Work Boots (and why I chose Danner)

[Nordie]

So a week ago I ordered 2 pairs of the Danner Bull Run Moc toes. I've had a pair before and loved them. The leather has held up like no other type of boot I have ever owned. These boots are about 18 months old on the bottom of the photo. Anyone that knows my industry knows that boots do not last.

Going back a little I ordered 2 pairs and only one pair showed up today. I was a little concerned so I called Danner. Someone that actually works at the facility answered the phone, and confirmed my second pair will be showing up tomorrow.

When I ordered the boots they were on backorder, so I suspect they're shipping them out as they're getting stitched up.

 

[rivrrts429]

90% of my guys wear Danners and love them. We give them $150 towards a pair once a year so it’s a good deal for them.

 

[NicPaus]

Where did you order them?

 

[Nordie]

Where did you order them?

Directly from Danner

 

[NicPaus]

Directly from Danner

Have to try a pair if they make my size.

 

[Joker]

The union guys got me wearing Thorogoods and they hold up great for what we do.

 

[Nordie]

The union guys got me wearing Thorogoods and they hold up great for what we do.

Tried a pair of Thorogood between Danners, went back to Danners. A lot of the guys I work with wear Thorogood though

 

[thetub]

Tried a pair of Thorogood between Danners, went back to Danners. A lot of the guys I work with wear Thorogood though

Just bought a pair of Thorogoods at BootBarn
Love them. Let's see how they hold up
Best thing is made in USA.

 

[sintax]

Danners are solid for sure, I dont work in mine like you do, but I still live in boots. My goto has been Redwing 8146's, but i've been tempted to try a set of Nicks boots. They are out of Seattle and do more of a custom fit. I have pretty narrow feet and really end up having to size down on the Redwings to get them to fit right.

 

[cakemoto]

Just bought a pair of Thorogoods at BootBarn
Love them. Let's see how they hold up
Best thing is made in USA.

I got them 6 months ago love them... came from George’s

 

[Flying_Lavey]

I'm gonna need to get a new pair here soon. I'm on my second pair of Doc Martin slip on work boots that I really love, but I'm not crazy about how the sole wears and breaks. I've been leaning towards a pair of redwings since there is a store nearby but I'm not totally sold on them yet

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[Nordie]

I'm gonna need to get a new pair here soon. I'm on my second pair of Doc Martin slip on work boots that I really love, but I'm not crazy about how the sole wears and breaks. I've been leaning towards a pair of redwings since there is a store nearby but I'm not totally sold on them yet

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I would strongly recommend the Danners or even Thorogoods, I will say the soles do wear a little quicker on the Danners, but they're a lot more comfortable. One thing I know is I want my feet comfortable, because when your feet are not comfortable your whole body suffers.

 

[thetub]

I'm gonna need to get a new pair here soon. I'm on my second pair of Doc Martin slip on work boots that I really love, but I'm not crazy about how the sole wears and breaks. I've been leaning towards a pair of redwings since there is a store nearby but I'm not totally sold on them yet

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Bought a pair of Redwings probably 20 years ago still have them
Was looking at getting a new pair but noticed only 2 styles were made in the USA.
Disappointed about that

 

[Nordie]

Bought a pair of Redwings probably 20 years ago still have them
Was looking at getting a new pair but noticed only 2 styles were made in the USA.
Disappointed about that

Thorogoods are 100% USA and Danner is assembled in USA with foreign blah blah blah.

 

[Flying_Lavey]

I would strongly recommend the Danners or even Thorogoods, I will say the soles do wear a little quicker on the Danners, but they're a lot more comfortable. One thing I know is I want my feet comfortable, because when your feet are not comfortable your whole body suffers.

Bought a pair of Redwings probably 20 years ago still have them
Was looking at getting a new pair but noticed only 2 styles were made in the USA.
Disappointed about that

I'll have to head to Boot Barn and try some different ones on. I really don't want to order boots online since different brands and styles fit my foot very differently.

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[Nordie]

I'll have to head to Boot Barn and try some different ones on. I really don't want to order boots online since different brands and styles fit my foot very differently.

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Always a good idea to try them on...I know my size and yes Danner is 11.5 while Thorogoods are 11. The one thing I always know is I need the widest they can make them.

 

[Nordie]

Danners are solid for sure, I dont work in mine like you do, but I still live in boots. My goto has been Redwing 8146's, but i've been tempted to try a set of Nicks boots. They are out of Seattle and do more of a custom fit. I have pretty narrow feet and really end up having to size down on the Redwings to get them to fit right.

Is it Nick's Boots where you trace your feet and send it into them and then they make your boots and send them back?

 

[Joker]

Always a good idea to try them on...I know my size and yes Danner is 11.5 while Thorogoods are 11. The one thing I always know is I need the widest they can make them.

Agreed, double E work perfect on my end

 

[franky]

Bought a pair of Redwings probably 20 years ago still have them
Was looking at getting a new pair but noticed only 2 styles were made in the USA.
Disappointed about that

Red Wings back in the day. No lug sole. Get 1/2 size too big and put Dr. Scholes in them. 10 yr shoes

 

[LowRiver2]

Danner Acadia: the LAPD Patrol standard for decades.
I have 4 re soles on one pair I’ve had 22 years, second sole on my other pair which are 12 years old.
I wear Salomen in the Squad as they are much lighter and more flexible for what I do now.
I want to tour the factory in retirement if it’s still in the US , and I can carry in Portland lol.

 

[viperized_jr]

Danner all the way. I've tried them all especially being union. This is my first pair and I am extremely impressed. Of course you have to run the colors.

 

[Firemanjoe]

Danner and redwing both make a great boot for sure. I’ve never tried the thorogood but have heard good things. I would offer another option that no one is talking about. White’s boots have been around for ever and are 100% made in US. I have a pair of whites firefighter boots that have been amazing for the last 12 seasons. White’s makes a boot that would fit in with what you guys are wearing and if they are anything like the other boots they make, they will put Danner and thorogood to shame.

 

[thetub]

Danner and redwing both make a great boot for sure. I’ve never tried the thorogood but have heard good things. I would offer another option that no one is talking about. White’s boots have been around for ever and are 100% made in US. I have a pair of whites firefighter boots that have been amazing for the last 12 seasons. White’s makes a boot that would fit in with what you guys are wearing and if they are anything like the other boots they make, they will put Danner and thorogood to shame.
View attachment 929773

man those are nice...

 

[monkeyswrench]

Been a Red Wing wearer for 10-12 years now, but they discontinued mine. Bought the last pair in the states in my size...but going to need replacements in 6 months or so. I have never even heard of Danners, but heard good about Whites from forestry guys. Need to start looking into who has the best steel toe options.

 

[buck35]

Been a Red Wing wearer for 10-12 years now, but they discontinued mine. Bought the last pair in the states in my size...but going to need replacements in 6 months or so. I have never even heard of Danners, but heard good about Whites from forestry guys. Need to start looking into who has the best steel toe options.

You can't go wrong with either. I've had manny danners and no break in . Whites need a break in ,but wear like iron.

 

[NicPaus]

Just ordered a pair or steel toe weatherproof work boots $175 after tax. Try them out. Going to look up those White brand and see. Been on my feet 12 hours a day and my Cat boots have been not so comfy and only lasting a year.

 

[WhatExit?]

I wish Danner made flip flops

 

[monkeyswrench]

You can't go wrong with either. I've had manny danners and no break in . Whites need a break in ,but wear like iron.

At this point I think I'd lean towards Danner, as price wise they are comparable to Red Wings. White's may be great, but 400+ for something I am going to destroy with anything from paint to oil to fire...I can't justify it. I have basically worn my boots from 6am to 12 or 1am for a decade. Only days boots rest are when I'm at the river.

 

[t&y]

Danner does make a good product. But they are fucking heavy when you have to run in them. I have Danners for dress, but wear Thorogoods for the daily grind.

 

[dspracing]

I wish Danner made flip flops

Right? I'm thinking boots are cool and all but rainbows are my work boots of choice.

 

[monkeyswrench]

Danner does make a good product. But they are fucking heavy when you have to run in them. I have Danners for dress, but wear Thorogoods for the daily grind.

Luckily, I don't have to worry about running, or dressing up

 

[skiracr]

I love my new danners. I've gone through a lot of boots over the years and the danner wildland boot fit my foot the best and the most comfortable.

 

[Flyinbowtie]

I wore Danners Acadias on duty for all of the 19ish years I was in uniform. I think I went through 3 pair. We had a Rep that would come up to the office once a year and use that old school measuring tool and fit guys for boots and take our orders right then and there. Had to break them in a bit but they were the best. I still have two pair, one that I kept spit shined for uniform work and another for task force operations.
You can't beat them.
I just went and looked at them. Haven't had them on in years.
Wife asked me what the hell I was doing, LOL. She says I had 3 pair. I think she is right, I know the first pair were ruined by chemicals...(crank lab dump site, boss told me to buy new ones and give the bean counter the bill, so I did)

 

[buck35]

At this point I think I'd lean towards Danner, as price wise they are comparable to Red Wings. White's may be great, but 400+ for something I am going to destroy with anything from paint to oil to fire...I can't justify it. I have basically worn my boots from 6am to 12 or 1am for a decade. Only days boots rest are when I'm at the river.

With whites ,you send them in and they rebuild. Look brand new when they come back.
Many of my ex co-workers would claim fit issues and get a prescription for the white's .if the tread was worn or leather going they got sent off and came back looking brand new.

 

[Firemanjoe]

I love my new danners. I've gone through a lot of boots over the years and the danner wildland boot fit my foot the best and the most comfortable. View attachment 929805

A ton of guys at work have gotten these recently and like them, I’m a whites guy and I’m considering the Kenetreks. They are similar to the danners but have slight heel like the white’s

 

[Rajobigguy]

Bought a pair of Redwings probably 20 years ago still have them
Was looking at getting a new pair but noticed only 2 styles were made in the USA.
Disappointed about that

I was a Red Wing guy for most of my life and always kept a couple of spares in the closest but having two pairs now that the soles melted on just sitting in the closest has really soured me on the brand.

 

[Cray Paper]

Great timing with this thread. Danners were the go to boot in the mid 90's, heavy boot but water proof. People abused the warranty and they shipped production off shore, then they quit honoring the water proof warranty. I put them to to test as a union carpenter, and I blame a couple of my knee surgeries on them. They are frigqing heavy and that should influence a purchase for what you wear when making a living on your feet for 8-12 hours a day.

I was explaining to my wife tonight why I paid 200.00 dollars yesterday for the Red Wing work boots I bought yesterday. Women think 100.00 is exorbitated for shoes, I tried to explaine to her that there is nothing when your health matters. I think I opened Pandora's box.....But I am OK with that, boots matter and are worth spending money on.

 

[SoCalDave]

@wash11 to the boot courtesy phone please. He had an amazing story about his final boot find.

 

[monkeyswrench]

@wash11 to the boot courtesy phone please. He had an amazing story about his final boot find.

I believe he went with the White's several years back and posted he was happy with them still.

Great timing with this thread. Danners were the go to boot in the mid 90's, heavy boot but water proof. People abused the warranty and they shipped production off shore, then they quit honoring the water proof warranty. I put them to to test as a union carpenter, and I blame a couple of my knee surgeries on them. They are frigqing heavy and that should influence a purchase for what you wear when making a living on your feet for 8-12 hours a day.

I was explaining to my wife tonight why I paid 200.00 dollars yesterday for the Red Wing work boots I bought yesterday. Women think 100.00 is exorbitated for shoes, I tried to explaine to her that there is nothing when your health matters. I think I opened Pandora's box.....But I am OK with that, boots matter and are worth spending money on.

With the hours on the feet, I figure it's worth spending some money. The weight of work boots hasn't been an issue yet. When I switched to Red Wings, I was roofing, so ladders and walking on roofs. Any of the wildland fire boots are more job specific, like linesman boots. I usually wear an 8 or 9" boot, but on any given day can go from running the tig pedal to driving some old obscure manual transmission. I need multi-purpose shit kickers

 

[DoughBallin14]

Well i guess there is always that one guy that doesnt have good luck!! Ill be that guy.
i couldnt ever get thoros or red wings to jive with my chunky flat feet. Tried a few different ones over the years. But my trusty stompers all through commercial framing/drywall, hardscape constuction days and exterior business signage days till now in the Medical facilities inspection/construction. Always 55 to 70 hour work weeks. They do wear down and i just replace them every 2 -3 years for the price. I have them is lace ups and slip ons.

https://www.wolverine.com/US/en/i-90-durashocks-waterproof-insulated-6-inch-work-boot/18139M.html

 

[SpeedyWho]

Danner is from Portland, I'd rather buy Chinese Redwings than support that toilet of a city.

Thorogoods are all I wear now. They're American not just assembled here.

 

[wash11]

@wash11 to the boot courtesy phone please. He had an amazing story about his final boot find.

The take away here is to spend the time and money on a custom fit boot. I know there are a few choices out there, Whites is what I landed on and they'll bury me in them. I spent most of my life buying boots off the rack and was plenty happy but once I had boots made just for my feet I felt like the earth shifted a bit. Tired legs and a sore lower back are distant memories now. It's more dramatic than sleeping on a crappy mattress forever then spending the dough on the right one.

 

[LowRiver2]

Danner does make a good product. But they are fucking heavy when you have to run in them. I have Danners for dress, but wear Thorogoods for the daily grind.

Adrenilene made me forget about weight lol. I never liked the shine of Thorogoods compared to Danners for inspections.
That said, I’m glad I’ve been sporting lighter boots and web gear Sam Brownes the last decade (or I should say my back is glad , ha ha .

 

[WildWilly]

Have to try a pair if they make my size.

not sure of your size but I'm a 14 wide and Danner is one of the few I can get and love them.

 

[monkeyswrench]

Danner is from Portland, I'd rather buy Chinese Redwings than support that toilet of a city.

Thorogoods are all I wear now. They're American not just assembled here.

The company didn't ruin the city though...
I still support businesses my friends own in LA and Orange Counties. Not a lot of manfacturing or such from Right wing areas.

 

[25Elmn8r]

Danners are solid for sure, I dont work in mine like you do, but I still live in boots. My goto has been Redwing 8146's, but i've been tempted to try a set of Nicks boots. They are out of Seattle and do more of a custom fit. I have pretty narrow feet and really end up having to size down on the Redwings to get them to fit right.

Nicks Boots is in Spokane Valley, WA. My son went "over there" (a whole 30 miles) earlier this year and had a custom pair made. He says they are definitely the most comfortable boot he's ever worn. He's in them 12 hours a day easily.
I'm a fan of Danner for my hunting boots. Was just over at Hoffmans Boots in Kellogg, ID getting some corked soles swapped out. Thinking of picking up another pair to see how they compare to my Danners.

I don't spend my days on my feet anymore like you guys do, but I know that a well fit boot makes all the difference.

 

[sintax]

Is it Nick's Boots where you trace your feet and send it into them and then they make your boots and send them back?

yes, or you go in for a proper fitting, but its in WA.

 

[rivermobster]

I'm gonna need to get a new pair here soon. I'm on my second pair of Doc Martin slip on work boots that I really love, but I'm not crazy about how the sole wears and breaks. I've been leaning towards a pair of redwings since there is a store nearby but I'm not totally sold on them yet

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Take a pass on RedWing. They wouldn't stand behind their warranty when I needed em to. Why? They told me the particular shoe I bought wasn't made in the US and therefore wasn't covered under their Normal warranty.

Shame they didn't mention that when I paid for them. That was ages ago. I'll never buy anything from them again.

 

[sintax]

Take a pass on RedWing. They wouldn't stand behind their warranty when I needed em to. Why? They told me the particular shoe I bought wasn't made in the US and therefore wasn't covered under their Normal warranty.

Shame they didn't mention that when I paid for them. That was ages ago. I'll never buy anything from them again.

yea, i can see that leaving a bad taste in your mouth. When I talk about redwings I only talk about their heritage line (all US made), never touch any of that asian made stuff.

 

[rivermobster]

yea, i can see that leaving a bad taste in your mouth. When I talk about redwings I only talk about their heritage line (all US made), never touch any of that asian made stuff.

So they make it clear now what is us made and what's not? They sure didn't back then.