Time for some new work boots,

[vtfireman85]

19 minutes ago, New Englander said:

I’ve been wearing Merrill  Gortex hiking boots. They’re not really rugged but my feet stay dry. 

I never got more than 9 months out of Merrill, super comfortable until one day, had it over multiple pairs, one day they give up with no warning. 

[Sask466]

What socks do you wear? I switched to 100% wool and never looked back - feet stay much drier and less smelly.  

[lotsaIHCs]

14 minutes ago, Sask466 said:

What socks do you wear? I switched to 100% wool and never looked back - feet stay much drier and less smelly.  

I wear Dickies. Have black ones, gray ones and white ones. Feet stay cool and dry, and the socks last way longer than Hanes, Gildan or others I've tried. I had a couple pair of Red Wings. They were good but I didn't think they were worth the price. I can't stand wool. Wool anything. I itch like mad and sweat like a butcher in anything wool.

[DWF]

I have been wearing USA made Carolina 8" hard toe boots I have been buying from Hampton Shoe online, They have other USA brand work shoes and boots too. Be careful, not all Carolina boots are USA made.

DWF

[Kevin in ky]

Twisted X makes a comfortable boot just don’t last long.

[acem]

Wool socks are amazing.  Over the calf length.

  Wear them year round.  If I'm walking alot I wear a thin pair of regular socks under them.

[EquipmentJunkie]

Red Wing Heritage Iron Rangers are a great boot for the money.

Whites are heavy but comfortable…and pricey. Built like a 56-series IH. I doubt I will wear mine out.

Wesco Boots are extremely comfortable but are even pricier than Whites. Mine were custom made which took a year!

I have a safety toe Danner boot which is pretty decent.

I switched to wool socks exclusively over 25 years ago. I see zero downside other than up front cost but literally have some pairs in regular rotation that are 15+ years old! Orvis and Darn Tough are my favorite brands.

[vtfireman85]

40 minutes ago, EquipmentJunkie said:

Red Wing Heritage Iron Rangers are a great boot for the money.

Whites are heavy but comfortable…and pricey. Built like a 56-series IH. I doubt I will wear mine out.

Wesco Boots are extremely comfortable but are even pricier than Whites. Mine were custom made which took a year!

I have a safety toe Danner boot which is pretty decent.

I switched to wool socks exclusively over 25 years ago. I see zero downside other than up front cost but literally have some pairs in regular rotation that are 15+ years old! Orvis and Darn Tough are my favorite brands.

Darn tough is all I wear, made right here in VT. 

[TroyDairy]

Socks.. WigWam.  Smoker recommended them years ago.  Crazy..so comfy and not hot not cool last a long time in barn boots.  Iirc teens $ per pair.

Boots  Delaval barn boots

Danner Rocky work boots.  With superFeet insole.  Everyday in summer part day in winter.  Oil 2x a year and last very well.  Not heavy, supportive.  Prob 400 now but only get the made in US models.

[acem]

My wool socks don't last as long as they should.  I take my boots off in the house and go sock footed.  Wears them out...

[mader656]

I have a pair of nicks boots from spokane the last whites rebiuld was trash they have gone down hill fast. Any boot that's comfortable out of the box wont last. The hard leather sole seems like it would be aweful.... but once it molds to your foot its the most comfortable boot.

[cedar farm]

23 hours ago, FarmerFixEmUp said:

It's time for some new work boots. This pair of Georgie Boots my son gave me are really cracking the soles. Had them for maybe 3 years or more. I like the 8 to 9 inch tall ones for better ankle support.  Like the Red Wings but they take forever to break in for me. 

I went to the good Feet store a few years ago and had a bad experience with that. Made things much worse. 

Seems llike I have had foot pain issues  for quite some time. 

A 3-4 months ago my chiropractor said I should look into custom inserts to correct my walk and help my back. Spent the money on those custom made inserts. Within a few weeks my ankles hurt and still do. I quit using them last week hoping things get better. The idea was ok, but you can't fix old feet without messing up something else. A wore Redwing boots for nearly 40 years. They used to last 4-5 years. The last two pairs didn't make two years. That was nearly 150.00 per year. Bought a 60.00 pair of Herman Survivor boots from Walmart last week. See how they last.

[FarmerFixEmUp]

This morning I put on the old Red Wngs I kept around for spares when I got the Georgia Boots. Just for curiosity sake. At first they felt much better, but after 6 hours it felt like everything fron my ankles  to my knees  had been smacked by a hammer. They went to the dumpster for good now. 

[rrr4quality]

I’ve posted these pictures on here long ago. Still my go to work boot. I have a few pair to send in and get refurbished but haven’t taken the time. 

[Board Shortener Tom]

21 hours ago, Chester5732 said:

That’s what I used to wear until they quit making a 12B. I have an awful time finding narrow boots. 

Same here! I've been buying women's hiking boots in order to find anything that is narrow enough.  Teva makes some comfy ones but there isn't much leather and I wouldn't call the ones I buy "work boots." Let the comments on my choice of attire roll in now.....😂

[Board Shortener Tom]

9 hours ago, vtfireman85 said:

I never got more than 9 months out of Merrill, super comfortable until one day, had it over multiple pairs, one day they give up with no warning. 

Same.

[New Englander]

7 hours ago, vtfireman85 said:

Darn tough is all I wear, made right here in VT. 

My wife turned me on to them. I used to wear Smart Wool but Darn Tough are way better.

[New Englander]

10 hours ago, vtfireman85 said:

I never got more than 9 months out of Merrill, super comfortable until one day, had it over multiple pairs, one day they give up with no warning. 

I beat the crap out of them and the Gortex sometimes gives up before they wear out. I change the insole to PowerStep Protech full length orthotics which completely eliminated my plantar fasciitis. They last the as long as the soles.  Merrill boots and hiking shoes are amazingly comfortable right out of the box and always run true to size. 

[Rawleigh99]

9 hours ago, vtfireman85 said:

Darn tough is all I wear, made right here in VT. 

I went to these about 10 years ago and wear them year-round. I don't wear any other socks. After I went away from cotton socks my feet no longer smell and I no longer get athlete's foot. They're comfortable and they wear great no matter what the season. I do not find them hot in the summertime either.  They're made out of Merino wool and have a lifetime guarantee.

[acem]

If you go to Juarez Mexico you can get boots  hand made to fit your feet.  They actually make patterns from your feet.

I've never had any made when I was there but dad did.  He said they were the best fitting boots he ever had.  Very good materials.  Lasted a very long time.  I think his were Aligator?  He also had a couple pair of dress shoes made at the same shop.  He wore those shoes forever.  

Kinda pricey to me but probably no more than some of y'all are paying for boots???

 

[Sask466]

3 hours ago, Rawleigh99 said:

I went to these about 10 years ago and wear them year-round. I don't wear any other socks. After I went away from cotton socks my feet no longer smell and I no longer get athlete's foot. They're comfortable and they wear great no matter what the season. I do not find them hot in the summertime either.  They're made out of Merino wool and have a lifetime guarantee.

Their warranty is also actually legitimate- there is a local shop that will take your old pair back no questions asked.  But I haven’t wrecked a pair yet.   He says he gets very few back and usually it because of a nail poking through the bottom of a boot or something line that.  
 

Cabelas/Bass Pro sell a line called “Red Head” with a duck on the label.  They are about 1/2 the price of Darn Tough but no warranty.  Good value for a decent wool sock.

[EquipmentJunkie]

15 hours ago, vtfireman85 said:

Darn tough is all I wear, made right here in VT. 

Does Darn Tough have an outlet store with seconds or discontinued styles? 

I have tried looking a bit but only got a vague reference to a sale they may have once or twice per year.

[cedar farm]

21 hours ago, lotsaIHCs said:

I used to buy a new pair of Red Wing 1124 slip ons every other year. Then they quit making them. So I switched to 1105 slip ons. They seemed to take longer to break in even though they are supposed to be the same boots as the 1124, just in a different leather. I've had the last pair I bought for 3 or 4 years now because they have been out of stock in my size for at least 2 years so I'm assuming they aren't going to get them anymore. I used to get Georgia boots but for some reason my feet would stink to high heaven when I wore them. They quit stinking the day I switched to Red Wing. Don't know why. I had Justins once but they had a yellow insert on the sole that would get hard and slippery in cold weather. I had a pair of Dan Post but they were way too heavy. 

I have always wore the 1105. Been getting a song and dance from Redwing when I call them to find out when they going to be made. At first it was the lingering affects of covid. Then it was a shortage of workers. A month ago the response was the tariffs. I gave up on them. I also need to remember they are located in Walz/Minnesota

[vtfireman85]

6 hours ago, EquipmentJunkie said:

Does Darn Tough have an outlet store with seconds or discontinued styles? 

I have tried looking a bit but only got a vague reference to a sale they may have once or twice per year.

I think they do, if you sign up for their emails they will notify you of sales they're up north a couple hours and I have never been to their store. The local store here carries them, and there’s a place that sells tons of discounted name brand stuff nearby that has good deals on them, so I haven’t really looked into it. When I see something I will give you a shout. 

[FarmerFixEmUp]

On 5/15/2026 at 1:31 PM, 48 farmall M said:

I have a pair of brunt work boots, they are comfy and hold up quite well

We went up to Scheel's and they suggested these. Cost about the same as Red Wings 5 years ago. Took some home and I'll give them a try.

I just wanted to go somewhere to get a salesman's advice, not just grab some off the shelf and then hate them later on. 

 

https://www.scheels.com/p/84034431069/?store=&cq_src=google_ads&cq_cmp=22596511624&cq_con=196009728898&cq_term=&cq_med=pla&cq_plac=&cq_net=g&cq_pos=&cq_plt=gp&gad_source=1&gad_campaignid=22596511624&gclid=EAIaIQobChMIipe7hIvTlAMVnkT_AR073ADiEAQYAyABEgIYKfD_BwE