Red Wing Wolverine 1000 mile boots sole questions.

[winterland1]

OK I am looking at getting new boots. You guys are making me spend more money. Have to blame someone.
I like to get a good deal, limited funds so I have been watching sales, Ebay etc.
I have decided I like either the Red Wing Beckman rubber sole or Wolverine 1000 mile boot leather sole. In black. I am in Minnesota and want rubber on the sole. I need practicality not just style.
Has anyone had rubber put on to a leather sole?
My other option is to get the Wolverine Courtland which has a rubber sole but is moc toe. I don't know if I like it as much as non moc toe.
Went into a local Red Wing store to check my fit. The one thing about buying in the store is they said I can come in and have them cleaned for free. Price will be higher though.
I am going to try on the Wolverines soon.
Here are pics of all.
I open to any experiences or opinions of these type of boots. These are all about the same price.

Red Wing Beckman

wolverine boot

wolverine courtland

 

[Boyo]

I have the Original 1000 miler's with the leather sole I love the fit and look of them. but they do slip on snow and ice..Maybe get a cobbler to add a rubber half sole, be about $35 around here..Great Boots though

 

[Plumbline]

You can easilly put a rubber cover sole on a leather sole ( would be glued though .. but no less wearable .. in fact it would protect the leather sole underneath).

The Beckman - which I have the 9035's and not the ones you show - is actually a leather base with the Vibram rubber sewn into the welt. They run true to size. They seem to be wearing OK and the rubber isn't noticeable in the summer ... I'm hoping it's much more practical in the winter.

Either is good .. and both are very wearable, the Wolverines are Horween the Beckmans Featherstone both are VERY good leathers ... the 1000 mile runs a little "long" about 1/2 a size IMHO.

HTH

 

[handymike]

I just bought a pair of Thorogood boots on Amazon.
I'd been following them for a while and they went on sale...$149.
They are made of Horsehide and have rubber soles. I'll write them up when they arrive next week.

***sorry, soles are Neocord? what is that anyway?

 

[Dude59]

I have a pair of the 1000mile addisons, they are great boots and you can have a rubber half sole added for about $20. They wont be as deep a tread as those red wings, for that you would have to have the cobbler actually resole the boot with the rubber sewn on as plumbline said. They can do it and if you look at some other forums found through google you can see examples of it, but it is a little more expensive but not much.

As for being in Minnesota, you can again google and find many articles about weather proofing your 1000miles. I have used straight mink oil and I can walk through pretty deep water without issue(sorry, I dont get much snow in NC).

 

[handymike]

To me, the wolverines seem to be better built than the RedWings, but they don't fit me as well ....It's a shame 'cause I really wanted a pair of the shell cordovan 721s.

 

[nabottle]

I have the Wolverine 1000 Mile and I love them. I tried on the Redwing Beckman BEFORE I ended up getting the Wolverines. In my opinion, the Beckman sole didn't seem very durable. I liked the look and feel, but I chose the Wolverines based on that fact. The fit and feel of the Wolverines are exceptional.

 

[bretron]

I just bought a pair of Thorogood boots on Amazon.
I'd been following them for a while and they went on sale...$149.
They are made of Horsehide and have rubber soles. I'll write them up when they arrive next week.

***sorry, soles are Neocord? what is that anyway?

I want a full review, man Been eyeing these for a while now. Seems like a great option at this price point.

Other possibility at under $300 is a pair of used Alden's or perhaps some new Chippewas (eg the "iron works" boots they sell via LL Bean http://m.llbean.com/mt/www.llbean.c...s-katahdin-iron-works-engineer-boots&subrnd=0 )

 

[Grayland]

I have the RW Beckman and the Wolverine 1000. I'm a size 10.5 and bought size 10 in both.

The commando sole on the RW lends it to more rugged wear. The RW is also quite narrow at the side of the boot (plenty of toe room though) and the side seam is slightly rough. After a few wears, the boot felt pretty good, but I have narrow feet. I don't imagine it would work well for wide-footed folks.

The Wolverine 1000 is more comfortable IMO. It felt great from day one and you forget your wearing boots. The soles aren't as weather ready, but I had a topy put on them. I wear them as a "dressy" boot with jeans & khakis. I'm not a lumberjack and feel no need to dress like one. The Courtland looks very nice.

I live in upstate NY and our weather is probably similar to Minnesota. For serious winter weather, I wouldn't recommend either, but the RW is probably a better pick due simply to the commando sole.

 

[bretron]

Spend a wee bit more and get some White's. done and done!

 

[frussell]

My Chippewa boots are just as well made as my Iron Rangers, at half the price. As far as adding rubber to a leather sole, I've done this to cowboy boots many times, and it's cheap and effective. Frank

 

[ButteMT61]

My Chippewa boots are just as well made as my Iron Rangers, at half the price. As far as adding rubber to a leather sole, I've done this to cowboy boots many times, and it's cheap and effective. Frank

I was going to post something similar. My US-made Chip's are great boots. Nothing against the others, just sayin'.

 

[winterland1]

I just bought a pair of Thorogood boots on Amazon.
I'd been following them for a while and they went on sale...$149.
They are made of Horsehide and have rubber soles. I'll write them up when they arrive next week.

***sorry, soles are Neocord? what is that anyway?

I wish they made these with a layered leather sole with rubber bottom. Not digging the white rubber soles.

 

[winterland1]

I have the RW Beckman and the Wolverine 1000. I'm a size 10.5 and bought size 10 in both.

The commando sole on the RW lends it to more rugged wear. The RW is also quite narrow at the side of the boot (plenty of toe room though) and the side seam is slightly rough. After a few wears, the boot felt pretty good, but I have narrow feet. I don't imagine it would work well for wide-footed folks.

The Wolverine 1000 is more comfortable IMO. It felt great from day one and you forget your wearing boots. The soles aren't as weather ready, but I had a topy put on them. I wear them as a "dressy" boot with jeans & khakis. I'm not a lumberjack and feel no need to dress like one. The Courtland looks very nice.

I live in upstate NY and our weather is probably similar to Minnesota. For serious winter weather, I wouldn't recommend either, but the RW is probably a better pick due simply to the commando sole.

I wouldn't wear these as outdoor winter boots. Have other insulated boots for that. An older Timberland insulated leather pair that have been lasting for ages. I treat them 2 times a year.
Being that, going from your car to work, going out on the town etc., you will be walking on ice, snow and wet snow throughout the winter. So far I haven't been a serious dress shoe guy. Been wearing Dr Martens for ages which have a sole that works inside and out. Looking for a little change.
I agree the Courtlands have been the way I have been leaning so far.

I am appreciating all the feedback.

 

[handymike]

These are the Thorogoods in black

http://www.amazon.com/gp/aw/d/B006XGGBI0

I got the Boerum Hill which are brown.

 

[winterland1]

These are the Thorogoods in black

http://www.amazon.com/gp/aw/d/B006XGGBI0

I got the Boerum Hill which are brown.

I was looking at a different boot. http://www.amazon.com/Thorogood-Men...d=1376611706&sr=8-10&keywords=Thorogood+boots
I like yours better for sure. You will have to review them for sure. The cork sole is what is on some of the Red Wings. Better than leather but would still be a little slippery here.

Edit- I looked at the other colors and found this review.
"I called Weinbrenner USA to verify this boot was made in the usa and if it was even made by them. They said it is not one of there styles."
Who knows what is up with that? Either way they look like a solid boot. Would be interesting to see if Weibrenner, who makes Thorogood, actually makes them.

 

[handymike]

I read that and was confused because they got a pretty good review last year here on the Lounge. Well, with a sale and free returns I figured I'd give them a shot.

 

[winterland1]

I read that and was confused because they got a pretty good review last year here on the Lounge. Well, with a sale and free returns I figured I'd give them a shot.

Yes Amazon has a great return policy.

I am curious what Chippewa boots you guys have that are in this style?
I am all for going cheaper if I like them and made in USA or UK.

 

[coloradorider]

The neoprene (cord) sole is what's found on Red Wing's Iron Rangers and some other Red Wing boots. This sole is treacherous on slippery surfaces so I wouldn't recommend it around packed snow, etc.

The recommendation to add a quarter rubber sole is a good one. I've added one to a rubber sole chukka that I have. The rubber protects the leather, only cost $35, and looks great. It's better than the neoprene or leather sole in slippery conditions but definitely takes more thought than a lug sole.

I have the Red Wings and don't like the fit of the Wolverine's so this may drive your decision if you don't have a strong preference.

Boyo's right - checking out White's is never bad advice.

 

[Worf]

My Chippewa boots are just as well made as my Iron Rangers, at half the price. As far as adding rubber to a leather sole, I've done this to cowboy boots many times, and it's cheap and effective. Frank

I got a pair of 6-inch chips that I spit polished to a nice, bright shine. If they weren't so damn hard to break in I'd wear em more often. Still lookin' to score some Heritage Beckman Chukka's one brown, one black. The leather on Chippewa's is outsourced but they are assembled in the U.S. of A.

Worf