Good Boots?

sixdogs · Jul 18, 2012

Dadof3 said:
Recently went to a Redwing store. The owner actually took the time to size my feet. Splurged and bought a $225 pair. No steel toes, 6in high, made in US. My feet are still thanking me......

Finding your actual shoe size is as important as the shoe you buy. Get measured. I wear Red Wings for light duty work around the house/farm but have had good results with some Mason boots via mail order as well. I wear a 10EEE or 10EEEE and have a high instep (where the laces are) so my choices are limited.
Its hard to find out, but if you are creative you can figure out what shoe "last" style your boots are made on. My best fit is the "Munson" last typical of US Army boots and that is how I would up at Red Wing and Mason. It's a wider last with a high instep which is what I have. I don't wear them any more but Army boots used to fit me perfectly.

Edit--Oh, when you buy shoes, save the receipt. I had a warranty claim on my last pair of Red Wings (they sqeaked) and I was almost out of luck, even though the boots looked nearly new, because I couldn't find the receipt.

Bogi · Jul 18, 2012

Lacrosse Quad-comfort gets may vote. Check them out, best shop boot I've tried.

tractorski · Jul 18, 2012

What are you going to do with them?

Different shoes have different purposes.

I recently(4 years ago) switched over to a high end hiking boot, Asolo to be specific. They have several different widths and fits. I am a commercial mower and landscaper in the summer, I spend at least 12 hours a day in my boots. The hikers have given me the best support and durability that I have found in the 15 years of landscaping.

I am also a Board Certified Pedortist(CPED). Please see http://www.footco.com/c__ped_.htm. Find the best fitting boot you can find, that is more important than anything!

Sent from my iPad using TractorByNet

Artisan · Dec 6, 2012

CLICK HERE

Rodiron · Dec 22, 2012

I have to agree on the Redwings as for comfort and wear,I can normally get about 4yrs. from a pair,thats having them resoled once in that time. Although as many have stated here, it really depends on the "fit" The one thing I really like about Redwing boots is that they will sell you 2 different sizes. I have one foot 1/2 size bigger than the other and thats how they will sell me the pair. I also have a high instep and the neck on Redwings seem to be a bit narrow in the newer style boots but I have a set of heavy brass zippers put in and good to go. I have always worn steel-toed do to safety rules in construction and even though I have retired (supposedly) I still wear the steel toed boot, funny thing though, I remember the first pair cost me $68 and the last pair, 6mos ago was $235. I do want to wish all who reads this and their families a very Merry Christmas and Happy New Year!!! Now, everyone can go Boot-Scootin

hslogger · Dec 22, 2012

Redwing still makes a pretty decent boot if you are average Joe and have average feet.
West Coast makes a much heavier duty boot, again for average folks.
If you want the BEST in custom lace up boot, because your feet are different, and your ankles are different
Then spring for handmades from Nick's or Whites. You will be looking at four hundred a pop for measured to fit you specifically.
In the West, those are the best, and anything else not even in the same category.

Mace Canute · Sep 5, 2015

I had occasion to climb a pole a couple of weekends ago (2 days before my 64th birthday) so I hauled out an old pair of Lineman's boots made for working up a pole with a belt and spurs...nice very thick soles on them...but the darn things were a tad too small for me and really pinched my toes. I guess my feet have grown a bit and maybe the boot leather has shrunk somewhat but those boots are 41 years old and still in very good condition. They are Pierre Paris boots that cost me $131 in 1974.

Mysfyt · Sep 6, 2015

My advice is this: go to a real shoe store and have your feet measured and then try on boots until you find the ones that feel good. After years of buying them from department stores my wife talked me into going to a family owned, well established shoe store (she is a nurse on her feet all day). They took their time with me and had many of the top boots mentioned previously. I ended up with a pair of soft leather Red Wings that my feet and back just love. Yes, you will pay more, but it is worth the money spent at the end of the day.

DrRod · Sep 8, 2015

I have a pair of low-top boots made by Columbia. They are light, comfy, and very easy to get on and off [an important feature as one gets older]. Also have Carolina high-tops and I like them as well. Got both at a country/general store [Stickell's of Upton] that stocks boots by the hundreds -- lots of choices. My first criteria is to have soles that don't pick up dirt. Those lug soles always hold some dirt, which adds weight and leaves droppings on the porch and house. Its a feature that can be hard to find but Stickell's has about a dozen choices just with those kinds of soles.

Agree on rotating boots on a daily basis. Easier on the boots and on you -- slightly changes posture, stress points, rub spots, muscle use, etc., sort of like rotating the tires on your body.