I’m sorry for the quasi fruit topic, but I’d really like to get some good recs.
I just got through wearing a $200 pair of Muck boots for little over a year and they developed a crack at a seam and let water in. Pretty disgusted by it.
I’m really looking for a good quality pair of boots, not some big box junk. They can be leather, or not, but I’m looking for something that will last and keep my feet dry (I hate to have to dance around trying to avoid water.) I don’t care about the weight of the boots, and not too much about cost, as long as they last. Looking for work boots, not cowboy boots.
There are so many boots out there, who knows what to buy? I know I’m not happy with Muck boots. Ideas?
I suppose Sorel Packs would be too hot? I have a pair I’ve used in rough conditions side-hilling and ice fishing and they’ve held up. https://www.sorel.com/men/boots/
I have a tube of Goop to fix things but haven’t need it yet.
Actually Mark, I don’t mind hot boots. I have poor circulation in my hands and feet and they get cold very easy (I wear socks to bed.) My feet never get too hot.
I’m surprised to hear about your Mucks. I bought a pair of Muck Chore mid-height cold weather boots in 2015, and they have been great for me, no problems at all. Keeps my feet warm and dry. If I’m outside in the winter, or when it’s just muddy and nasty, they’re always on. I even wear them for deer hunting. They have great grip on slippery surfaces as well.
I am cold natured, too, and they can get a bit warm in the summer, but not too bad. They have a flexible upper, that gives way better than a one piece boot.
They only cost me $100, and I think they have been one of my best investments over the last few years. A lot of places, including Cabela’s still sells them at that price.
But I guess you’re soured on Mucks now, so I probably can’t convince you otherwise.
I have a pair of the old style Irish Setter Red Wing boots that I’ve worn hunting and camping for 30 years and they still have the original Vibram soles- no sign of giving out any time soon. But I don’t know that you could still get that particular boot, and I don’t know if Irish Setters are as good now as they were- mine were made in USA and the new ones are imports. But then, so are lots of high quality products.
There are some high fashion 100% rubber boots that sell for a bunch of money, and maybe they’d last a lot longer, but having only tried the more commonly available boots, for something that’s truly waterproof I’ve decided I like the cheap boots about best of all, particularly the Servus brand USA-made boots. I’ve gotten them as cheap as $12/pair but mostly wind up paying $16-$20. Wearing them every morning until the dew dries off and sometimes for other reasons throughout the day I typically get 3-9 months from a pair. Spending double or triple the money I definitely don’t get anywhere near double or triple the life, and I actually like the fit and function of the cheap boots just as well as other intermediate priced brands. I’ve never gotten a full 12 months from even the most expensive options I’ve tried without some kind of cracking, probably due in part to the fact that I work on my knees a lot with my toes bent behind me, so synthetic robber boots typically start to crack where my toes bend.
The fabric (while not leather) is much more water proof than you’d think, but I also recommend an extra layer of waterproofing on to make them even better (Camp Dry or something similar.). Your feet will still get wet in a heavy downpour or if you step in a creek or something, but they should stay dry otherwise.
Mine are almost 14 years old now. For 4 of them, I wore them almost every day, and really abused the heck out of them. I’ve had them for another 10, using them occasionally, and still no problems.
The only time I’ve seen them tear is if a guy ran into something like barbed wire that snagged on his boot, and he yanked.
If you wear them all the time, in typical circumstances, the only thing you should have to buy are shoelaces. (The way you weave them in and out can be hard on laces sometimes. It probably all depends on how you wear them too. I went through a pair of laces in 4 years, my husband seemed to need them every year.). You might also have to get them re-soled if you keep them for many years.
The only thing I will say is to try before you buy. I was issued 3 pairs of boots, with only minor differences between them. One gave me blisters no matter what I did, another was ok, and the last fit me perfectly, almost as comfortable as slippers. Size isn’t always a reliable determination of how they will fit.
I like Rocky Ironclad boots, wear them daily at work. I get about a year to 18 months out of them doing landscaping and gardening work. They are waterproof, too.
I’m probably unique in my choice if farm footwear. I like knock-off croc style shoes from wal mart. They are solid rubber, low cut and nearly indestructible. The morning dew doesnt soak through and they allow me to sprint after a goat or sheep. They won’t keep your foot warm though.
I bought these second hand on Ebay more than a year ago. I don’t recall the research I did prior to purchasing these very well, however, something sticks to my mind that Danner makes boots for the military.
Danner Crater Rim is the newest version it appears.
Mine are Talus GTX
I have been wearing a pair of these for two years now. I have had rocky’s and Muck, IMO these are much better You can get these for less from a Sports place like cabelas or bass Pro. Mine are excellent. i wear them all weekend every weekend and 2 or 3 weeks a year hunting. I say you can’t go wrong with them. http://www.lacrossefootwear.com/aerohead-sport-snake-boot-16-mossy-oak-break-up-country.html
Ha, that’s the way it generally goes. Words have power!!!
Seriously though. I ended up buying a pair of good quality used insulated Hoffman boots off Ebay, for some winter boots. I read some reviews they are very durable, and they look that way to me. They aren’t quite as warm as the Muck boots, but fairly warm. I don’t like the way the Hoffman boots are so bulky, and they are much more of a hassle to get on and off because of the laces. You also have to tuck your pants inside the boots because the pant legs won’t go over them.
But even with the liabilities, I think they may work out. They are American made which, I think in footwear, generally counts for something. Chinese made goods are still mostly junky in my opinion. I’m sure the Chinese will figure out how to make good quality stuff as their economy develops, just like the Japanese did, but they aren’t there yet, imo.
