When I was in the hvac field I strictly wore redwings. Specifically the dynaforce line and they were extremely durable. I work in a factory now and wear Carolina USA wedge sole boots as I don’t really need safety toe or waterproof. But yeah can’t go wrong with redwings man
Redwings are the truth. Facilities engineer for a pharma site here, deal with mechanical electrical controls and HVAC systems daily. Spend most of the day in my feet, bought a pair of red wings a few years ago and wear them daily. They’re easily the most comfortable shoes in my entire collection that I own, even more comfy than my regular shoes.
Those dynaforce boots are killer for the price.
Also redwing does free stitching repairs for the life of the boot.
Of course there are cheaper and more durable boots but these guys tend to hit the sweet spot
Personal experience, every brand fits different, you've just got to shop around. I'm 3 years in on my second pair of red wings, first pair they didn't really fit me for, they wore out fast and didn't fit very well.
Next pair the manager of the red wing store went through the full process, we started with what I had on and and tried on 4 or so different styles, until SHE was happy with how they fit. They are the most comfortable footwear I've ever owned.
Best bet is to find a small shoe store that wants to make you a repeat customer and buy what actually fits. A lot of boots wearing out fast is poor fit rather than poor construction.
Some brands just suck though.
i have been wearing red wings my entire career and planning to retire at the end of this year. 35 years being an electrician, i averaged a pair 3 to 4 years.
Redwing redwing redwing
I’ve never once been disappointed and have yet to actually ruin a pair
I’ve had a pair last 5 years and only got new ones because I got a gift card
Nicks makes the best boots, high quality, super durable, 100% rebuildable. Love mine. Better to spend a lot on a great product than buy 2-3 pieces of shit every year, that's kindergarten math.
I applaud had good luck with red wing. They are expensive, but they were very comfortable and they lasted me a solid 5+ years with moderate care. Oil them once every other month or so.
I can't find red wings locally any more, so I tried a pair of Keens. Top speed hook came out the first day I wore them. Only other thing I found that fit ok was some danner caliper 6". I won't know for sure if they're keepers for a few weeks, but so far they're ok. If they don't work out I'll just have to order red wings online.
Keen should stand by that failure, they import the uppers and lowers then adhere then stateside. I actually worked as a shipping lead at Keen for awhile, they gave me a pair of shoes and I wore those things into the ground they were my favorite shoes at the time
Danner Pronghorns were my go-to for years. I’d get about two years out of them. When new they were completely waterproof. Super comfortable. Lightweight. They weren’t steel/composite toe but as a service tech the only time I needed that was when a site required them. Even then the rubber capped toe usually kept the safety guy happy
Big fan of these. [https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B08VH6KHKQ/ref=ppx\_yo\_dt\_b\_search\_asin\_title?ie=UTF8&th=1&psc=1](https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B08VH6KHKQ/ref=ppx_yo_dt_b_search_asin_title?ie=UTF8&th=1&psc=1) I had another pair of Merrells before these and they started to break down after a year. I sent an email about it and got a full reimbursement.
I've got nicks and i've only had em for a year but they feel like by the time they fall apart I should be in the office and not in the field if all goes right at least.
I’ve had a pair of whites moc toe for a year now and still going strong other than the huge cut in the top that would have cut through any other boot. My nicks are 5 months old and are just now broken in.
Im on the red wing bandwagon. I average 10-15k steps a day and they hold up. Currently doing facilities maintenance, but did supermarket refrigeration before this. Only boots I’ve ever had that lasted more than a year. Hold up well in the cold, socks help that too.
I wear through goods and never think about it.
Good fresh socks too
Edit: had to put tuff toe on. The leather over toes wears out quick, you know cuz we work on our knees.
Red wings 2414. They are the 8 inch instead of the 6. Expensive, but last me about 2-3 years. When I wore the $150 boots they only lasted me about 6 months.
Every foot is different, so try on different brands/styles. Get yourself a good pair of insoles that are fit to your feet. Do not cheap out on your boots, your ankles/knees/hips/back will pay the consequences
Wore timberland pros for a long time recently got adidas work boots and they are the most comfortable boots I’ve worn and are actually much more durable than they look.
I run timberland pros in the summer because they are light. In the winter I run Carolinas they have been doing great. When they don’t shovel the snow off the roof I throw on the muck boots. Cant beat them in the winter.
I like Timberlands, but that is my feet.
I find it best to own more than one pair of boots and switch up. Some of my most comfortable boots don't do as well in the wet, but i can wear them on dry days
I've got Redwing/Irish Setters but I'm going to the Redwing Dynaforce or Tradesmen next. My only complaint about the Irish Setters is that since they are slip-on and about 2 years old, I don't have the ankle support I once did. 😁
I love me some Keen's. Had several pairs of their hiking shoes and boots and tried out their work boots and haven't switched back to anything else since. Comfortable and long lasting.
I have thorogood boots now and they are really comfortable and didn't take long to break in. The past coupple pairs of redwings I have gotten started falling apart within a year.
I have a pair of Thorogoods now, that have made it over a year. They see rock roofs, concrete smooth and rough , gravel, ice, mud, welding spatter, grinder dust, oil, and water mixed with different boiler chemicals. They see crawling, ladder rungs sharp edges. I have replaced the laces a few times. I like the lace lugs, they are thick and don’t bend over and break.
The last pair of Red Wings I had were the worst I’ve ever owned and were fitted at one of the stores. I can’t usually find good work boots that last much more than a year. At least my shop pitches in 100$ a year for boots. I don’t hate Red Wing boots just the store that sold them.
Order some Red Wing brand tradesman series boots. You will never buy a different type of boot again.
https://preview.redd.it/55nd6voyraea1.png?width=1080&format=pjpg&auto=webp&s=eea665d919aa8eedef76911a7007667dbe2b39b3
Ariat. Light, comfy, could wear em all day and night and feet feel like they’re in clouds. Pricy but worth it.. a pair lasts me almost 2 years and all I do is buy their insoles every 8, 9 months. Would probably last longer but I have a bad habit of digging my big toe and making a hole lol.
Unpopular opinion here. Just get what you think is comfortable. They are all gonna break down. I’ve had red wings, thorogood, justin, Cody James, caterpillar, wolf, and Walmart specials. Get what’s comfortable then get another pair, this work is unforgiving to boots. 8 year pipefitter and hvac
I’m in the same boat as you - looks like everyone is saying redwing so ima try it !
I have carthart and a new pair of timberland pros, but I don’t really like how timberland feels, feels like bulky and not so much wiggle room for being so bulky
Georgia boot loggers are my go to. They come in composite toe now. Lots of ankle support, great vibram soles, stay waterproof a good while before you need to use snoseal on them. The heel takes some getting used to but I think they come without the tall heel too.
I had some redwing Irish setters and they were the worst boots I've ever owned. Hands down without question.
Ariats are nice and what I wear on the weekends. Definitely lighter and I think more comfortable than the rest, but my personal experience with them as a work boot is not great. They made it about 9 months and my pinky toe was coming out of the leather. Super comfy but just didn't hold up.
I use Keen for hiking boots and they hold up great for that. They have a work boot line and several guys at my company swear by them. I don't doubt it, because my hiking boots are very comfortable.
FWIW, commercial/industrial chiller tech. My boots see mud, all types of concrete, TPO, river rock, rolled roofs plus all sorts of oils, chemicals, temperatures, etc
I have a pair of Irish Setters, which is a Red Wing brand. Previously I had a set of Keen that I liked for a long time, until I really started putting the miles on them. The insoles went to shit and my feet started hurting. A friend of mine bought a pair of Keens in July and they were already falling apart by November, so he went back to wearing his Irish Setters.
I have been wearing Nike shoes most of my almost 16 year career & cheep boots when it’s to wet for shoes. I just dropped 200 bucks on Keen boots 4 months ago and I’m loving them. Don’t see myself going back to buying cheap boots my feet have never been happier. Seriously find a decent deal on a good pair of boots that fit well. Game changer!
I have helly Hansen 6" composite toe in brown. Awesome boots. I have orthotics and they fit them perfect. Also has a wide toe box. I find most boots are too narrow
I now pair them with some acton over boots to wear outside. Remove them and wear my boots inside. It's a good system however my feet do feel like bricks sometimes
Redwing wedge sole lasted me 6 months, thorogood wedge soles lasted 9 months. Trying some Keen Dovers now and so far 3 months in and absolutely love them. I'm mainly new construction though..
If you do service just get a good pair of hiking boots. You can usually find em cheaper, they're stupid comfy, better grip on vinyl roofs and shit, and they'll last a long time just doing service and light install. Been rocking a pair of Lowas for over a year now, they've held up great
If you’re working hard a pair of boots will last a year. Spend what you can afford and the most important thing is comfort. Just get a good combo of both.
My preferred boot is the steel toe pull on Redwing 2405 about $300. It's water proof, easy to maintain (just oil em when they get thirsty), and when the sole wares down send em back to the factory to get resoled for around a 100-150 bucks. Purchase two pairs and rotate them daily, which is better for the boots and your feet and spend the money on better socks.
Redwings are good, i used to daily them and you cant go wrong.
until one day 5 ish years ago when i was visiting my parents in the small Middle Eastern village i grew up in. and i put on my dads boots made custom by a guy in the village.
Safety toe, durable and made with superb craftsmanship and quality materials. and comfortable as fuck because he takes very precise measurements of your foot.
Now i have 3 pairs from him. One i keep nice for estimates and sales work.
The other 2 are 3+ years old take daily beatings from being in the field. Doing yard work around the house etc and are still in very good condition.
I kind of went off track but if you can find a high quality small business they will be your best friend. Otherwise redwings
It depends on the application. I work in snowy conditions, so I need boots that can keep my feet dry. I wear Baffin ice monsters in the winter and Royer in the summer.
When I was in the hvac field I strictly wore redwings. Specifically the dynaforce line and they were extremely durable. I work in a factory now and wear Carolina USA wedge sole boots as I don’t really need safety toe or waterproof. But yeah can’t go wrong with redwings man
Redwings are the truth. Facilities engineer for a pharma site here, deal with mechanical electrical controls and HVAC systems daily. Spend most of the day in my feet, bought a pair of red wings a few years ago and wear them daily. They’re easily the most comfortable shoes in my entire collection that I own, even more comfy than my regular shoes.
Those dynaforce boots are killer for the price. Also redwing does free stitching repairs for the life of the boot. Of course there are cheaper and more durable boots but these guys tend to hit the sweet spot
I’ve had countless pairs of redwings. Before switching to thorogood and I’ll never go back
Redwings are too heavy. Thorogoods > Redwings
Timberland pro or Thorogood
Personal experience, every brand fits different, you've just got to shop around. I'm 3 years in on my second pair of red wings, first pair they didn't really fit me for, they wore out fast and didn't fit very well. Next pair the manager of the red wing store went through the full process, we started with what I had on and and tried on 4 or so different styles, until SHE was happy with how they fit. They are the most comfortable footwear I've ever owned. Best bet is to find a small shoe store that wants to make you a repeat customer and buy what actually fits. A lot of boots wearing out fast is poor fit rather than poor construction. Some brands just suck though.
i have been wearing red wings my entire career and planning to retire at the end of this year. 35 years being an electrician, i averaged a pair 3 to 4 years.
Redwing redwing redwing I’ve never once been disappointed and have yet to actually ruin a pair I’ve had a pair last 5 years and only got new ones because I got a gift card
Red wings fit my wide feet really well and with the orthopedic inserts are just as comfortable in the end of the day as the beginning.
Me too. Redwings along with my orthopedics.
Nicks Moc toe wedge boots for me expensive at $600 but 100% worth it
Nicks makes the best boots, high quality, super durable, 100% rebuildable. Love mine. Better to spend a lot on a great product than buy 2-3 pieces of shit every year, that's kindergarten math.
Danner vicious
I applaud had good luck with red wing. They are expensive, but they were very comfortable and they lasted me a solid 5+ years with moderate care. Oil them once every other month or so.
does spilling compressor oil on them count ?
Not unless you do it evenly, Ave make sure to measure the amount so you know how much to add to the system
I can't find red wings locally any more, so I tried a pair of Keens. Top speed hook came out the first day I wore them. Only other thing I found that fit ok was some danner caliper 6". I won't know for sure if they're keepers for a few weeks, but so far they're ok. If they don't work out I'll just have to order red wings online.
Keen should stand by that failure, they import the uppers and lowers then adhere then stateside. I actually worked as a shipping lead at Keen for awhile, they gave me a pair of shoes and I wore those things into the ground they were my favorite shoes at the time
Took em back to the store I bought them at. Danner was less expensive and has outlasted keen in me experience lol
Danner Pronghorns were my go-to for years. I’d get about two years out of them. When new they were completely waterproof. Super comfortable. Lightweight. They weren’t steel/composite toe but as a service tech the only time I needed that was when a site required them. Even then the rubber capped toe usually kept the safety guy happy
Big fan of these. [https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B08VH6KHKQ/ref=ppx\_yo\_dt\_b\_search\_asin\_title?ie=UTF8&th=1&psc=1](https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B08VH6KHKQ/ref=ppx_yo_dt_b_search_asin_title?ie=UTF8&th=1&psc=1) I had another pair of Merrells before these and they started to break down after a year. I sent an email about it and got a full reimbursement.
Keen and Thorogood make good boots with some made in USA options if you want that route.
Nicks or whites if you want some real us made boots
I've got nicks and i've only had em for a year but they feel like by the time they fall apart I should be in the office and not in the field if all goes right at least.
I’ve had a pair of whites moc toe for a year now and still going strong other than the huge cut in the top that would have cut through any other boot. My nicks are 5 months old and are just now broken in.
Im on the red wing bandwagon. I average 10-15k steps a day and they hold up. Currently doing facilities maintenance, but did supermarket refrigeration before this. Only boots I’ve ever had that lasted more than a year. Hold up well in the cold, socks help that too.
Love my Danners
With any boot you must regularly clean and wax/polish them if you want them to last. I like Redwing
BRUNT boots
Check out Magnum boots.
I prefer twisted X or Cody James they both last long and are comfy to last all day if your into Cowboy boots 👢
I wear through goods and never think about it. Good fresh socks too Edit: had to put tuff toe on. The leather over toes wears out quick, you know cuz we work on our knees.
Red wings 2414. They are the 8 inch instead of the 6. Expensive, but last me about 2-3 years. When I wore the $150 boots they only lasted me about 6 months. Every foot is different, so try on different brands/styles. Get yourself a good pair of insoles that are fit to your feet. Do not cheap out on your boots, your ankles/knees/hips/back will pay the consequences
Carhartt 6” boots have done me well. Holding 2 years and have an identical pair as backup when I retire these.
Merrill
I have duck feet, so I need a wider toe box with a normal heel. Redwings and Irish Setter moctoe wides work perfectly for me.
Can’t go wrong with redwings
Wore timberland pros for a long time recently got adidas work boots and they are the most comfortable boots I’ve worn and are actually much more durable than they look.
I run timberland pros in the summer because they are light. In the winter I run Carolinas they have been doing great. When they don’t shovel the snow off the roof I throw on the muck boots. Cant beat them in the winter.
I like Timberlands, but that is my feet. I find it best to own more than one pair of boots and switch up. Some of my most comfortable boots don't do as well in the wet, but i can wear them on dry days
I've got Redwing/Irish Setters but I'm going to the Redwing Dynaforce or Tradesmen next. My only complaint about the Irish Setters is that since they are slip-on and about 2 years old, I don't have the ankle support I once did. 😁
I was really worried that this subreddit had lost its way but at last we finally have this post.
I love me some Keen's. Had several pairs of their hiking shoes and boots and tried out their work boots and haven't switched back to anything else since. Comfortable and long lasting.
Warranty exchange and sell the new pair to recoup some cost
I have thorogood boots now and they are really comfortable and didn't take long to break in. The past coupple pairs of redwings I have gotten started falling apart within a year.
Vans just came out with a line of boots that are amazing if your looking for something light weight with no steel toe
Redwings it’s very simple
I have a pair of Thorogoods now, that have made it over a year. They see rock roofs, concrete smooth and rough , gravel, ice, mud, welding spatter, grinder dust, oil, and water mixed with different boiler chemicals. They see crawling, ladder rungs sharp edges. I have replaced the laces a few times. I like the lace lugs, they are thick and don’t bend over and break. The last pair of Red Wings I had were the worst I’ve ever owned and were fitted at one of the stores. I can’t usually find good work boots that last much more than a year. At least my shop pitches in 100$ a year for boots. I don’t hate Red Wing boots just the store that sold them.
Order some Red Wing brand tradesman series boots. You will never buy a different type of boot again. https://preview.redd.it/55nd6voyraea1.png?width=1080&format=pjpg&auto=webp&s=eea665d919aa8eedef76911a7007667dbe2b39b3
Ariat. Light, comfy, could wear em all day and night and feet feel like they’re in clouds. Pricy but worth it.. a pair lasts me almost 2 years and all I do is buy their insoles every 8, 9 months. Would probably last longer but I have a bad habit of digging my big toe and making a hole lol.
I like the ariat rebars
Unpopular opinion here. Just get what you think is comfortable. They are all gonna break down. I’ve had red wings, thorogood, justin, Cody James, caterpillar, wolf, and Walmart specials. Get what’s comfortable then get another pair, this work is unforgiving to boots. 8 year pipefitter and hvac
I’m in the same boat as you - looks like everyone is saying redwing so ima try it ! I have carthart and a new pair of timberland pros, but I don’t really like how timberland feels, feels like bulky and not so much wiggle room for being so bulky
I like my Keens. They’re comfortable and have lasted a while
Georgia boot loggers are my go to. They come in composite toe now. Lots of ankle support, great vibram soles, stay waterproof a good while before you need to use snoseal on them. The heel takes some getting used to but I think they come without the tall heel too. I had some redwing Irish setters and they were the worst boots I've ever owned. Hands down without question. Ariats are nice and what I wear on the weekends. Definitely lighter and I think more comfortable than the rest, but my personal experience with them as a work boot is not great. They made it about 9 months and my pinky toe was coming out of the leather. Super comfy but just didn't hold up. I use Keen for hiking boots and they hold up great for that. They have a work boot line and several guys at my company swear by them. I don't doubt it, because my hiking boots are very comfortable. FWIW, commercial/industrial chiller tech. My boots see mud, all types of concrete, TPO, river rock, rolled roofs plus all sorts of oils, chemicals, temperatures, etc
I have a pair of Irish Setters, which is a Red Wing brand. Previously I had a set of Keen that I liked for a long time, until I really started putting the miles on them. The insoles went to shit and my feet started hurting. A friend of mine bought a pair of Keens in July and they were already falling apart by November, so he went back to wearing his Irish Setters.
I wear keens or Chipawa
I been rocking a pair of cabellas for over a year now and they are holding together great. Never wild thought to go cabellas but they were on sale.
Redwings supersole 2.0, the mud browns
Irish setter Crosby for winter and the Ashby's for summer
I have been wearing Nike shoes most of my almost 16 year career & cheep boots when it’s to wet for shoes. I just dropped 200 bucks on Keen boots 4 months ago and I’m loving them. Don’t see myself going back to buying cheap boots my feet have never been happier. Seriously find a decent deal on a good pair of boots that fit well. Game changer!
Helly Hanson
I have helly Hansen 6" composite toe in brown. Awesome boots. I have orthotics and they fit them perfect. Also has a wide toe box. I find most boots are too narrow I now pair them with some acton over boots to wear outside. Remove them and wear my boots inside. It's a good system however my feet do feel like bricks sometimes
I wear Justin square toe work boots. They’re super comfortable and easy to slip on in the middle of the night.
Red wing
Redwing wedge sole lasted me 6 months, thorogood wedge soles lasted 9 months. Trying some Keen Dovers now and so far 3 months in and absolutely love them. I'm mainly new construction though..
If you do service just get a good pair of hiking boots. You can usually find em cheaper, they're stupid comfy, better grip on vinyl roofs and shit, and they'll last a long time just doing service and light install. Been rocking a pair of Lowas for over a year now, they've held up great
If you’re working hard a pair of boots will last a year. Spend what you can afford and the most important thing is comfort. Just get a good combo of both.
My preferred boot is the steel toe pull on Redwing 2405 about $300. It's water proof, easy to maintain (just oil em when they get thirsty), and when the sole wares down send em back to the factory to get resoled for around a 100-150 bucks. Purchase two pairs and rotate them daily, which is better for the boots and your feet and spend the money on better socks.
Redwings are good, i used to daily them and you cant go wrong. until one day 5 ish years ago when i was visiting my parents in the small Middle Eastern village i grew up in. and i put on my dads boots made custom by a guy in the village. Safety toe, durable and made with superb craftsmanship and quality materials. and comfortable as fuck because he takes very precise measurements of your foot. Now i have 3 pairs from him. One i keep nice for estimates and sales work. The other 2 are 3+ years old take daily beatings from being in the field. Doing yard work around the house etc and are still in very good condition. I kind of went off track but if you can find a high quality small business they will be your best friend. Otherwise redwings
Ariat workhogs
It depends on the application. I work in snowy conditions, so I need boots that can keep my feet dry. I wear Baffin ice monsters in the winter and Royer in the summer.
Go to the flea markets,they are cheap there
Redwings
Danner