Feet Up! The Work Boot Thread

[dh66]

The boot groups I mention above have some cool people who own shops on there. Two that stand out to me to maybe look up that are capable of doing some things you may want are Sole Man in Buffalo NY. It appears he does more dress shoe repair though. And Northern Republic who it appears specialize in boot repair out of Minnesota. If shipping isn’t an arm and a leg I would Facebook and google them and see if it’s worth it. I’ve been checking their stuff out and it all looks great! But again depending on costs maybe not worth it, but can’t hurt to look into it.

Cool! Thanks for the tip.

 

[Ernest P Shackleton]

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Pulled the trigger on a pair of the Red Wing Irish Setter 894s to replace my worn out 877s that I've been wearing to work a lot. $125 to get the 877s resoled less than a year ago (by Red Wing) and they came back to me in worse shape than I sent them off in. A website called Supercasuals had the Irish Setters on sale for $159, and since my job is rough on a pair of boots I thought I'd give them a try for the price.

Ever tried, or know anyone who has, Thorogood boots? At $159, I doubt you'd save anything, if not pay more, but I'm curious as to how hardy Thorogoods are.

https://www.thorogoodusa.com/

 

[dannyk]

Ever tried, or know anyone who has, Thorogood boots? At $159, I doubt you'd save anything, if not pay more, but I'm curious as to how hardy Thorogoods are.

https://www.thorogoodusa.com/

I have their Roofer/Portage boots in the Indigo color. As far as American Heritage Brands go, like RW, Wolverine, etc...My Thorogoods were the best for the money. Now mind you they are roofer boots so a kinda unique example and not a typical Service style boot. The stitching was perfect, nothing crazy or high end, but no loose threads or missing loops. And the leather was surprisingly beefy. Thicker than any RWs or Wolverines Ive ever owned. Again not the greatest Im not saying they are amazing but for the price the best value. Got them on Nordstrom rack I cant recall I think it was 140 or 160. If you get them there the bang for the buck is perfect.

 

[Blackadder]

I have their Roofer/Portage boots in the Indigo color. As far as American Heritage Brands go, like RW, Wolverine, etc...My Thorogoods were the best for the money. Now mind you they are roofer boots so a kinda unique example and not a typical Service style boot. The stitching was perfect, nothing crazy or high end, but no loose threads or missing loops. And the leather was surprisingly beefy. Thicker than any RWs or Wolverines Ive ever owned. Again not the greatest Im not saying they are amazing but for the price the best value. Got them on Nordstrom rack I cant recall I think it was 140 or 160. If you get them there the bang for the buck is perfect.

My experience with Thorogood is somewhat different. I bought a pair of Boerum Hill/Beloit many years ago. The stitching was far from perfect and there was a small hole. I sent them back for an exchange and the new ones has the same issues. It was still a bargain, 200 bucks for a pair of Horween CXL HH boots. Despite the stitching issue, the boots are far more comfortable than RW with a built-in thick insole.

 

[dannyk]

My experience with Thorogood is somewhat different. I bought a pair of Boerum Hill/Beloit many years ago. The stitching was far from perfect and there was a small hole. I sent them back for an exchange and the new ones has the same issues. It was still a bargain, 200 bucks for a pair of Horween CXL HH boots. Despite the stitching issue, the boots are far more comfortable than RW with a built-in thick insole.

Suppose as with all those "Heritage" Brands being massed produced the quality is hit or miss. I only own the one pair like I said from Nordstrom Rack so for the lets call it 150 I couldnt have been more pleased. But yeah the leather was way beefier and the insole/comfort was 100 times better than RW or Wolverine. I highly recommend if anyone wants Thorogoods to get the Nordstrom Rack app. They dont have a ton of options, its seconds and overstock but they are consistently between 140-170. Ive never seen any offered over 200. Although at the moment I just logged on and they only have two pairs available and they are not from the 1892 line meeehhh. But they also carry Red Wing and Wolverine. Good deals are definitely there!

 

[dh66]

Ever tried, or know anyone who has, Thorogood boots? At $159, I doubt you'd save anything, if not pay more, but I'm curious as to how hardy Thorogoods are.

https://www.thorogoodusa.com/

Long considered them, but never tried them. I'd sure be willing to, and had these not turned up for as cheap as they did there might be some on my feet right now. Maybe next time.

 

[DaveProc]

Wearing Red Wing Beckmans that I replaced the upper grommets with speed hooks.

 

[Peacoat]

@DaveProc: Nice looking boots. How was your break-in process with these Beckmans? I was looking into getting a pair a few months ago and saw that some customers had a difficult time breaking them in. That dissuaded me from getting a pair.

 

[DaveProc]

@DaveProc: Nice looking boots. How was your break-in process with these Beckmans? I was looking into getting a pair a few months ago and saw that some customers had a difficult time breaking them in. That dissuaded me from getting a pair.

Break in was ok, my Iron Rangers were worse. I put Red Wings boot cream on and it helped the break in.

 

[AbbaDatDeHat]

Wearing Red Wing Beckmans that I replaced the upper grommets with speed hooks.

View attachment 221361

Nice boots and nice job.
How did you convert to speed hooks? Some sort of kit? Cobbler??
B

 

[DaveProc]

Nice boots and nice job.
How did you convert to speed hooks? Some sort of kit? Cobbler??
B

Thanks! My local Red Wing store did it for me. I Think they charged $26

 

[Keller1977]

Corcoran historic jump boots. Only been wearing them for about a week now. Starting to get broken in. Stripped the ugly, plasticy glaze off, gave them good rub of black and dark brown polish to antique them a bit and several doses of Huberd's Shoe Grease. They're starting to look right.

 

[dh66]

Red Wing Pecos 1155

 

[tropicalbob]

Long considered them, but never tried them. I'd sure be willing to, and had these not turned up for as cheap as they did there might be some on my feet right now. Maybe next time.

Some years back I picked up a pair of Frye's Rand Lace-up boots in black. After about six months of constant wear (I teach for a living) I found them so comfortable and showing so few signs of wear that I got them in brown and tan, as Frye changes their styles fairly often. Sure enough, they're no longer being made, but you can find them new on Ebay for around $200.00. They're simply the best workboots I've ever owned, and I haven't found any reason to buy anything else. I should add that I think they're also about the best-looking workboots on the market. All the best.

 

[regius]

Carhartt socks too tight? No problem

 

[dh66]

Well worn Red Wing 877s. Still the most comfortable pair of boots I own.

 

[dh66]

Frye 12R engineer boots saw some action climbing down into Pisgah Gorge.

 

[AeroFan_07]

^^ Great shots of those waterfalls!

New to me White' packer boots. Were a bit broken in, but they are breaking in my feet quite nicely on the High arch now.

 

[Woodtroll]

^^ Great shots of those waterfalls!

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New to me White' packer boots. Were a bit broken in, but they are breaking in my feet quite nicely on the High arch now.

White's packers are great boots, and are my favorite casual/light duty boot because I like the high arch. For heavy work and carrying loads, like firewood work, I like a slightly broader, lower heel like the Smoke Jumper or Stockman models.

I hope you enjoy these for a long time!

 

[dh66]

^^ Great shots of those waterfalls!

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New to me White' packer boots. Were a bit broken in, but they are breaking in my feet quite nicely on the High arch now.

Thanks

Those are some really good looking White's