Boots

johnbeaver

johnbeaver

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I had worn Vasque hiking boots for years. Felt great, sturdy, waterproof and last a long time and could be refurbished.
But they started making them in China and something changed. Quality is just not there anymore.
Asolo was the next I tried and they work ok but just not the same.
Anybody here have experience with hiking/work boots?
I wear boots all day everyday. Mostly on concrete and office, but may end up anywhere from a muddy ditch to East Texas woods.
One I have looked at is Danner. But need a little advice before I spend that much.
Thanks.
 
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Well I don't normally wear boots in an office, but whenever I am out in the Field and / or Hunting, I wear LL Bean Kangaroo boots. They are lighter than Cowhide, however they are stronger. I've had them for over 12 years now and they are still going quite strong. I do like the fact that they are not as heavy! Have another pair of them that are insulated with Thinsulate for the colder days. Under $200 bucks so they are a great value.
 
I've been wearing Cabela's Rimrock hikers for several years. They hold up very well and they are comfortable. For under a hundred bucks they are hard to beat.
 
I recently bought Vasques.
Vasques usually are too narrow for me.
I was down at REI and had tried on a bunch of boots.
The clerk finally said, try the Vasques.
I say, too narrow!
He say, we got wide. Ok.
The wide Vasques fit perfect.
It's a brand and a color (gray) that I normally wouldn't buy.
But it's the fit. That's what really counts.
Update- just looked inside my Vasques.
They ain't made in China!
They were made in Slovakia.
 
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Every brand mentioned here so far, including Danner, is China made.

I have a pair of these that have taken serious almost daily abuse for over three years. They refuse to die. Very comfortable from first wearing. I was at first worried about the injection molded sole not being replaceable but not any more. The soles show almost no wear and there has been no separation from the body of the boot. I recently soaped and oiled them up and replaced the footbed with a pair of inserts and they're like new boots. Mine are steel toes, but the same model can be had with regular toes.
[ame="http://www.amazon.com/Thorogood-Sport-Hiker-Safety-Boot/dp/B001WLIIAU/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1462975232&sr=8-1&keywords=thorogood+hikers"]Amazon.com: Thorogood Men's American Heritage 6" Sport Hiker Safety Toe Boot: Shoes@@AMEPARAM@@http://ecx.images-amazon.com/images/I/51e8JS46P1L.@@AMEPARAM@@51e8JS46P1L[/ame]
 
I've been wearing boots for about 40 years now,expensive and cheap (don't buy cheap!)
My last 3-4 pairs have been discontinued models by Hi-tec found at big 5 for around $45.2-3 years of use and into the trash.I do put good insoles in them.
 
I wear Vasques, Danners and Keens - mostly Danners. Don't really care where they're made, so long as they work. These brands have done me well.
 
I've been wearing Timberland Pro Pit Boss steel toes at work and home for about 5 years. At work, I walk on concrete, metal grating, coal dirt, ash, mud. I'm very happy with them. Around $100 and they last about 2 years in my work environment.

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I have a really hard time finding boots that fit and are comfortable (narrow feet). I've used Rocky, Vasque, Timberland and Keens.

The Keens have been the most comfortable and have held-up really well for hunting, hiking and just wearing for everyday outdoor use. Just bought another pair for winter use/hunting. I've been amazed at how comfortable they feel compared to others I've tried.

Don
 
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I worked for REI for twenty years, tried most of the footwear brands mentioned above. All are decent boots. It pretty much comes down to fit, and picking a pair that is well suited to your intended use. For the usage described by the op I would highly recommend trying a pair of Merrell boots. My current pair have lasted 8yrs, daily use at work on concrete, and though they're beginning to look shabby there are no structural failures. I usually wear boys boots to accommodate my wide foot (womens shoes rarely come in wide) but was able to wear the Merrell regular womens size with no issue.

Best of luck in your search, the right pair of boots can make or break your day spent on concrete.
 
I wear Bellville Boots. They are American made and they are the most comfortable boots I have ever owned.

I have worked as a security guard since 2008, for 6 years of that time I worked on an undeveloped site on the East side of town. I did all foot patrols over rocks, up and down hills, in all kinds of weather, in dirt and mud and snow and concrete.

I walked an average of right around 1900 miles every year and the Bellevilles have held up I have had to resole them 3 times but they're still going strong. I currently do roving patrols (again on foot) on sites from the base of Pikes Peak to Peyton Colorado and they're still up to it although I'm pretty sure I'm going to replace them the next time the sole wears out.

I have tried other boots and destroyed them (Hermans, Vasques, Tevas and some kind of cheap cop boot that lasted 3 months) and nothing has lasted nearly as long as the Bellevilles.

Belleville Boots - Home
 
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Red Wings, Keens. I'd say Gokeys, but you can't really get them any more. The Orvis version is a pale imitation. You might be able to talk Lyle Macrostie into making you a pair just like the handmade ones Gokeys used to sell, but he is pretty old and prices them prohibitively to keep his workload down.
 
woodsltc said:
I have a really hard time finding boots that fit and are comfortable (narrow feet). I've used Rocky, Vasque, Timberland and Keens.

Don
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Don, take a look at LaSportiva, specifically their approach shoes. This is an often unknown segment of the outdoor shoe market.

Approach shoes are what climbers wear to hike up the trail and up the initial scrabble before donning their dainty little climbing shoes. For us regular folk they are very adjustable lightweight shoes with vibram's stickiest sole. Some mil users (the kind that can buy their own equipment) wear these for a reason.

I wear BolulderX's daily (wife calls them my super shoes) and they are very well made and keep me upright here where it rains a bit. They also make a high-top version. LaSportiva also makes some boots for hiking but since their expertise is in the climbing market the boot's DNA will always have some climbing-shoe in it.

They seem to run a little narrow which makes sense given their duty; can't be slipping around inside the shoe on the rocks.

Boulder X An approach shoe designed for high performance protection from La Sportiva
 

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I wear a lot of Danner's in the outdoors, Two pair of hunting 8 inch boots and one pair of 6" hikers that are the best pair of hikers I have ever owned. Wear a lot of merrells's the rest of the time, the mocs, and the low sneeker looking hiking boots. Just like OP, some days around house or office and all of a sudden, I am in the bushes. Those two brands have served me well, and I do have a pair of very thick insulation Rocky's for those cold morning deer stand days when not much walking is involved and they are comfortable. I am totally impressed in the longevity and the comfort of all my Danners.
 
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