complaints.
jackie

 

[Butch(OH)]

I have on a pair of Lacrosse high tops that are about 5 years old. Been a good pair of boots

 

[VaTom]

I'm Red Wing only. Beware their Chinese Worx though, isn't the same. Get mine on ebay, $50 max.

Sounds like you aren't getting the correct fit. The country stores here sell Red Wing, but nobody knows how to fit.

 

[Anonymous-0]

Old,

I've been wearing Mason Shoe Co. boots for about 40 years. I used to buy them from a neighbor who was a distributor, but now I buy them through the internet.

I never even try anything else.

Tom in TN

 

[MarkB_MI]

Red Wing has gone to producing two, maybe three levels of quality these days. The best boots are made in the USA with US materials. The lesser quality shoes are made in the US but contain imported materials. Some of the cheaper dress shoes are made entirely in China. Of course "cheap" is relative: The top-end boots are over 200 bucks, and the Chinese shoes are about a hundred.

That said, I haven't had fit problems with Red Wings, but I insist on narrow width boots. Very few stores stock narrow widths these days, and Red Wing has cut way back on the styles that they carry in narrow widths. You need to insist that the store get you boots that fit, not boots that are "close enough". These days, that means special order.

 

[Anonymous-0]

Carolina Gold---I am still wearing a pair that I bought 5 years ago. These are worn almost daily when I am operating equipment or working in the woods with chainsaw. Don't know about Now, but these were MADE IN AMERICA.

 

[msb]

Bought my first pair of Carharts this last winter. Most comfortable work shoes I have ever worn---so far.lol,bob

 

[Anonymous-0]

Justin's, the best for me

 

[Anonymous-0]

That didn't sound good. I meant they last and fit the best I've found. Cooler in summer and warmer in winter. All leather.

 

[Anonymous-0]

I've had good luck with Carolina and Wolverine boots

 

[rockyhawaii]

I like Caterpillar boots right now. Almost bought Redwings,but was talked out of it by people who have them. They fell apart.

 

[Farmall MD nut]

Yeah, Red wings aren"t what they used to be. I"ve been a welder/fabricator all my life, and finding good boots is a chore. Boots only last me about 4-6 months. The ones I"ve had the best luck with is Georgia Boot. Doug

 

[Anonymous-0]

I am a Union Electrician , I wear Chippewas. They seem to fit me the best, and they hold up very well. They used to be MADE IN AMERICA. But now they have them made in China and still some are made in AMERICA. It used to be that the box that is still the cardboard color , and the ones that have an American Flag in the laces by the toe are the Made in USA ones.

 

[Mike M]

I used to use some Red Wings too , but the last one I bought didn't hold up any better than the $20.00 Wal mart /K mart brands.

I have used the before mentioned Masons and liked them. Maybe I should try them again ? I just didn't like not being able to try them first off. I hate shoes and clothes even if you try them before and seem fine after a full days work alot of times they don't suit me.

 

[Spook]

I like my redwings. Never had much trouble, but I am finding that my foot size is changing as I get older. My foots is getting longer and fatter. Not everything does that....

 

[Anonymous-0]

I've been wearing Wolerine Durashock wellington style boots for the past 6 years. These seem to last about 16 months at about 14 hours a day. Only complaint is how easily the dielectric soles melt if they are exposed to heat ie; cutting slag, steam lines etc.
I Did wear Iron Age boots for years but the last 2 pair I had literally fell apart in 6 months.
Nothing is made as good as it used to be, American or otherwise.

 

[Anonymous-0]

I'm the guy who can write the book on goofy feet and foot pain. I've been wearing
Wolverine "DuraShocks" for a couple of years and they work just right for me. Got some Red Wings a few years ago and although they felt good when I bought them, I had to quit wearing them.

 

[Anonymous-0]

Got two pair of 6" Herman "Brogan" hi-tops. Alternate wearing them. Resole when needed. Put Neatsfoot Oil on them once or twice a year. Had then since '74, although there was about a six year period I only wore them occasionaly. Still wear them every day. Best work boots I ever had.

 

[Pair-a-dice farms]

I've been wearing Justin pull ons for several years with good luck they are very durable around livestock and all of the manure. I have worn the Justin lace ups and they are more comfortable, I'm just like the pull ons better, too lazy to lace em up I guess.

 

[Red Dave]

I still like my Red Wings, but you gotta be careful when you buy them, some are made in China, some are made in the USA. The China ones sizes run different from the USA ones.

Also, I found that I need a wider shoe as I get older. Don't know why.

 

[railhead]

Ditto the Carolina and Wolverine. luckily my job buys me a pair every year....have to wear steel toe. I still have to buy a pair from my pocket every year as well. A pair of the best lasts me about 6-7 months. Railroad ballast is pure h3ll on boots and soles. Not to mention my feet, knees, and back.

 

[souNdguy]

I've also been wearin' pull on boots for a couple years now.. and darned if every brand don't fit different.

My 2 best fititng were some generic store brand from 'western world', and a set of dustins. I got another set.. some indian name.. but they ende dup getting too soft and almost slouch.. thought they were not meant to be slouch sided ( shaft ) boots..

Soundguy

 

[Maine Fordson]

I bought a pair of the Wolverine Durashocks since I work on concrete a lot, and found them to be *very* comfortable. I did not, however, find them to be durable, as the soles on the pair I had split across the ball of my foot, all the way through. (I bend down on one knee often, so the soles flex a lot.)

Was told that the reason soles split like that is because they use a higher percentage of rigid plastic in the sole material instead of pliable rubber.

Another case of cutting corners to save a buck, I guess, and to h*ll with making a quality product to give folks full value for their hard-earned money.

So, I won't be buying any more Wolverine Durashocks any time soon (and you're welcome for the free publicity, Wolverine!), and am still trying to find a comfortable shoe that will last more than a few months in mostly-dry conditions. I wear a size 13 and have quite a time trying to find decent footwear in my size.

Here in Maine we used to have quite a few shoe factories, but they're all gone now; guess they needed the jobs worse in the Dominican Republic or wherever...

 

[Big Mac]

LumbrJakMan,

What local you from? Me, LU 567 inside.

Big Mac

 

[Bernoulli/OZ]

I like Danner, but if you're really a tightwad, they are not cheap (or cheaply made) ,... and last I heard, they are made in the U.S.A.

 

[Anonymous-0]

Sadly most if not all work boots even the Danners are now made in China. Lots of them are now if you read the tags in them. Last Danner side zip fire/ems boots I had said made in china but they held up fine. Justin work boots use to say made in USA but last few pairs I had of those didn't last either.

 

[deanop]

red wings....oil them,,,buy the boot tips...and buy gel soles at walart...This last pair of mine I bought august 2001..stil going strong...deanop