Work boots

[Mith]

I've got a pair of thermal insulated Cat boots.
Not sweaty in the summer, and warm in the winter. They have a little tag on the tongue with 'thinsulate' written on it, whatever that stuff is, it works nicely!

I second what Egon said though, as long as they are waterproof get some warm socks.
I wear cotton, with wool on top, my feet get cold real easy, but in the last 2 years with these boots, and those socks going out in the snow is almost fun

Aside, I got the Cat boots slightly second hand, they were used by a guy on a welding course for that course only, he wore them for about 10 hours. I swapped my old £30 boots for them

 

[Egon]

Mith:

If you get into the real cold ditch the cotton. It gets wet and freezes. You need some silk or poly socks that wick the moistyre away from your feet so they stay warm and dry. Fleece socks work well too. The boot also has to be able to breathe to let the moisture out.

The insulated boots are okay but they do get soaked with sweat after a time. Socks you can wash.

If truth be known some of my boots go thru the washing machine to get cleaned.

A fellow needs at leasttwo pair of boots to keep his feet happy!

 

[meledward23]

Vasque has to be the most comfortable boot I have ever worn. They are more like slippers to me. I wear mine with every thing. People think I am a mountiain man as I wear Vaque 24/7 literally. I wear shorts and boots in the summer to go grocery shopping. My feet start hurting if I am standing for 5+ minutes if I am wearing just about anything else.

That said, I dont really consider them work boots. I own a pair of Red Wing (actually two pair). The pair I favor is styled like a a Cowboy Roper type boot. They are comfortable and not as blocky as most work boots. Downside is they seem to wear faster than the other Red Wings I have. May be from more higher use rate.

My Vasque last me about 3 years of daily use. Although after the second year holes start forming.

 

[LC Brewing]

Monkeymonk - Figuring I've only got to endure the White bite about once every 5 to 6 years, it's not too bad. And, during the break-in, I alternate between old and new pairs to get a break.

I did make the mistake (too far from Spokane) of not getting the first pair completely custom built...but the first pair I got felt good when I tried it on, and broke in fast, so it didn't bother me. When the wife ordered pair #2, she just called up and they pulled my file with the original last listed and whipped out another pair. Now I just need to get around to sending the first pair back for a rebuild.

 

[GeneD14]

For warm weather I bought some "John Deere" boots at TSC. I'm not sure who makes them. They were on clearance last year for $34. They are very comfortable.

For cold MI weather I have a pair of leather Wolverines that are insulated. They keep my feet warm to about 15 degrees F. They also have a non-slip rubber sole that gets sticky on wet pavement. After 1 year I really like them.

For super cold weather I have some Herman's that look like snowmobile boots from Gander Mountain that have kept my feet toasty to -15 or so.

 

[InlineDieselFan]

Casey/LC brewing,

Have you heard of Kulian boots? They are in Centralia, custom fit the whole works like Whites and Nicks. Which I have a pair of each of the latter. Just before we moved down here I found out about Kulian.

steve

 

[Egon]

My comfortable 8 year old Redwings. Soles are getting a little slick.

 

[_RaT_]

My comfortable 8 year old Redwings. Soles are getting a little slick.

Yeah and the tops are looking a bit disheveled as well. My Vasque will end up looking much like that less the steel toe and still be water tight, that is what I really love about them. Well that and they are comfortable and they are relatively light compared to the many boots I see being brought up here. I like a boot to be more then just a work boot. I want it to be as versatile as a tennis shoe while having the protection of a tough boot. I find that in a Vasque.

 

[1bush2hog]

RaT -

I agree with you on the Vasque's. I have three pairs, one of which I bought in the late 70's when I went to college, one pair I bought about 6 years ago, and one pair I bought 3 years ago. The newer boots are much lighter and comfortable though, are all leather, and gore-tex ligned.

I have worn Wolverine's, Timberland, Browning's (my second choice), and Herman Survivor's - I'm hard on boots and shoes, but the Vasque hiking boots I have are easy on my feet.

 

[CharlieTR]

This is a great post.
I am always looking for good boots and want to try some you all mentioned.

Have always had a hard time fitting shoes and esp. boots.
Cause of my high arches. Seems that I measure as normal width but wider ones fit better.

For the chores I wear Georgia boots from TSC. There are a good price and they are as comfortable as they claim. I saw an ad in a sports mag that said "REAL MEN WORK THOUGH THE PAIN."
"9 OUT OF 10 BOOT COMPANIES ARE COUNTING ON IT!"
Not sure who the ad was for though.