looking for work boots that will last a welder more than 2 years.

Submitted by AzazelCumsBuckets t3_11e38iv in BuyItForLife

Out of every type of work boot I've tried in the past 9 years, none have lasted longer than 2 years, while my Danner's that I don't use for work are going on 8 right now.

I need steel toe, leather, waterproof, at least 6" high ankles, and as a personal preference, an exterior metatarsal guard.

I started with an older pair of Carolinas from my dad, tried a redwing and an Irish setter (only the Irish setters had a composite metatarsal without a leather cover) and now I'm in another pair of Carolinas, and the stitching has almost completely torn around the heel, sides, and any flex point.

Budget is hopefully under $300

Edit; clarification about exterior metatarsal guards.

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CamelHairy t1_jacb9z9 wrote

Thorogood 8 inch fly boots, son-in-law is a pipe fitter and swears by them.

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AzazelCumsBuckets OP t1_jach37j wrote

I'll check them out, I've heard that some of their boots have the internal metatarsal guard, which I guess is better than none

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[deleted] t1_jac59jg wrote

[deleted]

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AzazelCumsBuckets OP t1_jac7vs2 wrote

The first pair lasted longer, but they were already a good 7 or 8 years old, as my dad used them for a few months of masonry work. My current pair, the leather is in better condition, but with all the sparks/heat and everything, the stitching has either frayed/torn, or burned and started to unravel.

There are some holes/tears in the leather on the heels and the sides from flexing/creasing over time. It's just the problems with being a welder, boots don't last.

And I can't even find a cobbler near me, and with the leather tearing and being worn through near the missing stitching, I don't know that it would go back together right.

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Saltyigloo t1_jac6tk9 wrote

I had the same problem landscaping. The solution was buy $60 surplus boots and get a new pair every year.

I came to the conclusion if you really use boots then they are disposable.

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AzazelCumsBuckets OP t1_jac82iu wrote

One of my coworkers does that, but his boots are almost never waterproof, even for a few weeks, and he goes through so many insoles just trying to make the cheap/surplus boots comfortable enough to walk in for 5-6 months before he gets a new pair. Plus, almost no cheap boots I've found have metatarsal guards.

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Saltyigloo t1_jacdg5q wrote

Idk, I honestly think they are the most comfortable boots out of box I have ever had. They retain that till the waterproofing fails about a year later when I was landscape.

I now have an office job but still use them to run with my dog in the mud for an hour a day. That amount of use and this pair has 3 years and still going strong.

Do you mean like embedded nail guards? Yeah idk anything about that. I do know that some boots just have such strong soles that you can step on a nail and if you don't go and put your whole weight one it they will keep the nail out. I am also 160lbs though lol

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AzazelCumsBuckets OP t1_jacgevl wrote

Nah, I don't have issues with stepping on things. Metatarsal protectors cover the top of the foot, and the external ones also keep the laces safe from sparks and stuff so they don't burn up. The cheapest pair of boots I've had with them were Irish setters that ran me like 140.

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BallsOutKrunked t1_jacaerf wrote

Related, iron laces (brand) are the only truly durable laces I've found.

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AzazelCumsBuckets OP t1_jacgptp wrote

I used to use ironlaces because they're great, but i kept burning through them, so I've swapped to KG Boot guard, they're FR treated, so even if they don't last as long as ironlaces with normal wear, they also me longer as a welder. I haven't had to tie my boots with Mig wire in almost a year now!

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edhitchon1993 t1_jacc772 wrote

Safety clogs, can't tear around a flex point if there are no flex points! I don't know any welders who use these, but I know a couple of forge workers who rate them highly.

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AzazelCumsBuckets OP t1_jachbdw wrote

I'm intrigued, and also shocked that the prices are under $200 (I'm sure shipping will bring it up, but seems worth it so far)

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edhitchon1993 t1_jacqfmy wrote

They are absolutely fantastic boots, I've not got safety clogs but I've a pair of normal derby boot clogs going on 4 years old now, still basically mint condition (with a bit of looking after).

The clog sole takes a bit of getting used to apparently - I didn't particularly notice but I went from 7 years of no shoes straight into clogs and they felt the most natural thing in the world to me.

I'm guessing the low relative price is because unlike conventional shoes there's no challenging sole stitching as the uppers are nailed to the soles.

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zombienudist t1_jacfsmu wrote

Any boot that is made with a synthetic foam insole will have a life in miles not really time. Even if the upper is still in good condition the foam of the sole compresses and eventually fails. But it sounds like your boot is just overall failing based on your description. Running shoes are 300-500 miles. Hiking boots are 1000. How quickly they fail will depending on how you are using them. The only way to really get longer out of a boot is to go with a traditional construction that has no synthetics in the sole. So a full leather sole will last longer but it will be very different then a traditional work boot as you don't have all that cushion. So essentially with a modern boot you get an immediate comfort which sacrifices longer life. Or you go with something that is traditionally constructed, but you will have to get used to that. Most people's feet are used to all that cushion and support. SO trying to go directly to a pair of them from a more modern shoe construction will be difficult.

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