Work boots

Heavywrenching said: Might be looking into some of these recommendations sooner rather than later. Soaked my thorogoods a couple days ago and put them in front of a heater to help dry and forgot to turn it off before bed. Shrunk the right boot so badly that it smashes my toes now been trying to stretch them back out all weekend. Click to expand... Go to tractor supply and get a Peet brand boot dryer. Dries them gently overnight and they are slightly warm when you put them on in the morning.

JD955SC said: Go to tractor supply and get a Peet brand boot dryer. Dries them gently overnight and they are slightly warm when you put them on in the morning. Click to expand... I have a boot drier than I but my boots on every night and it’s one of the best things I’ve ever bought. I know better than to leave them by a heater but was just trying to get water and snow dried off so they wouldn’t drip everywhere on the boot drier and forgot about em.

One thing I did for many years was to always have two pair of work boots and rotated between them every day. Just the normal sweat can be hard on a pair of boots even in dry weather. That seemed to make them last way longer. Also do have one of the PEETS for when they might get real wet.

Feller in this photo of camptramp's is wearing a pair of Whites.

doublewide said: How are those wedge soles in snow and ice? Click to expand... Update on this... got 8 inches of snow here in Chicago suburbs. Spent 2 hours after work today shoveling lot and cars out. Didn’t slip once. As long as it’s not ice or a wet perfectly smooth surface they seem to grab. Redwing 2418 is the model I believe

Nobody has mentioned Hoffman’s in Kellogg Idaho. I’ve been eyeballing their pac boots for early and late winter walker wear. Worthy of mentioning.

I wear Nicks. Like Whites, Frank’s, etc, the build quality makes all other main stream boots seem silly. Yeah they’re expensive but it’s the tool I use the most.

Purchased a new pair of Thorogood's on Friday afternoon as my old one, (left foot) finally blew the side out. My feet are sore now after breaking them in over a couple of days. That last pair took a few days also to wear in before they started to bend. Also sporting a band-aid on my right heel due to being rubbed through the skin and I did wear very thick socks for the occasion.

1693TA said: Purchased a new pair of Thorogood's on Friday afternoon as my old one, (left foot) finally blew the side out. My feet are sore now after breaking them in over a couple of days. That last pair took a few days also to wear in before they started to bend. Also sporting a band-aid on my right heel due to being rubbed through the skin and I did wear very thick socks for the occasion. Click to expand... I’ve had 2 pairs of thorogoods (2nd pair was a warranty replacement for first pair). Was a little disappointed both times to be honest. They’re not bad but just not what I was expecting, especially for all the hype they get.

Heavywrenching said: I’ve had 2 pairs of thorogoods (2nd pair was a warranty replacement for first pair). Was a little disappointed both times to be honest. They’re not bad but just not what I was expecting, especially for all the hype they get. Click to expand... The place I've used for boots several years is also a Red Wing vendor and they tell me these I purchased wear better than comparable Red Wing boots so the reason for going with them. I'm so hard on boots with chemicals and such It's difficult to find solid fault with anything other than myself as I render no care or upkeep other than tight laces.

8" Danners, 8" Chippaws loggers. Very aggressive treads, good heavy leather, last me about a year. I'm a field mechanic, mud snow, water, rock, water, oils and coolants are the environment I'm constantly in. Currently wearing out some 8" Thorogoods. I do like them also. I also use a good diabetes insert, which seems to help.

DMiller said: As I am ALMOST Retired I may end up looking to Whites, a final pair to end my career paths and the rest of my final working days. Can remember my Great Uncle Emmet Branson, was from south of here but ended up in the Refinery Switchyards at Wood River IL, passed away 1969 a bachelor at 85. We had to clean his rented room out where placed ALL of his belongings into a small suitcase and a small box. He had been buried in his Work Boots and had a duplicate pair in his room, only shoes he had, full high top lace to the top smooth leather soles and spit shined to a high gloss, Never knew him not to be wearing working man's boots. Worked as a Yardman at first stepping into Brakeman and car switchman for the old tank operations. Retired from Standard Oil in 1955. His official clothing were Pleated and Pressed cuffed slacks, Long sleeve WHITE shirts, of course the boots with a Cardigan Sweater and a Hounds Tooth jacket topped with a Stetson Fedora. He had a set of Coveralls for when had his cars(Still had as died), an extra and New Fedora in a box, the two pair boots six pair slacks and seven shirts, Misc under clothes and eight pair socks. A Bible, a Rosary, a small gold band for whatever purpose or from his Mother?, a pocket watch received as retired with his bifold wallet, a pen knife and a pocket knife, A few odd old books and was all he had, a radio in his room was there before he got the room. Never owned a house, always lived in rented rooms and ate at a local diner two meals a day. Click to expand... I have spent many days working in that nightmare of a place. The railroad guys were always lucky I thought. All of the rail in that place is rail property and not controlled by the refinery. We were all wearing flame retardant clothing weather it was regular clothes with frc's over top or fr pants/shirts while the rail guys were in t shirts and some in shorts.

Just picked up a pair of Danner Crucial boots and a couple pairs of socks. $208 for all. I don't usually buy boots with the rubber toes and heels, but decided to try them this time since the leather typically cracks first at the toe crease. Maybe the rubber will prevent or delay that happening.

materthegreater said: Just picked up a pair of Danner Crucial boots and a couple pairs of socks. $208 for all. View attachment 263477 I don't usually buy boots with the rubber toes and heels, but decided to try them this time since the leather typically cracks first at the toe crease. Maybe the rubber will prevent or delay that happening. Click to expand... The Darn Tough socks are awesome. I have several pairs in several styles. Love them.

Completely agree the Darn Tough socks are great! The lady at the boot store was asking how I like them, told her I loved them, held up well. Told her one started to get a hole in the big toe area after 8 months. She said wash them and send them back to Darn Tough and they will warranty them......what!!!! So I gave it a try, two weeks later I received another new pair from them. They have my business for life....any sock company that will do that...I applaud and will continue to support them. I have never try to return anymore socks, and won't because socks are a wear item, but the fact that they stand behind their product says alot.

New boots too Tight? Easy fix.... Soak them in rubbing alcohol and start walking about. The alcohol will soften the leather and allow it to stretch. I learned this a few years back and have done this to custom fit several pairs of leather boots. Works well with shoe stretchers too.

I buy whatever looks cool and fits good. I've got wide feet so it can be a challenge to find boots that fit well at times.

Time to order some Tuff Toe

Gonna look at Brunt for my next pair. You have to order from them, no distributors but they offer free shipping and returns. For wide sizes you take out an insert that’s installed below the insole. They offer 6 and 8” wedge sole plus a pull on in wedge sole and other more conventional designs and are priced well. Safety toes are composite. If I get a year out of normal priced boots I am happy. We get an allowance of $150 a year and if you blow your boots out before the year is up they will authorize it again.

I have a diverse collection of boots, ranging from several pairs of Thorogood wedge sole boots, one with a heel and waterproof feature, though they're not my top choice. I also own two pairs of Hoffman lineman boots, and they've become personal favorites. While the newest pair is still breaking in, they're gradually becoming more comfortable.