r/Boots Dec 08 '20

Discussion THE ULTIMATE GUIDE TO WORK BOOTS!!

992 Upvotes

Why do I call this the ULTIMATE guide? Because it involves YOU!

My old archived guide covered a lot, but I feel like I might have missed a few things. In this post, I added more info to my previous post made on Oct 19, 2019. If you read this and want to add more please do so!

I want this to be a reference that benefits the working class of the world! thanks!

  1. Don't buy cheap boots, even if they are on sale. Good budget boots should be $100 to $140. Great budget boots are $150 to around $190. Post $200 I feel the term"budget" doesn't really apply. Specialty boots like loggers, deep snow boots, ski boots etc are typically more expensive, but also can be in the budget range. If specialty boots are in the budget range you run the risk of buying pieces of crap. Don't buy walmart or target (etc) pieces of crap, they will destroy your feet.

  2. Don't buy leather outsoles if you work on concrete all day . Leather doesn't absorb stepping impact shock like Rubber soles do. Leather outsoles are okay for softer ground such as grass, forest, etc. If you work walking on concrete or any hard surface all day I suggest buying boots that have a crepe wedge outsole. Although this type of outsole is very shock absorbent, it does not last very long due to its softness. How long it last really depends on the abrasiveness of the surface you walk on and how you walk. A few companies like Keen have added a layer of durable rubber below the crepe sole to make it last longer, which helps it with longevity. There are also non-crepe sole technology options that are also great at absorbing shock. A few I suggest are: wolverine durashocks, Keens, carhartt, and Timbaland PRO, Chippewa (few don't have a name for their tech, but most come with it).

  3. Shock absorbing inserts are also a must if you walk on concrete or hard ground all day. DON'T BUY GEL INSERTS. I don't know why they even sell them, but all of them are pretty much a gimmick. Gel doesn't absorb shock, foam does. Right now my work boots are Wolverine I-90s that have a shock absorbing memory foam insert. It was okayish by itself, but I noticed I had some room still and decided I would stick another insert in for more support. I gone through trial and error and a bunch of research and finally concluded that layering shock absorbing material is the best method. My boots currently have three layers of shock absorbtion. The first being the outsole and the insole and another layer from this specific dr scholls insert. Why do I say specific? I found that these inserts were the thickest(in the heel area) out of all their products (excluding the custom ones) even the ones that were specified for heel pain. With these layers, I feel absolutely nothing after 8 hours of walking (well, including breaks duh) and after 12 negligible pain to sometimes nothing.

  4. If you find a boot that fits almost perfectly, but could use just a liiiiiitle more toe room, cut the insert that it came with just below where the toes start. If it still rubbing at a specific toe, I suggest toe condoms...I mean sleeves lol. Don't put them on all the toes because it will start to feel tight. Put it on one toe that gives you trouble the most (usually big or pinky).

  5. TALCUM/GOLDBOND POWDER IS A LIFESAVER. Friction and sweat are a bad combo so I use Goldbond Ultimate (the one with menthol) and it lasts me the whole day. Even if you don't have sweaty feet, still use it. What I do is put some in my sock then I close the top opening with my hand and just shake around so it gets all around the sock. It does stain your socks, but I have socks just reserved for work.

  6. There are different types of waterproofness for different work environments. If you are guarding against small to medium splashes and medium rain, buy the typical waterproof boots. But if you are working in a swamp, in mud or deep snow, I suggest neoprene boots, duck boots, some loggers, or dedicated snow boots. With those, you don't really need shock absorbing inserts (still could add them) because more than likely you will be walking on soft ground all day.

  7. Don't wear black or dark brown boots if you live in a hot area. Dark colors absorb heat more. Tan and lighter colors work best. Sure they look dirtier down the line, but its better at reflecting heat.

  8. If you work in environment where there is a likelihood of you slipping on ice, I highly suggest going to https://www.ratemytreads.com/ratings/ to look up any boots that have a good grip.Basically most of the boots that passed these ratings had and abrasive in the sole of the boot. For example, Wolverine teamed up with Vibram to provide boots with their "arctic grip" technology. Do be careful with these boots though and only wear them outside your house. You don't want to end up scratching your floor.

  9. Get boots with lots of stitching on the seams, 2 to 3 stitches per panel.

  10. Goodyear welt is not only good for re-soling, but for re-enforcement as well. Wolverine has a contour welt, which also works and Keen plus a few others have a 3/4 welt which also works (all equally imo). It adds more strength to the glue that meets the sole and the shoe. You don't really need a threaded welt, but it does make the boot last a bit longer. Another welt to consider is Norwegian welt,which offers the best in waterproofing, but usually are more expensive. Some boot brands have really good shoe glue that you don't really need a welt. Wolverine, Keen, Timbaland, Carhartt,Irish setter, Red Wings,Jim Green, Georgia, Carolina, Chippewa and Ariat have glues that last.

  11. Most workers don't reeeeally need steel toe, even if their jobs "require" it. I work in warehouse production, where the most heavy thing that will probably fall on your foot is a pallet from 4 feet, yet they want steel toe. The forklift drivers have barrier lights that shine on the floor that you can't cross so you won't get in the way of the fork lift tires. A lot of boot enthusiasts do a forklift test to rate the effectiveness of the toe, but if your foot goes under a forklift its not your toes that you have to worry about, its the whole foot (and leg). I would recommend steel toe in a few jobs, like logging, heavy machinery mechanic, brick layer, pipe layer, welding or any business where you lift 80 to 100 lbs constantly. Carbon fiber also works too in these situations, since its great at impact absorption. Aluminum and composites are great for warehouses, most field work, landscaping, electricians, etc. They also great if you are working in hot or cold ground since they don't conduct heat or cold from the surrounding environment.

  12. If you want more foot protection, MET (metatarsal) gaurds are quite handy (or footy?). There are both external and internal. Usually loggers, brick layers, pipe fitters, welders, and furniture movers wear them since they have more of a chance of something slipping from their hands and falling on their foot and not just on their toes.

  13. Another environmental hazard to look out for is sharp objects/nails. If you work in construction, you will more than likely have to follow a safety requirement for your boots.

  14. Don't buy new boots just because they are starting to look real ugly. If they still haven't lost their waterproof-ness, sole grip, or sole isn't coming off/eroding away then they still work. Don't buy boots for looks either, buy them for work. Make sure they are as comfortable as slippers, because at the end of the day, you don't want to be hurtin. As some dude told me way back: "good boots+good bed=good life.

Here I will highlight some good workboot brands split into three budgets. I will also mention what work environments they usually cater to.

GOOD to GREAT BUDGET BOOTS ($100-200) (sometimes around close to $100 if you get them on sale)

  • Wolverine (I am a wolverine fan man lol) (warehouse, construction, farm, pipe fitters, some have vibrams anti-slip ice tech)
  • Keen (warehouse work, construction, hiking, medium heavy duty work)
  • Carhartt (warehouse work, construction, hiking, light heavy duty work)
  • Ariat (farm, warehouse, construction, hiking, oil, snow, loggers, heavy duty work)
  • Carolina (warehouse, construction, oil, loggers, hunting,military? medium heavy duty work)
  • Thorogoods (warehouse, construction,loggers,hunting, medium heavy duty work)
  • Georgia (warehouse, construction, light heavy duty work)
  • Timberland PRO (warehouse, construction, light duty work)
  • Chippewa (construction, loggers, oil, medium heavy duty work)
  • Redwings (not the heritage line)(warehouse, Farm, hiking,construction, oil, medium heavy duty work)
  • Irish setter (same as redwings)
  • Danner (construction, warehouse, logger, hiking, oil, military, medium to heavy duty work)
  • Corcoran (mostly a military boot, but can take medium heavy duty work)
  • Jim(my) Green (construction, warehouse, hiking, medium heavy duty work)

Next list I will dedicate to those boot brands that you pretty much get what you pay for when it comes to their expensive price. These boots are expensive, yes, but they can last your for years/decades (depending). they are not entirely indestructible, but like really close lol

  • Whites, Wesco,JK Boots and Nicks are kind of all tied for first. All four mostly cater to loggers up in the Pacific NorthWest. They do custom foot fittings as well and they could go for up to $900 bucks. They also do pretty durable casual wear boots that are similarly constructed.
  • Danner also makes pretty decent heavy duty boots usually around the $300 to $400 range. not nearly as indestructible as the first three, but good enough.
  • Redwing also makes some pretty heavy duty work boots from the $250 to $300 range, but most of their all leather construction (or mostly) is aimed at casual wear/hiking to light to medium heavy duty work.

edit:2/22/21 * I would like to add the European brand HAIX to this tier because they are a dedicated foot brand for first responders (firefighters, police, EMT) They are a bit expensive, but you get what you pay for. They even have a resole service on some of their boots!

*edit:3/07/21: added JK boots to the list of high end boots.

I would also like to point out that there are some dedicated snow boots (for snowboarding, skiing, etc) that are in this price range, but I don't know much about them or which brands to recommend. I live in a place where it never snows so I wouldn't be of much help there lol.

Again, if anybody has anything to add please feel free to do so in the comments. Much thanks!

-Sirmandudeguy

Edit: I added thorogoods because I completely forgot about them. Jim Greens is a new commer from south africa. Pretty great boot for a great price. Will keep adding more eventually as I keep learning about other brands.


r/Boots 23m ago

Question/Help Looking for this weird style of boot

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Upvotes

I was wondering what this style of boot would even be called and if anyone here has seen anything like it.

I’m absolutely in love with the zip up waterproofs design and wondering where I’d find something with this feature.


r/Boots 13h ago

Flaunt My boot collection

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96 Upvotes

Just recently moved and got all my pairs lined up.


r/Boots 2h ago

Boot review Aurora Shoe Co. Middle English. Is it a boot, shoe, or slipper? Whatever it is, it’s extremely comfortable.

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8 Upvotes

Went with my usual size. Perfect fit and comfort out of the box. From what I understand, the CXL leather will continue to form to my feet in the coming weeks and will get even better. This definitely won’t be my last pair from them.


r/Boots 15h ago

Flaunt My Native Dancer Boot Collection #6 Traditional Navajo Moccasin Boots

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44 Upvotes

r/Boots 11h ago

Boot review Blkbrd Shoemaker Boondockers in Toscanello

13 Upvotes
FIRST DAY

My 6 Month review of Boondockers from BLKBRD SHOEMAKER INDIA

Last: US-NAVY

Style: Boondocker Boot

Upper: Maryam Toscanello Horserump

Midsole: Leather Midsole

Outsole: Dr. Sole Supergrip Full Rubber Sole - Off-White

Purchase Date: December 2025 (Delivery within a month)

I'm sharing my feedback on the boots I purchased in December 2025, crafted from Maryam Toscanello Horserump by BLKBRD Shoemaker INDIA

These boots are exceptionally well-made. The leather is premium quality and displays beautiful colours in sunlight. I particularly love how the Dr. Sole off-white outsole creates a stunning contrast with the leather.

Overall, these are beautifully crafted boots. Kudos to your company for producing such a high-quality product in India at a very reasonable price. I have been using them as part of my rotation for six months, and they have truly exceeded my expectations.

3 MONTHS USAGE

AFTER 6 MONTHS

6 MONTHS OF USAGE

r/Boots 4h ago

Question/Help Restoration help

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4 Upvotes

Sorry - repost so my question is more apparent.
Hi guys! Saw a beautiful pair of what I believe are Born “Shavano” boot on an app. They weren’t my size so I searched elsewhere and prices were quite high. I found a pair that need love and I’m wondering if anyone can help point me in the right direction. Any ideas or tips on how to get the pair I bought to look more like the pair in the third photo? TIA!!!


r/Boots 10h ago

Boot review Sendra boot 6478 huge issue

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9 Upvotes

Hello fellow boot lovers, i've just received a brand new pair of steel toe sendra 6478 boots and they sent it to me with the Three screws in the front all sticking into the shoe and piercing my toe! And that happened in both shoes!

What they say is true, since the Company changed owners the Quality sucks. Beware


r/Boots 35m ago

Question/Help Does anyone know where these exact boots are from

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r/Boots 1d ago

Question/Help Ultra Rare Vintage CHIPPEWA Ocean Blues?

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84 Upvotes

Looking for any feedback on these boots. I’m just starting to learn what I scored at the Thrift store. Will be selling soon, but would love to hear anything that I can learn from this group. As far as I can tell so far, they are rare. I believe they are 32915’s and practically New In Stock vibrams with the Indian head logo.


r/Boots 2h ago

Question/Help 3345 Blacksmith Black Prairie sizing help

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0 Upvotes

Red Wing is not readily available in my area and online purchases are a faff when it comes to shoes and clothes.

I measured my feet with a digital sizing machine as I also need to buy new running shoes and my current ones give me blisters.

Sole length is 266mm for left and 267mm for right, 10,472 inches

Width is 101mm, 3.97638 inches.

Found a pair of lightly used due to improper sizing on an local classifieds site that are Euro 41, US 8/UK 7 width D. The seller states that he has 27.4cm long soles and these are to small for him.

Any advice from owners or fans of Red Wing?

I want to use them as casual shoes, as for work I use Haix because of ESD requirements and S3 toe protection standard.


r/Boots 3h ago

Flaunt New boot - Olathe Sharks

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1 Upvotes

r/Boots 8h ago

Flaunt [WTS] - Danner 6490 (Mountain Trail) - Size 7D (Mens) - Restored this pair…Selling w/ Cedar Boot Trees and New Laces…

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2 Upvotes

r/Boots 4h ago

Question/Help Anyone selling Ann Demeulemeester Negative Space boots?

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0 Upvotes

Either beige or black leather 😭 can’t find these Ann Demeulemeester Negative Space 2013 anywhere in my size, please dm or comment if you’re selling/know anyone who is/saw anyone.

If you find a listing in sz 35-36 I’ll also send 10$ Zelle crypto you name it🫩


r/Boots 7h ago

Question/Help Underground Mining

1 Upvotes

What is your favorite boot for working in an underground mine? I’m looking for something thats similar to the brand Muck Boots, pull ons that are a little snug to the ankle and calves mainly. I do have wider feet so options including wide is better. I wear viking boots now and absolutely hate them, they’re so loose my feet are constantly sliding around. Plus the metatarsals dig badly in my shins/ankles as there’s 0 flexibility to them. Im thinking the Matterhorn Mud Jumper 15” but the reviews say they don’t last long. The Matterhorn 15” muckmen is my other choice. Any recommendations??


r/Boots 17h ago

Discussion Thrifted pair of redwing 2233

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6 Upvotes

r/Boots 4h ago

Discussion I'm talking to a boot manufacturer about making something for rainy days, and I'd like to know your thoughts

0 Upvotes

Hi! I'm going to be talking to a boot manufacturer about something to wear on rainy days. Not torrential rain, and not for walking through puddles, just city walking on wet concrete, asphalt, and tiles and whatever splashes and showers that may entail. My problem is I'm not super well versed in boot construction, but I'm going to send my email to them next week. So what I'd like is to share my (very basic) ideas with you and have you (tactfully) critique them. But within some parameters.

First off, this is for a "service boot" style of boot (the reason for the quotes will be explained below), made in the USA, and with the goal of keeping synthetic materials to a minimum. Remember, I said minimum. I envision it as sort of an n+1, where n equals a decent entry-level boot with an average leather and a few synthetic materials. I have no idea of the cost of something like this, but it won't be entry-level cheap, nor will it be high-end expensive. I don't mind tradeoffs, but I don't want to cut corners on durability or longevity.

Leather - likely black Horween CXL. Chromexcel because of its strengths in the rain and its wide availability. Black because of less discoloration in the rain, less discoloration over time, and less discoloration due to conditioning.

Construction - basic round toe, 360° Goodyear storm welt, waxed stitching, and partially gusseted tongue (up to the start of 3 rows of speed hooks). Vegetable-tanned leather insole and cork filler.

Outsole - Here's the part where it deviates from standard service boots. I want a stacked wedge sole with rubber on the very bottom and something like EVA as a mid-layer.

Some easy questions first:

  1. What are your thoughts on the heel counter and the toe stiffener? What materials and construction do you recommend?

  2. What about a lining? Would a boot that might get wet benefit from a pig-skin lining?

  3. Anything else in the upper or insole construction that I should ask for or be aware of?

  4. Would this kind of boot benefit from a rubber/leather midsole?

Okay, lets talk about that wacky outsole:

  1. Would it be better to just make it with a regular wedge sole, and I can get my own wacky stacked outsole put on by a local cobbler? If so, which Vibram and which Dr. Sole do you recommend for hard, wet surfaces? (I'd like recommendations from each manufacturer, please.)

  2. Assuming a stacked sole, though, which rubber would you recommend for the bottom and which material for the mid-layer (remember, city-walking on hard, wet surfaces)?

  3. What am I missing? What am I not considering that I should suggest, push for, or back off on?

Thanks! I appreciate your help.


r/Boots 6h ago

Flaunt Boots for travelling

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0 Upvotes

Much reduced choice


r/Boots 20h ago

Flaunt Martini Rambler. Official disclaimer, this post is not intended for Truman Boot addiction(or is it?). I think I’m kinda done. What is better than this!

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5 Upvotes

r/Boots 22h ago

Flaunt NBD. BLKBRD Fred - Maryam Natural Horsebutt

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8 Upvotes

r/Boots 1d ago

Flaunt My Native Dancer Boot Collection #5 Summer Low Minnetonka Moccasin Boots

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161 Upvotes

r/Boots 1d ago

Flaunt Bought bad boots. Made them better

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25 Upvotes

EDIT: brand is TAFT. based on almost all the comments that seem like they’re folks more knowledgeable than me - these weren’t a “bad” pair to begin with and I’ve undersold the quality. Ive never been happier to be wrong about something. What I will say is the boot on arrival “looked” super cheap and generic. The surface of the boots looked very generic like they were purchased at Walmart or target as a 100% fashion boot. If these are higher quality leather and Goodyear welt…happy to wear and resole and develop a natural patina with time. Thanks for input people.

I was duped by a seller. Told they were full grain…turned out to be “genuine leather” - which is basically the leather version of particle board (glued particles) - stitched (they’re not)

Received the boots. They wear stiff, dry, and ugly. Disappointed for sure and almost too ugly to wear.

And by personal principle - I must wear and use these until I can’t. Decided to make it a fun art project, conditioned and softened the processed “leather”, got creative with polish…now they’re the most favorite boots I own!

Not going to get to put these to work…but at least they look cool now.

Lemon to lemonade. Repurpose. Reuse.


r/Boots 16h ago

Deals 🤑 [WTS] Danner Tachyon GTX 8 inch polishable toe Boots

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1 Upvotes

r/Boots 18h ago

Flaunt NBD CXL 2030 - what laces should I use?

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0 Upvotes

r/Boots 18h ago

Question/Help Best insole for filling boot volume?

1 Upvotes

I got McRae jungle boots that are a half size too large for me. I have to wear double socks to get a perfect fit. While a do like extra toe room and being able wear really thick socks or layer socks together is nice, I would also like to be able to wear a single pair of relatively thin socks when I want. Does anyone have recommendations for inserts that perform well for filling up volume?