Looking for suggestions on the most durable work boot.. I've bought boots at nearly all price points and I can never get one to last much over a year. I've heard enough people tell me they've had boots last 2 or 3 years that I am beginning to question whether I'm buying the right ones! I've tried many of the usual suspects-- Wolverine, Ariat, Caterpillar, Timberland Pro, et al. The two best pairs I've ever had were one by a brand name Hytest several years ago that lasted a couple years, but half that time was doing primarily office-type work, so that doesn't quite count. The other is my current pair, Irish Setters which have just crossed the one year mark, but are beginning to show signs of impending doom-- both pairs were around the $175 range.
I'm considering a pair of Red Wings that many of the "yeah my boots last me 3+ years" crowd have recommended. I don't mind spending $200-300 on a pair of boots, but want to have some reasonable level of confidence that they will outlast the other ones I've used by a fair margin. Up until now, Walmart boots (used them when I was younger and had no money) get the "most boot for the buck" award as far as I'm concerned; $35 for 3-4 months before falling to pieces is better math than $175 for one year.
I do metal fabrication for a living-- I burn lots of laces up, but not any harder on boots than most other construction type trades, I would imagine. Need safety toe, waterproof would be nice, no other specific requirements. Currently looking at this boot http://www.redwingshoes.com/red-wing-shoe/4215-red-wing-shoes/4215-red-wing-mens-6-inch-boot-brown. I've always heard Red Wing boots are made in the USA, I'm finding that not to be the case as more than half the RW models I looked at in the store were made in China, Cambodia, Vietnam, etc. Their cheaper brands (Irish Setter, Worx) are all foreign made.
Any brand favorites out there that you guys have had excellent luck with?
I'm considering a pair of Red Wings that many of the "yeah my boots last me 3+ years" crowd have recommended. I don't mind spending $200-300 on a pair of boots, but want to have some reasonable level of confidence that they will outlast the other ones I've used by a fair margin. Up until now, Walmart boots (used them when I was younger and had no money) get the "most boot for the buck" award as far as I'm concerned; $35 for 3-4 months before falling to pieces is better math than $175 for one year.
I do metal fabrication for a living-- I burn lots of laces up, but not any harder on boots than most other construction type trades, I would imagine. Need safety toe, waterproof would be nice, no other specific requirements. Currently looking at this boot http://www.redwingshoes.com/red-wing-shoe/4215-red-wing-shoes/4215-red-wing-mens-6-inch-boot-brown. I've always heard Red Wing boots are made in the USA, I'm finding that not to be the case as more than half the RW models I looked at in the store were made in China, Cambodia, Vietnam, etc. Their cheaper brands (Irish Setter, Worx) are all foreign made.
Any brand favorites out there that you guys have had excellent luck with?
