New Work Boots...

[old 41]

Nicks and Hoffman and WESTCO are still American-made and owned AFAIK; unfortunately, Danner and Whites Boots are Asia-owned now. I have no idea where they are made or by whom.
I have a pair of Whites made before they were sold and a Westco pair that needs to be rebuilt, but at my age and what I do these days, I mostly wear Keens

 

[eveled]

Keens make my feet sweat badly. Too bad because i like the rubber toes for kneeling.

 

[old 41]

Keens are hot in the summer, but with a shank like a good boot and excellent support, they make rubber toe-covered sandals. too, I have a pair on as I write this

 

[Tenbore]

The last two pair of Justin ropers I bought were hecho en Mexico. Hard to find a pair of boots now that can even be reheeled. The sole and heel are all one piece! And, I hate that square toe!

 

[blume357]

Couple of things I need in a boot besides made in America... Leather and the soles need to be as smooth as possible. I absolutely hate these boots with a sole like a mud grip tire... which is exactly what they are a gripper of mud. Also, contrary to what people think, smooth actually has more traction on a roof. Of course quick lace is another important feature. It also looks like this last pair may be the last 'work' boots I buy.

 

[eveled]

Leather I agree 100%. No lining either just bare leather. Definitely no fluffy padded top either.

Smooth soles, I agree 100%. which is why I have a pair of 20 year old American made Chipewa boots the soles are too luggy and pack with mud.

The Thorougood Roofers are lace to toe and have a wedge sole like a moc toe boot has.

The Redwing Iron Rangers and Blacksmith boots both have very flat soles.

 

[nekvermont]

Brand: BRAHMA
Made in: Vietnam
Bought at: Walmart
Price: $50

Comfortable and serving me well.

 

[Sam Summey]

Keen makes some really comfortable work boots that are USA made and they seem to hold up well in a construction/paving environment. I've got a pair of 6" for home chores as well as 8" for work.
View attachment 80593

I bought my first pair of Keens this year "made in Thailand". I have worn Chippawa's for the 25 or so years. Seems they quit making "work boots" and started making "fashion statements" for gangbangers. The Keens are comfortable and fill my needs.

 

[Kevin]

Here are my American made Redwing Blacksmith boots. Yes I know many of Redwing boots are made overseas. The Heritage style boots are still made here.

I bought them and then sent them to get resoled. Like I said I wanted a midsole and did not want the lug outsole.

So the cobbler added a 360° welt and a leather midsole and leather heel stack. Then the green outer soles.

Oh and he got rid of those annoying speed hooks. I can’t stand those.

Now the problem is they are too nice to get dirty!

 

[Richard76]

Nobody has mentioned socks! What socks are y'all wearing with your American made boots?

This summer I got another pair of boots, Redwing Blacksmith boots. In breaking them in, I found socks made in Vermont, the "Darn Tough" Socks. Wow! Total comfort. The merino wool socks are very nice. And, guaranteed for life. I ended up buying a couple pairs of them, I want to wear some out to see if they really will honor the guarantee. We'll see...

https://darntough.com

good luck wearing them out, but the warranty s legit

 

[blume357]

Kevin, man that is a good looking boot... I doubt I could find anyone around here to do that kind of work.... but I love the speed hooks. Both the Thorough Goods and these new Carolinas have them but an eye hole for the very top lace. I riveted another set of hooks on the Thorough Goods and now have to decided if I'm dong the same on the Carolinas.

 

[eveled]

My first job in construction they didn’t allow boots with speed hooks.

Apparently the owner saw a guy fall to his death off of staging because the loop of bootlace from the opposite boot got caught in a speed hook.

 

[Kevin]

Ok, here is an example of why to get shoes resoled:

About a month ago I found a pair of Allen Edmonds shoes in the thrift store for $9. An older pair so I think they were made in the USA. I think they are from the 90’s.

Sorry, no pictures. But the uppers are in very good shape. The leather isn’t dried out or cracked. No major creases etc.

The insoles were formed to the feet of the previous owner, but they fit me. I wore them a couple times. Not very comfortable though.

So just today I took them to a local cobbler. They make very nice cowboy boots.

For $250, I’m getting new insoles? New cork, new outsoles and heels. Basically everything except the uppers will be brand new.

Now a similar pair online, similar style is around $450, and probably not made in USA any longer.

I just have to wait 3 weeks! Just one example…

 

[eveled]

Sorry I’m not wearing someone else’s shoes. Not gonna happen.

 

[jav]

Good looking boot Kevin

 

[Kevin]

Sorry I'm not wearing someone else's shoes. Not gonna happen.

No problem, to each their own. 90% of my clothes are from the thrift store. I draw the line at socks and underwear.

But these shoes will be completely reconditioned. No toe jam from the original owner.

 

[eveled]

I’m sure they will be better than new. Enjoy them.

 

[southernbuck101]

Except for around the house at night I only wear boots.. I have three pairs... Casual for around town, one I wear for work and then the 'Sunday Go To Meeting' ones... they are all the same 8" construction/work boots just polished different. For years my work boot was Red Wings but the last pair I bought just did not work out and I switched to Thorough Goods... the other two I got years ago from Duluth and I suspect they were Through Goods. So, I've totally worn out the 'Casual Around Town' pair and needed to order another .... I go on the Mid West Boot sight to do this... (Oh by the way have I mentioned that I will only wear and buy boots made in America?) Couple of yeas back I was with my wife at one of these big discount shoe places and in the men's department they had a big sign promoting Georgia boots... all about working and America, Big U.S. Flag and such....... then I looked at one of the Boxes with a pair of Georgia boots in them.. yep, made in China... all the work boots and men's shoes in this store were made either in China or some country close... well there was pair of cowboy boots made in Texas I think.....

Anywho... I go on the Midwest Boot site to order another pair of Thorough Goods... and there is another option... Carolina Boots.... and just like the thorough goods. made here in the U.S.A. and by Union Labor.... So, being a Carolina boy I have to order those... I'm pretty sure they are just Thorough Goods with the name changed.... I also find the irony of naming them Carolina as compared to the Georgian ones quite funny. Intesting part is I ordered them on Wednesday night and they arrived yesterday... Friday!

I'm Republican to the core.
And I live in the town that Georgia Boot started in.
My Grandmother worked there when I was a child.
It was the only place to work,and only paid minimum wage in the late 1960s.
The founder was a slave driver.
Then in 1970 William Wrigley bought a large tract of land just outside of town and paid wages unheard of in this part of the world for that era.
Georgia Boot packed up and moved to Tennessee just after the Wrigley factory started production, because they could not find employees.
I remember sitting in a 1966 Chevy Impala while my mom was interviewed and hired the same day beforethe plant was finished.
She went on to work for the Wrgley Company for almost 51 years until they made her retire.
She still holds the record at the now Mars-Wrigley as the longest working employee anywhere in the world for that Corporation.
She will be 82 years old in a few weeks.

 

[sharpblade7777]

I bought this pair of danner acadia boots a couple years ago. I tried them on to make sure they fit well and walked around inside the house a few times but have never worn them outside. I just wanted a good pair of boots but I wear sneakers all the time. The label inside the boots says they are made in the usa.

 

[Hertervillian]

Count me in the boots camp. Couple pairs of Redwings, a pair of Nacomis, and a pair of Justin’s. I only own 1pr of shoes, those being tenny runners, if the Pistons call I’d like to think I’m ready.

The I talians know how to make a pair of hunting boots fellas. A pair of Zamberlin boots are getting it done in comfort for me the last few years. Like women though, one type ain’t for everyone.

As to the sock question, it’s merino wool for me year round.