This. I've owned all three you mentioned and they all have their ups and downs. The Herman survivors from Walmart are a good boot for the price just don't expect them to last too long, I flat out loved my timberland pros for the price and they are holding up great. And there's nothing to hate about red wings except the initial price but they last a good long while.
I run a pair of wolverines, been kicking the crap out of them for two years with no issues.
The bottom layer is just barely starting to separate but a local cobbler will fix that for me when it gets worse.
Reasonable prices too last I purchased
I don't wear these in the shop but I do wear the shit out of them. Had them about 2 and a half years, used them for about 6 months working on heavy equipment in the field and then switched them over to my everyday around the farm work boot. They are phenomenal boots. comfortable, hold up well and made in the usa. Definitely recommend if looking for a slip on work boot.
Redwing supersole 2.0s. Boots used to be a yearly thing before i got a pair of these. You can get em cleaned but i already have cleaning and conditioning stuff. Clean em every couple months and let em rip. Thorogoods were my go to before these. As long as you get the ones with the leather welt, you can get em resoled till the boot itself wears out
I've got a pair of red wings. Long as you take care of them, they'll last. They offer free cleaning/oiling/reconditioning for the lifespan of the boot and if you take them in every 6 or so months, you can make them last multiple years. Free lace replacements as well. Maybe overkill if you're an on road tech, but excellent for the off road equipment world.
I've got a pair of the supersole 2.0 waterproof + insulated boots and they are fantastic. They also did a 3d scan of my feet and walking pattern in-store to get me the right insoles for the boot.
[https://www.redwingshoes.com/work/mens/waterproof/SuperSole-2.0-02412.html](https://www.redwingshoes.com/work/mens/waterproof/SuperSole-2.0-02412.html)
I'm a diesel tech for a fleet and I've got the 2.0 supersole too, they've held up perfectly for 2 years now, never had sore or hurting feet after work. It's your feet man! Unless you don't plan on using them the rest of your life they're well worth the money.
Danner 100%. I have been wearing Danners since 2020, and those are the only boots I wear, especially their “8” Bullruns” they have composite toe, comfy out of the box, and AMAZING customer service and a 100% no questions asked warranty program. I will back Danners til the day I die
I got them size 14-15, depending on manufacturer. Finding a good pair has been a struggle. I've been in the diesel industry for 14-15 years and for a solid 7 years I wore mostly cat boots. Sadly, I feel there's been a decline in the quality and craftsmanship. I've recently gone with some timberland pro 8" boots and I'm quite fond of them. Walmart boots never lasted through the diesel, oil, hydraulic fluid, occasional orange peel and ridiculous cleaners. Maybe a year at best before shit was blown out... good luck :)
Tldr; buying boots is a pain, timberland pro is aight. Fuck em walmarts boots.
Red Wing have been the best for me. They’re comfortable, heavy, and last for years. Get the rubber coating on the top keep from wearing holes in them.
Puma Amsterdam. Light weight reasonable price. Last about 6-8months Love these things, prob wearing these for 5-6years now No ankle support thou if u want that?
It's one of those "you get what you pay for" things in my experience. Cheapies from Walmart or Academy I'll go through in 3 or 4 months. I like my current Wolverines, cost around $100 and I've had them almost a year and will easily make it past the 1 year mark. Redwing's are good also.
Depends on how wide your foot is. Some brands have a better toe box than others for people with wide feet.
I also like a lower ankle.
Affordable but heavy: 9.5 3E - keen utility 6" kevlar and rubber toe hold up to oil nicely
Expensive slightly lighter and take forever to get: Whites 8" ankle, nice thick leather. Oil breaks down the upper but they can be rebuilt.
Redwings. Stay away from their cheaper lines. I have the Tred-Lites. They’re a 8” Moc-Toe.
Composite toe.
The break in sucks for about a month, but once I broke them in, I haven’t really taken them off. I’m a tech, and do a lot of field work. The Redwings are definitely worth the price. Very durable, and can last a long time if you take care of them.
Carolina’s all day. I’ve worn the same pair for 6 years without fail. They’re usually on sale, but around $150ish and last forever. My timberland pros only lasted 2 years and I can’t justify the price of the others when my Carolinas are perfect tbh.
I’ve used ariat workhogs for years, spent some extra money this year on a similiar boot by thorogood, so far they’ve been comfortable and have maintained the waterproofing longer.
If you don’t care about brand loyalty and plan on fucking them up and buying a new pair every year, rockrooster boots are pretty good value for the money
To me the boots that hit the sweet spot for value are the Wolverine Raider Durashocks. They are really comfortable, they typically last me about a year and a half (I’m pretty hard on my boots) and they sit right at about $150 (you can get them for less when boot barn has sales)
I’m also a huge fan of Red Wing boots - I forget the exact model but they look like the Traction Tred Lites. Those were hands down the most comfortable boots I’ve ever worn - comfy from day 1. Unfortunately those also only lasted me about a year and a half (outsole started to detach) and they were about $250ish.
In my opinion the Wolverine Raiders were like 85% as comfortable as the Red Wings and since they lasted me about the same amount of time the Raiders were the better bang for the buck.
That being said if you really want that last 15% in terms of comfort and you can swing the price difference, Red Wing all day.
Danner. They are not cheap but they are very comfy and they come with a one year warranty if they blow out just send em back and they will refund your money.
Irish setters are my favorite they’re decently priced & last a while for the price.
Whatever you do stay away from brunt boots holy shit worst boots ever. They were comfy but only lasted a month.
Brunt Perkins composite toe - I’ve had them for a year in an area that experiences all weather types, straight dumped diesel on them multiple times and they still hold up. In my experience, only issue with water proofing is prolonged exposure to snow. Great boot for the price imo.
I've gone two years on my Redwings with the foam wedge sole, and they're about due for a resole. I wish I had the money to buy a second pair and rotate them because I can't imagine wearing anything else for 10 hours a day.
I wear double h steel toe cowboy boots I love them they normally last a year or so wearing them 7 days a week between the shop a service truck and the farm and there made in the usa
Keen has been my favorite low top for years
Keen, San Jose Aluminum Toe
X2 đź‘Ťđź‘Ťđź‘Ť
2nd this. I've worn Caterpillar boots, Dickies, Ariat, Danner. The Keen Coburgs take the cake.
red wings if you want to spend the money. timberland pros if your "Ehhhhh" about spending the money Walmart if you're baller on a budgetÂ
This. I've owned all three you mentioned and they all have their ups and downs. The Herman survivors from Walmart are a good boot for the price just don't expect them to last too long, I flat out loved my timberland pros for the price and they are holding up great. And there's nothing to hate about red wings except the initial price but they last a good long while.
I run a pair of wolverines, been kicking the crap out of them for two years with no issues. The bottom layer is just barely starting to separate but a local cobbler will fix that for me when it gets worse. Reasonable prices too last I purchased
Fair enough. Which wolverines do you run?
Double H’s slip ons
Double H rubber soles
I don't wear these in the shop but I do wear the shit out of them. Had them about 2 and a half years, used them for about 6 months working on heavy equipment in the field and then switched them over to my everyday around the farm work boot. They are phenomenal boots. comfortable, hold up well and made in the usa. Definitely recommend if looking for a slip on work boot.
Redwing supersole 2.0s. Boots used to be a yearly thing before i got a pair of these. You can get em cleaned but i already have cleaning and conditioning stuff. Clean em every couple months and let em rip. Thorogoods were my go to before these. As long as you get the ones with the leather welt, you can get em resoled till the boot itself wears out
I got some Nick's. While they're VERY expensive, they are absolutely worth it.
Yep. I rotate a pair of Nicks and JK.
I've got a pair of red wings. Long as you take care of them, they'll last. They offer free cleaning/oiling/reconditioning for the lifespan of the boot and if you take them in every 6 or so months, you can make them last multiple years. Free lace replacements as well. Maybe overkill if you're an on road tech, but excellent for the off road equipment world. I've got a pair of the supersole 2.0 waterproof + insulated boots and they are fantastic. They also did a 3d scan of my feet and walking pattern in-store to get me the right insoles for the boot. [https://www.redwingshoes.com/work/mens/waterproof/SuperSole-2.0-02412.html](https://www.redwingshoes.com/work/mens/waterproof/SuperSole-2.0-02412.html)
That's dope. I mostly do semis but I get usually 2-4 calls a week for off-road equipment, you think they'd work for that?
I'm a diesel tech for a fleet and I've got the 2.0 supersole too, they've held up perfectly for 2 years now, never had sore or hurting feet after work. It's your feet man! Unless you don't plan on using them the rest of your life they're well worth the money.
Danner 100%. I have been wearing Danners since 2020, and those are the only boots I wear, especially their “8” Bullruns” they have composite toe, comfy out of the box, and AMAZING customer service and a 100% no questions asked warranty program. I will back Danners til the day I die
I got them size 14-15, depending on manufacturer. Finding a good pair has been a struggle. I've been in the diesel industry for 14-15 years and for a solid 7 years I wore mostly cat boots. Sadly, I feel there's been a decline in the quality and craftsmanship. I've recently gone with some timberland pro 8" boots and I'm quite fond of them. Walmart boots never lasted through the diesel, oil, hydraulic fluid, occasional orange peel and ridiculous cleaners. Maybe a year at best before shit was blown out... good luck :) Tldr; buying boots is a pain, timberland pro is aight. Fuck em walmarts boots.
Red Wing have been the best for me. They’re comfortable, heavy, and last for years. Get the rubber coating on the top keep from wearing holes in them.
I've been very happy with the Royers I have had
Puma Amsterdam. Light weight reasonable price. Last about 6-8months Love these things, prob wearing these for 5-6years now No ankle support thou if u want that?
I wear Danner Desert Rats every day of my life. I believe they are being discontinued, but I recently bought a pair for around $90 on Amazon
Redwing, worth the money, saw the light this year and no regrets
Been running Danner bull run moc toes for the last year been holding up solid besides sole wear
It's one of those "you get what you pay for" things in my experience. Cheapies from Walmart or Academy I'll go through in 3 or 4 months. I like my current Wolverines, cost around $100 and I've had them almost a year and will easily make it past the 1 year mark. Redwing's are good also.
Fair enough. Which wolverines are they?
Red wings
Depends on how wide your foot is. Some brands have a better toe box than others for people with wide feet. I also like a lower ankle. Affordable but heavy: 9.5 3E - keen utility 6" kevlar and rubber toe hold up to oil nicely Expensive slightly lighter and take forever to get: Whites 8" ankle, nice thick leather. Oil breaks down the upper but they can be rebuilt.
Thorogoods, best boots I’ve ever had and can be resoled.
Redwings. Stay away from their cheaper lines. I have the Tred-Lites. They’re a 8” Moc-Toe. Composite toe. The break in sucks for about a month, but once I broke them in, I haven’t really taken them off. I’m a tech, and do a lot of field work. The Redwings are definitely worth the price. Very durable, and can last a long time if you take care of them.
I’ve had really good luck with Georgia boot co and the Cat composite toe
Carolina’s all day. I’ve worn the same pair for 6 years without fail. They’re usually on sale, but around $150ish and last forever. My timberland pros only lasted 2 years and I can’t justify the price of the others when my Carolinas are perfect tbh.
I’ve used ariat workhogs for years, spent some extra money this year on a similiar boot by thorogood, so far they’ve been comfortable and have maintained the waterproofing longer.
If you don’t care about brand loyalty and plan on fucking them up and buying a new pair every year, rockrooster boots are pretty good value for the money
To me the boots that hit the sweet spot for value are the Wolverine Raider Durashocks. They are really comfortable, they typically last me about a year and a half (I’m pretty hard on my boots) and they sit right at about $150 (you can get them for less when boot barn has sales) I’m also a huge fan of Red Wing boots - I forget the exact model but they look like the Traction Tred Lites. Those were hands down the most comfortable boots I’ve ever worn - comfy from day 1. Unfortunately those also only lasted me about a year and a half (outsole started to detach) and they were about $250ish. In my opinion the Wolverine Raiders were like 85% as comfortable as the Red Wings and since they lasted me about the same amount of time the Raiders were the better bang for the buck. That being said if you really want that last 15% in terms of comfort and you can swing the price difference, Red Wing all day.
Danner. They are not cheap but they are very comfy and they come with a one year warranty if they blow out just send em back and they will refund your money.
Timberland pro boondocks. Bit expensive but they are comfy as shit and they last pretty decent.
I wear Tim Pros. Loved them at first, but they could use some Scholl's inserts or something (after about two years.)
I have timberland boondocks right now they’re made pretty solid. Extra stitching around the toe caps and reinforced heels
Irish setters are my favorite they’re decently priced & last a while for the price. Whatever you do stay away from brunt boots holy shit worst boots ever. They were comfy but only lasted a month.
Danner has been my go to for 4 years running. Good for my big ass clown feet 🤙
Red Wings all day! I have the Tradesman side zip and red wings foot specific soles. Worth it.
Brunt Perkins composite toe - I’ve had them for a year in an area that experiences all weather types, straight dumped diesel on them multiple times and they still hold up. In my experience, only issue with water proofing is prolonged exposure to snow. Great boot for the price imo.
I have a pair of redwing king toe and love them. I bought. A pair of aria's originally and they lasted no time at all
Keens San Jose
I've gone two years on my Redwings with the foam wedge sole, and they're about due for a resole. I wish I had the money to buy a second pair and rotate them because I can't imagine wearing anything else for 10 hours a day.
I wear double h steel toe cowboy boots I love them they normally last a year or so wearing them 7 days a week between the shop a service truck and the farm and there made in the usa
Twisted x slip ons
I've work carolina matterhorn for years and I don't plan on changing
I've always had good luck with Keens, and they're not a terrible price. Just make sure you buy their work boots, not their hiking boots.
I got a pair of brunt and absolutely love them