My workboots kicked the bucket over the weekend. Need the OBs suggestions on a comfortable pair that will last. This last pair were Justins, and they were okay just not anything to write home about. They would be for weekend warrior type activities around the homestead and deer lease, not everyday wear. TIA

Red Wings 4470, superfeet orange insoles.

Not sure about their longevity, but I just pulled the trigger on a pair of Ariat work boots for the exact same reason. So far they are comfortable to wear long periods of time and they seem robust enough for what I'd throw at them.

Ariat "groundbreaker"

My recommendation, do not take work boot recommendations over the internet. Shop around and try them on. See what fits your feet.

Redwings. Pair I've got on now I wear several times a week to the office as well as working outside in and they've held up great over 4 years now and dont look to be stopping anytime soon.

Break in on them was rough, I didnt do any of the tricks like soaking in water or anything and just wore them in. Took a couple of weeks but was totally worth it as they fit incredibly well now and are super comfortable.

Thorogood if you want a similar style to Redwing option.

Love my Adidas Terrex Goretex shoes. I alternate between them and Salomon trail runners. Quit wearing boots for comfort reasons. Wear them on the farm.

What kind you need? I have a pair of Carhart composite toe work well for me

Georgia Wedge Sole boots are super comfortable imo. I prefer the lace ups

thanks Naveronski, that was the boot I was thinking about. I had been on the Redwing site for a good bit and couldn't find it, their site is a bit overwhelming with hundreds of styles.

Sunray, I can try on boots all day but if they aren't going to last I don't really want them, thus I ask the OB...cuz they "know stuff"!

I work in oilfield and have worn redwings 13 yrs and they are only boot I will wear.

I have been nothing but disappointed with Justin's quality. I stopped buying them about 10 years ago.

Double H is what I'm going to these days.

I'm a Thorogood fan. I've been wearing them daily for the past 5 years. I'm on my second pair now, but they are very comfortable and well made. Similar to Redwings but less expensive. Made in the U.S.A.

ElGoatarod said:

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I'm a Thorogood fan. I've been wearing them daily for the past 5 years. I'm on my second pair now, but they are very comfortable and well made. Similar to Redwings but less expensive. Made in the U.S.A.

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Easily the most comfortable work boot I've ever worn. No break in period. Put on and go.

I wear Red Wings. I have tried others, Justin, Arriat(?), Wolverine and a few others. I always went back to Red Wing. Now I don't bother shopping anywhere else

Been wearing Ariat Groundbreakers for almost 10 years. I walk about 6-7 miles a day on concrete and calichi and they typically last me about 2 years.

Is Thorogood's slogan "Bad to the Bone"??? It should be, if not.

Another Thorogood vote here.

Hands down the most comfortable work boot I have ever owned. You feel extremely light footed with a pair on.

Twisted x if you want slip ons and are on a budget

I am currently in a pair of 6" lace up Keens. Not overly impressed. Starting falling apart about 10 months in. Really falling apart now, about 20 months in. Comfortable enough, and I think they look cool, just not tough enough for working in a plant.
Looking at the Ariat 6" lace ups now. Looked at the Amazon reviews for the thorogood 6" lace ups and they were not good. I am guessing all the rave reviews on this thread are for slip ons.

I wear the 6" lace ups and love them. They've held up really well. I wear them for work drilling water wells and farming so they get wet quite a bit and are usually covered in drilling mud. I admit I do a poor job of caring for the leather. It's already been mentioned but there was no break-in period. If I remember correctly they run about a half size big.

ElGoatarod said:

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I wear the 6" lace ups and love them. They've held up really well. I wear them for work drilling water wells and farming so they get wet quite a bit and are usually covered in drilling mud. I admit I do a poor job of caring for the leather. It's already been mentioned but there was no break-in period. If I remember correctly they run about a half size big.

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you know the model name or style name? The ones I looked at were not waterproof and were getting not good reviews recently.

Men's American Heritage 6" round toe.
They are not waterproof but even with mine getting wet regularly, the leather has held up well.
I'm not sure about the negative reviews. Unless the company changed something since I bought my last pairs. I liked my first pair so much I bought two more. I'm still on pair #2.

I was given a pair of Redwing Pecos on an oil rig in the GOM, and have had them since. They took a while to break my feet in, but since then they've been great. I clean, brush, and polish the lowers up now and then to help protect the leather.

Been wearing Red Wings all my life. Recently bought a pair with the crepe soles. They are twice as comfortable but will wear down faster.

Pro-Tip: Do NOT wear crepe soles in snow or icy conditions.

Milwaukees Best Light said:

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I am currently in a pair of 6" lace up Keens. Not overly impressed. Starting falling apart about 10 months in. Really falling apart now, about 20 months in. Comfortable enough, and I think they look cool, just not tough enough for working in a plant.
Looking at the Ariat 6" lace ups now. Looked at the Amazon reviews for the thorogood 6" lace ups and they were not good. I am guessing all the rave reviews on this thread are for slip ons.

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I'm glad you posted this as I was looking at some Keens recently. I'll give a look at the Ariat 6inch lace ups.

I've worn steel toes work boots for 25 years as my employer has bought me two new pairs annually. It seems that most manufacturers expect work boots to be replace annually.
Your choice mainly depends on how hard you intend to use or abuse them. Qucik comfort styles with softer soles or sides can be punctured by cactus or thorns - look for puncture resistance and thick leather / cordura uppers. EPA mandated glues cause some of the comfort soles to separate. Goodyear welt (sewn) construction is usually the most durable and can be resoled,but it is hard to make waterproof. Lined or unlined / padded uppers and removable cushioned or gel filled (Dr Scholls style) footbed makes a difference in comfort.

My experiences

• Wolverine slip-on western- some models with softer comfort soles wore out in less than a year.
• Timberland Pro hiking - some soles separated. Thin comfort uppers wore out. Punctured.
• Rocky's Duty - zipper broke.
• Red Wing lace ups - very heavy and durable but box is too tight for my foot.
• Keen hiking - have held up well, made in USA, one year warranty, ordered another pair, Love 'em.
• Justin - Great slip on western. I bought a pair in snake proof for hunting.
• Lower priced Ariats, Brazos,Durango, Lehighs, Rockys, don't last longer than a year. Same with "trademark" boots; Cat, Dewalt, John Deere, Michelin, Stanley, etc.

My choice would be with a made in USA, pull-on or zip-up western by Justin's, Tony Lama's or Chippewa (are the same company owned by Berkshire Hathaway). Red Wing, Keen, or Thorogood hikers. Military or Duty boots made by Bates, Rocky, or Danner.

Go to Lehigh Outfitters for research than check out Chippewa, Justin or Rocky Snake boots

I've had good luck with Twisted X boots. On my 2nd pair, wearing each 5 days a week I've gotten 3-4 years out of each pair. I had a pair of Rocky's before that had the sole fall apart in less than 1 year.

Thanks for the excellent post Swede!!

Just retired a pair of Red Wings (Pecos) after 28 years. Will buy Red Wings again. Bought some Ariat a few years ago and the soles ripped from the side after 18 months.

I miss these. I still have about 3 pair ranging from 5 to 20 years old in various states of decay, but no more new ones.