Best Damn Work Boots

Bennett Prescott

Bennett Prescott

Just This Guy, You Know?
Staff member
Jan 10, 2011
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Wallingford, CT
www.bennettprescott.com
I need new shoes. I keep tearing up these otherwise nice sneakers. My Merrels are totally worn out in the tread department. I want footwear that will last more than a year. Footwear I can stand in all day, footwear I can work in heavy rain in, footwear I can drop a subwoofer on.

What's your favorite?
 
I have a pair of salomon xa pro shoes that I just replaced after 2 years. The only issue they had was that i wore through the tread. I normally destroy shoes in no time. I had a pair of new balence trail runners that i shredded in 5 months.

Their not steel toes, but for that i had a pair of asolo composite toe shoes (long story). I've had them for 4 years and they double as my backpacking boots as they are so lightweight. I was also fitted for these by someone who sells work boots. They knew how to fit my feet so i would be comfortable all day.

Personally the most comfortable shoes i have to be standing around in all day long are my 5 fingers, but if your not used to being barefoot, you'll be sore for a long time

Sent from my DROID2 GLOBAL
 
Re: Best Damn Work Boots

Do you have normal feet? Or are you like me and have to go find a size 13 4E with a wide heel? I've given up on non fitted shoes.

I love my Red Wings, but have been looking for any other option for people like me that have hobbit feet.
 
Re: Best Damn Work Boots

+1 To Redwings. Just get the American made ones vs. the Chinese made ones. Redwing is a town in Minnesota. As far as I know there's no Redwing China.
 
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Check out Oliver AT's if you can get them over there. They last and are very comfortable. Best work shoes I've had in ages and they last me at least 3 years a pair!!!
 
Re: Best Damn Work Boots

I hate it when the weather turns too cold for flip flops. Of course you guys can all laugh and say I told ya so 'cause I finally had an issue with gear and flip flops a couple of years ago. I decided to drop an amp rack with 2 old heavy iron amps from chest high onto my left big toe one night on a load out - YIKES! My toe nail fell off and grew back 3 times and finally after 2 years looks a lot like the others but did that stop me from wearing flip flops? nooooo I do have a favorite pair of Herman Munster style shoes with laces that I really like. They're rubber sole - black - comfort plus I think - some cheap thing that Penny's and some of the big box stores carried.
 
Re: Best Damn Work Boots

The Worx brand is the China-made Redwing. Redwing designs them and they are made under contract. I have a pair of the steel toed Worx I wear when rigging or truck loading and have found them durable and comfortable. I've worn them all day and my only complaint is they don't breathe like American-made Redwings. I also find that insoles help me; my feet are just a bit wider than "medium" but not "extra-wide" and the insoles help with the compromise when I order wider boots. If I were wearing steel toes all day, every day, I'd buy the USA Redwings.

For unprotected toes, I took Mac Kerr's advice and tried the Ecco Track V low tops with plain toe. Without special insoles they are still the most comfortable shoes I own and they have proven durable.

Have fun, happy feet.

Tim Mc
 
Re: Best Damn Work Boots

I have duck feet - flat as a pancake. I showed them to the fellow who was entering all my info when I registered for the draft and he didn't seem too concerned. My flat feet would do just fine in a rice paddy according to them. A few months later the draft stopped and my flat feet were saved.

I have to find old school flip flops with NO ARCHES 'cause my feet are so flat they feel like I'm walking on rocks. Shoes are easier - they can have a little arch but not much.
 
Re: Best Damn Work Boots

Tim McCulloch said:
The Worx brand is the China-made Redwing. Redwing designs them and they are made under contract. I have a pair of the steel toed Worx I wear when rigging or truck loading and have found them durable and comfortable. I've worn them all day and my only complaint is they don't breathe like American-made Redwings. I also find that insoles help me; my feet are just a bit wider than "medium" but not "extra-wide" and the insoles help with the compromise when I order wider boots. If I were wearing steel toes all day, every day, I'd buy the USA Redwings.For unprotected toes, I took Mac Kerr's advice and tried the Ecco Track V low tops with plain toe. Without special insoles they are still the most comfortable shoes I own and they have proven durable.Have fun, happy feet.Tim Mc
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I bought some redwing brand boots one time and got them home before I saw "Made in China" on the tag. I took them back and got some real ones. Read the tag on the tounge before you pay the extra cause you thought it was made in America.
 
Re: Best Damn Work Boots

I have always gotten great mileage out of the Cat stuff. Pretty comfy too. Nothing beats a set of Daytons though. And they will build 'em however you want them too as well. Handmade right here on East Hastings for the past 60years or so.
 
Re: Best Damn Work Boots

I vote also for the redwings,+++++++++++++++++++++++1
I have worn my last pair for 5 years, had then resoled also, they came with they"hydrolic insole" what a great boot, I second them with one of the last pair of english made doc martens, I have a very hard time finding boots that I can wear all day in and out for days on end .
 
Re: Best Damn Work Boots

Vote early and often... :-)

Just got back....

JR

edit- BTW I voted against everybody who put campaign signs in my yard without permission-
 
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Re: Best Damn Work Boots

As a Portland native I am admittedly a little biased, but I won't buy anything but Danner. It's also nice that their factory outlet is about a 5 minute drive from work. I only buy their domestically produced products though, the MIC products aren't quite up to the same level fit and finish wise.

http://www.danner.com/
 
Re: Best Damn Work Boots

There are still (or were when I checked last year) made in USA Red Wings, but just a few models. Most of their catalog is from off-shore now....
 
Re: Best Damn Work Boots

Dick Rees said:
There are still (or were when I checked last year) made in USA Red Wings, but just a few models. Most of their catalog is from off-shore now....
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Looks like only their heavy boots are made domestically. I will have to put my quality-o-meter on the brand when I go to visit the local store, I don't know that I really want a 6" laced boot. Really an all weather hiking boot with safety toe would fulfill all my requirements, one of which is being able to take them on and off quickly!
 
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