looking for a good set of work boots to replace my now discontinued boots.

Submitted by Rain_Zeros t3_11bkek1 in BuyItForLife

Backstory: I have exclusively work Dr martens as my work boot of choice, the industrial winch boots were the nicest looking and feeling boots I've worn for work and they stood up. They were about $100 which was perfect because I get yearly boot money if $125. This year Doc decided to discontinue every boot they sell with a steel toe. So now I'm on a hunt for work boots that are comparable. I never liked timberlands because they are stiff and scratchy and find the price of redwings insane and all my buddies complain that they end up being too heavy and uncomfortable. I appreciate any help thanks.

Edit: worded the post wrong, my issue with redwings is not the price, infact I have no problem paying for good quality boots, my problem is that I don't want to spend $300+ on a boot that everyone I've known whose owned them complain about the weight and stiffness

Edit 2: looks like I'm going with solovair

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IamAJediMaster t1_j9ybeqi wrote

Redwing would be my vote but they're pricey for a lot of people. I get $150 for my boot allowance so I still had to pay $150 out of pocket for mine but they're solid.

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Zealousideal-Owl-459 t1_j9ygk3g wrote

Second vote for Redwing. I know boots are expensive but I plan on being able to walk for about 20-30 years after I retire. Spend the extra money on good boots!

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Lonely-Connection-37 t1_j9zdsze wrote

Love Red wing boots they do have a clearance section at the one I go to in Flint Michigan every once in a great while I get lucky

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Cannonballlll t1_j9ykbin wrote

Irish Setter are the same company as Red Wing and cheaper. I have pairs of both, and the Irish Setters are great for the money

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IamAJediMaster t1_j9yqpha wrote

Oh really? I thought Irish setter was a model of redwing boot, thanks for letting me know. My boss has some Irish setters and is mad he can't find them at the red wing store any more.

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Cannonballlll t1_j9ysj6f wrote

You're welcome! I loved my Wingshooters, They were bulky af but I could hike and hunt in them all day. If you can ignore the weight of them, they were very comfortable.

Irish Setter has their own website. I just bought a new pair on the bass pro shop website, they had more coupons lol

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aisle36 t1_j9yqyww wrote

You can replace the sole too! Love my Redwings!

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no_sauce_man t1_j9ysiaf wrote

Third this, I've worn the same pair for about 3 years now and they're just about due for a resole. I work in a warehouse, standing and walking all shift, and they're the most comfortable boots I've worn

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mandevwin t1_j9zk05d wrote

My tops and bottoms wear out before my second sole does. I take care of them with soap and oil, too. I may switch to whites and see if they last any longer

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masonthekid t1_j9zc2ug wrote

Another vote for redwing. If you get the King Toe shorty boots which are still above the ankle you can get them with a boa system even at $200 your boot allowance from your company gets you close. I love those boots I have had 4 pair of king toes and there isn’t another boot that I like better. Tried Danner, Timberland, Justin, keen, Wolverine, Rocky. Red wing is my boot of choice plus free shoelaces when they break. They will clean your boots and even replace the sole if you want to keep them longer.

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Mnstrdg t1_j9y9gor wrote

I just watched a guy who did a deep review of some "cheap" workbooks; cheap being relative here as there are some expensive boots in his review.

Whats nice is he checks safety & comfort.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Qm4BeXgM8ZM&t=196s

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Rain_Zeros OP t1_j9yl9tu wrote

Love project farm! His videos are great, haven't had time to check this video out yet, appreciate the recommendation!

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dsp816 t1_j9yimfq wrote

Thorogoods are quality

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Nagsheadlocal t1_j9yjoze wrote

I have a set of Keen boots I've used for two years here on the farm - wet, mud, and the occasional cow stepping on my foot. Been pleased with them so far. I do have a set of Redwings but I find them to be heavy and stiff.

My son has a pair of Filsons he really likes but if you think Redwings are expensive . . .

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Rain_Zeros OP t1_j9yqsdr wrote

Appreciate the recommendations, yeah my main issue with redwings is not exactly the price, it's just, if I'm spending $300+ on boots I don't want to complain about them being too heavy or stuff which is ultimately what my buddies all say about their redwings.

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howeeee t1_j9y9oqh wrote

Much more expensive, but waaaaaaaay better: Gripfast & Solivair

https://us.nps-solovair.com/collections/gripfast-originals-boots

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Rain_Zeros OP t1_j9ykv5p wrote

I'm pretty sure these are exactly what I'm looking for. They look nearly identical to my boots, just unfortunately double the price. Thanks for the recommendation, I will definitely be looking into these more!

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77tassells t1_j9zdiif wrote

Btw solovairs we’re the old doc martens before doc martens started outsourcing. They are technically the same boot but higher quality

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Lonely-Connection-37 t1_j9zdocm wrote

There is a brand called Georgia boots had a pair of steel toe boots kept them oiled up lasted a long time A friend of mine, with the same size felt on hard times needed a pair of boots I gave them to him

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sushijakob t1_ja0etht wrote

Grip fast? Basically a doc and last I checked they offered steel toes

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Rain_Zeros OP t1_ja0f6vi wrote

Yep someone already mentioned them, and as someone else stated, they were the original people behind docs. Definitely what I'm gonna go with. They are double the price of my docs, but from what people are saying, at least double the quality. Thanks for the suggestion!

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Arbiter51x t1_j9yarii wrote

Royers makes some great metal free boots. Really good if you work some place where you have to go through metal detectors every day to go to work.

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Rain_Zeros OP t1_j9ykyzo wrote

Unfortunately steel toe is a requirement in my union, but thanks for the recommendation!

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Arbiter51x t1_j9yrh80 wrote

Something to consider, check your union if it just a requirement for green patch. Most ceramic safety boots are still green patch. (green triangle)

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iamprettykitty t1_j9yn5v6 wrote

I have a pair of Royer steel toes. They were hell to break in, but are so comfy now.

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echocall2 t1_j9yor86 wrote

I got a pair of Danner Quarry boots for $250. Unfortunately you won't get BIFL boots for $125.

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Rain_Zeros OP t1_j9yrbro wrote

Haha yeah I'm aware about not finding BIFL for under $125, the only boot that I've ever had hold up for many many years under $125 was my docs. I'm not opposed to spending as much as $350 on boots, but I do know that if I'm paying that much, I shouldnt have to complain about them feeling heavy and stiff, should have worded my post different lol.

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zombienudist t1_j9z97kd wrote

That's because the thing that makes them heavy and stiff will make them last longer. You have two options. you go with a boot that has a lot of synthetics in the sole so it is confortable immediately. But those boots will have a shorter life because they aren't repairable and more because the foam and cushioning in the sole break down over time. So an example is running shoes. I have running shoes in my closet that you would think are still usable because they look fine. But the sole material has failed and I don't use them anymore. Running shoes are 300-500 miles before failure and that is true to me. So for me I go through a pair of running shoes yearly regardless of what I pay or what they look like as the sole will fail long before the upper does. Hiking shoes will last longer but they are more like 1000 miles. Also depends on how much you weigh and other factors.

On the flip side a heritage boot doesn't have this synthetics. So they are harder to wear but they will last far longer, and can be repaired. So this just comes down to what you want. Most people are used to modern shoes that support and cushion so have a very hard time going to a heritage type boot. So basically any modern shoe will have a life in miles before failure. Most people wear these types of shoes for far too long and that can cause problems too. If you like that type of boot then buy two pairs and rotate them. But know that if you do get all the synthetics that they will likely fail at the same kind of distance used.

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daiwilly t1_j9ypj24 wrote

Redback or Blundstone...especially the steel toe caps....also I have a pair of Redwing work boots with steel toe caps...solid and beautifully made boots...but more expensive than my other options.

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TheQueenMother t1_j9zdy0n wrote

You could look into Brunt. I've known a few friends who are tradesmen that have warn these boots, not that we really discussed their foot ware. Worth looking into.

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Enough_Carry_9787 t1_j9zg2t1 wrote

Nicks. They can make you a custom boot fit to you. But they are pricey

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sharpace8 t1_j9zyugk wrote

I love my nicks but if op is hesitant to get a pair of Redwings due to weight and stiffness then a pair of nicks are going to be like lead weights.

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Unfair_Blackberry888 t1_j9zonrd wrote

I like my timberlands but they don't last long in my industry because they're constantly exposed to water and abrasive chemicals.

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Karkfrommars t1_ja0ec32 wrote

JB Goodhue ironworker boots are extremely comfortable and very light compared to most. The treads wear quicker than most but thats the tradeoff for secure footing and traction. They break in fast as the leather isnt stiff.

The JB Goodhue boots fit large so best to try them on first. Generally ironworker or rigger boots are more comfortable than most in my experience.

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PI55FLAPZ t1_ja42ymx wrote

Look at the redwing heritage line.

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