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Work Boot Recommendations

bowhunter1023

Owner/Operator
Staff member
48,879
274
Appalachia
Boots are hard to come by in this town and I'm leary of ordering online. I need to replace my Ariat slip ons that finally gave up the ghost. I think I'm ready for some lace ups and will go back to a safety toe after buying that new weedeater blade. Any Thorogood fans out there? How is the sizing if you have owned a pair? I like this pair, any maybe prefer a 6" over the 8" for hot weather.

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The reviews on the lace ups said the tongues were too big and awkward to get positioned comfortably and that's the truth. I tried on the 6" and 8" versions today and definitely disliked the tongue. They had this pair of Wellingtons on sale at our local uniform supply store. Steel toes, comfortable, on sale, bought locally, and American made, so they check all the boxes expect being waterproof. I'll lather them up with the appropriate waterproofing material to help fight off the moisture, but I'm pleased so far. Just put 2 hours of chainsaw/farm chores on them and I'm not disappointed.
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whitetailjunky3

Junior Member
818
91
I have both the 57s and the wellingtons i use to switch every week as they wear different. I find myself wearing the wellingtons a lot more now tho. Not sure if they are more comfortable or easy to put on hungover in the morning lol. I have had both over a year and still like new minus some scuffs. Waterproofing I have found hard and they can be cold in the winter outside. I work at a water plant doing maintenance so I put them to the test. We get a new pair every year in April. Haven’t figured out what I want this year but I would highly recommend either of those boots.
 

giles

Cull buck specialist
Supporting Member
I have a pair of fire-rated Thorogood boots for controlled burns and they are 100% awful. Terrible fit. Honestly the worst pair of work boots I've ever owned.

If you want something in that style, though, Irish Setter makes a very similar boot. The uplander, maybe? I can't remember the exact name. Coworker is on his second pair and loves them. Hard to go wrong with Irish Setters.

Tom is right about the custom made boots. You can't beat the quality and fit. It's just a matter of whether or not you want to pay that kind of money. I've got a pair of Wesco boots for wildland firefighting. They are a custom boot and were about 500 bucks if I remember right. Crazy expensive... but superior quality.

For "everyday" work boots without a heel, I would look pretty hard at the Irish Setters.

** Edit... it's the Irish Setter "Wingshooter" **
These ones BC
 
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bowhunter1023

Owner/Operator
Staff member
48,879
274
Appalachia
Some work boots are different than others 😎 I have these Dan Posts in black full-quill ostrich and love them. Literally one of the best footbeds of any shoe or boot I've ever worn. I've wanted a caiman version for almost 2 years, so I saved some gift cards up and made it happen. These are my "power boots" for when I've got important functions to attend and want to make a statement. Just so happens I'll get to do just that at high brow function tonight. Won't be many fellers in jeans and boots there that's for sure!

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giles

Cull buck specialist
Supporting Member
From Ariat I went with Dan Post because they just didn't last. I could not find the comfort in them. So I went back to the Ariat work boot a couple of times. Really disappointing lifespan with them. Only getting about 8 months out of a pair before the heel slips. (Gortex liner inside) Not wearing out from the inside, but slipping away from the boot on the inside.

Before we left for Christmas it happened again. So she ordered me another pair. They came and the left foot was completely a different size/fit. So we returned them in exchange for another pair. The right foot was a little tight for my liking. I figured it would wear in. It hasn't in the half a dozen times I've worn them. Only about 2 hours each time. I still think they'll break in, I'm just not enjoying the process. The heel in them is alot tighter now too. Maybe they have fixed the other issue with this, but my hobit doesn't hardly fit in it now.

Today we rained out and ended up in a store with tons of boots while looking for FR clothing. I walked out with a pair of Georgia boots. I haven't owned a pair of this brand since I was active duty. They were very light, waterproof and my club foot fit in them. Add the sale and I pulled the trigger. Time will tell.
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jagermeister

Dignitary Member
Supporting Member
18,060
223
Ohio
Interesting. I’ve actually had really good luck with all three pairs of Ariats that I’ve owned. Mine have never failed or fallen apart. I’ve only replaced them after they’ve simply lost their comfort.
 
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giles

Cull buck specialist
Supporting Member
They also raised the price on them. Just can't justify paying $220 for a boot to be destroyed in 8 months. I also started wearing Chore's for when I'm in water. Boots still lasted the same.
 

jagermeister

Dignitary Member
Supporting Member
18,060
223
Ohio
They also raised the price on them. Just can't justify paying $220 for a boot to be destroyed in 8 months. I also started wearing Chore's for when I'm in water. Boots still lasted the same.
Yea that’s crazy. I think mine are the Groundbreaker version? Plain toe. I paid less than $150 for a pair. I really hope the price of them didn’t go up that high.
 
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Bowkills

Well-Known Member
2,577
85
Nw oh
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week 3, im in love with ariats. I tried slip ons at the store but there is 0 way i could wear them. They seem like they would get to hot and id slip out of them and socks would slide down.These are the 1st boot the soles held together. They broke down from the inside out vs mortar and concrete eating most of them. Hoping this pair lasts like the 1st.
 
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5Cent

Dignitary Member
Supporting Member
12,290
212
North Central Ohio
My favorite out of them all...DP, Carhartt, Carolina, Justin, Red Wings, Irish Setters, Ariat, Durango, etc......Timberland Pros. Heavy, but fit fits the bill and they just seem to last longer than others.

Durango square toes are my go to casual boot due to how lightweight they are.
 
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