Engineer Boots, Harness Boots...

[Edward]

I think I might be looking in the wrong place.
These are high end boutique boots for multi-hundreds of dollars.
I'm not that kinda guy to drop 500+ dollars of my money on something I'm going to be in the field with. Justifiable when the DoD is footing the bill...but I'm just not that green.
Sorry guys...I'm out.
*salute*

There are plenty of mid-price or lower alternatives - Chippewa, Frye, Sendra, TCX, Red Wing, Grinders.... but yes, as ever it's amazing how, if you don't set yourself a maximum, there really is no upper limit as to what you can spend on boots!

 

[Mich486]

Well if you use them in the field I wouldn’t spend nowhere near $500 either... I guess most people just where engineer boots to walk around town these days.


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[andy b.]

What does "in the field" entail? If you're pouring roofing tar and kicking rocks all day, then I'd go cheap. If you're doing something that isn't going to destroy the uppers, I don't see why you wouldn't consider something up to the Whites or Wescos range. Part of my job would be considered construction work. I wear these to the job site, I take care of them, and I have some that are 5 years old, and I don't see why they won't last for 20 with some resoles at some point.

 

[Dm101]

What does "in the field" entail? If you're pouring roofing tar and kicking rocks all day, then I'd go cheap. If you're doing something that isn't going to destroy the uppers, I don't see why you wouldn't consider something up to the Whites or Wescos range. Part of my job would be considered construction work. I wear these to the job site, I take care of them, and I have some that are 5 years old, and I don't see why they won't last for 20 with some resoles at some point.

For me that entails setting up comms equipment for the Army in the desert, in forests and sometimes rooftops for point-to-point testing and mesh satellite network maintenance and testing. I go through boots pretty quickly, usually a pair a year. That's why I considered getting the engineer boots as leather is much tougher than the issued nylon boots I get. Plus the engineer boots look cool and fit "me" better. Well...they do in my mind since I haven't found a real pair to try on in my neck of the woods. I refuse to buy a pair online and go through all the returns and repurchases....ugh. I don't trust online sizing...

It's just...a frustrating experience. But if it were easy, everyone would be wearing them.

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[bluesmandan]

Not shoveling coal, but...

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[andy b.]

I work for CECOM. LOL

For me that entails setting up comms equipment for the Army in the desert, in forests and sometimes rooftops for point-to-point testing and mesh satellite network maintenance and testing.

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[Woodtroll]

For me that entails setting up comms equipment for the Army in the desert, in forests and sometimes rooftops for point-to-point testing and mesh satellite network maintenance and testing. I go through boots pretty quickly, usually a pair a year. That's why I considered getting the engineer boots as leather is much tougher than the issued nylon boots I get. Plus the engineer boots look cool and fit "me" better. Well...they do in my mind since I haven't found a real pair to try on in my neck of the woods. I refuse to buy a pair online and go through all the returns and repurchases....ugh. I don't trust online sizing...

It's just...a frustrating experience. But if it were easy, everyone would be wearing them.

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I would think that kind of work would involve a lot of climbing, walking on uneven ground, etc. Engineer boots were not originally designed to really walk in, and while I know that a lot of folks here say theirs are comfortable to walk in for extended periods, I don't think you're ever going to find a pair that work for "work boots" as well as a good pair of lace-up boots. I have a couple of pairs of engineer boots that I wear occasionally for "going out", but I wouldn't consider actively working in them all day. And yes, they are difficult to get to fit right if you're only able to work through mail-order, so I feel your pain and share your frustration!

Good luck!
Regan

 

[Dm101]

I would think that kind of work would involve a lot of climbing, walking on uneven ground, etc. Engineer boots were not originally designed to really walk in, and while I know that a lot of folks here say theirs are comfortable to walk in for extended periods, I don't think you're ever going to find a pair that work for "work boots" as well as a good pair of lace-up boots. I have a couple of pairs of engineer boots that I wear occasionally for "going out", but I wouldn't consider actively working in them all day. And yes, they are difficult to get to fit right if you're only able to work through mail-order, so I feel your pain and share your frustration!

Good luck!
Regan

Thank you for the info. Perhaps I'm looking into the wrong type of boot. I had a pair of Frye loggers that I paid 220 for back in the early 90s, but they are not comfortable to wear for more than 4 hours. I gave them away to goodwill when they wouldn't sell on Craigslist or eBay.
I certainly don't want to go through that pain again, however, my issue boots don't fit everything I wear.
Can you imagine me going to church in dress clothes and a fancy coat with dreary combat boots on?
Don't you think that sounds utterly ridiculous?
Good...because that's my life currently. I have one kind of footwear and they don't fit every situation.
Love the fit...but they don't fit every situation.

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[Dm101]

I work for CECOM. LOL

Awesome!
How long have you been in Army comms?
I'm attached to the 6th Mlmc.

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[Woodtroll]

Thank you for the info. Perhaps I'm looking into the wrong type of boot. I had a pair of Frye loggers that I paid 220 for back in the early 90s, but they are not comfortable to wear for more than 4 hours. I gave them away to goodwill when they wouldn't sell on Craigslist or eBay.
I certainly don't want to go through that pain again, however, my issue boots don't fit everything I wear.
Can you imagine me going to church in dress clothes and a fancy coat with dreary combat boots on?
Don't you think that sounds utterly ridiculous?
Good...because that's my life currently. I have one kind of footwear and they don't fit every situation.
Love the fit...but they don't fit every situation.

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Perhaps I misunderstood how you are planning to wear them; I thought you meant they were going to be every-day work boots. I think they would be fine for more casual wear, so I hope you are able to find a pair that fit you and suit your taste.

By the way, I occasionally wear my cleaned and polished logger boots to church, but I do understand what you mean!

 

[Dm101]

Perhaps I misunderstood how you are planning to wear them; I thought you meant they were going to be every-day work boots. I think they would be fine for more casual wear, so I hope you are able to find a pair that fit you and suit your taste.

By the way, I occasionally wear my cleaned and polished logger boots to church, but I do understand what you mean!

Well, I would like to wear them when im garrison side. And if they were comfortable enough to wear in the dev lab all day and during an occasional lunch outing hiking or at the archery or gun range...that would be great.

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[bluesmandan]

I wear my White’s semi dress to church. They clean up real nice and just look like a pair of plain toe oxfords with a suit or slacks. And you can walk miles and miles in them. Super comfortable. If I were walking uneven terrain I’d get some smoke jumpers for the extra height and ankle stability.

I don’t think I’d want to wear my engineer boots for heavy walking/hiking or uneven terrain. They are quite comfortable but not really suited for that purpose. The straps cinch up over the top of the foot near the ankle, to keep your heel stable, but the forefoot (and to some degree the instep) can move around just a little, which makes them great for shoveling or other upright work, or just as a casual boot... snug at the ankle and a bit looser for the rest of the foot—I think that’s the intent of the design. Makes them comfortable to stand in for a long time. Good vertical stability and comfort. But they aren’t hiking boots.


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[Woodtroll]

I wear my White’s semi dress to church. They clean up real nice and just look like a pair of plain toe oxfords with a suit or slacks. And you can walk miles and miles in them.

My normal "church shoes" are a pair of White's packers I use only for dressier occasions. Like you say, unless you look closely, you can't tel the difference between them and dressier shoes.

 

[Dm101]

I wear my White’s semi dress to church. They clean up real nice and just look like a pair of plain toe oxfords with a suit or slacks. And you can walk miles and miles in them. Super comfortable. If I were walking uneven terrain I’d get some smoke jumpers for the extra height and ankle stability.

I don’t think I’d want to wear my engineer boots for heavy walking/hiking or uneven terrain. They are quite comfortable but not really suited for that purpose. The straps cinch up over the top of the foot near the ankle, to keep your heel stable, but the forefoot (and to some degree the instep) can move around just a little, which makes them great for shoveling or other upright work, or just as a casual boot... snug at the ankle and a bit looser for the rest of the foot—I think that’s the intent of the design. Makes them comfortable to stand in for a long time. Good vertical stability and comfort. But they aren’t hiking boots.


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I see...well, it makes sense to have boots for each function. I will have to look up these "smoke jumpers" and see what they are. I think I am still going to get the engineer boots simply for ease of traveling and inspection checkpoints. Last time I got sent to Germany they made me take off my boots 4 times. With 10 eye lace ups you can imagine the hassle that created.


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[regius]

Not shoveling coal, but...

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Chipps?


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[regius]

well worn RRL. Shoveled mud, snow, crawled in the yard planting trees.


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[Edward]

There are plenty of mid-price or lower alternatives - Chippewa, Frye, Sendra, TCX, Red Wing, Grinders.... but yes, as ever it's amazing how, if you don't set yourself a maximum, there really is no upper limit as to what you can spend on boots!

Hmn, and on another thread I find myself saying the opposite. I do firmly believe that there is an opening in the market for mid-range priced boots that you might seriously expect to last a long time, or even consider wearing on a motorcycle, as opposed to fashion-wear only.

 

[bluesmandan]

Chipps?


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Yep.


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[Bfd70]

Perhaps a mod could just merge all of the boot threads

 

[bluesmandan]

Perhaps a mod could just merge all of the boot threads

Nooooooooooooooooooooo!!!!
!


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