These boots are made for workin'...

Hey, try Magnums they have a great range of comfortable boots for work, police and military.

I prefer Arete's work boots; break in easy hold up in rough environments. Bought a set of Red Wings a year ago and they still aren't broke in.

I've been wearing Blundstones since 1980, not the same pair and I do take them off at night (most of the time anyway!). I favour the steel cap, high lace up variety and they've done very well by me. They recently altered the elastic sided version and I'm trialling another brand so I won't give an opinion on these.

The lace ups are my principal boot and I've worn quite a few pairs out. As long as you're not wearing them out to dinner get the type with the external rubber on the toes otherwise the leather gets destroyed here. Other tips are to get a lace up with D rings at the top for speedy lacing. A few years back Blundstone dropped the D rings and the absence frustrated me so much that I had some installed. I can't have been the only one frustrated as my latest pair has factory rings.

I would have said Blundstone too except they have closed the factory in Launceston TAS and elected to outsource to China.

You're right. I'm not sure what my next pair will be. I've gone to Mack for my elastic sided as Blundstone don't appear to cater for wide feet anymore. My laceups are good for another 12 months or so depending on where I'm working then I'll have to look around. If they're still a good boot I'll still consider Blundstone but I'll be looking hard!

John Bull is a Blundstone affiliated brand made in NZ, could be worth a look (if they also aren't gutted). I too am concerned that the wide fits won't be made once the Launceston stock runs out (I didn't wear shoes until high school so have wide feet).

Historically the asian races seem to have taken great pride in narrow feet. This appears to rub off on any footwear they make, even if not intended for local consumption. Trouble is steel caps don't stretch!

I have worn Red Wing boots for 25 years. I wear slip on boots as they do not catch sparks and slag. The problem I have found with Red Wings, is that you have to find a style that fit your feet. Once done, you will love them. The trouble is, at $185 a pair, trying to find that pair can get expensive. I went through a number of boots until I found the right style. Now I just order them online and they are lasting me three years a pair.

I have been using LeHigh boots for almost 20 years and they have done their job until my last pair. Regards. Luis

Wolverine Dura Shock. I just studied work boots intensively to buy a new pair, tried most in the past 33 years, and came back to Wolverine Dura Shocks. Based on: Comfort standing all day with shock loads, oil resistant, steel or composite toe, high top lace ups (for support to prevent twisted ankle and protection above ankle from walking around sharp metal 'things' 15 -20 cm off the deck), Gore-Tex waterproof, slip resistant sole pattern . . . . and they broke in quick, days not weeks (not part of my study, but just reporting). I work for an oil company, and there is big discussion now about offshore boots; pull on or lace up. I was also a welder so I agree with lace ups trap slag and sparks in all the folds and eyelets. Lace ups give FAR BETTER support for ankles and are specified onshore by our company. Offshore, we have high twisted ankles rates (lots of stairs) because pull ons are specified (you kick them off to swim if you go overboard or the chopper takes a dive). Now we are going to lace ups offshore after a study of real world swimming risks versus ankle injuries. I made a spread sheet of features I wanted with ratings (comfort number one followed by company policy items). Price was not a consideration but I found mine at USD $ 129 so it was OK also.

I've tried several including RedWing -- Redwings are very hard to break in and pretty pricey. I had this problem and after having sore feet for many months I threw them in the trash. After trying many brands I settled on "Herman" "Survivors" distributed by WalMart. Mine are steel toes with padded inserts. Very comfortable. I am very hard on my boots with extensive climbing on elevated conveyors and steel catwalks. I know WalMart doesn't sound impressive but I get 2.5+ years from them for $70.00 USD. I am an old guy who spent a lot of bucks on boots throughout the years and was disappointed with most. Good luck, as feet are as different as personalities. What works for one person may not be good for all. I will also buy them wide so I can wear thick socks which even enhance the comfort.

I buy Redwings and true they don't break in - I just buy a pair that fits - no break in required.

Also you should buy two pairs and exchange them every other day.

I have not bought a pair of boots that needed breaking in since I was in my early twenty's (more than forty years) and I can still run barefoot on flint rocks. As you age your feet do get bigger, so getting fitted correctly is very important.

Most people wear their boots far too long - what you call broke in, I call wore out. But I still have good feet that don't hurt.

I don't believe that the brand is the important part of the equation, just get a pair of good boots that fit, that you can wear all day, and when they start breaking down (broke in?) throw them out and buy another couple pairs.

Two pairs of Redwings = approx $370.00 USD -- = 1 weeks commute fuel for me. It's a Rip off just like the fuel.

Red Wings are real good. Wolverine's are decent for the money.

I am going to suggest searching the web for a Timberland 40-60% off (plus free shipping) coupon code. You should be able to get a few pairs of "alright" boots for a good price.

I have worn Justin Boots for years. I am on my feet all day and they don't hurt my feet. Plus I have a narrow foot and these come in many sizes.

http://www.justinoriginalworkboots.com/boots/navdefault.asp?sDiv=11&sGender=6&sType=251&sSubType=468

Good luck,

Mike

My Justins were the most comfortable boots I ever owned while working in the oil patch.

Hi-I am wearing today, as I have for the past 20 odd years, a pair of garage oxfords made by Sears. They are the Diehard brand. They come in both steel toe and not.

I have had one bad pair, which of course were courteously exchanged at my local Sears. The one I have on today are about 2 years old, so 2 years ago Sears still carried them.

George

I have worn many different types of boots over the last fifteen years. I have had Redwings, Wolverines, Lehighs, Doc Martins, and military issue. I recently purchased a pair of Danner Workman GTX boots at the suggestion of my orthopedist. They are Gore-tex lined, all leather, have replaceable soles, and they were comfortable right out of the box. The price is probably comparable to other high end boots, but I have not been more pleased with a pair of boots. I found mine on Ebay for about $160.

Please direct all future questions like this one to the JC Penney's or Sears web sites. Let's talk about engineering, OK?

Wow, I guess all of the helpful, insightful replies to this thread clogged up your browser and you couldn't see the "NEXT" button. If you don't like the thread topic, feel free to move along, I won't be offended. In the meantime, take note that this was posted in the "General" section, the watercooler-type area where we can talk about whatever we want.

Now, now. It's a legitimate question as proven by the number of replies. An engineer has to keep his feet on the ground and they have to be wrapped up in something. Why not ask others for their experiences and observations?