My older redwings, US made, were excellent but the Chinese model didn’t last. Chippewa did well for Chinese but my White’s are my favorite but they’re more expensive.
The only boot company that makes sense for me personally is Jim Green. I agree with your premise about trainers. I’ve found myself wearing them more often these days. One caveat is the price may have gone up since I bought my Jim Greens initially but if you need something cheap and cheerful, made with similar standards to whites, Jim Green is smashing it.
The intended use matters for sure! It definitely depends on what I’m doing whether or not I wear my Nick’s Builder Pro boots… For felling and bucking and clearing brush they are on my feet. For working “inside” framing, rocking, taping, trimming, painting, wiring, plumbing, or working in my shop I’m in sneakers-flexibility matters for those tasks whereas support and traction matter in the woods. I’ve also got Nick’s Ridgeline hiking boots and they were a game changer for me. I had both pair of Nick’s boots made to fit my measurements and I no longer have crippling foot pain from my toes being mashed on steep downhills. The 7-8 oz leather combined with the fine fit keeps my feet from sliding forward in the boots. No more hot spots or blisters either. This compared to my old boots (myriad brands and price points). I’ve also got a pair of White’s Outdoorman 10” boots that are good for woods walking in damp conditions. The Whites were off the shelf boots and the fit isn’t as good… not as comfortable. Wouldn’t buy off the shelf high end boots again!
For me, boots makes sense when running the saw to keep those chips out of your shoes. You’ve got a few thousand dollars worth of boots there. They definitely make nice boots. Just too expensive for this guy.
@@KevinsDisobedience It seems like a lot of money but like tools and hobbies you don’t buy everything at once… 😉 I would have spent that much on boots and replacement boots over time anyway. This as I was going through at least a pair of $200-$400 boots a year between working in them and upland bird hunting. The typical hiking boot lasted me one to two years. The Nicks and Whites will last me 10+ years with resoles and rebuilds. None of the others were worth resoling as the uppers came apart. Given all that I figure my out of pocket is a wash and I get enjoy reliable comfortable boots.
I bought two pairs of White's Smoke Jumpers in 1984 and both are still going strong today. They have been resoled or rebuilt 7 or 8 times and will probably be rebuilt once more. You will never get that much from Red Wings. I always buy two pairs when buying shoes so I won't have to wear them 2 days in a row. That extra day to thoroughly dry increases their life by 50% which cuts costs over time.
I started my electrician apprenticeship back in the 80's. Always had to have Boots for the ditches, Boots for the rebar and ridged conduit, and tennis shoes for the finish work. :-D I've had Red Wings and all sorts of other boot brands. Lots of light "hikers" and tennis shoes from those eras too. They all retired eventually for one reason or another. They're like jeans, they wear out. If your going to be on hard smooth surfaces, you need something with some cushion for your feet and joints. I currently have a pair of old Cabela's lace up boots my newphew out grew, and a pair of Ariat slip on's that I love!
Thanks for your honest thoughts. You just helped me saving my $. I was lusting over a pair from White's recently but i realize I will be keep coming back to wear my Vans slip on as always has been no matter how nice/comfortable my other boots are.
Glad I could help. Their nice boots, but unless you need to wear boots wear the shoes, and if you need boots often, these are too expensive for daily use
I had a pair of boots one time for three years. Kept them oiled and had heels done and one pair of soles. Think hh. Changed jobs and now I'm on my knees more i wear out toes before anything. I've wondered why the steel caps aren't on the outside.... I take a 13.5-14 AA. I hate paying for boots that don't fit well.
Yeah, working concrete you’re on your knees a lot dragging your toes. There are some boots that add a hard rubber cap on the outside of steel toes, but I found that they got hung up tying rebar.
I do work in the timber industry and anything but the pnw made caulks won't last long. Red wing doesn't make caulks. As far as the getting the price point down whites has the perry for around 350$ franks makes the patriots for 350$ jk has the 300 Drew's has a 350$ boot they have made in Mexico, nicks is the only one that hasn't released a "budget" model boot.
Depends. A boot boot can have its advantages over an athletic shoe
My older redwings, US made, were excellent but the Chinese model didn’t last. Chippewa did well for Chinese but my White’s are my favorite but they’re more expensive.
Theyre not gonna bring the price down, theyll make money for the same reason Snap on makes money.
The only boot company that makes sense for me personally is Jim Green. I agree with your premise about trainers. I’ve found myself wearing them more often these days. One caveat is the price may have gone up since I bought my Jim Greens initially but if you need something cheap and cheerful, made with similar standards to whites, Jim Green is smashing it.
Those are the South African made ones that SkillCult recommends?
@@KevinsDisobedience yessir!
Thanks for the thorough follow-up video Kevin. Your comments were spot on IMO.
To each their own, but this is my two cents.
The intended use matters for sure!
It definitely depends on what I’m doing whether or not I wear my Nick’s Builder Pro boots… For felling and bucking and clearing brush they are on my feet. For working “inside” framing, rocking, taping, trimming, painting, wiring, plumbing, or working in my shop I’m in sneakers-flexibility matters for those tasks whereas support and traction matter in the woods. I’ve also got Nick’s Ridgeline hiking boots and they were a game changer for me. I had both pair of Nick’s boots made to fit my measurements and I no longer have crippling foot pain from my toes being mashed on steep downhills. The 7-8 oz leather combined with the fine fit keeps my feet from sliding forward in the boots. No more hot spots or blisters either. This compared to my old boots (myriad brands and price points). I’ve also got a pair of White’s Outdoorman 10” boots that are good for woods walking in damp conditions. The Whites were off the shelf boots and the fit isn’t as good… not as comfortable. Wouldn’t buy off the shelf high end boots again!
For me, boots makes sense when running the saw to keep those chips out of your shoes. You’ve got a few thousand dollars worth of boots there. They definitely make nice boots. Just too expensive for this guy.
@@KevinsDisobedience It seems like a lot of money but like tools and hobbies you don’t buy everything at once… 😉
I would have spent that much on boots and replacement boots over time anyway. This as I was going through at least a pair of $200-$400 boots a year between working in them and upland bird hunting. The typical hiking boot lasted me one to two years. The Nicks and Whites will last me 10+ years with resoles and rebuilds. None of the others were worth resoling as the uppers came apart. Given all that I figure my out of pocket is a wash and I get enjoy reliable comfortable boots.
I bought two pairs of White's Smoke Jumpers in 1984 and both are still going strong today. They have been resoled or rebuilt 7 or 8 times and will probably be rebuilt once more. You will never get that much from Red Wings. I always buy two pairs when buying shoes so I won't have to wear them 2 days in a row. That extra day to thoroughly dry increases their life by 50% which cuts costs over time.
I started my electrician apprenticeship back in the 80's. Always had to have Boots for the ditches, Boots for the rebar and ridged conduit, and tennis shoes for the finish work. :-D I've had Red Wings and all sorts of other boot brands. Lots of light "hikers" and tennis shoes from those eras too. They all retired eventually for one reason or another. They're like jeans, they wear out. If your going to be on hard smooth surfaces, you need something with some cushion for your feet and joints.
I currently have a pair of old Cabela's lace up boots my newphew out grew, and a pair of Ariat slip on's that I love!
Thanks, if boots are required, well, then find the best pair for you, but if not required I’m wearing trainers 90% of the time.
Thanks for your honest thoughts. You just helped me saving my $. I was lusting over a pair from White's recently but i realize I will be keep coming back to wear my Vans slip on as always has been no matter how nice/comfortable my other boots are.
Glad I could help. Their nice boots, but unless you need to wear boots wear the shoes, and if you need boots often, these are too expensive for daily use
As I have aged I find it increasingly important to wear good supportive footwear when I’m on my feet. My work boots are Nicks.
It's great to support local but if it's twice the price for the same amount of wear, that's a bit iffy. Those White's do look nice though!
At twice the price these might be worth it. Try nearly three times as much!
I had a pair of boots one time for three years. Kept them oiled and had heels done and one pair of soles. Think hh. Changed jobs and now I'm on my knees more i wear out toes before anything. I've wondered why the steel caps aren't on the outside.... I take a 13.5-14 AA. I hate paying for boots that don't fit well.
Yeah, working concrete you’re on your knees a lot dragging your toes. There are some boots that add a hard rubber cap on the outside of steel toes, but I found that they got hung up tying rebar.
I do work in the timber industry and anything but the pnw made caulks won't last long. Red wing doesn't make caulks. As far as the getting the price point down whites has the perry for around 350$ franks makes the patriots for 350$ jk has the 300 Drew's has a 350$ boot they have made in Mexico, nicks is the only one that hasn't released a "budget" model boot.
I hope they come down some then. These run like 5-600! I got them for $350.
No way I am going to spend $800 cdn on a pair of boots. Especially when a pair of light trainers are more practical at a fraction of the cost.
My point exactly
No
Yes
Red wing is budget now? Lol
Well, budget compared to these lol
@@KevinsDisobedience lol
👋🏻
First! I'll be back!