[thepontiacman]

Looks like Wolverine is going to replace my boots after submitting pics and info.

I was sure I was not alone having problems with work boots.

Thanks for all the good info shared in this thread. Hope it helps others.

[grandville455]

I wore durashocks for years, switched to Skechers and love them , hiking boot style

[Formula496]

I used to wear the Wolverine durashock W03123 boots. But like everything else they started making them in China and the quality went to crap. The last pair fell apart on the inside near the heel and kept putting holes in my socks. I'm wearing these now Carhartt #CMZ6040 which are made in USA of imported materials. Seem to pretty good quality but not as comfortable as the Wolverines were.

[Baron Von Zeppelin]

Might sound like a gimmick - but the John Deere line of boots are the best I have ever had for out of the box comfort .
Dan Post makes them for John Deere.
And around $100+ pair online if you shop around.

JD-8283 = 8" waterproof
Had these for 9 Years now.
Unbelievable.
2-3 years is usually a long time for boots to last for me.
Heavy Duty as Hell , but not as heavy in weight as any other 8" boots i have had before.
They have been through hell and still clean up real decent.
Mink Oil every couple/few months.
This will probably be their last year - soles finally wearing out.




JD-6504 = 6" waterproof
These were real lightweight and felt like running/walking shoes in comfort.
They still lasted 3 years of hard use.
Soles began splitting and coming apart from all the squatting i do working on cars.
They look and feel more like casual attire footwear.
Good enough for "going out". If they weren't dirty work boots.



Both styles available in Steel Toe.
And both in different heights.

They have a lot of other styles / heights also.

[Fullsize455]

How often do you wear those nine year old boots? I wouldn't mind paying real money for a set of boots that really last like that. I won't pay it for crap that only lasts a year.

[Baron Von Zeppelin]

The 8" JD's - Wear them every work day - except in summer months usually try to wear something shorter more like hiking boots or sometimes thick soled tennis shoes.
Use them sparingly in summer months as needed.

The shorter 6" JD's were my spring/summer work boots until the last pair died.
I need to re-up on those .

The lighter type boots with glued rubber soles usually only get one season out of them before they break apart from all the squatting. The 6" JD's went 3 years.

I don't like spending $40-55 on walmart type boots that only last one season and are never very comfortable, just adequate. I think anyone would be very pleased with whatever JohnDeere boot they picked out for their needs. They make a lot of styles all the way up to lumberjack boots.

They aren't over-priced , and are extremely well made.

[MUSLCAH]

Originally Posted by Fullsize455

How often do you wear those nine year old boots? I wouldn't mind paying real money for a set of boots that really last like that. I won't pay it for crap that only lasts a year.

Guys that weigh 115 pounds might get more mileage out of their boots than us 6’2” 255 guys....just saying

[Baron Von Zeppelin]

I'm only 5'-8" @ 145 @ 54years
But always been tough on workwear and wear stuff out faster than normal.
Especially shoes and socks.

I tried Carhartt, Redwing, Georgia, and even Harley brand boots for work use before.
None of those were comfortable enough to wear all day without severe fatigue.
But paid the money - so wore them anyway.

I had foot and back problems in the past from being on concrete all day long.
They wanted to do surgeries and I almost let them.

These John Deere boots have been incredible for me.
They even felt right strait out of the box on Day 1.

I do swear by Carhartt pants and jackets .
Their boots were not for me.

Keep trying different boots until you find the very best for you.
It makes so much difference at the end of the day.

Being built to last is not the main thing , but it's nice when they can last a long time.
Comfort and support is King all the way.

[thepontiacman]

Finally got my replacement boots that they sent me on Saturday. Hope I don't have same problem with these.

I am still looking at other boots to see what to buy in the future.

Thanks to everyone who provided info . Hope it helps others too.

[MUSLCAH]

Quality Boots have gone up in price...just like everything else... When’s the last time you bought tires for your truck....talk about stickah shock.

[Half-Inch Stud]

Originally Posted by Half-Inch Stud

Footwear is a BIG DEAL.

Wellco, Merril, Redwing..i got to look into those because they sound good.

I like Iron Age. Great support.

I cannot stand for a long time. Yet i can walk around or "be up" and moving for a good long time.

I respond to a lot of heel, to be able to stand.


Low heel is a death march.

Looks like Wellco has been "Made in China" since 2008 with "Made in USA" labels.

[thepontiacman]

Well the replacement Wolverines are coming apart on the bottom just like the other ones. I have been getting by wearing them the last couple months but now its time to replace.

I figured this would happen again. Comfortable but poor quality. Too bad they can't make them to last. Boot strings also poor quality as they unravel in the middle of the string.

Old versions of this boot used to last a long time.

Going to try another brand.

[Baron Von Zeppelin]

WoW - a whole year !

My JD's are 10.5 years old now
Still Going.

Did have $40 worth of sole/heel work done on them earlier this year, though.
Boot-Smith/repairman said maybe another 100,000 miles left in them ... idunno.

incredible is all i can say
EVEN the original strings are still holding up
Definitely been worthy of the JD name in every respect.

[Sledder_duner]

I wear these asolo all leather hiking boots with the super feet insoles that REI sells. They are waterproof with a goretex lining. I am a heavy plate fabricator and stand on my feet all day walking on grinder shavings and weld slag and keep them on 18+ hours a day. Not concerned with steel toes because they ain't gonna help with the weldments im building at 20,000 lbs. I have only worn out one pair after 3+ years just because the heel was wearing at an angle.

[TAKerry]

Originally Posted by Baron Von Zeppelin

WoW - a whole year !

My JD's are 10.5 years old now
Still Going.

Did have $40 worth of sole/heel work done on them earlier this year, though.
Boot-Smith/repairman said maybe another 100,000 miles left in them ... idunno.

incredible is all i can say
EVEN the original strings are still holding up
Definitely been worthy of the JD name in every respect.

Dare I ask what kind of work you do? I work construction and if I get 1 year out of a pair of boots that is amazing! I have them on at least 10hrs a day 5 days a week every week. The tops wear out extremely fast on the steel toes from the occasional work on all 4's. Go through at least one pair of laces as well. I get them from 'workboots .com' not sure what brand I have now without looking, but they have been pretty good. I used to buy $200 redwings, and would take them to the cobbler for repairs. I would get a couple of years out of them but they were probably the most uncomfortable boots out there.

[indymanjoe]

I got a pair of Keens a year ago. Steel toe as required by employer. I love these boots. I wear them all day even at home because they are so comfortable. Merrils are what i used to wear. 195lbs 5ft 10 here. No more knee or back issues since i got these. fwiw

[locomotivebreath]

Try thorogood , they are made in USA - they do have a budget line that is off shore . Check them out at the Union boot pro website . They’re soft street soles are excellent on concrete .

[brut4s]

I agree on the KEENS very comfortable. I wear out boots pretty fast ( 6-4 290 lbs ) I've tried a lot of boots went thru most of the major players these so far are the best. 12 hr shifts on a steel deck with anti skid petroleum barge

[74gto]

Not to hijack this thread, but I am also looking at work sneakers. I used to wear out boots really bad on the outsides because i had bad hips. I have since had them replaced. I have bad arthritis in my lower back which prevents me from bending all the way over. Has anyone used or seen a slip on work sneaker like the Holdredge or equivilant?

[Baron Von Zeppelin]

Originally Posted by TAKerry

Dare I ask what kind of work you do?

Work on cars, mostly mechanical now - still some paint & body too.
Lots of bending squatting kneeling crawling
Concrete/asphalt surfaces 95%
I can't get by with steel toes, too restrictive on the bends and can feel them on top of my foot during bends.

I also wear them to do yard work, etc...
Anything that isn't leisure - i have the JD's on.
They were probably worth at least $500 in retrospect, after all this time.
{paid about $100 for them - retail was around $170}

Very disappointed they are no longer available - but its been 10+ years now.
Still "some" NOS JD boots available on eBay, but not exact same model as mine.
The JD8285 model is very very close in design / features.
And a few sellers on eBay still have a selection of them.
Probably order a pair Monday -- for $107

The "Dan Post/John Deere" joint venture has ended.
Get'm while you can.

For steel-toe wearers , there are more selections still available in NOS JD Boots on eBay.

Best wearing and longest lasting boots I have ever owned.
I'm 55.5 years young - worn a lotta boots
And the price was RIGHT