Need some new work boots....any advice????

[Egon]

Whatever type boot you get after you determine it's comfortable get a second pair and rotate them every day. Lets them dry out and for some reason the uppers seem to last longer.

 

[Tarzan]

I really like my wolverines. I bought another pair yesterday at Farm King. They also have the wellington , but I like the bigger toe box(with steel toes) on the lace up boot.

 

[Farmwithjunk]

Farmwithjunk--I feel for you. My FIL has peripheral (sp) neuropathy. He has bought I don't know how many different kinds and prices of shoes. Nothing works. He has been to all kinds of doctors, no help.

The best description I've ever heard about neuropathy is it feels like you're getting stung on the soles of your feet by 2 dozen hornets. That or an electrical shock. If it gets worse, your feet can go almost completely numb. Hard to walk normal. That causes further injury.

As is with most nerve disorders, there is no cure. The best one can hope for is to stop the progression in its tracks. I've found one helpful home therapy of sorts. Often times while I'm sitting at my desk at work, or at home on the computer, I'll roll my foot around on a golf ball. Usually I try to keep it under the ball of my foot, rolling it around just a bit with a slight bit of down pressure. It helps. Not sure why, but it SEEMS to stimulate blood flow. .

 

[Mike120]

I go along with Wushaw and recommend Ariats. I just replaced a seven year old pair that was in great shape before my daughters puppy chewed the top off.

 

[rback33]

Now we are getting into my favorite kind of talk. I have way more boot than I have feet. I can second votes for Ariat & Wolverine. I tearfully tossed a pair of Dursashocks a few weeks back that were around 8 years old. I burned the sole off standing on some coals I didn't see at the edge of a burn pile. It did take me quite some time to get the Ariat's good and broke in, but I don't where them on the mud and gunk daily like I did my Wolverines when I bought them. I can tell you the key to making them last is maintenance. Just like your tractor you have to take care of your boots. I have always kept two pair to rotate, especially when it's hot or wet. If you clean the regularly with saddle soap and oil them up good afterwards, they will last a very long time. The mistake lots of people make is that they get them wet and dry them out repeatedly with out re-oiling them. They will just crack out and fall apart faster. I do one soaking coat of Olive oil, the follow up with mink oil, especially on the seams to help water proof them. It may be overkill, but my boots have always lasted many years, even back when I was working on the farm or the oil field and they were covered in mud, poop, or crude oil. everyday.

 

[EddieWalker]

I've spent over $200 on a good pair of boots and had plenty of pairs that only last a few months.

My current favorite are the $20 cheapies from walmart. I don't tie them up, just slide them on leae the laces untied. I wear them 7 days a week and they last almost two years. The soles wear off the bottom until there's just nothing left, then I buy a new pair. The leather is stained and well worn, but no holes or threads coming out.

I've tried some of the boots already mentioned, but these are by far the best deal out there.

Eddie

 

[turbo36]

I recently bought a pair of Wolverine Durashocks with steel toes and they are more comfortable than my past Red Wings. In fact they are the most comfortable boots I've ever owned.

One other nice thing, many of the Wolverine boots are still made in America. Their lower priced boots are imported.

Wolverine Boots and Shoes

I agree with Bob! Althou I might be biased since my wife works for Wolverine

 

[RobJ]

I got a pair of these form the local Academy store (sports and outdoors). Soft rubber at the bottom and leather uppers. VERY nice lining inside. They should be easier to clean up than my old Justin work boots and a lot cheaper. But while my wide and I were looking I tried on a pair of Justin western look boots with a rubber sole. VERY sweet wearing boot ($129) but to nice for mudding and such.
Mud Dog
http://www.academy.com/images/products/400/0543/0543-01053-5655b.jpg

Justins..

Justin Boots: Boots

 

[caver]

I was a fan of the Wolverine Durashocks but my last pair sit with little wear. I got tired of trying to break them in. I had worn orthotics in Wolverines before but this pair puts too much pressure across the shoelace area. To make matters worse, I used waterproofing on them so anything I try to put on them beads up.
I also liked that the Wolverines came in wider widths. Boots are still sitting idle
So I bought a pair of tennis shoe/steel toes off the shoe truck at work.
They are starting to fall apart after a year so I may have to make another attempt to break those old Wolverines in. 99% of my walking is on concrete or steel grating at work. Pretty rough on feet.

Side note: I bought a pair of hiking boots several years ago that felt broke in right out of the box. Made by Merrell and also came in wide widths.

 

[swines]

Nicks Boots, Hoffmans, Wesco, or Russell. Nicks, Wesco, and Russell will make custom lasts to fit your feet exactly.

Use Obenauf's Heavy Duty LP leather care on them.